Jo's Special Gifts Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jo’s Special Gifts
Written by Mariam Shapera
Illustrated by Lorna Humphreys
Ages 4+ | 39 Pages
Publisher: Mariam Shapera | ISBN-13: 979-8-9896337-0-8

Publisher’s Book Summary: Join Jo, an enthusiastic, curious and sensitive boy, as he shares his autistic joys and challenges with you. This is an emotional journey that celebrates neurodiversity and embracing one’s own gifts. This heartwarming rhyming story celebrates the unique gifts that each person can bring to the world. You will love entering this amazing autistic brain as we celebrate Jo’s special gifts.

Available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mariam Shapera who is a family doctor and Autism advocate, was raised in the United Kingdom but now lives in California with her husband and three children. ‘Having to learn to advocate for my autistic son, Jo, I wanted to combine my love for writing children’s books with my goal of increasing autism acceptance. I have observed countless times the way Jo pursues his interests and passions and the autistic joy they bring him. So this book was born.’

For more information, visit the author's website, Facebook, and Instagram. 


ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Lorna Humphreys lives in the United Kingdom with her partner, her two daughters and her cat. She works with authors all over the world and, through her illustrations, helps bring many wonderful stories to life. ‘My eldest daughter, Olivia, is autistic and struggles with social interaction and emotional regulation. When Mariam asked if I would collaborate with her, I was delighted to have the opportunity to illustrate a book that would mean so much to children like Jo and Olivia, to remind them of how special and gifted they are!’ Follow the illustrator on Instagram, here.


AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write Jo's Special Gifts?

My inspiration behind this book is my 7-year-old autistic son, Jo. I wrote this book 3 years ago at the same time as my first one. It was put on hold as my first book was being released. I continued with it a couple of years ago and completed it. My autistic son has an amazing neurodivergent brain. He pursues his passions and interests, and I see how much joy they bring him. His enthusiasm for these interests inspired me. I am writing from his perspective. I also wanted to raise awareness of other aspects of autism, including autistic play, gestalt cognitive processing, and sensory processing differences. These were all things I saw in my son.

Life Is What It's Called - Since you based your character Jo on your son--what does he think of the book?

Mariam Shapera - My son Jo is 7 years old and still minimally speaking. He is unable to communicate to me yet how he feels about the book. However, just recently, when I obtained my author copy, he would take it and love talking about the back cover of the book. He scripts (recites) something from his iPad game whilst looking at it, and that brought me so much happiness to see.

Life Is What It's Called - What do you think Lorna Humphreys' illustrations add to the story?

Mariam Shapera - After I completed writing the story, it took me quite a while to find the right illustrator. I wanted joyful, bright, and whimsical illustrations. Lorna Humphrey has done just that and more! She has brought the story visually to life. Since the story is not a typical children’s story with a plot but more of an emotional journey, it can sometimes be hard to come up with what to illustrate. She used her great imagination, and we came up with some big ideas.

Life Is What It's Called - What do you hope kids take away from Jo's Special Gifts?

Mariam Shapera - Whether they are autistic or not, kids can learn to embrace their special gifts. Also, amongst families with non-autistic members, this book increases autism awareness and acceptance. In schools, it can help educate students on the neurodivergent brain- that there are other ways of seeing and processing the world around us. It also teaches different autistic traits, such as ways they communicate, autistic play, and sensory differences. It shows examples of accommodations, such as the use of a wheelchair and noise-canceling headphones. The book also helps normalize different modalities of communication by showing the AAC device.

Life Is What It's Called - What are you working on now?

Mariam Shapera - Right now, I am not working on any book. I am focused on spreading the message of this book and autism advocacy, continuing to work as a family physician, and taking care of my family.

Life Is What It's Called - Anything else we should know about?

Mariam Shapera - This book combines my love for writing children’s books and my autism advocacy work. I have observed countless times the way Jo pursues his interests and passions and the autistic joy they bring him- so this book was born.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for your chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Jo’s Special Gifts, a signed copy of Mariam’s first book, Up Up You Go, Jo!, and a $25 Starbucks gift card.

Jo's Special Gifts: Book Giveaway 

This post is sponsored by Mariam Shapera. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

Play With Me Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Play with Me 

Written by Kat Chen 

Illustrated by Lorraine Nam 

Ages 1+ | 24 Pages 

Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 9780593659717 

Publisher’s Book Summary: This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. The picnic playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive experience that will provide readers with a reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics. 

Available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kat Chen is the author of several bestselling contemporary and historical romance books. She also serves on the advisory board for Books for Newborns.

After becoming a grandmother and spending most of her free time helping with “the fun stuff”—conversations, crayons, and crawling—she was inspired to delve into children’s books and help kids master the art of simple conversation through shared play.

Learn more about Kat and her work on her website, Facebook, Instagram.


ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Lorraine Nam is an illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York. She was born in Philadelphia and spent her childhood drawing pictures and folding origami to pass the time at her parents’ jewelry store. She now spends her days combining those two loves to create her illustrations.

She is the illustrator of the picture book biography on Neil deGrasse Tyson, Look Up With Me, and the upcoming Wei Skates On, by Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Chen.

Learn more about Lorraine and her work on her website, Instagram, and Twitter. 


AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - What inspired this story?  

Kat Chen - Do you want the official answer or the truth? Official answer: I saw a TED talk about how kids learn to talk with questions. Someone asks, what’s your name? They answer. Someone asks, What color do you like? They think about it and answer. It’s how most conversations begin—a question and an answer. So that’s what I wrote. (That’s all true, it’s just not the full truth. For that…see below.) 

 The secret, unofficial answer is that I watched a relative reading to my granddaughter and was surprised that he just read the words. There was no pausing, no interacting, no questions with the child. That’s when I realized many people don’t know how to read with a toddler. They need help learning how to engage the child with the book. So, I wrote the questions and the interactions to help the adults engage with their child and the book together. 

Life Is What It's Called - What do you hope readers will learn from reading Play with Me? 

Kat Chen - I hope the adults learn how to read books interactively with their child. Reading should be fun play for everyone, not passive entertainment. This series helps people see how to interact with the child in a way everyone enjoys. 

Life Is What It's Called - Why do you think small learnings and tender moments are important for a child? 

Kat Chen - I think they’re important for everyone! The journey of a thousand miles begins and continues with one step. It’s the only way to make consistent progress. And if you can make those small steps fun, nurturing, and tender, then the world opens up for you. Not just for children, but for adults too. I don’t know if my three-year-old remembers how we read books together, but I certainly do. And I cherish those moments because every single one adds to a lifetime of joy. 

Life Is What It's Called - What do you think children will like most about this story? 

Kat Chen - That the adult reading to them asks them questions. The child gets to choose what they want, what they like, and at times, even what they see. (There’s a couple pages that look up at clouds and ask what the child sees.)  I hope they think it’s fun, fun, fun. 

Life Is What It's Called - What do you like most about the story? 

Kat Chen - I love the art. I’m a wordsmith, so I can see the skill in the words. But the art blows my mind. Lorraine Nam gave perfect color and shape to my words in ways I couldn’t even imagine. Every time I see it, I’m absolutely floored by her art. 

Life Is What It's Called - Can you share your writing journey? 

Kat Chen - I started writing after college. Fantasy and romance, mostly. None of it very good. Then I decided to become the great American screenwriter and got an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) at USC (University of Southern California). Then, before I could really get going in Hollywood, we followed my husband’s job back to Illinois. Not much film work going on in central Illinois, so I turned to novels. And babies. I had my children, broke into adult romance novels, and many years later, I revisited my love of picture books. 

 I got some excellent training from my literary agent in exactly how to write these delightful short form works. And then—years later—I finally sold to RISE. I cannot tell you how much joy these books bring me. I’ve published almost 80 novels, am a USA TODAY and AMAZON bestseller, and nothing beats sitting down with my grandbabies and reading the Play With Me books.  

Life Is What It's Called - What writing projects are you working on now?

Kat Chen - I’ve got several pictures books in submission, so I’m pausing writing more until those flow through the pipeline. (Although, when inspiration strikes, I’m always ready to grab a pen!) Right now, I’m working on an adult romance under the name Jade Lee. Sometimes you have to create the loving family that will support the child. That’s what my adult books do in several hot and sexy ways!

GIVEAWAY 

Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of Play with Me and a $25 Amazon gift card! 

 Play with Me: Book Giveaway 

This post is sponsored by Kat Chen. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

Little Red Driving Hood and the Three Repairs Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

Little Red Driving Hood and the Three Repairs
Written by Stacey Rayz
Illustrated by Nenad Taskov
Ages 5-10 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Two Season Press | ISBN-13: 9789769628137

Publisher’s Book Summary: In this modern mashup between Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red dares to be different and takes bold risks as she ventures into a field that is out of the norm for girls. Perfect for girls and boys ages 5 to 10 who love cars, fixing things and fairy tales.

Available for purchase on Amazon.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stacey Rayz, hailing from the Caribbean, left her desk job to delve into the world of art and eventually to become a children’s book author. For more information, visit the author's website, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter/X, Goodreads, Bookbub.


ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Nenad Taskov, a children’s book illustrator, and cartoonist from Serbia has professionally created cartoons and children’s book illustrations for more than 9 years. What amazes him particularly about this type of art is that it offers the opportunity to demonstrate creativity and a sense of humor and create diverse, interesting, funny characters and situations.


AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write Little Red Driving Hood and the Three Repairs?

Stacey Rayz - As a child I enjoyed reading the classic fairy tales and as an adult now, I felt that a fresh modern spin to them would have been fun. Children would be able to have a fairy tale character in a modern setting that they could identify with. So I tried many title variations until I came up with the final title then built the story around that.

Life Is What It's Called - What will readers learn from this story?

Stacey Rayz - They will learn to persevere despite setbacks. They will also learn that sometimes help comes from unexpected places and at unexpected times.

Little Red’s famous words “Don’t worry, I can fix it!” helps readers to have a positive outlook under the most challenging situations.

Life Is What It's Called - What do you think will kids like most about this retelling?

Stacey Rayz - Kids are helpful, so I think kids will like the fact that Little Red Driving Hood is trying to help others.

Life Is What It's Called - What do you feel the illustrations add to the message of the story?

Stacey Rayz - I am hoping readers realize the nod to the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears in both the illustrations and the story.

Life Is What It's Called - Can you share your writing experience?

Stacey Rayz - When I was in school, I enjoyed my assignments to write about what I did for my school vacation. But my children’s book writing experience came from training I received from Children’s Book Mastery. I’ve attended some of their bootcamps and that really helped me polish my story to make it shine. I have authored two previous books as well.

Life Is What It's Called - What writing projects are you working on next?

Stacey Rayz - My next book is a playful story about a young cow who is not your typical-looking calf and who learns to feel comfortable in her own skin.

Life Is What It's Called - What else should readers know about you?

Stacey Rayz - Not only do I write children’s stories, but I also write and perform a type of calypso music called ‘Extempo’ for fun to entertain my friends.


GIVEAWAY


Enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Little Red Driving Hood and the Three Repairs signed by Stacey Rayz and a $75 Amazon gift card!

Little Red Driving Hood and the Three Repairs: Book Giveaway 

This post is sponsored by Stacey Rayz. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

Fairy Day Games Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

Fairy Day Games
Written by Mari Sherkin
Illustrated by David Gnass
Ages 4+ | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids | ISBN-13: 9781637555064

Publisher’s Book Summary: Get ready for fun at the Fairy Day Games! Join children’s author Mari Sherkin as she peeks inside a secret world, where magical creatures come together to prepare for the most festive Fairy Day of the year!!

Available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raised in Toronto by an English father and Canadian mother, Mari Sherkin was always the happiest playing outdoors and using her imagination. She still is. Her first children’s book, A Fairy on My Sleeve, was an international success.

For more information, visit the author's website, Instagram, and/or Twitter.



AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - What did you like most about writing this book?

Mari Sherkin - I was actually writing another fairy story at the time and one night my husband and I decided to watch an old movie. The movie was located in a very small, quaint town which was holding an old-fashioned county fair. 

My mind turned to fairies as it often does and I wondered, what if the fairies had a fair? A whole day of fun and games organized by the fairy folk and their magical friends. What would that be like? After that, the rhymes just started coming to me. 

Life Is What It's Called- What do you think readers will like most about this book?

Mari Sherkin - I love the idea that there could be wonderful, magical worlds that we don’t know exist, right in our back garden. I think it is that “What If” scenario that made Fairy Day Games so much fun to write.  What if there are fairies in the woods behind our house and what if had their own Olympic games?  What if it was only for one day? What if everyone who lived in the forest had to work together for months to get it all ready? What if I were invited?  

Yes, my favourite part of writing Fairy Day Games were definitely the “What If’s” 

Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write this story?

Mari Sherkin - In my magical fairy world, everyone is different but they all work together to make a wonderful day at the fair for everyone. It is a cheerful, safe space where there is no poverty, hate or war. 

 There are fairies, gnomes, squirrels and frogs and everyone gets along with each other. I suppose if I did have a message, it would be to put aside differences and work together for a common cause. There really aren’t that many safe spaces left these days in the real world, so I wanted to create a place that was special for children to go in their imagination.  

Life Is What It's Called - What will readers like most about this book?

Mari Sherkin - I think the best thing about this book is the artwork. David Gnass, with whom I’ve worked before, has a wonderful eye for detail. I told him that I wanted children to be able to stay on the pages even after they finished reading the words, so they could examine the artwork and find something new and exciting each time. This also helps younger children feel more included in the story, even if they don’t read quite yet. 

Life Is What It's Called - What makes your book stand apart from others on the market?

Mari Sherkin - Fairy Day Games is about friendship and joy, innocence and excitement. I didn’t write it with any sort of lesson in mind, nor is any merchandise is being marketed or sold to children, which I suppose is different. Really, Fairy Day Games is just a happy little escape from the everyday routine, a place to go for daydreams. 

Life Is What It's Called - Are you working on any other writing projects?

Mari Sherkin - Currently, I have one book ready for illustration, with two more books in progress.  I am also in the process of recording an album of children’s songs that I wrote, one of which will be filmed as a video this summer. These songs are actually part of a larger body of work - a children’s musical - that I hope to pitch within the next two years. 

Life Is What It's Called - Can you share your background in writing?

 

Mari Sherkin - I do not really have a professional background in writing. In high school, English and Drama were my two favourite classes - I read a lot of Shakespeare and wrote a lot of poetry - however in college, I studied Interior Design and then turned to fitness. 

I didn’t really start writing my poems down until my son was a teenager, and nothing was published until 20 years after that. They sat in a folder in the bottom of a drawer until I found them again and thought they might be nice as Picture Books for preschoolers. 

Life Is What It's Called - What else should readers know about this book?

Mari Sherkin - Fairy Day Games is a picture book about fairies, for preschoolers. It is all about an elusive, magical world, that is usually hidden from humans, making her dream of an invitation that much more exclusive.  My hope is that it will help invigorate a child’s imagination, letting them take the story further, perhaps inspiring them to make up some new games for the fairies to play. Hopefully, it will encourage and stimulate creative conversation and play, just by asking the simple question “What if?” 


GIVEAWAY 

Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a signed copy of the Fairy Day Games!

Fairy Day Games: Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Expound Publicity. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall Book Review

 ABOUT THE BOOK

1887, the Cornwall coast

For years, rumors have flown through the village of Suttonsbury about Ashthorne Hall—that its occupants hoard pirate treasure, that a ghost walks its halls—but botanist Hyacinth Bell only cares about the estate's extensive, one-of-a-kind orchid collection. As an independent woman, she is eager to focus on her career, even if it means waiting to pursue a romantic relationship. After all, love—like an orchid—must be nurtured and tended before it can bloom.

What she doesn't expect is to be swept away by Lucas Harding, the manor's caretaker, upon their first meeting. He is handsome and charming, and the connection between the two is nearly instantaneous. Hyacinth is certain this autumn will be the season that everything good in her life takes root

But then strange things start happening in the seemingly empty halls of the estate: unexplainable noises, items appearing then disappearing from her room, threatening messages, and glimpses of a woman in white who vanishes into the dark. Lucas dismisses Hyacinth's worries, insisting that there is no ghost at Ashthorne Hall, but she suspects he is withholding information and decides to investigate the mystery herself.

Armed with little more than her instincts and her courage, Hyacinth must venture deep into the shadows of Ashthorne Hall to uncover the truth Lucas is keeping secret before she herself falls victim to the dangers hidden in the estate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca Anderson loves hiking, Broadway shows, rainstorms, food, books, and movies. She lives in the mountains and adores the ocean; she dreams of travel but loves staying home. Happiness is dabbling in lots of creative activities, afternoon naps, and cheese. All the cheese.

REVIEW

Hyacinth Bell, a botanist, plans to only tend to the prized orchids at Ashthorne Hall while the owner and his family are away in India. She delights in beauty of the orchids, but she finds Ashthorne Hall shrouded in mysteries, intrigues, and danger. As she becomes closer to unraveling the mysteries, she finds herself falling in love with the caretaker.

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall dives into a gothic romance complete with surprising scares, secret passageways, mystery and romance. The author kept true to the genre while combining many historical references and facts about orchids to make her story come alive on the pages. I found this to be a fast and easy read. It's a page turner that will keep you up at night. The characters are interesting and captivating with their multi-layered backgrounds and will keep you guessing on what the reveal will be at the end. The romance in this story is clean and could easily be read by teens and adults. I had read the non-fiction book years earlier that the author mentioned in her acknowledgements. I do think it's worth a read after this book. It'll help you understand more of the horrors that were mentioned in this book. To learn more about The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall, click here.

I received a free ARC copy to review this story, however, this is my honest opinion. Please note this post and review is in cooperation with the publisher. This post contains affiliate links that helps support this blog.

 

Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time
Written by P.J. Davis
Illustrated by Thomas Peacock
Ages: 8+ | 234 Pages
Publisher: Philaments | ISBN-13: 979-8990031616

Book Summary: “…it’s hard to prove the world’s most important substance is missing when no one knows it’s gone.”

“Substance? What substance?” asks thirteen-year-old Max Kellerman. “Why time itself!” exclaims the strange professor who Max meets in the back of his uncle’s bookstore. In fact, he says, time is being sucked out of every living person by invisible thieves and stored away in a deep, dark netherworld.

Could the professor possibly be right… or just plain crazy?

It depends on whether Max can unravel the mysterious clues in the tattered manuscript the professor leaves behind. With the help of his best friends Derek and Samantha, Max begins a quest to find this dark realm and to discover its hidden secrets. But with the time clock ticking and the professor gone missing, Max uncovers a truth he never thought possible.

Max must unravel the mysteries of Nemesis to save not just his world, but the very fabric of time itself.

Available for purchase here.

"Absolutely LOVED this book. While reading I felt like I was in the story. It’s a great story for kids but also a fun read for adults as well!"
— Goodreads Review

"Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time is fun, for both kids and adults."
— Goodreads Review

"...makes for a great bedtime read-aloud for your kids while getting caught up in the adventure yourself. It’s such a fun and whimsical book that can bring the family together both young and old."
— Goodreads Review


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PJ Davis lives in the tiny mountain town of Brevard, North Carolina overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. He lives there with his wife, youngest son, three sleepy cats and three noisy ducks. For his day job, he names things, such as companies, products and services. he even named the town’s annual White Squirrel Festival.

PJ is a nickname, short for Phillip John, which is the type of long, formal-sounding name that parents use when they are really mad about something you did and for which you are about to get into serious trouble. As a child PJ was a bit like his book character Max, and also suffered from ACHOO syndrome, along with bouts of intense curiosity and daydreaming. Growing up, almost all of his questions started with “what if…”, which drove his parents crazy.

For more information, visit his website, Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.


ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Tom Peacock is an artist extraordinaire with an extensive background in illustration and graphic design. His work as an agency art director and subsequent roles in marketing and art direction make him an in-demand talent. Tom is not a native of North Carolina but got there as soon as he could. When not drawing, off roading or selling mountain real estate, Tom can be most likely be found in the woods.


AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Life Is What It's Called - Where did you get the inspiration for Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time?

PJ Davis - It started with a feeling of empathy for the main character Max, who’s this kid that’s sort of lost in his own thought bubble. I could relate to how that internal world can lead to isolation and misunderstanding at school and in life in general. So I started to write about him, explore the character and let it play itself out with all of his ruminations and imaginations. Then I just followed the threads of his thoughts to see where it took him, and it took him to some pretty interesting places.

Life Is What It's Called - What was your writing process like for this book?

PJ Davis - I would describe my process as inspired fits and spurts. When the ideas flow, they really flow. It’s almost like I’m a witness to the writing and there’s an internal dictation going on that I can barely keep pace with. But then the story will suddenly turn cold and just sit there for a while. So I typically let it do just that… sit. And then I come back and tinker a bit and see if I can pick up the trail again. Sometimes I ask the story what it wants to say, as if the story itself is a person. My goal is to get out of the way as much as possible and let the story tell itself. So it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Then there’s the more tedious process of synthesizing it, reviewing it, sending it to my editor for input, and doing the revisions and fine tuning. So it’s both inspiration and dedication, there’s no cutting corners.

Life Is What It's Called - What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?

PJ Davis - My favorite part of writing middle grade fiction is the anticipation that comes with knowing who I’m writing for – those bright, bubbly, and unbridled young minds. In fact, I write with a very specific mental image of my intended audience. For this book, I pictured a ten or eleven- year-old boy coming up to my table at a future book signing alongside his mother. He asks questions about my book that even I don’t have adequate answers to. Why? Because he’s so fully invested in the story that he’s made this new world his very own. And when that moment arrives, I’ll know that my goal in writing this book was absolutely accomplished. 

Life Is What It's Called - What are you working on now?

PJ Davis - I have a strong suspicion that Max, Derek and Samantha will be back. There is some unfinished business they’ll need to attend to, and the forces at work are still very much at work. For a clue, look at the last illustration in the book at the very end… and stay tuned! 

Life Is What It's Called - What is your favorite book?

PJ Davis - Tough question as probably most would agree. But in terms of impact, I would say The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois. I have a soft spot for fantastical adventures and this book about a man’s globetrotting visit to a remote island of millionaires really captured my imagination. I was in fifth grade at the time and it helped spur a love of reading and misadventure.


GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a copy of Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time autographed by P.J. Davis, a Galaxy Flying Orb Ball, and a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time: Book Giveaway

This post is sponsored by P.J. Davis. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

The Reign of Rosemund Book Review and Author Interview

ABOUT THE BOOK

Several years after taking her place on the throne, Queen Rosemund of Anduron is still being threatened by her cousin, King Frederick, ruler of Croydon. He will do anything to take her country from her. To ensure her place on the throne Rose needs to marry her beloved Maxwell and provide an heir to the throne.

When some of her men are captured and killed by the Croydon army, Rose knows the only way to end the threat to her security and ensure peace in her country is to confront her cousin, once and for all.

With Maxwell and her dear friend Ricker by her side, Rose bravely leads her army into battle, knowing that all may not survive… The Reign of Rosemund, a story of courage, honor, and the power of love.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - What will readers love about The Reign of Rosemund?

Michele Ashman Bell - If they read the first book, The Crown of Rosemund, they will like seeing where the last book left off and the new book begins and then they will get to read the rest of Rose's story. If they haven't read the first one, they certainly can still read this book and not feel lost. I think readers really resonate with Rose, the main character. She's relatable and her life hasn't been easy. Her struggles and fears and dreams are just like ours. I also think, like Rose, sometimes we are called upon to do things we don't want to do, things we don't feel like we are even capable of doing, but then we find out we can do hard things. I think it's in times like this that we find out our greatest strengths and talents and gifts. Is it always fun? No. Sometimes it's downright awful. But hopefully we grow and change and come out a better person in the end. And...sometimes we make a difference to someone else, or in Rose's case, her entire country. Her story reminds me of Esther in the Bible, with the phrase, "born for a time such as this," being very true.

Life Is What It's Called - Will there be other books in this series?

Michele Ashman Bell - I never say never with stories. Sometimes a secondary character emerges and needs their story told. Sometimes a reader will ask a question which begs to be answered, resulting in another book. As of right now, I don't have another story planned, but again, you never know.

Life Is What It's Called - Why is it important to have clean and uplifting books?

Michele Ashman Bell - I can't tell you how many times lately I've read a book, or more often, watched a movie, or series, where there is offensive language, or an offensive scene in it, that honestly, absolutely in no way, has any bearing on the character or plot. In fact, it is starting to feel gratuitous that certain language uses are being included in stories, shockingly, that are geared toward kids. The wonderful thing is that the demand for clean and uplifting entertainment is growing and the market is really expanding because readers and viewers are making their voices heard, through social media, through sharing their opinions, and through their spending habits. If they don't buy the book, or the movie ticket, then it hits right where it hurts, and it's hard for publishers and theater owners to ignore.

Life Is What It's Called - What was your favorite scene to write and why?

Michele Ashman Bell - There were a few powerful and emotional scenes that I looked forward to writing, scenes I could see in my head as clearly as if I was standing in the room. There were also a couple I dreaded. In the first book I knew that Rose needed to confront her cousin, King Frederick. He was responsible for the murder of her parents and she needed to confront him and get closure. But it couldn't happen in the first book. That's what this second book is about. There is also a scene between Rose and Max that is incredibly emotional and gut-wrenching. It was hard to go there and let the story unfold organically,and be true to the plot and the characters (I'm a control freak and I want things my way) but it is a tender scene that will always be with me in my heart. I don't know about other authors but these characters become real to me and not only take up space in my brain, but in my heart.

Life Is What It's Called - What book projects are you working on?

Michele Ashman Bell - SO MANY!!! I keep thinking I need to wind down and retire but I can't. There are too many stories to still tell. I have a fun contemporary Rom Com coming out in the next few months, so I'm really pumped for that. Also, I love Christmas stories and I have at least two full novels and three short stories I am working on. Plus I have a contemporary novel that is getting me so excited. Luckily I am going to NYC soon to do research for one of the Christmas short stories and then in April I'm traveling to the UK and doing research in Bath and through the Cotswolds for the novel. This for sure is the funnest part of being an author. And I have a secret project I'm working on that if it actually happens, I will feel like I've died and gone to heaven. Hopefully more about that sooner, rather than later.

Life Is What It's Called - What character are you most like in this book?

Michele Ashman Bell - Oh! It's like saying who my favorite child is. I love Rose and her struggles to be the queen she needs to be and all the complicated emotions she's sorting through. I love Max, her romantic interest. He's a Medieval hunk and heartthrob, but he's also a little more contemporary in his understanding of Rose and giving her love and tenderness when she needs it. One of my favorites though is Ricker. He's just the greatest guy ever. He's such a devoted friend to Rose and Max, he's a great military leader, and he's got such a fun and funny side to him. He is super endearing.

Life Is What It's Called - What type of readers will like this book?

Michele Ashman Bell - The setting is Medieval, early 1500's, in South Central Europe, although the countries in the book are fictitious. However, I've researched this time period and have tried to make everything authentic and accurate. People who like historical novels will enjoy this story. Also, readers who like adventure stories, and of course, romances. This story will also appeal to a wide age range of readers. Rose, at 18, is an adult, especially by Medieval standards, but she is still a teenager by our standards. Adults, young adults, and middle-grade readers will all be able to connect with the story and characters. And because of the theme of the story, that everyone has greatness inside of them, I feel like it is a message that is vital for everyone, especially youth.

Life Is What It's Called - What should readers know about you as an author?

Michele Ashman Bell - Wow, I feel like a pretty boring and ordinary person. I'm married to my college sweetheart. I have four amazing children; 1 son and 3 daughters. I have 9 grandchildren; 6 granddaughters and 3 grandsons. I've taught exercise classes for over forty years and currently teach Zumba. And I LOVE to travel, especially when I can do research for a story.

REVIEW

The Reign of Rosemund is the sequel to The Crown of Rosemund, but could also be read as a stand-alone. In The Reign of Rosemund, Rosemund struggles to settle any threats made against her kingdom especially from her cousin, King Fredrick. This is a clean read set in the medieval times. It would be appropriate for teenagers, young adults, adults, and upper middle-grade readers. The book deals with Medieval drama from trying to stop enemies from taking the throne, politics, stopping wars, etc. There's a lot of action and adventure in this book. The characters are interesting, and the author keeps the reader's attention with many twists in the plot. It's a fun, easy read. To learn more, click here. 

Please note that I received a free ebook to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate links.

Roar-Choo Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

Roar-Choo!
Written by Charlotte Cheng
Illustrated by Dan Santat
Ages 4+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books | ISBN-13: 9780593531754

Publisher’s Synopsis: Patient, peaceful Phoenix tries to take care of rambunctious and cold-ridden

Dragon, which leads to hilarious and sweet results (with vibrant illustrations by the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of Beekle).

Everyone knows that dragons are fierce, capable of taking on the world!

But this dragon can’t stop sneezing long enough to get a roar out. Even with friendly Phoenix insisting that Dragon get some rest, this powerful creature refuses to stop for any orange ginger tea or a drop of bone broth soup.

It’s only when Dragon realizes Phoenix has caught the same cold that they are both able to take the break they so badly need. This tale of helping your friends and valuing differences is a sure-thing for story time.

Available for purchase here. 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charlotte Cheng’s writing credits include Night Market Rescue, Explore China: A Mulan Discovery Book and BoBo Loves Dumplings, and she has illustrated the picture books Silly McGilly and A Moment in Time. In the field of education, she has written and illustrated K-12 curriculum for a variety of companies such as LeapFrog, Disney, and Wonder Workshop. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.

For more information, visit her website, twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.


ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Dan Santat is the National Book Award-winning, Caldecott Medal–winning and New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the middle grade graphic memoir A First Time for Everything. His artwork is also featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, including Dav Pilkey’s Ricky Ricotta series. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets.


AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

Life is What It's Called - Why did you choose to convey the message in Roar-Choo! in a folklore style, and what significance do you believe this holds for young children?

Charlotte Cheng - I love sparking children’s imaginations while encouraging curiosity. What if a dragon gets a cold? What if each sneeze causes chaos and destruction? What would you do if you were the dragon’s friend? Through larger-than-life characters and epic settings, folktales let us explore relatable topics, such as having a cold, in ways that are both memorable and fun.

Life is What It's Called - What motivated your decision to feature a dragon and a phoenix as the central characters in the book?

Charlotte Cheng - As a kid, I grew up going to Chinese restaurants in LA. At one of these restaurants, I remember seeing a golden Dragon and Phoenix mural that took up an entire wall. It looked like they were flying and dancing together. I asked my parents about it, and they explained to me the mythic relationship of Dragon and Phoenix. Dragon is known to be strong and courageous. Phoenix is known to be graceful and generous. Their differences and strengths complement each other.

Many years later, my entire family unfortunately caught Covid at the same time. As we all tried to manage our symptoms, I noticed how differently my husband and I recovered from Covid. I, in fact, was a lot like Dragon. I had deadlines to meet, things to do, but the more I rushed trying to get back to normal, the more I would relapse and get worse. My husband, on the other hand, took it more gracefully and helped me slow down. In the end, we had to lean on each other’s strengths to get our family through Covid.

I then imagined the destruction a Dragon could cause with a cold and how a friendship with Phoenix could help repair the damage. It seemed like a relationship that both kids and parents could relate to as families tackle various illnesses and limitations in their lives. Please share your insights on your writing experiences while creating this story.

Writing Roar-Choo! was truly a collaborative process. When I wrote my first draft, I shared it with my critique group and my agent. They had vital feedback about how to improve the story. One of the key issues was that in the original draft, Phoenix felt like a secondary character and the reader didn’t get a chance to connect with how Phoenix felt.

I was able to take their advice and create a shift in the plot, where Dragon had to stop and take care of Phoenix instead. When my editor finally saw the manuscript, she pushed me to build up Phoenix’s perspective even more. I think the final result is a much more balanced story, where you truly see the push and pull of the relationship between Dragon and Phoenix!

Life is What It's Called - Could you discuss your favorite scene to write in Roar-Choo! and the inspiration behind it?

Charlotte Cheng - I love pattern and repetition in storytelling as it appeals to children (and myself). In the beginning, Dragon has the cold and is the only one who says “Roar-CHOO!” over and over again. Each time, the phrase gets louder and louder. However, halfway through the story, when Phoenix has the cold, the two characters begin to share the phrase. My favorite spread is when Dragon and Phoenix are finally able to stop and recover together. Then the phrase “roar. . choo” becomes softer and takes on a different meaning – one that speaks of self-care and tenderness towards someone you love.

Life is What It's Called - How do you believe the illustrations in Roar-Choo! contribute to bringing the narrative to life and engaging young readers?

Charlotte Cheng - Dan Santat is a Caldecott medalist and a world renown author/illustrator. I knew he would create gorgeous illustrations to pair well with the story. Each spread in Roar-Choo! is so dynamic. It feels like Dragon and Phoenix are about to burst from the page.

Dan used so many different layouts and perspectives that the book feels cinematic. Most importantly, I love how Dan managed to capture the complex relationship between Dragon and Phoenix. Even the color choices reflect this. Dragon is green and Phoenix is red. Red and green are complementary colors – which mirrors how the personalities of Dragon and Phoenix complement each other!

Life is What It's Called - Are there plans to continue the adventures of the characters from Roar-Choo! in future stories?

Charlotte Cheng - I have a few ideas of how Dragon and Phoenix could explore more adventures together. However, we need to make sure that Roar-Choo! is successful before we can develop the next story for these two characters. It helps a lot when people check out the book, write reviews, and spread the word. Then maybe, just maybe, we’ll be able to go on more adventures with Dragon and Phoenix!


GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a copy of Charlotte Cheng’s captivating book, Night Market Rescue, a $100 visa gift card, and a free 30-minute children’s book writing consultation.

Roar-Choo: Book Giveaway 

This post is sponsored by Charlotte Cheng. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. This post contains affiliate links that help support this blog.

A Match Gone Awry Book Review and Author Interview

ABOUT THE BOOK

She needs a match. He's here to help.

Desperate to leave Paris, Gabrielle d’Amilly has set her sights on an English diplomat who can whisk her away to a happier life. But when an attempt to catch his eye goes wrong, she enlists the British navy lieutenant Harvey Barlow to help in her scheme. Under the guise of visiting a friend, Lieutenant Barlow arrives in Paris with the task of checking France’s relations with the discontented colonies. Playing at matchmaking won't hurt his mission, especially for a good cause. But when his intentions to be helpful turn to feelings of love, he finds himself distracted from his duties. In his quest to advance in the navy, he cannot give Gabrielle the happy life she's after. With war threatening, Harvey and Gabrielle are forced to decide to hold to their previous goals or strive for an imperfectly perfect match.

A Match Gone Awry is a clean & wholesome Georgian romance.

Other books in the Georgians in Paris Series:

• The Accidental Servants by Christina Dudley
• The Vicomte’s Masquerade by Sofi Laporte
• A Sham Betrothal by Jennie Goutet

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arlem Hawks began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the Western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people, and the stories they have to tell. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in communications and emphasis in print journalism, and now lives in Arizona with her husband and two children.


AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life Is What It's Called - What did you like most about writing A Match Gone Awry? 

Arlem Hawks - I think my favorite part of writing this book was revisiting Paris. Paris holds a special place in my heart, and this is the first book I’ve written set there! 

Life Is What It's Called - How is this book similar to the other books that you've written? 

Arlem Hawks -This one is probably more similar to my novellas The Steadfast Heart, In Pursuit of a Gentleman, and The Diamond of Bristol (part of A Lady’s Wager anthology). It’s lighter than my full-length novels and includes lots of good food and fun historical details. 

Life Is What It's Called - How is this book different from other books you've written?

Arlem Hawks - While this isn’t my first time dipping into the 18th century, my other Georgian era stories take place in the 1790s during the French Revolution. This is my first book delving into the pomp and pageantry of pre-revolutionary France, which has been really fun. 

Life Is What It's Called - How does this book stand apart from the other books in this genre?

Arlem Hawks - I think this book stands out from other books in the genre because I weave in quite a lot of insights into the time period. It talks about the French philosophers and Age of Enlightenment, with the characters interacting with several real historical figures. All of the locations are real places, even down to the characters’ residences. A lot of historical romance (most of my books included) make up exact residences. It was really fun finding which of my favorite spots were around in the 18th century and locating restaurants from the time period that are still alive and well today. 

Life Is What It's Called - What scene do you think readers will enjoy most in this book? 

Arlem Hawks - I’ve had quite a few beta readers mention they loved the dress altering scene. It was one of my favorites to write. ;)

Life Is What It's Called - What books are you writing now?

Arlem Hawks - I am currently in between projects! I just finished editing two books at the same time, so I am taking a little bit of a break before diving into another French meets English historical romance. 

Life Is What It's Called - Do you have any book signings coming up?

Arlem Hawks - I actually don’t have any book signings planned at the moment! Hopefully I will have one or two this summer. 

Life Is What It's Called - What do you want readers to know about you?

Arlem Hawks - I want readers to know that I am passionate about both romance and history, and my books usual walk the line between the two genres. I want readers to learn and experience what life was like in these time periods while also getting a swoony and wholesome romance.

REVIEW

In this sweet romance, Gabrielle has her heart set on winning an English diplomat's hand in marriage. Gabrielle desperately wants to leave France and step away from her stepmother's cruelty. She meets British navy lieutenant, Harvey Barlow, who agrees to help her make the match, but the match goes awry when Gabrielle and Harvey start to fall in love.

Gabrielle deals with a lot of miserable circumstances in this book. The author does a good job at exploring Gabrielle's life and character. I couldn't help but root for Gabrielle to find a happy ending and to escape France. The romance was slow-going. The reader knew the characters were in love before they realized it. The author adds a true "Parisian" vibe with historical places, figures, bakeries, debating philosophers, tours of gardens, and art museums. I loved the overall feeling of Paris of the book. The author also does a good job at intertwining the history and highlighting some of the feelings of unease during this time period. This book was an overall fun and clean read. To learn more, click here.

Please note that I received a free ebook to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post is in cooperation with the author. This post contains affiliate links that help support this blog.

Alycat and the Sunday Scaries Virtual Book Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK
Alycat and the Sunday Scaries
Written by Alysson Foti Bourque
Illustrated by Chiara Civati
Ages 4+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Pelican Publishing | ISBN-13: 9781455627790

Publisher’s Book Summary: It’s Sunday, the day before the school week begins, and Alycat is nervous. She just knows that Monday is going to be the Mondayest Monday ever! On the playground, Alycat realizes she isn’t the only one suffering from the Sunday Scaries. It’s hard to ride a bike. What if Kit falls? The treehouse is so high. Will Spotty make it safely back down? The kittens band together to overcome their fears, but can they turn the Sunday Scaries into a Sunday Funday? The themes of the books in the Alycat Series all reflect a reliance on friendships, imagination, and creativity toward problem-solving.

Fans of Alycat and her friends will enjoy spotting references to the kittens’ daily adventures within these pages. Tips for a successful lemonade stand are included!

Available to purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alysson Bourque began her career as a teacher after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education and went on to earn a law degree from Southern University Law Center in 2007.

After practicing law for nearly eight years, it was time to trade in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books and collaborating with non-profits to support philanthropic initiatives such as Foster the Love with First Lady Donna Edwards, Lafayette Walk to Defeat ALS, The Family Tree, Operation Shower, Wild Cat Foundation, and Hayley’s Bracelet fundraiser to benefit Lurie Children’s Hospital.

Her series has won over 23 awards and has received glowing reviews.

Find Alyson and Alycat online at website, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter/X, YouTube.


AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Life is What It's Called - What will fans of the Alycat series like about this latest book in the series?
Alysson Bourque - Fans will love the Literary Easter Eggs that are hidden throughout the book. The final pages of the book are a culmination of the lessons learned in the other books in the week-based series with spot art of the previous books so that will be fun to see.

Life is What It's Called - What inspired Alycat and the Sunday Scaries?
Alysson Bourque - Writing the last book in the week-based series made me scared that the series would end. I channeled this feeling into the context and lessons of the book, which helped give me tools to fight through the fear.

Life is What It's Called - Why is the message in this book important for kids?
Alysson Bourque - Books are a powerful resource and tool for handling life’s obstacles. In the Alycat and the Sunday Scaries, the characters each face moments where self-doubt creeps in and bravery is hard to find. Alycat’s best friend Spotty has climbed up the treehouse many times, but this time he was scared. He needed help and motivation from those who believed in him. We often forget the tools we need to conquer fear when we are clouded by anxiety, but that’s what friends and family are for. They remind us to keep our heads up, eyes forward, breathe slowly, and take it one step at a time.

Life is What It's Called - What was your favorite page to write in this book?
Alysson Bourque - I love when the kittens count back from 10 as Spotty is coached down the steps of the treehouse. The readers will love counting down on the storyboard and also Kit’s hesitation to “catch” him if he falls.

Life is What It's Called - What do you see next for this series?
Alysson Bourque - I plan to write books outside of the week-based series and actually have a book in the works—Alycat and the Copycat.

Life is What It's Called - Can you share your background in writing?
Alysson Bourque - As a child and teenager, I wrote a lot of poetry. Once I graduated from law school, all I had to time to write was trial briefs. When I finally took a temporary retirement from practicing law, I was able to write children’s books. I have written two children’s travel books and have written 9 Alycat books.

Life is What It's Called - What else should readers know about you?

Alysson Bourque - Books aren’t just meant to be read. They are meant to be shared, experienced, and brought to life. The Alycat Series is not only a book series, it also has videos on YouTube, songs on ITunes, and can be found on Novel Effect and Caribu apps.


GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of the book and three adorable Alycat plush toys!

Alycat and the Sunday Scaries: Book Giveaway 

This post is sponsored by Alysson Foti Bourque. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

100 Little Lambs Book Review and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK
Join Clover the Lamb on a whimsical adventure where playful shenanigans lead to a heartwarming lesson in faith in 100 Little Lambs. Clover is the mischievous lamb, always straying from what she's supposed to be doing. While her fellow lambs dutifully feed and prepare for the day, Clover prefers to frolic and play. But when her adventurous spirit takes her farther than she's ever been, she finds herself lost and injured in the midst of a storm. Hope seems lost, but then a glimmer of light appears . . . This enchanting story helps children feel their Savior's love by bringing the parable of the Lost Sheep to life, and offering a warm, playful narrative perfect for repeated readings. Inspired by the timeless parable 100 Little Lambs is a charming and uplifting tale that will touch the hearts of children and reassure them of the boundless love of their Savior. Through Clover's journey, young readers will come to understand that no one is beyond the Good Shepherd's reach and that they are seen and loved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Sierra started talking early and has been a storyteller ever since. She loves to teach and work with children, and this love has shaped her life from working as a high school English and history teacher and children’s art teacher to serving as a church children’s leader and a mother. Sierra is passionate about writing, art, hiking, family, and eating entirely too much chocolate. She currently lives with her husband, four kids, two cats, two fish, and a bearded dragon in Alberta, Canada. Keep in touch and learn more at http://www.sierrawilsonauthor.com/ or on social media.

REVIEW
As 99 lambs stick close together, one little lamb named Clover strays and goes off to play by himself. Clover finds himself alone, wet, and miserable. The good shepherd finds Clover and offers him comfort. In this sweet and fun story, children will learn about the parable of the Lost Sheep. I love the playfulness of this story. I could see children wanting to come back to this story and reading it again and again. I love the message of love and kindness that the Good Shepherd (Christ) shows the sheep. Kids will enjoy the playful tone and the rhymes. It also is a lesson for kids not to go off alone, but someone they love will come find them. The illustrations are attractive, eye-catching and fun. This is sure to be a family favorite. To learn more, click here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Please note that I received a free pdf to review this book, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate links that help support this blog. This post is in cooperation with the author.

Grimmworld: The Witch in the Woods Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Twins Willow and Jake Grimm are not prepared for the bizarre gadgets and scary changes in their new home of New Marburg, the location of the top-secret Think Tank where their parents now have jobs as scientists. In this town, people jetpack to work, robots direct traffic, and senior citizens duel with laser swords.

Yet nothing compares to what happens the day after lightning strikes the twins’ house. Their school building transforms around them, becoming a medieval castle—complete with moat, drawbridge, and a dangerous giant who looks strangely like the school’s overly aggressive hall monitor.

Barely managing to escape before a massive beanstalk lifts the castle above the clouds, Willow and Jake learn that their ancestors, the original Brothers Grimm, were more than storytellers. They were Grimmwalkers, able to travel from our universe to Grimmworld: the universe where all fairy tales are born.

Somehow, Willow and Jake have been transported to Grimmworld as well. But before the twins can figure out how to get back to their own universe, they discover that their best friends, Hank and Pearl, have morphed into the fairy tale characters Hansel and Gretel and been captured by a candy-obsessed witch deep in the Cursed Forest.

Now, aided by a mysterious wizard with shimmering golden eyes and a befuddled, talking naked mole-rat named Chet, the twins must trust in each other, believe in themselves, and find the courage to face their darkest fears in order to save their friends, return to their family, and maybe—just maybe—save the world.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
One of the most versatile writers in the world, Michaelbrent Collings has written bestsellers for adults, teens, and children in nearly every genre. Thrillers, mysteries, horror, sci-fi and fantasy titles, even humor and non-fiction--Michaelbrent has found success in each and continues to write stories that surprise and delight fans all over the world.

In addition to popular success, Michaelbrent has also received critical acclaim: he is the only person who has ever been a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award (twice), a Dragon Award (twice), and a RONE Award, and he and his work have been reviewed and/or featured on everything from Publishers Weekly to Scream Magazine to NPR.

An engaging and entertaining speaker, he is also a frequent guest at comic cons and on writing podcasts like Six Figure Authors, The Creative Penn, Writing Excuses, and others; and is a mental health advocate and TEDx speaker.

Michaelbrent is also the owner of Bestseller Life, a comprehensive writing and self-publishing course that transforms storytellers into storysellers, and teaches authors how to become their own best story.

REVIEW
Willow and Jake Grimm move to New Marburg with their parents. This secretive town has robots directing traffic, jetpacks as modes of transportation, and senior citizen dueling in the park. The town becomes even weirder when a mysterious lightning strikes their house and the town merges with fairy tales with beanstalks, a giant, wizard and magic. Willow and Jake race to help their new friends, Hank and Pearl, who've merged with the fairy tale versions of themselves, from the wicked witch and try to save the world.

In Grimmworld, Michaelbrent weaves a new world that's full of fairy tales, robots, magic, and multiple universes. The story starts slowly as the author describes the world that he built. The world is big and full of different possibilities for other books from Greek mythology to sci-fi to fairytales. The characters are likeable, and the author shows us their flaws, strengths, and kindness. Despite the darkness the characters face, they find new friends, try to spread light to those around them. There were some scarier scenes that I did forewarn my kids before they read the book. My 10-year-old son read it, liked it, and said it was just the right level of scary. There was also a scene where Willow examines the oven that the witches uses and that was a little too much for me, but I think it was only because I read Stiff by Mary Roach. The scariness is manageable and something that's not terribly dark. Overall, I thought it was very imaginative and creative. I would read the next book in the series.  To learn more, click here. 

Please note that I received a free copy to review from the publisher, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate links that help support this blog. This post is in cooperation with Shadow Mountain Publishing.