Blog Tour/Review: Persona Non Grata by Stephen J. Stirling

Tour Schedule

Persona Non Grata, by Stephen J. Stirling
2014, 224p, LDS Suspense
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



Paladin Smith is just that—a paladin, a chivalrous knight, a heroic champion, a defender of a noble cause. In spite of his callous exterior, he’ll never abandon a woman he perceives to be in distress— especially this one. Trust me. Our Mr. Smith fully intends to rescue Victoria Grant.

Paladin Smith seems to be an ordinary high school history teacher—and LDS seminary instructor. But Paladin’s checkered past comes back to haunt him when an unexpected visitor shows up in his classroom with news about a former student, Victoria Grant, who’s all grown up—and in trouble.

Now Paladin is going to Crimea, in former Soviet Russia, with an uncomplicated task: find Victoria Grant and bring her home. But when his simple mission thrusts him headlong into an international conspiracy and a countdown to invasion, Paladin finds himself on a collision course with the American embassy, the royalty of Crimea, and the powers of Eastern Europe.

Dive into a world of corrupt diplomats and ambitious tyrants as Paladin follows the Spirit to not only rescue an old friend, but also to save a free people from the jaws of dictatorship. Paladin Smith and Victoria Grant are about to change the world.

The Prologue starts with a meeting between an American and a Russian aboard a yacht. Something nefarious is going on and the American is confident that no man and no power in the universe will stand in their way. (This reminded me of the arrogant predictions that not even God could sink the Titanic.)

Next we meet Paladin Smith, a school teacher who uses unique methods to get the attention of his class. He is visited by Congressman Chase one day. Seven years earlier, the Congressman's niece, Victoria Grant, was in his seminary class. Congressman Chase wasn't thrilled with the attention Paladin gave his students and forced him to resign. Now the Congressman has come to Paladin to see if he will go to Crimea to get Victoria to return to the United States. Paladin goes, not knowing how he's going to accomplish this mission. And once he arrives in Crimea, not everyone is happy he's there.

This book is fantastic!! It held my interest from the first page and was hard to put down. Paladin is just a regular guy that agrees to do something that seems simple but he still has no idea how he's going to accomplish it. He didn't do everything perfectly but was able to figure out what the next step should be, and as he got more involved, he realized that Victoria was surrounded by men she didn't understand. 

Victoria respects Paladin but is also wary since her perspective was that he deserted her before. Victoria is trying to make a good life for herself but is in over her head. Paladin's married so there's no romance between him and Victoria, which I thought worked well in this book. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough as I wanted to know what would happen next.

Some of the villains in the book were obvious and I found others to be hard to figure out. It kept me guessing until the end. There is an LDS element to this book, but it's not preachy. The author explains terms in footnotes to help the reader understand what he's referring to. There are some great messages to take from this book and it will appeal to anyone looking for a clean, suspenseful read!  

Check out the author's website here to learn more and read some excerpts!

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Books & Things

Stephen J. Stirling was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in the Southeast LA semi-ghetto of Huntington Park. Graduating from high school in 1970, he received a scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 17. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism in 1976, and then spent the next few years wandering America in search of adventure. Interspersed through his college career and days on the road, he served a mission in Chile and taught for 8 years as an early morning seminary teacher. Settling briefly in Chicago, he entered the profession of advertising, a field in which he ultimately held many positions with companies from the Mid West to the Pacific Coast. He eventually planted roots in Orange County, California, where he established Stirling Communications and spent 15 years as a freelance copywriter, scriptwriter, and video producer. In 1994 he was hired by the Church Educational System and relocated with his family to Gilbert, Arizona, where he has fulfilled a lifelong dream of teaching released-time seminary for the past 20 years. He and his wife, Diane, were married in 1981 and are the parents of five children – Jennifer, Lindsey, Brooke, Marina, and Vladimir. Brother Stirling is the author of several books, including The Ultimate Catalogue and Shedding Light on the Dark Side.

Website 

Book Blast: Flight of the Mite by Grayson Smith, Illustrated by Alana Kyle

Title: Flight of the Mite | Author: Grayson Smith | Illustrator: Alana Kyle | Publication Date: 2013 | Publisher: Peppermint Toast Publishing: Independent | Pages: 32 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8 | Reviewed by: Renee and Dominic (Mother and Son)

Information About The Book: A tale of wonder and imagination, Flight of the Mite is a children's read-aloud picture book, written by Grayson Smith and illustrated by Alana Kyle. As a tiny mite stares in wonder at the nighttime stars, she becomes certain that if she were only able to travel to them, she would meet a world of wondrous creatures. She determines to build a flying contraption, and through persistence, ingenuity, and wise counsel, journeys to the nearest star. There she encounters the Others of her dreams and finds herself on an adventure where she learns that her imagination is her most important tool! This story of imagination, courage, and determination is perfect for the little mite in your life! Flight of the Mite is the first book published by the independent small press, Peppermint Toast Publishing, out of New Westminster, British Columbia. Peppermint Toast Publishing strives to work with emerging authors and artists towards the high-quality and environmentally-friendly publication of children's picture books and literature, in profit-sharing partnership with local charitable organizations.

Purchase

Peppermint Toast Publishing is happy to be contributing $3 from the sales for each copy of Flight of the Mite sold, going to help sick kids get better at BC Children’s Hospital. Visit their Online Store to purchase your copy!

Peppermint Toast Publishing Amazon (Canada)

The Buzz About the Book

Mother and Son Review by MDBR: "Flight of the Mite is a delightful, rhyming picture book featuring an adorable little mite who dreams big as the main character; a magical story underscoring the importance of imagination in children's development; and absolutely gorgeous and whimsical illustrations. I highly recommend this book to children ages 3 to 8 and I think it would be a great choice for reading aloud to children in a classroom or library setting."

"This is our new favourite story to read and will be a book that we will be keeping to pass down to future member of our family." ~ Raincity Parent

"This wonderful piece of children’s literature is well crafted and appropriate for children and adults, the message is clear, embrace diversity, ones weakness may actually be strength. The most interesting and entertaining part is that there is a consistent rhythm and rhyme to the story, keeping the powerful message light and playful." ~ Active Lee Dadding

" I have read the sweetest story!...The combination of these two talents [i.e., the author and illustrator] working together has left us with a sweet rhyming story about a little mites big imagination." ~ Moments in Mommyland

"I recently received a new children’s book to review called Flight of the Mite. So of course I went to the best critic in the house – my 4 year old son[...]. We sat down to read the story together and discovered a delightful tale about imagination and discovery... The illustrations are delightful and [my son] insisted that we stop to discuss some of them along the way. There was more than one “wow!” over a picture of the mite climbing a dandelion." ~ Prenatal to Parenting

About the Author: Grayson Smith

Grayson Smith was born in Alberta, but attended a boarding school in Germany for 11 years. After high school, he attended SFU, where he obtained a degree in Criminology and met his beautiful wife, Linda. Throughout university, Grayson wrote stories when he should have been paying attention in class. After completing his degree, he became a police officer, and still enjoys that job thoroughly. As of 2012, Grayson gets to re-envision the world through the eyes of his baby son, Josiah. Writing is a wonderful way for Grayson to express the silliness and vagary that simmers beneath his well-practiced outer layer of respectability and professionalism.

About the Illustrator: Alana Kyle

Alana Kyle was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. As a small child, she was sweet, quiet, and frequently lost inside her own head. Ever since she was young, she was motivated by her love of artistic creativity and attention to detail, and remains captivated by storybooks and imagination. Alana attended and graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and also obtained a three-year diploma of Illustration and Design from Capilano University. She works as an illustrator and graphic designer, and lives in Coquitlam.

Links to More Information

Peppermint Toast Publishing Twitter Goodreads

Facebook (Peppermint Toast Publishing) Facebook (Flight of the Mite)

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

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

Contest ends: August 19, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Grayson Smith and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour/Review: Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore

Tour Schedule

Becoming Lady Lockwood

Amelia Beckett is delighted to be a widow. Married by proxy to a man she’d never met, Amelia recognizes that a fortuitous entry into widowhood frees her from meddlesome chaperones and matchmakers. Heiress to her mother’s sugar plantation in Jamaica, she happily anticipates working in a man’s world, with the additional credibility of her new title: Lady Lockwood. But with the arrival of Captain Sir William Drake, her plans quickly go awry . . . William has traversed the Atlantic with one purpose. If he cannot prove that Amelia’s marriage to his brother was a fraud, she will be entitled to a sizeable portion of his family’s estate. He is determined to return this duplicitous Lady to London for an official hearing, and he carries with him a letter that will ensure her cooperation . . . Left with no choice, Amelia joins the captain on his return voyage to England, and the two quickly find that ship life does not allow for evasion. Amelia and William are ceaselessly thrown together, and amidst fierce storms and ocean battles, what began as antipathy seems to be evolving quite unexpectedly. But as they draw ever closer to their destination, will the impossibility of their circumstances shatter any hope of a future together?

Praise for Becoming Lady Lockwood

“Moore does a lovely job of showcasing sizzle in this must-read for fans of regency and historical romance.” ~ Foreword Reviews

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

What a great read! Amelia Becket's father, Admiral Becket, pushed her into marriage with Lord Lockwood. She never had a chance to meet him before he died. His brother, Captain William Drake, is determined to prove their marriage was a fraud so she won't inherit anything. Amelia is happily living on her sugar plantation in Jamaica when Captain Drake takes her to London to prove her marriage was a sham. On the trip, they each learn things about the other that they weren't expecting and, once they arrive in London, there are complications that might be too much to overcome.

Amelia is lovable from the beginning! She is kind and resourceful. While on the ship, she exhibits bravery and is tougher than the men initially gave her credit for. She forms some great relationships with some of the men and they become loyal to her. I especially enjoyed her relationships with Tobias, as she helped him repair the sails and Riley, the cabin boy. 

I loved her relationship with William. I liked William from the beginning, even though he was a bit grumpy. They started off on the wrong foot, mostly because he made a lot of assumptions about her that she just didn't live up to. It was funny to read what he thought about her and then to see what she was really like. It took him a while to figure her out. Most of the story takes place on the ship, but there is still some drama waiting to unfold once they reach London.

We don't really get to know her father, Admiral Becket, but from what we do learn about him, he's not very likable and hasn't treated her well. It took a while to find out what he was really after and it wasn't his daughter's love. I felt sad about the way he treated her, especially since her mother died when she was still quite young.

If you enjoy clean regency romance, then this is the book for you! This is Ms. Moore's first book and I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

My Rating=5 Stars

*I received a copy from the tour host for review. My opinion is 100% my own.*

Excerpt

William placed his right hand on the small of her back and pulled gently with his left hand, leading her in a simple series of steps, which she quickly mastered. She focused her eyes on the captain’s shoulder where her hand rested tentatively. He moved lightly, but her movements were stiff. She was afraid of relaxing when he was practically holding her in his arms.

After a few turns around the room, Amelia felt her tension ease. The music was beautiful, and Captain Drake had a way of drawing her across the floor as if she was floating. When she finally braved a glance at his face, she met his eyes, and her nervousness returned.

“And is your punishment so dreadful, Miss Becket?” he asked. “I have yet to see you smile.”

Amelia allowed herself a small smile. “It is a very nice punishment indeed, sir. Is it one you utilize regularly?”

“Perhaps I shall, if you believe it will keep the men in line.”

Amelia laughed. “I do not know what they would think if you waltzed with each sailor who failed in his duty.”

“I imagine it should be quite effective at discouraging rule breaking, don’t you?” William looked thoughtful, as if considering the idea.

“Perhaps. Until some of the men develop a taste for waltzing. You might begin to worry when the same men continually require discipline.”

William laughed. Amelia had only heard his laugh a very few times and found she quite liked it. Especially knowing she was the one who had inspired it. She also realized that the sound had caused her heart to trip ever so slightly, and to her dismay, she found that she quite liked that as well. She lowered her eyes, suddenly finding the gold buttons on the captain’s coat fascinating. She was extremely aware of the captain’s arm, the way it wrapped around her, and his hand resting on her lower back. The hand that held hers was strong, and she felt each movement of his fingers and the subtle tightening around her own hand. And had he always had such a pleasant smell?

Author Jennifer Moore

Jennifer Moore is a Passionate reader and writer of all things romance, helping her find balance with the rest of her world, which includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that are anything but romantic. Jennifer has a BA in linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family. You can learn more about her at authorjmoore.com. The author’s first book, Becoming Lady Lockwood, is a regency romance centered on the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 8/7/14

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 and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: What If...? by Jessica Barondes

Title: What if...? | Author: Jessica Barondes | Publication Date: January 7, 2014 | Publisher: Sense and Sensability Press | Pages: 145 | Recommended Ages: 10+ | Reviewed by: Renee (Mother)

Summary: Life is complicated for the average tween, but try being the smallest girl in 7th grade and navigating the choppy waters of middle school without a mom. Such is the plight of Penelope “P” Ziegler, until she decides to take matters into her own hands and find a wife for her hopelessly quirky dad. Despite Dad’s objections, P is sure—with all her heart—that there’s a woman out there who will make them both very happy!

* FREE BOOK *

You can grab your FREE COPY (electronic) of What if...? by Jessica Barondes from July 18 to 22, 2014 from Amazon. Just click on the book cover below.

The Buzz About the Book

"What if...? is a bittersweet and sometimes comical tale of a tween girl, P, who must come to terms with the loss of her mother as she navigates the world of dating, puberty, school, and friendships. P will absolutely warm your heart and the ending is guaranteed to leave you teary-eyed. While I sometimes felt that the themes were more appropriate for teens, I also came to realize that tween girls will also really enjoy reading about the world that they are just on the cusp of entering. *shudder* Ages 10+." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"What a treat to fall in love with a character from the first second you begin to read her story. P has wit, charm, pluck, charisma--and a lot of things to learn. I totally loved her voice, world, friends and the many ways in which she drove her father Georgy insane. Full of laughs and love this charming book is a wonderful read--no matter what your age." ~ 5 Star Review, Blue, Amazon

"This is a charming and delightful read from start to finish, filled with characters you really care about, especially the unique girl "P" at the center. You don't have to be in this age group or life situation to relate to the sweet and heartfelt story about wanting the best for those you love. It's timeless and inspiring and may bring a tear to your eye!" ~ 5 Star Review, Susan A., Amazon

"Witty, intelligent and edgy coming-of-age book for girls (and parents!). This little book is a real gem. I bought it for my nieces too in hopes that they will appreciate their moms more! (and give their dads a chance to be a true hero, like the dad in this book!) I would bet that school libraries, teachers, parents and girls will rate this book a favorite for years to come." ~ 5 Star Review, Louann B., Amazon

"I was absolutely enchanted from the first page. This book made me cry! It was delightful. The story so sweet and the characters endearing and so real. By the time I got to the end, I just wanted to burst out in applause. This book is a joy to read at any age but perfect for the "tween" reader." ~ 5 Star Review, Jen W., Amazon

"Both my 11-year old daughter and I loved this wonderfully written book. Charming and exciting from beginning to end, this book is a real treasure." ~ 5 Star Review, Susan L., Amazon

About the Author

Jessica Barondes grew up in La Jolla, California and now makes her home in Los Angeles with her husband Ben and their teenagers Jonah and Ellie. Jessica is also a screenwriter whose credits include Little Secrets, Lucky Seven, and Wish Upon a Star, a Disney Channel classic, which was a winner at the Heartland Film Festival. Jessica is currently working on several new movie projects and is an associate producer of the new family film Cowgirls n' Angeles: Dakota's Summer.

Goodreads Amazon Author Page

* $100Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $100 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: August 16, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Jessica Barondes and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour/Review: The Peter Potential by Emily Freeman and David Butler

The Peter Potential: Discover the Life You Were Meant to Live, by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler
2014, 120p, Inspirational
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received copy from publisher for an honest review



Have you ever wondered if God has greater things in store for you? The Bible is clear that though Peter saw himself as only a fisherman, the Lord saw him as a fisher of men, a leader among men, the rock upon which His Church would be built. Divinity gave Him the insight to extend the invitations that would help Peter discover the life he was meant to live. This full-color gift book is profound in its simplicity as the authors take the reader through the invitations the Lord extended to Peter. Journey with Peter and the Savior as you begin to understand the potential the Lord sees in you.

This book is so inspiring! Towards the beginning, they share part of my favorite all-time quote by Marianne Williamson: "We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking...We are all meant to shine...We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; It's in everyone." Then, they talk about how Peter was a simple fisherman who accepted a call one day that would change his life and how we can do the same. 

They talk about the two things that hold us back the most: doubt and fear and the words that Christ will speak to remove those things and instill confidence and calm the raging storms we may find ourselves in. What are you willing to sacrifice? Are you ready to take a stand and leave neutral ground? Are you ready to do remarkable things and become extraordinary? 

I love how this book is put together and the thought provoking questions that are asked. What would Peter do and say and what would you do and say are asked a lot, too. I love the physical book, too--it's small, hardcover, with thick pages, beautiful artwork and a fabulous message. If you enjoy short, inspirational books, this is a book you will definitely want to buy!

I checked out their website, too. One of the quotes on there that I love is "Together we can overwhelm the world with good...one little bit of good at a time." It's just starting out and it looks like it will be an amazing resource for good! Under the "Gather Good" tab, they talk about a book club starting in September! The "Do Good" tab gives ideas for performing random acts of goodness. I have a friend that performed acts of goodness on her birthday. So, when she turned 24, she performed 24 acts that day (or maybe it was over a couple of days). I loved the idea, though, and her experiences brought tears to my eyes as I realized what an amazing person she is and how she blessed the lives of many others by doing that. There's other great stuff to check out, too. Just click here.

Amazon  * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

EMILY BELLE FREEMAN is a coach’s wife, a mother to four children and a few others who have found refuge in her home, author of several bestselling books, and sought-after inspirational speaker. Her days are spent watching over teenagers, her flock of pampered chickens, and a rabbit that she adores. She finds great joy in studying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a desire to find their application in everyday life. For a few minutes every day Emily forgets about the laundry, leaves the dishes in the sink, and writes. She coauthors a blog that is a stopping place for hearts seeking all that is good: multiplygoodness.com.

DAVID BUTLER is by day a high school religious educator sharing his love for the scriptures and his belief that there is a power for good innate in every human soul. By night he is a fort builder, waffle maker, sports coach, and storyteller for his five favorite little people, also known as his children. Somewhere in between he is a motivational speaker and writer. Some of his musings and challenges can be found on the blog multiplygoodness.com. He and his wife, Jenny, live with their family amid the snowcapped peaks of the Mountain West, but they often dream of a beach house on a sunny shore somewhere.

Blog Tour/Review: The Dreamosphere by Laura Stoddard

Tour Schedule

The Dreamosphere, by Laura Stoddard
2014, 208p, Middle-Grade Fantasy
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received copy from publisher for an honest review



What if dreams don’t disappear when we wake up? Haunted by her younger sister’s death, and her unwitting role in the incident, 11-year-old Gwenevere Stoker takes solace in the Dreamosphere—a dimension where all dreams still exist. But when someone begins destroying her dreams, Gwen must find the culprit—or risk losing all her happiness forever. Bask in the mystery and imagination of dreams in this touching, funny, mind-bending children’s tale that encompasses themes of grief, friendship, family, healing, and grand adventure!

EXCERPT

"What do you think happens to your dreams after you wake up?"

Gwen shrugged distractedly, too disoriented by her sudden arrival in the remarkable setting to focus. "I dunno. They disappear?"

The unblinking gray eyes of her young companion flashed as she leaned forward. "Incorrect. Every dream you've ever had still exists. All of them. They reside in a dimension called the Dreamosphere. It's where we are right now, as a matter of fact. Each dream basically exists as its own world, or dream-orb. There are thousands and thousands of them, connected like drops of dew on a gigantic spider web. Every dream you've ever had, Gwen. They're all up here. And you can visit them any time you want."

Tabitha, the enigmatic child who shares this information, has some even more shocking news. Gwen’s dreamosphere is in danger. Someone has been hacking into it—destroying her dream orbs, erasing pieces of her past, and affecting Gwen in more ways than she realizes. Together, Gwen and Tabitha travel through the outlandish landscape of Gwen’s dream worlds to find the person responsible. What will happen to Gwen when all her dreams are gone? What critical clues lie within the pages of her dream journal? And what does Edgar Allan Poe have to do with it all?

Amazon  * Barnes & Noble * Books & Things

If you read the excerpt and watch the trailer, you'll have a good idea of what the book is about. First of all, the cover is absolutely gorgeous. Gwen's dreams are vivid and creative and sometimes quite horrifying. Gwen starts out with a chip on her shoulder and is pretty miserable. We soon learn that her sister died and she feels that she was to blame. She's also been having a hard time dreaming lately. She meets Tabitha who helps her understand the Dreamosphere and there are still plenty of questions to be answered. 

I really liked Gwen! Even though she was sulky at the beginning, I understood why and was anxious to see how she would turn it all around. Gwen makes some new friends in her journey and also has to deal with Xander, the bully. She is also able to come to terms with what happened to her sister. The villain took me by surprise and I thought that part was well done. 

Overall, I enjoyed this story and I know my 10-year-old daughter will absolutely love it! The author definitely leaves an opening at the end for a second book and I would love to see where it goes from here. There are some great questions at the very end which will help spark discussions about dreams, bullies, small town living and Edgar Allan Poe. This is a great start to a fun and creative new middle-grade series!

Laura Stoddard was born in Idaho and spent her formative years running amok in the great outdoors. She received her bachelors degree in English Literature from Arizona State University. After being rejected from the masters program for creative writing she decided that she didn't need a masters degree to tell her she could write, so she started really dedicating her time to finishing the story she'd started months earlier, with the goal of writing a complete novel, and getting it published. The result is her debut novel, The Dreamosphere, for which her own vivid, bizarre, and incomprehensible dreams provided the inspiration.  Laura is an adrenaline junkie and will try anything once--or twice--or maybe three times. She can already check whitewater rafting, going down in a shark cage, and skydiving (three times) off of her list. Oh, and getting Lasik. It was five minutes of terror. She enjoys hiking, rowing, reading classic literature, embarking on new adventures and hobbies, volunteering regularly, and spending time with family. She currently resides in Phoenix, Ariz.

Website

SYNC: Free Audiobooks, Week Ten

SYNC is a program that gives away two audiobooks each week for free from May 15-August 13, 2014. When you visit their website, you can read more information and get instructions on how to download the audiobooks. 

Don't have time to listen to two audiobooks every week? What I love about this is that you just need to download it during the week it's available and then you can listen to it later when you do have time. I did this last year and still have some that I'm planning to listen to when I get a chance. The most important thing is to download it while it's free!

There are lots of titles I'm interested in, so hopefully you'll also see something you like. Happy Listening!!

For more details, click here. 

Lineup for Summer 2014:

July 17 – July 23
THE CASE OF THE CRYPTIC CRINOLINE by Nancy Springer, Narrated by Katherine Kellgren (Recorded Books)
THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES II by Arthur Conan Doyle, Narrated by David Timson (Naxos AudioBooks)

July 24 – July 30
HEADSTRONG by Patrick Link, Performed by Deidrie Henry, Ernie Hudson, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine and Scott Wolf (L.A. Theatre Works)
THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE by Robert Louis Stevenson, Narrated by Scott Brick (Tantor Audio)

July 31 – August 6
DIVIDED WE FALL by Trent Reedy, Narrated by Andrew Eiden (Scholastic Audio)
THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE by Stephen Crane, Narrated by Frank Muller (Recorded Books)

August 7 – August 13
LIVING A LIFE THAT MATTERS by Ben Lesser, Narrated by Jonathan Silverman and Ben Lesser (Remembrance Publishing)
THE SHAWL by Cynthia Ozick, Narrated by Yelena Shmulenson (HighBridge Audio)