Release Day Party Drowning in Fear

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

Book Tours: Book Spotlight for The Banana Bunch

Banana Bunch 2Title: The Banana Bunch
Author: Dawn Carroll
Publisher: Amolibros
Pages: 120
Genre: Children’s Book
Format: Ebook/Paperback

Purchase at AMAZON

The monkeys have a human friend called Sheila.

Sheila is in hospital – and she hates the hospital food.

The monkeys decide that something simply has to be done…

When their first attempt at delivering bananas to Sheila is thwarted the monkeys decide to form The Banana Bunch, a secret society dedicated to the delivery of delicious, health-giving bananas to Sheila and all the other unwell people at the hospital. Banana delivery proves, however, a little trickier than they had expected…

Author

Dawn Carroll was born in London, to a family who loved to read – and who also moved house with great regularity. One of the first tasks on arrival at each new home would be to find the nearest lending library, with the result that Dawn grew up with a great love of books. Encouraged by family and teachers, Dawn also started to write short stories.

In adulthood, Dawn’s busy life as a hospital doctor left little time for leisure writing. Indeed, The Banana Bunch stories would probably never have been written had Dawn not, one fateful day, discovered that falling from even a very small tightrope can have devastating consequences… but that’s another story!

Unable to return to her chosen profession, things seemed very black for a while. And then The Banana Bunch monkeys bounced into Dawn’s world….

Since then the monkeys (and Dawn) have been having a great time – telling the stories of their adventures in print and online, and also travelling far and wide to source new story ideas and to meet new friends. Find out more about Dawn and the Banana Bunch at www.thebananabunchbook.com

Tour Schedule


August 4

Book featured at Lighthouse-Academy

August 5

Book featured at 3 Partners in Shopping

August 6

Book reviewed at Rhi Reading

August 7

Book reviewed at Little Ones Read

August 8

Interviewed at Review From Here

August 11

Book reviewed 4 the Love of Books

August 12

Interviewed at I’m Shelf-ish

August 13

Guest blogging at Literal Exposure

August 14

Book featured at Confessions of a Reader

August 18

Book reviewed at Curling Up with a Good Book

August 19

Book featured at The Dark Phantom

August 21

Book reviewed and Interviewed at The Gal in the Blue Mask

August 22

Guest blogging at Lover of Literature

August 25

Guest blogging at I Heart Reading

August 27

Book reviewed at Maureen’s Musings

August 28

Book featured at Breaking the Spine

Book Tours: Starter Day Party Weirdville

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

 

Book Tours: Starter Day Party Valentina and the Haunted Mansion

tourbanner

Well, this is something different. I’m hosting a starter day party for a tour for my own book this time around! My picture book, “Valentina and the Haunted Mansion” will be touring from October 1st to November 1st. There are still some empty spots during the tour, so if you’d like to participate in the fun, please comment or get in touch.

Tour Schedule

October 1st: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading

October 2nd: Book Review @ Muse Unleashed

October 3rd: Book Excerpt @ Rose and Beps Blog

October 4th: Book Review @ Brooke Blogs

October 5th: Author Interview @ Froggarita’s Bookcase

October 6th: Book Review @ Deal Sharing Aunt

October 7th: Book Excerpt @ One World Singles Blog

October 8th: Book Review @ The Readers Hollow

October 9th: Book Review @ Books, Books and More Books

October 10th:  Book Review @ Spiced Latte

October 15th: Guest Post @ Runaway Pen

October 19th: Book Excerpt @ Margo Bond Collins’ Blog

October 23rd: Book Review @ Sweet Southern Home

October 27th: Book Review @ Rambling Voices In My Head

October 27th: Guest Post @ Sylv Jenkins’ Blog

October 28th: Book Review @ Must Read Faster

October 31st: Book Review @ Book Suburbia

Valentina and The Haunted Mansion

Valentina_Haunted_Mansion_300dpi_2x2p9_CompValentina isn’t thrilled with her parents’ decision to move into an ancient, gigantic mansion in the middle of nowhere—filled with dark, unsettling rooms, and far away from civilization, where they don’t have to worry about hiding who they are. Sure, it may be perfect for a vampire family like hers, but moving here meant leaving her best friends behind.

The new house has some perks, though. Valentina gets to choose her own room, and when she explores the mansion on her own, she discovers a trophy room, a museum room, a music room, and much more.

From the moment Valentina started exploring, however, she’s felt someone watching her. Strange things start to happen all around her: footprints appear in the dust, a disembodied voice sneezes….

…and just because Valentina is a vampire, doesn’t mean she doesn’t get scared like any other little girl.

Release Date: May 20th, 2013goodreads-badge
Format: eBook, Paperback and Hardcover

Evolved Pub | Amazon (US) | B&N | Smashwords | Sony | iTunes | Kobo |Amazon (UK)

Book Review: All Hallow’s ABC by Jennifer Mahal

CoverHallowWebTitle: All Hallow’s ABC

Author: Jennifer Mahal

Genre: Kids Books, Picture Books

Rating: 5 stars

Purchase: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Tomely or Kobo

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

From Apples to Zombies, the alphabet has never been spookier! Find visual treats and tricky rhymes in this colorful Halloween primer. All Hallow’s ABC is a delight to read out loud for kids of all ages.

All Hallow’s ABC is a delightful, fun read for young kids. Each page contains a rhyme and gorgeous illustrations of ghosts (not the scary kind, think Casper), little vampires, Victorian houses, skeletons, and much more. The illustrations are age-appropriate, and they fit the story well. As the title suggests, the book goes on to explain the ABC, but in true Halloween fashion. For example: “A is for apples we’ll bob tonight, B is for a ghostly boo! We shiver in fright.” These are two pages, so there’s rhyme every other page.

The rhymes are well done, and some of them would, no doubt, make a child laugh out loud. I’m not a child anymore, and even I enjoyed it! The illustrations weren’t overdone, and they really fit the theme. The book was well-formatted, and everything about it was a good choice, from the font to the illustrations to the colors. The author did an amazing job.

I’d love to read more kids books by this author. She clearly has the talent to keep her text uncomplicated and fun, while actually teaching kids something.

Giveaway

I’m happy to give away a print copy of this book, and a poster based on the book. The poster looks amazing, and the illustration matches the ones in the book. Want a chance at winning this? Awesome! In that case, fill in the Rafflecopter form below to participate. Contest is US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway