Thursday, October 30, 2014

Interview with Carolyn Wolfe for The Moonsparrow Collection

Come and join me as I talk with author Carolyn Wolfe about her Moonsparrow Collection on Stories From Unknown Authors http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 1pm EST today.




Info:

The Moonsparrow Collection is comprised of a tapestry of Tall Tales, Myth and Magic. This compilation of tales is the best of Ms. Wolfe’s original published and unpublished Short Stories, and includes the stories that she has introduced at local public writing events and festivals.  The subject matter ranges from: A woman who turns a small town on its ear, to: a Magical midnight concert in the woods. It is a light journey into a magical world when anything can happen, and usually does


Product Details

  • Paperback: 80 pages
  • Publisher: Avid Readers Publishing Group (April 26, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1935105531
  • ISBN-13: 978-1935105534

Review:

The Moonsparrow Collection is a delightful compilation of stories that will capture the reader's attention. The author has an amazing way of weaving a tale that lures the reader in until the very end and then surprises them with the ending. The description makes the reader feel like they are truly apart of each and every adventure. The stories are light hearted, and at times, magical. Filled with wimpsy and humor, teens and adults are going to love this 80 page collection of tales.  

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Guest Post for Elf Killers by Carol Marrs Phipps


RRBC MEMBER OF THE MONTH

OCTOBER, 2014
Carol Marrs Phipps
CAROL MARRS PHIPPS is a teacher turned author. She was born in Missouri, grew up in Illinois and lives on their farm in Illinois with her husband, her menagerie, a parrot, a raven, two cockatiels and her Siberian Forest cats. The books she has written with her husband, Tom Phipps include, Elf Killers which takes place a millennium before the books of the Heart of the Staff series: Good SisterBad Sister, The Collector WitchStone Heart, The Burgeoning andThe Reaper Witch, with the final book, Doom, to be released at the end of 2014. All their books are available as eBook or paperback.
Carol taught with her husband on various Native American Reservations in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada, where they learned a great deal from their students, the very first fans of their writing. Not long after they married, she discovered to her joy that he also loved to write. They have been writing together full-time ever since.

Elf Killers by Carol Marrs Phipps

Carol is one of those uber-supportive members here at Rave Reviews Book Club!  She is very deserving of this award and she will also receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card!  Please support ourMEMBER OF THE MONTH by picking up a copy of either of her books listed below, if you can, supporting her on Social Media and by all means, tweet, re-tweet and share this page thru the month of October in honor of her.
CONGRATULATIONS, Carol on being our October, 2014 MEMBER OF THE MONTH!!!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Review for the newly released Crowned by Julia Dweck



http://www.amazon.com/Crowned-Julia-Dweck/dp/0991256247

Summary:

Sleepy Sheep productions presents an epic tale of adventure and comedy with Quinn the Queen Fairy. Quinn, an adventurous dreamer, is a young fairy in search of a fairy King, so she can become the fairy Queen. Can she find a hero to sweep her off her feet? When a two-headed ogre invades the fairy's village, Quinn must find a way to become her own hero and save her friends and family. A timeless story for a new age with engaging games and fun fairy facts from the bestselling author, Julia Dweck with vivid Illustrations by Beth Trott.


Kindle:

Product Details

  • File Size: 11724 KB
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Sleepy Sheep Productions; 1 edition (October 22, 2014)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English

  • Paperback: 56 pages
  • Publisher: Sleepy Sheep Productions LLC; 1 edition (October 10, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0991256247
  • ISBN-13: 978-0991256242

Author Bio:

Julia Dweck is a published author of children's books for digital and print publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. 

Julia's background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read and what makes them giggle. She's collaborated with leading illustrators in the world of children's literature to produce over 30 books. Her titles have garnered placement on Amazon's bestsellers lists, "Kindle Daily Deals" and customer top rated lists. 

In her spare time, Julia is a designer of educational adjuncts for children's literature, and has worked with such notable publishing houses as Penguin Young Readers. She presented at the 2012 National Center for Family Literacy for her creative use of technology in the classroom. 

Visit Julia and her stories on Facebook at www.facebook.com/juliadweckbooks

Review:
Crowned is a magically woven rhyming tale that young children will enjoy and read over again and again. Quinn is a fairy who wants to become queen, but does she have what it takes to be queen? She believes so but how can she convince the others? So she does her research in the best know fairytale books around and discovers that the only way she can be a queen is to find a prince to aid her on her quest. 

Quinn kisses toads, but no prince appears. She gazes into a mirror, but no advice flows out. She devours apples in hoping a sleeping potion was in one so she would fall asleep and a prince would wake her, but that only left her with a full stomach. So what should she do? Uncertain, she walks around only to discover an ogre with two heads who wishes to harm her and she is all alone. When the ogre attacks her, it was not a man who saves her, oh no, it was wit and courage that saved the day. 

Quinn's fearless actions teach children to meet challenges face on and to rely on themselves not on others. Because it is our own courage, wit, and strength that make us who we are. Quinn's bravery shows kids to follow their dreams, and in doing so they will find happiness. Dreams are a delightful path all children should follow. 

The illustrations in this book are colorfully amazing. Young readers will cherish every page as they dive through. Parents will love the positive message and charming activities in the back that will add to the fun. 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Review for Seedlings Fables from the Forest by CD Baker





Author Bio:
C.D. Baker's first novel, 'A Journey of Souls,' was released in 2000 and re-released in 2004 as 'Crusade of Tears'-- a Christee Award nominee. He has written seven historical novels, two books of spiritual reflections, and one children's book published variously in the U.S., the U.K., Ukraine, and Germany. He has a Master's degree in Theology from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Baker's specialty is the discovery of the untold story.
Baker writes from his small farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where he raises livestock with an interest in natural/organic methods and a passion for humane treatment.

Summary:

Fun fables from the forest for readers 4 - 8. Author C.D. Baker invites children to discover five virtues of a happy life through stories told by trees. The power of gratitude, humility, selflessness, kindness, and forgiveness are revealed in memorable tales that children are sure to love...and to remember.

  • Paperback: 58 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (May 28, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1484813898
  • ISBN-13: 978-1484813898

Review:

Five virtues of a happier life are introduced to young readers through stories told by trees. The power of gratitude, humility, selflessness, kindness and forgiveness are shared by such memorable Tree ‘friends’ as Shady Maple, Slope-Oak, Blue Spruce, and others. The author brings trees to life in these stories, mirroring what some people often feel or believe. Blue Spruce feels she is not big enough, that she is missing something and needs to become better in some way. She accumulates more nests, grows taller, becomes bluer, but she is still not satisfied with herself. She comes to realize through a close friend that the only thing she was missing was just being thankful for what she already had. Once she was able to do that she became more content with who she was and not what she felt she needed to be. This is just one example of the great messages this book contains.

This book is a group of stories where children from 4-8 years of age will learn some great lessons. Questions at the end of each chapter invite children to consider their reactions to the story…and to themselves. The illustrations are amazing and complete the story. They are whimsical and creative. Children as well as parents will love this delightfully told book.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Book Signing Event in Northville Michigan

Hello Everyone,
I will be at Barnes and Nobles in Northville Michigan this Sunday October 19th, 2014 at 2pm to celebrate the release of my new book, The Mystery of the Circus For Hire. I will be talking about the new cipher I use and will be demonstrating it as well. I'm really excited about it. In celebration of the new release I am offering my newest book in my Joe-Joe Nut Series, The Secret of the Missing Arch, for .99 on Amazon Kindle. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks so much and hope to see you there.
Renee

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Interview for Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes

Come and join me as I talk with author Nancy Lynn Jarvis about her book

Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes on Stories From Unknown Authors

http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 1pm EST today.

http://goodreadmysteries.com/cozy-food.htm




Summary:
What happens when 128 cozy mystery writers get together to do a cookbook? You get more than 220 recipes that are as varied and interesting as an amateur sleuth’s day job. Regional recipes come from every part of the United States and England — a couple find their way from Australia and Italy, too — and from diverse times. There are recipes from people looking to keep gluten out of their lives, eat vegetarian, or make a treat or two for their furry four-legged friends. And yes, there are recipes that appeal to the sweet tooth, lots of them, in fact. There’s no mystery about what happens when cozy writers get together. They bring the wit, inventiveness, and adventure found in their books right along with their recipes. The recipes are introduced by their authors and linked to the writer bios in the back of the book. You can look up your favorite cozy writer and see which recipes are their favorites; they'll tell you what the recipe means to them. Or you can enjoy a dish and then link to the recipe's author's biography and books. Either way you enjoy the cookbook, you're sure to find great new recipes to make and terrific new cozy authors to read.


  • Paperback: 246 pages
  • Publisher: Good Read Mysteries; 1 edition (May 15, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0983589178
  • ISBN-13: 978-0983589174



Thursday, October 9, 2014

Interview with Geena Bean for Come Back Dear Sun

Come and join me as I talk with author Geena Bean about her picture book Come Back Dear Sun on Stories From Unknown Authors 
http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 10am EST today.



Book Summary:

Come Back Dear Sun is a delightfully unique children’s book told in well-written rhyme and through beautiful illustrations. Young and old alike are sure to cherish this easy-flowing picture book with a memorable message. When the sun disappears for a long time, curious Kaylee cannot wait to have the sunshine back. Her imaginative plan unfolds like only an eight-year-old can conceive, and the wonder and smiles begin. She and her six-year-old sister, Mattie, along with their two friends, Fran and Lilly, plan an adventurous sleepover in an attempt to find out why the sun has disappeared. The children figure out a way to talk to the moon only to discover that the sun has left because of the lack of outdoor play. The insightful message of this story impresses both parents and children alike in order to grow appreciation of the world around us. Bean skillfully creates characters with whom children can easily relate and be inspired by. People will enjoy this wonderful, energetic children’s story with an everlasting message to remember. Parents remember childhood playtime memories as they resurface, and young listeners are enthralled with the thought-provoking questions of “What if?” Follow Kaylee and her friends on their energetic quest to bring back the sunshine to their otherwise gloomy days!


  • Paperback: 36 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 3, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1479393118
  • ISBN-13: 978-1479393114

  • About the Author

    In 2003, Geena Bean graduated from Rutgers University with an English degree. For the past ten years she has been in the nanny industry, working with children and journaling her experiences with them. She has observed that the age of technology, including television, video games and computers, has often stifled the creative imaginations of children and discouraged them from going outdoors to engage in innovative free play. Her interaction with children encourages them to use imaginative play outdoors, which was the norm years ago before the age of advanced technologies.
    Review:
    With colorful illustrations by Cheri Webber Come Back Dear Sun is a simple story of how children become so busy in their lives that they forget to go out and play and enjoy life. Which in turn is why they don't see, nor appreciate, the sun. The story is about two siblings, Kaylee and Mattie, who wonder where the sun has gone. They ask the moon for help who explains why the sun left. With such distractions like video games and TV's children just don't go and play outside like they used to. Their minds are distracted with other things and none of which are more important than playing outside and freeing the mind.
    Geena brings up some good points many parents will be able to relate to. Her 36 page story, in a subtle way, reminds children to go out and play and be active. Have fun and really just enjoy being a kid. That's what childhood is all about.