Kay LaLone's Blog, page 35

Spread Some Indie Love Blog

 "We're Muses. Not vampires, not fairies, not werewolves. We're Muses." Sophie was sure her mother had reached an epic level of crazy. ‘We're Muses?' She thought Muses were lame, not to mention she found the idea ridiculous. However, Sophie couldn't explain away her physical transformation that made Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries look like a bad Walmart make-over, not to mention why her mood swings triggered an uncontrollable ability to shoot powerful bursts of energy out of her hands.

Sophie soon realizes modern day Muses have evolved into powerful guardians of humankind, tasked with keeping mortals on the right path and the original Olympians locked away from the world. But old hatreds don't die easily, especially for immortal enemies that have an eternity to plot and gather their forces. Well aware of the Fates' foretelling of another Olympian war, and a young Muse that would rise up as a warrior and defeat them, the Olympians have vowed to either possess Sophie or destroy her. Either way, they will make sure everyone associated with their imprisonment will reap an eternal damnation in the Underworld, leaving the Olympians to restore Mount Olympus and force humankind into a future of never-ending servitude and misery.
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Unexpected-V-C-Birlidis-ebook/dp/B00HUHM3G0?tag=blasttours-20  By day, nineteen-year-old Maggie Lane is property manager of Pearl Estates, a posh housing community owned by her father and occupied by Shadows. By night, she's a waitress at a local dive. When a girl at her night job disappears, she dives into Scooby mode. She might be able to handle a missing waitress on her own, but when a new Shadow moves in next door and turns her into a blushing, flirting, love-crazed girl, her need for answers unearths nightmares from her past and monsters of the here and now. It's possible her bad attitude might not be enough to carry her through.
New Adult paranormal romance Shadow Town is the first novel in the Maggie Lane Chronicles

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=shadow%20town%20maggie%20lane&sprefix=shadow+town%2Caps%2C287&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ashadow%20town%20maggie%20lane
When Queen Eanndra calls the leaders of the Territories and their heirs to Star Mountain for a Conclave, none of them expect to have their lives changed forever by the repercussions of a war that ended three hundred years ago.
With the return of the Web of Light, chaos and destruction must surely follow.
Sides will be chosen. Friendships won and lost.

For within every heart lies the dark seed of betrayal
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Web-Light-Duology-Volume/dp/1493528998/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391637725&sr=8-1&keywords=web+of+light+kyra+dune ');
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My Friend Suhana Book Blast

About the BookTitle: My Friend Suhana: A Story of Friendship and Cerebral Palsy | Authors: Shaila Abdullah & Aanyah Abdullah | Publication Date: December 16, 2013 | Publisher: Loving Healing Press | Pages: 17 | Recommended Ages: 3+ Summary: A simple tale of love and friendship to warm your heart. Award-winning author and designer Shaila Abdullah teams up with her 10-year-old daughter Aanyah to bring you this heartwarming tale of a little girl who forms a close bond with a child with cerebral palsy.    
Purchase Amazon 
The Buzz“Children with cerebral palsy, like Suhana, the special 7-year-old child in this book, might never take a first step, say their first words or even do the same things other kids can do. But, they can understand kindness, love and true friendship. This is a story about two young 7-year-old girls whose friendship will span a lifetime and whose love will never die … There are so many themes that are brought to light in this wonderfully illustrated book. Friendship, understanding, love, kindness and trust…This mother and daughter have presented a well written, special, colorfully illustrated book that is definitely a must read for children in the lower grades, read aloud in every classroom, hospital groups, book store book signings and even at centers with children who have CP who can learn that they can do anything––all they need to do is try.” ~ Fran Lewis, former Reading and Writing Staff Developer at NYC Public Schools“Promoting friendship, respect, and support, this children’s book aides in teaching others that art can help overcome and accept the differences of physical characteristics in others. It shows the bond that a mother and daughter share caring and loving those who have physical or mental disabilities as they convey how to be a true friend.” ~ Conny Crisalli, Book Pleasures“This heartfelt story shares what it would be like to have a friend with cerebral palsy. Parents, teachers and young readers will appreciate the stories purpose and enjoy the colorful illustrations depicting the moods of Suhana and the love and caring she receives from her friend…Both authors have done an excellent job of educating us on how to be role models by opening our minds and hearts to the possibilities.” ~ Kristi’s Book Nook“My Friend Suhana, for which Kindle and ePub editions are also available, was inspired by the experiences of the authors. While helping her mother with a special needs class at a local community center, a seven year old girl befriends another seven year old girl named Suhana who has cerebral palsy. It is a simple tale of love and friendship that will warm everyone’s heart.” ~ Wayne Walker, Home School Book Reviews“My Friend Suhana is a delightful read for a children’s book. Very well illustrated with respect, friendship, and advocacy all in mind at the same time.” ~ Dawn Cruzan, President, Camp Craig Allen for all abilities“This is the story of a seven-year-old’s first attempt at unconditional love. Tough but tender, inspirational yet utterly real, this is a small gem of a tale. Highly recommended for anyone in the position of mentoring a beloved child through the hard places of life.” ~ Paula Huston, author of A Season of Mystery and A Land Without SinMore reviews at http://myfriendsuhana.com/reviews/ My review: Entertaining. A book that teaches that we are all different. We can be friends and have fun. I love the pictures.
About the Authors: Shaila Abdullah & Aanyah Abdullah[caption id="attachment_16548" align="alignleft" width="238"] Shaila & Aanyah Abdullah[/caption] Shaila Abdullah is an author and designer based in Austin, Texas. She is the author of two award-winning books: Saffron Dreams and Beyond the Cayenne Wall . The author has received several awards for her work including the Golden Quill Award, Norumbega Jury Prize for Outstanding Fiction, Patras Bukhari Award for English Language, Reader Views Award, Written Art Award, and a grant from Hobson Foundation. My Friend Suhana is Shaila’s first children’s book. In her free time, Shaila loves to run around with her children–Aanyah and Aaliyana. Aanyah Abdullah is a creative and compassionate 10-year-old, who is drawn to children born with physical and mental disabilities. When she was in second grade, Aanyah along with her mother Shaila, started volunteering out at a local community center where they helped assist special needs children. Later Aanyah wrote an essay about her friendship with a girl in the class who had cerebral palsy. That essay is the inspiration behind My Friend Suhana . Aanyah dreams of establishing a special school for children with disabilities one day. She is known to always stand up for what is right and is-–in her parents’ and teachers’ eyes––a perfect role model for her baby sister.
Book Website | Twitter | Facebook  
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest runs: February 12 to March 12, 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. 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, Shaila Abdullah & Loving Healing Press 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.
Be sure to check out the My Friend Suhana Blog Tour(coming Mar 4 to 11, 2014)a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review Of Four Rubbings

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Virtual Book Tour Dates: 1/30/14 – 2/13/14Genres:Mystery/Thriller/SuspenseHorror/OccultTeen/Young Adult




Blurb:
Halloween.The night the barrier between the dead and the living is as thin as muslin. Fourteen-year old Josie, haunted by the death of her mother, leads her best friends to an ancient cemetery to rub graves. Convinced she will come away with proof of her mother’s spirit at last, the evening takes an unexpected turn as the teens gravitate four ways into the haunted grounds. Set against the backdrop of the rainy Pacific Northwest, four graves will be rubbed, touching off a series of events that will rattle their once mundane lives. From the lonely World War II hero to an accused witch, the people buried beneath the stones have stories that need an ending. The journey to unravel the mysteries leaves the friends wondering if the graves would’ve been better off left alone.
Excerpt:
WHY DO PEOPLE have to mess with the dead on Halloweenanyway? They’re dead. Respect the dead. Didn’t their folks teachthem any better? I squint into the distance at a cluster of folksstanding inside the cemetery gates.“I’ll scare them good and give them a piece of my mind alongthe way,” I mumble as I stomp the three hundred or so yards it takesto reach the cemetery entrance from my caretaker’s cottage. Can’thelp but think if I had just done my job in the first place, I wouldn’tbe standing knee-deep in a pile of trouble right now.Not five minutes ago I’d stood staring out the kitchen windowwatching a dull, dreary day change into something better. Leaflessgray trees framed an orange and white fireball sky, framed it likeiron gates, and that is when I’d remembered. Damn, Grace.Ten years of watching over Lakefront Cemetery and tonight ofall nights I’d forgotten to lock the gates. My forty-year-old bones feltsoggy from a day of rain-chilled grave tending. Clearly, I wasthinking more about a hot bath and a cup of warm cider than doingmy job. Ah, well. With an hour before sunset, I’d figured I hadplenty of time to put things right.I’d found my mud-caked work boots and damp flannel coatpiled on the back porch where I’d shed them an hour ago. As Ishoehorned my boots onto bare feet, I’d spotted a group gathering atthe cemetery entrance. I checked my watch. Five o’clock seemedawful early to start Halloween trouble, but there they were. I madeout four bodies, four or five. Couldn’t tell for certain without myglasses, and I wasn’t willing to trudge back through the cottage withmuddy boots to collect them up. I’d know soon enough.As I stomp across the grounds, I rehearse what I will say. I’llgive them a lecture about respecting the dead, then shoo them offspeedy quick. All worked up, I don’t pay no mind to the noise myboots make as I dodge headstones and thunder through wet leavesand mud. I want them to hear me coming and be afraid. Too bad Idon’t have time to go back for my hefty flashlight, or better yet, arusty shovel, to shake at them. Boy, the stories they could tell theirfriends tomorrow about the crazy cemetery lady and her wickedshovel.“You’ll all think twice about coming around here again after Iget through with you,” I spit into the wind.As I near, I see they’re decked out in costumes. I count four ofthem, teenagers, of course. It’s mostly the teens that make troublearound here. I duck behind the Yessir’s family tomb to get a betterlook. “Sorry if I’m blocking your view, folks,” I whisper.I steal quick peeks around the white marble structure and makeout an oversized superhero, a football player, Pocahontas and somekind of dapper fella.Pocahontas, a tiny copper-headed girl, is giving theminstructions. I can’t hear everything she says, but catch phrases like,“Let a stone call you…. open your heart…. connect with the personburied underneath…”She doesn’t sound like my typical vandal rat; I give her thatmuch credit. I rub my chest where a knot has formed and lean incloser to catch the gist of her words.The girl reaches into a tan leather pouch and hands aroundoversized pieces of paper and chunks of black chalk, not the toiletpaper and spray paint I expect to see. Art supplies. My knees giveout as the truth dawns on me. They’ve come to rub the stones.They’ve come to remember the dead, not hurt ‘em.The breath I didn’t know I’d been holding bursts from mymouth. My eyes cloud over. My calloused hands ball into sweatyfists and shake. My cheeks burn with shame. I’ve been wrong aboutthese kids, pegged them as vandals when they are bent on doingsomething good. I fall apart, but gather it all up again quick. I amwrong and have to atone. Good thing I’m already down on myknees.It’s been so long since I‘ve said any kind of prayer. Too long. I’mclumsy about how best to place my hands, how far to bow my head,and how to muster the words. But I close my eyes, and feel warmtears roll down my cheeks. I send a prayer up to the God I’ve beencursing for the past decade.“Let them have a journey, Lord, a journey that begins withremembering the dead and rubbing a stone. Amen.”
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My review: I loved this book. Four teenagers go to a graveyard on Halloween. Each is drawn to a tombstone to do a rubbing of. As they learn about the dead person buried under the tombstones, they each solve their own mystery. I love that this story is written in first person and each character has a chance to show their POV. Thank you, Jennifer, for a good read. About Jennifer Hotes:

Raised across the river from the Hanford Nuclear Reactor, Jennifer grew up looking at the world a little differently. Now she uses her unique perspective and glow-in-the-dark countenance to write YA novels and illustrate for talented authors, preferably with a cat on her lap or dog at her feet.She blogs to teens because she feels the world-at-large gives them a bad shake. Her latest blog is all about finals week and how best to cope/endure.Mrs. Hotes loves living in rainy Seattle, volunteering in her children's schools and raising funds for Providence Hospice of Seattle. Her first novel, Four Rubbings is out now.She is a member of SCBWI, society of children's book writers & illustrators and is currently painting a group of aging men posed in an old red truck for a book cover.




Connect With The Author:
Author Website
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Four Rubbings Facebook
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Book Blast The Bifrost Bridge by James Bradley Clarke

About the BookTitle: The Bifrost Bridge | Author: James Bradley Clarke | Illustrator: Marcus Gran | Publication Date: January, 2013 | Publisher: Wynwidyn Press | Pages: 92 | Recommended Ages: 8+ Summary: The Bifrost Bridge is a Viking princess fairy tale intertwined with Norse mythology. Silya, the feisty ten year old Princess of Norway, eagerly awaits the arrival of her cousin and best friend, Princess Hedda of Denmark. The princesses are both looking forward to the summer solstice celebration, but trouble lurks in their future as magical villains see the girls as being vital for their deadly conspiracy. Hedda and Silya find themselves cast into a dangerous adventure filled with fire giants, female warrior angels and the God of Thunder.    
PurchaseAmazon | Wynwidyn Press Books 
The Buzz"A delightful and endearing adventure that winds Norse mythology and two young girls through a whirlwind of danger, friendship and standing up to evil-doers. The Princess heroines, Silya and Hedda, engage the reader with their charming day to day life at the celebrated summer solstice festival in ancient Norway... The book moves along easily and the characters are likable at once. A fun read for the parents, and challenging enough for the children because it may have a few new words and characters they may not know. It is an adorable story that will soon become a favorite." ~ 5 Star Review, Janet, Amazon"Bifrost Bridge is a beautiful fairytale, mixing legend and adventure and creating a wonderful reading experience for both children and adults alike. I read this to my 7 year old daughter, and my 10 year old daughter read it for herself; both of them were captivated by the story. My 7 year old loved the idea of two princesses being such close friends, and my 10 year old loved all of the action and suspense in the story. I enjoyed the Norse mythology woven into the tale. It's a wonderful family story. I will be reading it to my sons next!" ~ 5 Star Review, Rebecca F., Amazon"When I first looked into this book, I was sure that the world of fairy tales had been overdone so many times that I wouldn't see much difference between this one & my other classic favorites that I enjoyed over the years with my children... However, I was proven wrong.. This is such a beautiful and entrancing fairy tale! Mr. Clarke takes the often repetitive world of fairy tales and adds an elegant, dramatic twist to it, producing an epic and moving adventure that children will forever cherish! My daughter and I read it together and had many nights where we just didn't want to put it down! His characters, including the feisty Silya, are memorable and seem so very real! It's a hard thing to do that with children's fairy tales and again, I commend Mr. Clarke for releasing a wonderful new fairy tale to pass on to generations to come!" ~ 5 Star Review, Vicky R., Amazon 
About the Author: James Bradley Clarke[caption id="attachment_16629" align="alignleft" width="169"] James Bradley Clarke[/caption] James Bradley Clarke is a graduate of Hiram College, The University of Houston, and the University of Michigan. He currently resides in Oxford, Ohio, where he works as an academic librarian for Miami University. He grew up near Ann Arbor, Michigan, and he has spent most of his life in the Great Lakes region. The Bifrost Bridge is Clarke’s first work of fiction. The children’s book was first developed as stories Clarke started telling to his two daughters back in the summer of 2003. Both girls shared a love for classic princess fairy tales, so he invented original princess characters for both of them. As residents in Riverside, Illinois, Clarke’s family lived in walking distance of the Brookfield Zoo where the girls regularly admired the Norwegian fjord horses. When he learned this ancient breed of horse was used by the Vikings, a specific medieval setting for the stories came into focus. As a Hiram College student, Clarke had developed a love for the epic poems of Homer and Virgil, so he chose to borrow from mythology to provide magical elements. The girls became instantly enamored with these stories and they insisted on developing new adventures for the two Nordic princess characters. The first draft of a manuscript was produced during the summer of 2005. Clarke’s daughters were delighted with the bound copy they received as a Christmas gift later that year, so he began the process of becoming an author. Clarke has a love for history and a taste for plot driven stories about extraordinary individualism. Themes of fortitude and self-determination lay at the heart of Clarke’s writing interests.
Facebook (Book Fan Page) | Facebook (Author Fan Page) | Goodreads 
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest runs: February 10 to March 9, 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. 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, James Bradley Clarke 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 Money Tree By LaDonna N. Smith

Virtual Book Tour Dates:1/20/14 - 2/17/14 Genre: Children
Blurb:
Follow Tyler on his adventure to get enough money for a cool new toy, without the help of his parents. A witty and fun story with upbeat text for your young child with a valuable lesson about working hard and saving money to get something they really want! The clear text and playful illustrations aim to simplify financial concepts like earning, saving, interest, the difference between needs and wants, and the joy of running one’s own business. To make the otherwise boring topic interesting, the concepts have been explained through small anecdotes accompanied with colorful illustrations to stimulate children and ignite a love of saving.
Amazon  FYD Publishing Createspace


My review. I love the pictures. To me, pictures are so important in a picture book. This book is easy to understand and informative. Good book to teach children the value of money and how to save. 



About the Author:

LaDonna N. Smith is a certified financial educator whose goal is to educate youth from all walks of life on how to find their path to financial empowerment. LaDonna draws inspiration for her book ideas from several typical parenting routines; watching her children play or argue, overhearing them sing or talk, and listening to all the amazing ideas, concerns, & request that they come up with. The Money Tree, is the first, but her children have inspired many more literary surprises already in the works! LaDonna and her husband reside in New York and have four wonderful children, all with intriguing and different personalities, like the characters she creates in her storybooks. Website - Facebook
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a print copy of The Money Tree by LaDonna N. Smith!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway The Money Tree by Ladonna N Smith Giveaway ends February 17, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win

My Review Of Fox Talk

About the BookTitle: Fox Talk Author: L.E. Carmichael, PhDBook Designer: Michael PenmanIllustrator: Jody BronsonPhotography: Brian Dust Publication Date: August 8, 2013 Publisher: Ashby-BP Publishing Pages: 62 Recommended Age: 8+ 
Summary When you talk to a dog, does the dog talk back? Many people think so. But for a long time, scientists didn't know how our furry friends learned to communicate with people. Luckily, Russian scientist Dmitri Belyaev had a plan. If he could tame wild red foxes, he could learn how dogs first came from wolves. By studying the way these foxes changed during domestication, the mystery of communication would be solved at a last. More than 50 years after the experiment began, Belyaev's foxes have become so tame, you can have one as a pet! Packed with eye-popping photos and first-hand research, FOX TALK reveals the story of these amazing animals... and everything they've taught us about wolves, dogs, and communication.

My review. Nice pictures. Entertaining and informative. This book gives an experiment a child can do at home to better understand dogs. Foxes have shown scientists how domestic animals communicate. And one thing the foxes keep saying is how much they love people. Good book to show you how dogs communicate.
 
Early Buzz About the Book"Fox Talk is an educational non-fiction title exploring the domestication of dogs by studying fox behaviour and communication. The information is presented with beautiful photographs, illustrations, bubbles/boxes of brief information, and descriptions of the research findings using age-appropriate language. I think this would be an excellent resource in elementary schools or for homeschoolers in particular and I highly recommend it." ~ 5-Star Review, Mother Daughter Book Reviews 
Purchase
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Chapter/Indigo (Canada) 
About The Author: L.E. Carmichael[caption id="attachment_15831" align="alignleft" width="193"] L.E. Carmichael[/caption] Lindsey Carmichael never outgrew that stage of childhood when nothing's more fun than amazing your friends (and correcting your teachers!) with your stockpile of weird and wonderful facts. Her sense of wonder came in handy during her career as a scientist, and in 2006, she received the Governor General's Medal for her PhD thesis, Ecological Genetics of Northern Wolves and Arctic Foxes. Lindsey finds talking about science more fun than doing it, however, and now writes for kids, teens, and occasionally adults (a sense of wonder is essential for this, too). Lindsey publishes under the name L E Carmichael, and her work has appeared in Dig, Highlights for Children, Kiki, and Canadian Tales of the Fantastic. Her published science books cover everything from animal migration to hybrid cars. When not digging up obscure or wacky details for her next nonfiction project, Lindsey's probably working on her young adult fantasy novel.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads  
Fox Talk Blog Tour Schedule (2014)January 27
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch)Books Direct (Author Interview) January 28
Victoria Simcox's Blog (Guest Post) Once Upon a Time (Review)January 29
Baby Bookworms in Black Words - White Pages (Review) Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia (Book Spotlight)January 30
Generation iKid (Guest Post) BeachBoundBooks (Review)January 31
Bound 4 Escape (Review) No Doubt Learning (Review)February 1
Cherry Mischievous (Guest Post) We are the DinoFamily (Review)February 2
Deal Sharing Aunt (Review) February 3
Stitch Says (Author Interview)February 4
Maude's Web (Review) February 5
Musings by Jay Faulkner (Guest Post) Brooke Blogs (Review)February 6
Books, Books The Magical Fruit (Review)February 7
Kay LaLone I Love Books (Review)Bailey's Book Blog (Author Interview)Mel's Shelves (Review)February 8
On the Go With Zeppi (Book Spotlight) February 10
The Squishable Baby (Review) Hershey Wishes and Kisses (Review)February 11
Christy's Houseful of Chaos (Review & Author Interview)Lakshmi Gosyne (Book Excerpt) February 12
Christy's Cozy Corners (Review)Dawn's Disaster (Review & Guest Post)February 13
Manic Mama of 2 (Review) The Adventures of Lovable Lobo (Author Interview)February 14
Domestic Randomness (Review) The Dragyn's Lair (Review)February 15
Crystal's Tiny Treasures (Review) February 16
Heart of a Philanthropist (Review)  
* Blog Tour Giveaway *Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card (or PayPal cash) + a Skype visit to a school or library of the winner's choice ($250 value). Contest runs: January 27th to February 21, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Worldwide 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 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 publisher, Ashby-BP Publishing 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 Zoe & Zak And The Tiger Temple By Lars Guignard

About the Book Title: Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple (Zoe & Zak Series, Book #3)Author: Lars GuignardPublisher: Fantastic PressPublication Date: January 1, 2014Number of Pages: 267Recommended Age: 8+Summary Last semester, Zoe and Zak returned the first lost Noble Truth to its rightful home. Now, Zoe and Zak are back in India for their second semester at Moonstock Himalayan Academy. School kicks off with the Activity Week Challenge in the tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan where the students must deliver medical supplies. Things, however, take a turn for the worse, when Zak becomes deathly ill after an encounter with a strange floating bubble. On returning to Moonstock, Zoe and Zak discover that a creature has come through the lava hole far below their dormitory. When Zoe and Zak follow the creature, they soon discover what they must do. They have been tasked with finding the second lost Noble Truth -- the Tiger Eye of Justice. Finding the Tiger Eye sounds like an impossible mission, and it's only made more confusing when Zak discovers that he has been given a supernatural power to help them with their task-- a power which Zak, for the life of him, just can't control. But he's going to have to learn how to use his new ability, because if Zoe and Zak can't find the Tiger Eye quickly, Zak's time will run out.

My review. Zoe and Zak go on another great adventure This adventure seemed more dangerous than the first two adventures. So very exciting. Zoe and Zak are great characters who act more like brother and sister than best friends. Zak can be so funny. I can't wait to read book four.


 
Buzz About the Zoe & Zak SeriesBook 1: "Awesome! ~ I am 11 and I liked the book because I love adventures. It was a different kind of adventure from what I usually read and it was funny too. " ~ 5-Star Review from J. Olsen, Amazon Book 1: "This was a fun read. This book was like a kid's version of Indiana Jones. It's also very educational as Zoe tells you real facts about what she sees and the history. I enjoyed it immensely. If you have a 10-12 year old child that loves adventure books, this is definitely a must read. " ~ 5-Star review from Simone Lilly-Egerter, Amazon Book 1: "I'm sure this book was written for children who are around the age of the two children in the book, 11 or so. But, this 35 year old loved this book! It had action, adventure and imagination galore! It was exactly the kind of adventure that a lot of kids that age dream of." ~ 5-Star review from The Novice Christian, Amazon Book 2: "I have a 10 year old son who is an avid reader!! He loves books, (but he's picky too) he loved Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. He was so excited to read the 2nd book in this series! When I presented him the first book he was not sure he would like it but changed his mind quickly, then when I heard about the 2nd book being released he almost jumped out of his chair! (no exaggeration) He is anxiously awaiting the 3rd book! I would say that any child who enjoys fantasy/adventure books should read this series! It is a well written page turner! It's a fun story that adults can even enjoy the storyline without getting bored! According to my son, 'every kid should read this series'. " ~ 5-Star review from SavyGreenSaver, Amazon Book 2: "I loved this book, even as an adult reading it. I was completely sucked into the plot and was constantly finding myself staying up "just a little longer" to read one more chapter. Different twists and turns in the book have you constantly guessing who is behind what and who Zak and Zoe can trust. I could definitely see myself being involved in this series as a middle schooler considering how much I enjoyed it even now. Another thing I liked about it is if you missed the first book, you could still follow along with this one and not be lost." ~ 5-Star review from Staci, Amazon Book 2: "Lars Guignard has done a fabulous job with this series. I loved the `Ghost Leopard' & love this one even more. For late-elementary to middle school age readers, you can't beat this series. It's fun and fast-paced. Even my picky fifth grader enjoyed every page. There are bits of magic thrown in keep the action exciting. Mr. Guignard has a brilliant imagination & readers are blessed that he's chosen to use it for YA fiction. If you've yet to read the first installment in this series, do yourself a favor and read these books back to back. Don't limit it just to kids! Adults will have a blast reading these too!" ~ 5-Star review from Liz Terek, Amazon  
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About The Author: Lars Guignard[caption id="attachment_14417" align="alignleft" width="154"] Lars Guignard[/caption] Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard , Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse , and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple . He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range. For news about new releases, please join his email list by contacting the author: Zoe&ZakAdventures@gmail.com
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Tiger Temple Blog Tour Schedule (2014)January 15
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)Mary-andering Among the Pages (Review)January 16
Jump Into a Book (Review)January 17
Brooke Blogs (Review)January 19
Nik's Picks Book Reviews (Review)January 20
Houseful of Chaos (Review) January 21
Black Words - White Pages Kids (Review)January 22
For the Love of Books (Review) January 23
Fiona Ingram (Review) January 24
Stitch Says (Review) January 25
Just Thinking (Review) January 27
Bound 4 Escape (Review) January 28
Fantasy Fun With Kirstin Pulioff (Review) January 29
We are the DinoFamily (Review) Cheryl Carpinello's Writing Pages (Review)January 30
Pragmatic Mom (Review) January 31
Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia (Review) February 1
The Dragyn's Lair (Review) February 2
Kids Book Group (Review) February 3
Bookworm for Kids (Review) February 4
The World of ContestPatti (Review) February 5
BeachBoundBooks (Review) February 6
Best Kids' Reads (Review) Kay LaLone I Love Books (Review)February 7
InkSpired: A Blog (Review) February 8
Jemima Pett, Author (Review) February 9
The Omnibus Publishing (Review)February 10
Geo Librarian (Review) February 11
Books, Reviews, Etc. (Review)February 12
Victoria Simcox (Review) February 13
Heart of a Philanthropist (Review) February 14
Dalene's Book Reviews (Review)Cassandra Lost in Books (Review) 
* Tiger Temple Blog Tour Giveaway *Prize: One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card (or PayPal cash). Contest runs: January 15 to February 21, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Worldwide How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winners will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winners 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 Lars Guignard and Fantastic Press 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 Justice Perverted

 

 

Virtual Book Tour Dates: 1/13/14 - 2/10/14
Series: The Richmond Saga
Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Medical Mystery, Beach Read
 
Blurb:
 
Sandy dozed intermittently with her head on Jon’s shoulder as they headed west on IH10. She thought about the changes that had just occurred in her life: her father’s death, quitting her teaching job in New Orleans, and packing all her belongings into the moving truck she was riding in. Her mind raced to the changes that were to come: her marriage to Jon, moving to the town of Richmond, Texas, and the effect that the community would have on her—and she would have on the community. She could not have foreseen the arrest of Jon’s partner for murder, the teenage marijuana ring, or the complete perversion of justice about to take place.
My review: Jon and Sandy are good characters who find themselves dealing with the problems and mysteries of life. Thank you for a good read.

Excerpt

“And why doesn’t he want to handle divorces? It’s not like he has to do the investigation?” Daphne asked. I’m still not getting all of it, she thought. “I know he does pre-nups. He did one for someone last week, and I’m billing for it today.”
       “Two things. Don’t send out the bill for the pre-nup for another week or two. Doesn’t seem exactly polite to go sticking your hand out right away. And if that old coot actually does marry little miss smiley tight britches . . .”
       Daphne laughed at the description. Maureen certainly remembered the couple correctly. And she had been as nice as anything when they were in the office.
       “If they have the lack of taste to send Jon an invitation to the wedding, we send them a fifty dollar gift certificate to Yastremski’s Meat Market in East Bernard and sign the card Jon Miller, Esq.”
       “The meat market? For all the wedding invitations Jon gets?” Daphne asked with a shocked expression on her face.
       “Lord, no. Just the ones where he does the pre-nup. It’s his little joke,” Maureen explained with a grin.
       “Back to the pre-nups and divorces, which of course go hand in hand. If the couple divorces, at least one or maybe both, will continue to reside in Richmond,” Maureen continued, “and Jon, of course, wants both of their business.”  Daphne laughed as the light finally came on.
       “Yes, indeed. And no one remembers their divorce lawyer positively.”
       “I sure don’t!  He took my money, didn’t get me enough money from that lazy bastard ex of mine, and took his own sweet time doing it,” Daphne said with feeling as her voice broke.
       The older woman looked at her and asked, “It’s been about a year since you started proceedings?”
       “It’s been a year and one month since I threw his lazy cheating ass out of my house. How did you know?”
       “These things seem to go in stages, and you are at about the one year mark, give or take a couple of months.”
       Maybe this woman does know something. I’m gonna try to keep an open mind and listen and learn, Daphne told herself silently.
 
Buy Link:
 
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Justice-Perverted-Richmond-Saga-Wilbur-ebook/dp/B00E1RN5SC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387386775&sr=8-1&keywords=justice+perverted+dee+Wilbur
About the Authors:
 
Beatrice Dee Pipes and Charles Wilbur Yates, Jr. write under the pen name Dee Wilbur, a combination of their middle names. This is their second work of fiction. A Texas native, Dee Pipes grew up in a small Texas town. Her degree from Rice University is a B.A. in English. She currently runs a company that helps other companies with marketing, project management, and other tasks. She has been married to her husband Bryan for thirty years. Also a native Texan, Charles Yates, Jr., was also reared in a small Texas town. He graduated from Rice University in Houston with a B.A. and Ph.D. in Biology. He received the M.D. degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He has been married to his wife Sally for forty-five years. They have four adult sons and six grandchildren. He now tends his garden in Richmond, Texas.
 
Author Links:
 
Website http://www.deewilbur.com/
Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Dee-Wilbur/e/B002G02UUA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_3
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dee-Wilbur/70567338156   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Release Day Lost Soul Dark World #2 By T.G. Ayer

Happy Release Day!

Lost Soul
(DarkWorld #2)
by
T.G. Ayer


With her sister missing and her mother and Anjelo stuck in the Wraith World, Kai must find a way to save them all. But the Wraith poison has brought her to her knees and only Logan's fire can help ease her pain.

Uncertain who to rescue first, Kai's decision is made for her when she discovers her sister Greer is stuck in the Greylands and slowly going insane. Desperate to save her, Kai will go to incredible lengths to obtain a portal key to the land of the dead - and maybe, she’ll go one step too far.

From deathtalkers to demons, trackers to ghosts, Kai must fight against betrayal and evade the clutches of danger to set her sister free. Can she save Greer from a horrific death - and will she ever be able to forgive herself if she can’t?

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Purchase links to come

Teasers

My ears lifted, pointed, flared out. My eyes burned, the particular sensation of my panther eyes coming forth. Another growl and my jaw lengthened, hardened, my nose now picking up every odor surrounding me, including the sickly odor of the poison flowing thick and strong beneath my skin.
My hands transitioned smoothly into paws, my fingernails curving into deadly-sharp claws. I stretched out, lengthened my back, and let the panther take control.

~~~~~

The lab was cold and silent as Logan breathed deep, drawing the fire through his body and centering the molten energy within his mind. The mouse shivered in his hand, its sickly green eyes staring up at him, its expression sad and seemingly pleading. The little, large-eyed white-furred creature had been shaved to reveal its bare skin, enabling Logan and the lab-techs to assess how well the fire was progressing in killing the poison.

~~~~~

As the glass hit the ground, water burst from it like a geyser, spraying droplets all over the kitchen. And all over me.
Good job, Odel. Now who's going to clean up this mess?
Lying where I fell, my face rested close to my poison-wreathed arm. I stared at it as it throbbed and pulsed, as if the poison had taken on a life of its own and was just waiting for the next moment to advance farther into my flesh.
Who knew a tiny piece of Wraith-sword could be this deadly?

~~~~~

Meet the Author

I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognise that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practise given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes… I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. It’s a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each other's loves – it works wonderfully…

My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands – I shall forever remain cross-eyed.

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~~~~~
 AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Soul-DarkWorld-Novel-Book-ebook/dp/B00I4YBLIE/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1391108689&sr=1-2&keywords=Lost+Soul
AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Soul-DarkWorld-Novel-Series-ebook/dp/B00I4YBLIE/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1391108873&sr=1-2&keywords=Lost+Soul

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/403433

Pony Dreams By KC Sprayberry

Available now... Pony Dreams by Kc Sprayberry, Abigail Weston's starry-eyed dream is to become the first female Pony Express rider. Ma, Pa, and six overprotective brothers won't even let her near the corral to train mustangs for the mail venture, so she gives up her dream to sneak out and talk to the ponies, teaching them to accept her weight on their backs. Then her life changes and all her dreams are dust. Or are they? Publisher: Fire and Ice, an imprint of Mélange Cover Artist: Stephanie Lauritsen Add it to Your Want to be Read Pile: Goodreads Buy the Book: Pony Dreams - http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00HTQNE7Y

Cover Artist: Stephanie FlintLink - https://www.facebook.com/sbibbphotoWatch the Trailer:  The Author:  KC Sprayberry started writing young, first as a diarist, and later through an interest in English and creative writing. Her first experience with publication came when she placed third in The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge contest while in the Air Force, but her dedication to writing came after she had her youngest child, now in his senior year of high school. Her family lives in Northwest Georgia where she spends her days creating stories about life in the south, and far beyond. More than a dozen of her short stories have appeared in several magazines. Five anthologies feature other short stories. She has four books that are Amazon best sellers: Softly Say Goodbye, Who Am I?, and Mama's Advice. Her other novels available are: Take Chances, The Ghost Catcher, Family Curse … Times Two, Secret From The Flames, Where U @, The Wrong One, and Grace.
Follow the Author: Website - Facebook - Twitter - Blog - GoodreadsJacketFlap - Amazon - Google+ - PinterestAuthorgraph - AuthorsdB - Manic Readers

KC is a writer friend and a part of my online crit group, so I got a chance to crit this story. All I have is good things to say about this story. This is a great story. Must read. I love the cover. 

Buy the Book: Pony Dreams - http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00HTQNE7Y