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Showing posts with label family friendly. Show all posts

Thursday, December 1, 2022

A Leap Into Darkness Review #rabtbooktours

Fantasy Adventure, Animals, Family, Middle Grade (ages 10+)

Date Published: 10-28-2022

Publisher: Beasts at the Feast Press

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A Readers' Favorite 5-star review recipient

Magic stirs and a little dog speaks: the kingdom will fall. But will humans listen?

Jake is a fluffy little dog who just happens to be one of the Sculptor's "wise

ones" . . . but nobody's told him. He's certain he's ordinary, and he knows he doesn't deserve living in a rags to riches fairy tale where he’s been rescued from his hardscrabble life by the King of Gorseland and pampered and loved by his two royal children, Janice and James.

But the good life is threatened with the arrival of the sorcerer, Beezeldorn, and his raven. Beezeldorn is a seeming charlatan: a crowd-pleaser with his sleight-of-hand and cheap spectacle. But his power from dark magic runs deep, on display in town when he heals a leper.

The queen senses the danger and pays for her instincts with her life.

Jake knows something is wrong, but what can he do? Beezeldorn is always one step ahead, moving into the castle, earning the king’s confidence, and befriending James. Even Janice is drawn to him.

Now it's up to Jake to protect his family . . . before it's too late . . . for the king . . . and his kingdom.

Perfect for fans of C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia.

Excerpt

A silent, shrouded figure, her head wrapped in tattered strips of linen, stood before him.

Jake could hear Nigel whimpering and Maisie hissing. Jake shivered, but kept his head lifted up, keeping a resolute gaze on the stranger’s thin eye slits.

“You’re lost,” the figure said, gesturing to the tunnel near the little dog. “Choose that path and you choose the side of the weak.”

The figure peeled back the wrappings from its head. “Look at what he has done for me.”

Jake’s mouth dropped; he was staring up at the woman from town . . . the leper who had been healed and transformed by Beezeldorn into this creature of absolute beauty shimmering before him.

“Let me show you the source of that power,” she said.

The other animals gasped in awe as they inched closer to her.

The woman cast a radiant smile down at Jake and then turned and walked away, toward an upward curving tunnel on the opposite wall. Nigel and Winston eagerly followed after her, their backsides shaking and wagging joyfully like little pups. Vincent hesitated and then tracked after them. Maisie remained seated and looked back and forth from Jake to the small parade moving away from them.

Jake growled and sprang forward, barking. “She lies!”

Free use image by Clker Free Vector Images

Rating: Five of Five Stars

I am not usually a fast reader, but I finished this story in a day. Jake is a lovable protagonist who is up against a problem much bigger than he is. After all, he's just a little dog, and Beezeldorn is a powerful sorcerer whose magic has thrown the kingdom into turmoil. The queen is dead, and the king is sleeping his life away. The prince is under Beezeldorn's sway, and the once-kind princess who used to listen to Jake is now surly and finds him a nuisance.

The story has a lively pace, not dwelling too long on minute detail. Conversely, there are many plot twists, however, the author skillfully leads the reader through them. While the book is categorized as middle-grade fantasy, I feel it will appeal to readers of any age who enjoy stories filled with magic and talking animals.

Jake is a delightful little hero. Because he seems insignificant, he can gather useful information without attracting attention. Anyone who has ever felt as if their concerns aren't being taken seriously will relate to Jake.

From character creation to world-building to the pacing of the story, the author has done an exemplary job. A Leap Into Darkness is a must-read for fantasy fans.

About the Author

Ray Petrolino is an award-winning screenwriter and author.

He lives in North Carolina with his wife and family and their dog Jake (not just any dog, but a talking bichon with an unfulfilled set of demands).

When Ray is not writing, he's listening to his dog (and sometimes his wife); or he can be found working on film sets, playing drums at his house, or playing drums at someone else's house.

Contact Links

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Sunday, November 27, 2022

Ornery Review: Trunks Maloo #rabtbooktours

Illustrated By: Anastasiya Halionka

Children's Book

Date Published: March 1, 2022

Publisher: MindStir Media

Trunks Maloo is a mighty elephant that roams the savannah thinking that because he is so big and strong he can do as he pleases. He soon gets himself into a bit of trouble, and quickly discovers that everyone needs help from time to time. It takes one of Africa's smallest animals to help him realize that we are all connected and that we all need to be kind to each other.

Look out for more adventures from Trunks Maloo!

Free use image from Clkr free vector images

This book is Ornery Owl Approved

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Trunks Maloo is a big, strong elephant, but he doesn't use his strength in helpful ways. He uses it to push other animals around. When a bushbuck asks Trunks to help him reach a leaf, Trunks eats the leaf himself. Trunks then makes fun of Dung Beetle, who tells him off.

While Trunks is thinking about what Dung Beetle said, he sucks up a marula into his trunk intending to shoot it into his mouth for a snack. However, the marula gets stuck in his trunk.

The other animals decide to help Trunks even though he has been unkind to them in the past. With Dung Beetle's innovative solution, Trunks is rescued from his predicament.

This is a beautiful story. While it was written with children in mind, it has a positive message for readers of all ages. The illustrations are colorful and charming. The characters are fun and engaging. The story has several positive messages that all readers can benefit from.

When we are willing to help others, life is better for everyone.

Nobody's job is beneath contempt. Dung Beetle does dirty work, but the work he does benefits everyone.

Being big and strong does not make one creature superior to another. Even the smallest and lowliest creatures are worthwhile. The lowly dung beetle is the biggest hero in the story. Although he is small, he believes in himself and in doing what is right. He provides an excellent example of ingenuity and courage to inspire the other animals.

This book would make a wonderful gift for a child or for anyone who enjoys children's books.

Author

- Kurt Jay Bertels, Author -

With a deep love for nature and wildlife, Kurt came up with the idea of Trunks Maloo and his friends to help introduce his two sons to the wonderful characters that coexist in our world. The stories came about when Kurt was waiting in the dark for his boys to fall asleep, and were completed while on safari as a way to keep in touch with his family.

Having worked on safari for many years, Kurt is a new author and The story of Trunks Maloo is his first book in a series of four.

Illustrator

- Anastasiya Halionka, Illustrator -

Originally from Belarus, and now living in the quaint and cozy town of Wroclaw, Poland, Anastasiya is a self-taught artist with immense talent. She has, to date, worked on several children’s books, and has helped Trunks Maloo and his friends come to life in spectacular fashion.

She says, ‘When I was a child, like all children, I loved to draw and create different images and characters - it was a place my imagination could run free! I was not sure though if I could turn my passion into a profession, so when I finished school I first studied law. It didn’t take long for me to realise that I had to follow my dreams, and at 27, I went back to my first love: drawing. This is what excites me; makes my heart beat faster!’

Anastasiya now gets to create characters and stories that make people happy, and leaves a lasting mark on their hearts. Her positivity in life shows in her work, and we are very happy to have her on the Trunks Maloo team.

Contact Link

Website

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Monday, November 14, 2022

Polly's Special Day Book Blitz #rabtbooktours

Children's Book

Date Published: Aug 3, 2022

Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

The story of a lifelong memory given to a little girl by her father who grants her the gift of her dreams, which is... time!

What do #GIRL DAD’S DO? They show their daughters that quality time given to them doesn’t tick away. Quality time is recorded and locked in the heart to cherish and retrieved through the memory anytime they need it!

About the Author

Yulinda Blake Cook lives in Suwanee Georgia, she is a wife, mother of four, and YaYa to nine wonderful grandchildren and counting. She loves spending quality time with her family. Yulinda loves reading to her grandchildren and cooking large family meals. Prior to retirement, she worked professionally in the fields of Social Work, Psychology, and Early Childhood Education. She has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama (Birmingham) in Social Work with a Psychology minor. She also has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Lawson State College (Birmingham). Yulinda has experience as an editor/writer of a newsletter, and as an instructor and mentor during her employment with the federal government. “Polly’s Special Day” is Yulinda’s first published book. This book is loosely based on a true family event. With every book, she hopes to fortify children’s imaginations and improve family relations.

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Sunday, October 30, 2022

Ornery Owl's Mini Movie Reviews: The Christmas Secret

Genre:

Holiday Romance

Rating:

TV 7+ (PG)

Buy Link:

https://amzn.to/3zfUCQH

Blurb:

Christine Eisley is a single mom of two struggling to keep her family afloat during Christmas. As the holidays progress, she comes to find her struggles are replaced by good fortune.

Ornery Owl's Mini Review:

I normally have a heart like a cash register when it comes to sappy movies. I enjoy them for what they are but they always seem contrived. Occasionally, one will cause me to tear up a little. By the end of this one, I had tears streaming down my face and had to take off my glasses because I couldn't see through them. This is a beautiful and moving movie. Five of five stars.

Disclaimer:

I will earn a small commission from Amazon for any product purchased through the above link.

Saturday, October 22, 2022

The Story of Trunks Maloo Book Blitz #rabtbooktours

Illustrated By: Anastasiya Halionka

Children's Book

Date Published: March 1, 2022

Publisher: MindStir Media

Look out for more adventures from Trunks Maloo!

Author

- Kurt Jay Bertels, Author -

Having worked on safari for many years, Kurt is a new author and The story of Trunks Maloo is his first book in a series of four.

Illustrator

- Anastasiya Halionka, Illustrator -

Contact Link

Website

Purchase Link

Amazon

Saturday, September 17, 2022

Felony Melanie and the Prank War

Felony Melanie and the Prank War, based on characters from the movie Sweet Home Alabama is a laugh-out-loud #YAlit #RomanticComedy #comedy #romcom #romance

Felony Melanie and the Prank War

by Douglas J. Eboch & Kris Bock

You met her in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Now see what Melanie Smooter was like before she became hot fashion designer Melanie Carmichael.

In high school, Melanie Smooter is known as Felony Melanie, the teenage troublemaker of Pigeon Creek, Alabama. Aching to escape the boredom of small-town life, her restlessness sparks many reckless adventures. Her boyfriend, Jake, is always by her side – and the local sheriff is usually close behind.

This week, everyone in town is looking forward to the big football game against Greenville, Pigeon Creek’s hated rivals. Jake is more excited than most – as the new quarterback, he’s poised for stardom. But the lead up to the game becomes as exciting as the game itself when pranksters from Greenville steal Pigeon Creek’s pig mascot. Then Jake’s playbook goes missing, which could get him kicked off the team. Could the pranksters have stolen it as well? Melanie, Jake, and their friends embark on an undercover mission to recover the stolen mascot and find Jake’s playbook before the team is disgraced in front of the whole town.

Head back in time to the early 1990s for this laugh out loud rom com based on one of the best rom com movies of all time.

Sign up for our Rom-Com newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. These first two chapters from the novel Felony Melanie in Pageant Pandemonium stand alone as a short story. In the future, you’ll get fun content about upcoming Felony Melanie novels and other romantic comedy news and links. Or Visit the Amazon series page for Felony Melanie: Sweet Home Alabama romantic comedy novels or find the books at other E-book retailers.

Chapter 1

POP – CRACKLE – BANG!

Melanie jumped so bad she almost smeared her lipstick. It sounded like someone was setting off fireworks out in front of the school. Melanie quickly finished applying her makeup. She hadn’t seen Jake since lunch period, and she wanted to look good for him. She tapped the spot on the mirror where she had carved “MS+JP” back in ninth grade, then scrambled out of the girls’ bathroom to see what all of the fuss was about.

Sure enough, fireworks were going off in front of the sign that normally read “Pigeon Creek High,” but now had a piece of poster board taped over it that read “Go Greenville!” Roman candles shot streaks of flame skyward, while a fountain sprayed colorful sparks and tendrils of white smoke into the air.

Looked like the rivalry week pranks had begun.

Greenville was Pigeon Creek’s biggest rival on account of two reasons: one, the town was just up the road, the closest school in their district. Two, they were a bunch of snooty rich kids. Pigeon Creek’s football team was playing them Friday night. A swell of pride filled Melanie’s chest at the thought of the game. Jake was the starting quarterback this season. He’d show those Greenville snobs that they’d better not look down on the country kids.

A dozen other students had been drawn out by the commotion. Jolene, captain of the cheerleaders, stomped up and down in her red and yellow cheerleader minidress loudly vowing revenge.

Lurlynn ran over from the practice field in her cheerleader outfit. “What’s going on?”

“Greenville prank,” Melanie said. “Kind of a lame one if you ask me.”

Lurlynn frowned. “It’ll get worse. You know how this week goes.” “Hey,” Jolene pointed at Lurlynn. “Aren’t you supposed to be watching Oinkers?”

Oinkers the pig was Pigeon Creek High’s live mascot. Pigeon Creek’s team was called the Wild Boars, which was way more intimidating than a farm pig, but wild boars were also a lot harder to manage, so the 4-H kids supplied a stand-in each year. Lurlynn had raised Oinkers to his current chubby 150 pounds. The cheerleaders and pep squad took turns guarding him during rivalry week. Melanie had been a cheerleader for about three weeks, but it just didn’t suit, with all the practicing and silly rules and the mean ol’ coach practically trying to dictate her whole life. When the coach kicked Melanie off the team, it was a huge relief.

“I was watching Oinkers,” Lurlynn said, “but then I heard…” Her face went pale. She bolted back toward the field. Melanie followed.

Oinkers wallowed in a little chicken-wire pen until it was time to run out on the field with the team or do his patented touchdown dance, the one Lurlynn had trained him to do. But now the pen was empty. The fireworks weren’t the prank, they were a distraction.

Lurlynn crouched down, hands over her cheeks. “Oh no.”

Melanie kicked at the gate post of the empty pen. Those Greenville High kids would pay for this.

Jolene strode up. “You had one job!”

Lurlynn snuffled. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry won’t help us beat Greenville.”

“I was only gone for a second.”

Jolene sighed. “There’s a tree stump in my backyard with a higher IQ. If you had an idea, it would die of loneliness.”

Melanie felt bad for her friend, but Lurlynn had screwed up. Course that didn’t mean Jolene had to be such a jerk about it. Melanie patted Lurlynn’s shoulder.

Jake emerged from the gym wearing his football uniform for practice. Melanie ran over and gave him a kiss.

“What’s going on?” He wiped the lipstick from his mouth. “Why’s Jolene pitching such a fit?”

“Greenville kids stole Oinkers.”

“Those—”

“Quiet!” Melanie heard something, off in the woods at the edge of the field.

Oinking.

“They’re still here. Come on!” She took off in the direction of the noise.

Author Bio

Douglas J. Eboch is a screenwriter and author who wrote the original screenplay to the movie Sweet Home Alabama starring Reese Witherspoon. In his novel Totally Rad Wormhole, two nerds from the eighties accidentally open a wormhole to today, go to their high school reunion, and meet their future selves. Horrified at what they’ve become, they set out to change their fate.

His sister is the author of over 100 books under the names Kris Bock, M.M. Eboch and Chris Eboch. As Kris Bock, she writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven. The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the workers and customers at a small-town cat café, and the adorable cats and kittens looking for their forever homes.

Visit Doug’s website or his Amazon page. Find Doug on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Visit Kris’s website, Amazon page, or her blog, the Southwest Armchair Traveler. Find Kris on BookBub, GoodReads, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram

Monday, November 30, 2020

The Ghost of Walhachin: Book Promo, Review, and Giveaway

The Ghost of Walhachin

by Ramona Nehring-Silver

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Juvenile Fiction / Historical - MG

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BLURB:

A ghost, time travel, and unusual friendships await Kean in Walhachin. Kean feels displaced at his home in Seattle since his mother recently re-married and has chosen to spend the summer in the small desert town with his aunt and younger cousin. Not long after arriving, he regrets his decision. There is no one his age. The town is too small for public amenities. Then everything changes when he uncorks an old soda bottle that was made in Walhachin eighty years prior. He becomes embroiled in an adventure to try and help a ghost retrieve a much-needed item from the past. In his quest to help the ghost he discovers the town's spirited history and develops unusual friendships with an old man in the present and a young boy in the past.

"The Ghost of Walhachin is an unusual ghost story. It's not spooky; instead, it's an engaging tale of adventure and enduring friendships, with a slice of history." – Helen Davies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt

Goosebumps crept up the back of Kean’s neck. As he slowly turned to examine the room, he spotted the green mist up in the corner near the door. It wasn’t spreading around the room like a stench.

“What are you doing to me? Open the bottle,” the voice pleaded.

No one was in the room.

“Who said that?” Kean blurted, then lifted his feet onto the bed and leaned over to see under the bed.

“I did.”

“Who? Where are you?” Kean’s knuckles turned white from gripping the bottle

“Right here! Close the curtains. It’s too bright in here.”

“What are you talking about? Where are you?”

“It’ll help if you close the curtains.” The voice sounded impatient but friendly.

Kean slowly stood on the bed, backed toward the window and closed the curtains. “There. Now, where are you?” he asked, looking around the room.

His eyes stopped on the mist. It had gotten brighter in the darkened room and formed a boy’s head and shoulders, with one arm attached.

“Ahhhhh!” Kean backed into the far corner of his bed, not taking his eyes off the shape.”

Review

The Ghost of Walhachin is an engaging story. Kean is a relatable protagonist, an ordinary boy stuck in the boring small town of Walhachin over the summer, looking for some excitement to break up the monotony. When Kean's spirited cousin Calvin finds a large snake and puts it under the shed to keep it cool, Kean spots an old bottle that he thinks his mother will enjoy putting in her collection. Little does he know that his wish for some excitement is about to come true. The strange "mist" in the bottle turns out to be a ghostly boy who needs Kean's help.

The story is family-friendly and the ghost isn't frightening. Expressive illustrations complement the tale. Older kids and adults alike will enjoy the unique friendship between Kean and Sam. I enjoyed reading the story very much. It reminded me of some of the stories that I enjoyed reading in my youth as well as summers looking for adventure. The book is well-written and impeccably edited. I give it five out of five stars.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Ramona Nehring-Silver's memories of living in and around Walhachin as a child and exploring the surroundings with seven siblings provided the initial inspirations for The Ghost of Walhachin. Ongoing motivation, and sometimes interruptions, came from her four children and thirteen grandchildren. She now lives in the far northeast corner of British Columbia, where her teaching career has ranged from adult art and writing classes to elementary school. Exploring B.C. and beyond by motorcycle is her favorite thing to do, as well as spending time with her grandchildren.

“The Ghost of Walhachin is an unusual ghost story. It's not spooky; instead, it's an engaging tale of adventure and enduring friendships, with a slice of history.”

- Helen Davies - Tellwell Editor

CONNECT WITH RAMONA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ramonanehringsilverauthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19916750.Ramona_Nehring_Silver

Website: https://www.ramonanehringsilver.com/