Grand Finale Blitz: Craving Beauty by Jennifer Silverwood

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

It's the Grand Finale for

Craving Beauty

By Jennifer Silverwood

Did you come along with us as the classic fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast is retold in a Gothic setting where nothing is exactly as it seems and the heroine must be her own hero? If not, go back and check out each stop...

Launch - Author Interview

What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

Sometimes there is no knight in shining armor coming to rescue the damsel. Sometimes the damsel has to be the hero. I hope readers will find their courage, along with our heroine, Vynasha, to realize they too are beautiful beyond their inner and outer scars.

Painted Words Reviews - Review

"Whatever you think you know, forget it, you are probably wrong. As I said earlier, there is so much going on within the pages of this book you won't know what to expect but that is what makes this book so utterly amazing. It was so different. It took a classic fairy tale one that I absolutely adore and made it something more. It made it something new."

Mythical Books - The Characters & an Introduction to Craving Beauty

Craving Beauty is yet another adaptation of the beloved fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast, with a darker twist. Elements of Gothic romance and high fantasy flesh out this retelling. I have always wanted to read a high fantasy retelling of my favorite fairy tale, so I decided to write one. . . .My story is different from other retelling's because it focuses less on the romance and more on the journey of Vynasha.

deal sharing aunt - Author Interview

6. What would you like my readers to know?

Craving Beauty, Vol. 1 is a gothic romance as well as a high fantasy retelling of Beauty & the Beast. While it is a clean YA Fantasy, be prepared for a lot of mayhem and magic. And don’t be too surprised by the blood and beasts, or cloak and dagger. In the end, Craving Beauty is about finding courage and your own inner beauty despite all obstacles. Hope you will join me in Vynasha’s journey!

Singing Librarian Books - Review

"Author Jennifer Silverwood will blow you away with her latest release, Craving Beauty. In this rendition of Beauty and the Beast, Jennifer has created a twist on the story that readers will fall in love with from page one. Although a little darker than I originally thought it would be, this novel is filled with a delightful story and excellently developed characters."

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"If you are a fan of Beauty and the Beast type of story you will love this. It is a story of a girl with a tragic life who finds herself in a castle filled with Beasts and other enchanted characters."

Cover2Cover - Review

"This is a story of love and loss, sacrifice and finding the strength within oneself to beat the odds."

Colorimetry - Interview with Vynasha

The following interview was the last time anyone from the village of Whistleande had contact with her before Vynasha and her nephew, Wyll disappeared this winter. They are currently presumed dead by the local magistrate. One can only ponder what would drive these poor souls into a forest populated with danger and shrouded in myth.

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

The creature’s heavy limbs pounded upon the floor with every scrape of its claws. Roars echoed her flight over the crimson carpet. The hall was black as pitch without the light of the fire and candles. It wasn’t long before she felt the creature’s hot breath above her neck. Her heart pounded as she pushed harder and barely missed colliding with a column. She pivoted to avoid one agony, only to feel the rip of claws sinking around her waist.

Then she knew no more.

Bookworm Lisa - Not Your Average Beauty

As I mentioned before, Vynasha is not your average “Beauty”. She was beautiful once, but now is covered in scars. She has little interest in romance or personal goals but doesn’t consider herself to be selfless. From an early age, like so many women today, she learned to get by on her own. Sometimes the prince doesn’t come in time and the damsel has to rescue them both. In “Craving Beauty”, Vynasha will discover that her inner beauty, like her bravery comes in many shapes and sizes.

Writing Pearls - Promo

Zerina Blossom’s Books - What I Learned From Craving Beauty

Of all the projects I’ve worked on since I started writing professionally, Vynasha’s story has stuck with me the longest. It has been drafted and re-drafted, revised and edited and revised again. At times I wanted to throw in the towel and give up because I thought I would never see the day it would publish. Some authors in that position might have set it aside for a later date, or put it away for good to collect dust. And I might have done exactly that except for one thing, I love the story. I love gothic romances and fairy tale retellings, and “Craving Beauty” is somewhat of a conglomerate of the two. It has elements of horror and high fantasy with the necessary Byronic hero and a heroine who isn’t your average “Beauty.”

Teatime and Books - Promo

J. L. Mbewe - Interview

What are you working on now? What’s next for you?

As you might have guessed, I’m already hard at work on the sequel to Craving Beauty, as well as polishing up the companion novella, Wolfsbane’s Daughter. I’m also working on a contemporary adult romance novel called “Moonlight.” I hope to publish all three this next year, so be on the lookout for news from my website!

Reader Girls - Excerpt

The beast growled as it dragged her back into the shelter of the room. She felt a powerful arm, muscle and sinew straining against her body as it tucked her against its brown mane. She was too dazed to do anything but cling to the creature in turn as it barreled through the castle. Slowly, her muscles relaxed enough for her to almost enjoy that wild rocking sensation and the thump of the beast’s heartbeat.

alwaysjoart - Wylder Tales

Craving Beauty is the first book in a three part series. The next, Wolfsbane’s Daughter is a companion novella and in-between for volumes one and two. It follows the journey of a few side characters you’ll meet in volume one. We will get an up close and personal glimpse of Wolfsbane’s mute daughter, Resha as she looks after Wyll. Wolfsbane and Resha both have major parts to play before the story plays out in volume two. I had a lot of fun diving into a different perspective, since the other two books are told from Vynasha’s point of view. Also, because Resha was born and raised in the forbidding Wylder Mountains, she gives us a closer look at the new world Vynasha and Wyll have traveled to.

Craving Beauty

(A Wylder Tale, #1)
by Jennifer Silverwood

YA Dark Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 239 pages
October 31st 2015

Vynasha has spent the last four years tending her mother's roses and looking after her nephew. The fire that killed their family has left her scarred and put Wyll on the brink of death. Soon the first frost will come down from the mountains and she knows this winter will be his last.

Until a strange beggar appears on the road, telling her of the majikal Source that can heal her Wyll. With nothing left to lose, Vynasha braves the forbidden Wylder Mountains to seek out a cure and her fate.

A lost kingdom is uncovered by an equally lost girl, but the castle is not abandoned as she believes. Shadows cloaking unseen eyes watch. Tapestries whisper from the hidden corners, wondering if the one to break their curse has come. And a hungry beast waits, ready to devour her soul.

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

Other Books by the Author

   

Jennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it’s the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador or a road trip to the next town. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything really is better in Texas. She is the author of the Heaven’s Edge series, Stay and Silver Hollow.

Website - Blog - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter - Tumblr

Tour Giveaway
$20 Amazon eGift Card & ebook of Craving Beauty (INT)
Print copy of Craving Beauty + swag (Us Only)
Ends November 27th

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Book Review: Next Door to a Star by Krysten Lindsay Hager

Next Door to a Star, by Krysten Lindsay Hager
2015, 185, Clean YA Contemporary
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author for an honest review



Hadley Daniels is tired of feeling invisible.

After Hadley’s best friend moves away and she gets on the bad side of some girls at school, she goes to spend the summer with her grandparents in the Lake Michigan resort town of Grand Haven. Her next door neighbor is none other than teen TV star Simone Hendrickson, who is everything Hadley longs to be—pretty, popular, and famous—and she’s thrilled when Simone treats her like a friend.

Being popular is a lot harder than it looks.

It’s fun and flattering when Simone includes her in her circle, though Hadley is puzzled about why her new friend refuses to discuss her former Hollywood life. Caught up with Simone, Hadley finds herself ignoring her quiet, steadfast friend, Charlotte.

To make things even more complicated, along comes Nick Jenkins…

He’s sweet, good-looking, and Hadley can be herself around him without all the fake drama. However, the mean girls have other ideas and they fill Nick’s head with lies about Hadley, sending him running back to his ex-girlfriend and leaving Hadley heartbroken.

So when her parents decide to relocate to Grand Haven, Hadley hopes things will change when school starts…only to be disappointed once again.

Cliques.

Back-stabbing.

Love gone bad.

Is this really what it’s like to live…

Next Door To A Star?

Hadley's best friend is moving and the summer looks long. She gets the opportunity to go spend the summer with her grandparents, who live next door to TV star Simone Hendrickson. Things start out a bit awkward but they are able to become friends. Sort of. Hadley also meets a new friend, Charlotte, who she enjoys hanging out with, but she's not as cool as Simone. Then there's Nick who likes her and then doesn't. Hadley is one confused teenager trying to figure out where she fits in.

Ms. Hager has an ability to write about the awkward teenage years where I'm nodding my head, remembering certain feelings and then rolling my eyes at how oblivious Hadley is. Those are some confusing, frustrating years! Simone is tough for Hadley to figure out--there are times that she treats her as a true friend and other times when she acts like she doesn't know she exists.

I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, even the mean ones. Some of them developed into more likable characters along the way and others just stayed mean. This is a quick, fun read that teens and adults can enjoy. There's drama, friendship and romance. I'm looking forward to reading what Ms. Hager comes up with next!

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author Krysten Lindsay Hager

Krysten Lindsay Hager is an obsessive reader and has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and humor essayist, and writes for teens, tweens, and adults. She is also the author of the Landry’s True Colors Series (True Colors, Best Friends…Forever?, and the soon to be released, Landry in Like) and her work has been featured in USA Today and named as Amazon’s #1 Hot New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Values and Virtues Fiction and Amazon’s #1 Hot New Releases in Children’s Books on Values. She’s originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and southwestern Ohio. She received her master’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint.

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Book Blast: Africa's "Big Five" Wild Animals by Anna Othitis

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for "Africa's 'Big Five' Wild Animals", the fourth book in the "My First Travel" book series by Anna Othitis.

About the Book

Title: Africa's "Big Five" Wild Animals (My First Travel Book #4) | Author: Anna Othitis | Illustrator: Cecelia Morgan | Publication Date: October 27, 2015 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 39 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 9

Amazon Goodreads

Book Description:

Welcome to Angelic Airlines! Are you ready to take to the skies? Children come join us this time on a wild adventure with Captain Frankie on Angelic Airlines as we travel across the world to learn about, visit and see Africa's Big "5" Wildlife Animals. Captain Frankie is waiting for you to book your ticket, safely stow your bags, and open your eyes to these amazing animals in the savannahs of Africa. Most of these beautiful animals are about to become Extinct. We have to save our Wildlife animals, this earth belongs to them as well. My First Travel Books. This is another one of Anna Othitis’s trip with Captain Frankie. Originally from Zimbabwe, Africa, her travels have taken her a far across the world.

The Buzz About "My First Travel Books"

"This would make a great present to give a child at any time of the year and is sure to give them hours of entertainment and get those minds thinking and asking questions which can lead to further exploration!! " ~ MikiHope, Amazon

"I wish that I'd had books like this when I was little. I think it would have made me more interested in Geography. I would have paid more attention in class!" ~ Cinnamon Hollow, Amazon

"An amazing way to learn about the world beyond our own borders from the comfort of their own home, Anna has carefully composed the pages to make them fun and entertaining. It is books like these that children learn and may one day decide to travel abroad." ~ Sheryl, Amazon

"Very informative and easy for kids to understand! Really works their imagination and would recommend this book to all parents for their kids. Very well written." ~ Michael S., Amazon

"Adorable travel and coloring book for young children. It's never too early to spark a child's imagination for what is out in the world." ~ Jessica., Amazon

About the Author: Anna Othitis

Anna Othitis lived and was raised in the beautiful land and country of Zimbabwe, Africa (home will always be home. She left all of her life long memories, endless charity work and good people behind vowing that she will continue supporting the needy children in her land Zimbabwe, Africa and beyond. After traveling long and short distances from the East coast to the West coast twice she and her family eventually found their sense of belonging and final settling destination in New Jersey, USA.

Her husband George, sons Johnny, Elia and Frankie encouraged her to write her first children's book titled "My First Travel Book", inspired by Frankie (Captain Frankie), who is graduating from his Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science and beginning his career as a professional pilot. Anna's favorite saying is "Be Bold Be Brave".

She was inspired to write her children's books with a vision to link up the children Africa and of the world on Angelic Airlines to so many beautiful places of interest and popularity on our wonderful planet Earth with all its beautiful some natural and some man made creations and resources. One of the beautiful natural wonders featured in her books is in her birth land of Zimbabwe "The Mighty Victoria Falls" All of her books educate our children and widen their scope of interest in the amazing surroundings, creations and nature to appreciate and look after our environment for many generations still to come.

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** Book Blast Giveaway **

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice

Giveaway ends: December 3, 11:59 pm, 2015

Open to: 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 Anna Othitis and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Blog Tour/Spotlight: Treasure by S. Smith

Treasure by S. Smith

It’s 2077. There’s no apocalypse, but some things are different. Things like the weather, the internet, and food. In twelve-year-old Clare’s world, blueberry is just a flavor and apples are found only in fairy tales.

One day Clare meets Ana, who teaches her about seeds and real food, despite suspicions that such actions are illegal.

When the authorities discover the children’s forbidden tomato plant and arrest their mother, Clare and her brother flee. Clare has heard of a place called “The Garden State,” and with their bikes, a little money, and backpacks, the children begin a lonely cross-country journey that tests them both physically and spiritually.

Will they succeed in their quest to find a place of food freedom? And can they, only children, help change the world?

Download your FREE copy of Treasure

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Smashwords * iTunes 

Excerpt

“And now,” Gruff said, “for dessert.” He turned and left the room, a bowl in his hand. The children waited. After a few minutes, they began to worry. They discussed what they should do. Just as Dante stood up to go look for him, Gruff returned. He set the bowl on the table. In the dish were small blue spheres.

“What is this?” Dante asked.

“Clare?” asked Gruff, giving her the same look Ana had when quizzing them on their studies.

She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m guessing it’s fruit,” she said. “Like what Ana told us about. Like Sweeties. Like peaches.”

Gruff smiled. “Indeed. These are berries. Blueberries. They're easier to grow than a lot of fruits because they grow on bushes rather than trees. Try them,” he urged, pushing the bowl forward.

Clare hesitated. “I didn’t know blueberries really existed,” she said. “I’ve heard of blueberry flavored Sweeties, but I never thought they were really, like, you know, from a plant.”

“My sweet girl, don’t you know that all food originates from plants and animals.”

“Animals??!” the children cried.

“Another story,” he said, his hand up. “Forget I said that.” He offered them the berries. “Eat.”

Dante put a berry in his mouth. He curled his tongue around it, and rolled it around before biting down. It was soft, yet explosive, as the skin broke. The taste was pure and sweet. It wasn’t as juicy as the tomato, but the flavor was so like a Sweetie. He laughed.

“Go on,” Gruff insisted of Clare. “Here, do it by the handful—straight into your mouth.”

Clare did as she was told and dumped a small handful into her mouth. As she savored this new and wonderful food, Clare remembered the night she and Dante had gazed up at the star-strewn sky, the feeling of smallness and emptiness of her life, and she delighted now in this new experience.

Praise for Seed Savers

“I haven’t been this in love with an individual young adult book since Lois Lowry’s The Giver… 221 pages of exciting young adult goodness! I devoured it, and it was delicious.” -Anakalian Whims Book Blog

“Here’s a great piece of “juvenile” literature that doesn’t lose sight of one key fact: kids can think.”- Lit Prof, Amazon Reviewer

“I highly recommend this book for tweens and teens who enjoy reading the dystopian genre and who are looking for a non-violent and thought-provoking story.” – Renee at Mother Daughter Book Reviews

Author S. Smith

S. Smith grew up on a farm with a tremendously large garden. She maintains that if you can’t taste the soil on a carrot, it’s not fresh enough.

As an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, Ms. Smith has enjoyed teaching students from around the world.

Smith is a member ALLi (The Alliance of Independent Authors) and saves seeds for her local seed bank.

She gardens and writes at her home in the beautiful and green Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband, two children, and two cats.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

 Blog Tour Schedule

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/4/15

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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Book Blast: The Chronicles of the Stone by Fiona Ingram

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the middle grade adventure series "The Chronicles of the Stone" by Fiona Ingram.

Book 2 "The Search for the Stone of Excalibur" is available for FREE from Amazon (e-copy) between November 18 to 20, 2015.

About the Books

Book 1: The Secret of the Sacred Scarab

Title: The Secret of the Sacred Scarab

Author: Fiona Ingram

Publication Date: December 30, 2008

Publisher: iUniverse

Pages: 272

Recommended Age: 10+

Amazon (U.S. Print)Amazon (U.S. Kindle)

Book DepositoryBarnes & Noble

Summary: In this exciting Middle Grade adventure set in Egypt, a 5000-year-old mystery comes to life. A scruffy peddler gives Adam and Justin Sinclair an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab, do the boys realise they are in terrible danger. Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out!

Awards:

• Finalist Children's Fiction USA Next Generation 2009 Indie Book Awards
• Finalist Juvenile Fiction USA National Best Books 2009 Awards
• Winner Pre-Teen USA 2009 Readers' Favorites Awards
• Number 2 in the USA Children's & Teens Book Connection Top Ten Favourite Books of 2009 for Kids, Tweens & Teens
• Winner Silver Medal Teen Fiction 2010 Nautilus Book Awards
• Finalist Children's Fiction 2010 International Book Awards
• Winner Bronze Medal Pre-Teen Fiction 2010 Moonbeam Book Awards
• Finalist 2011 Rubery Book Awards
• Winner Gold Award Mystery Pre-Teen 2011 Children's Literary Classics Awards
• 2nd Place in the 2011 YA Sharpwrit Book Awards
• Winner Gold medal 2013 Wise Bear Book Awards

Book 2: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur

Title: The Search for the Stone of Excalibur (The Chronicles of the Stone, Book 2)
Author: Fiona Ingram
Publication Date: October 6, 2014
Publisher: The Educational Publisher / Biblio Publishing
Pages: 376
Recommended Ages: 10+

GRAB A COPY FOR FREE FROM AMAZON - Nov 18 to 20, 2015

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Summary: A modern-day adventure as our protagonists search for Excalibur and the treasures it holds!

Continuing the adventure that began in Egypt a few months prior in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair are hot on the trail of the second Stone of Power, one of seven ancient stones lost centuries ago. This stone might be embedded in the hilt of a newly discovered sword that archaeologists believe belonged to King Arthur: Excalibur.

However, their long-standing enemy, Dr. Khalid, is following them as they travel to Scotland to investigate an old castle. Little do they know there is another deadly force, the Eaters of Poison, who have their own mission to complete. Time is running out as the confluence of the planets draws closer. Can Justin and Adam find the second Stone of Power and survive? And why did Aunt Isabel send a girl with them?

Join Justin and Adam as they search not only for the second Stone of Power, but also for the Scroll of the Ancients, a mysterious document that holds important clues to the Seven Stones of Power. As their adventure unfolds, they learn many things and face dangers that make even their perils in Egypt look tame. And how annoying for them that their tag-along companion, Kim, seems to have such good ideas when they are stumped.

Awards:

• 2015 Children’s Literary Classics Award Seal of Approval and finalist
• 2015 Children’s Literary Classic Silver Medal (Pre-teen & Tween)

The Buzz About "The Chronicles of the Stone"

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab:

"Wow! That was an action-packed story! I loved how Ms. Ingram just dove right into the story. From the time that Adam is given the scarab to the time that Adam and Justin return home, there is non-stop action. Through Ms. Ingram’s fantastic writing skills, I was able to visualize all of the events as they were occurring. I can totally see the story in this book transformed into a screenplay for the big screen. I think it’s a fabulous story filled with mystery, intrigue, and action." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"Author Fiona Ingram mixes history and legends in this fast action adventure that keeps you reading till the very end. The characters are cleverly written. Young readers can easily step into the shoes of these two cousins and experienced this exciting adventure that takes you into the heart of Egypt. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery..." ~ 5-Star review from Coffee Ramblings "Billy", Amazon (US)

"This story ROCKED! It was exciting, action-filled, adventurous and history filled book! It pretty much had everything me (as a boy) would want in a book - danger, mystery, legends, exciting setting, myths and much more. The story was written really well and it kept me reading page after page. I really liked the simple pencil illustrations in the book. I liked the characters of Justin and Adam. They were both nice, smart and brave. The book has no bad language or graphic violence in it..." ~ Tween Review, Erik @ This Kid Reviews Books

The Search for the Stone of Excalibur:

"The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is an enthralling sequel to The Secret of the Sacred Scarab and features strong character development; an exciting, action-filled adventure; an unpredictable plot featuring many twists and turns; and many interesting and educational historical facts seeking to clarify Arthurian legend and folklore." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"Character development is the key to the story, and the dialogue is snappy... If there are young reluctant readers in your family, this might just be the kick they need to get over that hump. (5 Stars)" ~ Lit Amri, Readers Favorite

"Fiona Ingram has once again taken myth and legend and blended it into an exciting page turner. The mystery will keep the reader on the edge of their seats as they follow the cousins in their search for clues in old books and on the grounds of a Scottish castle. The story is well told and is suitable for tweens and up. (5 stars)" ~ K. Springs, Amazon

About the Author: Fiona Ingram

Fiona Ingram is the author of the middle grade adventure series The Chronicles of the Stone, which includes the multi award winning The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, The Search for the Stone of Excalibur, and soon to be published The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper.

WebsiteTwitterFacebookGoodreads

** Book Blast Giveaway **

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice

Giveaway ends: December 2, 11:59 pm, 2015

Open to: 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 Fiona Ingram and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Book Reviews: Two for the Road and More from the Road by Ekta R. Garg

Two for the Road, by Ekta R. Garg
2015, 60p, Contemporary Fiction
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author for an honest review



Ah, summer. Long days full of warm sunshine and one of the most popular times to travel. But what happens when something throws your travel plans off course?

This June meet brand new characters in Two for the Road!

The First Story, “Excess Baggage”: Allison has just come home from a grueling business trip. All she wants to do is spend a quiet weekend at home parked in front of the TV or maybe curled up with a blanket. When a friend calls to ask her for a favor, though, all of Allison’s plans hit rough air.

The Second Story, “Wrong Way”: With one daughter married and another in college, Rachel and Jim should be enjoying their time as a couple again. But Jim’s worries about his widowed mother force Rachel into a spur-of-the-moment road trip to check on the old bat. When Jim catches Rachel complaining to a friend, tension will ride with them in the car. Can Rachel make an apology stick?

In the first story, "Excess Baggage," Allison is an event coordinator for a hotel chain. She is looking forward to coming home and relaxing after traveling for a while. She gets a phone call from a friend asking her to do a favor. It doesn't sound too bad, so she agrees. It turns into more than she had planned on and each time she feels like she's done and can relax, a new problem crops up. She also learns that she needs to work the next day for someone that is very demanding. I shook my head at the final sentence and started looking forward to the rest of the story.

In "Wrong Way," Rachel and Jim are empty nesters. Rachel recently helped her mother-in-law, Mabel, move to Florida and is looking forward to a much needed weekend getaway with her husband. However, when Jim can't reach his mother, he is determined that they are going to visit her instead. Yes, that will create lots of tension and fights and at the very end, Rachel hits him with a huge zinger. 

Amazon  * Barnes & Noble

 

More from the Road, by Ekta R. Garg
2015, 66p, Contemporary Fiction
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author for an honest review



Have you ever looked forward to a vacation so much that the anticipation actually outdoes the vacation.

Allison comes home from a long business trip and wants nothing more than to park on the couch for the weekend. Everything goes haywire when she picks friendship over her personal comforts. Will she be able to salvage any of her free time? Will Cassie and Roger ever get their act together? Does Suzie finally give Allison her due?

And what about Rachel and Jim? Rachel has been very patient with her husband for almost three decades, but sometimes enough is enough. When is he going to get it already? Will this trip to Saint Augustine become a make-or-break situation? How can she convince the man she loves that he needs to let his mother go?

Find out how both of these stories wrap up in More from the Road, the sequel to Two for the Road!

Allison is exhausted and her favor for a friend has become time consuming. She learns of yet one more hiccup and sets off to fix it. Once again, every time she feels like the favor has come to an end, something else comes up. I could feel her frustration and knew that if I was in her shoes, I would make the same decisions. She made a commitment to a friend and was determined to see it through no matter how much it affected her. The ending was interesting, and that's all I'll say about that.

Rachel and Jim are having a tension filled trip to Florida to check on Jim's mother, Mabel. Rachel has had a hard time with her in the past but has recently noticed some differences in the way Mabel has treated her. She gets a new perspective on Mabel during this trip and Jim learns that his mother actually likes to have personal space. They each learn something on this trip that will help them as they move forward in life. 

I enjoyed both of these books and the different characters. This is the second set of books I've read from the author. The idea is stories in pairs. The first book contains the major stories which share a theme and a link. The second book continues and finishes the first book. 

I like this author's writing and enjoy these books, but I would personally prefer one book. I don't have the best memory when it comes to reading so I tend to forget what happened in the first book if I don't read the second one right away. This is an interesting concept and I'm sure there are some people that will embrace it; it's just not for me. I will continue reading her stories, though, once both books are out! 

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Since the start of her publishing career in 2005 Ekta has edited and written about everything from health care to home improvement to Hindi films. She has worked for: The Portland Physician Scribe, Portland, Oregon's premier medical newspaper; show magazines for home tours organized by the Portland Home Builders Association; ABCDlady.com; The Bollywood Ticket; The International Indian; and the annual anthologies published by the Avondale Inkslingers, based in Avondale, Arizona.

In 2011 Ekta stepped off the ledge and became a freelancer. She edits short stories and novels for other writers, contributing to their writing dreams. She is also a part-time editor for aois21, and she reviews books for her own book review blog as well as NetGalley, TypeReel, and Bookpleasures.com.

Prairie Sky Publishing serves as the publishing arm of Ekta's professional writing blog, The Write Edge (thewriteedge.wordpress.com). When she's not writing, Ekta is a domestic engineer--known in the vernacular as "a housewife." She's married, has two energetic daughters who keep her running, and she divides her time between keeping house and fulfilling her writing dreams.

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Book Blast: Finn's Rocket by Serena Schreiber

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for "Finn's Rocket: A Surfer Catches Air", the third book in the "Finn's Fast Books" middle grade series by Serena Schreiber.

About the Book

Title: Finn's Rocket: A Surfer Catches Air (Finn's Fast Books, Book #3) | Author: Serena Schreiber | Publication Date: November 1, 2015 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 176 | Recommended Ages: 7 to 12

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Book Description:

Finn's summer vacation plans didn't include leaving the planet.

When his little sister gets kidnapped from space camp, Finn will do anything and go anywhere to get her back. Even the international space station.

The Buzz About "Finn's Fast Books"

Finn's Ship: "The story blends Finn's American upbringing with his German heritage, acquainting the reader with the many similarities and differences in food, culture, language, transportation and family values." ~ Candy 613, Amazon

Finn's Ship: "The author did a marvelous job bringing the characters to life and making the reader feel apart of each scene." ~ Glen G., Amazon

Finn's Car: "I really enjoyed reading this book! Very fun to read and it's something that teens will love to read. I recommend it to everyone!" ~ Jocelyn, Amazon

Finn's Car: "A well-paced, funny and highly infectious read!" ~ Bree W., Amazon

About the Author: Serena Schreiber

First published in Brooklyn in third grade, Serena Schreiber took a circuitous route through Europe to settle in Florida. When not writing for kids or scientists, she follows her other muse, fantasy. She's a happy co-conspirator of Florida Writers Association Youth Program and runs the Howl at the Moon Writers Jam. Serena has two amazing children, a handsome husband, and a turtle named Bolt.

Author Website Book Website

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** Book Blast Giveaway **

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice

Giveaway ends: November 29, 11:59 pm, 2015

Open to: 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 Serena Schreiber and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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