Blog Tour Stop: Six Weeks to Yehidah

Six Weeks to Yehidah

by Melissa Studdard

http://www.melissastuddard.com/

Date Published: August 2011

Pages: 170

Book Description

Move over, C.S. Lewis; Melissa Studdard is here! Annalise of the Verdant Hills is one of the most delightful protagonists to skip through the pages of literature since Dorothy landed in Oz. Join Annalise and her two walking, talking wondersheep as they travel to ever more outlandish places and meet outrageous and enlightening folk on their journey to discover interconnectedness in a seemingly disconnected world. Discover with them how just one person can be the start of the change we all strive for. A book for all ages, for all time: wonderful, wacky, and bursting with truth!

My Review

Annalise of the Verdant Hills is a young girl with a super sized imagination. The fascinating visuals and sounds she conjures up in her mind lead her on a magical journey. Annalise travels to a variety of places beyond her wildest dreams with her sheep, Mabel and Mimi. What starts off as an amusing adventure quickly turns into an array of invaluable life lessons.

Six Weeks to Yehidah is an enchanting and refreshing story that enlightened me in ways I never expected, and I easily adored Annalise and her carefree, yet energetic spirit. Melissa Studdard didn’t waste any time tossing Annalise into a whirlwind adventure where she tackled many tasks set before her. The numerous characters that Annalise encounters are colorful and dwell in diverse environments and realms.

I definitely think this book is suited for readers of all ages. I am looking forward to rereading Six Weeks to Yehidah with my 8-year-old daughter. 

Author, Melissa Studdard

Melissa Stud­dard is the author of the best­selling novel Six Weeks to Yehi­dah, and its companion journal, My Yehidah (both on All Things That Matter Press). Since its August 2011 release, Six Weeks to Yehidah has been the recipient of many accolades, including the Forward National Literature Award and January Magazine's best children's books of 2011. It was also named a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards and is a current finalist for the Readers Favorite Awards.

As you might have guessed already, she loves anything related to writing and reading, whether it's sitting alone with a book and a cup of hot tea, or attending a large poetry reading or literary festival. She also loves travelling, meditating, going for walks, bicycling, practicing yoga, and spending time with family. 

She currently resides in Texas with her wonderful daughter and their four sweet but mischievous cats. 

To learn more, please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Studdard orwww.melissastuddard.com.

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Tour Dates:
August 23rd @Geo Librarian
August 24th @Crunchy Farm Baby
August 25th @The Reading Pile
August 26th @Broad-Minded Books
August 27th @Nomi's Paranormal Palace
August 28th @Beneath the Moon and Stars
August 29th @Little Hyuts
August 30th @Simply Shan
August 31st @The Things You Can Read
September 1st @Hidden Adventures of a Teenage Reader
September 3rd @Just Me, Myself and I
September 4th @Magical Manuscripts
September 5th @Choice Reads
September 6th @Appraising Pages
September 7th @Book Fidelity
September 8th @Miles to Go Book Reviews
September 10th @My Life. One Story At A Time.
September 11th @For The Love of Film And Novels
September 12th @Turning The Pages

Book Reviewers: Catch the Sun Blog Tour

I’m booking a blog tour for the novel, Catch the Sun, by Lee Zamloch – The author is interested in a book review, and giving away an e-copy of her book at the tour stops.

 

Review copy available in PDF, 268 pages

 

Book Synopsis:

 

Marilyn Monroe begins appearing on Amanda Grace’s patio dancing, laughing at the moon and gazing at Amanda through the glass doors. Is it possible that Marilyn, against all reason, has somehow transported herself through time and space to contemporary Los Angeles? And why does she haunt Amanda, a model whose beauty is undeniable, but whose talent is questionable?

 

The visitations begin when Amanda’s mother, Edith, commits suicide, an event that shakes Amanda to her foundation. For, while she has been a successful model, she has always measured herself against her mother, a well-known artist who has overcome severe obstacles. But unlike Edith and her accomplished sister, Joanne, Amanda Grace has not distinguished herself intellectually or artistically, nor even managed to marry and have children. In her eyes, she has failed to live up to her mother’s expectations. Now, with Edith’s death, she has forever lost her chance to prove herself. In her grief, she forgets to eat, sleep, or carry on with life’s simplest tasks. The final blow comes when Amanda accidentally learns she was adopted. With the loss of her family as a touchstone, her foundation crumbles, and her fragile sense of self dissolves completely.

 

CATCH THE SUN is a story about how an obsession with a celebrity can impact the life of an ordinary woman. It explores our endless fascination with Marilyn Monroe’s fragility, beauty and dazzling rise and fall.

 

Dates available:

September 3rd

September 5th

September 6th

September 7th

September 8th

September 10th

September 11th

September 12th

September 14th

September 18th

 

If you are interested in hosting a tour stop, please choose three dates from the above list (I'll message back with one), and let me know if you’d like to do a giveaway along with the book review.

Contact Sage: sweetcandydistro@gmail.com

Review & Interview: The Not So Wicked, Wicked Witch! by Amy Carter

The Not So Wicked, Wicked Witch!

by Amy Carter

www.thenotsowickedwickedwitch.com

Category: Juvenile Fiction/Beginners

Published by: Outskirts Press, Inc.

Date Published: September 2009

Pages: 24

ISBN13: 978-1-4327-3781-8

The Not So Wicked, Wicked Witch is a charming story about a witch that is an image only. After reading the story and getting to know Carter's witch, you realize she has a heart of gold and is loving inside and out.

My Review

The Not So Wicked, Wicked Witch is simply that, a good witch. While witches are associated with the spooky world of Halloween, this delightful children’s story emphasizes you cannot judge a book by its cover.

Bella enjoyed the book and the hot pink feather boa that Amy included!

The illustrations are fun and show the not so wicked, wicked witch admiring the color pink, filling Halloween night with laughter, and baking delicious cookies for children in her rose colored cottage.

It’s perfect for grade school age children. I love the combination of an entertaining read for kids while teaching them an important lesson of getting to know others before forming an opinion about them despite their outward appearance. 

Interview with Author, Amy Carter

What type of readers will be interested in your book?

The book is for children ages 3-10, but also there has been an interest from adults in the witch. I feel that it is in the character because we (females) all have a fun, mischievous side!

What is special about your book? What differentiates it from other books in the same category?

The fact that the witch isn't evil or scary is so appealing. When reading to different groups at schools, the children all comment that they love her because she has a big heart and isn't frightening. They also like the "sparkle" to the normal witch's attire.

Do you have any plans to publish more?

Yes, I would like to have a sequel to the witch book. I have written several other rhyming books that I have not yet pursued with publishing.

About the Author

Amy Purser Carter is a native of Mississippi. She attended the University of Mississippi and resides in Jackson. The Not So Wicked, Wicked Witch is her first publication and is available online as as well as in local bookstores.

For more information, visit http://outskirtspress.com/amycarter

Blog Tour Stop: Shadowland by C.M. Gray

Review and Giveaway

Shadowland

A Tale From The Dark Ages

by C.M. Gray
Author's website: http://www.flightofthegriffin.blogspot.com
Date Published: February 2012
Pages: 217

Book Synopsis

‘I have lived more years than I can remember, probably more than the sum of all your years combined. Kings have called me friend and brigands have sworn to burn the flesh from my bones even if they have to search all seven halls of the shadowland to find me.’

On the night of midwinter’s eve, a storyteller takes his listeners back to the Dark ages and a tale from his youth.

Deserted by its Roman masters, Britain has been invaded by the Saxons at the invitation of Vortigern, traitorous leader of the Britons. Now, as the tribes unite to reclaim their land, one man must rise to lead them and become their true and only king.

My Review

Usher Vance, an elder storyteller, captivates his audience with a thrilling tale. It’s a story from his childhood that brings many emotions to the surface as he recounts the tale. His lifelong friend, Cal, is present as Usher shares his memories that occurred during the Dark Ages when the Saxons invaded Britain.

Young Usher and Calvador watch their village burn and vow to seek revenge on the warriors who wreaked havoc on their loved ones. Their journey is adventurous as they meet allies, fight for their life, uncover family secrets, and discover spiritual enlightenment from the druids.

I found C.M. Gray’s historical fantasy to be nicely paced, exciting, and well written. Shadowland is chock full of elaborate descriptions that transported me to another time and place. The author's writing invokes the imaginative spirit allowing a mystical trip in an old world. The Dark Ages are not normally a time period that I choose to read, but I devoured Shadowland in one sitting. 

Giveaway  - Win a Kindle copy of Shadowland!


The author has been kind enough to gift one lucky reader 
a Kindle copy of Shadowland

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Stop: Getting Roosevelt by Yvonne Mikell

I am excited to kickoff Yvonne Mikell’s blog tour for her book, 

Getting Roosevelt – A Homeowner’s Nightmare.

Getting Roosevelt -- A Homeowner's Nightmare

by Yvonne Mikell
Author's website: http://www.yvonnemikell.blogspot.com
Date Published: January 2012
Pages: 238
ISBN -13: 978-1469958569

Book Synopsis

Roosevelt, an old Victorian nestled on the border of upscale Chestnut Hill and middle-class Mt. Airy, is the obsession of two people, Elizabeth Samms and Gordon Roosevelt. Gordon is a realtor who likes to flip properties. Handy man Donovan Smith helps his employer, Gordon Roosevelt eliminate prospective buyers who do not live up to his standards. Protagonist Emma Samms and her autistic son love the house and are willing to fight for it. Will Gordon relinquish control?

My Review

Elizabeth Samms recently became a widow and single mother to Desmond, her six-year-old son with special needs. Six months after her husband’s death, Elizabeth finds Roosevelt, the home of her dreams. The old Victorian home is located on the outskirts of Philadelphia. Roosevelt holds many secrets that Elizabeth isn’t aware of, like missing owners, thugs, and twin brothers who are leading Elizabeth and Desmond into a whirlwind of trouble. The more emotionally invested Elizabeth becomes in her new home, the more troubles that find their way onto her doorstep.

Yvonne Mikell shows various sides of the main character, Elizabeth who is a complex person. I wanted to know more about her and Desmond. I felt like there was more to their story than what was told. Maybe Yvonne is saving that for a second book? That would be a pleasant surprise. I think the author did a good job creating a story thick with deception and greed. 

About Yvonne

“I love writing. I love to write about the ups and downs of life. Most of my stories are fiction with facts loosely weaved in. These facts can come from my own life or from news headlines. My first novel, Getting Roosevelt--a homeowner's nightmare, is a combination of all three. My novels also tend to portray a protagonist with a lot on her plate. This mirrors my own life, I'm always performing a juggling act. I currently write three columns for Examiner.com. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.”

Getting Roosevelt is available in paperback and Kindle Edition on Amazon.


Click here to view Yvonne's Blog Tour Schedule.