Stanley and Katrina's Blog, page 33

Guest Book Review: Five Stars to Four Fiends

Hello, Friends!

Today we have our very first book review from Neighbor Girl's Mom (we call her "Cool Mom"). Enjoy!

~Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge (and Stanley)

Title: Four Fiends

Author : Nikki Bennett

Illustrator: Mr. Stephen R. Bennett IV

Year Published: 2013Description (from Amazon): Jinjing, an insecure and fearful girl living in Hong Kong, is about as far from a brave hero as you can get. But when a legendary golden dragon pulls Jinjing and three other kids—dishonest Pietro from Italy, moody Saburo from Japan and overconfident Kate from America--into another dimension, Jinjing discovers courage and strength she never knew she possessed. A group of horrible monsters—the Four Fiends—have kidnapped the Earth’s Guardians. These ancient protectors keep the world from harm, and while they’re missing, life on Earth will spiral into chaos. The Golden Dragon tasks Jinjing and her new friends to find the Fiends and rescue the Guardians. Now, Jinjing must unlock the courage hidden deep inside and lead the others through faraway lands in their quest to confront the Fiends. Can they pull together and save the Guardians? Or will their personal struggles overwhelm their combined strengths and doom the world?

Review: What a fun book to read. I had three or four books "to be read" on my ipad and began reading the beginning of each of them to see which one would manage to capture my attention. Hands-down, the "Four Fiends" beckoned to be read in its entirely right away. 
Nikki Bennett combines mythology from different worlds by bringing together four characters, two girls and two boys, from different areas of the world. She forces them to work together by moving them around the world and through time to battle mythical creatures. Courage is gained and lessons are learned by all.

As a homeschooling mother, oh, oh, oh, there are so many jumping points for lessons in this book.  Geography, Mythology, History and more! I could see complete lesson plans developed around this book. This would be a fun read-aloud for younger kids as well. 

With the combination of characters I would easily assume that both boys and girls would find a character to identify with while reading the story. 

I give this book 5 stars without hesitation and look forward to the next book in the series. 



Ages: Maybe 8+ for reading alone but I do think younger children would enjoy having this story read to them.


Another Opinion: Check out the Ninja Librarian's Review of Four Fiends
Where to Purchase the Book: Great news! Four Fiends is currently available on Kindle for just 99 cents for a limited time! 
Connect with the Author Online:Nikki Bennett's Website
Nikki Bennett's Facebook Page
Nikki Bennett's Twitter Account
Four Fiends on Goodreads


The Reviewer: Hi! I am a homeschooling mother to one precocious tween daughter. Most of my reading consists of preparatory reading for upcoming history, math, science, geography, literature, (you get the idea) lessons. However, sometimes I am lucky enough to fit in a book just for fun and will review these "fun" books for my dear friends, Stanley and Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge. You may call me Neighbor Girl's Mom or Cool Mom. 

Next Planned Book Review: Escape from the Forbidden Planet by Julie Anne Grasso

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Goodreads Giveaway & A Fun Five Star Review

Goodreads Book Giveaway The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets by Stanley and Katrina Giveaway ends March 10, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win
Yay! We have another giveaway. 

This one is on Goodreads and is open to anyone in the United States and Canada. We are giving away 5 signed copies of The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets to five lucky winners. 

Click Enter to Win and good luck!

On a paw dancing, happy note, we received another 5 star review on Amazon. Wheeeee! What a nice thing to read in the morning. Thank you, to all of our awesome reviewers for taking the time to let others know how much you enjoyed our book. It means the world to us!

Thank you for reading and sharing,


Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge (& Stanley)
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Pet Projects: Intriguing Potatoes Should Not Wear Tutus Around Jumping Pigs

Hello, Fans!
We were so excited about the feedback from our first podcast that we created another episode (our second) this week. Guess what? Zorg joined us to deliver his fourth lesson on How to Defeat an Alien Army!
You may now subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, or just wait for them to arrive in our blog post/your inbox (be sure to enter your email address on the right sidebar to have these delivered to your inbox!) ---->
Episode #2: Intriguing Potatoes Should Not Wear Tutus Around Jumping Pigs
Podcast Powered By Podbean

Listen to the podcast (above) or Subscribe to our Podcasts on iTunes!!!
Look for the next podcast in about two weeks and if you enjoy them, please let us know by commenting below this post or on Facebook, Twitter or iTunes.
Now for Our Week in Review:Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom & Knowledge's Word of the Week: IntriguingQuote of the WeekStanley's Animal Fact of the WeekZorg's Lesson #4Love Middle Grade Actually Winners Announced!International Book Giving DayOur Second Podcast (this post)The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets in Kindle format is only 99 cents on Amazon this weekend!Upcoming Projects:
Look for book reviews. The Neighbor Girl's Mother has agreed to post book reviews periodically on our site. However, if you have a book review that you would like to share here as a guest, please let us know. We would love, love, love that! We simply request the book (and review) be G rated and appropriate for sensitive young readers. If you are interested, simply email us at stanleyandkatrina (at) gmail (dot) com or post a comment below this post.
Thank you for reading, listening and sharing,



Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge, Stanley, Popcorn & Zorg


**********************************Follow us on Twitter  * Join us on Facebook Buy The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets Now on Amazon  Just 99 cents for Valentine's Weekend

Valentine's Day Kindle Book Sale of the Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets 99cents!

Hello, Fans!
We hope you are having/have had a wonderful Valentine's Day/International Book Giving Day! For this weekend, we have lowered our Kindle ebook price to just 99 cents, beginning today.
We hope this allows you to surprise the middle grade reader/young readers in your home with a surprise, extra Valentine's Day gift!
Thank you for reading and sharing,


Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge (& Stanley)
**********************************Follow us on Twitter  * Join us on Facebook Buy The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets Now on Amazon  Just 99 cents for Valentine's Weekend

International Book Giving Day Pictures

The Neighbor Girl delivered a few of our books for us. Thank you, Neighbor Girl! She dropped them off at a local library, daycare center and a local medical center waiting room.
Let us know if you participated as well. 
We are already looking forward to next year,

Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge

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Buy The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets Now on Amazon - only 99 cents this weekend!

International Book Giving Day

Did you know that tomorrow is International Book Giving Day? Yes, yes, we know it is also Valentine's Day but, as authors, this Book Giving Day excites us.
Did you know that in the United States, two-thirds of children living in poverty, do not own books? How can this be?
International Book Giving Day encourages you to give, leave or a donate a book to a child and they have a website with creative ideas on how to participate.
The Neighbor Girl will be delivering a few of our books for us tomorrow to wherever she wishes. Thank you, Neighbor Girl! Would you like to join us in the book giving adventure? Visit bookgivingday.com for more information and let us know how you will be participating. 


Thank you for reading and sharing,


Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge



**********************************

DOWNLOAD LOVE MIDDLE GRADE ACTUALLY and enter the Rafflecopter to win by tomorrow!  Get excited!
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Got Questions?

Hello!
Stanley and I are ready to make our next podcast but we need your help.
Do you have a question that you would like us to answer? 
Please email your questions to stanleyandkatrina (at) gmail (dot) com and we may answer them in our next podcast. You may also post your questions right below this post in a comment!
Did you miss our last podcast? Click here --> to Listen to this episode now.
A special thank you to those who have already have sent in questions.
As always, thank you for reading and sharing,

Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge
**********************************DOWNLOAD LOVE MIDDLE GRADE ACTUALLY FOR FREE February 7-11, 2013 and enter the Rafflecopter to win!  Get excited!

Follow us on Twitter  * Join us on Facebook 
Buy The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets Now on Amazon

Last Free Day for Love Middle Grade Actually

TODAY IS THE LAST FREE DAY FOR
14 Fantastic AuthorsShare a portion of their Middle Grade Book
Just for you!
Download it Now
Step 1: Download the book FOR FREE February 7-11, 2013*                 *The book is 99cents for the remaining days of the promotionStep 2: Read the book - all of the directions are contained inside!
Still not sure what Love Middle Grade is all about? Check out this review of Love Middle Grade Actually on Amazon from Renee of Mother Daughter & Son Book Reviews. Thank you, Renee!

Don't forget to share this post with a friend or two right now. Enjoy our trailer. You are the best!

Download it now.


Thank you for reading and sharing,


Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge (& Stanley)
**********************************
DOWNLOAD LOVE MIDDLE GRADE ACTUALLY FOR FREE February 7-11, 2013 and enter the Rafflecopter to win!  Get excited!
Follow us on Twitter  * Join us on Facebook 
Buy The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets Now on Amazon

This Week's Pet Projects

Hi! This is Popcorn the Technical Ferret. Stanley & Katrina have been so busy this week that they have asked me to create today's post. I am better with technical stuff than writing but I will give it a try.
Here we are in Week two of Stanley & Katrina's daily posts and, I must say, I am quite proud to know these two crazy animals. They continue to keep all of us around here busy with crazy ideas like, "Let's do a podcast." but thankfully we are having fun.

Stanley, Katrina and Zorg have been doing a great job of staying on track with their daily posts and have even begun working ahead a bit. Yay, team! Of course, the big news this week is that Love Middle Grade Actually went free for five days and if you haven't already, download it now - all of the fun details are included in the book on how you may enter to win a Kindle Fire.

So much has happened this week, let's just jump to the review list.

Our Week in Review:
Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom & Knowledge's Word of the Week:MelodiousQuote of the WeekStanley's Animal Fact of the WeekZorg's Lesson #3Love Middle Grade Actually Went Free for Five DaysThe Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets was listed today on the Top Ten of Amazon's "Hot New Releases" for Children's Pet Books
Thanks for reading and have a fun weekend,
Popcorn the Technical Ferret


**********************************

DOWNLOAD LOVE MIDDLE GRADE ACTUALLY FOR FREE February 7-11, 2013 and enter the Rafflecopter to win!  Get excited!
Follow us on Twitter  * Join us on Facebook 
Buy The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets Now on Amazon

Love Middle Grade Actually is Free

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!
BEGINS IT'S FIRST FREE DAY!
14 Fantastic Authors Share a portion of their Middle Grade BookJust for you!
Step 1: Download the book FOR FREE February 7-11, 2013*                 *The book is 99cents for the remaining days of the promotionStep 2: Read the book - all of the directions are contained inside!
This news was so big, we talked about it in our very first podcast. Seriously. This IS NEWS!!!If you missed the podcast, click here --> to Listen to the episode now.
Whether you like fantasy, adventure, mystery or humor, "Love Middle Grade Actually" gives you a taste of it all!
Our paws are dancing, dancing, dancing in excitement. Our new Canadian author friend blogged about her excitement as well and we would like to share one of our favorite lines with you:
"14 authors representing 5 different countries and 3 different species have been gathered together under the brilliant leadership of Sally Harris!" - Krista Michelle Breen
Do you see how she is secretly mentioning us? We love it. Thanks, Krista. Through this promotion, people from all over the world will get to know us. Yippee!
This is where you can help us out. Tell your friends. Then tell more friends. When you are done with that, tell your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, your students, your classmates, your team members, you coach(es), your pets (why not?), your.. .
Well, basically anyone and everyone you meet. Or just share this post with a friend or two right now. You are the best! 

Download it now.


Thanks for reading and sharing,



Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge (& Stanley)
**********************************DOWNLOAD LOVE MIDDLE GRADE ACTUALLY FOR FREE February 7-11, 2013 and enter the Rafflecopter to win!  Get excited!
Follow us on Twitter  * Join us on Facebook