Kay LaLone's Blog, page 26

My Review Of Special Run By Lena Jo McCoy

Virtual Book Tour Dates: 8/6/14 – 9/3/14
Genres: Paranormal Mystery









Blurb:
If an animal spoke to you, would you listen? Botanist/psychokinetic Katrina Ormstead created a super hash. A variety of marijuana she calls MAGIC. Before she can share her successful medical findings with the scientific community, she’s murdered. There is, however, one witness begging to come forward. Special is Katrina’s wolf-hybrid dog. She saw her mistress die. She wants revenge. Now she has to convince food photographer, animal psychic and Katrina’s best friend Wheat Keigwin of the same thing. Together, dog and woman dedicate themselves to solving the mystery behind Katrina’s death.


“Trust me, if you’re an animal lover, a paranormal fiction follower, a reader of rom-coms, or a murder mystery aficionado, you should really buy this book.” Charlie Bray’s Indi Book Reviews, The Indietribe Newsletter – Read the whole review at: http://eepurl.com/Pd4gv
My Review: I love paranormal mystery books. This book rates at the top. I loved this book and the characters. This book is gripping from the very beginning. I was drawn into the story and cared so much for the characters that I cried when Kat was murdered. I was right there with Wheat and Special wanting to find her killers. Thank you, Lena, for a good read. 
Excerpt:
“Son of a bitch!” Wheat snapped awake and flung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet moving before they hit the ground.
“Dad!” she screamed as she ran down the hallway. She heard a muffled thump as she came to a stop in front of her parents’ bedroom door.The door jerked open. “What is it?” Frank asked, his voice urgent, awake, despite the rumpled appearance.“Are you okay?” Ella’s voice, strong but scared came from behind him.Wheat moved off down the hall. “It’s Special. We have to get to her!”“What is it?” Other voices could be heard throughout the house. Teeny, Simon, Leo.“Don’t go out there alone,” Ella yelled. “Frank! Simon stop your sister!”Too late.Wheat slammed through the porch screen door, hitting it so hard it crashed into the house and whipped shut behind her.Shit!
Run?
Grab a vehicle?
What’s faster?
She forgot shoes. Damn!
“I’m coming. I’m coming,” she chanted to herself, her teeth chattering even in the heat of the night. Special’s screams were still fresh in her head as she threw open the shed door, dropped down on one of the four-wheelers, turned the key and hit the gas. She shot out of the building and saw the black silhouettes of her dad and brother running across the yard. If they were saying anything, she couldn’t hear it over the roar of the engine.
She left them behind, pushed the vehicle to maximum speed. Across the yard, onto a dirt road, then a path, two wheels in the track, the other two chopping over clumps of prairie grass, her mind working out a course. How to avoid the pasture gate. No time to stop.
Wheat turned the handles to the right, dipped down an embankment. There was a wash where the ground was lower, leaving a sizable gap between it and the bottom strand of barbwire. She prayed it was deep enough to let the ATV pass under. She couldn’t see the wire. Even with light from the moon she could only make out the dark shadows of the posts.
The bike stopped jerking, the tires churning the soft dirt in the wash. Wheat pressed herself flat against the seat, her head tucked behind the handle bars, cheek on the fuel tank, expecting to feel the jerk if the handles caught the barb wire. She felt something shock her as the wire grazed her back.
The material on her pajama top caught. Tore as a barb let loose.
She realized she’d been holding her breath, let it out, kept herself tucked forward, less wind resistance.
The bike topped the rise, all four wheels air bound. It hit the ground. Bounced hard. It knocked the breath out of her, but she didn’t take her thumb off the gas.
The vehicle bucked madly, hitting clumps of grass and gopher holes. Wheat squeezed with her thighs like a bull rider. Rode it out. The clinic only yards away.
Dammit!
The thought hit her.
She didn’t have a weapon.
Too late now. She stomped down on the brake, sent the bike into a skid. Leapt off. The bike still rolling. The gravel bit into her bare feet. Her mind raced ahead. What could she use in a fight?
The clinic door was wide open. She heard the chorus of animal noise inside. She reached out and grabbed a branding iron hanging by a nail on the side of the building.
Didn’t hesitate.
How close was her brother?
Dad?
Her feet slapped the cold tile inside the building and she hit the light switch, arm raised, iron shaft gripped tight.
Brian Donovan stood by the front desk.
She felt the blood rush to her head.
She must look a fright.
To cover her discomfort she scowled at him. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Damn he looked good.
Her ex-lover.

Buy Link:
Amazon






An agriculture journalist, Lena Jo McCoy has worked in the print-media fields, both newspapers and magazines and has spent most of her life devoted to agriculture. Lena Jo has long admired the works of animal behaviorist Temple Grandin, Cesar Milan as well as the farmers and ranchers she’s written about and is dedicated to the humane treatment of all animals. When she is not playing servant to her two English Bulldogs, Lena Jo finds herself at the computer writing the next story.

Author Links:
Blog
Facebook
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Giveaway:
Enter to win one of ten print copies of Special Run. Available to US addresses only. Enter through Goodreads.

Oh Baby Diary Of A Real Payne By Annie Tipton Book Blast

Title: Oh Baby! (Diary of a Real Payne, Book 3) | Author: Annie Tipton | Publication Date: September 1, 2014 | Publisher: Barbour Books | Pages: 195 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 12 Summary: In this final fabulous release in the Diary of a Real Payne series you’ll find yourself ROTFL with EJ’s hilarious adventures with a new little Payne. The Payne family has just adopted a roly-poly package of pudge with bright eyes and a sparkling smile. In true sisterly fashion, EJ can’t wait to teach baby Faith how to be amazing at everything (just like her big sis!). But when EJ learns that she’s losing her role as flower girl to the adorable newcomer in an upcoming wedding, it’s almost more than she can handle. In classic EJ form, she dreams up even more fantastic adventures for herself—promising colossal fun as you become part of her daydreams in Oh Baby!  
PurchaseAmazon | CBD | The Book Depository | Barbour Books | Barnes & Noble 
You can purchase the first two books in the series through Amazon by clicking the book covers below.                  
The Buzz About Books 1 & 2Book 1: "I am 7 years old, and I loved this book because of EJ's imagination and how it focused on the real meaning of Christmas. The book made me laugh, and I especially liked the part when EJ used the shopping cart to pretend to be a race car driver. She thought her mom's scarf was a yellow flag, and she stopped just before she crashed into the display of glue bottles. I liked EJ's character, and I read the book in about 5 days. When we had "Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character Day" at school, I dressed up like EJ Payne. I can't wait for the second book in this series!" ~ Emily E., AmazonBook 1: "My 9-year-old foster daughter loved the book! She related well to EJ and her spunky personality and humorous outlook on life and what it hands you. Great lessons for her to learn, as well as entertaining. She read it in a matter of days and even chose reading it over playing Nintendo, which is a huge endorsement! I also enjoyed it and found it a fun and comforting read for this 40-something adult. Great job. We're really looking forward to Book 2 of EJ's adventures at camp! Thanks, Annie!" ~ Lfierbaugh, AmazonBook 2: "Church Camp Chaos is a delightfully funny look into the highly imaginative workings of a tween girl, EJ Payne. The book cleverly uses a combination of diary entries, narration, and hilarious passages peeking into EJ's daydreams. The story is originally clever and, at times, very poignant. I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic book and I highly recommend this series to young girls in particular between the ages of 8 and 12 who also love Clementine, Judy Moody, and Ramona Quimby." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book ReviewsBook 2: "Curly, my 8-year-old bookworm, loved this book. The day it arrived in the mail I let her look through it. By that evening she brought the book to me to thank me and tell me she was finished. She read the entire book in one day and I don't think she ever put it down! She enjoyed EJ's adventures and the fun times she had at church camp. She told me the book was "funny." I appreciated the way the book treated family relationships and showed a loving family who works together and endures different situations together. EJ and her brother don't always get along but their parents encourage them to be kind and EJ grows to appreciate her brother and even his slightly obnoxious attempts at humor. I enjoyed the life lessons that EJ learned about trust, faith, and friendship and am glad that I can find books for my daughter to read that are humorous and fun while still promoting good values." ~ 5 Star Review, Lextin Academy, Amazon 
About the Author Award-winning author Annie Tipton made up her first story at the ripe old age of two when she asked her mom to write it down for her. (Hey, she was just two—she didn’t know how to make letters yet!) Since then she has read and written many words as a student, newspaper reporter, author, and editor. A native of Wooster, Ohio, Tipton received a bachelor’s degree in Communications at Milligan College in Northeast Tennessee. She currently resides in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
Facebook Fan Page | Goodreads 
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway * Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or 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 by Barbour Books 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 Frankie Dupont And The Mystery Of Enderby Manor

About the BookTitle: Frankie Dupont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor |  Author:  Julie Anne Grasso |  Illustrators: David Blackwell & Samantha Yallope |  Publication Date: July 10, 2014 |  Publisher: Independent |  Pages: 75  |  Recommended Ages:  8 to 12
Summary: When his cousin Kat disappears from Enderby Manor, Frankie Dupont jumps on the scene, only to find bumbling Inspector Cluesome beat him to it. Cluesome thinks Kat simply wandered off. Frankie isn’t buying it.He follows the evidence to conniving concierge, a six fingered chef, a talking parrot, and a shifty dwarf. Quite frankly, none of them are making any sense until Frankie discovers, Kat’s time is running out.An exciting new illustrated mystery series for ages 8-12.My Review: Frankie is such a great character. Even though he is ten and three-quarters and hasn't passed his Private Investigators entry exam yet, he still follows the clues to solve this mystery. Great mystery for ages 7 -12.  Early Buzz About the Book“In a perfect mystery story for children, Frankie’s investigation and Kat’s disappearance make for an exciting and engaging read for children. The simple theme, endearing characters and the interesting happenings create a heart-warming mystery that will keep kids glued to the story. The illustrations in the book give the characters a personality and help in giving life and movement to the scenes. The varied characters that Frankie runs into while on his investigative mission are all colorful and have been well portrayed. It is definitely a book that kids will enjoy. What a great story.” ~ 5 Star Mamta Madhavan, Readers’ Favorite“This Frankie Dupont mystery is very clever and has clues that won’t seem to add up until the end of the book, making it a suspenseful read for children. This book would be great for higher thinking skills discussions in the classroom. Even after finishing the story, I found myself thinking about how it all worked together and realized how a few more clues added to the solution. Well developed characters! Engaging! Fun!” ~ 5 Star Review, Carolyn W., Amazon“Frankie Dupont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor is an excellent read. It’s bursting with suspense, has several quirky and interesting characters and a unique comic style, likely to impress young readers. I didn’t want to put this book down and look forward to more Frankie Dupont adventures.” ~ 5 Star Review, Jody, Amazon
About the Author: Julie Anne Grasso With a background in paediatric nursing, Julie Anne Grasso spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories to encourage and entertain them.She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband Danny and their little girl, Giselle.Website  |  Blog  |   FacebookTwitter  |  Goodreads

My Review Of Twinkle By S. J. Parkinson

Virtual Book Tour Dates:  7/31/14 - 8/28/14

Genres: Science Fiction






Blurb:
The richest man in the world wants to celebrate the July 4th holiday as never before. In a bid to get into the record books, a global fireworks show is staged from orbit. Satellites drop pyrotechnics into the atmosphere, thrilling everyone from the Arctic to the Antarctic with their rich colors and massive explosions in every time zone.

The next day, people around the globe begin to lose their sight. Governments crumble, society degenerates, and infrastructure falls into chaos. Humanity finds itself stumbling in the dark and losing all hope.

A few fortunate individuals retain their vision. Attempting to deal with the growing despair around them, they come together to discover the true purpose and origin of the affliction. They race to find a cure before the world is subjugated under an invading power.


See the Book Trailer on Youtube  
Excerpt:
Keith Hurst’s secure telephone rang, waking him from a sound sleep. He opened his eyes and looked at the LED clock on his nightstand. It said 3:12. As national security advisor to the president of the United States, middle-of-the-night calls were common. His staff did their best to filter out the less important matters until his morning brief, but there were times when an emergency forced sleep into second place.Hurst grabbed the handset by the second ring. He had to wait for the encryption to handshake before he could say, “Hurst.”“Good morning, sir. This is the night watch officer. We have several NSA intercepts from the following countries: India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia all placing their militaries on high alert. We’ve had sporadic reports of multiple air, car, and rail accidents, resulting in thousands of deaths. Many radio and television stations have gone off the air in those countries.”Hurst snapped on his bedside light and sat up. “Accidents? Do we know the cause?”“No, sir. The strange thing is, NSA claims many of the foreign military units that were signaled never acknowledged the alert. There also appears to be a major communication disruption with U.S. CENTCOM units in Afghanistan and our embassies in the aforementioned countries.”“Are the comms being hacked, or is there some sort of natural phenomenon like sunspot interference?” Concerned about the call, Hurst looked at the empty space beside him. His wife had left him several years before, directly because of the election campaign and the late-night calls.“No, sir. Not that we can see. The circuits are up, and the phones are ringing, but no one is answering.”Hurst swung his legs out of bed. Has someone come up with a way to simultaneously disrupt communications with American bases, embassies, and headquarters, or is this some sort of terrorist attack? “Does NRO have anything on overhead imagery?”“No, sir. No major troop movements in the CENTCOM area. In fact, NRO reports minimal movement overall.”“I’ll be in the office in thirty-five minutes. I’ll want everyone in for an early brief for the president. Get the joint chiefs and SECDEF up to speed. Warn the Secret Service that we may be moving POTUS with short notice. If this is an attack, I want to stay ahead of it. See if we can get drone surveillance of any U.S. bases in Afghanistan ASAP. We need answers.”“Yes, sir.”Hurst hung up and hit the bedside crash button to summon his protection detail. This was no time for subtlety. He needed to be in the White House as soon as humanly possible.
Buy Links:Amazon US Amazon UK 
My review of Twinkle: I must admit, I am not a big fan of science fiction, but I found this book easy to follow and interesting. Good characters. Great visual descriptions and details helped me picture what was going on. Intense moments. 



About The Author:Mr. Parkinson was an Air Force avionics technician, a decorated veteran of the Persian Gulf War, and several United Nations peacekeeping missions. He has lived overseas in numerous countries and travels extensively. His novels have been praised for their realism and have sold in fourteen countries, winning multiple international awards.
“I don’t incorporate overt sex, profanity, or extreme violence in any of my writing. I prefer the story to be the main focus and want my novels to be accessible by all.” -SJ Parkinson



Author Links:Website Facebook Twitter

Giveaway:One Lucky Winner Will Win All 3 Books in The Legionnaire Series and Another Lucky Winner Will Win Two Science Fiction Books – Twinkle and Predation – By SJ Parkinson.The giveaway will run the length of the tour. Open internationally. Enter through Rafflecopter.


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My Review Of Jack Templar Books 1 - 3 By Jeff Gunhus

Book 1: Jack Templar: Monster Hunter Book of the Year Award Finalist – Foreword Reviews* 2013 Parent’s Choice Recommended Book *Jack wakes up in the morning before his 14th birthday to a number of strange things. He’s faster, stronger, and Aunt Sophie is crying a lot. On his way to school he runs into a creepy guy with vampire teeth and an ominous message, and before the day is out Mrs. Fitcher, the principal, morphs into a hideous creature with giant bat wings. After a few detours on the way home, Jack arrives to a backyard full of zombies, a houseful of harpies, and oh, but the way, Aunt Sophie has been keeping a few secrets of her own.Luckily, accomplished monster hunter Eva shows up to clue Jack in on his true identity and teach him how to fight–something he needs to learn quickly since Ren Lucre, the most evil monster in the world, can’t wait to kill him. Little does Jack realize that his ancestors were the once-mighty Templar Knights and that he may be the very last of a heroic bloodline. He will discover whether he possesses the bravery to stand up against the monsters…and whether that alone will be enough to survive!And that’s just the beginning of the series!My Review of book 1: I loved these books. Jack is such a great character. In the first book, he is just discovering he is a monster hunter. He is thrown into this dangerous world of hunting monster to try and find his father. This book is a good read for anyone from age 8 - 80. Boys who really don't like to read would really like to read these books. For ages 8-100, anyone who enjoyed the Percy Jackson Series,  Harry Potter  and  The Goosebumps Series  by R.L. Stine MOM SAYSMy Bottom Line:  This book was so much fun to read aloud to my kids!  There is a great plot line, magnificent character development, and the right balance between humour and tension to keep you completely captivated as a reader. This book is just as entertaining for adults as it is for kids.  With regards to age recommendations, I’ll suggest 9 years and older because it could be frightening for very sensitive children.  Also, I think both boys andgirls would really enjoy Jack Templar: Monster Hunter.  I really need you all to read it because, let’s face it, the world really needs more monster hunters! See my full review of Book 1.
Book 2: Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy After barely surviving the onslaught of monsters that tried to kill him the day before his fourteenth birthday, Jack Templar leaves his hometown on a quest to rescue his father and discover the truth about his past. Joined by his friends Will and T-Rex, and led by Eva, the mysterious one-handed monster hunter, Jack sets out for the Monster Hunter Academy where he hopes to find answers to his questions. Little does he suspect that the Academy is filled with dangers of its own, many of them more terrifying than anything he’s faced so far.



My Review of Book 2: Jack goes to a hunters academy to learn to fight monster, but mostly to seek answers. So many mysteries surround the Academy that Jack wondered if he'd ever get to the bottom of them. Jack is trained and sent on a quest to find the Jerusalem Stones.   MOM SAYSMy Bottom Line:  Jeff Gunhus has crafted another winner in the sequel to Jack Templar: Monster Hunter.  Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy  brings back our young hero, Jack Templar in another captivating story filled with plot twists and turns as further mysteries are unravelled and as Jack seeks further information that will help him find and rescue his father from the evil clutches of his nemesis, Ren Lucre.  For those of you who loved the first book, you will likely find the second just as entertaining, although I would say that the plot is slightly more sophisticated in the sequel.  I think children aged 10+ who love reading suspenseful stories filled with monsters, adventure, and danger will love this book. See my full review of Book 2.
Book 3: Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy After fighting a goblin army, befriending an ancient werewolf, and battling two fire breathing dragons during his adventures at the Monster Hunter Academy, Jack Templar hoped for a rest. No such luck.  In this third adventure of the Jack Templar Monster Hunter series, Jack embarks on a quest to track down and acquire the first of five mythical Jerusalem Stones, an ancient power source found by his ancestors, the Templar Knights. Only the reunited Stones can stop Ren Lucre, the Dark Lord who holds Jack’s father hostage and prepares for an all-out war against an unsuspecting human world.  A different Creach Lord holds each Stone, and recovering them will not be easy. Jack and his friends begin their quest by seeking out a powerful and terrifying adversary, the Lord of the Vampires. The fate of the world rests on Jack’s shoulders and he will be tested like never before.  Join Jack Templar on his most dangerous journey yet, but remember that doing so makes you part of his world. Read this book only if you are prepared to battle the Creach and live by the monster hunter motto. Because to survive, you must…   Do your duty, come what may!My Review of Book 3. This is actually the first book I read of the series. So these books can be read as a series or stand alone books. Jack goes on an adventure hunting monsters and seeking the Jerusalem stones. In this adventure he learns the truth about his past. Great plot twist. He is faced with a hard decision.  MOM SAYSMy Bottom Line:   Jack Templar and the Lord of the Vampires  is a fast-paced, action-packed joyride that continues in the same vein as the first two books in the series.  If you loved Books 1 & 2, Book 3 will keep you hooked into the adventures of Jack Templar and his friends.  The cliffhanger alone has me impatiently waiting for Book 4, so get writing Jeff Gunhus!  Up next for Jack and his friends?  Werewolves.  I highly recommend this book as well as the previous books in the series for a young adult reading level (12+). See my full review of Book 3.
About the Author: Jeff Gunhus Jeff Gunhus grew up in Cyprus, Greece, and Saudi Arabia where there was a distinct lack of television. He quickly found books were the gateway to incredible adventures, fascinating characters and unbelievable discoveries. Now, with five children of his own (all who watch too much television, in his opinion), he has enjoyed revisiting his old books and reliving those adventures all over again.Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook

Finding Fuzzy By Cat Michaels Book Blast

  Title: Finding Fuzzy: A "You-Decide Tale" of a Lost Friend (Sweet T Tales) | Author: Cat Michaels | Illustrator: Irene A. Jahns | Publication Date: March 26, 2014 | Publisher: 2101 Ink | Pages: 44 | Recommended Ages: 5 to 10 | Reviewed by: Renee (Mother) Summary: Illustrated chapter book for early readers (Gr. K-3) Blue sky ... Warm sea ... Sugar-sand beach ... The perfect family vacation on the Carolina coast ... Except the trip takes a nosedive when Jenna loses Fuzzy, her plush blue rabbit pal. Jenna learns to carry on without him. But when she stumbles across a secret, she faces the toughest decision of her young life. And YOU, the reader, will help her make that choice and come up with the ending of this You-Decide tale. Don't worry. Cat shows you how in her book and on her website. So, slip on your flip-flops and join Jenna at the shore. It's time to decide YOUR ending for Finding Fuzzy. Caution: Irene A. Jahn's ocean-themed watercolors have been known to cause beach fever.
"Finding Fuzzy" placed second in the Purple Dragonfly Writing contest, a national contest for children's book authors, in the category of chapter books.  
Book Preview  
PurchaseAmazon 
The Buzz About the Book" Finding Fuzzy is an early chapter book featuring the opportunity for children to create their own ending to a sweet, summertime story. The main character, Jenna, has a decision to make when she discovers that her beloved stuffed bunny she had lost is now being used to protect a litter of kittens. After weighing out all of the possible outcomes, it is up to the reader to decide what happens next in the story. I thought this was a unique concept that will interest children, especially ones who are interested in writing their own stories (like my daughter!). I recommend this book to parents, homeschoolers, and teachers with children between the ages of 5 and 10." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews "The story is sweet, and suitable for all children. The book is set up to get kids to think and discuss what they would do in a certain situation--in this case, giving up a precious friend (the stuffed bunny.) I could see using this in either a classroom setting or as a bedtime story. The watercolor illustrations really capture a beachy mood and create a great visual for kids as well.. " ~ 5 Star Review, Nikki B., Goodreads"Cat Michaels has put young readers in a position to solve the dilemma. Readers must brainstorm and utilize their critical thinking skills to write the ending to Jenna's story. This quick to read chapter book has small colorful illustrations that help readers imagine the beach. Readers will also find that the author has created a world where they use all five senses. The back of the book has tips for parents and teachers to help their readers.. " ~ 5 Star Review, Kristi B., Goodreads "This is a book with a difference. The space where the ending should be is blank, leaving readers with the opportunity to take a far more pro-active role in the unfolding of the story. It's time to get creative. It's time to give the story your own ending! There's room for a picture as well, so the budding author can test out their illustration skills too!" ~ 5 Star Review, Peachy Emma, Amazon"The genius here is that Cat has picked the perfect storyline to make your would be writers put themselves into Jenna’s shoes and truly understand how she feels.It’s the stuffed animal, every child has one and every child is very attached to it. This is a great book for it's educational value as far as letting the kids use their imagination to come up with their own conclusion. ----5 stars for this one!" ~ Bookroom Reviews, Amazon 
About the Author: Cat MichaelsCAT MICHAELS started writing stories in fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since. After earning an M.S. degree in special education from the University of Kansas, she spent two decades helping students from kindergarten to college reach their potential. She also managed communication and resource development programs for an international high-tech company that included writing press releases and articles for trade journals. After recession and downsizings, she returned to her education roots, serving at a community college as a writing coach and learning specialist for students with Asperger’s syndrome and learning disabilities. Cat spins tales of everyday life, with a twist of magic or twinge of mystery, that open young minds to new ways of thinking and looking at the world. Illustrations by watercolor artist Irene A. Jahns help bring that world to life. Cat and her family live in North Carolina where she designs playful gardens, dabbles in all things digital, and writes.
* Download free pdf of chapter 1 and You-Decide pages by visiting http://www.catmichaelswriter.com/finding-fuzzy-a-you-decide-tale-of-a-lost-friend.html *Website | Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+ 
FREE Short Story OfferSubscribe by email to Cat's Connections to receive updates, special offers, and to be among the first to hear about new releases by Cat Michaels. PLUS, when you sign up, you will receive a short story penned just for adults, Driving Down to Dillon: A Very-Short Story of Love and New Beginnings by Cat Michaels. Click on the cover below to subscribe to Cat's Connections.
PLUS... email subscribers to Cat's Connections will also receive 5 extra in the giveaway below.  
* Giveaway * Prize: One winner will receive a $30 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash prize Contest ends: September 19, 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. One 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 by the author, Cat Michaels 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

Karmack By J. C. Whyte Book Blast

Title: Karmack | Author: J.C. Whyte | Publication Date: June 6, 2013 | Publisher: Muse it Up Publishing | Pages: 140 | Recommended Age: 7+Summary: A strange little creature enters the lives of three tough guys at Higgins Elementary. And from that point on, pranks come back like boomerangs, smacking the bullies right in their fifth grade butts! Sully, the leader of the gang, is the only one who can see this creature, which he names Karmack. Sully learns that the creature’s job is to balance all the bad pranks the bullies have pulled over the years. Karmack warns that if this fails, “dreadful, awful doom” awaits them all. Sully soon realizes that he must save not only himself but his friends, who have no idea why they keep getting boomeranged by Karmack!
"Karmack" won First Place in the 2014 Purple Dragonfly Writing contest, a national contest for children's book authors, in the category of chapter books (e-Books).
Purchase the BookAmazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Muse It Up PublishingBarnes and Noble * Omnilit * Bookstrand 
The Buzz About the Book"Karmack is a well-written, middle grade book tackling the difficult topic of bullying from the perspective of the bully. The character development is absolutely brilliant as the reader witnesses the transformation of Sully from an aggressive, angry bully to a positive role model and respected leader among his peers. While the concept of karma is not for everyone, I found myself agreeing with the main message of how our actions have consequences, intended or otherwise. I would recommend this book to middle grade classrooms as a great book to generate discussion around bullying." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews"A wonderful story about growing up and treating others with respect, Karmack is well paced, funny, and manages to teach important lessons without coming off preachy." ~ Jess W., Amazon"A fun read with important lessons for us all about Karma, and why bullies have more to balance than most people. Great for ages 9 up, child centered, non-preachy, action packed, great classroom read aloud." ~ Carolyn W., Amazon"What an AMAZINGLY FUN story! EVERYONE needs to read it! Full of FUN, FANTASY, and FANTASTIC REVENGE on a bully! Fun for ALL ages!" ~ Shauna W., Amazon"Karmack is a captivating pre-teen fantasy and author J.C. Whyte has created a strong cast of characters that are well developed and quite likable. As the story progresses, the suspense builds to a delightful outcome that is sure to keep readers anticipating Whyte's next round of literary treasures. We look forward to seeing more from this author." ~ Literary Classics Book Review, Amazon 
About The Author: J.C. Whyte When J.C. Whyte was eleven, her 6th grade teacher gave a class assignment to write a poem about a sport. Realizing her classmates would probably choose popular American sports like baseball or football, J.C. decided to write about something different: golf. And to her complete surprise, the teacher found it comical; she was thereby encouraged to keep writing. Then over summer break, students were told to choose 26 books from a reading list and write a book report on each. J.C. was horrified! She wanted to enjoy her summer, not spend it reading! You see, J.C. was a very slow reader and didn’t much enjoy the experience. Plus, kids back then didn’t have all the fun books to choose from today. But that same teacher who had assigned the sports poem told J.C.’s mother she could write 26 stories instead of reading them. That was absolute genius! Although she didn’t actually write 26 stories (perhaps six?), J.C. submitted one which made her teacher laugh out loud in class. And she got an “A” on her summer reading assignment. J.C. has never forgotten that wise teacher who let her play to her strengths. So from the age of eleven, J.C. knew she wanted to be a writer. Yet by the time she reached college, she understood that writing stories seldom paid the bills. So she got her degrees in Journalism and Communications Management. Then for many years she channeled her creative energies in the field of Public Relations. Marriage, kids, and several more degrees and occupations later (including stints as a travel agent and paralegal), J.C. entered law school – mostly for the challenge of writing creative arguments for the court. But while in law school, she became a columnist for the student newsletter, writing humorous pieces on the strange and quirky life of a law student. She was absolutely thrilled when one of these articles was chosen for publication in The National Jurist, a magazine distributed to law students throughout the US. But after graduating and passing the Bar, J.C. realized within a few years that creative writing was still what made her heart sing. So now, as a grandma, she’s returned to writing. And with publication of her middle grade novel Karmack, she’s come full circle, back to where her writing journey began.
Website | Goodreads  
* Book Blast Giveaway * Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash prize Contest ends: September 18, 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. One 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 by the author, J.C. Whyte 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 Here Lies Love By Dan Thompson

 When she is sold by her father, Abbey discovers that nightmares can occur when you’re awake. Trapped inside a wooden cage, Abbey is forced to listen to the horrors and atrocities above; time ticking down until it is her turn. But Abbey isn’t prepared to become a victim; she will escape.
Although, what Abbey isn’t prepared for, is how harsh and unfair the world can be. With the sun turning its back on humanity long ago, life gives no opportunity. The only thing Abbey can do is learn to survive. To exist. And that means stealing any opportunity that comes her way. Haunted by the unpleasant memories bestowed upon her only nurtures Abbey’s paranoia, until she realises that to truly live in the world, she must confront the person who was responsible for her misfortune – her father.Here Lies Love is a New Adult tale of actuality, of facing up to the fact that love comes in many guises. Can Abbey find the one glimmer of the hope or will she be overcome with the darkness of revenge?   My Review: I loved this book. Was she just one paw among thousand more, upon a vast and colossal sized chess board being played with by deities in the sky? In the last five days or so, more had happened in Abbey's life than every other day in her life put together. If only she could change it's course, but Abbey knew that destiny and fate were unruly.
Abbey is such a strong character who deals with the cruel world and learns who to trust. Good visual description draws the reader into this world the author has created.
 eBook Links

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Amazon UK - Amazon US - The Book Depository - Barnes and Noble -   About Dan Thompson

Dan lives in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire (England) with his young daughter and his shabby dog, Skye.
He is the Author of the charity poetry book Life is all but a vast array of Colours and phobia Novella The Caseworker's Memoirs. His first full length novel, A YA Fantasy entitled The Black Petal will be available soon. Here Lies Love is his first foray into the NA and Dystopian genres.
A lover of YA and fantasy fiction, you can often find him writing on his blog, writing book reviews and connecting online with other writer-type people and interviewing authors. Dan grew up reading Enid Blyton's The Famous Five series, secretly coming up with his own inventive adventures, and R.L Stine's The Goosebump series, before turning to the works of Philip Pullman, Eoin Colfer and Marcus Sedgwick and slipping away into alternate realities. He also loves a good Historical Thriller too. Deborah Harkness, Danielle Trussoni and Dianne Gray are some of his favourite authors who write for adults. Social Media
Why not join me online and come and say hi? You can find me at the following places.
Website: http://danthompsonauthor.comFacebook: facebook.com/theblackpetalTwitter: twitter.com/dan_pentagram
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/danpentagram/
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Canoples Investigations Tackles Space Pirates By K. C. Sprayberry

The crowd on the promenade of Canoples Station goes about their business, ignoring Sally and her red face. She’s patting powder on her face and checking a PocketPad on the table in front of her. Her eyes tighten and she adjusts the vid-recorder set to catch her best side and portray her next interview subject in the worse possible light.Sally: Sally Wild of Inside Galaxy. I’m supposed to interview…Eeek!Cassie: Oh, sorry, did I scare you? Sorry. You looked so busy. I just thought I should tap your shoulder first. Okay, what do you want to know?Sally: Oh, delighted Inside Galaxy viewers, this is Cassie Wills, the only female on the male oriented Canoples Investigations team. She’s pretty, in a rustic way. If you like that kind of look.Cassie: Drop the space-junk and get this done with. I have things to do.Sally: Oh, all right. Rumor has it that you and BD are more frenemies than friends. Is that true?Cassie: Old news. Nothing to talk about. Move on.Sally: Didn’t you dump your “boyfriend” to hang around with that lovely Lisa Tulane? And then didn’t you dump her when the rest of Canoples Investigations rigged the betting going on about when you and BD would get back together?Cassie: Hey, brainless reporter. (Leans against table. Eyes narrow.) Get this straight. BD and I are friends. Not frenemies, whatever that means. We’re good friends. Some might even say we’re a couple. You’re not going to go for gossip in this “interview,” are you? Either you ask sensible questions, or I walk off.Sally: Fine. Real interview questions. You’re the computer expert. Supposedly. Why did you go off to Jupiter with a tour group when your presence was necessary to cracking the case against the space pirates?Cassie: I made a promise to my dad. BD, Terry, and Carl had things under control. They handled the problem.Sally: You let those criminals capture you, even though there was a warning about space pirate activity in the area, even though the promenade had been evacuated because the porthole was blown out. How do you defend your actions?Cassie: Simple. I don’t defend my decisions to anyone, and I’m not explaining anything about what happened on Jupiter. There’s a trial tomorrow, and you know that—you’re here to cover it. We only agreed to these interviews because you kept calling. Not because we think you’re all that great a reporter. (Straightens and walks away.)Sally: Well, I never. These children have absolutely no respect for adults. They’ll learn, though. I’ll teach them a thing or two. Where is BD Bradford? He’s the reason I’m here. Oh yes, another one of those silly commercials about that awful book.


Canoples Investigations Tackles Space PiratesAvailable now!
Excerpt: Five flitters arrow around the massive tetra-flex porthole giving everyone a view of Jupiter and her moons. These are ships capable of seating two to four people for station-to-planet hops. The largest thing in sight, Io, is in synchronous orbit between the station and Jupiter.



Blurb: The biggest worry on BD Bradford's mind is scoring enough creds to snatch a copy of the latest vid-game. He's set on getting his girl to stop glaring at him, until Space Pirates make their presence known. Thrown into a day without end, BD and his team can't do anything right, until faced with an impossible situation.
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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 new 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, and Starlight. Additionally, she has shorts available on Amazon: Grace, Secret From the Flames, Family Curse … Times Two, and The Ghost Catcher. Author Links:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/KC-Sprayberry/331150236901202Twitter: https://twitter.com/kcsowriter Blog: http://outofcontrolcharacters.blogspot.com/Website: www.kcsprayberry.com Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5011219.K_C_SprayberryAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005DI1YOUGoogle +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KcSprayberry/postsPinterest: http://pinterest.com/kcsprayberry/boards/Authorgraph: http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/kcsowriter Book Links: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Canoples-Investigation-Tackles-Space-Pirates-ebook/dp/B00MOIOJM6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1407941425&sr=1-1&keywords=canoples+investigations+tackles+space+piratesBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/canoples-investigation-tackles-space-pirates-kc-sprayberry/1120132536?ean=2940150335349Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/458915
CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/4910024

My Review Of When Violet Was Blue By Deb Troehler

About the BookTitle: When Violet Was Blue | Author & Illustrator: Deb Troehler |  Publication Date: April 24, 2014 |  Publisher: Independent | Pages: 38 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 6
Summary: Little Violet has a problem. She knows that she needs the help of others, but simply cannot figure out how her friends can help her solve this problem. With assistance from an unlikely source, Violet and her rainbow friends find a way to brighten the day for everyone.Told in rhyme, When Violet Was Blue is a bouncy tale that children from 3 to 6-years-old will ask to hear over and over again. My Review: This is such a cute story. This book teaches children about colors, how to work together, and about friendships. A good read out loud book that I'm sure children will want to read over and over again. Early Buzz About the Book“What a fun book to teach children the importance of team work! When Violet was Blue is also a great book to help children learn their colors. The author included some facts about rainbows, along with some other wonderful activities for children, after the story. I would highly recommend When Violet Was Blue! ” ~ 5 Star Review, Dana L., Amazon“Deb Troehler’s children’s book, When Violet Was Blue, will have children and adults alike smiling as they read of Violet and her friends’ efforts to reach Cloud and scatter him. Troehler also illustrated this book and her illustrations, especially her grumpy Cloud, are just marvelous. Parents will appreciate the simple and beautiful way Troehler explains how rainbows are made and how working together can help get lots of seemingly impossible things accomplished. They’ll also love the science facts, projects, and math games that are included in the back of the book. When Violet Was Blue is fun, enlightening, and educational, and best of all, it does make one smile while reading it. ” ~ 5 Star Jack Magnus, Readers’ Favorite
About the Author: Deb TroehlerDeb Troehler has worn many hats over the years—teacher, fabric artist, author, illustrator, gardener, mother, and grandmother. Although each hat is unique, they are all stitched with a common thread—Deb’s connections to her loved ones and the world around her.Mrs. Troehler was a special education teacher for 15 years. After leaving the classroom due to a recurrence of cancer, her family moved to West Michigan to spend time with her husband’s family. To help make ends meet, Deb wrote instructional material and stories for several trade magazines such as Doll Crafter, Doll Reader, and Soft Dolls and Animals. Eventually, the magic of West Michigan motivated Deb to put pen to paper and record the stories inspired by her treks up and down the shores of Lake Michigan.  When Violet Was Blue  is Deb’s third book for children.Educational Blog   |  Twitter  |  Facebook