Guest Book Review: A Boy and His Dragon by Michael J. Bowler
May 20, 2013 at 12:24 am | Posted in adventure stories, Fantasy, Teen fiction, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | Leave a commentTags: A Boy and His Dragon, adventure stories, book reviews, dragons, Fantasy, Michael J. Bowler, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, young adult fantasy, Young Adult fiction
Book Review: A Boy and His Dragon by Michael J. Bowler
Print Length: 613 pages
Publisher: Michael Bowler (September 23, 2011)
ASIN: B005P9G0UA
Rating: 4 Stars
Age group: YA 13+
Bradley Wallace Murphy just turned thirteen, and life sucks. He doesn’t fit in at school, he’s no good at sports, a bully torments him, he’s a disappointment to his parents, and his only “friends” are fictional characters on a TV show called “Dark Shadows.” He’s growing up but wants to stay a boy, like Peter Pan. Then he finds the egg and everything changes. From this egg hatches Whilly, a supposedly mythological dragon that bonds with him physically, emotionally and spiritually. The sudden responsibility of hiding a rapidly growing dragon in a small California city in 1970 forces Bradley Wallace to grow up whether he wants to or not. Feeding a hungry dragon involves lots of raw meat, and the horrible reality of death sickens Bradley, turning him vegetarian, and upsetting his mother. Through their adventures together, boy and dragon learn the true nature of their symbiosis, and Bradley Wallace comes to understand that he is not just a misfit kid who happened to find a misfit creature from some other time. He is something far more dangerous, a ‘super-hero’ with powers he didn’t know he had. He could be killed if the truth comes out. When the attacks begin, Bradley Wallace realizes he is up against overwhelming evil forces. Can he and Whilly survive?
What an amazing, magical adventure. Everyone who has ever imagined having a dragon, flying with it, and befriending this wonderful mythological creature will jump right into this book. Author Michael J. Bowler has such a gift for recreating the experiences and muddled logic of a 13-year-old self-confessed misfit. He also brings the Seventies to life in wonderful detail, a time of Drive-ins, Eskimo Pie, Star Trek, and long summer holidays. I loved this story and the delicately flowering relationship between Whilly and Bradley Wallace is peppered with humour, misunderstanding, forgiveness, and a lot of acceptance (after Bradley discovers what happened to the neighbourhood cats…). The author cements the bonds that must survive the terrible tests facing the boy and the dragon. The story sucks the reader right into Bradley’s life, along with his slightly dysfunctional family, his bossy older sister, and the school bullies. Kids will love this adventure and adults will relish remembering being 13 again. The book is long but all the elements merge into a satisfying whole to perfectly capture the boy-dragon symbiosis. This book is intended as the first in a trilogy and I am sure young fans will eagerly await more from Bradley Wallace and Whilly. Highly Recommended.
(The book mentions definite adolescent physiological changes so I advise parents to stick to the age recommendation)
First reviewed for Readers Favorite
Reviewer’s bio: Fiona Ingram is an award-winning middle grade author who is passionate about getting kids interested in reading. Find out more about Fiona and her books on www.FionaIngram.com. She reviews books for the Jozikids Blog.
Guest Book Review: Seven Spectral: Into the Red World by Valerie Wicks
May 11, 2013 at 9:42 pm | Posted in adventure stories, Chapbook for Tweens, Chapter books, Fantasy, Teen fiction, Tween fiction, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | Leave a commentTags: adventure stories, book reviews, Chapbooks for Tweens, Chapter books, children's fantasy, Fantasy, Fiona Ingram, guest book review, Seven Spectral Into the Red World, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, Tween fiction, Valerie Wicks, Young Adult fiction
Seven Spectral: Into the Red World
Paperback: 276 pages
Publisher: Valerie Wicks (October 13, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0615715567
ISBN-13: 978-0615715568
Rating: 4 stars
Age group: preteen upward
Emerald Drizzleweather Bogwater has an unfortunate name, unfortunate red hair, and an unfortunate tendency to rebel. When she escapes her small, dull, slow village (where everyone and everything is in shades of green) to see the world, she discovers something she wasn’t bargaining for…a whole new one. Now she must solve the mystery of the Egyptian-styled Red World (and its problems), before its dangers ensnare her forever. Escaping was relatively easy. Emer’s father (Alder Bogwater) tries to make her stay by bringing her back forcibly. She has even been married off to the kind of boy any sane girl would avoid—an oaf who drinks far too much lime ale. But Emer is on a mission to find her mother, Lore, with nothing but memories and an old turquoise compass, one of the pair that works in unison. However, if that means charting a dangerous course, so be it. With her green otter Samhain (aka Sam) as companion, she scales the wall separating Green from Red world and is catapulted into an adventure beyond anything she imagined. Deities, magic, death, blood and gore, intertwined worlds, weird characters and scary monsters, and a female Pharaoh determined to lock the Rainbow Gate, a mysterious set of ‘Keys’ that must be found, traitors, rebellions, and a boy that leads an army. Talking of boys, Shigeru is way more exciting and attractive than anyone Emer has ever met before. He comes from the Violet world, an element that hints at the other worlds in this planned series. Will Emer find her mother and is she ready for revelations that will shatter her beliefs?
Author Valerie Wicks has a way with words and a gift for world-building. She weaves a fantasy realm that intrigues with descriptions that unfold with the adventure. Emer is a feisty young woman who thinks on her feet as danger threatens and situations turn distinctly nasty. My criticism would be that although Emer is sixteen, sometimes she speaks and thinks like a younger person. The plot twists and turns in an interesting way, but in various sections I felt as if the plot and its myriad characters ran away from the author. Sometimes too many other elements (albeit fascinating) distract the reader from the main story theme and Emer’s character development. However, a great start to a series where the rainbow’s shades create new and different worlds.
First reviewed for Readers Favorite
Reviewer’s bio: Fiona Ingram is an award-winning middle grade author who is passionate about getting kids interested in reading. Find out more about Fiona and her books on www.FionaIngram.com. She reviews books for the Jozikids Blog.
Character Interview from Faizah’s Destiny by Marva Dasef (Giveaway)
May 6, 2013 at 11:07 pm | Posted in adventure stories, Fantasy, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | 2 CommentsTags: adventure stories, Ahura, Anahita, Arabian mythology, book giveaway, Faizah's Destiny, folklore and mythology, Marva Dasef, middle-eastern fantasy, MuseItUp Publishing, mythology, Persian mythology, simurgh, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, virtual book tour, young adult fantasy, Young Adult fiction
The gods are at war and only a farmer’s daughter can save the world from Armageddon.
The village magician has gone missing. His four pupils think he has left a clue to his whereabouts in the Magicalis Bestialis–the book of magical creatures. They must seek the help of the elusive Simurgh, the mythical birds who know all the secrets of the universe.
However, this is not an easy camping trip into the mountains. Spirits, gods, and demons confront the four friends, who are not aware they’re being set up by otherworldly forces for a much larger task.
A farmer’s daughter, Faizah is chosen to lead the humans in the battle. She must persuade a slave, an orphan, and a rich merchant’s son to join in the battle on the side of good. Although divided by Dev, the evil god of war, the teens must band together to find the Simurgh, rescue their teacher, and stave off Armageddon.
Excerpt:
She looked at Harib when he said, “Ahmajd is a good man, but he’s hardly the type to run off after mountain raiders. Matter of fact, I can’t think of anyone in the whole village who’d even consider it. You heard Faluj. He didn’t even suggest forming a search party. I don’t think anybody is going to do anything.”Faizah bit her lip in frustration. The villagers lacked any adventurous spirit. Most preferred to live their lives as quietly and safely as they could.
Leaning over the table, Parvaiz stared thoughtfully at the open page of the book. “I haven’t had the chance to get to know Master Wafai, or anybody else yet, but I have a feeling Faizah is on the right track. Still, I think he just meant for us to search for him in the mountains, not go looking for these birds.”
Bahaar stood looking down at his feet, lost in thought. Now he lifted his head to look at Parvaiz for a second and then turned to Harib. “How about you, Harib? What do you think?”
Harib sighed and scratched his head. “I agree with Parvaiz. But we can’t go charging into the raider’s camp and tell them to give him back. They’d just laugh at us…or worse.”
Parvaiz nodded. “However, we can at least try to track where he is. If we find some evidence, we can come back to tell the village elders.”
“All right. I’ll concede Master Wafai was just directing us to the mountains, but we still need to figure out how to get started,” Faizah said. “Once we convince our parents,” she continued, glancing at Bahaar, “or brother, to let us go, we can work out the rest ourselves.”
Parvaiz stared at her and then gave a short bark of a laugh. “What makes you think you’re going? This is going to be hard enough without having a girl tagging along. That’s the last thing we need!”
Faizah glared at Parvaiz, her face flushed with anger. “I can take care of myself! Nobody has to watch out for me. Least of all some slave boy,” she shouted at Parvaiz. She regretted the last comment the moment she said it. Still, it didn’t make her any less angry that these boys, she thought were her friends, would so casually dismiss her just because she was a girl.
“You have no call?” Parvaiz began and then shut his mouth. He looked at Harib and Bahaar, who were both studying their feet with intense interest.
Bahaar looked up at him and then over at Faizah and shrugged. “Sorry Faizah, I have to agree with Parvaiz. I…I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Faizah turned to Harib. “Well? Do you agree?”
The boy’s face reddened, and he wouldn’t meet her eyes. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
She glared at each of them in turn, spun on her heel, and stormed out of the house, her fists clenched and her head high. Stiff-backed, she marched across the tiny courtyard and through the archway. Only when hidden by the wall, did her shoulders slump and the tears begin to flow.
The Boys Have Their Say
*** Leave a comment for a chance to win a free ecopy of “Faizah’s Destiny.” ***
(Marva Dasef) I am the author of “Faizah’s Destiny” and decided the three boys in the story might like to share their views while Faizah isn’t in the room.
(Marva) I’m pleased to have Faizah’s three male companions here today for the interview. How are you doing?
(Parvaiz) Sure, make us out as secondary characters. Typical. Snorts in disgust.
(Marva) A little testy aren’t you? After all, the book is titled “Faizah’s Destiny” not “Parvaiz’s Destiny.”
(Harib) Sorry about Parvaiz, ma’am. He’s a little touchy since he was a slave all his life. He’ll loosen up the longer he’s free.
(Parvaiz) Easy for you, Harib. Your father is the richest man in the territory. He owns slaves!
(Bahaar) Hey, Parvaiz, lighten up. Harib or his father weren’t ever mean to slaves. His dad has even freed most of his workers, and they chose to stay on.
(Parvaiz) mumble…
(Marva) Hey, sorry to hit a sore spot Parvaiz. Maybe if you talked it out a little. Don’t you feel a little grateful to your father for adopting you as his son and heir?
(Harib) What’s that, Parvaiz? I don’t hearrrr youuuu!
(Parvaiz) Yeah, yeah. I am grateful to Ahmadj, but at my age it’s a little hard to adapt to having a father.
(Bahaar) I wish I had even a fake father to get used to. Me and my brother are all on our own. We don’t carry a chip around on our shoulder.
(Parvaiz) All right! I’m grateful! Now can we just drop it?
(Marva) Of course. Tell the readers about your search for Master Wafai.
(Harib) Jabs his hand in the air. Oh, me, me!
(Marva) Go ahead, Harib.
(Harib) One day, we all went to school in the morning at Master Wafai’s house. But he was gone and the room was a mess! We couldn’t think of anything other than he was kidnapped.
(Bahaar) You see, his herb bag was still there. He wouldn’t go anywhere to treat anybody without that. It had to be a kidnapping.
(Parvaiz) But Faizah doesn’t accept that story. Well, she didn’t say Wafai wasn’t kidnapped, but she thought he left a sign we were supposed to find the Simurghs to find out where he was.
(Marva) Why did she think that?
(Harib) His book of magical beasts was open to the page about the Simurghs and a big X was chalked on the page. She figured he’d never mark up a book except for good reason.
(Marva) So you all set out to search for the Simurgh?
(Parvaiz) No way! I thought it was an idiot idea. Faizah being a girl and all…
(Bahaar) interrupting Hey! Faizah can take care of herself. She made that pretty clear when she caught up to us.
(Harib) Yeah. She never hid behind her skirts or us. She always jumped in and started swinging. Remember when Raziq and his gang were beating you up?
(Bahaar) Huffs I could of taken them. But it was nice you and Faizah showing up to help.
(Marva) So, you’re saying at first that you all didn’t want Faizah to go along on the search, but you changed your mind.
(Parvaiz) Well, yeah. I didn’t know her like these guys. She pulled her weight once we got going. She even saved the rest of us from Pazuzu’s ill wind.
(Marva) Ill wind?
(Parvaiz) Yeah, it’s a demon who makes everybody sick. Most of the time, people die, but Faizah knew what plants to use to cure us.
(Marva) Speaking of demons, what was that all about?
Bahaar and Parvaiz turn noticeably red.
(Harib) That jerk demon didn’t take me over like these two.
(Bahaar) We apologized for that! It wasn’t our fault.
(Parvaiz) Right. Harib didn’t even have a very good demon try to tempt him to Dev’s side.
(Marva) Who’s this Dev?
(Parvaiz) God of war. What could we do? Both Bahaar and I wanted to be warriors, and the demons promised we would be great heroes.
(Harib) Yeah. All Nanghaithya did was try to make me feel bad. Not a good way to convince somebody to join the dark side.
(Marva) I know there’s plenty more to tell the readers about your search for Wafai, the battle with the demons, and so forth. But since I’d like to sell a few books, we’ll leave it for now and let folks read about it themselves.
Thank you, boys. You’ve been a great interview.
(Boys) Sure. Anytime. Hey how about a story starring me?
Purchase at: MuseItUp (all ebook formats): http://tinyurl.com/faizahsdestiny
Also available at Amazon, B&N, Nook, and other on-line stores
Marva Dasef lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two ungrateful cats. Retired from thirty-five years in the software industry, she has now turned her energies to writing fiction and finds it a much more satisfying occupation. Marva has published more than forty stories in a number of on-line and print magazines, with several included in Best of anthologies. She has several published books, including six since 2011 with MuseItUp Publishing.
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/mdasefMarva/home
Blog: http://mgddasef.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MarvaDasef
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/?tab=wX#107073845875601488093/posts
Twitter Handle: @Gurina
Book Trailers: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarvaDasef/videos
Alexander Drake Blog Tour & Giveaway with Elizabeth Parkinson-Bellows
May 2, 2013 at 9:49 am | Posted in adventure stories, Fantasy, Middle Grade books, Short Stories, Tween fiction | 1 CommentTags: adventure stories, book reviews, books for young readers, children's fantasy, Fantasy, Middle Grade books, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, Tween fiction
Today I’m reviewing the first two books in the Azra’s Pith Series. This is a middle grade fantasy series by Elizabeth Parkinson-Bellows.
In Book 1, Alexander Drake’s Extraordinary Pursuit, we meet young Alexander Drake. He lives alone with his distant father and has recurring dreams of his mother who has passed away. When his father leaves on another trip, Alexander is sent to stay with his grandmother. In his father’s old room, Alexander discovers a box in the bottom drawer of the dresser. Inside is an odd-looking key and maps and pictures drawn on a tweed fabric. His curiosity gets the better of him, leading him into the forest near his grandmother’s home and on an adventure that will change his life.
The second book, The Return of General Drake, picks up immediately where the first book left off. Alexander makes it to Verhonia, which angers the evil Imperius. His minion, Roman, prepares his murk army to attack the city. With the safety of the realm in jeopardy and Alexander under a spell that has placed him in grave danger, General John William Drake returns to Verhonia. Can evil be defeated or is all lost?
The premise of this series is a great one. A young boy without friends, who is feeling neglected by his only living parent, is sent away and ends up on a life-changing adventure. In Alexander Drake’s Extraordinary Pursuit, Alexander discovers many surprises about his destiny and his family. The book ends with a cliffhanger that leads into the next book.
By Book 2, Alexander is starting to put some of the pieces together. What he underestimates, however, is how far the evil Imperius is willing to go. With his plan to stop Alexander from reaching Verhonia a failure, Imperius wages war on the city and casts a spell over Alexander, sending him on a journey to Cantilonia. Though General Drake had vowed never to return to Verhonia, with Alexander in danger he has no choice.
What I feel Parkinson-Bellows does well in these books is create a series set primarily in a mythical land filled with quirky characters like Ferdinand, a talking frog and Cozmo, a cunning wolf. These are exciting adventure books filled with action that middle grade readers will devour. Where the books fell a bit short for me was in the stilted dialogue and lack of depth in character development. My feeling is that the focus on creating quirky characters might have led to how the dialogue didn’t flow well to me. The conversations didn’t seem natural. There are also places in both books where resolutions came too quickly for the characters, so there isn’t a digging into the characters’–primarily Alexander’s–emotions and thought process.
That said, both books were enjoyable light reads. Though, I don’t like it when a book ends in a cliffhanger that forces you to buy the next book in order to see how it all plays out, these are short and economically-priced stories, so it doesn’t prevent the reader from continuing.
Rating (for both): 
Alexander Drake’s Extraordinary Pursuit
File Size: 1169 KB
Print Length: 110 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing (June 6, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B0054RFVTY
The Return of General Drake
File Size: 269 KB
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing (April 25, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00CK12HEE
Being the frizzy-haired tomboy with buck teeth gave me a slight case of shyness as a kid. A colorful imagination meant escape and adventure at the drop of a hat.
Over the years I learned that the insecurities I carried around were a waste of time. I still prefer a football game to a manicure any day of the week. That indispensable imagination has found its way into my writing providing a sense of joy and a true purpose.
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash (Ends 5/15/13)
Enter for your chance to win at http://www.iamareader.com/2013/02/alexander-drake-blog-tour.html
Trail of Bones Book Blast and Giveaway with Chris Salisbury
May 1, 2013 at 11:40 pm | Posted in Fantasy, Science fiction, Teen fiction, Young Adult fiction, adventure stories, Young Adult | Leave a commentTags: adventure stories, Fantasy, Science fiction, Teen fiction, Young Adult fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, blog giveaway, Book Blasts and Book Tours, Trail of Bones, Chris Salisbury, clean young adult reads
Magnus, the runt of a litter of Shade Wolves, wants nothing more than to be a loyal, strong member of the pack. But when an ancient enemy threatens his friends and family, he faces a choice that could tear him from all he’s known and loved.
Born in captivity, the giant panther Kelor knows nothing but suffering and loss. He struggles to find his place in this world of terror, and he battles to protect his family without succumbing to the darkness lurking inside him.
Falling captive to the evil Warden, the two are forced to fight in the battle of the beasts known as ‘The Trail of Bones’. How will Kelor and Magnus learn to work together? How will they escape a fate of despair and death? How will their choices affect their comrades? Their enemies? And the forgotten magic that could doom all life of their world?
Let the adventures begin!
Editorial Reviews
Salisbury is a rising star in genre fiction. This book makes a unique and exciting contribution in the fantasy realm. The first of great things to come. –Jake Black, “The Authorized Ender Companion” “Smallville” “Ender’s Game: Recruiting Valentine”
Amazon Reviews
Conclusion:
A fantasy adventure that features lots of action and intrigue that is geared to a YA audience.
There are moments in this tale that are especially well done… story telling at a level that I’d be interested to see what this author would do with an adult orientated fantasy work.
As a dedicated YA work… 5 Stars.
~ Ray Nicholson
The beginning of a great adventure!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first book of the Trail of Bones series. It is an unpredictable adventure, with heartwrenching acts of love and friendship. The story ended before I was prepared to put my Kindle down, and now I will wait anxiously for the second book to be published. In the meantime, I think I’ll read it again with my eleven-year-old son; I’m sure he’ll love it as much as I do. Give it a read!
~ HRL
Enthralling story line that really pulls you in
…The characters were some that I will not easily forget because he explains their background in a way that makes the reader really connect and believe they are real. He creates a world that I long to see. I really grew to both love and hate different characters. I think that is a sign of a really great author when they can make us feel so much emotion towards a character.
~ Janason
Enter at a Rafflecopter giveaway
Guest Book Review: Under the Universe: The Skymasters Series Book 2 by Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot
April 26, 2013 at 9:20 am | Posted in adventure stories, Science fiction, Tween fiction | Leave a commentTags: adventure stories, books for young readers, Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot, Science fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, The Skymasters Series, Tween fiction, Under the Universe: The Skymasters Series Book 2
Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (January 17, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1481227939
ISBN-13: 978-1481227933
Preteen
Four Stars
Reviewed by Fiona Ingram
In the first book of the Skymasters series, (Galaxy Girl), preteen Allie Henderson discovers an intergalactic visitor named Eilla, who looks just like her. She is Allie’s galactic cousin from a parallel universe. In the second book, Under the Universe, things get even more interesting. It has been a year since Eilla returned to her parallel universe and Allie is eager for an adventure of her own. She gets just such an opportunity when the MIT science team tells her they are ready to transport her to Eilla’s planet. Allie must then chose between the safety of the known and the potential adventure another universe. Allie and Eilla visit Stonehenge and discover a subterranean world in which nothing appears as it does on the surface. There, they meet a pair of hermit crabs who clue them into some of the secrets of the universe.
There is much to charm the young reader in this book, including enchanting illustrations. Although this is the second book in a series, the story can stand alone. This is an adventure of inner and outer exploration as the author highlights the thirst for knowledge in this age group, and the cousins absorb facts like sponges. There is just enough space ‘stuff’ and quantum physics for kids to make it fun and adventurous rather than boring. But the adventure is not just about time travel. In both worlds, the girls have a disabled sibling, and author Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot handles this with tact and sensitivity. I enjoyed the empathy between the cousins. Allie goes on a learning curve as she discovers the differences between her world and her cousin’s with snippets of geography, history, science, economics and social change, and astronomy filtering through. The author has popped some famous modern and historical names into the mix, with amusing characters that give their own opinion of life. There’s a nice blend of facts, fantasy, and legend (Atlantis and Mu). The story ends with clearly more investigation planned and a hint of danger. My only criticism is there is perhaps too much information for this age group to absorb.
First reviewed for Readers Favorite
Reviewer’s bio: Fiona Ingram is an award-winning middle grade author who is passionate about getting kids interested in reading. Find out more about Fiona and her books on www.FionaIngram.com. She reviews books for the Jozikids Blog.
Blogger’s note: The reviewer mentioned problems with the formatting when downloading from Amazon onto a Kindle on her PC. This may be a technical issue that may or may not already have been addressed.
Interview with Ron Hutchinson, Author of Voices of Locusts
April 8, 2013 at 7:25 am | Posted in adventure stories, Author Interview, Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | Leave a commentTags: adventure stories, arranged marriage, author interviews, Pump Up Your Book, romance, Ron Hutchinson, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, Voices of Locusts, Young Adult fiction, young adult novel
Ron says he was an Army brat growing up, and lived all over the country, from New York to California and points in between. He began writing fiction full time at the age of 66 after a long career in journalism and public relations. Ron graduated from the University of Missouri in 1967 with a degree in journalism. He has worked as a reporter, editor, and columnist at newspapers in Texas, California, and Missouri. He was employed by a major oil company as a public relations executive, and later operated his own public relations agency. He created the board game Sixth Sense in 2003. Ron lives in Joplin, Missouri, and enjoys golf and hiking.
When did you first get bit by the writing bug?
I took my first newspaper job at the El Paso Times when I was 19. I was a big fan of Ernest Hemingway back in those days, and I thought how nice it would be to rent some isolated beach house and write for a living. It was all a pipe dream because I lacked the discipline needed to write. Still, as the years rolled past, I held onto my dream. After I retired from a career in journalism and public relations, I gave writing another try. I was 66. Not only did I now have the discipline, but I pieced together in my head a half dozen novels. My fifth novel will be published this spring.
Why did you decide to write stories for the YA market?
My life as a kid was filled with adventure—from climbing Mt. Fuji in Japan to hunting elk in Colorado—and it seemed only natural for me to write about those adventures, albeit with some literary license.
What is your favorite part of writing for this group? What is the greatest challenge?
I create strong middle-grade and YA characters, present them a conflict, then turn them loose. They map out the story—I simply goes along for the ride. The greatest challenge with middle-grade/YA stories is dialogue that rings true. A middle-grade character speaking like an adult, for example, will turn off a young reader. I strive to write middle-grade/YA dialogue that is real, and pay close attention to what is being said when I am around kids in those age groups.
Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?
Young Jack O’Brien and his family arrive at a remote U.S. Air Force outpost where Jack’s father is base commander. The year is 1948. Sixteen-year-old Jack has never felt the bittersweet sting of love, but that all changes when he has a chance encounter with Fujiko Kobaysi, a beautiful and enchanting 17-year-old Japanese girl. Jack is immediately smitten.
Fujiko’s parents are overly protective and monitor her every move, and Jack and Fujiko meet secretly at her garden, located some distance from her village. Jack is devastated when Fujiko tells him that she has been promised in marriage by her parents to an older man, a practice common throughout Asia at the time. The marriage is only months away. Jack devises a cunning plan, one that will overshadow her arranged marriage and bring Fujiko and him together.
Playing out against a backdrop of swirling post-War social change, Voices of the Locusts also tells the story of three families—one black, one white, one Asian. Told in vivid and sometimes haunting detail, Jack and Fujiko are frustrated in their romantic quest by story characters coming to terms (often violently) with the emotional scars of World War II.
What inspired you to write it?
Much of the story is based on personal experience from living in Japan for two years. The story took shape in my head over many years.
Where can readers purchase a copy?
Amazon. It is available as an e-book or paperback.
What is up next for you?
I just completed a crime thriller I’m calling “The Redhead, the Bookie, and the G-Man.” It should be available to purchase later this spring at Amazon.
Do you have anything else to add?
Don’t give up on your dream. Tell a story that is unique, create characters who are believable but one of a kind, and write dialogue that is crisp and full or passion.
Thank you for spending time with us today, Ron. We wish you much success.
Untimed by Andy Gavin Book Review and Giveaway
March 26, 2013 at 11:58 pm | Posted in adventure stories, Science fiction, Steampunk, Teen fiction, Time Travel, Tribute Books, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | 3 CommentsTags: adventure stories, Andy Gavin, book reviews, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, Tribute Books, Untimed, virtual book tour, YA steampunk, Young Adult fiction, young adult science fiction
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Charlie’s own mother can’t remember his name. His father is gone for months at a time. Pretty much, he should just be invisible. While on a field trip in Philadelphia, a mysterious clockwork man attempts to kill Charlie. They tumble through a hole that drops them into 18th century London. That’s when things really get interesting. Charlie meets up with Ben Franklin and a girl named Yvaine, who is another time traveler. When they accidentally alter history–allowing Franklin to be killed–Charlie and Yvaine hope to travel through time to fix it. The mysterious clockwork man, however, is determined not to let that happen.
While time travel adventure stories aren’t my normal read, I’m glad I took a chance on Untimed by Andy Gavin. This fast-paced young adult novel is a thrill ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Once I started reading, I never wanted to stop. Gavin knows how to create an engaging novel that draws the reader in with rich details and superb storytelling. He ramps up the tension and places obstacles in the way at every turn. Just when Charlie and Yvaine think they have it all figured out, a new problem arises. Well-developed, likable characters fill the pages of this creative novel.
The one area I felt disappointed by was the physical nature of Yvaine’s and Charlie’s relationship. Considering that Charlie is in ninth grade and just about to celebrate a birthday at the beginning of the book, that would make him thirteen going on fourteen. While Charlie and Yvaine’s romance is only a small part of the book, I was uncomfortable with some of their actions, especially considering Charlie’s age. When I originally requested this book for review, I thought it might be something that would interest the Lil’ Diva (11). I’m glad I read it first because the sexual nature of the romance in this novel makes it inappropriate for her.
Untimed by Andy Gavin is a gripping story with tons of action. Lovers of science-fiction, time travel stories, and adventure will enjoy this one.
Rating:
Prices/Formats: $5.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $24.00 hardcover
Publisher: Mascherato Publishing
ISBN: 9781937945053 ebook, 9781937945046 paperback, 9781937945039 hardcover
Pages: 325
Release: December 19, 2012
Amazon paperback buy link ($14.99):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1937945049?tag=tributebooks-20
Kindle buy link ($5.99):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQN4OZS?tag=tributebooks-20
Andy Gavin’s Web Site:
http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/
Andy Gavin’s Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/andygavin
Andy Gavin’s Twitter:
https://twitter.com/asgavin
Andy Gavin’s Blog:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/allthingsandygavin
Andy Gavin’s Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/andrewgavin/
Andy Gavin’s Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Gavin
Andy Gavin’s Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5406978.Andy_Gavin
Untimed Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16277039-untimed
Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186
Untimed blog tour site:
http://untimed.blogspot.com/
Visit the book’s tour page at http://untimed.blogspot.com/ where you can enter for a chance to win these prizes:
$25 Amazon.com gift card or PayPal cash
1 signed paperback of ‘Untimed’ by Andy Gavin
1 signed paperback of ‘The Darkening Dream’ by Andy Gavin
1 signed copy of ‘Crash Bandicoot’ video game
1 signed copy of ‘Jak & Daxter’ video game
I received a free paperback copy of this book from the author through Tribute Books Book Tours. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.
First Chapter Review of The Master’s Book by Philip Coleman
March 26, 2013 at 8:03 pm | Posted in adventure stories, First Chapter Review, MuseItUp Publishing, Mysteries, Teen fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | Leave a commentTags: adventure stories, MuseItUp Publishing, Mysteries, Philip Coleman, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, The Master's Book, Young Adult fiction, young adult thriller
The first chapter of this young adult thriller was sent to me by the author, Philip Coleman. This book was recently released by MuseItUp Publishing.
BLURB: In 1482 Mary, the last Duchess of Burgundy, lies on her deathbed in a castle in Flanders. She is only 24. In her final moments she makes a wish that, 500 years later, will threaten the lives of a boy and a girl living in Brussels.
The Master’s Book is the story of Sean, an Irish teenager, just arrived in Brussels to a house that is also a crime scene. Together with Stephanie, his classmate, he finds an illuminated manuscript, only for it to be stolen almost at once.
Where did this manuscript come from? Who was it originally made for? Is there a connection with the beautiful tomb Sean has seen in Bruges? Above all, why does someone want this book so badly that they are prepared to kill for it?
Part thriller and part paper-chase, this book is aimed at boys and girls of twelve and over.
COVER: Love it. Great for the age group. The color scheme and fonts used are captivating.
FIRST CHAPTER: Sean, his younger sister, Maeve, and their parents are outside a restaurant at the Grand Place in Brussels. The parents are arguing because Dad didn’t tell Mam that the house they moved into was a crime scene. Sean is more concerned with how many points he lost with his mates by not knowing he was moving into a house where the former owner was murdered.
KEEP READING: Yes. Coleman drops the reader right into the action. Though this is a serious conversation, Sean’s sarcasm and his view of how everything unfolded between his parents is kind of funny. It makes me wonder what my kids think of it when my husband and I get into a heated discussion. Though this first chapter is short, we get a fair amount of information from it. First, that Dad and Mam were not necessarily on the same side when it came to the move. Sean was less than thrilled about moving, too. Maeve plays a minor role at the beginning, but her childlike curiosity adds to the plot. My interest is definitely piqued.
File Size: 435 KB
Print Length: 267 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing (March 12, 2013)
ISBN 978-1-77127-277-3
I received the first chapter of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.
Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz and Giveaway
March 22, 2013 at 9:17 am | Posted in adventure stories, Humor, Middle Grade books | 3 CommentsTags: adventure stories, book reviews, giveaways, Humor, Karen Pokras Toz, Middle Grade books, middle grade fiction, Nate Rocks, Nate Rocks the School, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, virtual book tour
Nate Rockledge and gang are back in the third volume of the Nate Rocks series, Nate Rocks the School by Karen Pokras Toz. Now in fifth grade, Nathan, Tommy, and Sam are glad to take advantage of being older. Mom finally concedes to having Nate’s birthday party outside of the house for once. There’s baseball at recess and a cool Halloween dance to help the class raise necessary funds for the annual fifth grade trip to New York City. But when the trip to NYC is at risk of being canceled, Nate steps up to help with the fundraising committee. With paper and pencil in hand, Nate Rockledge becomes Nate Rocks, saving the town from evil robots and helping recover stolen paintings and cars.
I’ve enjoyed this series since the beginning. In this latest book in the Nate Rocks series, Toz lets loose her imagination and sense of humor once again to come up with a great middle grade adventure story boys will love. Familiar and new characters blend together in this zany story filled with Nate’s mom’s horrible cooking, whiny complaints from know-it-all Lisa Crane, annoying older sister jabs from Abby, Dad’s poor storytelling, and the adventures of one creative boy stuck in the middle of it all. A neat surprise ending winds down this story that moves along at a good clip.
This series keeps getting better and better. I can’t wait to see what Nate is up to next.
Rating:
Paperback: 138 pages
Publisher: Grand Daisy Press (February 20, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0984860878
ISBN-13: 978-0984860876
A Word from Lisa Crane
Hey everyone – it’s me, Lisa Crane. For those of you who have been following this tour, I need to set the record straight. You know what they say – there are two sides to every story. In fact, the only thing in the book, Nate Rocks the School, that’s actually accurate about me is the part where I tell everyone how Nathan got his black eye last summer. Even Abby said it was true, so it must be, right?
Anyway, Nathan makes it sound like he’s doing all the work to try to raise the money we need for our school trip to New York. Well that’s just not true. In fact, if anything, he’s making even more work for us. Yup, that’s right. For example, it was his idea to have two school events, not one. He’s the one who made us do things on such short notice, and he also did a lousy job trying to get donations. Then to make things even worse, Nathan’s mom insists on making all the food that we’ll sell at the snack table. (Between you and me, everyone in the school knows to stay away from Mrs. Rockledge’s baked goods – even my mom knows that, and she’s Mrs. Rockledge’s best friend!) We’ll barely make any money from snack sales, and that’s usually a big seller!
If you ask me, my ideas for fundraising are so much better. If only Nathan and that best friend of his, Tommy, would listen to me. We’d be done already. When will those boys learn? Anyway – I guess if you want to see how it all turns out, you’ll have to read the book. Just remember what I told you!
Karen Pokras Toz lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. Karen’s middle grade childrens’ novels: Millicent Marie Is Not My Name and the Nate Rocks series, have won several awards including First Place for Children’s Chapter Books and the Grand Prize Overall in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for a Global E-Book Award for Pre-Teen Literature. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). Her first adult contemporary novel, invisible, will be released this summer. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com.
Links
Website: www.karentoz.com
Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptoz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentoz
Amazon: http://bit.ly/NRTSamazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/NRSchoolBN
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.Karen_Pokras_Toz
I received an e-copy of this book from the author through GWR Publicity. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.
The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection giveaway:
A Nate Rocks Swag Pack.
Rules for the TC&TBC giveaway
1) Visit Karen’s website at www.karentoz.com and leave a comment at this post telling me something you learned while there. Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.
2) Winners must be 18 years of age or older and reside in the United States.
3) Prize will be shipped directly to the winner by the author or her representative.
Grand Prize: One reader will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card and Nate Rocks Swag Pack.
Grand Prize Rafflecopter visit below link:
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