Book Review and Giveaway Amelia, The Merballs And The Emerald Cannon

Title: Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon
Author: Evonne Blanchard
Genre: Children’s Books
Rating: 4,5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Amelia and Uglesnoo land on Mercury.  They meet the Merballs, the friendly aliens that live there.  All goes well, until an asteroid hits their planet. Amelia and Uglesnoo find themselves in deep trouble. How will they convince the Merballs of their innocence? And how will they manage to collect the flying shoes, escape Mercury and continue their quest to save Uglesnoo’s sister?

I previously read and reviewed Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage, book two in the series, and really enjoyed it. So, when I had the opportunity to read book three, Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon, of course I couldn’t say no.

With the second book, I was amazed by how creative the author was, and I have to say, this third book is even more original, fun and creative!

In this book, Amelia and Uglesnoo land on Mercury where they meet the Merballs. All seems to go pretty well, until an asteroid hits Mercury, and the Merballs areconvinced Amelia and Uglesnoo are somehow involved. With aliens, different planets, a good dose of humor and excellent storytelling that is age-appropriate, this is one of the best kids series out there. The illustrations are pretty fun too and fit the story well.

 

Giveaway

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Book Tours: Starter Day Party Amelia, The Merballs and The Emerald Cannon

I’m hosting the starter day party today for the book tour for children’s books “Amelia, The Merballs and The Emerald Cannon”. Welcome!

Tour Schedule

August 13th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading

August 13th: Promo Post and Giveaway @ Deal Sharing Aunt

August 14th: Author Interview @ Editor Charlene’s Blog

August 15th: Book Excerpt @ Nesie’s Place

August 16th: Book Excerpt and Giveaway @ Majanka’s Blog

August 17th: Author Interview @ The Single Librarian

August 17th: Book Excerpt and Giveaway @ Bookish Madness

August 18th: Book Excerpt @ Bedazzled Reading

August 18th: Book Review @ I Heart Reading

August 19th: Character Interview @ Pop’s Blog

August 20th: Book Review @ Editor Charlene’s Blog

August 20th: Book Review @ Andi’s Kids Books

About the Book

Title: Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon

Author: Evonne Blanchard

Genre: Children’s Books

Amelia and Uglesnoo land on Mercury.  They meet the Merballs, the friendly aliens that live there.  All goes well, until an asteroid hits their planet. Amelia and Uglesnoo find themselves in deep trouble. How will they convince the Merballs of their innocence? And how will they manage to collect the flying shoes, escape Mercury and continue their quest to save Uglesnoo’s sister?

Author Bio

Evonne Blanchard was born and raised in England. She met her husband, an American whilst they were both volunteering at a children’s orphanage in Guatemala.  The writer lives north of Boston, Massachusetts with her husband and their two daughters, Lydia and Gwendolyn.  Other additions to the household include a crazy puppy called Bailey, a lovely cat called Arthur, and lots of fish!

The author has been fascinated by space ever since she was a little girl, mesmerized by clips of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon. As a teenager, War of the Worlds, by H.G Wells became one of her favorite books and she adores the movie Mars Attacks.

When it came to creating her own aliens, the author decided on the warm and fuzzy type, rather than the war-like Martians. Uglesnoo, her main alien character is from Pluto. He’s very friendly and nice but a little crazy too! This was the beginning of Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures, starring Amelia and her alien friend Uglesnoo, from Pluto in a series of ten exciting space adventures for children, ages 5-10.

Uglesnoo’s sister is very sick.  The only cure is a repelling crystal from Neptune.  To obtain the crystal Amelia and Uglesnoo must travel to the Moon, Sun and all the planets in the solar system.

Evonne’s favorite planet -or to be more accurate dwarf planet- is Pluto, because it has a blue sky and glaciers just like Earth! She was not happy when Pluto was downgraded. Uglesnoo, her alien creation from Pluto is still mad at the decision.  “Pluto is the most important place in the solar system.  It’s where everyone goes for their vacation!” He agrees with Alan Stern, a leading NASA scientist, “This definition (of Pluto as a dwarf planet) stinks…!”

The author is currently working on the fourth book in the series, Amelia, the Snapperjacks and the Molten Maze.  This book is set on the Sun.  How will Amelia and Uglesnoo manage to land on the boiling hot Sun, trade with the aliens, find the jars of Snapperjack honey and continue their quest to save Uglesnoo’s sister?  Find out… in Amelia’s next amazing space adventure!

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Book Three: Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon

Curious about the series? Click here to find out more:

https://ameliasamazingspaceadventures.com/the-series

 

Links

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Barnes & Noble

Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Buy on Amazon

Book Three: Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon

Buy on Amazon

Website: https://ameliasamazingspaceadventures.com/

Book Tours: Starter Day Party Rat Tuesday

I’m hosting the starter day party today for the book tour for children’s picture book “Rat Tuesday”. Enjoy the tour!

Tour Schedule

March 16th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading

March 18th: Book Review @ The Resistance

March 20th: Promo Post and Giveaway @ I’m an Eclectic Reader

March 21st: Promo Post @ Bookish Madness

March 23rd: Book Review @ Pop’s Blog

March 23rd: Book Review @ Just Books

About the Book

Title: Rat Tuesday

Author: Adrienne Quintana

Illustrator: Shalece Fiack

When the neighborhood rat children meet at the park to play, they attempt a science experiment and disaster ensues.

Author Bio

Adrienne Quintana is the author of Eruption and Reclamation as well as several children’s books. When she isn’t writing, Adrienne enjoys running, hiking, and matchmaking (Are you single? She probably knows someone perfect for you.) She lives in Arizona with her husband and four children, who give her love, support, and plenty of good material for Instagram.

Illustrator Bio

Shalece Fiack has loved painting and drawing since her childhood. She is the illustrator for the Rat Tuesday series and an acrylic painter. In 2015, Shalece completed 100 paintings in 100 days. Shalece continues to paint soft, colorful pieces in her home studio in Orono, Maine, where she lives with her family.

 

Links

Publisher Website: https://pinkumbrellapublishing.com/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2mgtY3z

Book Review: Earclaw and Eddie by Daniel Jude Miller

CoverTitle: Earclaw and Eddie

Author: Daniel Jude Miller

Genre: Children’s Books

Age Group: Children (although this could be useful for adults too)

Rating: 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon

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

Eddie is just a regular guy trying to get by in his boring life, when out of nowhere he finds himself underneath a very unwelcome visitor. Earclaw is the unwelcome visitor and exists as nothing more than a crushing weight on Eddie’s head. Faced with this permanent guest, Eddie must learn to endure, accept and possibly trick Earclaw in leaving once and for all.

In Earclaw and Eddie, Eddie is just a regular guy until one day, he gets a visit from Earclaw, a purple, huge monster that nestles around his ears and won’t let go. No matter what Eddie does, Earclaw is there. At work, during dates, while brushing his teeth, even while he’s trying to get to sleep.

Earclaw is not just a monster – as we learn throughout the book. He also stands for emotional pain, and in a way that hardly any children’s book I’ve read manages to do, this book shows the reader an actual message: sometimes, we have emotional pain, and no matter what we do we can’t let go of it. We have to learn to live with it. We have to learn to live with the monsters.

This book is unique. In a whimsical, charming way, with gorgeous illustrations (seriously, I couldn’t stop looking at them over and over again) author Daniel Jude Miller tells his young and old readers alike a very important message.

Book Review Rani in Search of a Rainbow

RISR-cover-hrTitle: Rani in Search of a Rainbow
Author: Shaila Abdullah
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Age Group: Children
Rating: 4,5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Displaced by the Pakistan floods, Rani’s family has taken refuge at a relief camp where they are doing their part to help other flood victims. Eight-year old Rani wants to assist but doesn’t know how. Heeding the advice of her father to help in a way only children can, Rani embarks on a journey to bring true joy to a dear friend on the occasion of Eid.

In Rani in Search of a Rainbow, Rani and her family have taken refuge at a relif camp after hiding from the Pakistan floods. Her family helps out the other flood victims, but Rani feels like there’s nothing for her to do. She wants to help others, but whenever she offers, she gets turned down by the members of her family, until she comes up with an unique way to help, and bring happiness to a friend she made at the refuge camp.

This is an inspiring story about courage, friendship and being there for one another when in need. The story talks about Rani and her family, life in the refugee camp, the Pakistan floods and the influence it has on communities. The book also features adorable illustrations with bright colors. Kids will love it, and they’ll learn things from it as well, about the values of friendship and helping others, for instance.

Book Tours: Starter Day Party for Fluffy the Bird

fluffythebirdbanner
I’m hosting the starter day party for the book tour for children’s book “Fluffy the Bird” today. I will review the book on December 29, and you can win an autographed copy of the book!

Tour Schedule

December 5th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading

December 5th: Promo Post @ Undercover Book Reviews

December 7th: Book Excerpt @ Books are Forever

December 9th: Promo Post @ Bookish Madness

December 10th: Book Excerpt @ Hollow Readers

December 11th: Author Interview @ Majanka’s Blog

December 13th: Promo Post @ I’m an Eclectic Reader

December 15th: Guest Post @ Bedazzled Reading

December 17th: Book Excerpt @ Cassidy Crimson’s Blog

December 18th: Book Review @ Books are Forever

December 19th: Promo Post @ The Book Daily

December 21st: Book Review, Excerpt and Author Interview @ Virtual Coffee Haus

December 23rd: Promo Post @ The Book Gazette

December 24th: Book Review @ I’m an Eclectic Rader

December 25th: Author Interview @ The Single Librarian

December 26th: Book Review @ The Book Daily

December 27th: Guest Post @ Editor Charlene’s Blog

December 28th: Promo Post @ 365 Days of Reading

December 29th: Book Review @ I Heart Reading

December 31st: Book Excerpt @ The Reading Guru

January 2nd: Author Interview @ Bookaholic Ramblings

January 3rd: Book Review @ PRATR

About The Book

destraworldbookcoverTitle: Fluffy the Bird

Author: Ronald Destra and Juanita Destra

Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Children’s Picture Book

New Children  Book ‘Fluffy the Bird’ Teaches Children About Following Their Purpose in Life.

Fluffy the Bird sang the most beautiful music, everyone who had the pleasure of hearing him was delighted. He truly had a gift!

Was this what Fluffy was meant to do? Did he have a purpose? Was his voice a way to make the world a brighter place?

With a bright future and so much potential ahead of them, encouraging children to uncover their natural talents and skill is vital in their development. Take a journey with Fluffy as he discovers his purpose in life– discovering his talent and opening up a world of possibilities for children.

Author Bio

Ronald Destra

pikRonald Destra is an aspiring children author, illustrator, publisher, entrepreneur and husband. He resides in Florida. Mr. Ronald  Destra is the author, co-author and illustrator of four (4) children books, Hoppy the Frog, Fluffy the Bird, Scrappy the Dog & Tommy the Giraffe.

Ronald Destra is the co-founder of Destra World Books Publishing.

His purpose in life is to help young children learn that they do have a purpose in life and to never give up no matter what life throws at them.

More about Ronald Destra and his books, please visit his site.  http://www.ronalddestra.com

Juanita Destra

workCEO of Destra World Books Publishing which provides professional literary services to authors and business owners.

Co-author of Fluffy the Bird & Scrappy the Dog. Aside from her publishing expertise, Juanita Destra has been employed in the medical field for many years which she strives to provide high quality patient care.

More about Juanita Destra and her books, please visit her site.  http://www.juanitadestra.com

Giveaway

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Book Review: A Different Kind of Safari by Helen C. Hipp

bookcover_smallTitle: A Different Kind of Safari
Author: Helen Hipp
Genre: Children’s Books
Age Group: Children
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Has a book ever changed your life? Not just inspired you but helped you to see you’re life differently? In a tale that celebrates differences “A Different Kind of Safari”  addressing the many questions life asks by offering up lighthearted, ever-changing perspectives that transform personal challenges into opportunities. Engaging and fun young children begin to figure out how they are the same and different from other people, and how they feel about the differences. Full of fun and enjoyable teachable moments that move children and allow them to make personal connections with the characters handling of similar fears, interests, and concerns that they experience.

A Different Kind of Safari is certainly, like the title suggests, quite different. Ray is a young boy who is on safari with his family, visiting Africa, when he runs into a pink hippo named Rosie. The hippo tells him a few things about herself, like how she always used to cover herself up, and how she wasn’t happy with herself, things that Ray can easily relate to. Ray doesn’t look different, but he is. He has trouble talking to other kids his age. Sometimes he feels lonely and sad.

Rosie decides to help him, and together they travel the Mara River, while they search for a way to make Ray happy. Along the way, Ray learns more about the other animals through stories and through meeting them, and at the same time, he learns more about life.

This isn’t just a kids book. It is, in fact, a great and inspiring read about a young boy who struggles to be happy – something all, or most of us, can relate to. It’s told through stories with animals in a way that kids can easily understand, but the message is an important one, and not always easy to get across, although this book manages just fine.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and that alone would make it worth reading. It offers slightly more than other children’s books, providing insight in difficult themes in a light-hearted way instead of just telling a story.

Cover Reveal Party: I Woof You From The Bottom of my Heart

iwoofyoureveal

I’m happy to host the cover reveal party today for children’s book “I Woof You From the Bottom of my Heart”. I hope you like the cover – I think it works great for a children’s book!

iwoofyoucover

Title: I Woof You From the Bottom of my Heart

Author: Kathy Vassilakis

Genre: Children’s Book

The idea to write this book came from my daughter and my dog. This book was written to show children how special a bond and friendship they can have with their dog. Dog’s are wonderful pets and love us unconditionally. They will protect and love us no matter what. Children deserve to learn that at a very young age and grow to love all animals. Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character

Author Bio

Personal Biography of Kathy Vassilakis

Kathy Vassilakis used to work in the corporate world. She majored in accounting from Brooklyn College and followed her dream to work in corporate accounting for 15 years until she became a mom.

Being a mom was her dream all along and she left accounting to raise her beautiful daughter Sophia. She’s been writing stories for her daughter for quiet some time and decided to write her first children’s book of many to come I Woof You From The Bottom Of My Heart.

The idea to write this book came from my daughter and my dog. This book was written to show children how special a bond and friendship they can have with their dog. Dog’s are wonderful pets and love us unconditionally. They will protect and love us no matter what. Children deserve to learn that at a very young age and grow to love all animals. Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character.

Growing Up

I grew up in Brooklyn NY. I was the second child out of two. I have one sister named Joanne and always had animals. We had many dogs throughout my childhood from Pomeranians to Chows. I also had ducks, roosters, chickens, bunnies and many more animals. I was and still am a huge animal lover.

My love of books started when my mother used to read wonderful stories to my sister and me every night. She always tried to teach us both languages Greek and English. My parents were born and raised in Greece so Greek was their first language. Most of the stories she read to us were in Greek but that started my love for reading and writing. I learned both languages and am now fluent in writing and reading Greek which I am very proud of.

Family

I’ve been married now for five years and have one beautiful daughter. My daughter Sophia is 17 months old and she is my whole world. I also have a Japanese Chin named Bella. My husband, Greg, has always supported and believed in me, and my family will always be my inspiration.

Creating I Woof You From The Bottom Of My Heart

I have spent twenty years writing stories and brainstorming ideas for children’s books with my family. I came up with the characters Sophia and Bella after my own family. I was inspired by my daughter and the relationship she has with Bella and created I Woof You From The Bottom Of My Heart to teach children ho special a bond they can have with their dogs.

Compassion for animals is greatly connected to goodness of character this is the motto of the book. All animals deserve to be loved, respected, and treated right.

After a lot of hard work and many sleepless nights, I was finally able to publish my first book: I Woof You From The Bottom Of My Heart. To me, finally seeing my book in print and being able to share it with the public has made all the late nights and long hours worthwhile.

Links

Website- http://www.kathyvassilakis.wix.com/iwoofyou

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/IWoofYouFromTheBottomOfMyHeart

Twitter- https://twitter.com/Vassilakis0515

Amazon- http://amzn.com/1500576085

Barnes & Noble- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-woof-you-from-the-bottom-of-my-heart-kathy-vassilakis/1120334279?ean=9781500576080

Reader’s Favorite review- https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/36144

 

Book Tours: Starter Day Party for A Different Kind of Safari

safaribanner

I’m hosting the starter day party today for the book tour for children’s book “A Different Kind of Safari”. The tour runs from October 20 to November 20. I’m reviewing the book on November 11. Stay tuned for the review, and in the mean time, visit the other blogs.

Tour Schedule

October 20th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading 

October 20th: Promo Post @ Domestic Chanteuse

October 22nd: Promo Post @ The Book Gazette

October 24th: Author Interview @ Editor Charlene’s Blog

October 25th: Book Review @ The Single Librarian

October 26th: Promo Post @ Hollow Readers

October 27th: Author Interview @ Cassidy Crimson’s Blog

October 29th: Promo Post @ I’m an Eclectic Reader

October 30th: Book Review @ Cajun Book Lover

November 1st: Promo Post @ Bookaholic Ramblings

November 3rd: Author Interview @ The Book Daily

November 5th: Book Review @ Books, Books and More Books

November 7th: Promo Post @ 365 Days of Reading

November 9th: Author Interview @ Majanka’s Blog

November 10th: Promo Post @ Bookish Madness

November 11th: Book Review @ I Heart Reading

November 12th: Book Review @ I’m An Eclectic Reader

November 13th: Author Interview @ Forever Book Lover

November 14th: Book Review @ Bookaholic Ramblings

November 15th: Book Review @ Inspired Writers

November 17th: Promo Post @ The Reading Guru

November 19th: Book Review @ Taking Time for Mommy

A Different Kind of Safari

bookcover_smallTitle: A Different Kind of Safari

Author: Helen Hipp

Genre: Children’s Books

Has a book ever changed your life? Not just inspired you but helped you to see you’re life differently? In a tale that celebrates differences “A Different Kind of Safari”  addressing the many questions life asks by offering up lighthearted, ever-changing perspectives that transform personal challenges into opportunities. Engaging and fun young children begin to figure out how they are the same and different from other people, and how they feel about the differences. Full of fun and enjoyable teachable moments that move children and allow them to make personal connections with the characters handling of similar fears, interests, and concerns that they experience.

Author Bio

Hip9860_7x5final150dpiHelen Hipp’s experience raising a special needs child led her to an M.A. in clinical psychology and certification as a life coach. She began her career as a psychotherapist to help people find answers for their life problems. Her work eventually evolved into a coaching practice, WithinU Life Coaching, focusing on individuals with special needs and their families. Helen uses her 13+ years of counseling experience and 20+ years’ experience as a successful advocate for individuals with special needs by helping them reveal their innate ability to solve difficult situations. Her debut book ” A Different Kind of Safari” puts into words the essence of Helen’s teachings addressing the many questions life asks by offering up lighthearted, ever-changing perspectives that transform personal challenges into opportunities.

Links

For more information, visit the books official website and to see a picture of the real Rosie the real life pink hippo that inspired this story, go to www.adifferentkindofsafari.com

Award Winning Book trailer: http://youtu.be/5vd_sH64kt0

Buy the Book:

A Different Kind Of Safari | Hardcover

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-different-kind-of-safari-helen-c-hipp/1115058594?ean=9780989013406

A Different Kind Of Safari | Hardcover

http://www.amazon.com/Different-Kind-Safari-Helen-Hipp/dp/0989013405/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403620957&sr=8-1&keywords=a+different+kind+of+safari

A Different Kind Of Safari | Audio Book

http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/A-Different-Kind-of-Safari-Audiobook/B00FWXPS2U

Three of my books release today!

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