Book Review: Halloween Kentucky Style by Charles Suddeth

Halloween Kentucky Style
by Charles Suddeth

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Diversion Press, Inc. (October 15, 2010)
• ISBN-10: 1935290169
• ISBN-13: 978-1935290162

Book Description

For Halloween 1959, Mike and Timmy try to trick their cousins, Alice and Rose. The trick is on them when a homeless man and their nine-year-old neighbor team up to give them a Halloween scare that they will never forget.

My Review

It’s 1959, and 11-year-olds Mike and Timmy decide to convert an old mansion into a haunted house to scare their cousins, Rose and Alice. Their plan is quickly on its way as they bribe a friend to participate in the Halloween trick. When the five children arrive at the abandoned mansion, things don’t go as planned. It looks like someone has something else in mind for the young group.

I think this is an entertaining Halloween story for young children. It’s not scary, but rather suspenseful as the Halloween tricks unfold. Tables are turned on trickster's Mike and Timmy as they become the ones running and screaming on Halloween night. While someone else is getting the last laugh, the children experience a night they’ll never forget.

--

Visit Diversion Press to purchase the book above & view their full catalog!

Book Reviews: Broomsticks & Broomsticks, The Halloween Spirit

Broomsticks

by Sean McHugh & Katie McHugh Parker

Genre: Middle Grade, Childrens

• Paperback: 66 pages
• Publisher: Diversion Press, Inc. (October 4, 2010)
• ISBN-10: 1935290142
• ISBN-13: 978-1935290148

Book Description

Pocky McGuire has no idea why she is different. No one else in her family can levitate books or freeze and angry dog in his tracks. She felt alone in the world until one day she met a strange boy with a goatee. Unlike Pocky, Stamp had no doubt who he was. He was raised by witches and he was a witch. Upon meeting Stamp, Pocky hoped to befriend her magical counterpart and learn a few tricks of the trade. Stamp, however, wanted no part of anything or anyone mortal, including Pocky. Will it take magic to bring these two kindred spirits together? The real magic of Broomsticks is not about the witchcraft! It is about the magic found in a special friendship and the magic of being yourself!

My Review

Pocky is an upbeat nine-year-old who knows she is different from other kids. She can freeze time and unpack her backpack with a simple command! When Pocky is accepted into a prominent school, she tries hard just to be normal despite her special powers. Pocky soon meets a student, Stamp, and realizes they have something in common, magic!

Broomsticks is a fun children’s book that introduces a sweet girl named Pocky who just so happens to be a witch although she doesn’t come from a family with magical powers. She has a supportive grandmother who teaches Pocky to be herself. Stamp, is also a witch, but he comes from a family of witches and does not mix with mortals. In Broomsticks, we follow the forming of a special friendship even in the most unlikely people. 

Broomsticks
The Halloween Spirit
by Sean McHugh & Katie McHugh Parker

• Paperback: 70 pages
• Genre: Middle Grade, Childrens
• Publisher: Diversion Press, Inc. (September 10, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 193529024X
• ISBN-13: 978-1935290247

Book Description

Halloween has always been a special day for kids, especially when those kids.. ARE WITCHES! All the students at Asher School for Gifted Children are excited about the school's annual Halloween party. Everyone, that is, except for Maggie when she learns the party is being held in a haunted theater! Join magical nine year olds, Stamp and Pocky, in their second adventure full of thrills, chills, and things that go pirouette in the night! Will Stamp and Pocky meet a real ghost? Will the snotty Snodgrass twins ruin everyone's fun? And wiil the town of Maysville ever be the same after Stamp's first try at trick-or-treating? You'll be in the spirit and even believe in talking pumpkins as Stamp and Pocky kick some Halloween magic in their most bewitching tale yet!

My Review

Magical friends, Pocky and Stamp, are on another adventure in Broomsticks, The Halloween Spirit. Pocky is eager to celebrate a traditional mortal Halloween, while Stamp plans to return home and have a merry time with his family. Pocky and a few other friends are also planning the annual school Halloween party that is set to be held at the LeSur Theatre, which is said to be haunted by a deceased dancer, Loretta!

When Stamp’s Halloween plans suddenly change, Pocky is more than happy to lead her friend on a Halloween adventure that includes trick-or treating, costumes, and a Halloween party at the old theatre. As soon as Stamp walks into LeSur, he can sense a spiritual presence and begins to do a little investigating. Halloween night is full of excitement as the friends discover the ghost of Loretta, and teach mean twins, Mira and Ira a lesson about being bullies.

--

Visit Diversion Press to purchase the books above & view their full catalog!

Blog Tour Stop: Affinity by Mary E. Merrell

Affinity: Bird in a Gilded Cage
by Mary E. Merrell

Genre: YA Fantasy
Print Length: 233 pages
Publisher: Morningglory Publishers 

• (October 21, 2012)
• 
  
• Amazon Purchase Link

Synopsis:

The crows followed Talon around everywhere. When he went to work with his uncle for the summer, the birds followed. He recognized the same straggly-tailed old crow that had followed him around since junior high.

Iris Yorita lived in his old neighborhood in Modesto. Snakes were drawn to her as the big, black birds were drawn to him. She called their ability an AFFINITY. Claimed it was a gift from God, and they should use it to help people. Talon thought she was out of her mind. How could a bunch of mangy crows or slimy snakes help anyone?

When a thief targeted the people in his uncle's neighborhood, all fingers pointed at the new kid, Talon. He decided it was time to put this strange ability to the test. Find out who was robbing their neighbors and clear his name. As Talon worked on communicating with his crows the thievery heated up. Something more sinister than robbery was going on, and it would take Talon and his new-found friends to discover what really was going on in this up-scale neighborhood.

Author Info

Mary E. Merrell lives in the Central Valley of California with her husband, two dogs and four cats. She has two grown sons, Everette Merrell and Richard Mickelson who is married to a great girl, Brooke. Mary has worked at various jobs, selling furniture, a meat company and a manufacturing company. It wasn’t until she started selling real estate that her Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series came to life in that old, vacant home. She enjoys reading all types of genres and writes Paranormal Mysteries and YA Urban Fantasies. When she’s not writing, she’s working on her decorative planter business www.LivingCreations.org with her husband, gardening and playing soccer. Please visit her website to see what she’s working on next. www.maryemerrell.com, or contact her through Facebook and Twitter.

• Author’s website:   www.maryemerrell.com
• Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10227711-mary-merrell         
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryMerrell7

Next stop on the Affinity Blog Tour is at Book Fidelity on October 31st!

Book Review/Blog Hop/Treasure Hunt Giveaway!

Welcome! I was excited to receive a copy of Momnesia in exchange for a fair and honest review. Not only that, but it’s all part of a fun giveaway event called the 

Sizzling Winter Blog Hop & Treasure Hunt!

---

Momnesia
by Lori Verni-Fogarsi

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Brickstone Publishing; First edition (March 16, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0984028463
• ISBN-13: 978-0984028467

Book Description

She's smart, pretty, and runs her own business. So then why does she feel so dead inside? Between work, two kids, and a husband who finds her about as exciting as furniture shopping, this is the story of a (formerly-exciting but now way-too-typical) suburban mom who diagnoses herself with Momnesia and sets about finessing a new version of her old vivaciousness:

Momnesia (mahm-nee-zhuh) -noun-
Loss of the memory of who you used to be. Caused by pregnancy, play dates, and trying to keep the house cleaner than the Joneses.

She finds some adventure pursing her own interests, and does make some new friends (including the battery operated variety), but still feels like nothing more than a caretaker.

In between dealing with her husband's manic-depresssive behavior, drama with her friends, and some naughty Internet escapades, she ponders, Is it that I haven't been myself? Or is it that I am being myself, but just different than I used to be?

It isn't until she tosses the Invisible Rule Book altogether, that she discovers life--and love--have more to offer than she ever imagined!

My Review

Momnesia is the story of Michelle, a mother of two who is in an unhappy marriage. She desperately tries to be patient and attempts a variety of things to salvage her marriage, but things look bleak. This novel follows the lost woman as she strives to find the person she was before her marriage, before motherhood, and reclaim "Michelle."

Michelle is beyond frustrated with her husband, Paul. She runs the family business, takes care of the children, the home, and makes all the family’s decisions. Paul is uncooperative and extremely indecisive. Michelle takes all that she possibly can until she reaches her breaking point.

There are moments I felt Michelle was being a bit harsh on her husband, but then I tried to put myself in her shoes, and think about what it is like to give someone multiple chances before emotionally cutting yourself off from them. Michelle experiences confusion, depression, and finally rebirth.

As a mom, I can easily relate to the struggle Michelle has with losing the pre-motherhood life. It’s tough to balance following your interests and passions, while juggling the responsibility that comes along with being a parent. I think Lori Verni-Fogarsi did a great job portraying the life of a woman swirling in a tornado of dissatisfaction, but who never gives up on overcoming momnesia. 

Author Info

Lori Verni-Fogarsi has been a freelance writer, journalist, columnist, business consultant, speaker, and author for 15+ years. She is a happily married mom of two, step mom of two more, and has two cats, both rotten. You can learn more about her at www.LoriTheAuthor.com.

If you’d like to purchase the book for yourself or as a gift, you can order it easily on Amazon. 

--
And now on to other fun! There are tons of prizes you can win! First, enter my giveaway for TWO handmade wire wrapped beaded rings. Perfect treat for yourself or gifts for the holiday season.

Then, go to the main treasure hunt–the grand prize is a $100 Amazon Gift Card! Yes, seriously! Click here to go to the main treasure hunt. Just find my name is: Sage on the treasure hunt list and enter my treasure hunt clue: COFFEE. You’ll be entered to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card! You’ll also find links to the many other sites so you can find their clues too, and receive extra entries! Plus, every site is having their own additional giveaway! (Are you thinking “Woo Hoo” about this Blog Hop/Treasure Hunt? Because I sure am! How cool is this?!)

First, enter my giveaway. Please give it a moment for the entry form to load.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Next, click here to open the main treasure hunt entry form. Input COFFEE, then be sure to visit all of the other sites to find theirs too! (Don’t worry, all of the links are on there.)

Thanks for playing! I hope you enjoyed the book review and wish you luck in the giveaways. Have fun with the treasure hunt!

If you enjoyed this, please share with your friends. Thanks! http://www.loritheauthor.com/sizzling-winter/

Review & Giveaway: Black and White and Dead All Over

Black and White and Dead All Over

by Michael Bradley

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (August 2, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 1478224037
• ISBN-13: 978-1478224037

Synopsis:

From the author of The Case Files of Doyle & McCraken comes a modern day tale of intrigue and murder. When the skeleton of a teenage girl is uncovered at a construction site in Newark, journalist Brian Wilder must follow a twenty-two year old trail of deceit and lies to uncover the truth behind her death. While still struggling with his own tragic past, Brian uncovers a haunting secret of passion and anger that could threaten to destroy one of the most powerful political families in Delaware.

My Review:

Brian Wilder is known as the “ newspaper guy” around Newark. He was spending an ordinary workday covering a local news event on a construction site when a skeleton is uncovered. Brian instantly becomes engrossed with identifying the deceased person. As more information is uncovered, Brian finds himself in the middle of a twenty-two year old buried secret that involves politicians, greed, and a missing teenage girl, Mary. Brian has a hard time separating the death of his wife and daughter from the murder of Mary. It becomes personal, and he won't stop until he finds the truth.

I read Black and White and Dead All Over in one sitting. It is definitely one of my favorite mystery reads of 2012. The author, Michael Bradley, did a remarkable job with the characters, and creating a murder mystery that keeps you on your toes. I thoroughly enjoyed the character, Brian. I think he is an intelligent and passionate man who had the necessary courage it took to face the suspects in order for Mary’s family to receive some type of closure. One of my favorite things about this novel is how well Bradley balanced telling the story of present day while also looking back, and sharing events that took place twenty years earlier. The combination flowed perfectly and unraveled an emotional story.

About the Author:

Born and raised in southern New Jersey, Michael Bradley is an author and IT consultant, whose frequent travels bring him in touch with a variety of people up and down the east coast. When he isn't on the road, Michael hits the waterways in one of his three kayaks. Being an avid Apple fan, Michael loves to preach the benefits of Apple's Mac OS X and iOS. Among the writers in which he finds inspiration, Michael favors P.D. James, Raymond Chandler, Leslie Charteris, Simon Brett, and Ian Fleming. He now lives in Delaware with his wife, Diane, and their two furry four-legged "kids", Simon and Brandy. Follow his blog at http://mjbradley88.blogspot.com. Follow him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mjbradley88.

Purchase your copy of Black and White and Dead All Over on Amazon.

GIVEAWAY:

Michael Bradley has been extremely generous and gave me TWO paperback copies of Black and White and Dead All Over to give away to two lucky readers! Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Roll Call by Glenn Langohr

Roll Call: A True Prison Story of Corruption and Redemption
by Glenn Langohr

• Paperback: 734 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (August 9, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1439246084
• ISBN-13: 978-1439246085

Synopsis:

Roll Call is a true prison story with a cast of characters that include Mexican drug cartels, Southern California street gangs and Hell's Angels all fighting for their piece of the drug culture. In the middle of it all, B.J. is hell bent for destruction until he realizes his destiny in the nick of time.

Add a good detective squeezed out of the loop by an overzealous narcotic detective; a robust prison union trying to call the shots; a handful of drug criminals trying to find their conscience and you have the perfect recipe for a revolutionary uprising, bound by blood, all leaving the reader wondering, who are the real criminals?

My Review:

Benny Johnson who is known as B.J. has a complicated childhood; a controlling father, a mother trying to keep her family together, and a fierce drive to support himself and his brother. His downward spiral begins when he decides to go to Mexico and set himself up to deal drugs. The trip leads to meeting and scheming with various people from ex-cons, neighborhood dealers, to the deceitful upper class. B.J. considers himself a Christian who acknowledges he is a sinner. His entire life is spent trying to make decisions with an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other.

The author, Glenn Langohr, spent a decade in the California Prison system for drug charges. He is no stranger to how life works behind bars. Between Langohr’s gifted writing and criminal experience, readers of Roll Call receive the raw truth behind drug addiction, prison life, and fighting to walk the line.

While, B.J. is a fictional character, much of his story, and other incidents in Roll Call are based on actual events. There are many different characters in Roll Call, and it is interesting to see how they all interact and affect each other. It’s a roller coaster ride following B.J. on his ups and downs. It felt like when he was trying hard to stay straight, there was either temptation dangling in his face or someone trying to keep him down, specifically a detective that received gratification when B.J. was in pain.

Purchase your copy of Roll Call  - Amazon

--

Review & Giveaway: The Greater Good

The Greater Good (2011)
Leslie Manookian (Director), Kendall Nelson (Director)
Format: DVD, Color
Rated: NR
84 Minutes


About The Film

THE GREATER GOOD is a character-driven documentary that explores the cultural intersections where parenting meets modern medicine and individual rights collide with politics. The film offers parents, doctors and policy makers a safe space to speak openly, actively listen and learn from one another. Mixing verité footage, intimate interviews, 1950s-era government-produced movies and up-to-date TV news reporting, THE GREATER GOOD weaves together the stories of families whose lives have been forever changed by vaccination.

http://www.greatergoodmovie.org/

My Review

I have always felt as though I fall into the grey area when it comes to childhood immunizations. I vaccinate my children, so I am not anti-vaccination, but I don’t always agree with a few that their pediatrician recommends. My children have never received flu shots, and I have turned down the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, for my oldest daughter. My views regarding vaccinations have not changed since watching the documentary. The film has strengthened my belief on standing up for my children and passing on vaccinations that I don’t feel 100% about.

The Greater Good is an emotional and informative documentary about the production and regulation of vaccinations. I appreciate that the film includes interviews from people who are pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine. I feel as though The Greater Good is non-biased and does not scare you into thinking one way or another about vaccines. Instead, it pushes the audience to inform themselves as much as possible. It’s also crucial to find medical professionals you feel comfortable with and trust. Three different families from across the United States that have children injured by vaccinations are also featured in the film. The debate in the documentary is more focused on creating a safer vaccine program.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the DVD mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I highly recommend this film for parents. You can purchase your copy here or on Amazon. GIVEAWAY - I'm excited to offer one of my readers the opportunity to win a DVD copy of The Greater Good. Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love is a Radical Act

Love is a Radical Act is an art installation created by Sam and Kelly. The ceramic hearts they made symbolize that loving one another for who they are is a radical act, and I couldn’t agree more. Allowing people to be themselves is the true act of love. I knew I wanted to participate in this awesome creative movement as soon as a friend had shared the website link on her Facebook page.

I bought a pack of five hearts and have decided where each one is going. I am mailing two of them to pals on the east coast to hang in their neighborhood. The third will be hung near Olympia Timberland Library, one of my favorite places in Olympia, a place that I have felt much love. The fourth is going home with my friend Kris who is currently visiting from England. The fifth one will be hung on the Evergreen State College campus.

I was excited to hear that Sam and Kelly plan to visit Olympia this weekend and host installation events. To learn more about them, click here.

As I was typing this post up, my daughter walked into the room wearing her LOVE YOUR WORLD shirt. I had to snap a photo of her with a heart. Love IS a radical act. Pass it on.

I hope you’ll join Sam and Kelly in this radical love movement and order your own hearts to display in your community. Please visit their website to read more about the project, order hearts, and view pictures of people who are already spreading the love.

Love is a Radical Act

Blog Tour Stop: Angel by Laura Lee

I'm happy to host a virtual book tour stop for the novel, Angel by Laura Lee!

Angel
by Laura Lee

200 pages
Publisher: Itineris Press
September 27, 2011
Genre: Literary Fiction

Since the loss of his lively, charming wife to cancer six years ago, minister Paul Tobit has been operating on autopilot, performing his religious duties by rote. Everything changes the day he enters the church lobby and encounters a radiant, luminous being lit from behind, breathtakingly beautiful and glowing with life. An angel. For a moment Paul is so moved by his vision that he is tempted to fall on his knees and pray.

Even after he regains his focus and realizes he simply met a flesh-and-blood young man, Paul cannot shake his sense of awe and wonder. He feels an instant and overwhelming attraction for the young man, which puzzles him even as it fills his thoughts and fires his feelings. Paul has no doubt that God has spoken to him through this vision, and Paul must determine what God is calling him to do.

Thus begins a journey that will inspire Paul’s ministry but put him at odds with his church as he is forced to examine his deeply held beliefs and assumptions about himself, his community, and the nature of love.

My Review

Paul is a minister who finds himself going through the mundane motions in his ministry, admitting a loss of passion for creating inspirational sermons since the death of his wife. At church he meets a troubled guy named Ian. Paul is positive God has placed this young man into his life for a reason. Paul tries to uncover the message God is sending through Ian, while attempting to understand an attraction to him.

I really like how Paul’s feelings for Ian challenge a variety of things in his life, such as his identity, faith, and reevaluation of what love means. Paul walks a fine line of being infatuated with Ian and being in love with him. I feel the obstacles their relationship face are realistic issues.

Laura Lee has written a heart-wrenching story about the conflict between homosexuality and Christianity. The battle of being true to yourself while attempting to conform to your community’s expectations, even more so for Paul who is a role model in his church. I couldn’t help but get wrapped up in this bittersweet love story.

Author Info

Metro Detroit native Laura Lee divides her time equally between writing and producing ballet educational tours with her partner, the artistic director of the Russian National Ballet Foundation. She is the author of more than a dozen non-fiction books with such publishers as Harper Collins, Reader's Digest, Running Press, Broadway Books, Lyons Press and Black Dog and Leventhal. Her Pocket Encyclopedia of Aggravation has sold more than 85,000 copies. She has also written one collection of poetry (Invited to Sound), and a children's book (A Child's Introduction to Ballet). She brings to her writing a unique background as a radio announcer, improvisational comic and one-time professional mime.

See also: angelthenovel.com