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Archive for the ‘Children’s books’ Category

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

Posted: April 14, 2015 in Blog Tour, Children's books, giveaways, reviews
Tags: Author Bobbie Pyron, friendship, loyalty, Lucky Strike

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?!

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 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!

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

Posted: April 13, 2015 in Book Blast, Children's books, reviews
Tags: Author Joan Holub, children's picture books, Illustrator Leslie Petricelli, Mini Myths Series

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.

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

~~~~~

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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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 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!

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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
Tags: Author Liana-Melissa Allen, children's fantasy adventure series, The Horse Valley Adventure Series

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)

Donkey's Kite The Three Little Horses and the Big Bully Donkey

My Review

The author put her own spin on the tale of The Three Little Pigs.

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.

All of these houses might have worked accept for one thing, the big bully donkey.

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.

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.

Any child would love these brothers and pour over the illustrations, taking away some valuable lessons, and smiling all the way home.

5 Stars

****

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)

My Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

He listens to Donkey, and together they build a new kite. It’s a good one and everything is fine, until it isn’t.

This is another fun adventure in Horse Valley. I enjoyed visiting with the characters again and meeting some new ones.

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.

With such fun, colorful characters and lessons to be learned, children will delight in this new adventure and be begging for more.

5 Stars

****

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.

~~~~~

Author’s Bio:

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

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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!

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
Tags: Aoleon the Martian Girl #3, Author Brent LeVasseur, The Hollow Moon

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!

~~~

And the saga continues…

Aoleon The Martian Girl Part 3 by Brent LeVasseur

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
.

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:

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

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:

Amazon

Buy The Martian Girl Song!

Another World – Single

Featuring Élan Noelle

Download on iTunes

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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
Tags: Adventure, children's fantasy, The princess Madeline Trilogy by Kirstin Pulioff

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.

About The Books

Title: 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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Title: 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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Title: 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 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 *

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.

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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!

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: children's books, Derek The Dragon Collection by Leela Hope

About The Childrens Book Collection

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.

****

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.

****

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

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
Tags: children's, comic, Raising leeping Stones by P.H.T. Bennet

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.

About the Book

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!***

When 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

THE 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. 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 *

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

~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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

Stellarcadia ~ A Caramel Cardamom Adventure ~ Book Blast and Giveaway

Posted: February 28, 2015 in Action/Adventure, Book Blast, Children's books, Fantasy, giveaways
Tags: Adventures of Caramel Cardamom #3, Author Julie Anne Grasso, Stellarcadia

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be hosting a Book Blast for the third and final book in the “Adventures of Caramel Cardamom” middle grade science fiction trilogy by Julie Anne Grasso: “Stellarcadia”.

Book Description

Caramel Cinnamon is one lucky elf. She can hardly believe she’s invited to attend the first Intergalactic Youth Summit, on-board the Stellarcadia. Her friends can’t wait to go “hyper,” but even the thought of it chills Caramel to the bone. However, nothing could compare to the icy reception she receives upon her arrival. Keen to get to the bottom of it, Caramel stumbles on a dangerous conspiracy, but no one will believe her. In the exciting conclusion to The Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy, Caramel will have to do more than outwit her enemies, she will have to convince her friends to take her seriously. For ages 8-12.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

The Early Buzz

“The book is also a perfect mix of magic, science, and technology. Don’t be surprised if readers get to use their imaginations and learn something. Julie Anne Grasso has proven herself to be an original and versatile author…” ~ 5 Stars, Ilana W., Amazon

“Couldn’t put it down.” ~ Jemima P., Goodreads

About Author Julie Anne Grasso

With a background in paediatric nursing, Julie Anne Grasso spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories to encourage and entertain them.

She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband Danny and their little girl, Giselle.

Website | Blog | Facebook

Twitter | Goodreads

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

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

Contest ends: March 25, 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, Julie Anne Grasso 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

~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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

So that’s where they went! The Monster That Ate My Socks ~ Review and Giveaway Tour

Posted: February 25, 2015 in Blog Tour, Children's books, giveaways, reviews
Tags: Author AJ Cosmos, children's book, The Monster That Ate My Socks

Have you ever lost your socks? Sure you have. We all have.

Wonder what happened to them? We all do!

Learn what happens when two boys find out where those socks went.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

My Review

His mother has had enough and is threatening to ground him for the summer. What is Max to do? His dirty socks are there when he goes to bed and gone in the morning.

So, in order to avoid a grounding, he sets out bait, dirty socks, and waits to see what shows up that night. And in creeps a little green monster.

Max jumps on it but it squirms away and runs in his closet. His mother comes in, scolding him for still being awake and doesn’t believe his story about the sock eating monster.

The next day at school, Max tells his friend Ryan about the monster. They devise a plan to capture the little green guy and save Max’s summer. The trap works, but then the monster tells his story and they face two choices, help the monster or let him and his family go hungry.

Such a delightful story with vibrant and exciting illustrations, this story is meant to help children with their reading and has some lesson plans at the end of the book. Parents will have fun reading this with their kids, and the young ones will learn some valuable lessons.

I particularly liked the plan the boys come up with for the monster and his family. It was a funny one and I could see kids eyes lighting up and hear their giggles when they read it.

I hear Max and the monsters are in another pickle in the second book and look forward to seeing how they solve that one too.

5 Stars

~~~

Book Synopsis

A young boy, who is about to be grounded for going through so many socks, discovers that a monster has been eating them.

Max is a young boy who is constantly getting in trouble for his socks disappearing. He doesn’t know where they go, but he does know that if he doesn’t do something quickly his mom will ground him for summer. Max soon discovers that a little green monster is sneaking into his room at night and eating his sweaty socks. His mother, of course, doesn’t believe him, so Max calls on his best friend to come for a sleepover to catch the monster.
They devise a trap and capture the monster only to learn that the creature can speak. It hasn’t meant to cause any harm, it’s just trying to feed its family. The monster shows them his home and his three little children and begs the boys not to turn them over to the adults. Adults, he says, want to destroy monsters.

The boys are left in a pickle. Allow the monsters to be and get grounded, or turn the monsters in knowing what will happen to them? Neither idea seems good, so they come up with a new plan!

Author’s Bio

A.J. Cosmo’s stories are crafted to help parents teach their children simple everyday lessons in an easy to understand manner. By artfully marrying beautiful illustrations and language, children are challenged to explore his magical worlds. Written for the transitional reader, A.J.’s stories allow your child to develop and master a new level of reading.
Connect with A.J. Cosmos

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Where to buy the book:

Amazon

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow the tour for more fun posts!

Feb 9 – One Frugal Girl – review / giveaway
Feb 9 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 10 – Library of Clean Reads – review / giveaway
Feb 10 – Bookroom Reviews – review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 10 – Hello, my name is Alice – review / author interview
Feb 11 – Book Dilettante – review
Feb 11 – Back Porchervations – review
Feb 12 – Nighttime Reading Center – review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 12 – Book Loving Hippo – review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 13 – Working Mommy Journal – review / giveaway
Feb 16 – Life as Leels – review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 16 – Genuine Jenn – review / giveaway
Feb 17 – Reading Authors – review / giveaway
Feb 17 – Bound 4 Escape – review
Feb 18 – Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks – review
Feb 18 – Deal Sharing Aunt – review
Feb 19 – Walking with Nora – review / giveaway
Feb 19 – Girl With Camera – review / giveaway
Feb 20 – View From the Birdhouse – review / giveaway
Feb 20 – Being Tilly’s Mummy – review / giveaway
Feb 23 – Just One More Chapter – review
Feb 23 – Kincavel Korner – review
Feb 24 – Pinky’s Favorite Reads – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 25 – fuonlyknew – review / giveaway
Feb 26 – Did YOU Hear About the Morgans? – review
Feb 27 – DeDa Studios – review / author interview / giveaway
March 2 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – review / giveaway
March 3 – Life with Katie – review / giveaway
March 4 – 3 Partners in Shopping – review / giveaway
March 6 – I’d Rather Be At the Beach – review / giveaway

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Other books in the series.

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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!

Lulupop says…Pants! No Chance! ~ Guest Post, Review and Giveaway

Posted: February 24, 2015 in Blog Tour, Children's books, giveaways, Guest Post, reviews
Tags: Author Susan Lanyi, children's book, Pants! No Chance!

Pants! No Chance! by Susan Lanyi is a fun picture book illustrated by Alexandre Rouillard.

Before we get to my review, I have a Guest Post by the author. She shares a freakish encounter with a masked bandit.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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A Guest Post by Author Susan Lanyi

Sometime around my twentieth birthday my father left me home alone for the weekend, something any teenager would consider a gift of mega proportions. Saturday had been a full day of shopping. Happily, my friends and I stumbled through the front door of my house. The three of us were ready for some much needed relaxation. Instead, what we got was a large dose of excitement.

As we entered the house I noticed that a standing lamp lay flat on the couch. Perplexed, I moved towards the kitchen. There was garbage scattered all over the floor. Warning lights began to go off in my head. Something was terribly wrong. Then I saw it, a carpet of brown fur making elegant brush strokes on our shiny yellow kitchen floor. I admired my cat’s tail for a moment. Then I snapped out of it. In a flash, it occurred to me that we did we not own a cat. Even the more distressing however was when I concluded that this was no cat at all. No, this was one big fat raccoon. The front door seemed painfully far. “GET OUT!” my lips moved but nothing escaped my mouth. Luckily my legs did remember how to work.

Two men arrived with a big cage. Unsure if the beast would go quietly, I wished them luck. After about ten minutes they materialized with my fluffy friend. They explained that he would be set free. Overwhelmed with relief I thanked the animal rescue guys and watched them place the creature in the back of their truck. We said our goodbyes and they drove away.

My friend and I made plans for the evening. Two male friends decided to join us. I regurgitated all the elements of my coon story. When the evening came to an end my post trauma had me feeling nervous about going back into the house alone. The guys were quick to offer their protection services.

My friends went ahead of me. “Hey the lamp is lying on the couch.” One of them said, “Oh, stop being such a joker.” I responded. The other guy backed him up, “No it’s true.”

Was this a horror movie entitled “the night of the living dead rodents”? I was in total disbelief. “How can this be?” I cried out. The guys moved further into the house. “Awwww he’s so cute” one of them muttered. On my kitchen counter between the toaster and the blender lay a baby raccoon.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. I tried animal rescue but it was fruitless. No one was coming to get this raccoon at 2:00A.M. Luckily, the two guys managed to prod the little fur ball out the window with a broom.

In a flash, I grabbed a few items and asked my friend if I could crash at her house. There was no way I was going to risk running into another masked eyed animal on my way to the toilet that night.

It was not easy to return home the next day but I did take some comfort upon my fathers return. If there were any more animals lurking in the shadows, it would be his and his problem alone. Still, I guess the raccoons liked me more than him because they never showed their furry little faces again.

~~~~

My Review

Each morning, no matter what outfit her mother suggests she wear, Lulupop stubbornly insists on wearing a dress. It’s always a dress, even when it causes problems or she misses out on some fun stuff.

The pictures are delightful and fill the pages. You’ll see the consequences of Lulupop’s insistence upon wearing a dress in colorful, fun ways.

When her mother finally throws in the towel, Lulupop surprises her and comes up with her own solution. Kids are funny like that.

I see where parents can learn from this. Lulupop is showing her personality. Be patient. Let your child express themselves. My son used to always wear a stocking cap and matching cloth gloves. I have so many pictures of him with toese items on. It makes me smile now, but I remember the frustration when trying to get him to take them off.

Lulupop finally learned yet still kind of had her own way.

A delightful picture book to read aloud with your child. Sure to make you giggle.

5 Stars

~~~~

Book Synopsis:

Lulupop rarely puts up a fuss, except when it comes to wearing pants. Dresses, dresses, dresses, is all she will ever wear! With time, a little drama, and no lack of imagination, Lulupop realizes that wearing dresses is not always the best choice.

Author’s Bio:

Susan Lanyi lives in Montreal with her husband, three children and puppy. She is a writer and has previously been published in The Globe and Mail. When Susan is not busy writing or doing “mom stuff” she is shopping for dresses with her daughter….Too bad her daughter only wants to wear pants!

Connect with Susan: Website ~ Twitter

Where to buy the book:

Domnizelles Publications
Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Barnes & Nobles

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~

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

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Website | Facebook | Twitter

Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

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

The Experience

Book Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Website | Blog | Facebook

Twitter | Goodreads

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *