Pretty Sacrifices by Devin O'Branagan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In Glory. the first novel in this mind blowing series, a young woman's world was turned inside out when a pandemic nearly wipes out everyone. Now in this page-turning sequel, the evil is back to claim the lost souls of the dead. It is up to Glory, with a little help from her unusual friends, to fight the battle for the side of good. As with the first novel this book is about faith; the faith in love, faith in God and faith in the power of friendship to overcome all obstacles. This book is a must read for everyone! This series will be displayed on my shelf with great pride and read over and over!
View all my reviews
This site is dedicated to reviews of books geared towards children through young adult.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Westward, Yo! by J. A. Campbell
Westward, Yo! by J.A. Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Every child hates to move and Tina is no exception. She is leaving her best friend and a wonderful mall for desert and a old farm house. Tina's only consolation is that she can work for a local ranch where she can ride in exchange for a little hard work. When the ranch owner asked if she would like to go on a cattle drive with them she jumped at the chance. On their journey one of the calves goes astray however and her well trained horse takes her on a wild goose chase to retrieve it. You will never believe the wild adventure she has. I have to say that with out a doubt this short story is well worth the read for any age group that likes fantasy, horses, and a little bit of mystery.
View all my reviews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Every child hates to move and Tina is no exception. She is leaving her best friend and a wonderful mall for desert and a old farm house. Tina's only consolation is that she can work for a local ranch where she can ride in exchange for a little hard work. When the ranch owner asked if she would like to go on a cattle drive with them she jumped at the chance. On their journey one of the calves goes astray however and her well trained horse takes her on a wild goose chase to retrieve it. You will never believe the wild adventure she has. I have to say that with out a doubt this short story is well worth the read for any age group that likes fantasy, horses, and a little bit of mystery.
View all my reviews
Glory by Devin O'Branagan
Glory by Devin O'Branagan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Glory By Devin O'Branagan
Love, Hate, Life, Death,and Faith, these are words that we all take for granted every day, yet they seem to be what holds the fabric of the universe together. This book is about a young girl who finds that each one of those words are more than just words they are power. When Glory finds out that she is the cure for a deadly plague she is thrown into a world she only thought existed in the movies. With the help of some very unconventional friends she finds herself in a deadly race to save all of humanity. I found this book to be very enjoyable and well worth the read because it was filled with love, loss, and passion. It is not like any other book that I have read of this kind and should not be treated as such just because of the subject matter or characters in it. This book is all about the the power of Faith and should be approached that way.
View all my reviews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Glory By Devin O'Branagan
Love, Hate, Life, Death,and Faith, these are words that we all take for granted every day, yet they seem to be what holds the fabric of the universe together. This book is about a young girl who finds that each one of those words are more than just words they are power. When Glory finds out that she is the cure for a deadly plague she is thrown into a world she only thought existed in the movies. With the help of some very unconventional friends she finds herself in a deadly race to save all of humanity. I found this book to be very enjoyable and well worth the read because it was filled with love, loss, and passion. It is not like any other book that I have read of this kind and should not be treated as such just because of the subject matter or characters in it. This book is all about the the power of Faith and should be approached that way.
View all my reviews
The Wild Soccer Bunch Book 2 Diego the Tornado
The Wild Soccer Bunch, Book 2, Diego the Tornado by Joachim Masannek
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Wild Soccer Bunch Book 2 Diego the Tornado
This is the second book in the Wild Soccer Bunch series.
In this new book there is a new boy in town who wants to play on their team
The problem is that the boy's father a famous soccer player doesn't want his son to play with a bunch of kids he wants him to play with a real soccer league. It is up to the Wild Soccer bunch to learn what it means to be a team and a friend. This is a great book about the power of teamwork and friendship. I would recommend this book to any young adult who likes soccer, friends, and a good laugh. My four children all read this book and they loved it!
View all my reviews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Wild Soccer Bunch Book 2 Diego the Tornado
This is the second book in the Wild Soccer Bunch series.
In this new book there is a new boy in town who wants to play on their team
The problem is that the boy's father a famous soccer player doesn't want his son to play with a bunch of kids he wants him to play with a real soccer league. It is up to the Wild Soccer bunch to learn what it means to be a team and a friend. This is a great book about the power of teamwork and friendship. I would recommend this book to any young adult who likes soccer, friends, and a good laugh. My four children all read this book and they loved it!
View all my reviews
Range Feud by J.A. Campbell
Range Feud by J.A. Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this latest installment of Into the West Tina's adventure continues to unfold. This time while checking the fence she is once again drawn to the mysterious canyon that takes her into the past. This book is a wonderful adventure that is like a long kiss good bye it leaves you hungry for more. It is written for young adults but I would recommend this book to anyone who likes, adventures, mysteries,and a little romance with a hunky cowboy.
View all my reviews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this latest installment of Into the West Tina's adventure continues to unfold. This time while checking the fence she is once again drawn to the mysterious canyon that takes her into the past. This book is a wonderful adventure that is like a long kiss good bye it leaves you hungry for more. It is written for young adults but I would recommend this book to anyone who likes, adventures, mysteries,and a little romance with a hunky cowboy.
View all my reviews
Senior Year Bites by J.A. Campbell
Senior Year Bites by J.A. Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you find yourself suddenly turned into a teen vampire then this book is a must have instruction manual. High School is hard enough to handle without the drama of being turned into a vampire. This is a wonderful book about how one such teen does just that. She turns a horrible situation into a positive one by becoming a hero instead of a monster. I found that Senior Year Bites is something you can really sink your teeth into at any age and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read.
View all my reviews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you find yourself suddenly turned into a teen vampire then this book is a must have instruction manual. High School is hard enough to handle without the drama of being turned into a vampire. This is a wonderful book about how one such teen does just that. She turns a horrible situation into a positive one by becoming a hero instead of a monster. I found that Senior Year Bites is something you can really sink your teeth into at any age and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read.
View all my reviews
The Kringle Chronicles: Catching Santa Book One by Marc Franco
Catching Santa by Marc Franco
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Are you tired of the old tale of Santa in his jolly red suit? Do you think he would be more fun if he was more like a commando? Well then this book is for you. When a rogue assistant of Santa named SR starts turning naughty children into wood and locking them up instead of just giving them a lump of coal, it is up to Jakob and his friends to set a trap to catch Santa and lure SR out into the open. Do they succeed? You are going to have to read this book to find out. This is a children's book but I would recommend it to readers of any age who are still kids at heart or if they were once teased about still believing in Santa.
Find Marc Franco on Facebook
Find Marc Franco on Twitter
Find The KringleCronicles on Facebook
Find The KringleCronicles on twitterHere is an author interview Marc did recently:
Interview provided by:
Phone: 863-546-0760
Fax: 407-505-4243
Email: cris@pantsonfirepress.com
Web: www.pantsonfirepress.com
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Are you tired of the old tale of Santa in his jolly red suit? Do you think he would be more fun if he was more like a commando? Well then this book is for you. When a rogue assistant of Santa named SR starts turning naughty children into wood and locking them up instead of just giving them a lump of coal, it is up to Jakob and his friends to set a trap to catch Santa and lure SR out into the open. Do they succeed? You are going to have to read this book to find out. This is a children's book but I would recommend it to readers of any age who are still kids at heart or if they were once teased about still believing in Santa.
Find Marc Franco on Facebook
Find Marc Franco on Twitter
Find The KringleCronicles on Facebook
Find The KringleCronicles on twitter
Here is an author
interview Marc did recently:
Before we get started, could you tell us a
little about yourself?
I’m a dad of three great kids,
husband to a wonderful wife, brother, son, pet owner, author and former sex
crimes detective. Being a Navy brat, I grew up living around the world. My dad
met my mom in Spain. She’s a Spaniard. I guess that makes me half Spanish. She
is also the reason I speak fluent Spanish. I drive a Jeep. Let’s see,
what else? Oh yeah, I love the beach, surfing, swimming and any sport that
involves the water. I play competitive soccer. I have a PS3 and love to play the Battlefield games. Okay, I
think I just bored your readers.
How long have you been writing? 24
years on and off. I’ve ten books yet to publish.
Why did you start writing? I
was bored. See, during my first year of college I was working for Pan Am. Now
wait. I have to mention that I’m not that old. The year is 1987 and yes, Pan Am
was still around, although not for much longer. I
was an international travel baggage inspector. Translation: I sat around during
my 5 hour shift until summoned by a ticket agent. This happened maybe twice
during a shift. I would then physically inspect travelers baggage searching for
anything suspicious. So, after I’d complete my
school work, I’d write. Have you always wanted to be a writer? Nope, not really. I mean I never thought I’d pursue
publication. Writing was a hobby.
Who or what has had the most influence on you as a writer? No one person. Well, God, because I always want to do what’s
right in his eyes.
Do you have a favorite book, place, song, person, or movie
that inspires you? Inspiration? Wow. It comes from all
places. My brain is little ADD(my wife's diagnosis) so data comes in fast and
scattered. And when it comes I scramble to find my writing journal to download
the brain dump. My favorite book is Genesis, yes, just Genesis. Creation
fascinates me.
How much research do you usually put into your books? Research, hmm, let me think because it depends on what I’m
writing about. Catching Santa was quick -- 4 hours. All I did was research
Germanic Santa lore. On the other hand The Eternal Library has taken weeks and
research continues to consume my time.
Do you base events or people in your books off of your life,
or your friends' and family's lives? Sure, the three
Jablonski children in Catching Santa are based on my kids. I even use their
first names. Their surname, Jablonski, is my mother-in-law's maiden name.
What do you do when you're not writing? I workout at the gym with my wife, hang with the kids and
play soccer.
What was your favorite book or author as a teen? Anything R.A. Salvatore. What's your favorite now? Joseph Delaney of the Spook’s Apprentice series and
anything written by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
What is your writing process? Each
book is a project. I outline first -- so as to
know where I am and where I ‘m going with the story. Seriously, I see the
outline as a skeleton. Once in place I add the flesh. I know that’s gross but
it works for me. Do you write regularly at certain times or just when
inspiration hits? I usually write either during the
early morning hours or late evening hours. It just depends. If inspiration hits
I write it in my writing journal which is never to far or I’ll record a voice
memo on my iPhone.
What keeps you motivated? It’s fun
creating and seeing my work in print and online. Positive reviews and awards
are cool too.
What is your favorite quote? “Believe in love. Believe in magic. Believe in others.
Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don't, who will?” – Jon Bon
Jovi
Are there any books you wish you'd written? No. Not yet.
What is Catching Santa about? I thought you read it? No, just kidding. It’s about a special
boy, Jakob, and his friends. They find themselves in the middle of an age-old
power struggle between Santa and Santa’s former assistant, the devilish S.R.
See, things begin six days before Christmas and weird things are happening in
11-year-old Jakob's Florida neighborhood. His friends are convinced their
Christmas is in danger, and then live snowmen strangely appear and confirm the
threat. Jakob dismisses the bizarre events as an elaborate hoax concocted by
the neighborhood bully. But when the bully turns into smoke, a devilish stranger
appears as the mastermind behind the mayhem demanding that Jakob catch
Santa...or else!
What inspired this book? I was tired
of the Disneyesque portrayal of Santa and wanted to create a whimsical Brothers
Grim-like story with sci-fi and fantasy elements.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Don’t give up. Give 100%. Look and see what others are doing
and do it better.
Cris
Francet
Marketing & Publicity |
Fax: 407-505-4243
Email: cris@pantsonfirepress.com
Web: www.pantsonfirepress.com
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Meet and Greet with Author Julie Campbell. Plus Reviews
I am
pleased to welcome Julie Campbell, a person I highly admire and and whose footsteps I aspire to
follow one day She has graciously agreed to join us today to promote
her new book, the sequel to Senior Year Bites, Summer Break Blues.
Julie: Aww, thanks Sally! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Sally: 1. In Senior Year Bites a young teen is turned into a vampire during her senior year of high school. You have just released the sequel to this wonderful book on the 14th of November titled Summer Break Blues. Can you give those of us who have been anticipating this release a little sneak peek as to where the story is heading?
Julie: Maine… Oh, wait, you wanted more than that? Hehe.
Well, Meg and Alexander still have to deal with the Sidhe who may, or may not
want them dead. Then Ann’s parents go missing on their annual trip to Maine and
the police have no idea what happened to them. So Meg, Steph and Ann and
Alexander go to try and rescue them. There might even be another vampire in
this one.
Sally: 2. In Senior Year Bites when Meg is turned into a vampire she
acquires new superpowers, some of which she finds useful, and others harder to
cope with. If you could have a superpower what would you chose, and how would
you cope with the differences it would cause in your life?
Julie: Strong Telekinesis. I didn’t even have to think about
that, because oddly I’ve pondered this question many times. So much you can do
with the ability to move things with your mind. You could fly, start fires,
toss people, retrieve things from the kitchen while never leaving your chair…
oh, and you could totally pull off the Tommyknocker’s trick where the author
writes a book with her mind. Yeah, being able to type while doing other things
would be phenomenal. Coping with the differences. Well, I’d probably have to
keep the powers quiet, but I bet I’d get a lot more housework done if I could
write and do dishes at the same time.
Sally: 3. Of all your characters, who do you most relate to?
Julie: As much as I’m not trying to be my main characters,
probably Meg. In this story anyway. I have one character that I’d kill to be
(except if I were going to be her, I’d have to change her name) and one
character that really feels like she’s my alter ego, but that’s a long story.
Sally: 4. Is there one of your characters you did not like when you started
writing about them, but found yourself liking by the end of the story?
Julie: Well, at the beginning in Senior Year Bites I hated
Alexander. He was fun to write, but he was such a dick. Actually, he still is,
just not as often. I’ve had fun with the complexities of his character, and
I’ve found I actually really like him. A lot of other people do too. Originally
he was supposed to be my bad guy in Senior Year Bites. Turns out he wasn’t
though. I already knew how I felt about my characters by the time I got to Summer
Break Blues though. A little teaser for all of you who love Gage, he’s on of
the main characters in the next novel.
Sally: 5. Your characters seem to jump off the page as if they are real. Did
you learn this skill from somewhere, or does it come naturally to you?
Julie: *grin* Thank you. I learned it through countless hours
of reading and writing. I didn’t consciously ever work on the skill, but it’s
part of writing great stories. I didn’t take a class or anything, just lots of
practice.
Sally: 6. You write urban fantasy for young adults/ adults. Is there something
that draws you to that genre specifically? For example: I write children's
stories because my children are my primary audience.
Julie: I’m laughing right now because I never intended to
write young adult. It just kind of happened. I wrote a few stories and a friend
said, wow that’s a great young adult. I had no idea you wrote young adult. I
responded with, yeah, I had no idea I wrote young adult either. That kind of
boggled my mind a little. I actually rewrote one of my novels to be young adult
because it worked better. I love the age group, so I guess it works. As to the
genre, I love fantasy. I write other forms of fantasy too, but Urban Fantasy is
so much fun because it brings the fantastical into our world and that tickles
my mind. I mean really, legends and myths have to come from somewhere, right?
Sally: 7. You are a winner of NaNoWriMo and continue to be an active
participant. Can you tell us a little bit about what NaNo is and what motivates
you to join Year after year?
Julie: NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month is where crazy people from all
over the world try to each write a novel of 50,000 words in a month.
That means you have to write 1667 words a day for the entire month of
November, or 2000 words a day to finish early. No easy task when life
constantly tries to get in the way. The fundamental goal of NaNo is to
get those people who say, 'oh, I think I'd like to write a novel
someday,' the excuse they need to write. It's also a great way to meet
other writers in your local area and connect with like-minded people
while trying to pound out the word count. Keyboards are left smoking at
the end of the month.
Nano is a ton of fun, and it will always have a place in my heart because NaNo taught me to actually finish a story. I’d never managed to actually finish a novel until 2005 when I did NaNo. I’ve lost count of the novels I’ve written since then. The local group is also really supportive and I’ve met many of my good friends through NaNo. It’s also a good excuse to ignore housework for a month.
Nano is a ton of fun, and it will always have a place in my heart because NaNo taught me to actually finish a story. I’d never managed to actually finish a novel until 2005 when I did NaNo. I’ve lost count of the novels I’ve written since then. The local group is also really supportive and I’ve met many of my good friends through NaNo. It’s also a good excuse to ignore housework for a month.
Sally: 8. What is your least favorite part about writing? Your favorite?
Julie: Least favourite: Editing and Marketing. Most
favourite: writing. I just love to write, explore new worlds, create new
things. Positive feedback is always nice too.
Sally: 9. When you are not writing or editing what do you do for relaxation?
Julie: Uh, relaxation? What’s that? Hehe. I ride horses and
play with my dog. Trailriding in the mountains or camping is my idea of heaven.
I read a lot. I like movies too.
Sally: 10. Can you tell us a little bit about your other projects /
anthologies?
Julie: Oh gosh. I have an adult Steampunk Novella called
Serpent Queen coming out from Inkwolf Press very soon. I have an old west ghost
story being published in the Anthology Gunslingers and Ghost Stories due out
December 1st – Doc fans will like that I think. I’m working on a few
other short stories for submissions in December, and then back into the next
Clanless novel. Then I have a few more novellas to write. Doc fans will also be
happy about that. Hehe. And then a novel in a brand new series. It’s got
dragons and unicorns in it, but don’t let that fool you, it won’t be a
lighthearted tale.
Sally: 11. Where can your books/stories be purchased.
Buy Links:
Sally: Thank You for joining us today! I wish you well on this new book and the
many more to come.
Julie: Thank you so much for having me.
Bio:
Julie writes
fantasy novels. When she’s not out riding her horse, she can usually be found
sitting in front of her computer with a cat on her lap and her dog at her
side.
Meg managed to survive her senior year of high school as a
vampire, and now she’s looking forward to a relaxing summer with her friends
before trying to tackle college. Unfortunately, some unfinished business from
the previous year rears its ugly head and Meg is forced to deal with the Sidhe
who are distinctly unhappy that she killed one of their kind last winter. Then
Ann’s parents vanish while they are on their annual summer vacation in Maine
and it’s up to Meg and the rest of the gang to come to the rescue. Though she
is still trying to figure out who, and what she has become, Meg and her friends
feel they are up to the challenge. That is until things really start to fall
apart.
Included below are my reviews of the Julie
Campbell books I have read. I would recommend them to anyone who likes to read,
and even if you don't, these are so good they might spark something inside you.
Senior Year Bites by J.A. Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you find yourself suddenly turned into a teen vampire then this book is a must have instruction manual. High School is hard enough to handle without the drama of being turned into a vampire. This is a wonderful book about how one such teen does just that. She turns a horrible situation into a positive one by becoming a hero instead of a monster. I found that Senior Year Bites is something you can really sink your teeth into at any age and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read.
Westward, Yo! by J.A. Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Every child hates to move and Tina is no exception. She is leaving her best friend and a wonderful mall for desert and a old farm house. Tina's only consolation is that she can work for a local ranch where she can ride in exchange for a little hard work. When the ranch owner asked if she would like to go on a cattle drive with them she jumped at the chance. On their journey one of the calves goes astray however and her well trained horse takes her on a wild goose chase to retrieve it. You will never believe the wild adventure she has. I have to say that with out a doubt this short story is well worth the read for any age group that likes fantasy, horses, and a little bit of mystery.
Range Feud by J.A. Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this latest installment of Into the West Tina's adventure continues to unfold. This time while checking the fence she is once again drawn to the mysterious canyon that takes her into the past. This book is a wonderful adventure that is like a long kiss good bye it leaves you hungry for more. It is written for young adults but I would recommend this book to anyone who likes, adventures, mysteries,and a little romance with a hunky cowboy.
Thanks to Julie for a great interview, Raven Quill for another wonderful edit, and to everyone who stopped by to read this.
For more info on Nano visit http://www.nanowrimo.org/
Ted Saves The World by Bryan Cohen
Ted Saves the World: A Novella by Bryan Cohen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When a young man is dumped by his girlfriend in his favorite restaurant, he figures that his life is over. But destiny has another plan for him. This is a heartwarming story about a boy who finds the courage to be more than he ever bargained for in order to save the whole world from total destruction by an evil force. I really enjoy this story. The characters are believable and fun. The story is fast paced and keeps you turning pages, though I do feel that it would be better represented as a graphic novel, as it is very visual and some of the plot gets lost in the description of the situation. I would recommend it to anyone who likes "Sci-Fi", Fantasy or a fast paced novel that is very entertaining.
View all my reviews
Family Magic By Patti Larsen Book Review
Book synopsis:
Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being ordinary. That my
mom baked cookies instead of brewing spells. That my dad lived with us,
not on the demon plane. All I ever wanted was to be like everyone else.
I know what you're thinking. You'd die to live in my world. How cool would it be if magic was real and you could do anything?
You have no idea. Here I am in another new town, but it's the same
old thing. Cheerleader bullies? How original. Friendless again? Who's
surprised? I suck at fitting in. Especially when I'm in the middle of
saving my family from total destruction.
My name is Sydlynn Hayle, and that's my life.
Trade you.
My
Review: Family Magic by Patti Larsen
Family Magic by Patti LarsenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sydlynn just wants to be an ordinary girl, but it is kind of hard when you’re half witch and half demon. She is also the sole heir of her entire coven. Can she figure out why magic makes her physically sick before having to take on this huge responsibility? Or will she be able to rid herself of her power and have a normal life on her own?
This book contains a lot of believable characters and plot twists that will keep you turning pages. I liked how the demon father kept calling his daughter Cupcake. Sydlynn's mother really did try hard to balance being a coven leader and a normal-ish mother to her confused rebellious daughter. The crazy grandmother who can only be quieted by tequila or chocolate will make you smile. Sydlynn, herself, starts out being a big whiner, but really pulls it together as she finds her own path.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt out of place and lost in the great sea of humanity. I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, mystery and witches. This is a wonderful YA book and I enjoyed reading it very much.
View all my reviews
The Author:
Patti Larsen is an award-winning middle grade and young adult author
with a passion for the paranormal. But that sounds so freaking formal,
doesn't it? I'm a storyteller who hears teenager's voices so loud I have
to write them down. I love sports even though they don't love me. I've
dabbled in everything from improv theater to film making and writing TV
shows, singing in an all girl band to running my own hair salon.
But always, always, writing books calls me home.
I've had my sights set on world literary domination for a while now.
Which means getting my books out there, to you, my darling readers. It's
the coolest thing ever, this job of mine, being able to tell stories I
love, only to see them all shiny and happy in your hands... thank you
for reading.
As for the rest of it, I'm short (permanent), slightly round
(changeable) and blonde (for ever and ever). I love to talk one on one
about the deepest topics and can't seem to stop seeing the big picture. I
happily live on Prince Edward Island, Canada, home to Anne of Green
Gables and the most beautiful red beaches in the world, with my very
patient husband and four massive cats.
Pretty in Pink! Interview and book review about Miss Pearl the Pekingese.
My basset Matilda the Sock Monkey and a blog dog and author
Miss Pearl the Pekingese
Hello Miss Pearl.
1.
Tell me a little bit about your theme song and lullaby. How did they
come to be?
My Daddy and Mommy's friend Ren thought I needed a jingle so Mommy called her cousin Kevin Hupp who lives in NYC (he is music producer) and he spent 2 days in seclusion looking at my photos and when he emerged he created his masterpiece song, " Miss Pearl's Song". My song is so wholesome and upbeat, the guitar and drum work plus Kevin's voice makes this a fabulous piece of music. I love it, we play it all the time. Music is medicine. People of all ages tell me they can't get the lyrics out of their heads…mission accomplished.
2.
How do you manage with all that hair?
I
have a fabulous hairstylist who knows how to groom a show dog. Actually
my hair only needs a brushing/comb out once a day to untangle any knots.
It's not as hard as people think it would be. My breed was intended to
look this way and I have a fabulous coat that protects me from sunburns and bug bites. I visit the groomer about once a month.
3.
3. What is it lie to ride in a buggy?
I
was afraid the first time however Shoko assured me it was Ok. The view
is so much better..I observe things I would never see from the ground
plus I
stay clean and safe. I love to walk but I tucker very easy then I hop
in the buggy. I love to take beauty naps in my buggy, it's very snuggly
inside. Lots of people have commented on FaceBook how much they like the
pictures of me in my buggy.
4. What did you like the most about being a show dog? The least?
Meeting people is the best part. To this day, I love to greet delivery & repair people. I did like
the attention but for the most part I enjoyed meeting so many cool dogs and people. I would say the
5. What do you like most about being a mother?
Obviously I love being a part of my little boy's life, we were apart for a few years and I missed him so much! He reminds me of my Daddy "Digby"who loved chasing balls too.
Dehydrated duck…I love Oriental food!
7.
I am a blog dog also. Tell us a little bit about
http://www.misspearl.com.
What can dogs and their people find there?
We were very fortunate to obtain the domain misspearl.com but it is a work in progress! I wanted all of my family, friends of loved ones featured on
there, so people could peek inside my world. I believe every dog has a
story to tell so I hope all dogs will feel special & beautiful
because they are!
8.
Almost dying sounds horrible. My mom believes that life is all about
the journey not the destination. You not only beat death, but helped
your two legged mom do the same.
I was declared dead when I was 5, the Vet told my previous owner I had passed away! I guess they were all crying in the waiting room..thinking I had died, but when the Vet returned for my body, I was awake! I don't recall what happened, all I know is I fought to live and I fought hard…I lost a lot of blood so I don't recall much.
I
guess God had other plans for me. There was a woman (my Mommy now) who
would be waiting for me. She had cancer and her beloved sister Cathi
was ready to go to heaven. My mommy cries every time she thinks what happened to me, she tells me how courageous I am. She tells me I rescued her because she doesn't
think she could have made it without me. When my Aunt Cathi died, Shoko
& I knew something was terribly wrong and we were so good, we were
angels and didn't do anything to upset Mommy. We wanted to comfort her. Dogs are known for their devotion!
What if anything did you learn about
life that would help other in a similar situation?
I
know I am very strong & brave. I don't focus on events that went
wrong in my life..I enjoy every second of my life and am so grateful for
my blessings! I wrote in my book after my hysterectomy, I wagged my tail at Dr. Ruth. My secret is to life is "Wag your tail"! It's infectious.
9. What inspired you to write this book and can we look forward to any others?
I didn't focus too much about the sadness in my life because everybody has their fair share. I wanted to make people smile, nothing else. I love the camera and
to ham it up, but I feel a special calling to showcase my breed, since
we are so endangered by puppy mill breeders. Pekingese have an
incredible history that dates way back, I would be sad if our ancient pedigrees were lost for future generations.
10.
Now that you are a successful author, a show dog, a model, and a
mother, what are your plans for the future?
Lots! I am going to surprise everybody.
Thank you for sharing this book with my mom and I.
My Mom's review of Miss Pearls book:
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a cute little book about a pink-loving Pekingese. Miss Pearl lives in South Carolina with her bug-eating son and adopted parents. She is a two time Best of Breed winner and is on the cover of the Orient Express. Despite almost dying during child birth, this little ball of fun fought against death and won. This experience has filled her with deep wisdom, which she has graciously decided to share with the rest of the world when she is not at the beach or on a stroll with her nanny Miss Jacquelyn. You can find her Pearls of Wisdom on her blog Misspearl.com. I found this little book to be a wonderful look at the life of a Pekingese and I think that Pearl is very lucky to be surrounded by so many people who love her.
Diva
Pearl the Pekingese Life after Showbiz By Miss Pearl and Vicki Gattuso
Diva Pearl Pekingese: Life After Show Biz for a Pekingese by Vicki Paul GattusoMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a cute little book about a pink-loving Pekingese. Miss Pearl lives in South Carolina with her bug-eating son and adopted parents. She is a two time Best of Breed winner and is on the cover of the Orient Express. Despite almost dying during child birth, this little ball of fun fought against death and won. This experience has filled her with deep wisdom, which she has graciously decided to share with the rest of the world when she is not at the beach or on a stroll with her nanny Miss Jacquelyn. You can find her Pearls of Wisdom on her blog Misspearl.com. I found this little book to be a wonderful look at the life of a Pekingese and I think that Pearl is very lucky to be surrounded by so many people who love her.
All photos of Miss Pearl are provided by Vivki Paul Gattuso and used with permission.
Blueberry Bubble Gum by Mahamad Ali EIFakir Illustrated by Victor Guiza
Blueberry Bubble Gum by Mahamad Ali Elfakir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What could possibly go wrong when Max's dad gives him a bag of magical bubble gum? Max tries hard to resist its temptation until his dad can read him the instructions, but then his dad is called into work Max is sent to bed without even one taste. The smell of the gum is so overwhelming that Max has to try one. When his mother comes in to say goodnight she asks him if he broke his promise not to eat any gum. Max lies to her, and this causes the magical gum to sour in his stomach. What happens next is a bubble gum ride of a lifetime. On this journey Max learns some powerful life lessons about lying and breaking promises.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, to younger readers only. Here is why: when I first read this book something did not sit right with me, but I could not put my finger on it so I read it to my four children. My sons ages nine and seven really liked it, understood the moral of the story, and the bad guys reminded them of cartoon villains. My daughters, ages twelve and fourteen came to the same conclusion I did, something important was missing. We discussed it and figured out what it was. Max is missing a baseline. When some on takes a lie detector test the technician asks them questions they know are true, such as “is your hair brown” or “are your eyes blue”. They do this so they have a baseline to tell when the person is lying or not. In this book, the author just tells us that the boy is a chronic liar without giving any prior examples. This fact detracts from the rest of the story, in my opinion. If they want to reach a broader audience I would recommend that the author write a preface to the current book or a prequel that expands on the character's chronic lying habit, so the revelation that lying is not right is more profound at the end of this book. In conclusion this is a cute book with fantastic illustrations and a good moral lesson. Younger children will find it very enjoyable.
**I received an ARC in return for an honest review**
View all my reviews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What could possibly go wrong when Max's dad gives him a bag of magical bubble gum? Max tries hard to resist its temptation until his dad can read him the instructions, but then his dad is called into work Max is sent to bed without even one taste. The smell of the gum is so overwhelming that Max has to try one. When his mother comes in to say goodnight she asks him if he broke his promise not to eat any gum. Max lies to her, and this causes the magical gum to sour in his stomach. What happens next is a bubble gum ride of a lifetime. On this journey Max learns some powerful life lessons about lying and breaking promises.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, to younger readers only. Here is why: when I first read this book something did not sit right with me, but I could not put my finger on it so I read it to my four children. My sons ages nine and seven really liked it, understood the moral of the story, and the bad guys reminded them of cartoon villains. My daughters, ages twelve and fourteen came to the same conclusion I did, something important was missing. We discussed it and figured out what it was. Max is missing a baseline. When some on takes a lie detector test the technician asks them questions they know are true, such as “is your hair brown” or “are your eyes blue”. They do this so they have a baseline to tell when the person is lying or not. In this book, the author just tells us that the boy is a chronic liar without giving any prior examples. This fact detracts from the rest of the story, in my opinion. If they want to reach a broader audience I would recommend that the author write a preface to the current book or a prequel that expands on the character's chronic lying habit, so the revelation that lying is not right is more profound at the end of this book. In conclusion this is a cute book with fantastic illustrations and a good moral lesson. Younger children will find it very enjoyable.
**I received an ARC in return for an honest review**
View all my reviews
An Ordinary Toad's Extraordinary Night by Joanne McGonagle Illustrated by Rachael Mahaffey
An Ordinary Toad's Extraordinary Night by Joanne McGonagle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a delightful story about a little toad’s journey of self-discovery. Feeling ordinary and unimportant, a little toad embarks on a solo nocturnal hop to ask his grandfather what it is to be an amphibian. Along the way he learns that he might not be as ordinary as he thought.
I found this book very enjoyable the story and the illustrations are fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cute little read or has the desire to learn more about the not so ordinary but really extraordinary toad.
**I received an ARC in return for an honest review**
View all my reviews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a delightful story about a little toad’s journey of self-discovery. Feeling ordinary and unimportant, a little toad embarks on a solo nocturnal hop to ask his grandfather what it is to be an amphibian. Along the way he learns that he might not be as ordinary as he thought.
I found this book very enjoyable the story and the illustrations are fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cute little read or has the desire to learn more about the not so ordinary but really extraordinary toad.
**I received an ARC in return for an honest review**
View all my reviews
Mr. Max and the book of lost things by Cynthia Voigt
The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When Max’s parents mysteriously go missing, can Max rise to the challenge or will he crumble under the weight of it all? You will just have to read this fantastic book to find out. To tell you the truth I finished this book some time ago, but have been unable to review it. Not because it was bad in any way; on the contrary, it is so good I was afraid that I would not do justice to another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors of all time. It is funny, as an avid reader, I have read many wonderful books, several of them are in my top ten, but for some reason I have been apprehensive about writing this review. When I was little, I was abused by my stepmother and her son. At age ten I was taken out of my home and placed in the care of my aunt and uncle. I was lost and unsure of myself so I went to the only place I have ever felt fully at home: the library. The librarian saw me sitting alone at a table reading and approached me. She asked what kind of books I like to read. I promptly told her that I read whatever I could get my hands on. She smiled and led me to a section where all of Cynthia Voigt books were kept. I started with Homecoming and worked my way through all the books they had by her. When I finished, I re-read them all. I even got the privilege to give a vote to A Solitary Blue, and Dicey's Song for their reader rewards. I am now 35 years old and I have shared Cynthia Voigt’s work with my children. She is now their favorite author as well.
I recently I got the privilege of reading the pre-review copy of Mister Max And The Book of Lost things through NET Galley. This honor was so overwhelming I will be forever grateful for it. If the author ever reads this review I wanted to tell you that you have not lost the ability to touch my heart. I would recommend this book to everyone and as soon I can I will be adding it to my library.
I received this book as an early review copy for my honest review and I have given it. The opinions expressed herein are my own.
View all my reviews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When Max’s parents mysteriously go missing, can Max rise to the challenge or will he crumble under the weight of it all? You will just have to read this fantastic book to find out. To tell you the truth I finished this book some time ago, but have been unable to review it. Not because it was bad in any way; on the contrary, it is so good I was afraid that I would not do justice to another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors of all time. It is funny, as an avid reader, I have read many wonderful books, several of them are in my top ten, but for some reason I have been apprehensive about writing this review. When I was little, I was abused by my stepmother and her son. At age ten I was taken out of my home and placed in the care of my aunt and uncle. I was lost and unsure of myself so I went to the only place I have ever felt fully at home: the library. The librarian saw me sitting alone at a table reading and approached me. She asked what kind of books I like to read. I promptly told her that I read whatever I could get my hands on. She smiled and led me to a section where all of Cynthia Voigt books were kept. I started with Homecoming and worked my way through all the books they had by her. When I finished, I re-read them all. I even got the privilege to give a vote to A Solitary Blue, and Dicey's Song for their reader rewards. I am now 35 years old and I have shared Cynthia Voigt’s work with my children. She is now their favorite author as well.
I recently I got the privilege of reading the pre-review copy of Mister Max And The Book of Lost things through NET Galley. This honor was so overwhelming I will be forever grateful for it. If the author ever reads this review I wanted to tell you that you have not lost the ability to touch my heart. I would recommend this book to everyone and as soon I can I will be adding it to my library.
I received this book as an early review copy for my honest review and I have given it. The opinions expressed herein are my own.
View all my reviews
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