Friday, August 29, 2014

Blog Tour/Review: The Secrets of Gluten-free Baking by Jillayne Clements


Tour Schedule


The Secrets of Gluten-Free Baking, by Jillayne Clements
2013, 192p, Cookbook
My Rating=3.5 Stars
Source: Copy provided by publisher for an honest review



Gluten-free, healthy and delicious? Yes, it is possible! Use Jillayne Clements’s unique whole foods approach to baking to create Buttermilk Biscuits, Honey Oat Bread, Potato Rolls, German Chocolate Cake, and more! This book blends taste and satisfying nutrition into mouthwatering gluten-free recipes your whole family will enjoy. Bake your way to better health today! 

I don't need to eat gluten-free but I've been curious about how gluten-free people eat and if it tastes good, so I was excited to see a cookbook up for review. However, as a newbie without having cooked this way before, I felt overwhelmed. I think there's some great information, but it's a lot of sprouting and making your own flour. I don't have a dehydrator or room to store lots of different flours, so I felt like this wasn't practical for me. I would need to take a class so I could see how a lot of this was done before I would want to attempt it.
  
Since it seemed a little too much for me, I contacted a friend who has a young son that eats gluten-free and had her look at it. She felt like it was too time-consuming for her current situation. We both agreed that this cookbook is full of great information and if you're at a place where you have time or maybe health concerns that will force you to eat a certain way, then this is a valuable resource. I have noticed that there are lots of gluten-free mixes at the store, and I think if you need to eat this way, you would get tired of those after a while, so this cookbook is definitely a great alternative. 

The cookbook itself is laid out well and the food looks delicious. Bonus recipes are included in the back that look easy and yummy. There's a Resource section at the end which guides you to places to buy some of the different ingredients in bulk. She also gives lots of tips and step-by-step instructions on sprouting, making flours and nut milk (which I actually have done before and it is easy, just time-consuming--and yes, I did need to see a demonstration before I made it at home by myself). 

The Bottom Line: If you already eat gluten-free and would like tips on how to make your food healthier and yummier, this is a valuable resource. If you're a newbie, you probably want to get your feet wet before attempting these recipes, but this is still a valuable resource to have and you will want it sooner rather than later.


Jillayne Clements holds a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Human Development from Utah State University and is an author of both fiction and non-fiction books, including Deadly Treasure: A Novel, The Diet Rebel’s Cookbook: Eating Clean and Green, co-authored with Michelle Stewart, as well as an upcoming novel.

After being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, she studied the importance of whole foods cooking and began creating her own recipes. She has taught classes in her community and at the Young Living Farm, including their yearly Lavender Days events, as well as catered for some of their essential oil conventions. She has also made whole foods desserts on both Good Things Utah and on Studio 5.

Jillayne resides with her husband and children in the shadows of Mt. Nebo, where she enjoys writing fiction, four-wheeling up mountain trails, and growing a lot of her own produce. 



Book Blast: Thirty-Two Going on Spinster by Becky Monson


Thirty-Two Going on Spinster by Becky Monson

Julia Dorning is a spinster, or at least on the road to becoming one. She has no social life, hates her job, and lives in her parent’s basement with her cat, Charlie.
With the arrival of Jared Moody, the new hire at work, Julia’s mundane life is suddenly turned upside down. Her instant (and totally ridiculous) crush on the new guy causes Julia to finally make some long-overdue changes, in hopes to find a life that includes more than baking and hanging out with Charlie.

But when the biggest and most unexpected change comes, will the new and improved Julia be able to overcome it? Or will she go back to her spinster ways?

Purchase your copy for just $2.99!!


Praise for Thirty-Two Going on… Spinster

“Oh my, oh my. I have just finished wiping the tears of laughter from my eyes. This is seriously funny.”
~Julie Darley (Never judge a Book by its Movie)

“This was a refreshing change of pace for me to read. Some good clean romance was found in it’s pages and that is a rare find these days. It was some great chick-lit. I would not have thought this was Becky’s debut book, it was so well done.”
~Liberty Ann (SnifferWalkBooks)


Author Becky Monson

By day, Becky Monson is a mother of three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful time will last… But it probably won’t. Becky runs a large book club on Facebook called “This Chick Reads”.












BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 9/30/14

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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Book Review: Frankie DuPont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor by Julie Anne Grasso


Frankie DuPont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor, by Julie Anne Grasso; Illustrated by David Blackwell & Samantha Yallope
2014, 75p, Middle Grade Mystery
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Provided a copy for an honest review



When his cousin Kat disappears from Enderby Manor, Frankie Dupont jumps on the case. Bumbling Inspector Cluesome is convinced that Kat is lost in Myrtle’s Mesmerising Maze, but Frankie isn’t buying it.

He follows the evidence trail to a conniving concierge, a six fingered chef, a talking parrot, a mad maid and a shifty dwarf, and quickly finds himself in a desperate race to recover Kat before her time runs out…

An exciting new illustrated middle grade mystery series for children aged 8-12.

I was excited to hear that Julie Grasso has a new series out and think it’s off to a great start! She's also written The Forbidden Planet series, which is a middle-grade series I enjoyed reading. You can read my review here and check it out on her website here.

What a fun, quick read! Frankie DuPont is 10 and three-quarters years old. His cousin, Kat, disappears from Enderby Manor, a place that Frankie apparently passes every day on his way to school but has never seen. Frankie heads over there, realizes that it does indeed exist and is creeped out by it. He talks to his Aunt Rachel and when he finds out Inspector Cluesome is on the case, he’s not impressed and decides he needs to conduct his own investigation. The rest of the book is Frankie’s investigation. It was fun to follow his clues and see where he went and who he met and watch him put it all together at the end.

There are some fun illustrations throughout the book as well which add to the story and bring it to life. I enjoyed the paranormal aspect and know that it will also appeal to my 10-year-old daughter. Two thumbs up and I’m looking forward to reading more!


With a background in pediatric nursing, Julie Anne Grasso spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories to encourage and inspire them.

She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband Danny and their little elf, Giselle.

E-book Sale: Sweet Montana Bride Series by Kimberly Krey


Sweet Montana Bride Series Sale!

Looking to rope yourself some Labor Day reads? Well saddle up, 'cuz the entire Sweet Montana Bride series is on sale at last. We've got Reese's Cowboy Kiss, Jade's Cowboy Crush, and Cassie's Cowboy Crave.

Three sweet and steamy clean romance novels complete with cowboys, romance, and happily ever afters. Featuring the witness protection program - rancher style, these ebooks sale for $3.99 a piece, but this week you can snag 'em for just .99 cents each on Amazon.



Here's a bit about each book just to whet your appetite. Happy romance reading!

Reese's Cowboy Kiss:

Texan pageant winner, Reese Taylor, has a former classmate who wants her dead. Now she must leave her friends and family to enter a protection program on Emerson Ranch. A group of good-looking cowboys awaits her, but Reese has her eye on Blake Emerson, the one man too busy with the ranch to give her a chance.

Blake Emerson has no time to go lookin’ for love. He’s got a ranch to run, positions to fill, and an ache in his heart from love gone wrong. So when he agrees to harbor a witness to help on the ranch, Blake assumes his first two problems are solved. But he never dreamed his new guest would be a woman. One he was destined to lose his heart to.

With sparks burning hot and danger around the bend, one question lingers in his mind: Has he only added to his list of troubles, or has Blake just found the woman of his dreams?


* Though this novel is considered clean romance, it does contain passionate kissing and a few minor curse words. *

Jade's Cowboy Crush:


Single mother, Jade Miller, has just witnessed a murder. Now, set to testify against the cold-blooded killer, Jade must be placed under protection. While she is grateful to the kind folks who’ve offered to take in her and her son, Jade is surprised to find the man escorting them from L.A. to Montana is Gavin Emerson. A womanizing, far-too-attractive-for-his-own-good, rebel cowboy. Jade assures Gavin that she has sworn off men until her son is grown, but all too soon she finds herself fighting back feelings for the man who’s agreed to care for them.

Gavin wants nothing to do with ranch life. Not since the ugly fallout he had with his father over eight years ago. But when he agrees to come back, harboring Jade and her son for a time, Gavin falls in love with life on the land once again. Above that, he finds his heart has been captured by his lovely house guest, Jade Miller.

After reservations on both parts, the two are finally ready to open up and give their new-found love a try. Only they aren’t in the clear just yet, and as a dark and deadly threat falls upon them, Gavin finds that his bad-boy past may have led the danger right to their door.

*Though this novel is considered clean romance, it contains passionate kissing & a few mild curse words.*


Cassie's Cowboy Crave:

Twenty-four-year-old Cassie Lovell has a great job, good friends, and an apartment with a killer view. That is, until life is turned upside down. Without the chance to say goodbye, Cassie is forced into a witness protection program on Emerson Ranch. Just when she fears life is doomed, Cassie meets Shane Emerson, the stunningly handsome cowboy who’ll be posing as her newlywed groom.

Shane Emerson is determined not to fall for the woman he’s agreed to harbor. Especially since the whole thing was his family’s way of trying to get him hitched. So why is it when he takes Cassie into his home, Shane wants nothing more than to turn their make-believe marriage into more than just a sham?

In a moment of weakness, Shane steals a kiss.
In return, Cassie steals his heart.
Yet before they confess their undying love, a hidden danger threatens to tear them apart.

*Though this novel is considered clean romance, it contains passionate kissing & a few mild curse words.*

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Blog Tour/Review: Fetch by Adam Glendon Sidwell


Tour Schedule

Fetch by Adam Glendon Sidwell

Book Summary:

A story for anyone who's ever been loved by a dog or given one a home.

At least nine sunsets away, there is a place where dogs can do what they want. But they are not all the same, and when a special one has the courage to fly, he finds something unexpected beyond the tenth horizon.

This book is super short, contains a great message and literally took me a couple of minutes to read the text. I went through it again, paying careful attention to the illustrations, which are fantastic, and it took me much longer.

This is a great book to share with small children and is sure to keep little eyes occupied for quite a while. It's also a great read for all ages and will especially appeal to dog lovers!

My Rating=5 Stars

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

Purchase your copy


Author Adam Glendon Sidwell:

In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Pacific Rim, Transformers and Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He really enjoyed writing 81,854 less words in his new picture book FETCH than he wrote in his first EVERTASTER novel, and hopes that you will like the ones he picked. Besides, FETCH has pictures.

Adam has also been rightfully accused of writing the upcoming novel CHUM.

Praise for the book:

“If you need & want a book for younger children that does not involve zombies, monsters, or overdone “superhero’s”, and just want a good old fashioned great story, perfect illustrations, and a captivating experience, then “Fetch” should be ordered quickly.”—Carol Anne Merrill Miller

“Simple, yet engaging, storyline appeals to readers of all ages and the illustrations glue your eyes to pages!” –Doodles

“The art work enchanted, enthralled, and grabbed me in ways paintings can and often do.” –Kindle Customer



Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 9/13/14

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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: For Love and Country by Elizabeth D. Michaels



For Love and Country

When A Man Is Torn Between Honoring His Country And The Woman He Loves, The Best Option Might Be To Choose Both.

When Maggie du Woernig willfully ignores her parents’ admonitions and entangles herself with Nik Koenig, she is certain he’s the only man who will make her happy. Blind to Nik’s real intentions, she throws herself recklessly into a situation that could not only destroy her life but compromise the safety of her country.

Han Heinrich has resigned himself to working in the castle stables, mostly as an excuse to have contact each day with Maggie. His aspirations for a more fulfilling career seem fruitless, in spite of his father’s position as the duke’s highest advisor. But when Han learns about Maggie’s precarious situation, he is willing to sacrifice everything to protect the woman he loves, and to save the country he would die for. He only hopes that someday Maggie will forgive him.

Purchase your copy:

Praise for The Horstberg Saga:

I completely enjoyed this book. The character development is fantastic. The author has a great sense of emotional storytelling that wraps you into the story as if you know,and can fully relate to the characters. This is the kind of story that touches the heart and the spirit. Well done. I look forward to the next chapter in the Horstberg Saga.

This book kept me so interested, I had a hard time putting it down. Suspense, love without smut, emotions that so relate to everyday life. This author touched on it all. Such in depth understanding of human emotions with the characters.

Firstly, I loved that this was a VOLUME! And what a great story to really sink my teeth into and get settled in with for more than just one sitting!

Well written and thoroughly satisfying.


Author Elizabeth D. Michaels

Elizabeth D. Michaels began writing at the age of sixteen, immersing herself ever since in the lives created by her vivid imagination. Beyond her devotion to family and friends, writing has been her passion for nearly three decades. While she has more than fifty published novels under the name Anita Stansfield and is the recipient of many awards, she boldly declares The Horstberg Saga as the story she was born to write, with many volumes in the works. She is best known for her keen ability to explore the psychological depths of human nature, bringing her characters to life through the timeless struggles they face in the midst of exquisite dramas.











BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 9/26/14

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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Book Blast: Angels Club by Courtney Vail & Sandra J. Howell


Angels Club by Courtney Vail & Sandra J. Howell

Hola, Cuties! I’m Jacinda Gonzalez, almost twelve. Although I think I’m pretty nice, not to mention way cool and one of the most knowledgeable people in all things horse, I just can’t make any friends in my new school. The only things flying my way are totally rude insults. The horseback riding therapy farm where I volunteer becomes my perfect escape from mean bullies. And when Angel, a scrawny, muddy American Curly, shows up as rescue, no one but me can see her potential and lovableness, so I take her on as a project horse to get her ready for sale. But, the thing is, I don’t want them to sell her. She’d be so perfect for therapy. So perfect. Now, if only I could prove it.

Anyway, Angel’s sugar-candy personality inspires me to be sweet in spite of bad things happening to me. So, of course, I can’t resist the urge to make the world a whole lot brighter. Come on in and see how I do it!

Purchase your copy from




Author Courtney Vail
In addition to writing quirky, twisty books for teens and adults, Courtney works from home as a graphic designer and book formatter. She’s married to a should-be-famous comedian and has three kids who make her house LOUD and messy and do things like turn her veggie garden into Jurassic Park, but she thoroughly loves her life. She’s a member of Authors Selling Books in Western Mass.

Courtney is a major sports junky and loves to run, visit amusement parks (and ride all the roller coasters first), skate, cook, and watch standup or anything that cracks her up or makes her heart race or neck tingle.

Angels Club is her first novel for kids. It was a blast to write, so maybe her crazy brain and fancy purple pen will find a grand adventure next time.


Author Sandra J. Howell
Sandy is an avid horse enthusiast and was the first breeder in Massachusetts of the rare American Bashkir Curly horse. Her lifelong passion for Curly horses led her to write two Equine novels, Spirit of a Rare Breed and Saving GiGi. Howell, a college professor, has been a contributing writer, featuring the American Bashkir Curly horse, for Equine journals and magazines. She has been featured on television, radio talk shows and news media, and has received numerous letters from Native Americans thanking her for promoting and advocating for their favored steed. Howell is a founding member of Authors Selling Books of Western Mass and is a member of the Independent Publishers of New England. Her novels are showcased at the New England Equine Affaire and promoted through many Equine organizations. 











Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 9/15/14

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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: The Secret Bliss of Calliope Ipswich by Marcia Lynn McClure


The Secret Bliss of Calliope Ipswich by Marcia Lynn McClure

“Oh! Do link arms with me, Calliope,” Blanche whispered, her brown eyes widening with apprehension. She took Calliope’s arm, tightly linking it with her own. “The old Mulholland house still gives me the willies every time I walk past it. I hate to think on what might have gone on inside. It’s truly terrifyin’!”

“Oh, don’t be silly, Blanche,” Calliope said, feigning calm. “Poor Prudence’s lunacy…it’s sad. And besides, her fiendish acts were not committed inside the house. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just…it’s just a sad, empty building.” Calliope Ipswich felt the hypocrite, however, as an uncomfortable shiver of residual dread and unease shuttered down her spine,

More than six months had passed since the All Hollow’s Eve when the dangerous state of Prudence Mulholland’s fracturing mind had been revealed to the townsfolk of Meadowlark Lake. And now, each time Calliope thought of poor Prudence and her family, not only did her heart ache for their family’s unhappy lot but a chill of lingering horror rippled through her being.

In truth, at times Calliope wondered if it had all been simply a bad dream—a nightmare. But it hadn’t. It really had happened—all of it.

Purchase your copy on 



Author Marcia Lynn McClure

Marcia Lynn McClure’s intoxicating succession of novels, novellas, and e-books, has established her as one of the most favored and engaging authors of true romance. Her unprecedented forte in weaving captivating stories of western, medieval, regency, and contemporary amour void of brusque intimacy has earned her the title “The Queen of Kissing.”
Marcia, who was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has spent her life intrigued with people, history, love, and romance. A wife, mother, grandmother, family historian, poet, and author, Marcia Lynn McClure spins her tales of splendor for the sake of offering respite through the beauty, mirth, and delight of a worthwhile and wonderful story.

Social Media Website Social Media Blog Social Media Facebook Social Media Twitter Social Media Goodreads










BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 9/16/14

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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, August 25, 2014

Blog Tour/Review: Willow Springs by Carolyn Steele


Tour Schedule

Willow Springs, by Carolyn Steele
2014, 240p, Historical Romance
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



Discover true love on the Utah frontier! Crissa Engleson is searching for a new life in the town of Willow Springs when she attracts the unwanted attention of a miner—and falls in love with a handsome Express rider. Laugh and cry with Crissa as she escapes her past to find love and helps the townspeople along the way.

Crissa is trying to start a new life in Willow Springs. She's working at Henders Inn and has caught the attention of Garth Wight, a miner she's not interested in and views as harmless. A Pony Express rider, Drake Adams, comes to town and catches her eye. His father, Warren Adams, pretty much owns the town. Drake has decided to retire and is settling down about an hour away from Willow Springs. They are attracted to each other, but things get complicated when Crissa's past starts to catch up with her and Drake appears to be interested in someone else.

This book started out kind of slow to me and took a while for me to become invested in the characters and their lives. However, once it got going, it became hard to put down and the ending moved very quickly. The mystery unfolded slowly, which I love since it makes me keep reading. I also felt like I got enough information for it not to become frustrating. 

Crissa is likable and learning about her past made me sad for all she'd gone through. She was trying to start over and has good reason to want to. She and Drake liked each other from the first time they met but there was plenty to keep them apart. I liked Drake but he did seem to send Crissa mixed signals so I understood her confusion. There were quite a few twists and turns and revelations and I wasn't sure what the ending would look like.

There are also some great side characters. There's one that I disliked in the beginning but as I learned more about him, I changed my mind and wished things had turned out differently for him. There were plenty of character flaws in all of them and they seemed realistic to me. I had to wait until the end to determine how I felt about some of them. Willow Springs was full of lots of secrets! If you enjoy historical romance with some mystery included, this is a book for you!


About the author: 

Born and raised in Utah, Carolyn Steele was introduced to western novels at a very young age by her grandfather, the son of a gold miner. She has been writing technical and marketing communications for most of her adult life. Her nonfiction articles have appeared in numerous national magazines. She earned her undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Utah. Married and living in Salt Lake City, Utah, Carolyn loves researching obscure history then weaving it into stories. She also enjoys family dinners with her children and grandchildren, photography, travel, golf, reading, and all forms of needlework.  

Grand Finale: The Cinderella Theorem by Kristee Ravan


To post this Grand Finale (we'll send you the HTML code) and add your Social Media to the Rafflecopter, email us at PrismBookTours(at)gmail.com with "Cinderella Theorem GF" in the subject line.

A themed book tour through Prism Book Tours.

It's the tour Grand Finale for
The Cinderella Theorem
By Kristee Ravan

Did you enjoy this logical fairy tale journey? If you missed any posts, go back and check them out now! Be sure to enter the giveaway as well!!

Launch with Excerpt (click on the link to read the full excerpt)
     “Right. Well,” she took a breath. “To begin, I should say that your father is not dead.”
     “But, he is dead. You told me that he died–that the train he was on hit a cow.”[i]
     “No, Sweetie.” She patted my knee. “He’s not dead. He is alive and he’s coming to dinner.”
     “I don’t understand. The train wrecked, the cow died, Dad died. You showed me the news story.”
     Mom sighed. (Why is she sighing? Did she think that I would automatically understand? Did I miss the Lily, your dad is not dead memo?) “There was a train wreck, a cow did die. And it was on the news. But your father was not on the train.”


[i] If I seem a little slow to understand what my mom is telling me, keep in mind that fifteen years of believing my dad is dead is greater than 3 minutes of hearing he is alive. (15 > 3.)

Kelly P's Blog - Inspiration for The Cinderella Theorem
Once upon a time, in a library far, far away, I discovered the fairy tale shelf. I remember it was in a sunny area. The books were smaller than normal and were a part of a set. I checked them out over and over again. I’m sure my seven-year-old self had heard or had all these fairy tales read to her before, but this was the first time, I was able to read them for myself. This began a life-long love for fairy tales...

Coffee Books & Art - Anatomy of a Good Bad Guy
Confession: I love to write Levi, the evil villain in The Cinderella Theorem. He’s to develop, he makes Lily (and everyone else) squirm and lose their cool, plus he’s greasy. Let’s explore the qualities that make up a good bad guy...

Is there a singular character that really touched your heart and why?

Lily has to make a couple of choices to be brave in the story. One of those is when she decides that she’d rather face facts and get to know her (previously believed dead) father than hold on to the nice, neat “story” of what she believed happened. I’m not always best at making hard choices, or being willing to do what is hard, so that aspect of Lily inspired me.

Bookworm Lisa - A Book About Math? Really??
I need to let you in on a little secret. There’s math in my book. Probably an above average amount. It’s not a math book, but there is way more math in it than you would find in a regular book. And while I don’t think I’m BFFs with math, I do think I’m friendly with math. Which is interesting because there was a time in my life that math and I were not friendly at all...

Shannon's Blog - Review
"I liked the first-person writing style of The Cinderella Theorem; I thought Lily had a good voice. The characters were quirky and likable, and the ideas and world itself were delightful. The Cinderella Theorem is an enjoyable book, a fun play on the old fairy tales. Recommended."


Skye Malone's Blog - Fairy Tales You Aren’t Reading — But Should (Part One)
In my book, The Cinderella Theorem, a lot of the fairy tale world’s usual subjects show up: Cinderella, the Gingerbread Man, Sleeping Beauty. But I also got to shed some light on some of the rarer tales around, like the Erlking...

Wonderous Reviews - Interview
What is your favorite thing about writing a book partly set in a fairy-tale world?

Thinking up things like Marvelous Midas Creme—magical ice cream made by King Midas. From one carton, everyone will magically have whatever flavor is their favorite in their bowl. Creating the structure for HEA (The Office of Happily Ever After Affairs) was a lot of fun too!

Mythical Books - Why I Heart Beauty and the Beast 
Everyone’s got a favorite fairy tale and mine is Beauty and the Beast. There are a lot of reasons this tale could be my favorite, but the truth is there’s only one reason that it is my favorite...

Rockin' Book Reviews - Interview
2. This not only has a mathematical twist but a comical twist to the Cinderella theme? Will this become a series? If so, what type of theme will follow? If not, what will be your next project?

I am working on a sequel called Calculating Christmas. It will be a Christmas theme as Lily and her friends try to save Christmas. I also know what the third book will be about, but haven’t really planned it yet.

Sarah's StoryLines - The Shocking Truth About Fairy Tales
They start with once upon a time and end with everyone living happily ever after and in between those two things there is singing, talking woodland animals and a good deal of magic. Everyone knows that’s how fairy tales go. But do we really know these tales?

"I absolutely loved The Cinderella Theorem!! It was amazing. I thought it was so cool how Lily grew as a character and learned all these different lessons. The footnotes that the author added at the bottom of the pages were so great and helpful."

"This is definitely the most unique fantasy novel I've read in a long time (and I read a lot of fantasy)! I love the main character and the way she views the world in terms of math."

What kind of research (if any) do you do for your books?

Because math and fairy tales are so important in these books, I try to keep them in my mind by following blogs about fairy tales and math. I also read books about math and fairy tales. (Women in Mathematics and The Witch Must Die are what I’m working through now.) I’ve found that I’m faster at writing if I don’t stop to research in the moment, so I’ve started jotting down post-it notes of things to look up later. I’ve got some math friends that I ask questions of when needed. My friend, Kelly, helped me think of a math poster to be in Lily’s bedroom. I also use the internet quite a bit.

The Written Adventure - A Deleted Scene
Mom hadn’t mentioned what I was supposed to wear for the interview, but then again, Mom hadn’t mentioned the interview either. There were a lot of things going unmentioned in the Sparrow family these days. Like my dad isn’t really dead, like I’m a princess, like I’m having a ball in my honor. So in the grand scheme of things unmentioned by my mother, what was one reporter, showing up unannounced, knocking on my bedroom door...

"I expected it to be okay, but it far surpassed my expectations. I picked it up and couldn't stop! I was laughing out loud the entire time!... This book was SO much fun! I honestly loved every minute of it. The romance was fleeting, but promised more. I can't wait for the next book!"

Mel's Shelves - Review
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more! I felt that I learned more about both fairytales and math while reading it so I feel smarter now than I was before I started. The ending was great and left me wanting more, so I was glad to get a sneak peek into the next book, Calculating Christmas (which is hopefully coming soon). If you or someone you know loves math, this book is a no brainer! If you don't enjoy math, you will still find plenty about it to love, so give it a chance!!"

"This is a very interesting spin on fairy tales. I did truly enjoy the story. It was fun to think how I would feel as a teenager in this situation. She uses math to rationalize life. For a 15 year old girl I did not find her annoying. Most of the time the female character can be whinny and boy crazy. Lily was not like that and I was glad for a change of pace. A great fun read."

"I'm not into math, but I love fairy tales. I passed my math classes, but it's not my favorite subject, and I wasn't sure how a story about fairy tales could possibly tie into math. But it worked! I thought it was very creative and the story was even written in a math book-type of format--little side notes and footnotes. It was interesting to see the way a logical girl could come to accept a fantasy world--almost like right brain meets left brain."

Book Briefs - Review
"The Cinderella Theorem overall was a really great read. I had a few small issues with the book early, but they were minor things and I am so glad that I didn’t let them get in the way of enjoying the story, because this was a book that just kept getting better and better. I loved the concept of the story and the main character, Lily was a delight."

"What I liked the most is that the author had me laughing. A lot. I can not wait until the next book comes out and I read more about these characters!"

A Backwards Story - From The Fireland Flame 
From the Fireland Flame, the daily newspaper of EG Smythe’s Salty Fire Land:
Tybalt’s Tales, Gossip from all the Genres


August 19th has finally arrived! The day we’ve all been waiting for, Fireland! Princess Lily turns 15 today and finds out that she’s really a princess. How will our secret Protector respond?

Coffee, Books and Me - What's in a Name?
Even though no one ever spells it correctly, I love my first name: Kristee. It’s unique and special and though a Google search will reveal that there are other Kristees in the world. I personally have never met one, and I know there’s no one else named “Kristee Ravan” (Kudos to my husband for giving me a unique last name, that no one ever spells correctly either…). So when I began creating Lily’s world, I wanted to be intentional with the names of the people and places. Here’s the inside scoop on what some the names mean.

I Am A Reader - Fairy Tales You Aren't Reading, But Should, Part 2
Snow White and Rose Red

First of all, this is not the Snow White who hangs with the seven dwarves. This Snow White and her sister, Rose Red, were named for rosebushes that grew in front of their cottage, where the girls and their mother lived a happy life in the woods. (The dad’s dead.)

Dividing by Zero - Review
"The characters are well developed (and fun!), the plot is entertaining and very creative, the writing flows well, the dialogue is natural sounding and true to the character who’s speaking, and it’s overall just a good, fun read. I was also geekily excited that Lily shares information about Pi Day (March 14th – 3/14 – because pi is 3.14159… get it?) I’m looking very much forward to The Lily Sparrow Chronicles Book 2: Calculating Christmas..."


Calling for Reviewers!

We're looking for reviewers! You don't need a blog to sign up, but you do need to at least post a review on Amazon. Other sites (blog, Goodreads, etc.) are also appreciated. Reviews must be completed by the end of November. To sign up, please fill out this form.

The Cinderella Theorem (The Lily Sparrow Chronicles)The Cinderella Theorem
(The Lily Sparrow Chronicles #1)
by Kristee Ravan

YA Urban Fantasy

Paperback, 367 pages

March 17th 2014



Fairy tales are naturally non-mathematical. That is a fact, and fifteen-year-old Lily Sparrow loves factual, mathematical logic. So when her mother confesses that Lily’s deceased father is (a) not dead, (b) coming to dinner, and (c) the ruler of a fairy tale kingdom accessible through the upstairs bathtub, Lily clings to her math to help her make sense of this new double life (1 life in the real world + 1 secret life in the fairy tale world = a double life).

Even though it’s not mathematical, Lily finds herself being pulled into a mystery involving an unhappy Cinderella, a greasy sycophant called Levi, and a slew of vanishing fairy tale characters. Racing against the clock, with a sound mathematical plan, Lily attempts to save her fairy tale friends while proving that normality = happiness.


Kristee Ravan
Kristee Ravan lives in Oklahoma with her husband, daughter, and pet fish, Val (short for Valentine). She wanted to be many things as she grew up including a general, an artist, and an architect. But she never bothered to say, "I want to be a writer when I grow up." She was always writing stories and thought of herself as a writer anyway. She sent her first story to a publisher in the sixth grade. (It was rejected - in a nice way.) When she is not making up stories in her head, she enjoys reading, juggling, green smoothies, playing dollhouse with her daughter, and hearing from her fans. You can contact Kristee at the facebook page for her Lily Sparrow books: The Lily Sparrow Chronicles.



Tour-Wide Giveaway

5 copies of The Cinderella Theorem (print for US winners, ebook for international winners)
Ends August 31st 


Prism Book Tours

Friday, August 22, 2014

Book Review: Minutes Before Sunset by Shannon A. Thompson


Minutes Before Sunset, by Shannon A. Thompson
2013, 247p, YA Paranormal Romance
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received copy from author for an honest review



She was undoubtedly a shade, but I didn’t know her.

Eric Welborn isn’t completely human, but he isn’t the only shade in the small Midwest town of Hayworth. With one year left before his eighteenth birthday, Eric is destined to win a long-raging war for his kind. But then she happens. In the middle of the night, Eric meets a nameless shade, and she’s powerful—too powerful—and his beliefs are altered. The Dark has lied to him, and he’s determined to figure out exactly what lies were told, even if the secrets protect his survival.


He had gotten so close to me—and I couldn’t move—I couldn’t get away.

Jessica Taylor moves to Hayworth, and her only goal is to find more information on her deceased biological family. Her adoptive parents agree to help on one condition: perfect grades. And Jessica is distraught when she’s assigned as Eric’s class partner. He won’t help, let alone talk to her, but she’s determined to change him—even if it means revealing everything he’s strived to hide.


This book held my attention from the beginning! The story switches back and forth between Eric and Jessica. Eric is part of the Dark. In this book, Light is evil. There's a prophecy in the making between Light and Dark and Eric is a major part of it since he is a true descendant. There will be a big battle and it won't end until he kills the Light's true descendant (whose name is Darthon) or he is killed by Darthon. As a human, Eric is a loner at school and likes it that way.

Jessica has just moved to Hayworth. She was born there but was adopted when she was a baby and her parents moved away so she doesn't remember anything about it. Now that she's back, though, she can't stop thinking about her biological family and wants to find them. Her parents tell her she has to keep her grades up and she didn't think that would be a problem until Eric was assigned to be her science partner and he could care less about their grade.

I liked the interaction between Eric and Jessica. I loved Eric and was glad he wasn't portrayed as a total jerk. He's more absorbed in his role as a descendant than his life as a human (for good reason) which is why he doesn't interact with humans too much. They are transformed enough when they're in Light/Dark form that he doesn't know exactly who they are in human form, but he does figure that he must know some of them. That keeps him from becoming friends with too many people because he doesn't want to have to fight against his friends. 

I also loved Jessica. She's trying to fit in at a new school. She makes friends with Robb and Crystal who used to be friends with Eric. She's intrigued with Eric but is also trying to keep her distance since he's not very friendly. She doesn't let him walk all over her, either, and stands up for herself when she needs to. Her second identity is more mysterious although it wasn't too difficult to figure out.

The characters in the book have a human identity and a Light or Dark identity so sometimes I was confused by the secondary characters as to who was who (I think this was really more a reflection on my not paying close enough attention when they were first introduced, though). The plot is pretty complex and I liked getting bits and pieces at a time. The second half of the book sped up quite a bit and the ending made me sad for now but I'm hopeful it will all end happily. I feel that there's so much more story to be told and think I have some identities figured out so I'm looking forward to reading the second book to see if I'm right!

Thanks, Shannon, for bringing this book to my attention. I'm looking forward to reading more!!

Content: Mild swearing, kissing. Clean!


Shannon A. Thompson is a 23-year-old author, avid reader, and a habitual chatterbox. She was merely 16 when she was first published, and a lot has happened since then. Thompson’s work has appeared in numerous poetry collections and anthologies, including a Norwegian magazine, and her first installment of The Timely Death Trilogy, Minutes Before Sunset, became Goodreads Book of the Month. The sequel, Seconds Before Sunrise, has released, and AEC Stellar Publishing released her latest novel, Take Me Tomorrow, on July 17, 2014.

She graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing.

Shannon spends her free time writing, but she loves spending time with her father and brother. She also has one black cat named after her favorite actor, Humphrey Bogart.


Book Blast: Karmack by J. C. Whyte


Karmack by J.C. Whyte

Title: Karmack | Author: J.C. Whyte | Publication Date: June 6, 2013 | Publisher: Muse it Up Publishing | Pages: 140 | Recommended Age: 7+

Summary: A strange little creature enters the lives of three tough guys at Higgins Elementary. And from that point on, pranks come back like boomerangs, smacking the bullies right in their fifth grade butts!

Sully, the leader of the gang, is the only one who can see this creature, which he names Karmack. Sully learns that the creature’s job is to balance all the bad pranks the bullies have pulled over the years. Karmack warns that if this fails, “dreadful, awful doom” awaits them all.

Sully soon realizes that he must save not only himself but his friends, who have no idea why they keep getting boomeranged by Karmack!

"Karmack" won First Place in the 2014 Purple Dragonfly Writing contest, a national contest for children's book authors, in the category of chapter books (e-Books).

Purple Dragonfly Book Awards - logo

Purchase the Book

Amazon (US) Amazon (UK) Muse It Up Publishing

Barnes and Noble Omnilit Bookstrand


The Buzz About the Book


"Karmack is a well-written, middle grade book tackling the difficult topic of bullying from the perspective of the bully. The character development is absolutely brilliant as the reader witnesses the transformation of Sully from an aggressive, angry bully to a positive role model and respected leader among his peers. While the concept of karma is not for everyone, I found myself agreeing with the main message of how our actions have consequences, intended or otherwise. I would recommend this book to middle grade classrooms as a great book to generate discussion around bullying." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"A wonderful story about growing up and treating others with respect, Karmack is well paced, funny, and manages to teach important lessons without coming off preachy." ~ Jess W., Amazon

"A fun read with important lessons for us all about Karma, and why bullies have more to balance than most people. Great for ages 9 up, child centered, non-preachy, action packed, great classroom read aloud." ~ Carolyn W., Amazon

"What an AMAZINGLY FUN story! EVERYONE needs to read it! Full of FUN, FANTASY, and FANTASTIC REVENGE on a bully! Fun for ALL ages!" ~ Shauna W., Amazon

"Karmack is a captivating pre-teen fantasy and author J.C. Whyte has created a strong cast of characters that are well developed and quite likable. As the story progresses, the suspense builds to a delightful outcome that is sure to keep readers anticipating Whyte's next round of literary treasures. We look forward to seeing more from this author." ~ Literary Classics Book Review, Amazon

About The Author: J.C. Whyte

When J.C. Whyte was eleven, her 6th grade teacher gave a class assignment to write a poem about a sport. Realizing her classmates would probably choose popular American sports like baseball or football, J.C. decided to write about something different: golf. And to her complete surprise, the teacher found it comical; she was thereby encouraged to keep writing.

Then over summer break, students were told to choose 26 books from a reading list and write a book report on each. J.C. was horrified! She wanted to enjoy her summer, not spend it reading! You see, J.C. was a very slow reader and didn’t much enjoy the experience. Plus, kids back then didn’t have all the fun books to choose from today. But that same teacher who had assigned the sports poem told J.C.’s mother she could write 26 stories instead of reading them. That was absolute genius! Although she didn’t actually write 26 stories (perhaps six?), J.C. submitted one which made her teacher laugh out loud in class. And she got an “A” on her summer reading assignment. J.C. has never forgotten that wise teacher who let her play to her strengths.

So from the age of eleven, J.C. knew she wanted to be a writer. Yet by the time she reached college, she understood that writing stories seldom paid the bills. So she got her degrees in Journalism and Communications Management. Then for many years she channeled her creative energies in the field of Public Relations.

Marriage, kids, and several more degrees and occupations later (including stints as a travel agent and paralegal), J.C. entered law school – mostly for the challenge of writing creative arguments for the court. But while in law school, she became a columnist for the student newsletter, writing humorous pieces on the strange and quirky life of a law student. She was absolutely thrilled when one of these articles was chosen for publication in The National Jurist, a magazine distributed to law students throughout the US.

But after graduating and passing the Bar, J.C. realized within a few years that creative writing was still what made her heart sing. So now, as a grandma, she’s returned to writing. And with publication of her middle grade novel Karmack, she’s come full circle, back to where her writing journey began.

Website Goodreads


* Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card

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

Contest ends: September 18, 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. One 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 a 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, J.C. Whyte 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


MDBR Book Promotion Services