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Book Review Lizzie & McKenzie’s Fabulous Adventures: Mayhem in Madrid

February 22, 2017 Leave a Comment

Title: Lizzie & McKenzie’s Fabulous Adventures: Mayhem in Madrid
Author: Dina C. Tate
Genre: Chapter Books, Fantasy
Age Group: Lower Grade and up
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Imagine if all the little girls of the world looked alike.

If the Same Glam Goddess gets her way, it can surely happen.

McKenzie Rivers, the pint-sized daredevil, and Lizzie Sanders, who loves all things frilly, aren’t afraid of being different. And that’s exactly why Princess Lovina of Exquisite City calls upon them to stop the Same Glam Goddess from making all the little girls of the world look the same. With the aid of their magical lovely lockets and fierce diva weaponry, Lizzie and McKenzie will travel the world to find the Seven Crystals of Sisterhood. Their first stop is the magical city of Madrid.

Lizzie and McKenzie will need help to obtain the crystals before the Same Glam Goddess gets her hands on them. If the crystals are not found, little girls all over the world will remain under the spell of the Same Glam Goddess and will lose their identities forever! Will Lizzie and McKenzie be able to find the crystals, break the spell, and stop the Same Glam Goddess?

Lizzie & McKenzie’s Fabulous Adventures: Mayhem in Madrid is the first book in a series of chapter books focusing on Lizzie and McKenzie. Lizzie and McKenzie are two best friends with very distinct personalities. McKenzie is a deredevil who doesn’t back away from any challenge. Lizzie is girlier, and loves frilly things, dresses, jewelry. Despite their differences, they’re best friends and get along really well.

What starts out as a regular day for the girls soon changes when it starts raining and a rainbow puddle forms near their feet, growing bigger and bigger until it reveals Princess Lovina from Exquisite City, where it’s okay to be different. Princess Lovina enlists the girl’s help to stop The Same Glam Goddess, a goddess on a mission to make all the little girls of the world look the same.

She’s already cast a spell to accomplish her wicked plan, but to make the spell permanent she would need the Seven Crystals of Sisterhood. Now, Lizzie and McKenzie have to get to the crystals before the Same Glam Goddess does.

A very imaginative, entertaining story featuring two protagonists kids can easily relate to. The book has gorgeous artwork that accompanies the text and really makes the scene come alive. On the one hand, you get the feeling you’re reading a book, on the other hand it’s almost like watching a cartoon TV series about Lizzie, McKenzie, and the new friend they meet in Madrid, Lucia. With their fancy gadgets, it’s like watching an episode of Totally Spies or Sailor Moon, and the artwork only makes the book more engaging than it already is.

I would recommend this book to all kids from age lower grade and up. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Filed Under: Book Tours, Chapter Books, Enchanted Book Tours, Fantasy, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Cover Reveal Sally Sleuth and The Missing Mice

January 12, 2017 1 Comment

About the Book

Title: Sally Sleuth and The Missing Mice

Author: Majanka Verstraete

Age Group: Lower Grade / Chapter Book

Genre: Mystery

Sally Sleuth, a fourth-grade self-proclaimed detective, is charged to bring the class’s pet mice home for the evening. But with her brother’s snake crawling around, her dad locking himself up in his office all night, and her mom’s strict “time for bed” policy causing her to leave the mouse cage open, it’s no wonder the animals have disappeared by the next morning.

Sally doesn’t have much time to find the mice before she’ll let her teacher and all her friends down.

Sally Sleuth is a series of chapter books for kids who like mysteries.

Release Date: January 30, 2017

Format: eBook and Paperback

Price: $2.99

Add to Goodreads

Author Bio

Majanka Verstraete begged her Mom to teach her how to read while she was still in kindergarten. By the time she finished fifth grade, she had read through the entire children’s section of her hometown library.

She wrote her first story when she was seven years old, and hasn’t stopped writing since. With an imagination that never sleeps, and hundreds of possible book characters screaming for her attention, writing is more than a passion for her.

She writes about all things supernatural for children of all ages. She’s tried to write contemporary novels before, but something paranormal always manages to crawl in.

Majanka has a Master of Law and Master of Criminology degree, and hopes one day to be able to combine her passions for law and writing. When she’s not writing, reading or studying, she likes watching “The Vampire Diaries” and “Game of Thrones,” spending time with her friends, or playing “World of Warcraft.”

Find Majanka online at:

Website: http://majankaverstraete.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Majanka-Verstraete/398570476832115

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iheartreads

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/eternalised

 

Pre-order on Amazon

Pre-order on Amazon

 

Giveaway


Win an eBook copy and $5 Amazon gift card for the cover reveal of Sally Sleuth and The Missing Mice.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

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Book Review: Globaloonies: The Big Red Button by Max Candee

October 28, 2014 Leave a Comment

Globaloonies1_EbookTitle: Globaloonies

Author: Max Candee

Genre: Children’s Picture Book, Time Travel

Age Group: Children

Rating: 4,5 stars

Purchase: Amazon

Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promootions in exchange for an honest review.

“Joey Papagopolis is your typical 10-year-old.
Like most boys that age, Joey has a pet chameleon named Larry and a mysterious Big Red Button that can transport the two of them through time and space to the far reaches of the planet…
Hey, wait a second, that’s not typical at all! In fact, that’s pretty amazing — which is why you will want to follow along as Joey and Larry set off on their first Big Red Button adventure.
An absent-minded wish and an accidental pressing of the button land Joey and Larry smack in the middle of a conflict between a Native American tribe and some English settlers. Yikes!
Are their lives in danger? Can Joey resolve the conflict? Will Larry teach them all how to line dance? Does Larry even know how to line dance?
The answers to these questions and more await you in the fun and fantastic adventure of THE BIG RED BUTTON.
65+ illustrated pages (may vary by device).
Humorous illustrations by Anne Zimanski.
Includes a professionally crafted audiobook. Look for the link inside!”

Globaloonies: The Big Red Button is the first book in a children’s book series about 10-year-old Joey with an average first name and a complicated to pronounce last name, who has a chameleon named Larry and one day finds a mysterious big Red Button which transports them through time and space. This is an amazing start to a series, that manages to combine teaching kids history and an engaging, enjoyable adventure that all kids will enjoy.

They end up in the adventure of a lifetime, in the middle of the conflict between Native Americans and the English settlers. Joey acts like any typical kid, with typical bravado, the weird habits all kids have, and a great dose of humor. It’s easy to relate with Joey and his pet chameleon, and to find oneself completely drawn into their adventure.

The writing is down to earth and exactly on the level kids need. The book offers an intelligent storyline, throws in some historical facts (without making it sound like a dull history book) and manages to craft an amazing story that will inspire kids and grown ups alike. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous too. Recommended to every kid who enjoys reading, and every parent or teacher looking for a great book to read with their kids.

Filed Under: Book Tours, Chapter Books, Enchanted Book Tours, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Book Tours: Starter Day Party Drowning in Fear

September 23, 2014 Leave a Comment

bannerDIF
I’m hosting the starter day party today for the book tour for lower grade chapter book “Drowning in Fear”. Enjoy the party!

Tour Schedule

September 23rd: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading

September 25th: Promo Post @ Domestic Chanteuse

 September 27th: Book Excerpt @ I’m an Eclectic Reader

September 29th: Author Interview @ The Single Librarian

October 1st:  Book Review @ Endazzled Reading

October 2nd: Book Excerpt @ Realm Tramper

October 4th: Guest Post @ Editor Charlene’s Blog

October 6th: Promo Post @ Hollow Readers

October 8th:  Author Interview @ Cassidy Crimson’s Blog

October 9th: Book Excerpt @ NaYa Books

October 11th: Book Review @ Forever Book Lover

October 14th: Promo Post @ Bookaholic Ramblings

October 16th:  Guest Post @ The Book Daily

October 18th: Book Review and Excerpt @ Cajun Book Lover

October 20th: Book Review @ Karen Greco’s Blog

October 22nd: Promo Post @ Plain Talk Book Marketing

October 23rd: Book Review @ Taking Time for Mommy

About the Book

23169001Title: Drowning in Fear

Author: Majanka Verstraete

Genre: Horror, Lower Grade, Chapter Book

For as long as he can remember, Nolan has been afraid of drowning. The fear is so bad he can’t even go swimming with his friends.

In an attempt to help him get over his fears, his Dad signs him up for a summer camp near Lake Weird. Ever since Nolan heard the news, he’s been having nightmares about an abandoned cabin near a lake, and about him drowning in water thick as blood.

Nolan is certain his nightmares are related to his fear of drowning, but when he arrives at summer camp, and finds out there’s a cabin near Lake Weird that matches the withered cabin from his nightmares, he realizes something more sinister is going on.

Can Nolan find out the reason why he’s spent his entire life being afraid of drowning? How is it connected to the spooky cabin from his nightmares, and the lake surrounded by creepy, crawling mist?

Author Bio

 Majanka Verstraete PictureMajanka has a Master of Law degree, and is studying for a Master of Criminology degree at the moment.

She has written a picture book series, “Valentina’s Spooky Adventures”, of which three books have been released. She’s also working on the “Weirdville” series, a series of scary lower grade chapter books. The first three books in the series have been released, and books four to six will release in 2014.

The first three Weridville books have also been released in audiobook version.

She’s written two young adult novels. “Fractured”, the first book in the Mirrorland series was released last year and its sequel, “Reflected” will be released in 2015. The first book in YA Paranormal series, the Angel of Death Series, “The Soul Thief”, will release in November 2014.

Website: http://majankaverstraete.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/4813098.Majanka_Verstraete

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Majanka-Verstraete/398570476832115

Twitter: @iheartreads

Links

Evolved Publishing: http://www.evolvedpub.com/product/drowning-in-fear/

Amazon (US): Buy on Amazon (US)

Amazon (UK): Buy on Amazon (UK)

B&N: B&N

Smashwords: Smashwords

iTunes: iTunes

Kobo: Kobo

Add to Goodreads

Giveaway

Win a $25 Amazon gift card during the tour!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Book Tours, Enchanted Book Tours, Starter Day Party Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Release Day Party Drowning in Fear

September 22, 2014 Leave a Comment

releaseDIF

About the Book

23169001Title: Drowning in Fear

Author: Majanka Verstraete

Genre: Horror, Lower Grade, Chapter Book

For as long as he can remember, Nolan has been afraid of drowning. The fear is so bad he can’t even go swimming with his friends.

In an attempt to help him get over his fears, his Dad signs him up for a summer camp near Lake Weird. Ever since Nolan heard the news, he’s been having nightmares about an abandoned cabin near a lake, and about him drowning in water thick as blood.

Nolan is certain his nightmares are related to his fear of drowning, but when he arrives at summer camp, and finds out there’s a cabin near Lake Weird that matches the withered cabin from his nightmares, he realizes something more sinister is going on.

Can Nolan find out the reason why he’s spent his entire life being afraid of drowning? How is it connected to the spooky cabin from his nightmares, and the lake surrounded by creepy, crawling mist?

Author Bio

Majanka Verstraete PictureMajanka has a Master of Law degree, and is studying for a Master of Criminology degree at the moment.

She has written a picture book series, “Valentina’s Spooky Adventures”, of which three books have been released. She’s also working on the “Weirdville” series, a series of scary lower grade chapter books. The first three books in the series have been released, and books four to six will release in 2014.

The first three Weridville books have also been released in audiobook version.

She’s written two young adult novels. “Fractured”, the first book in the Mirrorland series was released last year and its sequel, “Reflected” will be released in 2015. The first book in YA Paranormal series, the Angel of Death Series, “The Soul Thief”, will release in November 2014.

Website: http://majankaverstraete.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/4813098.Majanka_Verstraete

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Majanka-Verstraete/398570476832115

Twitter: @iheartreads

Links

Evolved Publishing: http://www.evolvedpub.com/product/drowning-in-fear/

Amazon (US): Buy on Amazon (US)

Amazon (UK): Buy on Amazon (UK)

B&N: B&N

Smashwords: Smashwords

iTunes: iTunes

Kobo: Kobo

Add to Goodreads

Filed Under: Book Tours, Enchanted Book Tours, Release Day Party Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Book Review: The Ghost and Max Monroe, Case #1: The Magic Box

September 1, 2014 Leave a Comment

20674714Title: The Ghost and Max Monroe, Case #1: The Magic Box

Author: L.M. Falcone

Genre:  Children’s Books, Fantasy, Mystery

Age Group: Children

Rating: 3 stars

Purchase: Amazon

In this first title in the detective fiction series by L. M. Falcone, ten-year-old Max Monroe is intrigued to discover that the carriage house behind his grandpa’s home was once the office of the Monroe Detective Agency. Then he learns the agency had belonged to his grandpa’s dead brother, Larry. But Max didn’t know he had a great-uncle. “Well, he’s dead,” says Grandpa Harry, “but his ghost still haunts the detective agency.” It seems Uncle Larry died of a broken heart because he “never solved one measly case.” However, a surprise phone call from a magician named Marty the Magnificent with an offer of a detective job seems like the second chance Larry has been begging for. Except, Larry is a ghost — he can’t work a case in the real world. But Max can! With Larry’s help, of course. The offbeat idea of a boy detective with a ghost as a sidekick provides this story with lots of opportunities for inside jokes and misunderstandings. This is a terrific chapter book series for newly independent readers who are ready for something more challenging than a first reader, with simple sentences, humorous dialogue and very short chapters, designed to make the reading experience less daunting. The limited black-and-white illustrations (around one per chapter) by Kim Smith provide details that enrich the story. The series provides a great introduction to the mystery genre, perfect for honing critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

The Ghost and Max Monroe, Case #1: The Magic Box, is a quirky little mystery. It starts out with ten-year-old Max Monroe who discovers the Monroe Detective Agency in his grandpa’s backyard. The agency is haunted by Uncle Larry, his grandpa’s dead brother and former detective. When a case shows up about a missing girl, the ghost of Uncle Larry, and Max, team up to save the day. They head over to the birthday party of the missing girl, and try to find her, talking to possible suspects and finding out what happened to make her dissapear.

The story moved quickly – too quickly. Sometimes I couldn’t follow, and heck, if I can’t, then there’s no way a child can keep up. It hopped from here to there, and the chapter titles were annoying too. They didn’t look different enough from the regular font, and they predicted what would happen next, taking away some of the suspense.

The illustrations were a nice addition though. They looked nice as well, so the art definitely isn’t the issue here.

The characters were flat – uncle Larry, grandpa and Max basically all had the same personality – and the plot was too simplistic, leaving too many things unexplained. Like how the ghost only showed up now, why no one asked for him in years and why Max had never heard of him before.

All in all, not too bad, but I think the flat characters and the often too rushed pace might be a deal-breaker for some kids. A good idea for a plot though, to set up a team of a kid and a dead detective. Maybe if the next books have more character development, and slow down just a little, they’ll be more entertaining.

Filed Under: Chapter Books, Mystery and Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Book Tours: Starter Day Party Weirdville

May 1, 2014 Leave a Comment

weirdvillebanner

I’m hosting the starter day party for the book tour for my chapter books in the Weirdville series: “The Doll Maker”, “House of Horrors” and “Fright Train”. I hope the tour will be a great success, so please visit all the blogs below.

There’s also an epic tour-wide giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card. Scroll down to the bottom of the starter day party to participate.

Tour Schedule

May 1st: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading  and Majanka’s Blog

May 2nd: Book Review “The Doll Maker”@ Cajun Book Lover

May 4th: Book Review “House of Horrors” @ Cajun Book Lover

May 6th: Book Review “Fright Train” @ Cajun Book Lover

May 8th: Author Interview @ I’m an Eclectic Reader

May 9th: Featured Friday @ Jo Linsdell’s Blog

May 10th: Guest Post @ Editor Charlene’s Blog

May 12th: Book Review “House of Horrors” @ Book in the Bag

May 13th: Book Review “The Doll Maker” @ Auggie Talk

May 14th: Character Interview and Review “House of Horrors” and “Fright Train” @ MHZ Book Reviews and Giveaways

May 15th: Book Review “House of Horrors” @ Auggie Talk

May 17th: Book Review “Fright Train” @ Auggie Talk

May 20th: Author Interview @ The Writer’s Life

May 22nd: Promo Post @ The Single Librarian

May 24th:  Book Review “The Doll Maker” @ Andi’s Chapter Books

May 26th: Book Review “House of Horrors” @ Andi’s Chapter Books

May 28th: Book Review “Fright Train” @ Andi’s Chapter Books

June 2nd: Author Interview @ Realm Tramper

June 8th: Guest Post @  Endazzled Reading

June 10th: Book Review “The Doll Maker” @ All Sorts of Books

June 12th: Book Review “House of Horrors” @ All Sorts of Books

June 14th: Book Review “Fright Train” @ All Sorts of Books

June 18th: Book Review “The Doll Maker” and Author Interview @ Enchanted Scrolls

June 19th: Book Review “House of Horrors” @ Enchanted Scrolls

June 20th: Book Review “Fright Train” @ Enchanted Scrolls

June 22nd: Book Excerpts @ Books Direct

June 23rd: Book Review “The Doll Maker” @ Iequals Alissa

June 24th: Promo, Guest Post and Excerpt @ NaYa Books and More

June 27th: Book Review “The Doll Maker” @ Brooke Blogs

June 29th: Book Review “House of Horrors” @ Brooke Blogs

July 1st: Book Review “Fright Train” @ Brooke Blogs

About the Books

Series: Weirdville

Author: Majanka Verstraete

Genre: Chapter Books, Kids Books, Horror, Lower Grade

The Doll Maker

Weirdville_Doll_Maker_300dpi_200x320Derek’s little sister wants one of those creepy-looking dolls, staring at him from the strange new doll shop in town, and what his sister wants, she gets. Now they’re stuck with a doll that looks so human, it gives Derek the creeps.

When Derek tells his friends, Martin and Jamie, about the new shop with creepy human-like dolls, they want to see for themselves. That has “bad idea” written all over it, but he takes his friends there anyway.

They meet the mysterious doll maker, who reminds Derek of Dr. Frankenstein, and who brainwashes Martin into buying one of those scary dolls. Derek and Jamie push and pull Martin out of the shop, but something isn’t right with their friend. He’s shivering all over, and he has no memory of what happened in the shop.

Martin’s condition worsens every day, and Derek’s sister grows more and more obsessed with her new doll. Derek and Jamie have to find out what’s going on, and fast, because…

…the doll maker seems linked to a bunch of mysterious disappearances, and the last thing Derek wants is his sister, or his friend, being next on the doll maker’s list.

House of Horrors

hh_5x8When her parents allow her to go to the fair, Jacky is over the moon. The fair is most famous for its haunted mansion, the House of Horrors, and her friend Ben can’t wait to try it out. Her best friend, Cass, is a little more reluctant, but then again, Cass has always been a chicken when it comes to getting scared.

Jacky and Cass are determined to act tough, so when Ben suggests they try out the House of Horrors, the girls tag along, even though the place gives them the chills.

As soon as the three of them enter the spooky monstrosity, the ride comes to a screeching halt, and the horror begins.

The lights fade, and a hooded figure appears and tells them they’re stuck in a twisted game of cat and mouse. He will show them their worst fears, and if the kids manage to face down those fears, they’ll have a chance of getting out of the House of Horrors alive. If they don’t, well….

Thirty minutes to go. Thirty minutes to face their nightmares… and the clock is ticking.

Fright Train

ft_5x8Charlie’s parents drop him off at the train station so he can visit his grandma in Weirdville. It’s a cold winter evening, so when his usual train is cancelled at the last second, Charlie wishes he’d stayed home.

An hour later, shivering from the cold, he climbs onboard the next train to Weirdville, even though he’d rather not. It looks like something straight out of the nineteenth century, as if it used a time machine to arrive at the station.

His shivering doesn’t stop, for soon after Charlie boards, he realizes just how right he was to be wary of this strange train. Something is seriously wrong with all the people onboard. If only he could figure out what was going on. If only he could get off the train

Author Bio

authorpictureMajanka Verstraete begged her Mom to teach her how to read while she was still in kindergarten. By the time she finished fifth grade, she had read through the entire children’s section of her hometown library.

She wrote her first story when she was seven years old, and hasn’t stopped writing since. With an imagination that never sleeps, and hundreds of possible book characters screaming for her attention, writing is more than a passion for her.

She writes about all things supernatural for children of all ages. She’s tried to write contemporary novels before, but something paranormal always manages to crawl in.

Majanka is currently studying for her Master of Laws degree, and hopes one day to be able to combine her passions for law and writing. When she’s not writing, reading or studying, she likes watching “The Vampire Diaries” and “Game of Thrones,” spending time with her friends, or playing “World of Warcraft.”

Links

Author Website: http://majankaverstraete.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Majanka-Verstraete/398570476832115

Twitter: @iheartreads

Goodreads:

The Doll Maker: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18163241-the-doll-maker

House of Horrors: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18518799-house-of-horrors

Fright Train: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18518899-fright-train

Amazon:

The Doll Maker: http://amzn.to/1ifFrIG

House of Horrors: http://amzn.to/1oqcwUI

Fright Train: http://amzn.to/1cWDoKf

On Publisher’s website:

The Doll Maker: http://evolvedpub.com/product/the-doll-maker/

House of Horrors: http://evolvedpub.com/product/house-of-horrors/

Fright Train:  http://evolvedpub.com/product/fright-train/

Giveaway

There’s a tour-wide giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card. The giveaway is international, and the winner will be contacted through email.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Filed Under: Book Tours, Enchanted Book Tours, Starter Day Party Tagged With: , , , , ,

Book Review: Maisy and The Missing Mice by Elizabeth Woodrum

December 20, 2013 Leave a Comment

Maisy Cover FinalTitle: Maisy and the Missing Mice
Author: Elizabeth Woodrum
Genre: Children’s Mystery
Rating:  4 stars
Purchase: Amazon, B&N
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Maisy Sawyer is not your average fourth grade student. She is a detective with a special skill for solving mysteries. She loves black and white mystery movies, cherry lollipops, and her dog, Reesie. When a thief known as The Black Boot steals the school’s mascots and her lollipops, Maisy sets out to solve the case. Can she help return the mice to their home in the science lab? Will she ever see her beloved lollipops again? Find out in the first book in The Maisy Files series.

Maisy and the Missing Mice was a short, but enjoyable read. It’ll be ideal for lower graders who enjoy a pleasant mystery. It’s not scary at all, and our detective and main character, Maisy Sawyer, will be very relatable for little kids. She loves cherry lollips, her dog Reesie, and hanging out with her best friend, Veronica. At times, she’s completely random – like any regular kid – but she does have an intelligent head on her shoulders, and she loves solving puzzles and mysteries.

Like a junior Sherlock Holmes, Maisy tries to solve the mystery involving the Black Boot, the thief who stole the school’s mascots and later on, her lollipops, threatening her he’d crush all her lollipops if she got involved. As Maisy gathers clues, she also has to deal with Veronica’s upcoming birthday party.

The book is a light-hearted, fun read. The plot moves fast, but not so fast kids won’t understand it. The main character is easily relatbale, she’s funny, and entertaining. The mystery itself wasn’t overly complicated to understand, but it wasn’t blatantly obvious either.

A great mystery read for its target audience, and enjoyable even by an older audience. It reminded me of the mystery books I read when I was younger, and seems to have that tough of magic some children’s mysteries lack. Definitely worth reading, and ideal for kids.

Filed Under: Book Tours, Chapter Books, Enchanted Book Tours, Mystery and Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Three of my books release today!

December 9, 2013 Leave a Comment

I got up extra early (nah, but anyway) to celebrate the release day for three of my books today. WHAT? THREE? Yep, you heard that right. I couldn’t be prouder.

So today is the release of: Valentina and the Whackadoodle Witch (a picture book, and the sequel to Valentina and the Haunted Mansion), House of Horrors and Fright Train (both books in the Weirdville series).

Valentina and the Whackadoodle Witch

18163642This hybrid picture/chapter book is ideal for kids as young as 4 and as old as 9, depending on reading level and parental involvement.

It’s not every day that a witch gets stuck in your chimney, dangling upside down.

When Valentina and her new-found friend Jerry play dress-up on the attic, the Whackadoodle Witch comes crashing down the chimney. She’s one of the most powerful witches of all time, but even she can’t free herself without a spell book.

Just one problem: that spell book was snatched by Masked Muggers, invisible thieves who steal valuable objects and hide them where you’d least expect it.

If Valentina and Jerry want to help the witch, they’ll have to search the house from top to bottom. Not an easy task in a house crawling with monsters in all shapes and sizes.

Available formats: eBook, paperback and hardcover

Amazon US | Apple iTunes-Books | Barnes and Nobleicon | Diesel | Smashwords | Sony | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

House of Horrors (Weirdville #2)

hh_5x8This chapter book, the second in the Weirdville series, is ideal for kids as young as 6 and as old as 11, depending on reading level and parental involvement.

When her parents allow her to go to the fair, Jacky is over the moon. The fair is most famous for its haunted mansion, the House of Horrors, and her friend Ben can’t wait to try it out. Her best friend, Cass, is a little more reluctant, but then again, Cass has always been a chicken when it comes to getting scared.

Jacky and Cass are determined to act tough, so when Ben suggests they try out the House of Horrors, the girls tag along, even though the place gives them the chills.

As soon as the three of them enter the spooky monstrosity, the ride comes to a screeching halt, and the horror begins.

The lights fade, and a hooded figure appears and tells them they’re stuck in a twisted game of cat and mouse. He will show them their worst fears, and if the kids manage to face down those fears, they’ll have a chance of getting out of the House of Horrors alive. If they don’t, well….

Thirty minutes to go. Thirty minutes to face their nightmares… and the clock is ticking.

Available formats: eBook and paperback

Amazon US | Barnes and Nobleicon | Diesel | Smashwords | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

Fright Train (Weirdville #3)

ft_5x8This chapter book, the third in the Weirdville series, is ideal for kids as young as 6 and as old as 11, depending on reading level and parental involvement.

Charlie’s parents drop him off at the train station so he can visit his grandma in Weirdville. It’s a cold winter evening, so when his usual train is cancelled at the last second, Charlie wishes he’d stayed home.

An hour later, shivering from the cold, he climbs onboard the next train to Weirdville, even though he’d rather not. It looks like something straight out of the nineteenth century, as if it used a time machine to arrive at the station.

His shivering doesn’t stop, for soon after Charlie boards, he realizes just how right he was to be wary of this strange train. Something is seriously wrong with all the people onboard. If only he could figure out what was going on. If only he could get off the train.

Available formats: eBook and paperback

Amazon US | Barnes and Nobleicon | Smashwords | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

Filed Under: Release Day Party Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Book Review: Why is the sky blue? by Shabana Muhajir

August 11, 2013 1 Comment

coverfinal_rankTitle: Why is the sky Blue?

Author: Shabana Muhajir

Genre: Non-Fiction, Kids

Age Group: Picture Books, Kids

Rating: 4 stars

Purchase: Website, Amazon

Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

While playing at the beach, two boys begin to wonder why the sky is blue and ask their mother to explain the reason to them. As they are very young, their mother needs to decide how best to explain to her boys. She discusses the phenomenon of the blue sky in a manner that even her six year old can understand. While addressing their initial query, the boys come up with several other related questions, and the mother answers them all with simple facts and drawings. To make it easier and more interesting, she performs a fun experiment with her boys, which shows them why the sky is blue at sunrise and red/orange at sunset.

The book is a must have for all those curious kids who are trying to make sense of the world around them, and for all those parents who want to satisfy their curiosity.

Two young boys, Aayan and Rayan, go to the beach one day with their Mom, when one of the boys asks Mom why the sky is blue. It’s such a simple, yet such a thoughtful question. Instead of coming up with half an answer, their Mom goes into great troubel to tell them how it works. She explains that all colors have different wavelengths, and for instance, blue and violet have short wavelengths, whereas red and yellow have longer wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths get scattered in the atmosphere by particles and gases. Red goes right through, because it has a longer wavelength, so we can’t see it, but blue, with its short wavelength, gets scattered. Why we don’t see violet? Simple, because we see blue more easily.

She also goes on to explain why the sky is red in the evening. But if you want to know why that is, you’ll have to read the book. Or as, in other words, I can’t be bothered to explain. And the book explains it way better than I ever could.

Why is the sky blue? is probably the first non-fiction book for kids I’ve read since I was a kid. It’s well-written, with short, easy sentences for kids to understand. The explanation offered here about why the sky is blue is perhaps the best-explained, easiest-to-understand explanation I’ve ever read about this particular subject. If a parent reads this book with a child, and explains (or refers to the glossary) what the child doesn’t understand, every once in a while, then the child will surely understand the topic, why the sky is blue, and what’s going on.

I also liked the little experiment at the end. It was great to see how the Mom, knowing both her sons were so interested in the subject, even managed to host an experiment to explain it! Great parenting, and an example for other parents.

My only pet peeve about the book were the illustrations. They aren’t all that professional. Even the simple illustrations to understand what the Mom is talking about, why well-thought-through, and explaining their point, don’t look professional, and in fact, look a little sloppy.

But apart from that, I enjoyed the book. The writing was perfect for young kids. If your kid likes science, or comes up with these kind of questions every now and then, then Why is the sky blue? is a must read.

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