The Write Path

May The Fourth Be With You! Giveaway

2022-05-03T12:10:00.001-07:00

May The Fourth Be With You Giveaway!

Happy May 4th! or Star Wars Day. To celebrate I am giving away an 11" Grogu Plush and a set of Star Wars socks to one lucky winner. This giveaway is also to celebrate my new online store, Dorine's Whimseys. So, most of the entrees will be geared toward gaining likes and follows. Good Luck! To enter fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Together We Ride- Picture Book Review and Author Interview

2022-04-26T06:00:00.001-07:00

Welcome, today I am reviewing the picture book, Together We Ride, by Valerie Bolling, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita.

The Story-

Learning to ride is no easy feat! But with a little courage, a guiding hand from her dad, and an enthusiastic bark from her pup, one brave girl quickly learns the freedom that comes from an afternoon spent outside on a bike.

My Thoughts-

This story is very simple. Most pages only have two words. The illustrations are beautiful and really sell the story. Full, bright landscapes that allow a child to follow along with the story. I love reading a story that has the dad being a good example and actively participating in his child's life.

Author Interview;

I was able to ask Valerie a few simple questions! Please enjoy:

Why do you write children’s books? I love to write, and I love children. On my website, I say: "I write because I want all children to feel at home in a book. I want them to smile, laugh, think, and question. Most of all, I want them to celebrate the diverse world in which we live." That's why I write.

What inspires you to write? Children inspire me to write, particularly, my nieces Zorah and Anyah. What's wonderful is that Zorah loves to write, and Anyah loves to draw. Maybe they'll be an author/illustrator team someday. In terms of the topics I write about, anything can inspire me. Most often it starts with something I observe or a memory or feeling.

What’s next for you? RIDE, ROLL, RUN: TIME FOR FUN! will be released on October 4, 2022. Sequels to that book and TOGETHER WE RIDE (TOGETHER WE SWIM and BING, BOP, BAM: TIME TO JAM!) as well as a Scholastic early reader series, RAINBOW DAYS, are slated for 2023.

Buy it now:

Happy Earth Day! To Celebrate I'm Giving away an Earth Day 2022 Squishmallows

2022-04-22T05:00:00.002-07:00

Happy Earth Day Everyone! After my book review, I have the rafflecopter form to enter to win an Earth Squishmallows 7".

One of my favorite books, when I was a child, was The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. When thinking about a book to mention on Earth Day, this old, sweet story stuck inside my mind. I'm not sure if it is read to many children anymore, even though it is a Caldecott winner. I highly encourage giving this classic a try.

The Little House is the story of a beautiful, happy house full of love and family. It is passed down through the generations and slowly over time the city begins to creep closer and closer. Finally, the Little House is surrounded by dirty sidewalks and skyscrapers and is no longer happy. It feels abandoned and neglected, but it "shall never be sold for gold or silver." Finally, a descendant of the original family moves the house back out to the country where it can see the sun, the moon, the stars, and breathe clean air.

This book was the first book to teach me the consequences of industry and cities. Watching how sad the house got as the environment around it was destroyed really stood out to me as a child. I think this is a wonderful book to teach children to love the earth. It is not that the city is all bad, just that it intrudes and can easily overwhelm. Kids will understand that keeping the city away is what is best for the environment and the Little House.

Win Me! Enter Below

World Book Day is Coming! To Celebrate I'm Having a Giveaway!

2022-04-18T04:00:00.001-07:00

World Book Day is Coming! To Celebrate I'm Giving away both a hard set and a kindle set of my Cleopatra's Legacy Series. I am cross-promoting this giveaway with my online retail store Dorine's Whimseys.

CLICK HERE For A Look

To Enter fill out the rafflecopter form below. Subject to terms and conditions.

The Emerald Ring- Sara Bogus’s life turns upside down when she discovers an emerald ring that once belonged to Cleopatra. The fun of discovering the ring’s unique abilities turns to fear when she finds out a dangerous cult bent on restoring Rome to power is after the ring. Forced to choose between keeping the ring and saving her friends, Sara learns the price of bravery in this electrifying read!

The Ruby Pendant- Welcome to New Orleans- home of Mardi Gras, jazz music, and voodoo. Eighth-grader Melanie Belaforte is home for Spring break and itching for excitement. Late one night she discovers a hidden chamber and a secret journal in her deceased Aunt Florence’s bedroom.

The diary contains the writings of a madwoman, along with vague clues to the whereabouts of a ruby necklace that once belonged to Cleopatra. The ruby bestows upon the wearer the power to hear other people’s thoughts- even the thoughts of the dead!

And so the hunt begins. Melanie, her best friend Sybil, and a haunting specter unravel clues that take them from crumbling graveyards to the busy streets of the French Quarter, and then into murky swamps, all to find the prize. But they need to watch out, because a murderous cult is matching them step for step, and they won’t give up, ever.

The Diamond Looking Glass-

Beauty and the Beast.

The world knows it as a cartoon with dancing teacups and broomsticks. To twelve-year-old Claire La Fleur, it is family history, and the power behind Belle’s mirror is real. Every ten years her family gathers to see if the mirror will awaken, and for the last two hundred years, it has slept.

This time, Claire’s touch awakens the magic within the diamond-looking glass, a direct portal to the past and a way to communicate with Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt. The lure of power brings with it many perils, and a betrayal close to home thrusts Claire into a treacherous underworld. To protect the mirror, she travels into the Louvre museum in the dark of night, searches abandoned subway tunnels and walks the catacombs of the dead.

Welcome to Paris, France - where danger follows in every step.

The Sapphire Blade-

The final journey begins!

Travel with past heroes and a new adventurer to the historical romps of London and the scorching sands of Alexandria. Fourteen-year-old Akmir, raised from birth to sacrifice everything in the pursuit of Cleopatra’s magic gemstones, holds within his hands the secret location of the fifth and final mystic gem: the blue sapphire.

His quest leads him to England, where four other gemstone searchers: Sara, Melanie, Kainu, and Claire, are on the hunt. A pawn of the Roman Brotherhood, Akmir must choose his own path, whether to follow in his father’s brutal footsteps or stay true to his mother’s Egyptian heritage. Clues, puzzles, and danger rule the day.

What will happen when the power of all five gemstones are brought together? This is a battle for life and death, and only one side can win.

http://stores.ebay.com/dorineswhimseys

Manuscript Wishlist Information for 3/2022

2022-03-30T20:45:00.002-07:00

Looking for an agent or editor? MSWL (Manuscript Wishlist) is a good way to start. All listings are from Twitter posts.

Emily Forney- Agent BookEnds Lit

@EmilyKaitlinnn

✨Hi I’m back OPEN to queries✨

I’ll make a #mswl thread throughout the day, but here are a few things I’d love to see:

✨romantic fantasies

✨assassins, spies, detectives

✨court fantasies (maybe w/fae)

✨YA contemp. retellings of 90s movies

I’m stoked to find new books!!

Tasneem Motala - Assistant Agent The Rights Factory

@seraphecda

things that I will forever have on my #MSWL

- sky pirates

- futuristic fantasy

- retellings of lesser-known folktales and myths

- contemporary YA with niche interests at the forefront

- found family

Eric, OPEN for MS queries- Editor 5310 Publications

@eric5310pub

We just opened for submissions 🚨 #MSWL

👉 5310 Publishing is looking for Speculative Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Romance, Thriller, Suspense, Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, LGBTQ+, and more!

👉 Please spread the word!❤️

Go to http://5310publishing.com/publish to learn more.

Lauren is opening to queries on 4/1! Get ready! - Agent Trida US Lit

@laurenspieller

I open to queries on Friday 4/1! I have a full manuscript wishlist you can see on the #MSWL website, but here are the items I'm looking for in particular:

--Adult suspense & RomCom

--YA contemp w/ a BIG commercial hook

--MG fantasy

I look forward to hearing from you!

Jaymee Goh- Editor Tachyon Publications

@jhameia

Looking for:

secondary-world fantasy, always;

societal effects of technological developments;

soft apocalypses;

re-tellings / re-imagininings of myths and legends (particularly from Southeast Asia, but I’ll take anywhere but England/white America);

worlds where people with disabilities have other problems beyond infrastructural obstacles;

protagonists I can assume are queer by default;

family structures that refuse the nuclear family unit system;

economies that aren’t intense hyper-capitalism;

if you must have space oppression, I expect a lot of shiny things in recompense;

characters who are specialists in a less glamorous field (e.g. geology)

love stories: asexual romance, polyamory, platonic best friends forever, found family

authors of colour writing back to their own communities;

low-stakes, chill stories.

Kayla Cichello - Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Open to PB - YA.

@SeriousKayla

Spring 22 #MSWL:

MG/YA thrillers, rom-coms (fresh hook, please!), magical realism, & under-repped voices

Investigative journalism for MG/YA

BIPOC or #ownvoices PBs

Illustrators

Sub guidelines: http://upstartcrowliterary.com/submissions

Eric Smith - Agent P.S. Literary Agency

@ericsmithrocks

Officially caught up on queries! Thanks, writer friends. Reminder, I'm especially looking for:

Stories that celebrate neurodiversity by neurodivergent authors.

🥰 Joyful fiction + NF about adoption by adoptees.

👀 Surprising genre-blending rom-coms.

Rachelle Gardner - Agent Gardner Literary

@RachelleGardner

Querying authors, we're looking for non-fiction books that grapple with racial issues, LGBTQ+ issues and all social issues. No DMs. See submission guidelines here: https://rachellegardner.com/submissions #MSWL #InspyBooks #WritingCommunity #progressive #nonfiction

Mandy Hubbard -Founder/Agent Emerald City Lit

@MandyHubbard

I could do a whole #MSWL on this (MG or YA only please!) so here goes:

-Enchanted. Takes place in one night. Intense romance

- The last great American dynasty. Gimme the outsider protag who kinda relishes screwing up high society

- anything with ONLY THE YOUNG energy [FYI- Taylor Swift Reference]

Adria Goetz- Agent martin Lit

@adriamgoetz

A bit of a bookworm. Literary Agent + Fairy Godmother at Martin Literary. ✨ MSWL: http://adriagoetz.com.

{https://adriagoetz.wordpress.com/}

Olive Street Publishing

@OliveStreetPub

Have a manuscript that’s women’s fiction, chick lit, romance, or YA/NA fantasy? That’s on our #MSWL 😉 send us a submission today! #amquerying #writingcommmunity.

P.S. Literary Agency

@PSLiterary

“Send me all your ghost stories. I'll take adult fiction (scary or fun), a history of haunted places in America, an illustrated book—you name it, I'm here for it. Spook me!”

@claire_m_harris

#MSWL http://psliterary.com/submissions/

Happy Hunting!

My Online Store! Dorine’s Whimseys

2022-03-24T11:29:00.001-07:00

My Online Store

Guest Post- Jessica Thompson - What to Have Ready BEFORE that Book Deal

2021-10-19T05:00:00.002-07:00

Today we have a guest post from author Jessica Thompson. Her new mystery book, A Caterer's Guide to Holidays & Homicide, was just released. Though an adult book, her advice is for every writer. If you'd like to check out her new book click HERE.

What to Have Ready BEFORE that Book Deal

We all know (hopefully) that you need to write a book and have it fairly polished before you can hope to sign a book deal, but what else? What do you need to have ready before signing with an agent, getting to crunch-time with indie publishing, or signing with a small publisher, like I did? I was surprised by how fast everything moved the second I signed those papers.

Following is a list that I hope you find helpful if you are just starting out. If you have some experience, comment below to add to the list!

Some items here you may know, or have guessed like I was lucky enough to do, but give the list a scan. Too many new authors are surprised, rushed, or caught looking unprofessional when the time comes because they don’t have these things ready.

Alternate Title Ideas - Even if you love your title, your publisher may not. You will need to work together to find a title that fits into your branding and theirs. Have your top choice as the manuscript’s title, but have a few other ideas in your back pocket. What I Learned - My original title for “A Caterer’s Guide to Love and Murder” had been murder to choose, and even then, I didn’t like it. Before my book deal, I had settled for “Batters of the Heart” because it was punny and cute, indicated love, food, and violence/murder, and fit into the cozy mystery genre. No matter how much it fit, on several levels, I still hated it. I thought, “Well, that’s why I’m trying to find an agent or publisher. They can tell me what to do!” How wrong I was. The creativity is your job. The publisher will work with you, but they are not going to do things like that for you. Instead, I had to hurry, ask everyone I knew, and grope around in the dark as fast as I could for a better title. I wish I had thought of some more ideas before the rush began.

Professional Head Shot - You will need to get, if you haven’t already, a great picture of yourself. These need to be completely and immediately ready for things like the publisher’s website and social media when they announce that they have signed with you, and guest posts or other marketing efforts on blogs, in magazines, and any kind of social media for yourself or editors and reviewers. It should not be a snapshot or a cropped down snippet of your head from a family picture. Get a photographer, get a location, and get at least one, but probably more like five, great pictures of yourself. They should make you look competent, professional, smart, and they should be very high resolution. If possible, get a variety. Some specific to your genre, but some not. Some with books, some close-up, some smiling, some serious . . . you get the idea. What I learned - I am lucky enough to have a sister that is a professional photographer and a friend that renovates and stages beautiful homes, and I learned that people are very willing to help someone who is trying to launch a career. My mistake was to make all my pictures smiling and bright. After I signed with “Darkstroke Books” (whose reputation is like it sounds) I regretted not having some variety in my headshots, like serious faces and dramatic lighting, too.

A Longer Bio - By long, I mean a couple paragraphs. No more than a page. People want to hear about you in order to connect with something about you, but they don’t actually want a play-by-play of your entire life. Make it interesting, concise, include some accolades and awards, but don’t make it long enough to get boring. This bio you need ready immediately for things like the publisher’s website,

About the Author page of your book, and at the end of guest posts while you are marketing your book. What I learned - Do include some personal facts, because it helps if readers can find something interesting about you that they can connect to. I have been surprised how many people have connected to my tidbit that I help on my parents’ longhorn ranch. I’ve received pictures of them, pictures of their kids or relatives in Austin or on ranches, and personal messages sharing their love of farms, longhorns, cows, Texas, or helping their parents.

A Shorter Bio - I mean super short. Two to three sentences. This is your same tasty bio but boiled down as far as you can until it is a thick syrup. Instead of listing awards, you’ve won, package it down into “award-winning.” Instead of listing your family members, condense it into “family.” You get the idea. What I learned - For either bio, but especially for this one, don’t give your reader a chance to get bored. My longer bio starts to drag its feet a bit towards the end. List one fun fact about yourself, one accolade, and the most basic info. Then end it!

Even Vague Ideas for a Cover - Before all the hubbub begins, do some research. Look around at other cover art in your genre, figure out what you like, think about how your manuscript feels, and have a couple ideas of what you want your cover art to look like. It’s okay if they are vague, but have something to use as a jumping-off point while talking to your publisher. Want a landscape, a person, or a cartoon? What colors do you think match the tone of your manuscript? Even better, collect some pictures to use as examples or sketch an idea yourself. What I learned - Again, your publisher will not do all the work here. I didn’t know what I wanted, so I planned to rely on my publisher to know what sells, what works, what fits with their branding, etc. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Instead, I had to spend time pouring over examples, Adobe Stock photos, random Google searches, and finally found some inspiration from some caterer’s website. Save some grief, gather ideas now.

List of Possible Marketers - Once you sign those papers, you will need to immediately start marketing. Whether traditionally publishing or independently publishing, or somewhere in between, you will be doing a lot of your own marketing. What is your plan? Are you paying someone a lot to do it all for you? Are you going to pay for mini-marketing packages from certain websites or organizations? Or are you going to keep it to the plethora of free resources? That’s what I did. I made a list of bloggers, YouTubers, bookstagrammers, review journals, fellow authors to trade reviews with, Facebook book clubs, and local bookstores that I contacted, worked out mutually beneficial deals with, and relied on to help market and spread the word. Keep a list! No matter how much you think you will remember, keep a list of people you mean to contact, have contacted, made deals with, need to check in with later, etc. Even the people that have agreed to give you a review might need to be prodded and kept track of after the initial agreement. What I learned - I wish I had made this list before getting my book deal, hence its presence in this article. I crammed for days to put together a list, but I could have saved myself a lot of time and headache if I had already had this list ready!

Prepped Guest Posts - As you start to reach out to bloggers, bookstagrammers, etc, many will ask you to guest post on their blog, in their magazine, etc. Most of those guest posts will be an article, like this one, about some topic on the craft or business of writing. Some will be specific about what they want, but in my experience, many will not. If you write two or three articles ahead of time, I guarantee you will find a place to use them. What I Learned - I didn’t want to write guest posts. I still felt like the new kid that had nothing useful to contribute to a world already crowded with experienced writers. But as I started writing about the things that people asked me, like how I found my genre or how I get over imposter syndrome, more inspiration for future articles came and I gained more experience than I could then contribute to subsequent work. Guest posts became fun!

I listed these items in the order in which I needed them, but your experience may be different.

These items are not in order of importance! If I had to pick one thing that has been the most important and the thing I was most glad that I had before my book deal, I would say a great headshot. Remember how a picture is worth a thousand words? I would argue that it’s worth even more. It’s the first impression that everyone will have of you, from the querying process to the readers. People at every level of publishing and marketing, even though it may not be fair, will judge you based on this picture. Speak to their subconscious mind by having a professional-looking headshot. If you want a website to help you choose which picture to use, try photofeeler.com

Not only is it important, but this is most likely the first thing you will need after signing that deal. Or even before. To announce that you have signed with a publisher or agent, they will probably ask for a bio and a picture. A bio can be adapted from what you have or banged out on the spot, but a professional picture needs to be scheduled, taken, edited, and delivered to you. That takes days at least! Taking and having that photo before the deal also means you can start using it before. Lay the groundwork before that book deal by having a lovely social media following that knows your face, or the best version of your face you can muster.

While all of the items from this list will be helpful to have ready ahead of time, the professional headshot is also the most common mistake I see from other writers. I’ve seen dozens of authors, way more qualified than myself, that look like hobbyists or amateurs based on their fuzzy snapshots.

Don’t fall into that trap! Be prepared!

Interview with Carole Estby Dagg- Author of The Year we Were Famous

2021-10-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Today I have an interview with Carole Estby Dagg, the author of The Year We Were Famous.

The Book-

THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS is based on the true story of Clara and her suffragist mother, Helga Estby, who walked 4,000 miles from their farm in Mica Creek Washington, to New York City in 1896 in a heroic attempt to win $10,000 that would save the family's farm and prove women could do it.

Equipped only with satchels containing compass and maps, first-aid supplies, journals, pistol, and a curling iron, they headed east along the railroad tracks. In two hundred thirty-two days, they wore out thirty-two pairs of shoes, crossed mountains, deserts, and plains, and survived a highwayman attack, flash flood, blizzards, and days without food and water. For a year, they were famous as they met governors and mayors, camped with Indians, and visited the new president-elect, William McKinley.

They intended to write a book about their adventures, but because of the way their trip ended, their journals were burned. Fortunately, newspapers across the country reported on their travels, and THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS is based on those articles, with imagination filling the gaps between known facts.

The Interview-

What unusual research methods did you use when writing the first edition?

Once I decided to write historical fiction and not nonfiction, I needed to write in the voice of a late Victorian young woman. To do that, I gave up reading contemporary books and for a year read-only books Clara might have read, from classics for school to the dime novels that were passed from hand to hand among young people of the day.

Besides reading books, I pored over old maps to reconstruct a plausible day-by-day route for the walk. I went on eBay to bid on period postcards of places they passed through, which inspired details for several chapters. I tried baking in a wood stove, drove part of the route with my daughter, and stopped at a little museum in Rawlins, Wyoming, where I bought a pamphlet about a Victorian-era local woman doctor who became Clara’s ‘someone to talk to.’ Approaching the Internet like a treasure hunt, I hopped from clue to clue to research relevant trivia like the history of Underwood typewriters, or the elevation of the pass in the Blue Mountains.

How far did the research take you?

Getting into character, I bought replicas of high-topped shoes and Victorian satchel and combed antique stores for a curling iron, wood, and boar-bristle toothbrush, match safe, and other things Clara and Helga carried with them. I sewed a Gibson Girl blouse and authentically styled under-drawers. I’ll wear the shoes and blouse for presentations but don’t ask me to model the drawers!

Ninety-nine percent of my research never makes it to the book in a way that is obvious to the reader, but it helps draw me into that other world. Besides, it’s fun!

Do you have favorite photos that are now included in this revised edition?

Carole: One of my favorites is the sketch of Clara and Helga that appeared in the New York World upon their arrival in New York City, depicting them both with drawn guns and daggers. I know they would have hated it, because, although it helped sell newspapers, they only used their pistol once, and the ‘dagger’ they carried was probably a pen knife used mostly for sharpening pencils or slicing an apple. The newspaper article completely ignored the fact that one of the goals of the walk was to support the suffrage movement. I like the sketch though because it does show how brave and determined they were to walk across the country by themselves.

Why did you decide to write the book as fiction instead of nonfiction?

Carole: By writing to librarians across the country and scrolling through microfilmed newspaper collections at the University of Washington, I collected a dozen newspaper articles about the walk. Their articles weren’t as helpful as I’d hoped, though they often contradicted each other in details, and descriptions of their adventures were tantalizingly brief. Being lost for three days in the Snake River Lava fields, showing a band of Ute Indians how to use a curling iron, or shooting an assailant just rated one sentence in newspaper accounts.

If I wanted to tell readers what it would have been like to walk those 232 days, I’d have to expand those one-liners into fully developed scenes, and the nonfiction book I had intended to write would have to be historical fiction. I expanded research beyond newspaper articles to circumstances related to the walk, biographies of William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan, who were running for president that year, rattlesnakes and early days of railroading, eating habits of cougars, and frontier treatments for blisters. I must have read about six million words of background material, including reading only what Clara might have read for a whole year, from classics to dime novels.

Connect with the author on Facebook :) Click HERE.

The Book Trailer!

Find it here- YouTube

Important Details-

THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS (Revised Edition)

Helga and Clara Estby's Walk Across a Changing America

by Carole Estby Dagg

Release Date: 10.19.2021 // Ages 12+

$15.49 - Paperback / ISBN: 978-1-7376263-0-5

Buy it Now-

YA Book Review- Crank by Ellen Hopkins

2021-07-16T05:00:00.001-07:00

I read a YA book that blew my mind! Crank by Ellen Hopkins. It is a story written in verse and it is amazing. Not just because she was able to write an entire story in poetic verses, but because the ride she takes you on is intense. This book is about a teenager's dark descent into the world of drugs. At the end, I found out it was based on real-life instances involving Ellen's daughter. Wow. When you finish this book you will be in shock.

The Book-

Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high-school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, she meets a boy who introduces her to crank. At first, she finds it freeing, but soon Kristina's personality disappears inside the drug. What began as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul, and her life. (From Amazon)

My Thoughts-

I mentioned most of them above, but I can not get over how this book affected me. The journey of darkness that the main character travels is so disturbing. Not like a horror novel, but because this once great girl spirals down and down until there is little hope of escape. In fact, I thought the ending would be different. I won't tell you. However, once I read that it was inspired by real life, I understood why it ended as it did.

I've read a lot of YA books and very few of them do I give 5 stars. Five stars is for a book that left me breathless. 4 stars for me is a perfect, well-written, cool book, but 5 just has that extra something. Crank gets a 5!

Fair warning- as you can tell from the description there is drug usage, but there is also sex, attempted suicide, and teen pregnancy.

Buy it Now-

Literati Box #3

2021-07-12T05:00:00.002-07:00

My final Literati box arrived last week. The books that have been selected so far have been spot-on for middle graders. This box is particularly interesting to me because it contains a book by one of my favorite authors, Angie Sage. I told my son I have first dibs :)

So, this box's theme was investigation and mystery. It came with the stickers and bookplates for Matthew and 5 selections. This time he wanted all 5 picks and would not have returned any.

The books included:

Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Brunce

Twilight Hauntings by Angie Sage

The House that Wasn't There by Elana K. Arnold

Super Puzzletastic Mysteries by Chris Grabenstein (short sleuth stories)

One Dead Spy- A Revolutionary War Tale from Amulet Books (a graphic novel. See picture.)

I have been very pleased over the last three months and I have decided to continue my subscription. At first, I wondered if I wanted to pay a base fee every month, but I then realized how much time and effort it saves me to have new releases delivered to my door, and with free returns, I think it is worth the fee. Whenever I head to the library or even Amazon, it is hard to figure out what the new releases are and these deliveries make it so easy. Plus, there is no bias over publishers or authors. I will be moving up to the Club Titan level so that I can get a sampling of their YA lists. Two things I wish

1. A combo club of Phoenix and Titan. Older readers read many books that are considered in the middle-grade category and I would love a mix.

2. An easy-to-find help or consumer service link on every page of the website. There is one, but I had to go through several pages to find it.

FYI-

Club Neo: newborn - 3 years

Club Sprout: ages 3 thru 5

Club Nova: ages 5 thru 7

Club Sage: ages 7 thru 9

Club Phoenix: ages 9 thru 12

Club Titan: ages 13+

The boxes I have received were part of Club Phoenix. Things to know in advance: Club membership is $9.95 per month plus the cost of any books you choose to keep. Explore the books for one week, select your favorites, and return the rest. Returns are free. Something I did not previously know was that if you keep all five books they take 5% off the prices. Skip months or cancel any time. If you are interested in joining click HERE.

I hope you have enjoyed these sample boxes as much as I have. I'd like to thank Literati for allowing my blog to participate in fair reviews.

MG Book Review- Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame

2021-06-21T05:00:00.001-07:00

Today I am looking at Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame by Supriya Kelkar. If you are looking for a book that gets your child away from the standard western perspectives, this is the book for you.

The Book-

In 1857 India, 12-year-old Meera escapes a life she has no say in--and certain death on her husband's funeral pyre--only to end up a servant to a British general in the East India Company. When a rebellion against British colonizers spreads, she must choose between relative safety in a British household or standing up for herself and her people.

Meera's future has been planned for her for as long as she can remember. As a child, her parents married her to a boy from a neighboring village whom she barely knows. Later, on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, she prepares to leave her family to live with her husband's--just as her strict religion dictates. But that night, Indian soldiers mutiny against their British commanders and destroy the British ammunition depot, burning down parts of Delhi. Riots follow, and Meera's husband is killed. Upon hearing the news, Meera's father insists that she follow the dictates of their fringe religious sect: She must end her life by throwing herself on her husband's funeral pyre.

Risking everything, Meera runs away, escaping into the chaos of the rebellion. But her newfound freedom is short-lived, as she is forced to become a servant in the house of a high-ranking British East India Company captain. Slowly through her work, she gains confidence, new friends, new skills--and sometimes her life even feels peaceful. But one day, Meera stumbles upon the captain's secret stock of ammunition, destined to be used by the British to continue colonizing India and control its citizens.

Will Meera do her part to take down the British colonists and alert the rebellion of the stockpile? Or will she stay safe and let others make decisions for her? It really comes down to this: how much fire must a girl face to finally write her own destiny?

My Thoughts-

Holy Smokes! This is a great book that tackles colonization and culture. If you are looking for diverse children's lit this is one of the books you should pick. Historical fiction that is exciting and adventurous. I'd say it's appropriate for ages 10+ and 3-5th graders. 5 stars!

Buy it Now-

Picture Book Review- NerdyCorn by Andrew Root

2021-06-14T05:00:00.001-07:00

Today I am looking at an adorable picture book, NerdyCorn, written by Andrew Root and illustrated by Erin Kraan. I fell in love just from the cover. The inside did not disappoint! This book is fabulous. It illustrates that girls can be into science and math too. Fern, our precious Nerdy Corn, refuses to change and takes a stand against bullies.

The Book-

Meet Fern! She’s a smart, creative unicorn who prefers building robots and coding software to jumping through shimmering rainbows and splashing in majestic waterfalls. Even though Fern is a good friend and always willing to help others, the other unicorns tease her and call her a nerdycorn.

One day, Fern has had enough and decides to stop fixing her friends’ broken things. But then the confetti machine, the rainbow synthesizer, and the starlight bedazzler all go haywire during the biggest Sparkle Dance Party of the year! Fern can certainly fix them…but will she?

My Thoughts-

Loved the illustrations, they are so bold and colorful. The details are amazing. The story really has a great theme and plot. I loved this book! My only advice, make sure you catch up on your science, math, or mechanical terms because big ones like quadratic equations and hydrothermal capacitor pop up.

Buy it Now-

Picture Book Review- Is Was by Deborah Freedman

2021-06-09T05:00:00.003-07:00

Is Was is a picture book by author/illustrator Deborah Freedman. The book explores the concepts of present and past, or is and was, to children. The writing is very simple. It is the illustrations that make it shine.

Book Blurb-

Over the course of one day, a small child experiences the way the natural world changes from sun to rain and from day to night as things transform from is to was.

Published by Antheneum Books for Young Readers, Is Was hit shelves on May 4, 2021

My Thoughts-

Like I mentioned in the intro, this is a book of few words. It focuses on before and after elements, which children can comprehend by looking at the illustrations. The words is and was are found drifting about the illustrations too, which I found peculiar but cute. Definitely a PB for very young ones trying to connect with the world and understand their environment.

Buy it now-

Literati box #2 is a hit!

2021-06-07T05:00:00.003-07:00

I received my second Literati box of books last week. My 12-year-old was super excited and insisted on opening it right away. There were several ohs and ahs. It had this really cute opener about kindness that I appreciated.

So What came this month?

The 5 books are:

Copycat Science by Mike Barfield

Magic's Most Wanted by Tyler Whitesides

The Animal Rescue Agency by Eliot Schrefer

Deep into the Amazon Jungle by Jame Fraioli

Shaking up the House by Yamile Saied Mendez

A great selection! There's a bit of science, nature, fiction, and fantasy. My son once again likes 3 out of the 5. So if this was our monthly subscription we'd keep 3, paying their costs, and return the other 2.

His favorites-

The Animal Rescue Agency, Deep into the Amazon Jungle and Shaking up the House. However, if there is one thing I know about kids, it's that they are all different.

Just a recap:

First off, there are several different levels for kid readers. Literati offers:

Club Neo: newborn - 3 years

Club Sprout: ages 3 thru 5

Club Nova: ages 5 thru 7

Club Sage: ages 7 thru 9

Club Phoenix: ages 9 thru 12

Club Titan: ages 13+

The box I received was Club Phoenix. Things to know in advance, Club membership is $9.95 per month plus the cost of any books you choose to keep. Explore the books for one week and select your favorites. Returns are free. Skip months or cancel any time. If you are interested in joining click HERE.

Book Spotlight and Author Interview- Sunshine and the Full Moon by Jon Robinson

2021-05-28T05:00:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone, I am spotlighting a new release today, Sunshine and the Full Moon by Jon Robinson. So new, it actually doesn't release until June 15th.

The Book-

A werewolf attack. A missing girl. A teenager scratching and scrapping for every asthmatic breath in the clutches of evil.

Sunshine Robins is having a summer to forget. First, the sassy softball superstar breaks her arm during a heroic home run, and now her trip to the California Gold Country has taken a frightening turn as a geocaching exploration leads to the terrifying discovery of a shapeshifting creature lurking beneath the streets of Dathanville.

As she puts the pieces together about the town's haunting past, a determined Sunshine must fight through her own bouts of anxiety and fear as she stares down the devilish beast looking to destroy Dathanville . . . one victim at a time.

A suspenseful adventure bustling with mystery and monsters, it all ignites with a line drive and a silver bullet.

The Author-

Jon Robinson is an award-winning author and journalist whose work has appeared across media including ESPN, Sports Illustrated, GamePro, and IGN.com. He has written eight books, including Rumble Road, The Attitude Era, NXT: The Future is Now, and Creating the Mania. His book, The Ultimate Warrior: A Life Lived Forever won the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Biography.

The Interview-

I was provided with an interview involving Jon and his daughter, aka, Sunshine :)

Jon: So, how does it feel to have the main character in my book based on you? Did I do you justice?

Sunshine: I guess now I know why you were following me around with a notebook and writing things down every time I made you laugh. It’s pretty crazy to think that when people are talking about how funny the character is in the book, they’re actually talking about me.

Jon: Can you give us a few examples of ways in which you’re different from Sunshine?

Sunshine: In the original manuscript, I swear a lot more, so if the book becomes popular, maybe people will want to read the Sunshine-cut of the book. I also stopped playing softball at 10 and switched to playing baseball against the boys, so that also jumped out to me as you have me still playing softball.

Jon: Is there anything you want me to keep in mind as I write this character for my second book in the series?

Sunshine: Sunshine fought a werewolf in the first book, so no way some bully at school or anyone else should step to her. Haha. I’m curious where you’re going with this, especially since I know you’ve already started working on the sequel. I just hope people like the character and that people can relate to the realness behind the things Sunshine says and does, even in the unreal world of werewolves, if you know what I mean.

Sunshine: How’s it feel to have such a badass daughter to inspire your Sunshine character?

Jon: You’re a girl who won her first martial arts tournament, made her high school boys baseball team as the only girl, and cracks me up on a daily basis. Badass is an understatement.

Sunshine: Do you really think I’m sassy? ...or more like cheeky?

Jon: You are the definition of sassy, no doubt.

Sunshine: When the book sells like crazy, how much is my cut from the profits?

Jon: See, that’s just the kind of sass I’m talking about … and love.

For more info, including purchase info, check out https://jonrobinsonbooks.com/book/sunshine-and-the-full-moon/

YA Series Spotlight- The Watchers by Deirda Eden

2021-05-21T05:00:00.001-07:00

The Watchers Series has been described as Lord of The Rings meets Supernatural. The Watchers are supernatural beings in human form whose duty it is to protect and guard mankind from the armies of darkness. Unfortunately, some of these Watchers go bad.

Deirdra Eden's, The Watcher's Series, is written in a traditional fairytale style with a young girl's discovery of incredible, but dangerous powers within herself, a cast of humorous side-kicks, a quest for greater self-discovery and purpose, and villains of epic proportions. Great for readers ages ten and up.

The main themes are Fighting for Your Dreams, Always Having Hope, and Spreading Light.

The Author-

Deirdra has spent the last decade captivating audiences of all ages with her bestselling novels and fairy tales. Her specialty is paranormal theology that delves into documented historical phenomenon and natural disasters of biblical proportions. Deirdra enjoys horseback riding through open meadows, swimming in the ocean, hiking up mountains, camping in cool shady woods, cuddling her kitties, climbing trees barefoot, and going on adventures with her family and friends.

How it begins:

Book One- The Watchers Knight of Light

“The Watchers” are supernatural beings in human form, charged with protecting mankind from the armies of darkness. Unfortunately, some of these Watchers go bad.

In England, 1270 A.D., Auriella flees her village after being accused of witchcraft. Pursued by nightmarish creatures, she struggles to accept the truth about her humanity.

Filled with fairies, dwarves, pixies, dragons, and monsters, Knight of Light is an enthralling tale that will capture the imaginations of readers young and old.

Buy Them Now-

Amazon

Links-

The Watchers Book Trailer 2014:

The Watchers Book Trailer 2020:

Link And Promo To Free Coloring Book: enter coupon code AZ54J

Twitter

Website

Facebook

Rocketship Made of Stars by Lois Wickstrom, Illustrated by Nicolás Milano

2021-05-17T05:00:00.001-07:00

The Book-

Shirl takes Eee-ahh to school. The kids figure out that Eee-ahh is an alien.

Eee-ahh draws a map of the stars to show where she is from. -- it's a constellation that looks like a rocket ship.

The kids start naming other constellations and the Teacher loves the new names. Now all the kids want to look at the sky and tell stories about what they see.

The Author-

Lois Wickstrom earned her BA in biology with Chemistry and English minors. She is the creator of the Imagenie videos on YouTube and "Starting With Safety" available from the American Chemical Society.

Buy it Now-

Made in Korea by Sarah Suk

2021-05-14T05:00:00.001-07:00

The Book- On Sale May 18, 2021

Frankly in Love meets Shark Tank in this feel-good romantic comedy about two entrepreneurial Korean American teens who butt heads—and maybe fall in love—while running competing Korean beauty businesses at their high school.

There’s nothing Valerie Kwon loves more than making a good sale. Together with her cousin Charlie, they run V&C K-BEAUTY, their school’s most successful student-run enterprise. With each sale, Valerie gets closer to taking her beloved and adventurous halmeoni to her dream city, Paris.

Enter the new kid in class, Wes Jung, who is determined to pursue music after graduation despite his parents’ major disapproval. When his classmates clamor to buy the K-pop branded beauty products his mom gave him to “make new friends,” he sees an opportunity—one that may be the key to help him pay for the music school tuition he knows his parents won’t cover…

What he doesn’t realize, though, is that he is now V&C K-BEAUTY’s biggest competitor.

Stakes are high as Valerie and Wes try to outsell each other, make the most money, and take the throne for the best business in school—all while trying to resist the undeniable spark that’s crackling between them. From hiring spies to all-or-nothing bets, the competition is much more than either of them bargained for.

But one thing is clear: only one Korean business can come out on top.

The Author-

Sarah Suk (pronounced like soup with a K) lives in Vancouver, Canada where she writes stories and admires mountains. When she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the water, taking film photos, or eating a bowl of bingsu. You can visit her online at sarahsuk.com and on Twitter and Instagram @sarahaelisuk.

But it Now-

Literati Book Clubs

2021-05-05T15:51:00.005-07:00

I was approached by a children's book club service called Literati to review their monthly package. I will receive the service for free for three months and then post my reviews. I jumped at the chance because, hey, books! Oh my gosh, guys! I just got my first box and I love it! P.S. They also have adult book clubs in fiction and nonfiction :)

First off, there are several different levels for kid readers. Literati offers:

Club Neo: newborn - 3 years

Club Sprout: ages 3 thru 5

Club Nova: ages 5 thru 7

Club Sage: ages 7 thru 9

Club Phoenix: ages 9 thru 12

Club Titan: ages 13+

I chose Club Phoenix because my 12-year-old son will be my partner in these reviews. Things to know in advance, Club membership is $9.95 per month plus the cost of any books you choose to keep. Explore the books for one week and select your favorites. Returns are free. Skip months or cancel any time. If you are interested in joining click HERE.

My Thoughts-

I love it! Let me share some pictures of what came in the mail. I registered the club under my son Matthew's name, so everything inside the box was for him. There are even sticker book labels with his name on them.

A large box containing five books and a poster, plus the book stickers arrived on my doorstep.

The five books had my son grabbing them out of the box right off the bat. He was oohing and aahing.

Here is what came:

He has already read two of the books and is working on the third. I asked him if he would have sent any of the five back and he choose the Magic trick book and the Knights and Dinosaur book. He told me he just wasn't interested in those two. So, that means the box was perfect for him. It let him choose what he wanted and it was 3 out of the 5. I can't wait to see what comes next month. I will post a new review then.

Book Review and Author Interview- Bunny! Don’t Play with Your Food By Paul Schmid

2021-05-03T05:00:00.042-07:00

I have the cutest picture book to share with everyone today. It is Bunny! Don’t Play with Your Food by Paul Schmid.

The Book-

Bunny is excited to have a carrot, but not for the reason you would think. He can’t stop playing with his food! Read along as Bunny transforms from a Bunnysaur munching on treetops to a Space Hero Bunny battling an evil Carrotship to a Giant Sea Monster chasing a carrot submarine. With lessons on table manners, eating healthy, and the power of creativity, Bunny! Don’t Play with Your Food is the perfect read-aloud for parents and children with wild imaginations and a penchant for mischief.

My Review-

I loved this book. Bunny loves to eat his carrots and he does it in every way imaginable, as a zombie, or a dinosaur, or as an astronaut. Yep, you get my meaning. Little ones will love this book and maybe eat a carrot or two in the process. 5 stars!

The Interview-

I was able to ask Paul some questions about his new release.

1. What inspired you to write/illustrate a book about an imaginative bunny eating carrots? Did something spark the idea?

Bunny’s story was inspired by my daughter Wren. One day at the store she asked (begged) for us to buy some dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets. By dinner time she was very excited and impatient; “Why do they take so long to cook?! I’m sooooo hungry!” So when they were finally out of the oven and on the table -- with the required veggies -- Wren quickly picked them up and started playing. “Rarh! Rarh!” She said.

Half a minute went by and Wren stopped. She looked up at me with tears forming in her eyes and said: “I can’t eat these; they’re my friends!”

I completely felt for her and loved her big open heart. Imagination is real for kids! In one of my most satisfying moments as a dad, I told Wren I understood and got her something else to eat. (I later ate the dino chicken myself, but don’t tell her that!)

2. What is it like being both a writer and illustrator?

2Being able to write and illustrate my own work is challenging as well as satisfying. I delight in being able to show what I don’t directly tell and say what isn’t shown. It is a fun dance to choreograph during the creative process.

3. What advice would you give to inspiring authors/illustrators?

My advice for any creative endeavor is to stay with what moves you. For me, the best art reveals the creator’s heart, soul, and passion.

4. What’s next on your journey?

I have another book being published with Andrews McMeel! “Melville” follows a young, cute little blob of a sea-creature as it decides it is time to venture into the big undersea world to “...find a place just for me.” Without revealing the story, I’ll just say this is a book a mom and child will want to read together.

Thanks for your time, Paul!

Buy it Now-

Illustrator Spotlight- Veggie Power- Illustrated by Olaf Hajek, written by Annette Roeder

2021-04-26T05:00:00.057-07:00

The Book- On Sale April 27, 2021

As more and more families focus on local and organic eating, this delightful introduction to common vegetables offers a delectable serving of uncommonly beautiful illustrations and fascinating information. As in his previous book, Flower Power, Olaf Hajek's wondrously imaginative and detailed illustrations of vegetables are paired with engaging and eye-opening texts. Organized by season, the book tells how each vegetable is grown, how it can be enjoyed on our plates, its health benefits, historical tidbits, and botanical fun facts. From the first spring onion to pumpkins harvested just before the frost, this inviting journey through the growing seasons celebrates the artistic, historical, and culinary bounty that awaits us in the garden and at the table.

The Illustrator-

Olaf Hajek is an award-winning illustrator based in Berlin. His personal work has been exhibited in solo exhibitions in Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Atlanta, and Cape Town. His commercial work includes campaigns and illustrations for The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Audubon, Stern, Macy's, Ritz Carlton, Hermés, Swatch, and Bombay Sapphire. He is the author of Flower Power (by Prestel- A creative English language children’s books art publisher).

Buy it Now- AMAZON

Follow Olaf Hajek

Twitter- @olafhajek

Follow Prestel Publishing

Twitter- @presteljunior

Escape from a Video Game: Mystery on the Starship Crusader by Dustin Brady

2021-04-21T05:00:00.001-07:00

The Book-

Young gamers control the action in this interactive series from the bestselling author of Trapped in a Video Game. With more than 30 endings and an unlockable bonus adventure, this second book in the series promises hours of screen-free fun.

This is one book that will super-power the interest of any “I’d rather be gaming” kid. In this pick-your-path adventure, you join eight strangers inside a video game for a chance to win a million dollars. The challenge is simple: survive to the end, and you’re rich. There’s just one problem: A traitor is hiding among your group. One-by-one, crew members of the spaceship start disappearing. Can you find the traitor before it’s too late?

The Author-

Dustin Brady writes funny, action-packed books for kids. Although he regularly gets locked out of his own accounts for forgetting passwords, Dustin still remembers the Super Mario Bros. 3 game genie code for infinite lives. It’s SLXPLOVS. Dustin lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife, kids, and a small dog named Nugget.

Buy It Now-

Book Spotlight and Author Interview - Bracelets for Bina's Brothers by Rajani LaRocca • Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat

2021-04-19T05:00:00.017-07:00

The Book- On Sale: April 20, 2021

For the Hindu holiday of Raksha Bandhan, Bina is determined to make beaded bracelets for her brothers all by herself. She finds out which colors her brothers like and dislike and sets to work. Working with her every-other-one beading pattern causes Bina to discover something new about patterns--and her brothers.

Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them. Joyful stories and hands-on activities make it easy for kids and their grown-ups to explore everyday math together. Developed in collaboration with math experts at STEM education nonprofit TERC, under a grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation.

The Author-

Rajani LaRocca is a book lover, doctor, and foodie who was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area.

Her debut middle-grade novel, Midsummer's Mayhem, is an Indian American middle-grade mashup of A Midsummer Night's Dream and competitive baking.

I had the chance to ask her a few questions!

1. What inspired this book?

I wanted to write a book about the relationship between sisters and brothers—how siblings can be annoying but also know and love each other. I also wanted to incorporate recognizing and creating patterns into the story in an organic way.

2. What do you hope children will take away from it?

I hope kids recognize that math is everywhere and that it's fun. I hope they think about their siblings and other loved ones and celebrate how special those relationships are.

3. What's up next for you?

I have four more books releasing this year! My next middle grade, MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL (June 15), involves two math competition rivals who find themselves on the same summer baseball team. My picture book WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET (Aug 24) is about a girl who travels with her mother and grandmother to the southern tip of India. My picture book THE SECRET CODE INSIDE YOU (Sep 14) is a child's first introduction to DNA. And MY LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK ABOUT KAMALA HARRIS releases on August 31!

Thank you so much!

The Illustrator-

Chaaya Prabhat is a graphic designer, illustrator, and lettering artist. She holds an MA in graphic design from Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives and works in Chennai, India.

Buy it Now-