Archive for the ‘Children’s books’ Category

Cover Reveal and Giveaway ~ The Tale of Willaby Creek by Victoria Lindstrom

Posted: April 27, 2015 in Children's books, Cover Reveal, Fantasy, giveaways
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I’m excited to share the cover reveal of The Tale of Willaby Creek by Victoria Lindstrom! This is a middle grade adventure fantasy that releases in June 2015.
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I just love the cover art. It looks like an enchanting oil painting.
What do you think?
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About the Book:
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A magical tale of amazing sacrifice…When a violent windstorm strikes an enchanted rain forest many of the woodland creatures of Willaby Creek are stranded, injured, or lost forever to the frenzied force of the tempest. Basil, a black bear full of doubt and fear, becomes the unlikely leader to head the woodland creatures’ rescue. He is joined by Daphne, a spunky blue dryad; Oliver, a wise horned owl; Elbert, a noble elk; and a host of other creatures that inhabit the enchanted rain forest.Dangerous twists and turns in this animal adventure fantasy cause Basil to discover a courage, and a conviction, he never knew he had. The answers to the ancient mysteries in this magical tale emerge in an extraordinary finale under the tall timbers of the hidden hinterland.
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About the Author:

VICTORIA LINDSTROM is a full-time writer, a voracious reader, and the author of the children’s picture book, The Scandinavian Santa. She loves to wander through the woods, capture the beauty of Nature in photographs, and visit museums and fine art galleries. She and her husband, Michael, live near the shore of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. You may visit Victoria at: www.victorialindstrom.com

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One hardcover copy of The Tale of Willaby Creek (US) and an ebook of The Tale of Willaby Creek (INT)(Books will be delivered upon release, or shortly before.)
Ends May 19, 2015
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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The woods belong to Vexel ~ Escape Through The Wilderness ~ Review Tour

Posted: April 21, 2015 in Action/Adventure, Blog Tour, Children's books, reviews, YA
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Escape Through the Wilderness banner

I have a scary good book to share with you today.

Escape Through The Wilderness tells the tale of four teens stranded in the deep woods with a legendary beast stalking them.

Sound creepy?

It is, and such a good story.

Please enjoy my review.

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Title: Escape Through the Wilderness
Author: Gary Rodriguez
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Pages: 254
Genre: Teens/Children
Format: Paperback/Kindle

Escape Through the Wilderness 3

My Review

At sixteen years of age, Savi (Savannah) has been through a lot. An injury dashed her dreams of competing in the Olympics and left her with a slight limp. She still plans on having fun at the adventure camp though.

After witnessing how a car barely slows down long enough for a girl to scramble out and crumble in the dirt, Savi comforts and befriends Jade. And soon becomes friends with Rico, but it doesn’t look like she’ll get along with Conner. He doesn’t pass up a chance to tease her about her limp.

This could complicate things when they have to all ride together for the overnight white-water rafting trip. Savi is determined to enjoy the trip even if she has to share a raft with Conner.

What was supposed to be an exciting ride becomes a disaster when the boat overturns and their adult guide is swept away, leaving them alone in the wilderness, on the wrong side of the river.

Right after the accident, the group dynamics come into play. Each of the characters have assets and weaknesses. At first you’d expect them to all pull together. Most people do. But when the going gets tough, you could see it starting. The self doubt. The lack of trust in each other. And it’s compounded by the local legend.

The locals claim the woods belong to Vexel, a legendary beast who protects his territory. With night approaching they use what they have to make camp and huddle in the dark.

And this is where the mysterious hunter finds them. He offers what he has in supplies and warns them to get to the crossing point on the river before the 31st. At that time, the dam opens and they won’t be able to cross, trapping them with Vexel.

All of these teens must face their own inner demons, conquer their doubts, and find hidden strengths while learning to work as a team. All of this while attempting to allude a ferocious predator. The author did a wonderful job of putting you in the moment, feeling what the characters felt.

My apprehension grew along with the teens as Vexel made its presence known and began to stalk them. There were some very scary scenes. Not gross, but hair raising ones. At the end of the book, I still wasn’t quite sure what the beast was and thought that was very creative of the author. I drew my own conclusions and pictured many things.

If I ever got lost in the woods, I’d like these resourceful teens by my side. They come across as genuine to a fault.

The author puts his characters in many precarious situations as they struggle to survive. I can only hope I’d do so well.

And as for the mysterious hunter. I’d like to know more about him. A book about his history with the beast, Vexel, and why he’s so obsessed with killing it would be exciting.

While tagged for middle grade and young adult readers, I got a kick out of it and recommend it to older readers too.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Savannah Evans walks with a slight limp thanks to a gymnastics’ accident that dashed her Olympic dreams, but didn’t stop her from attending an adventure camp in Idaho. At Camp Arrowhead, she quickly befriends Jade Chang and Rico Cruz, but Conner Swift taunts Savi because of her injury.

When the four are teamed together for an overnight white-water river rafting adventure, Savi refuses to get in the same raft with Conner. Unfortunately, the director will not reassign her.

A fun expedition down the river turns into a nightmare when their raft slams into a huge rock and their adult guide disappears down the river.

Without their guide and desperately trying to steer an out-of-control raft, they pass the “last chance” marker and enter the larger rapids. With Jade pinned between the raft and a rock, and Rico clinging to a lifeline, Savi must cut the raft free.

When the four drag themselves out of the river, they’re bruised, beaten, lost, and twenty-five miles from camp. Because of late-night campfire tales of Vexel, a vicious animal that roams the nearby woods, Savi and the others are terrified.

Savi becomes the unlikely leader who tries to guide the group back to Camp Arrowhead. Limited supplies, injuries, and the constant threat of Vexel—who Savi fears is stalking them, complicate the harrowing return trip.

Readers will enjoy dramatic survival scenes and the group working together, solving problems, and learning to overcome adversity.

 

For More Information

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Enjoy This Excerpt:

Suddenly, they heard a loud rustling of bushes and branches snapping downriver not far from where they had set up their makeshift camp.

“What was that?” Savi whispered anxiously. “It couldn’t be Vexel, could it?”

“Quiet.” Rico rebuked her with a hush. He raised the tip of his nearly finished spear.

Again, they heard more noise in the woods. This time they knew it was getting closer.

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About the Author Gary Rodriguez

 Gary Rodriguez

My name is Gary Rodriguez, and I live in California. I’m the president of LeaderMetrix Inc., a consulting company that specializes in senior-level executive coaching, organizational development, and conflict resolution.

Previously, I worked for eighteen years in the radio business as an executive where I spent several years as one of the original managers of Infinity Broadcasting.

Following a successful radio career I became the president of a non-profit organization for a season.

As a young man, I spent a tour of duty in the U.S. Army where I was recognized as the youngest Drill Instructor in the Army’s history at age 18 years. I was also awarded the Silver Star (the nation’s third highest award for valor) while serving in a combat zone.

Over the past few years, I’ve written three non-fiction books and then I decided to write a novel.

My first book, Purpose-Centered Public Speaking, was published in 2009 and was re-published this summer (2014). Then I wrote a companion workbook designed to help people implement the principles taught in my first book. Next, I wrote Overcoming The Fear Of Public Speaking. And this past year, I wrote my first novel, Escape Through The Wilderness.

For More Information

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Until the next time….

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

They’re Coming For Our Cows! Review Tour for Aoleon, The Martian Girl #4 ~ Illegal Aliens

Posted: April 20, 2015 in Action/Adventure, Blog Tour, Children's books, reviews, Science Fiction
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I’m back to share the fourth book in the Aoleon, The Martian Girl Series, Illegal Aliens!

I’ve been having such a grand adventure with these books and just finished the fifth and final book.

Let’s see what Aoleon and Gilbert, along with their friends and enemies, have been up to, shall we?

Aoleon 4 The Martian Girl Part Four


Book Title: Aoléon The Martian Girl: A Science Fiction and Fantasy Saga
Part 4: Illegal Aliens
Written and illustrated by Brent LeVasseur
Category:  Middle-Grade, 139 pages
Genre: Science-fiction and Fantasy
Publisher: Aoléon Press
Release date: February 1, 2015
Available for review in:  PDF
Will send books: Internationally
Tour dates: April
Content Rating: G
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My Review
If you think the cover is wildly awesome, wait until you read this book and gaze upon the illustrations. They are something to see. The world is so detailed and the characters leap from the pages in a 3D effect.
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Illegal Aliens continues the adventure with Aoleon and Gilbert. When last we parted, Aoleon’s parents were imprisoned by the evil Luminon, who are now in pursuit of the two friends when they flee Mars.
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The Luminon declare war with Earth for the much desired and needed bovines. You need to watch out for the flying cows and their cow pattie bombs!
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Right from the first book, it’s hinted that Gilbert might have latent psychic powers and now Gilbert and Aoleon follow Kyrios to be trained on how to use it. The two friends will need to use everything in their bag of tricks in order to rescue Aoleon’s parents and stop the war.
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I was as engrossed in this book as I was with the other three. As the story moves towards it’s conclusion in Book Five, The Great Pyramid of Cydonia, the intrigue, conspiracy, and danger mount for Martians and Terrans (humans).
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This is a wonderful series. The world building, through words and illustrations, is amazing. Aoleon and Gilbert continue to mature and forge an ever tighter bond of friendship. The conspiracies and dastardly villains continue to plot. And the zany adventures thrill you and lift your heart.
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I feel all ages will love this series and can’t recommend it enough.
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5 Stellar Stars
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Book Description:Aoleon and Gilbert have become the Luminon’s top priority in stopping the Martian resistance movement, and after being chased by the Royal Paladin Guard, they are forced to flee the Martian Megalopolis. Aoléon, Gilbert and Zoot escape with the help of Bizwat and his newly found friend, Helios, a first generation soldierbot.After their saucer is destroyed, they crash land somewhere in the deep Martian desert, and they set out to locate Kyrios and the secret base where Aoleon’s parents are being held captive.After battling the forces of nature, starvation, a Klyklon dust storm, (and not to mention a giant slor that almost swallows them alive), they finally make it to their destination. However, after Kyrios gives Gilbert some basic training to develop his budding psionic power, they learn that their journey is far from over.Will Aoléon, Glbert, Bizwat, Helios, and Zoot be able to rescue Aoleon’s parents and stop the Martian invasion of Earth in time?Read part 4 to find out!
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 Book Trailer
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA1b6G876V0]
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Buy the Book:
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Buy The Martian Girl Song!

Aoleon 4 Single Album

Another World – Single

Featuring Élan Noelle

Download on iTunes

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Click on the covers for my reviews of the first three books.

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and I’ll be reviewing the fifth book, The Great Pyramid Of Cydonia, in May

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Meet the Author

Aoloeon 4 Brent LeVasseur

Mr. LeVasseur enjoys crafting good stories based on lovable characters designed to translate well to multiple media formats such as books, games, movies, and toys. He lives in New York when he is not commuting between Southern California and Olympus Mons, Mars. His hobbies include writing, 3D animation, musical composition, and intergalactic space travel. He also enjoys various sports such as skiing, running, and exospheric skydiving.Connect with Brent:   Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Aoléon: The Martian Girl

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Until the next time…

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Review and Giveaway ~ Lucky Strike by Bobbie Pyron ~ What is luck, really?

Posted: April 14, 2015 in Blog Tour, Children's books, giveaways, reviews
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I’m so happy to share Lucky Strike with you today.

After reading this book I did a lot of thinking about luck.

Enjoy my review.

And remember to enter the giveaway!

Do you feel lucky?!

LUCKY STRIKE front cover

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (February 24, 2015)
ISBN: 978-0545592178
Category:  Children’s Fiction, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Magic, Friendship, Bullies
Tour Date: April 1-May29, 2015
Available in: Print & ebook, 272 Pages

By the award winning author of ‘The Dogs of Winter’, Bobbie Pyron.

MY REVIEW

Ask anybody in Paradise Beach who is the unluckiest of them all, they’d unanimously offer the name, Nathaniel Harlow.

Nate is so unlucky when he tries to toast some bread, it doesn’t come out burnt, the toaster shorts out instead. Every box of cracker jacks is consumed with no prize in the bottom.

So who would be the unlucky person to get struck by lightning on his eleventh birthday but Nate. Yep. while playing goofy golf, a bolt came down and blew him clear out of his favorite red sneakers.

Now that’s not the way it was supposed to work. For the first time ever, when Nate made a fervent wish and blew the candles out on his birthday cake, they all went out. Not one flame stayed lit. Shouldn’t that mean his wish had come true? His luck had changed? I wouldn’t call lightning zapping him lucky.

Perhaps his luck did change though. He did survive to see more birthdays. And then more lucky things began to happen to Nate and soon he was the most popular person in Paradise Beach.

But is he truly lucky? His best friend, Genesis Beam, doesn’t think so. She’s been friends with Nate for a long time and being  a science geek, she doesn’t believe in luck. She just tells him the odds are in his favor for good things to happen. We shall see.

Nate is a delightful boy. He remained positive even though he was unlucky. He never gave up hoping for better. And his friend Genesis. She’s such a cute thing. Both are the outsiders. The ones the others bully and make fun of.

I was worried about their friendship when Nate became popular. I didn’t want him to lose such a loyal friend or abandon their plight to save the sea turtles. Childhood friends are precious and can last a lifetime.

Lucky Strike is a gem. Friendships are tested and new ones are forged. It’s a story of learning to see what’s in front of you and hold tight to it. Sometimes wanting something more shows you’ve had it all along.

My son read this after I did. He’s a bit older than the recommended reading age for this story but he loved it too. We talked about luck and friends, family and how things change over time. Our reminiscing was another gem I discovered from sharing this book with him and we both feel “Lucky” to have read it.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

A rich, southern voice tells the unforgettable story of two vulnerable outsiders, the lightning strike that turns their world upside down and the true meaning of lucky.

Nate Harlow has never had a lucky day in his life. He’s never won a prize, he’s never been picked first, he’s never even won a coin toss. His best friend, Genesis Beam (aka Gen), believes in science and logic, and she doesn’t think for one second that there’s such a thing as luck, good or bad. But only an extremely unlucky person could be struck by lightning on his birthday… and that person is Nate Harlow. By some miracle, though, Nate survives, and the strike seems to have changed his luck.

Suddenly, Nate’s grandpa is the busiest fisherman in their small, beachside town. And Nate finds himself the center of attention, the most popular kid at school, the one who hits a game-winning home run! This lucky streak can’t last forever, though, and as a hurricane draws close to the shores of Paradise Beach, Nate and Gen may need more than just good luck to save their friendship and their town: They need a miracle.

Praise for Lucky Strike by Bobbie Pyron

“This well-told story of growth, friendship, and small-town life hits all the right notes. The quirkiness of the characters and the town never goes too far, and there is an overall cozy feeling to the book. Genesis’s dad is the preacher at The Church of the One True Redeemer and Everlasting Light, but she is a scientist through and through, which adds complexity to the text, including musings on destiny, fate, probability, and weather. Fans of Susan Patron’s Higher Power of Lucky (S. & S., 2006), Sheila Turnage’s Three Times Lucky (Dial, 2012), and Ingrid Law’s Savvy (2008; both, Dial) will find something new for their to-read shelves.”- School Library Journal starred review

“Even lightly sketched characters leap off the pages, adding rich depth to an already satisfying tale. In the slightly fantastical Gulf Coast world that Bobbie Pyron (The Dogs of Winter, 2012) has imagined, people can change in unexpected ways. With just a spark of magic, bullies can become true friends, those without humor can learn to giggle, and perennial victims can emerge victorious. Amusing, endearing and sometimes even electrifying.”- Kirkus starred review

“Bobbie Pyron offers a gentler take on survival and friendship than in her gritty novel The Dogs of Winter. A dramatic and sweetly poignant story, enlivened by a dash of magical realism.”- Publisher Weekly

Praise for The Dogs Of Winter

Junior Library Guild Selection

Kirkus Best Books of the Year!

“Packs plenty of punch.” The New York Times

“This story is amazing. I read it in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. The writing is captivating and the story is heartbreaking. The characters are wonderful, both the good and the bad. The writing is descriptive and filled with emotion. An absolute MUST read.”-Bev Sharp, The Wormhole

“An amazing story that was emotional and realistic? The book is written in first person, and I think this is a perfect story for young adults and older adults alike. The tenacity of the dogs and the boy will enthrall you.
There were no boring portions of the story, and I believe that the author captured the emotions of the characters perfectly. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.”-Ruth  A. Hill, My Devotional Thoughts

” I loved this book. I loved the writing. I loved the characters. The book is adventurous, engaging, happy, sad, and an overall emotional roller coaster all rolled into one.”-BookAngel, As I Turn the Pages

“Bobbie Pyron has a gift for creating characters that live in my heart.  She did it with A Dog’s Way Homeand she’s done it with this one, The Dogs of Winter.  I wanted to dive into the story, take Mishka in my arms and just love him.  Bobbie Pyron has created an emotionally powerful story about survival, love, and healing.  This is not a story I will ever forget.  It is a truly thought-provoking and unforgettable read.”-Heidi, GEO Librarian

About Bobbie Pyron

Bobbie Pyron Outside

Bobbie Pyron was born in Hollywood, Florida and spent her growing up years up in the panhandle, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and dreaming of being a mermaid.  She has degrees in Psychology and Anthropology, and a Masters degree in Library Science, and has worked as a librarian for over twenty-five years.

Her first book, a novel for teens titled The Ring (WestSide Books), was published in October of 2009. Her second book, A Dog’s Way Home (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books), was published to starred reviews in March of 2011. The Dog Writers Association of America recently awarded Bobbie the Maxwell Medal of Excellence and the Merial Human-Animal Bond Award.  It was also named a Banks Street Best Books of the Year.

Bobbie Pyron’s book, The Dogs of Winter (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic), came out October of 2012. The Dogs of Winter is a Junior Library Guild Selection and a Kirkus Best 100 Children’s Books of the Year. Bobbie lives in Park City, Utah with her husband, two dogs, and two cats.

Bobbie Pyron’s Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Buy Lucky Strike

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Book Depository ~ Indie Bound

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

I have one copy of Lucky Strike to give away.

eBook or Print (Winners choice)

Open Internationally. All may enter.

Entry is easy!

Please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win, and answer this question:

“Are you lucky or unlucky?”

Ends April 28th.

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Follow The Tour:

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Apr 2 Spotlight & Giveaway

Rockin’ Book Reviews Apr 7 Interview & Giveaway

Hott Books Apr 8 Review

Always Reiding Apr 9 Review & Excerpt

Geo Librarian Apr 10 Review

Curling Up With A Good Book Apr, 13 Interview & Excerpt

fuonlyknew Apr 14 Review & Giveaway

Once Upon A Story Apr 15 Review & Excerpt

Beneath the Jacket Reviews Apr 16

Indie Review Behind the Scenes Apr 17 Live I 6 pm cst

Cassandra M’s Place Apr 20 Review & Giveaway

The Crypto-Caper Review Apr 21 Review

In Bed With Books Apr 22 Review,Interview & Excerpt

Allison’s Book Bag April 24 Review & Interview

Mary’s Cup of Tea Apr 27 Review & Giveaway

Deal Sharing Aunt Apr 28 Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Bound for Escape Apr 30 Review

What U Talking Bout Willis? May 1 Review

Lisa’s Writopia May 4 Review

Books, Books, and More Books May 5 Review & Excerpt

Beth’s Book-Nook Blog May 8 Review

Sweet Southern Home May 11 Review

One Frugal Girl May 15 Review

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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My Mini Myths Reviews of Brush Your Hair, Medusa! & Make A Wish, Midas!

Posted: April 13, 2015 in Book Blast, Children's books, reviews
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Mini Myths Joan Holub

 

I have some adorable children’s board books to share with you today.

I’ve read some of the authors Grimmtastic Girl’s books and loved them and I’m thrilled to share these stories from the Mini Myths Series.

Parents and grandparents will have fun sharing these Greek mythological tales with their young ones.

While recommended for ages 1 to 3, older kids will enjoy them too.

Mini Myths Brush Your Hair, Medusa! Holub Patricelli

Title: Brush Your Hair, Medusa! (Mini Myths) | Author: Joan Holub | Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli | Publication Date: March 24, 2015 | Publisher: Abrams Appleseed | Pages: 24 | Recommended Ages: 1 to 3

MY REVIEW

Her tangled mass of golden curls are out of control and need to be tamed but Medusa is having none of it. From showing how she somersaults to brushing her mermaid dolls hair, Medusa avoids it herself, until Grandma arrives and finds the perfect solution. Leave it to Grandma to figure it out.

My mother let me grow my hair long when I was little and I remember the frustration in her voice when she tried to get me to hold still long enough to get it untangled. And some of the stuff that stuck in it, I shudder when I remember. LOL

Included at the end of the book is the story of the real Medusa told so young ones could understand.

The illustrations are colorful and adorable and the adaption of mythology to modern day is delightful. Adults and their youngest to preschoolers and young readers will enjoy these over and over.

5 Stars

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Summary: 

Medusa refuses to care for her hair, her long locks getting messier with each passing page. Her hair rebellion elicits frozen expressions of shock from her family, but nothing will convince Medusa to brush. Only her hairdresser approaches Medusa with bravery and scissors, successfully solving the problem . . . with a short haircut! All are pleased with this drastic yet adorable solution. Leslie Patricelli’s depictions of this physical comedy bring a lively visual narrative to Joan Holub’s expertly focused text. Includes a summary of the original Medusa’s Wild Hair myth at the end.

Purchase “Brush Your Hair,Medusa!”
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Book Depository ~ iTunes

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Mini Myths Make A Wish, Midas! Holub Patricelli

Title: Make a Wish, Midas! (Mini Myths) | Author: Joan Holub | Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli | Publication Date: March 24, 2015 | Publisher: Abrams Appleseed | Pages: 24 | Recommended Ages: 1 to 3

MY REVIEW

This is a fun twist on King Midas that all youngsters will enjoy.

Midas loves the color yellow. Everything must be yellow. Even his food and his beloved stuffed animal, Dinoboo

But once he looks at what he’s done he realizes sometimes things are better left as they are.

As a little girl, I turned my stuffed poodle purple and was so sad afterwards. But I kept it until it fell apart.

Such a cute story and the illustrations will capture even the youngest child’s attention while you share the tale of Midas.

The author includes the tale of Midas at the end of the book in such a way your child will enjoy learning some mythology. I even learned from it.

It’s never too early to teach your children and this book would be a fun way to show and tell.

5 Stars

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Summary:

 Midas wants everything to be his favorite color – yellow! He chooses yellow clothes, eats yellow foods, and uses only the yellow paint at his art easel. But when he impulsively paints his beloved green Dinoboo, Midas discovers that too much of a good thing is a big mess! Joan Holub’s carefully crafted text is brought to life by Leslie Patricelli’s famously humorous illustrations. Includes a summary of the original Midas’ Golden Touch myth at the end.

Purchase “Make a Wish, Midas!”
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Book Depository ~ iTunes

*****

The Buzz About Mini Myths

Patricelli’s preschool-age Pandora couldn’t be cuter, and an endnote explains the original myth in greater detail. Genuinely funny and sweet. ~ Publishers Weekly, starred review

Amazon Editors Pick and Amazon Best Books List for September

Remarkably entertaining . . . delightful painted cartoons in rich colors . . . the life lessons the source material inspires are spot-on. ~ Kirkus

 About Author Joan Holub

Joan HolubJoan Holub’s fascination with mythology inspired Mini Myths, a new board book series that translates famous myths into situations familiar to preschoolers. The first four titles are Be Patient, Pandora!, Play Nice, Hercules!, Brush Your Hair, Medusa! and Make A Wish, Midas! published by Abrams Appleseed. Joan co-authors two other mythology series for Simon and Schuster, Goddess Girls (ages 8-12) and Heroes in Training (ages 7-10). Her picture book, Mighty Dads, was a New York Times bestseller in 2014.

 

Website ~ Author Blog ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook

Facebook  – (Goddess Girls) ~ Facebook – (Grimmtastic Girls)

About the Illustrator: Leslie Petricelli

Leslie Patricelli is the bestselling author-illustrator of many adorable board books, including Yummy Yucky and Toot!

MDBR Book Promotion Services

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

The Horse Valley Adventures ~ Tour Reviews and Giveaway

Posted: April 6, 2015 in Action/Adventure, Blog Tour, Children's books, Fantasy, giveaways
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I took one look at the covers of these books and just had to read them.

Something amazing! The author, Liana-Melissa Allen, started this series as a fifth-grade assignment and now she’s turned them into a series at the age of nineteen. Wow!

I have an interview with the author to share.

Come on in and meet some funny, colorful characters from Horse Valley.

Enjoy my reviews and meet the author.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

But first, an interview with Liana-Melissa Allen

Do you have another profession besides writing?

Drawing and playing on the piano or both professions that I incorporate with my stories. I make illustrations for my books and come up with themes on the piano to put into a book trailer.

How long have you been writing?

Third grade was when I decided to be an author, and I’ve been making up stories ever since.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?

I only get writer’s block when I doubt myself. When doubt creeps in it stifles creativity and can leave one totally at a loss about what you set out to create. It is vital that one realizes that writer’s block is a self-induced mental barrier that only you can demolish. My personal method is to take a break and do something fun to get my creative juices flowing again. I usually listen to music, draw, or play on the piano to help me chase away that dastard little demon known as doubt.

Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?

Occasionally, I’ll snack while writing because I’m so immersed in what I’m writing that I can’t leave my desk. My favorite snack foods are chips, fruit, and string cheese…and popcorn (my dad makes the best popcorn).

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which three books would you want with you?

I remember a couple of my friends and I discussing this once, since we’re all bookworms. I can confidently say that it would be one of the Harry Potter books, maybe the third one, Little Women, and Anne of Green Gables.

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The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey (Book 1)

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Donkey's Kite The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey.
My Review
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The author put her own spin on the tale of The Three Little Pigs.
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Her characters are three horses, brothers, who’ve just lost their home to a fire.
Each one sets out to build their own home. One takes the lazy way, one takes the impractical way, and one takes his time.
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All of these houses might have worked accept for one thing, the big bully donkey.
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I wish I could share with you the illustrations for this tale. They are so fun and full of little details. I found myself taking a lot of time on each page, looking for little things, like a bird here, a frog there. Such a delight.
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Max, Lax, and Jack, the three horses, are so different. I could see what was coming for each one and the author had me giggling as the donkey came kicking on their doors.
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Any child would love these brothers and pour over the illustrations, taking away some valuable lessons, and smiling all the way home.

5 Stars

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Book Description

A tale (based on the “Three Little Pigs”) about three little horse brothers who suddenly lose their house that is destroyed by a fire. The young horses are totally alone and thrust into the reality of having to depend on themselves and each other against a bully donkey, who wanders the forest wrecking homes and bullying the other animals. This warm-hearted tale promotes strong values and has a fun premise. Written and humorously illustrated in vivid color throughout by Liana-Melissa Allen, the story is a proven winner for reading aloud to children.

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 Donkey’s Kite (Book 2)
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Donkey's Kite.
My Review
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I very much enjoyed the first book in this series so I knew I was in for more fun adventures with Max, Lax, and Jack, and their new friend, Donkey.
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The friends are excited. it’s a perfect day for kite flying and each has made their own, hoping theirs would be the one to fly the farthest.
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Poor Donkey’s kite won’t fly and he asks for help from his new friends. But, one each one is too busy to listen to him.
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Donkey wanders down to the lake, sad and frustrated. Some mean Canadian geese poke fun at him,  putting him on the receiving end of bullying. Then, with a swoosh and a huge splash Gusty, the big white goose, crashes the bully party and shoos away the mean geese.
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He listens to Donkey, and together they build a new kite. It’s a good one and everything is fine, until it isn’t.
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This is another fun adventure in Horse Valley. I enjoyed visiting with the characters again and meeting some new ones.
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Children will learn the true value of friendship and not giving up. There were more wonderful illustrations that kept me lingering, looking for all the hidden gems secreted on each page.
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With such fun, colorful characters and lessons to be learned, children will delight in this new adventure and be begging for more.
 5 Stars
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****
Book Description

The three horses Jack, Max, Lax and their friend Donkey are back!

In Horse Valley, it’s a perfect day to go kite flying. Jack, Max, Lax, and Donkey decide to get creative by putting together their own homemade kites. However, Donkey’s kite doesn’t work. No matter how hard he tries to get it to fly, it just keeps tumbling to the ground. How will poor Donkey get his kite to fly? A friendly goose named Gusty is delighted to help him out.

In this Horse Valley Adventure, Donkey learns not to give up when all seems hopeless. The friends all learn a lesson about helping others and true friendship.

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Author’s Bio:
Donkey's Kite Liana-Melissa Allen

Liana-Melissa Allen is a young author and illustrator of children’s books and books for youth. She has written, illustrated and published six books. Her most recent one is the colorfully illustrated children’s book “Donkey’s Kite”, the second book of “A Horse Valley Adventure” series. The first was “The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey”. The lovable cartoon characters, Max, Lax, Jack and Donkey makes them a favorite of first and second grade students. She is now working on her third book of “A Horse Valley Adventure”.

The magical world of fantasy has inspired Liana’s imagination since as long as she can remember. Part of this was fueled by her dad reading aloud to her every day when she was younger. As a result, reading is her primary passion along with music. These two passions feed her imagination into stories and drawings, which she joyously sketches out into storyboards for a potential book.

Liana-Melissa is also a dedicated classical/jazz pianist, and mostly enjoys older music, especially from the big band era and the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. While playing the piano, her imagination often leads to a great amount of improvising. Frequently, Liana will improvise a theme for one of the stories she is writing. Capturing this improvised music became a priority, which ultimately resulted in theme music for “A Horse Valley Adventure”. The “Horse Valley” theme will be used for a short animated video featuring her Horse Valley characters.

Liana-Melissa loves to hear from her young readers. Please visit her website at www.lmabooks.com for more information, and to contact her by email. Visit her on Facebook too.

Where to buy the books:

On Author’s Website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Use the links below to follow this fun tour!

March 16 – Hello, my name is Alice – review / guest post
March 16 – The Autistic Gamer – review
March 17 – Book Dilettante – review
March 17 – Being Tilly’s Mummy – review / guest post / giveaway
March 18 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – review / guest post / giveaway
March 18 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – review of both books / giveaway
March 18 – Breath of Life – review / author interview / giveaway
March 19 – Working Mommy Journal – review of both books / giveaway
March 20 – Pinky’s Favorite Reads for Kids – book spotlight
March 23 – My Devotional Thoughts – review / guest post / giveaway
March 23 – Thoughts in Progress – review / giveaway
March 24 – Bound 4 Escape – review of both books / giveaway
March 25 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – review / giveaway
March 26 – Bluerose’s Heart – review / author interview
March 26 – Experiencing Parenthood – review of Book One
March 27 – Green and Glassie – review / author interview / giveaway
March 27 – Walking with Nora – review of both books / giveaway
March 27 – Just One More Chapter – review of Book One
March 30 – Just One More Chapter – review
March 31 – The Cheshire Cat’s Looking Glass – review / giveaway
April 1 – View From the Birdhouse – review of both books / giveaway
April 1 – Experiencing Parenthood – review 
April 1 – Life With Katie – review of Book One
April 2 – Girl With Camera – review of Book One
April 2 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – review / giveaway
April 3 – Girl with Camera – review
April 3 – Library of Clean Reads – review of Book One
April 6 – fuonlyknew – review / author interview / giveaway
April 7 – Life With Katie – review of Book Two / giveaway
April 8 – Deal Sharing Aunt – review of both books
April 9 – Library of Clean Reads – review / giveaway
April 10 – Jessica Cassidy – review of both books
April 10 – One Frugal Girl – review 

~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Wanna be a goofy-footer? Aoleon The Martian Girl #3 ~ The Hollow Moon ~ Review

Posted: March 16, 2015 in Action/Adventure, Blog Tour, Children's books, Fantasy, reviews, Science Fiction
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iRead Book Tour Logo Medium

So here I am, into book three of Aoleon The Martian Girl series and having an out of this world fun adventure!

Come on in and see what kind of trouble Aoleon and Gilbert have zipped into now!

Please excuse any text stuff showing up in this post. No matter how many times I made a new post, some link messed it up!

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And the saga continues…
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Aoleon The Martian Girl Part 3 by Brent LeVasseur

 
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Book Title: Aoléon The Martian Girl: A Science Fiction and Fantasy Saga – Part 3: The Hollow Moon, written and illustrated by Brent LeVasseur
Category:  Middle-Grade, 120 pages
Genre: Science-fiction and Fantasy
Publisher: Aoléon Press
Release date: February 1, 2015
Available for review in:  PDF
Will send books: Internationally
Tour dates: March
Content Rating: G
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Description

Spying on the Luminon, Aoléon and Gilbert uncover his plot to steal Earth’s milk cows and make the disturbing discovery that the Martian leader plans to disrupt Mars’s galact supply. The duo races to warn Aoléon’s father, Deimos, a manager at the galactworks, before the Luminon’s saboteur can act.

While still on the run, Aoléon takes her pilot’s exam so she can join the Martian intergalactic exploration fleet. However, during the test-run, something goes horribly wrong. The two are put in a life-threatening situation and only Bizwat, Aoléon’s Procyon commando friend, can save them.

Gilbert finally gets his chance to learn to skyboard, but the lesson turns into a test of skill as he and Aoléon are chased by the Royal Paladin Guard.

Will they survive?

Don’t miss this exciting part 3 of 5 of the middle-grade scifi series Aoleon The Martian Girl.

Buy the Book:

Buy your copy today!

Watch the Trailer:

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Brent LeVasseur

Meet the Author:Mr. LeVasseur enjoys crafting good stories based on lovable characters designed to translate well to multiple media formats such as books, games, movies, and toys. He is an associate member of the Children’s Book Council. He lives in New York when he is not commuting between Southern California and Olympus Mons, Mars. His hobbies include writing, 3D animation, musical composition, and intergalactic space travel. He also enjoys various sports such as skiing, running, and exospheric skydiving.Connect with Brent:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Aoleon The Martian Girl
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My Review

Aah, the plot thickens. When we last left Aoleon and Gilbert they were knee deep in intrigue. Somethings not right on Mars.

We now join Aoelon and Gilbert as they crawl through the ventilation tubes to spy on the Luminon in his citadel. They witness a horrible interrogation by the leader and Gilbert once again sees something strange in the Luminon. The prisoner reveals a plot to sabotage the Galactworks where her father works and the two rush to warn him. If the saboteurs succeed it could stop milk production and incite an invasion of Earth.

As with the first two books, these two zip into and out of trouble as they struggle to save both of their worlds from evil plots.

Each book takes me deeper into Aoleon’s life on Mars. The friendship between Gilbert and the martian girl is growing stronger as they deal with multiple plots and their trust for each grows.

There are some new fierce creatures to meet too. The Sukr’ath is something else, with eight eyes, four arms, and of course, a mouthful of teeth. And then there’s the Draconian Warriors. Large reptilian things similar to our extinct velociraptors only intelligent.

I traveled a lot in this story too. From zipping to the top of the citadel, a two mile high tower, to Phobos Moon, home of the Draconians, and back again.

There was lots of fun along the way too. Aoleon takes her pilot’s exam. It’s similar to drivers education on Earth, except it’s in the air. Right in the middle of her exam, they are attacked and captured and have to fight there way free.

Then Aoleon takes Gilbert for a lesson in skyboarding. He’s a natural goofy-footer and they explore the city as he learns to control his board. They are once again attacked and barely escape.

Bizwat, the super elite and covert Martian commando, disguised as a pizza delivery man, comes to their rescue and he describes Aoloeon perfectly.

“If Aoleon’s ability for finding trouble could somehow be captured, you would have a weapon of mass destruction so deadly that not even bacteria would survive.”

I can’t recommend this series enough. The adventures are fast and furious, the humor makes you snicker, the danger makes you shiver, and the illustrations have  you leaning close to your computer, drinking in all of the fantastic images that glow from the pages.

A superb science fiction and fantasy saga for all ages!

5 Stars

Buy the Book:

​
Buy The Martian Girl Song!
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Aoleon 2 Single Album

Another World – Single

Featuring Élan Noelle

Download on iTunes
 
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Aoleon 2 Extra Image

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<strong>I hope you enjoyed the adventure and</strong>

<strong> thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!</strong>

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The Princess Madeline Trilogy has new covers and a giveaway!

Posted: March 7, 2015 in Book Blast, Children's books, Fantasy, giveaways
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Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be hosting a Book Blast showing off the new covers of the “Princess Madeline Trilogy” by Kirstin Pulioff.

Princess Madeline Trilogy

The Princess Madeline Trilogy

 

About The Books

The Escape of Princess Madeline by Kirstin PulioffTitle: The Escape of Princess Madeline (Princess Madeline Trilogy, Book #1) * Author: Kirstin Pulioff * Publication Date: November 4, 2012 * Publisher: Caliburn Books * Number of pages: 138 * Recommended age: 10+

Summary: Madeline, princess of Soron, awakens on her sixteenth birthday to find that her father has already made preparations for her betrothal. When she disappears unexpectedly, her suitors and knight champion rush to the rescue. But all is not as it seems, and the errant princess’s flight has put the kingdom at stake…

Can Madeline find freedom or does it come with too high a price?

Follow Princess Madeline in this adventure full of twists and turns as she tries to find her freedom and answers to her questions about life and love.

Amazon

 

 

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The Battle for Princess Madeline by Kirstin PulioffTitle: The Battle for Princess Madeline (Princess Madeline Trilogy, Book #2) Author: Kirstin Pulioff Publication Date: May 21, 2013 Publisher: Caliburn Books Number of pages: 159 Recommended age: 10+

Summary: Princess Madeline rejected Prince Paulsen’s advances, but he’s not about to take it lying down. In the middle of Soron’s festival preparations, when his obsession jeopardizes the kingdom, mysterious figures from the kingdom’s past arrive. Can Madeline risk accepting their help or will their information about a family secret be too much for her to handle?

Can Madeline trust anyone or will saving the kingdom come down to her own bravery?

Amazon

 

 

 

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The Dragon and Princess MadelineTitle: The Dragon and Princess Madeline (Princess Madeline Trilogy, Book #3) Author: Kirstin Pulioff Publication Date: November 26, 2013 Publisher: Caliburn Books Number of pages: 135 Recommended age: 10+

Summary: Princess Madeline is ready to celebrate. With the foundation of her future in place, it seems nothing can hurt her. Then the return of a mysterious green dragon threatens her kingdom and king. Will this challenge prove to be too much for Princess Madeline and Prince Braden or will they find the answers they seek hidden in cryptic messages from the past?

Can Madeline save her kingdom from the dragon or is the real danger something else?

Amazon

 

 

The Buzz

Book 1: “Well-written, fast-paced, and entirely appropriate for its target audience (middle grade fantasy), this short but succinct novel (novella? It was maybe a little between a novella and a novel) tells a delightful tale of a naive princess who learns the real meaning of freedom. Kirsten gives her characters a sufficient amount of depth to make them genuinely likeable, and she leaves room for much, much more to come.” ~ 5 Star Review, Ally, Amazon

Book 1: “An inspiring thought provoking, and wonderfully written fairy tale by an author who transports us to a time in our imagination where everything is magical and possibilities are real.” ~ 5 Star Review, kathyls, Amazon

Book 2: “Fairy tales are filled with knights and princesses and castles and a special magical feel that takes the reader far, far, away into another world, another place, another time. The Battle for Princess Madeline fits the bill to a tee! Author Kirstin Pulioff has created a special feel to the tale of Princess Madeline with her own special talent for using words to paint pictures in our minds.” ~ 5 Star Review, Dii, Amazon

Book 2: “The story is well developed and easy to follow. The vivid scenes will transport young readers into the magical world of fairy tales with thrilling characters that have come to life. Another splendid read for young readers! I can hardly wait for a new book, Princess Madeline and the Dragon. ” ~ 5 Star Review, Mrs. D., Amazon

Book 3: “The story is engaging on many levels, as is Pulioff’s writing, but on this occasion I was mostly drawn into the action and the mystery as how to prevent the worst from happening. This is great entertainment and should do well across a wider age range.” ~ 5 Star Review,ChristophFischerBooks, Amazon

Book 3: “Kirstin Pulioff has saved the best for last. ‘Princess Madeline and the Dragon’ is the final instalment in the ‘Princess Madeline Trilogy’. I thought the first two books were finely wrought stories, but this novel surpasses its predecessors. Prophesies, family tragedies, magic and – of course – dragons, combine to produce a tale that is an instant classic. Written with a great deal of charm, ‘Princess Madeline and the Dragon’ will not disappoint Ms Pulioff’s young fans. I look forward to seeing where next her imagination will take this natural storyteller. ” ~ 5 Star Review, Diogenes, Amazon

 

About Author Kirstin Pulioff

Kirstin Pulioff

Kirstin Pulioff

Kirstin Pulioff is a storyteller at heart. Born and raised in Southern California, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Forest Management. Happily married and a mother of two, she lives in the foothills of Colorado. When she’s not writing an adventure, she’s busy living one.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

 

 

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: April 4, 11:59 pm, 2015

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, Kirstin Pulioff 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

MDBR Book Promotion Services

~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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The Spotlight is on Derek The Dragon ~ A Children’s Book Collection by Leela Hope

Posted: March 5, 2015 in Action/Adventure, Blog Tour, Children's books, Fantasy, Series
Tags: ,
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Derek The Dragon Banner
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About The Childrens Book Collection

 

Derek The Dragon (Book 1)

Title: Derek The Dragon 

Author: Leela Hope
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: January 26, 2015
Pages: 22
ASIN:  B00SSFWFEI
Genre: Childrens Books
Format: eBook (.mobi – Kindle) / PDF

Purchase The Book – Amazon

Derek The Dragon

Do your kids ever feel sad?

Do they have trouble making friends?

An amazing story for all ages to enjoy, aimed at children 0-5 years of age. Watch as Derek the Dragon learns about the meaning of happiness in this tale. Come and meet an adventurous dormouse who decides that he can change his lot in life and through caring about others he ends up saving his village. The story is told through rhyming verse and vivid illustration. Derek the Dragon contains a great message about caring and friendship for parents to share with their children.

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Derek The Dragon (Book 2)

Title: Derek The Dragon And The Missing Socks 

Author: Leela Hope
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: January 25, 2015
Pages: 22
ASIN: B00SRWHITY
Genre: Childrens Books
Format: eBook (.mobi – Kindle) / PDF

Purchase The Book – Amazon

Derek The Dragon And The Missing Socks

Do your kids forget to clean up their rooms?

Have they ever asked you to find things for them?

This story is pure family entertainment. It is great for kids 2-82 but it is aimed at the 0-5 age group. The book covers a very important life skill, cleaning. Derek the dragon does not like to clean, but he learns that he needs to get his house clean if he is ever going to find his lucky socks. Devin the dormouse comes to help his friend and shows him the way to get his house clean. The friends clean the cave and find the lucky socks. The story is brought to life through vivid illustrations and is told in rhyming verse.

 

  ****Derek The Dragon (Book 3)
Title: Derek The Dragon and Princess Dayna 

Author: Leela Hope

Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: January 25, 2015
Pages: 22
ASIN: B00SRVFCI4
Genre: Childrens Books
Format: eBook (.mobi – Kindle) / PDF
Purchase The Book – Amazon
Derek The Dragon and Princess Dayna
Do you or your kids have trouble with people who are different?
Do your kids have trouble making friends?
This is a terrific story aimed at kids 0-5, and yet, it is fun for the whole family to read and enjoy. Derek the Dragon, the dormouse, Devin and Princess Dayna all learn a lot about friendship. The book deals with misunderstandings and stereotypes, but in a way that is very palatable for little children to understand. The villagers are worried about a dragon flying around their village. They send their princess off to deal with the situation. The story is told in rhyming verse and featuring dynamic illustrations. It is a story for the whole family to enjoy.
Purchase The Book Collection
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goodreads

Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE.

Meet Author Leela Hope
 
Leela Hope is a writer with over 22 years of experience in writing endearing children’s fiction. Her lively characters have entranced and captivated her audience, and she has taken great joy in writing the three series of books, each beautifully illustrated with love and care. Her stories concentrate on the adventures of floppy eared bunnies and wide-eyed children learning lessons in life, before returning home wiser and eager for sleep. leela hope writes her stories to entertain the very young, but also to educate. Her vision is always of a parent sitting on a child’s bed, reciting the stories each night, while the young one drifts off to sleep, lulled into a dream world full of fun and adventure.From her very earliest years of childhood, Leela made up stories in her head, telling them to her younger brother and sister. The stories flowed easily from her mind, and it wasn’t long before she realized she had a gift for writing. By the age of 14, she had already written a small book of short stories for her own entertainment, and by the age of 22, she had published her first full-fledged children’s fiction in several magazines. Leela hope was destined to be an author and she knew exactly what genre of fiction she wanted to dedicate her life too.Born in San Diego, California, and still residing in the area, Leela studied English Literature at Berkeley, earning a degree in 1989. Her writing covers a span of several genres, but she always returns to her first love, children’s fiction. She enjoys scuba diving and visiting wildlife parks, seeking new inspiration for cuddly characters for her stories. leela hope lives in an urban area of San Diego and is presently at work on a new book.
Connect with Leela:Amazon ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~  Goodreads

Check out the Derek The Dragon Childrens Book Collection Tour Page Here

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Life is but a dream? Raising Sleeping Stones ~ Book Blast and Giveaway

Posted: March 3, 2015 in Book Blast, Children's books, Fantasy, giveaways
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2

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is very excited to be coordinating a Book Blast for a book that is taking reading in new directions. “Raising Sleeping Stones” by P.H.T. Bennet is a fantasy adventure whose story and app will help readers learn more about their own dreams. Read on for more information!

I have so much to share with you today. This book is unlike anything I’ve heard of before. It’s recommended for young children but I can’t resist it myself! I wish they’d had books like this when I was young.

Check out this exciting post.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

Raising Sleeping Stones

About the Book

Title: Raising Sleeping Stones (The Orora Crona Chronicles, Book 1) | Author: P.H.T. Bennet | Publication Date: December 4, 2014 | Publisher: DreamKeeper Publishing | Pages: 364 (est.) | Recommended Ages: 9 to 14

You can purchase a copy of this innovative book/app for only 99 cents until April 2, 2015!

Please note that the full functionalities of the app (e.g., music, hidden illustrations, and other interactive features) are not included in the e-book. The app is available through iTunes.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iBooks

Kobo * Smashwords * Goodreads

 

The Story

***Winner of a 2013 Newbury Comics Award!***

Raising Sleeping Stones - inside pageWhen sisters Kiva and DeeDee Stone discover a mysterious plot that threatens them and everything they care about, they have to take a crash course in the ancient art of DreamKeeping to survive. As two elder Dream Keepers lead them up the Varruvyen river to the Eyle of Return, they show the girls how to gain dream powers greater than anything they had ever imagined. But can they become strong enough to face the monsters that haunt their dreams at night, strong enough to fight the enemies that draw nearer each day? The answer lies somewhere in the broken history of Orora Crona, the Valley of Dreams lost centuries ago, and whoever can piece it together first will rule for centuries to come.

 

The Experience

Raising Sleeping Stones - The ExperienceTHE APP: Raising Sleeping Stones has been released as an electronic book in app form because it will do what dreams do by weaving together a story, music, illustrations, and interactive features to create a richer, more layered reading experience.

STORY: The adventures of Kiva and DeeDee will become clearer and richer if you pause at the end of a chapter to think about the new clues you could use to start unlocking the mysteries of the earlier chapters … or to predict what will happen in the next ones.

DREAM TECHNIQUES: Kiva and DeeDee meet the DreamKeepers who teach them how to not only remember and explore their dreams, but also how to use them to develop incredible super powers including flying, changing shape, traveling to the past, living underwater, creating impossible buildings, looking into the future, and more. This may be a fantasy series, but most of the dream techniques the characters use in the book really work, so readers can actually get better at dreaming by following what the characters do.

STORYSCORE: The music tells the same story at the same time as the words, but adds additional musical cues to help you figure out what’s happening between the characters or who might be involved in the plot against them. The closer you listen to the music, the more secrets you can uncover.

DYNAMIC ILLUSTRATIONS: The illustrations represent the main characters and events in the story; but, if you answer the questions at the end of certain chapters, you can unlock hidden layers to the illustrations, layers that show what lies beneath the surface of the story.

TUMBLER & FACEBOOK: Readers will be able to share their ideas, questions, drawings, and/or their predictions about the book on Tumblr and will be able to find sound clips, albums of drawings, updates, and other extras on Facebook as well.

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Video Preview

 

 

About Author P.H.T. Bennet

P.H.T. BennetP.H.T. Bennet began exploring the world of the dreams when he was a child and never bothered to stop when he grew up. He had the good luck to have two daughters, Juliette and Paola, who not only served as the inspirations for DeeDee and Kiva, but also shared their dreams and helped him turn their family dreamwork sessions into this book. His lucky streak grew when he married his lovely wife, Mim, who tolerates his turning on a light in the middle of the night to write down ever-crazier dreams and talking about them in the morning as long as he lets her sleep in, first.

Though flying dreams are his favorite, he also loves the challenge of rewinding, replaying, and revising nightmares until they have much more interesting (and less brutal) endings, the thrill of breathing and swimming at high speeds underwater, the surprise of creating new works of art, the dangers in meeting, battling, and learning from his Shadow as it changes forms, the delight of returning to Paris, where he lived for 5 years, for delicious meals, and the peacefulness he gets from dream visits with his father, who passed away four years ago. He can’t wait to hear what readers favorite dreams are and what dream skills they hope the book will help them develop. Readers can either share them with him at phtbennet(at)raisingstones(dot)com or with everybody reading the book at http://raisingsleepingstones.tumblr.com

Book Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: April 2, 11:59 pm, 2015

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, P.H.T. Bennet 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

MDBR Book Promotion Services

~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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