Mikey Brooks's Blog, page 5
July 17, 2015
Even More Summer Reading
Another great read this summer ... or maybe save it for the fall ...
The Thickety: A Path Beginsby J.A. White
This is a delightfully creepy tale of magic and greed. I feel some of the concepts in this book are a little dark for younger readers but older tweens, ages 11-12, might be able to handle it. I think adults would really enjoy reading it. It starts out very suspenseful as a girl named Kara’s mother is being hung for witchcraft and she is then accused of being a witch. You get the feel of the book from the very beginning. It’s haunting, suspenseful, and at times down right spooky—a perfect book for Halloween or just to put you in that special mood that comes only on that one night. It leaves off on quite the cliff hanger to make sure you have book two ready to go. Lucky for me, I do!
Synopsis:
When Kara Westfall was five years old, her mother was convicted of the worst of all crimes: witchcraft. Years later, Kara and her little brother, Taff, are still shunned by the people of their village, who believe that nothing is more evil than magic…except, perhaps, the mysterious forest that covers nearly the entire island. It has many names, this place. Sometimes it is called the Dark Wood, or Sordyr's Realm. But mostly it's called the Thickety.
The villagers live in fear of the Thickety and the terrible creatures that live there. But when an unusual bird lures Kara into the forbidden forest, she discovers a strange book with unspeakable powers. A book that might have belonged to her mother.
And that is just the beginning of the story.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Thickety-Path-Begins-J-White/dp/0062257234
The Thickety: A Path Beginsby J.A. White This is a delightfully creepy tale of magic and greed. I feel some of the concepts in this book are a little dark for younger readers but older tweens, ages 11-12, might be able to handle it. I think adults would really enjoy reading it. It starts out very suspenseful as a girl named Kara’s mother is being hung for witchcraft and she is then accused of being a witch. You get the feel of the book from the very beginning. It’s haunting, suspenseful, and at times down right spooky—a perfect book for Halloween or just to put you in that special mood that comes only on that one night. It leaves off on quite the cliff hanger to make sure you have book two ready to go. Lucky for me, I do!
Synopsis:
When Kara Westfall was five years old, her mother was convicted of the worst of all crimes: witchcraft. Years later, Kara and her little brother, Taff, are still shunned by the people of their village, who believe that nothing is more evil than magic…except, perhaps, the mysterious forest that covers nearly the entire island. It has many names, this place. Sometimes it is called the Dark Wood, or Sordyr's Realm. But mostly it's called the Thickety.The villagers live in fear of the Thickety and the terrible creatures that live there. But when an unusual bird lures Kara into the forbidden forest, she discovers a strange book with unspeakable powers. A book that might have belonged to her mother.
And that is just the beginning of the story.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Thickety-Path-Begins-J-White/dp/0062257234
More Summer Reading
Here is some more summer reading that I happy to share.
Song of the Mountain, by Michelle IsenhoffNarrated by Shae Taylor I love it when I can sit down and listen to a really great audiobook. This one is a great audiobook to listen to in one sitting or a long car drive. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Below are some questions Audible asked while reviewing the book. I thought I’d share them here, too. This is a series that I will be listening to the rest of.
What made the experience of listening to Song of the Mountain the most enjoyable? Song of the Mountain is a great story of self-discovery. It is very engaging, haunting at times, and inspiring. I absolutely loved the underlining themes and how Ms. Isenhoff parodies the story of Cane and Able. This is a series I will continue to follow and read!
What was one of the most memorable moments of Song of the Mountain?Often we are distracted from our true friends by the glimmer of those that appear to be more shiny. Song has one of these moments and his realization of it really stuck with me. I will now be more conscience of the way I act toward others.
Which scene was your favorite?I really liked the climax but I'm not going to give away any spoilers. You just have to listen to it for yourself. But once you do, you'll agree with me I'm sure!
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?Yes! And I did listen to it all in one sitting. I believe Shae Taylor offered a wonderful fullness to this story and he and Michelle Isenhoff make a great team.
Any additional comments?Very few stories leaving me thinking about them after they're done. This one lingers and makes you think. I believe that is the mark of a great storyteller!
Synopsis:Orphaned at a young age, Song has grown up listening to his grandfather recite legends of the distant past. But it is his own history he seeks to uncover, particularly the events surrounding his parents' deaths. That is a secret closely guarded by his grandfather. Then Song discovers an heirloom that links him to an ancient prophecy. His destiny lies within the old tales he has scorned. Song must follow the path that killed his father. Links:eBook: http://www.amazon.com/Song-Mountain-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00A8V6DL6/Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/Song-of-the-Mountain-Audiobook/B00ZCVFSQ8/
July 9, 2015
Summer Reading
I just finished 3 really fun reads you should check out this summer:
Gyspy Pearl: Tye (book 3 in the Gypsy Pearl series, by Lia London). If you like fun scifi that doesn't make your head spin with techno-mumbo-jumbo you should totally check out this series. It's clever, action packed, and makes you think about how you would look at our planet if you were seeing it for the very first time.
Synopsis: 3 Worlds, 3 Gifts, 3 Powers... Caz must find them all in order to free the fanep species and become queen of the entire Granbo System. When she reaches the third planet, Tye, she figures she's almost done with the mystic cycling process. But the third Gift, instead of giving her Power, threatens to derail everything. It renders her paralyzed every time her adrenaline spikes--something that's hard to avoid when forces from the other two planets are converging to kill her!
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Pearl-3-T...
The Impossible Race (book 3 in the Cragbridge Hall series, by Chad Morris). This is a wicked-fun-read! All the books are! They are filled with humor, lots of action, and this one makes you think if you could visit anytime in history where would it be? A great book for reluctant readers to try out!
Synopsis: In the final book of the Cragbridge Hall trilogy, Abby, Derick, and their friends must utilize their skills in time travel and technology to survive roving bands of dinosaurs, race through space, build robots, and fight virtual dragons.
It’s known as the Race—an annual tournament where teams of students compete in the hopes of winning an unbelievable prize. But before this year’s competition, Derick and Abby receive a terrifying message from the future: Charles Muns’s plan to control history is going to succeed. It will cost countless people their lives and change the destiny of the world. And there is nothing anyone can do to stop them.
Despite the danger, the twins gather their friends and enter the Race, ready to compete against the best of the best in order to claim what might turn out to be a key of ultimate power.
Can they compete the Race in time and stop Muns? Or has the future already been written?
A page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing you can do hard things, and valuing our history.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Impossible-Race...
The Secret of Grim Hill (Book 1 in the Grim Hill series, by Linda DeMeulemeester). This is an inventive spin on what you thought you knew about Halloween. It's got humor, has more of a spooky element, and I would also recommend this book to a reluctant reader--especially a girl.
Synopsis: Winner of the OLA Silver Birch Award, and selected, Canadian Toy Testing Council's "Great Books for Children." Cat Peters just transferred to Darkmont High and is already desperate to get out. There's no way her mom can afford the tuition at Grimoire, the posh, private school nearby, so when Cat hears that Grimoire is offering a full scholarship to the winners of a soccer match, she jumps at the chance! Once she makes the team, everything starts going Cat's way. It's as if the whole town is under a spell - all anyone cares about is the soccer game. Elated by her new celebrity status, Cat doesn't pay much attention when her little sister, Sookie, and their bookworm neighbor, Jasper, try to tell her there's something...just not right about the old school on the hill. But when terrible things start happening, Cat is forced to take Sookie and Jasper seriously and figure out what is going on. While investigating, Cat stumbles across a book of ancient Celtic myth and fairy lore and quickly realizes that something truly wicked is at work inside the walls of Grimoire.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Grim-Hil...
These are great books! I invite you to check them out. Also tell me what you've been reading. My next book is called: Song of the Mountain (Book 1 in the Mountain Trilogy, by Michelle Isenhoff.) I'm listening to this one! It just so happens to be narrated by the talented Shea Taylor who narrated my own book, The Stone of Valhalla.
Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/Song-o...
Gyspy Pearl: Tye (book 3 in the Gypsy Pearl series, by Lia London). If you like fun scifi that doesn't make your head spin with techno-mumbo-jumbo you should totally check out this series. It's clever, action packed, and makes you think about how you would look at our planet if you were seeing it for the very first time.Synopsis: 3 Worlds, 3 Gifts, 3 Powers... Caz must find them all in order to free the fanep species and become queen of the entire Granbo System. When she reaches the third planet, Tye, she figures she's almost done with the mystic cycling process. But the third Gift, instead of giving her Power, threatens to derail everything. It renders her paralyzed every time her adrenaline spikes--something that's hard to avoid when forces from the other two planets are converging to kill her!
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Pearl-3-T...
The Impossible Race (book 3 in the Cragbridge Hall series, by Chad Morris). This is a wicked-fun-read! All the books are! They are filled with humor, lots of action, and this one makes you think if you could visit anytime in history where would it be? A great book for reluctant readers to try out!Synopsis: In the final book of the Cragbridge Hall trilogy, Abby, Derick, and their friends must utilize their skills in time travel and technology to survive roving bands of dinosaurs, race through space, build robots, and fight virtual dragons.
It’s known as the Race—an annual tournament where teams of students compete in the hopes of winning an unbelievable prize. But before this year’s competition, Derick and Abby receive a terrifying message from the future: Charles Muns’s plan to control history is going to succeed. It will cost countless people their lives and change the destiny of the world. And there is nothing anyone can do to stop them.
Despite the danger, the twins gather their friends and enter the Race, ready to compete against the best of the best in order to claim what might turn out to be a key of ultimate power.
Can they compete the Race in time and stop Muns? Or has the future already been written?
A page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing you can do hard things, and valuing our history.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Impossible-Race...
The Secret of Grim Hill (Book 1 in the Grim Hill series, by Linda DeMeulemeester). This is an inventive spin on what you thought you knew about Halloween. It's got humor, has more of a spooky element, and I would also recommend this book to a reluctant reader--especially a girl. Synopsis: Winner of the OLA Silver Birch Award, and selected, Canadian Toy Testing Council's "Great Books for Children." Cat Peters just transferred to Darkmont High and is already desperate to get out. There's no way her mom can afford the tuition at Grimoire, the posh, private school nearby, so when Cat hears that Grimoire is offering a full scholarship to the winners of a soccer match, she jumps at the chance! Once she makes the team, everything starts going Cat's way. It's as if the whole town is under a spell - all anyone cares about is the soccer game. Elated by her new celebrity status, Cat doesn't pay much attention when her little sister, Sookie, and their bookworm neighbor, Jasper, try to tell her there's something...just not right about the old school on the hill. But when terrible things start happening, Cat is forced to take Sookie and Jasper seriously and figure out what is going on. While investigating, Cat stumbles across a book of ancient Celtic myth and fairy lore and quickly realizes that something truly wicked is at work inside the walls of Grimoire.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Grim-Hil...
These are great books! I invite you to check them out. Also tell me what you've been reading. My next book is called: Song of the Mountain (Book 1 in the Mountain Trilogy, by Michelle Isenhoff.) I'm listening to this one! It just so happens to be narrated by the talented Shea Taylor who narrated my own book, The Stone of Valhalla. Link: http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/Song-o...
June 2, 2015
Farworld: Fire Keep
Fire Keep by J. Scott SavageMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have loved this series for a long time. One reason being is that the main character, Marcus, is disabled. I absolutely love that even with his struggles with being crippled he is able to overcome them and be a hero. This book is beautifully moving! An epic ending to a truly awesome series. I loved how Savage was able to pull everything together and leave me not only satisfied with the ending but feeling as though I was saying goodbye to a friend. This book will have you staying up at night waiting to see how the heck Marcus and Kyja are going to survive. It is filled with intrigue, action, and hope. I can’t wait until I can read this one again.
View all my reviews
June 1, 2015
Ice Cream USA
America is a land full of dreams and THIS is just one of them. I am apart of a Kickstarter project called ICE CREAM USA, a picture book about one man's dream to bring happiness to others one sweet treat at a time. I would appreciate your support even if it's just a SHARE. This is a fun project and we need your help to see it happen.
May 15, 2015
Best Friends...Forever? Blog Tour
Best Friends…Forever? (Landry’s True Colors Series)by Krysten Lindsay HagerI have always loved reading books that use humor and have realistic (and relatable) characters. I decided to write the book I wanted to read when I was reading YA and I’m overjoyed it’s now a series where people can follow along on Landry’s journey through dealing with friendships, the ups and downs of school, crushes, relationships, and insecurities. Sure, going back to that time in my own life was a little crazy, but lucky for me there weren’t camera phones to capture me dancing in the school talent show…while wearing jean shorts. If you’re not cringing yet, let’s just say I also had a moment of “genius” where I thought my super dark brown hair would look amazing with “Sun-In” highlights that actually turned my hair a lovely shade of copper. Sigh. The Landry’s True Colors Series is a clean reads young adult series about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, middle school and high school, frenemies, modeling, crushes, values, and self-image. Best Friends…Forever? was ranked at #1 on Amazon’s Hot New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Values & Virtues Fiction and #1 on Amazon’s Hot New Releases in Children's Books on Values. True Colors is an international bestselling book.
Tag line: Good friends have your back, but some go behind it.Blurb: Landry Albright hopes the new year will start off in an amazing way—instead she has to deal with more frenemy issues, boy drama, and having most of her best friends make the cheerleading squad without her. Suddenly, it seems like all anyone can talk about is starting high school next year—something she finds terrifying. Landry gets her first boyfriend (her crush, Vladi), but then gets dumped just as things come to a head with her friends. She feels lost and left out, but finds good advice about dealing with frenemies from what she considers an unlikely source. Landry faces having to speak up for what’s right, tell the truth (even when it hurts), and how to get past the fear of failure as she gets another shot at competing in the American Ingénue modeling competition. Will she get a second chance with her friends, fame, and Vladi?Excerpt:I was so nervous the night of the basketball game. At first, I didn’t even want to go into the gym, but I mustered up the courage just as the game ball went streaking past my head and I almost got knocked over by a referee. The ref blew the whistle and went to hand the ball off. Vladi was standing right there and he nodded at me. Peyton squeezed my arm as we sat down, but I didn’t think it was that big a deal because he didn’t smile at me or anything. “Duh, he was playing basketball, but he acknowledged your existence,” she said. “Kind of like how that cheerleader who keeps screaming out his name is acknowledging him?” I pointed to the girl with glossy straight brown hair who was doing back flips on the sidelines. “Forget her. He must like blondes anyway. He didn’t check me out after all,” she said. I checked around to see if Carey was there, but I didn’t see her. I did see India sitting with Doug and Cristian though. I poked Peyton, but she had already seen them. “Devon would kill her,” she said. “Um, should we tell her? They just started talking again,” I said. I didn’t want to get in the middle of another fight and I could tell that Peyton felt the same way. Besides, it wasn’t like Doug was Devon’s boyfriend. I’m sure India thought she would be safe since other than her and Devon, the rest of us hadn’t gone to the away games before. Peyton said we should try to avoid them after the game so we could pretend that we never saw them together. However, I ran into her on my way out of the bathroom at halftime. “Landry,” India’s aqua blue eyes widened. “Are you here to see Vladi?” I nodded and we both stood there. Peyton came in to see what was taking so long and almost passed out when she saw India. “You guys, could you not say anything to Devon about this? I came by myself and I just ran into Doug here,” India said. Peyton and I acted like we hadn’t even seen Doug. I knew India had to be lying because who would go to a game by herself? We agreed not to say anything. The whole time I worried about what would happen if Devon found out that I knew about Doug and India. Peyton told me to relax because we weren’t doing anything wrong. I wasn’t sure which was worse: keeping a secret from Devon or breaking up her friendship with India?
Buy Links:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Friends-Forever-Landrys-Colors-ebook/dp/B00UIP1N5S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426663576&sr=8-1&keywords=krystenAmazon international: http://authl.it/B00UIP1N5SBarnesandnoble.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/krysten-lindsay-hageritunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/krysten-lindsay-hager/id890673226?mt=11Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/search?query=Krysten%20Lindsay%20Hager&fcsearchfield=Author&fclanguages=all
Connect with Krysten: Website: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/Instagram: http://instagram.com/krystenlindsayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrystenLindsayHagerAuthorTwitter: https://twitter.com/KrystenLindsay
March 18, 2015
Plain and Simple Truths
Today we are featuring Author Lynn Parsons' book Plain and Simple Truths
First a little about the author:
Lynn Parsons became a teacher because of her experiences helping two of her children with special needs. She has taught special education children at both the elementary and secondary levels. Lynn’s instructional methods have been published by the Council for Exceptional Children and featured in several professional online magazines. Her love of education has extended to seven years teaching daily Seminary. She continues to look for innovative teaching methods that can reach all learners. Lynn now works as an Educational Diagnostician, evaluating children with disabilities. She is an advocate for them and their families through her website at ldsdisabilitieshelp.com and her blog at lynndeniseparsons.blogspot.com. Lynn has a Ph.D. in Exceptional Student, and is head of the Faith Committee of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Needs Council for her county. She also enjoys reading, writing, and needlework.
Links to social media sites for the authorFacebook page:https://www.facebook.com/LDSdisAbilitiesHelpTwitter: @parsonslynnWeb sites:ldsdisabilitieshelp.comlynndparsons.comBlog:lynndeniseparsons.blogspot.com
Now for her book:
"Plain and Simple Truths: Lesson Plans with Hands-On Activities to Teach Gospel Truths to All Ages"
Plain and simple Truths is a practical teaching resource that consists of engaging hands-on activities that are used to teach religious ideas. It's like Cub Scout Science meets Religion 101. The flexible lesson plans include a list of materials available in most homes, how to introduce the topic, easy-to-follow instructions to carry out the activities, discussion suggestions, and links to additional resources such as scripture references, LDS General Conference talks, and videos. This resource can be used for Family Home Evening, the new youth curriculum, Sunday School, Priesthood classes, and Relief Society lessons. It's appropriate for learners of all ages and those with cognitive and other types of disabilities.
Tour schedule:Featuring Both books:Plain and Simple Truths & (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 10 http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 11 semishort.blogspot.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 12 http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 13 rebeccalamoreaux-anauthorinprogress.blogspot.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 14 www.inksplasher.blogspot.com http://www.authorsrevealed.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 15 http://www.authorsrevealed.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 16 www.writermike.com
Featuring Both books:Plain and Simple Truths & (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 17 http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 18 http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 19 http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/ semishort.blogspot.com
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 20 www.writermike.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 21 rebeccalamoreaux-anauthorinprogress.blogspot.com
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 22 http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 23 http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com/ http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/ a Rafflecopter giveaway
First a little about the author:
Lynn Parsons became a teacher because of her experiences helping two of her children with special needs. She has taught special education children at both the elementary and secondary levels. Lynn’s instructional methods have been published by the Council for Exceptional Children and featured in several professional online magazines. Her love of education has extended to seven years teaching daily Seminary. She continues to look for innovative teaching methods that can reach all learners. Lynn now works as an Educational Diagnostician, evaluating children with disabilities. She is an advocate for them and their families through her website at ldsdisabilitieshelp.com and her blog at lynndeniseparsons.blogspot.com. Lynn has a Ph.D. in Exceptional Student, and is head of the Faith Committee of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Needs Council for her county. She also enjoys reading, writing, and needlework.Links to social media sites for the authorFacebook page:https://www.facebook.com/LDSdisAbilitiesHelpTwitter: @parsonslynnWeb sites:ldsdisabilitieshelp.comlynndparsons.comBlog:lynndeniseparsons.blogspot.com
Now for her book:
"Plain and Simple Truths: Lesson Plans with Hands-On Activities to Teach Gospel Truths to All Ages"
Plain and simple Truths is a practical teaching resource that consists of engaging hands-on activities that are used to teach religious ideas. It's like Cub Scout Science meets Religion 101. The flexible lesson plans include a list of materials available in most homes, how to introduce the topic, easy-to-follow instructions to carry out the activities, discussion suggestions, and links to additional resources such as scripture references, LDS General Conference talks, and videos. This resource can be used for Family Home Evening, the new youth curriculum, Sunday School, Priesthood classes, and Relief Society lessons. It's appropriate for learners of all ages and those with cognitive and other types of disabilities.
Tour schedule:Featuring Both books:Plain and Simple Truths & (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 10 http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 11 semishort.blogspot.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 12 http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 13 rebeccalamoreaux-anauthorinprogress.blogspot.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 14 www.inksplasher.blogspot.com http://www.authorsrevealed.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 15 http://www.authorsrevealed.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 16 www.writermike.com
Featuring Both books:Plain and Simple Truths & (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 17 http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 18 http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 19 http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/ semishort.blogspot.com
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 20 www.writermike.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 21 rebeccalamoreaux-anauthorinprogress.blogspot.com
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 22 http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 23 http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com/ http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/ a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 12, 2015
(dis)Abilities and the Gospel
Today we are featuring Author Lynn Parsons' book (dis)Abilities and the Gospel
First a little about the author:
Lynn Parsons became a teacher because of her experiences helping two of her children with special needs. She has taught special education children at both the elementary and secondary levels. Lynn’s instructional methods have been published by the Council for Exceptional Children and featured in several professional online magazines. Her love of education has extended to seven years teaching daily Seminary. She continues to look for innovative teaching methods that can reach all learners. Lynn now works as an Educational Diagnostician, evaluating children with disabilities. She is an advocate for them and their families through her website at ldsdisabilitieshelp.com and her blog at lynndeniseparsons.blogspot.com. Lynn has a Ph.D. in Exceptional Student, and is head of the Faith Committee of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Needs Council for her county. She also enjoys reading, writing, and needlework.
Links to social media sites for the authorFacebook page:https://www.facebook.com/LDSdisAbilitiesHelpTwitter: @parsonslynnWeb sites:ldsdisabilitieshelp.comlynndparsons.comBlog:lynndeniseparsons.blogspot.com
Now for her book:"(dis)Abilities and the Gospel: How to Bring People with Special Needs Closer to Christ"
Each day, parents and church leaders struggle to teach individuals with special needs. Using helpful information, real-life stories, and a touch of humor, "(dis)Abilities and the Gospel" provides ways for you to effectively teach people of all ages with autism, Down syndrome, bipolar disorder, memory loss, and other disabilities.
Tour schedule:Featuring Both books:Plain and Simple Truths & (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 10 http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 11 semishort.blogspot.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 12 http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 13 rebeccalamoreaux-anauthorinprogress.blogspot.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 14 www.inksplasher.blogspot.com http://www.authorsrevealed.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 15 http://www.authorsrevealed.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 16 www.writermike.com
Featuring Both books:Plain and Simple Truths & (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 17 http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 18 http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 19 http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/ semishort.blogspot.com
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 20 www.writermike.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 21 rebeccalamoreaux-anauthorinprogress.blogspot.com
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 22 http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 23 http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com/ http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/ a Rafflecopter giveaway
First a little about the author:
Lynn Parsons became a teacher because of her experiences helping two of her children with special needs. She has taught special education children at both the elementary and secondary levels. Lynn’s instructional methods have been published by the Council for Exceptional Children and featured in several professional online magazines. Her love of education has extended to seven years teaching daily Seminary. She continues to look for innovative teaching methods that can reach all learners. Lynn now works as an Educational Diagnostician, evaluating children with disabilities. She is an advocate for them and their families through her website at ldsdisabilitieshelp.com and her blog at lynndeniseparsons.blogspot.com. Lynn has a Ph.D. in Exceptional Student, and is head of the Faith Committee of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Needs Council for her county. She also enjoys reading, writing, and needlework.Links to social media sites for the authorFacebook page:https://www.facebook.com/LDSdisAbilitiesHelpTwitter: @parsonslynnWeb sites:ldsdisabilitieshelp.comlynndparsons.comBlog:lynndeniseparsons.blogspot.com
Now for her book:"(dis)Abilities and the Gospel: How to Bring People with Special Needs Closer to Christ"
Each day, parents and church leaders struggle to teach individuals with special needs. Using helpful information, real-life stories, and a touch of humor, "(dis)Abilities and the Gospel" provides ways for you to effectively teach people of all ages with autism, Down syndrome, bipolar disorder, memory loss, and other disabilities.
Tour schedule:Featuring Both books:Plain and Simple Truths & (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 10 http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 11 semishort.blogspot.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 12 http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 13 rebeccalamoreaux-anauthorinprogress.blogspot.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 14 www.inksplasher.blogspot.com http://www.authorsrevealed.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 15 http://www.authorsrevealed.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 16 www.writermike.com
Featuring Both books:Plain and Simple Truths & (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 17 http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 18 http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 19 http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/ semishort.blogspot.com
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 20 www.writermike.com
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 21 rebeccalamoreaux-anauthorinprogress.blogspot.com
Featuring: Plain and Simple TruthsMarch 22 http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com/
Featuring: (dis)Abilities and the GospelMarch 23 http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.com/ http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/ a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 9, 2015
Robbed of Soul
For many authors, the setting of their book is just as important as one of the main characters. The setting creates the mood, influences characters’ behavior, affects dialog, adds an emotional response, and plays a part in the plot of a story. The setting can be a friend to the protagonist, an antagonist (think Hemingway and the sea), and even a mentor.In my latest mystery, Robbed of Soul, the setting is both friend and foe. The book begins in solitary confinement in Tehran. (Definitely an antagonist.) Then the setting moves to Kanab, Utah, where my protagonist finds healing in her small-town surroundings (after solving both a modern-day murder and one that occurred 100 years ago.)
I set my book in Kanab because I needed an area with wonderfully rich scenery to contrast the earlier setting of solitary confinement. Kanab is also full of legends and myths, which complemented the mystery and eeriness of my plot.
Here are a few things to think about to increase the characterization of your setting:addspecific, unique details of the area (even down to using actual names and locations)mirror or contrast the mood of the plot with the setting of a chapter or sceneas you write, think of your setting in terms of “having a personality” What are some of your favorite books? Can you recall the setting in them? Probably. That’s part of the reason they are your favorites. So give it a try. Take a little time and think about your setting in the book you’re writing. Can you make it into another character? One that influences your protagonist for good or evil?
Do you like books? Do you like Zions National Park?
Join the ROBBED OF SOUL
book launch giveaway and you may
win 3 nights in a
vacation townhome in Kanab, Utah.(Thirty minutes from Zions.)
A $450 value! (Or a $100 Amazon gift card if preferred.)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rescued but psychologically damaged from a failed mission, ex-CIA officer Maria Branson takes the job of police chief in the quiet town of Kanab, Utah. Rest and relaxation are the doctor’s orders. She gets neither. Instead, a missing mayor, the spirit of a dead Aztec warrior, and the over-confident-yet-attractive head of Search and Rescue await her in a town whose past has almost as many secrets as her own. As Maria investigates a modern-day murder, she disturbs a world of ancient legends and deadly curses. Yet most lethal of all is Maria’s fear someone will discover just how empty her soul really is.Available at
Amazon, Smashwords, and Google Play.
Photos from some of my adventures in Kanab
A fun shot during a photo shoot for the cover. We didn't end up using it, but just look at the background! What a settting!
Real pictographs at Moquith Mountain, one of the places in "Robbed of Soul."
Overlooking an amazing canyon, 20 minutes north of Kanab.February 9, 2015
LTUE 2015
I am excited to once again be apart of LTUE (Life, the Universe, and Everything a Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writer’s Conference). This year they have some great panels and presentations schedules by some of the best in the business. For more information visit: www.ltue.net. Below is my personal schedule. If you can’t make it to these come by and see me anytime in the Dealer’s Room where I’ll be hanging out with my wife.
Thursday:1 pm: Artist panel: Creating Backgrounds4 pm: Building a Team: Writer/Artist/Colorist6 pm: Space Travel without Warp Drive 7 pm: Fantasy for the Very Young
Friday:11 am: Artist Panel: Steampunk Art2 pm: Folktale Retellings4 pm: Artist panel: Scary Sketches: Making Monsters
Saturday:2 pm: Self-Promotion through Podcasting3 pm: Rigid vs. Loose Magic Systems
I will not be attending the Mass Author Signing but there is one Friday night at the hotel. If you are interested in getting my books I'll be selling them in the Dealer's Room. I'll also have prints available through the Art Show. Thanks for all your support and I hope to see you there!
