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
Trail of Bones Book Blast and Giveaway with Chris Salisbury
May 1, 2013 at 11:40 pm | Posted in adventure stories, Fantasy, Science fiction, Teen fiction, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | Leave a commentTags: adventure stories, blog giveaway, Book Blasts and Book Tours, Chris Salisbury, clean young adult reads, Fantasy, Science fiction, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, Trail of Bones, Young Adult fiction
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
Interview with Philip Coleman, Author of The Master’s Book
April 2, 2013 at 1:10 am | Posted in Author Interview, MuseItUp Publishing, Mysteries, Teen fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | 2 CommentsTags: author interviews, murder mystery, Mysteries, Philip Coleman, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, The Master's Book, thriller, Young Adult fiction, young adult thriller
Philip Coleman has lived and worked as a biologist in four countries, including a sojourn in Brussels that inspired this story. Currently he lives in France and works for a conservation NGO based in Switzerland. Apart from writing, his hobbies are reading (fiction and history), painting, cinema, cooking and enjoying Alpine scenery. He has a grown-up son and daughter (and no, their names aren’t Sean and Maeve!)
My website is still in development and will feature a blog. In the meantime, here is my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/philipcolemanauthor.
Thank you for joining us today, Philip Coleman. Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?
Well, in my day-job I’m a biologist, but I’ve always loved books, a liking I was happy to pass on to my children. One of the happiest periods in my life was when I lived in Brussels, where I had a very exciting job but also had the opportunity to share with my children their discovery of many beautiful places in Europe that were easily accessible by road or rail. I enjoyed writing this book because it was a way of re-living that experience.
When did you first get bit by the writing bug?
I used to write as a teenager but I abandoned it until a few years ago when, on my daughter’s recommendation, I picked up Philip Pullman’s trilogy, His Dark Materials. That prompted me to try my hand at young adult fiction; my first attempts were fantasy but then I came up with this idea for a story in a contemporary setting with a historical twist.
Why did you decide to write stories for the YA market?
Maybe it’s a way of re-capturing my children’s growing years! They are both grown-up now, but that time when they hadn’t completely lost their sense of wonder was very precious.
What is your favorite part of writing for this group? What is the greatest challenge?
The fun part is sharing the healthy irreverence and sense of mischief of young teenagers, and trying to convey this in my writing; it’s the time when they want to shake off adult supervision but are still a bit unsure of themselves. The greatest challenge is simply to be entertaining and not to lecture my readers.
Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?
The Master’s Book is a thriller about Sean, an Irish boy in Brussels, and Stephanie, his pretty mixed-race classmate, who discover a rare medieval illuminated manuscript in Sean’s basement, sparking off a theft, several murders and an attempted kidnapping.
What inspired you to write it?
Most people who haven’t been to Brussels think of it as a grey, boring city, dominated by EU office blocks. They aren’t completely wrong, of course. But they don’t appreciate how quirky – and sometimes beautiful – parts of the city and its surrounding towns are. And the sense of a long history is never far away, since the city changed hands from the Holy Roman Empire to the Duchy of Burgundy, to Spain, to France, and to the Netherlands, before becoming capital of the new country called Belgium in the 19th century. So I wanted to capture this exciting mix of the old and the modern.
Where can readers purchase a copy?
You can buy my book at the MuseItUp Publishing Bookstore and at Amazon.
What is up next for you?
I am currently working on a sequel, which will revolve around fugitives from a recent historical event with a Belgian connection: the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.
Do you have anything else to add?
Just to say thank you for the interview! It’s been fun.
Thank you for spending time with us today, Philip. We wish you much success.
IXEOS by Jennings Wright (Blog Tour and Giveaway)
March 29, 2013 at 8:15 am | Posted in Science fiction, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | 1 CommentTags: book tours, I'm A Reader, IXEOS, Jennings Wright, Not A Writer, Science fiction, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, virtual book tours, Young Adult fiction, young adult science fiction
 |
| Tour Schedule |
Ixeos
The McClellands are enjoying a lazy summer vacation at the beach when they are lured from our world into Ixeos, an alternate Earth. Finding themselves lost in a maze of tunnels under Paris and surrounded by strangers, they discover that they have been brought to Ixeos for one purpose: to take the planet back from humanoid aliens who have claimed it. With the aid of the tunnels and a mysterious man named Landon, the teens travel the world seeking the key that will allow them to free Darian, the long-imprisoned rebel leader. But the aliens aren’t the only problem on Ixeos — the McClellands have to deal with brutal gangs, desperate junkies, and a world without power, where all the technology is owned by the aliens, and where most of the population has been killed or enslaved. The worst part? There’s no way home.
Author Jennings Wright
Born and raised in Florida, Jennings spent her early years reading anything she could get her hands on, when she wasn’t spending time in and on the water. She won a prize in the 6th grade for her science fiction stories.
Jennings attended the University of Tampa, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and almost enough credits for B.A.s in both English and History. She attended graduate school at the University of West Florida, studying Psychology. She spent time over the years doing various kinds of business writing, editing, and teaching writing, but mostly having and raising her family, homeschooling her children, owning and running a business with her husband, and starting a non-profit.
Thanks to a crazy idea called NaNoWriMo Jennings got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn’t stopped since. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, also a business owner and writer, and two children, and travels extensively with her family, and her non-profit in Uganda.
Read an excerpt:
A male voice called out, “Whatcho want, mate?”
“To pass,” Riley replied. “That’s all.”
“Oh aye, that’s all. And why should we let you pass, leastwise without a dekko at whatcho got in them bags?”
“We’re minding our business. You mind yours,” Riley said, taking his large flashlight from the drink pouch of his back pack. Abacus did the same.
“This here track be our business.”
Monkey slipped back beside the girls and began to nudge them to right. Clay stayed in front of them, masking their movement in the dark. As the two assailants lunged forward, Riley and Abacus swung their heavy flashlights like clubs. Clay picked up a rock. Monkey took Neahle and Sarah by the hand, swung around away from the fracas, and then swerved back to the tracks, running as fast as they could go for the station.
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/12/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00004]](http://childrensandteensbookconnection.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/front_cover_untimed_2-7d_web.jpg)
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.
Interview with Kathleen Allen, Author of War of FEI
March 21, 2013 at 8:48 am | Posted in Author Interview, Fantasy, MuseItUp Publishing, Teen fiction, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | Leave a commentTags: author interviews, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, Young Adult fiction
Kathleen self-published her first book at the age of eight. Okay, she tied together several sheets of notebook paper with red ribbon, made an orange and blue construction paper book jacket and labeled it: MY POEMS. She has been writing ever since. She writes in different genres but YA fantasy is her favorite.
Twitter: @kathleea
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kathleea/
Facebook: http://ow.ly/cWMFB
Author Central page: amazon.com/author/kallen
Books available online and in print
Book trailers available on You Tube
Thank you for joining us today, Kathleen. Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?
I am an urban faerie born without wings. Or at least that’s my story.
When did you first get bit by the writing bug?
I began to make up stories as soon as I could talk and scribbled them down before I could even make letters. I began to read and write when I was three. It’s been non-stop since then.
Why did you decide to write stories for the YA market?
It appeals to me. I like the discovery of something new and bring that to my characters.
What is your favorite part of writing for this group? What is the greatest challenge?
The greatest challenge is keeping up with the current slang. LOL. The favorite part is that when you get a reader, you have them interested in your writing for a long time.
Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?
It’s about faeries. Specifically it’s about faeries who battle humans to win back their land of Fei from those who stole it. This is book 2 in the LORE OF FEI series.
What inspired you to write it?
Faeries.
Where can readers purchase a copy?
It’s an eBook so anywhere you purchase eBooks and on the publisher’s website: museituppublishing.com
What is up next for you?
I am editing a YA contemporary about a 17 year old girl who feels invisible and so she devises a way to be famous and gets into all sorts of trouble on her way to fame. It’s humorous in parts and serious in others. It’s coming out from Gypsy Shadow Publishing soon. The title is: HOW TO BECOME ALMOST FAMOUS IN TEN DAYS.
Do you have anything else to add?
WAR OF FEI is my 14th book to be published. I have short stories and novellas also available. Please check out my other writings. My latest novella is: SIN-EATER GIRL about the old Welsh legend of sin-eating set in modern times. Also, one of my YA historical fiction books, FITZROY: THE BOY WHO WOULD BE KING has been in the top 100 paid for children’s eBooks in the historical fiction category since December, 2012.
Thank you for spending time with us today, Kathleen. We wish you much success.
Interview with Mac Fallows, Author of Wondertown
March 20, 2013 at 12:45 am | Posted in Author Interview, Fantasy, Teen fiction, Young Adult, Young Adult fiction | 2 CommentsTags: author interviews, Mac Fallows, musical book, musical ebook, musical fantasy adventure, Pump Up Your Book, Teen fiction, The Children's and Teens Book Connection, virtual book tour, Wondertown, young adult fantasy, Young Adult fiction
Reclusive writer and composer Mac Fallows first began pitching the idea of a musical book for teens and adults to music and book publishers in the late eighties. But without the technology to support his vision, he didn’t get far.
So instead, he set out to travel the world in search of new challenges . . . and stories. He went on to write and produce over 100 songs in a dozen languages in places including Dakar, Mumbai, Prague, and Santiago for singers including Youssou N’dour, Shankar Mahadevan, Pape and Cheikh, and Kavita Krishnamoorthy.
Along the way he lived with taxi drivers and their families, camped in farmers’ fields, butchered bulls, sold tea, raised chickens, translated travel contracts, worked as a session musician, a construction worker, a teacher, and toured the biggest festivals in Europe as a member of one of Africa’s most celebrated bands.
Wondertown is the first true musical story he’s published. It includes a full-length fantasy novel, 12 related songs and 17 illustrations.
Visit the Author:
Thank you for joining us today, Mac. Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?
I was born and raised in Canada. I always loved to write songs and stories, and one day I had the idea to combine them in a special kind of book. That was a long time ago- and without the technology to support the product, I didn’t get far.
So instead, I traveled the world looking for ways to bring musical stories to life. To support myself, I wrote and produced over 100 songs in a dozen languages in places including Dakar, Mumbai, Prague, and Santiago for singers including Youssou N’dour, Shankar Mahadevan, Pape and Cheikh, and Kavita Krishnamoorthy.
Along the way I lived with taxi drivers and their families, camped in farmers’ fields, butchered bulls, sold tea, raised chickens, translated travel contracts, worked as a session musician, a construction worker, a teacher, and toured the biggest festivals in Europe as a member of one of Africa’s most celebrated bands.
When did you first get bit by the writing bug?
I wrote my first song at four. I think I wrote my first story a couple of years after that. From there, I really never considered doing anything else.
Why did you decide to write stories for children?
I started the creative process for Wondertown by telling it to my daughters, who were 4 and 6 at the time. While I knew it was going to be written for an older audience, I also knew that it needed to be simple enough for them to understand.
Do you believe it is harder to write books for a younger audience?
I find it difficult to keep the tone consistent throughout when the audience is so much younger than you are. It’s also challenging to make sure that a twelve-year-old reader can get everything you want them to get out of the experience.
What is your favorite part of writing for young people?
They’re much less cynical so you can serve the story up in a straightforward manner.
Can you tell us what your latest book is all about?
Wondertown is a full-length fantasy novel that includes twelve original songs—each one an extension of the story sung by the characters themselves and seventeen illustrations from acclaimed illustrator, Emrah Elmasli.
The story centers around Neil Abbott, an undersized, introverted eleven-year-old boy with the ability to tell about people by touching their possessions. He doesn’t fit in either at home or at school and rarely speaks to anyone, with the exception of his grandmother, who has a secret talent of her own.
One day, after a particularly difficult week, Neil asks his grandmother if she thinks he’s normal, and she responds by telling him the remarkable story of an unlikely hero, who long ago crossed the five parts of the world to free his only friend from a demon lord.
Filled with hidden meaning, vivid images, and songs that bring the characters to life, Wondertown is an unforgettable journey to a place inside each of us few of us dare to go. ho long ago crossed the five parts of the world to free his only friend from a demon lord.
What inspired you to write it?
The story came to me all at once, without warning. To be honest, I really didn’t have someone or something in mind when I created it.
Where can readers purchase a copy?
Readers can purchase a copy on iTunes.
What is up next for you?
The next installment of the trilogy!
Do you have anything else to add?
Just that I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts about my book. I hope your readers give it a try.
Thank you for spending time with us today, Mac. We wish you much success.
AMAZON | ITUNES
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
