Archive for December 29, 2014

My Monday Minis Reviews #36 ~ Refrigerator Monsters and a Welsh Dragon

Posted: December 29, 2014 in Action/Adventure, Children's books, Monday's Minis, reviews
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books and magnifying glass photo: Open Book with Magnifying Glass bookwithlookingglass.jpg

Welcome to My Monday Minis Reviews.

I have two for you today.

One is a fun children’s picture book about Christmas and monsters in the fridge.

The other is a children’s chapter book about a Welsh dragon and the critters that help save all from certain doom.

Lets get to it!

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Billy and Monster’s Golden Christmas

by David Chuka

23463692

 

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My Review

This is a delightful story told with fun, colorful pictures.

Billy loves Christmas and everyone is coming to his house this year to celebrate.

The three things Billy loves most are:

Christmas dinner. That yummy stuffed turkey will the the trimmings and Grandma’s chocalicious desserts.

There’s also the fun games they play after dinner.

And, most special, the surprise present from his Uncle Leland each year.

This year Billy’s Uncle Leland gave him a golden pen knowing he likes to write comics.

Billy doesn’t think much of it and went to play hide and seek. A strange noise coming from the refrigerator makes him open it and reach inside. He keeps reaching until…Boom, he’s drawn into another world. There he meets the Monster family and shares their Christmas.

I applaud the author’s imagination and use of colorful, delightful pictures to tell this tale of Christmas and what it is really about.

What child wouldn’t enjoy this wonderful story of adventure, fun monsters, and the true meaning of Christmas. This is one you’ll enjoy sharing with your children each year.

4 Stars

 

Synopsis

They’re back!

Discover what new adventures Billy and Monster get up to in the latest episode in this exciting series.

It’s almost Christmas and Billy’s looking forward to his present from Uncle Leland from England. On Christmas day, Billy isn’t too excited when Uncle Leland gives him a golden pen but gives Cousin Bob a big monster truck. How could Uncle Leland do this to him? Billy’s not a happy bunny and his ingratitude makes Uncle Leland sad and his Dad mad.

A game of hide and seeks plunges Billy into a world filled with snow, happy monsters and houses made of chocolate.

You will love reading this story to your loved ones as they get to learn the most important thing about this special holiday season. Expect funny illustrations, laugh out loud moments and touching moments in this funny book for kids.

For more about Author David Chuka and his books go HERE.

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And now for

Dewi and the Seeds of Doom

by Maggie Lyons

24104771

 

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My Review

Join nosy Welsh dragon, Dewi, and his critter pals as they try to foil the plot of the dastardly Baron Doom.

If it wasn’t for Bomber, the rat that bounced of Dewi’s snout, and the Welsh dragons habit of sticking his nose into everything, the mad experiments of Baron Doom might never have been discovered. That would have been a terrible fate for all.

Readers young and old will enjoy this adventure. Dewi, the nosy Welsh dragon. Bomber(AKA Taffy the Teeth), the scaredy rat. Jones the huge and brilliant toad. Baron Doom from Castle Gloomsgor. These are just some of the characters you’ll encounter.

Will Dewi and his friends be able to save the rats trapped in the castle? Will they be able to stop the mad Baron before his mutated corm destroys all they hold dear?

Follow the wacky adventures as the gang races to do just that.

There are some ‘corny’ jokes that make you giggle, like this one.

“What do you get when you cross a boy and a rat?”

“A brat!”

This is a fun story for the young and the young at heart.

4 Stars

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92jV5OA8yDs

Synopsis

When Dewi is clobbered by a falling rat, the nosy Welsh dragon snoops his way into a challenging predicament. Helped by a toad with a passion for chemical wart cures, Dewi discovers that a megalomaniac baron is secretly breeding mutant corn at an unfriendly castle. To thwart the genetically modified-corn baron’s sickening plan, he must use moxie and firepower in a series of catastrophe-skirting capers.

You can find out more about Author Maggie Lyons and her books by clicking HERE.

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So whatcha reading? Got any suggestions for me?

I’d love to hear them and thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Mateguas Island ~ A Novel of Terror and Syspense by Linda Watkins

Posted: December 29, 2014 in Blog Tour, Excerpt, horror, Supernatural, suspense
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I love a good ghost story or supernatural suspense.

And what would be the best place for it all to do down but an isolated island.

Looking for something to keep you jumping at shadows and things that go bump in the night?

You should check out Mateguas Island.

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Supernatural Fiction, Ghosts, Suspense, Horror
Date Published: April 2014
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Synopsis
On a remote island, a troubled family is trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. But, unbeknownst to them, the property they have inherited is shrouded in ancient magic – magic that could seek to consume and destroy them.
An arcane locked box, a strange and foreboding trail into the woods, a seductive young woman and tales of a malevolent spirit are just some of the perils Karen Andersen must face in order to find a way to save her family.
A spine-tingling tale filled with passion, lies and betrayal, this début novel will have you sleeping with the lights on!

Check out this glimpse inside!

A flash of lightning lit up the sky illuminating the L-shaped room where Sophie and Terri slept. The light was so bright, it startled Sophie awake and she sat up rubbing her eyes. When she could finally focus she was surprised to see their room was suffused by a golden glow that lingered long after the lightning faded. As she gazed about the room in wonder, she saw her twin standing by the window that looked out to the backyard.

“Ter, what ya doin’?” she asked.

Terri turned her head, a bright smile on her face. “Soph, come see. It’s beautiful. It’s like a fairy world.”

Sophie got out of bed and joined her sister at the window. Her eyes widened in amazement when she saw what was happening outside. Scores of fireflies were dancing around one of the bushes in the yard, their light sparkling and shimmering in the wind and rain.

“It looks like Christmas,” said Sophie, her voice filled with awe.

“Yeah, Soph. See how they dance. And listen – I think they’re singing.”

Sophie pressed her face to the glass, straining to hear. “I don’t hear anything.”

“Close your eyes and really listen.”

Sophie did as her sister instructed. In a moment she nodded her head eagerly. “I hear it. I hear it. It’s like magic. It’s so pretty.”

The girls grinned in delight as they listened to the sweet melodic song of the fireflies.

“What language is it?” Sophie whispered. “I don’t understand it but I love it.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never heard anything like it before.”

They stood quietly listening and watching the spectacle taking place before them oblivious to the storm that was raging. But in an instant, their joy was cut short by a loud crack of thunder that shook the house. The room plunged into darkness as the golden glow was extinguished and the fireflies disappeared.

“Look,” whispered Sophie pointing her finger to the yard.

Terri gripped her sister’s hand tightly as she watched a shadowy figure streak across the lawn toward the woods. A flash of lightning lit up the sky, temporarily blinding the girls and when their sight returned, the figure was gone.

They stood transfixed, waiting to see what would happen next. Then a soft mournful sob, barely audible at first, pierced the silence. Stunned, Terri and Sophie hugged each other in fear as the sobs became more desperate. The wind began to howl and mournful cries echoed in the night. Tears streamed down Sophie’s cheeks as she recognized the voice that was now calling out her name.

“It sounds like Mommy, Ter! Is it Mommy? Please, is it Mommy?”

Terri leaned forward, her body rigid as she strained to recognize the voice calling to them. The sound was so familiar but not real, not like her mother. Yet, it was her. “Soph, it is Mommy. She sounds in so much pain. I think she’s hurt. We have to help her.”

Terri gripped her sister’s hand tightly. The cries were becoming more plaintive now as if the caller was losing hope.

“We have to wake Daddy. He’ll know what to do.”

Terri shook her head. “We can’t get Daddy, Soph. What if it’s his fault? What if he hurt her again? You heard them fighting. No, it’s up to us, Soph. We have to help her.”

The girls stood staring at each other for what seemed a lifetime, then Sophie nodded. “You’re right. Let’s go. We have to find Mommy. We have to save her.”

Terri took her sister’s hand and squeezed it. Together they tiptoed out of their room and down the stairs. They stopped briefly at the hall closet and put their slickers on over their nightclothes to try to stay dry and grabbed a flashlight. Then hand in hand, they opened the door and, without hesitation, went silently out into the storm.

 

Buy Links

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About Author Linda Watkins
Born in Norwich, Connecticut, Linda Watkins moved to Michigan when she was four years old. After graduation from college (Carnegie-Mellon University ’70), Ms. Watkins relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area where she lived most of her adult life. A Senior Clinical Financial Analyst at Stanford University School of Medicine, Linda was always writing. At work, she created ‘long forms’ and business plans; at home, she wrote whimsical stories, poems and songs for the delight of her friends and family. In 2006, retired, she moved to Chebeague Island, Maine where she wrote her first novel, MATEGUAS ISLAND.Today, she resides in Western Michigan with her three rescue dogs (Splatter, Spudley and Jasper) and has just completed the sequel to MATEGUAS which she anticipates will be published by Christmas 2014.
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