Kid Lit Giveaway Hop is at Penny's Tales

What a week this is going to be.  We have so many wonderful folks who want to talk about their  books, reviews, and, best of all, the fabulous giveaways that are being offered.

I started writing kids books after working in an elementary school for 100 years and noticed only the little ones got excited about checking out library books.  They would run up to show anybody who would listen about the treasure they found to take home and read with mom and dad.  Kids, fifth grade and up, not so much!

In today’s world, reading is absolutely essential.  I was not a reader as a kid.  I hated reading until I had kids of my own (then I started reading to escape reality)!  I decided I would try and write some stories for the middle grade kiddos.  They have stresses just like we adults do.  I wanted stories that would help them escape for just a little while!

Hike Up Devil’s Mountain - (eBook), printed version, and audio

What do you get when one ten-year old boy breaks into the basement of an old abandoned house, that is to be demolished the next day, and finds a mysterious glowing stick? Now add the school bully and his ten-year old brother who also find their way to that basement.  The bully wants that stick!  A fight ensues and that bully is now a toad. 

What you get is a whirlwind adventure of two boys and a toad that have to hike up Devil’s Mountain to find the only person who can help them.

The dangers they meet along the way will keep you turning those pages to find out what happens next!  There is a surprise ending you just don’t see coming!

http://store.solsticepublishing.com/hike-up-devils-mountain/

http://www.amazon.com/Hike-up-Devils-Mountain-ebook/dp/B0058DE9YC

Billy Cooper’s Awesome Nightmare – eBook

Billy Cooper’s seventh grade class has been given a last minute, weekend assignment.  An oral book report, due Monday, on some stupid historical figure, he draws from a box.

Who the heck is William Tell?

Billy’s weekend is way too full to worry about some legend – that is, until he meets his subject face to face!

MuseItUp

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

A Float Down the Canal – eBook

Twelve-year old Pam Simpson gets dumped on when her mother is called into work. She must cancel her plans for the mall to babysit her younger brother and his friend and take them to the public pool.  To make matters worse her cousin, Candy, is also coming over for the day.  She doesn’t even like Candy!

Much to Candy’s dismay, transportation to the pool is on inner tubes, floating down the canal.  One thing leads to another and it is Pam who, once again, must save the day.

When things couldn’t seem worse, the day takes a drastic turn for the better and it is Candy, and the float down the canal, that makes this the best day of Pam’s life!

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/140005

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/A-Float-Down-the-Canal?keyword=A+Float+Down+the+Canal&store=ebook

http://ebookstore.sony.com/author/penny-estelle_342944

http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=A+Float+Down+the+Canal

Please leave a comment because I would like one lucky person to win all 3 stories.  They will be in eBook format!

Thanks so much for stopping by and PLEASE check out all the rest of the wonderful people involved in this wonderful blog hop!   

Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Kate Marie Collins stops by Penny's Tales

I am very excited to have Kate Marie Collins on Penny’s Tales today.  She is the author of the fabulous book Daughter of the Hauk and has a brand new book ready to be released very soon, Mark of the Successor.  First let’s find out a few things about this wonderful gal!

1. Tell us all about Kate and what makes her tick and what do you like doing when you aren’t writing!

I’m a pretty simple person, really. As long as you’re honest with me, we’ll get along fine. I don’t deal well with people who won’t tell me what they really feel.

In my questionable spare time, I love to read. I make candles, participate in the Society for Creative Anachronism (medieval re-creation group), listen to music, play Dungeons & Dragons, read comic books. I’m a geek and love it.

2.  Tell us about your family – married?   Kids?   Where you live?

My  husband and I have been married for 17 years as of last November. We have two daughters, 14 and 11. Three cats (Athena, Witchy Kitty, and Caspar), and an odd assortment of dust bunnies that go along with having felines adopt you. Best way to describe where I live is Seattle Suburbia. Though, when the weather’s nice, Paradise would work as well. On a clear day, you have a hard time not seeing Mt. Rainier!

3. If you could travel anywhere in or out of this world, where would it be?

I really want to go to Scotland or Ireland. I’ve felt a draw to those countries for as long as I can remember! Ideally, I’d rent a car and have no other concrete plans except for when my plane left to go home. I just want to drive around the country and discover whatever I can.

4. What is your favorite all time movie?

“Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” hands down. After that, I love “The 13^th Warrior” the most recent Star Trek movies (the reboots), and the comic book movies (Iron Man, Avengers, X-Men).

5. What about weekly TV show?  Why?

Oh, I have dibs for our big t.v. on Tuesday nights for NCIS! The writing is excellent, the acting top notch, and it’s not always about killing the bad guy. Solving the case and arresting the culprit is just as important. And the characters are very real…they understand love, hate, and the need for revenge.

6. What is the most scared you have ever been?

The first time I clicked on the ‘send’ button to submit my first story to a publisher. I was absolutely petrified – my hand was shaking! I expected a rejection, knew that was part of the learning curve, but I really was more terrified they’d say yes.

7. If you could have any fantasy, what would it be?

Enough money to know our daughters could go to college without coming out in debt, our house was paid off, and we had a really well padded retirement fund. The more I think on it, my life’s pretty great. Are there things from my past I wish I could erase? Certainly. But those experiences made me the person I am today, the author I’ve become. My life now is a fantasy in several ways and I wouldn’t trade it.

8. Now, Tell us about your book?

“Mark of the Successor” is a fantasy novel, suitable for all ages. My youngest is chomping at the bit to be able to read it! It centers on Lily, a young woman whose life has been pretty rough. Her mother wouldn’t have even sent her to school if she could’ve found a way out of it. A few months before her 18^th birthday, Lily wakes up to find her Mama acting odd, and a strange man standing in their living room. When he disappears into thin air after telling her mother to have Lily ready to travel in the morning, Lily starts making plans to run away. Only to have more strangers, and another portal, appear in her bedroom. The story is really about Lily finding herself and being able to cut herself free of years of abuse, finally coming into who she really is as a person instead of trying to make others happy.

9. Where did you come up with the idea for your story?

I used to participate in an online writing group, and we’d hold weekly challenges. Someone would toss out a topic and you’d write whatever you were inspired to on the subject. One week, the prompt was ‘A Known Unknown’, so I had the idea of a small girl heading off to school the first time and seeing the bus lumbering down the road. The scene is still in the book, as the prologue! After I wrote it, though, Lily would not be quiet until I’d written an entire novel.

10. What is your favorite thing about writing?

Being in the zone. When you’re in the zone, the words are flowing, your fingers are flying across the keyboard, and nothing else is around you except the words. It’ll get to where my fingers will feel different, like they’re itching to be on the keys. I love that feeling.

11. What is your biggest pet peeve about writing?

Writers who don’t give me credit for my intelligence! I absolutely hate reading a novel where the author feels like they have to tell me six times in two pages that a character is a cop/used car salesman/six feet tall. Give me credit for being able to remember that!

12. Do you have a favorite author?

Several, but I have a special place in my heart for the recently departed Nick Pollotta. First off, he was the only author who would make me laugh aloud to the point of tears with some of his novels. Seriously, you do NOT want a drink in your hand if you’re reading anything under his name. He friended me on FaceBook and took me under his wing, patiently putting up with me asking all sorts of questions on the ethics of writing, etc. “Mark of the Successor” is dedicated to him. He recently passed away and won’t see it, but his wife told me he’d be very touched. Who knows…maybe she’ll buy a copy and he’ll read it over her shoulder someday.

13. Where can people find you? (give all your links)

My blog is at: http://www.katemariecollins.wordpress.com

For Twitter, you can find me as @DaughterHauk

And, on FaceBook, it’s http://www.facebook.com/pages/KateMarie-Collins/217255151699492

14. Most important – where can we buy your story?

Once it releases on May 16^th, you’ll find it at the Solstice bookstore (www.solsticepublishing.com), Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Kobo!

MARK OF THE SUCCESSOR

Kate Marie Collins

Dominated and controlled by an abusive mother, Lily does what she can to enjoy fleeting moments of normality. When a break from school only provides the opportunity for more abuse at home, the sudden appearance of a stranger turns her world even bleaker.  Disappearing without a trace, he has left a lingering fear in Lily. His parting words to her mother, “Have her ready to travel tomorrow,” is something her mind refuses to accept.

Running away is the only answer. But before Lily can execute her plan, a shimmering portal appears in her room. Along with two strangers who promise to help keep her safe. With time running out, she accepts their offer for escape and accompanies them into a brand new world. A world in which she is  

the kidnapped daughter of a Queen, and the heir to the throne of Tiadar.

Can she find her own strength to overcome both an abusive past and avoid those who would use her as a means to power?

As You Wish Tours presents Doug Dillon and his story Sliding Beneath The Surface - Yours FREE on May 3 - 5!

Book Title: Sliding Beneath the Surface (Book 1)

The St. Augustine Trilogy

Author: Doug Dillon

Release Date: August 24, 2011

Print Length: 166 Pages

Genre: YA Paranormal

Presented by: As You Wish Tours

Hello St. Augustine Fans! Let’s not forget the YA Paranormal Fans!

For three days, the Kindle version for Sliding Beneath the Surface will be available FOR FREE

on Amazon.com—a special promotion. Those days will be May 3rd, 4th and 5th. Spread the

word and tell everyone you know about this wonderful opportunity. This is also a final chance

for anyone who has not yet entered the Puzzle Ball Contest to do so. “Buying” one of these free

books on Amazon will count for one half of the contest requirements. All you would then have

to do for the other half of the contest requirements is to write a quick review on Amazon.com

before the contest ends on May 10. You’ll find the rules to the contest and more here: About the

Contest / What’s going on here?

BRIEF SYNOPSIS

In old St. Augustine, Florida, fifteen-year-old Jeff Golden’s recurring dream of being

stabbed in the chest and bleeding all over his bed is driving him crazy. It’s causing him to lose

sleep and giving him severe headaches. When his psychically gifted friend Carla and an ornery

Native American shaman named Lobo try to help, Jeff is inundated with terrifying paranormal

experiences.

Reaching out of Florida’s distant past, something increasingly entangles Jeff in tentacles

of danger that threaten his sanity and eventually his life. But the harder he tries to understand,

the deeper he gets. When comprehension finally dawns though, time has almost run out. Lobo

does his best to prepare Jeff for what he must face in order to survive but it may be too little and

too late.

It’s at this point that both Jeff and Carla find themselves swept headlong into an

alternative reality from which they may never return. If they don’t quickly and fully adapt to this

situation, all hope is lost. From Lobo they know how it might be possible to change what is

happening but the question is, can they? Repeatedly, Lobo has told both teens, “You create your

own reality whether in this world or in another.” If acted upon properly, that advice just might

save their lives and end suffering on an even wider scale.

BLURB

A new resident of America's oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida,

fifteen-year-old Jeff Golden suddenly finds himself up to his eyeballs in frightening paranormal

experiences. At the end of his rope in trying to figure out what is happening to him, Jeff decides

to rely on his friend Carla Rodriguez, and Lobo, an old Native American shaman, for help.

Despite this guidance, things get even worse. Jeff's spine tingling encounters increase

in number and intensity at an alarming rate, scaring him even more. Eventually, he makes

the startling discovery that unresolved circumstances involving a bloody event directly out of

Florida's distant past threatens his sanity and possibly his life.

Finally, overwhelmed by forces he cannot understand or control, Jeff's world shifts from

frightening to downright terrifying. In desperation, and on Lobo's advice, he leaps headlong into

the unknown in order to save himself. What Jeff discovers though is that he has entered a level of

reality he is completely unprepared to handle while unwittingly dragging Carla with him.

Like all the books in THE ST. AUGUSTINE TRILOGY, the premise for Sliding Beneath

the Surface is simply this: You create your own reality.

Excerpt

”Lobo,” Carla said before the man could turn around, ”this is my friend Jeff Golden and he—”

”You know better than that!” The man scolded. What a voice. A deep one, like a big old Harley

cranking up. While using the rag to wipe sawdust off his hands and arms, he turned around and

faced us. “Nobody comes here unless they‘re invited by me personally, especially this boy who

has problems buzzing around him like angry yellow jackets.”

Angry yellow jackets? The guy‘s attitude reminded me of a crappy teacher I had last year. Hated

the man. Not a good beginning.

Lobo didn‘t have a big belly like a lot of older guys. A broad chest matched his big shoulders,

but the man‘s face is what really made me stare. It looked like the front of a ship, as if it could

cut through water. A large thin nose stuck out above a small mouth with full lips that puckered

just a little. From those lips on each side, a permanent frown sliced down to a sharp chin. Other

deep lines across the rest of his face and neck showed the man did have some age on him, like

Carla said.

His eyes though, are what really caught my attention. Deep set under thick, bushy brows the

color of his hair, the pupils looked completely black. Even so, they glittered as if a tiny powerful

light inside each one kept trying to get out. I swear, when he looked at me, I thought for a second

I was seeing twin lasers rapidly firing in my direction. Talk about weird.

Carla walked over to him, placed her hands on her hips and slowly raised her head so that

Mr. Lobo couldn‘t help but look at her. I tell you what, all five foot four inches of Miss Carla

Rodriguez was poised like a little snake ready to strike. I wanted to smile, knowing Lobo was in

for it, but I didn‘t. The guy deserved it.

AUTHOR BIO

A former award winning educator, Doug writes about things paranormal and historical. His

interest in the paranormal comes from personal experiences as detailed in the nonfiction adult

book he and wife wrote titled, An Explosion of Being: An American Family's Journey into the

Psychic. Out of those events and extensive historical research, he then created Sliding Beneath

the Surface for young adults, Book I of the St. Augustine Trilogy. Doug set his trilogy in the

oldest and most haunted city in the United States, St. Augustine, Florida. Books II and III of the

trilogy are on the way.

AUTHOR LINKS
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheStAugustineTrilogy
Twitter https://twitter.com/Doug__Dillon
Website http://dougdillon.com
Amazon Author http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005ZEJTJ4
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/580090.Doug_Dillon

BOOK LINKS
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J5L0BO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=doudil-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005J5L0BO

B&N
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%2Fw%2Fsliding-beneath-the-surface-doug-dillon%2F1105115468%3Fean%3D2940013079991%26itm%3D1%26usri%3Dsliding%252Bbeneath%252Bthe%252Bsurface&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE3EFjAU3u8dHYrw1jS8PXiOOd8qg

Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12672567-sliding-beneath-the-surface

Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=e1S62dsEXRc

 

http://asyouwishtours.blogspot.com/

Lori Verni-Fogarsi stops by Penny's Tales

“A Love/Hate Relationship Between an Author and Her Characters”

Growing up, whenever I visualized “a writer,” it always seemed like a purely intellectual undertaking. There I would be, intermittently scribbling notes and pounding away at the keyboard as my mind emptied onto the pages.

In reality? Sure, there are times when it’s like that but, surprisingly, there are also times when the emotions become overwhelming! I’ve been known to say to friends, “Man, these people are driving me crazy!”

“Who?” they ask.

“The characters!”

“You mean the fictional ones in your book?”

“Yes!” (This is usually followed by them turning one finger in a circle on the side of their head, making a coo-coo sign, then asking if I’d like a glass of wine.)

I confess that my poor husband has also fallen victim to me being mad at him because of things the husband in my book has done, and I’ve had no patience for my kids even at the beginning of a weekend because “they” have already been testing me all week in my imagination.

Conversely (thank goodness!) I also sometimes have warm and fuzzy feelings toward my real life family members and friends due to niceties with the characters at times. I think it would be safe to say that my cat, Indy, who insists on being ON my lap and/or desk EVERY MINUTE that I am working, is probably still on my good side only because Frick (the cat in the book) is so docile.

Come to think of it, I would imagine that most careers cause mixed emotions at times. Social worker? Both rewarding and frustrating. Salesperson? Both elating and disappointing. Professional dancer? Both exhilarating and exhausting. I could go on and on, but I’ll stop now. (If you’d like to comment below about your career and any mixed feelings you might have, I’d love to know!)

Overall, I do find it worth it to have to put up with all of these mixed feelings. In ways, I actually feel like I’ve grown as a person from writing my books and with “Unexpecting” in particular, I feel like I’ve tackled some parenting issues, feelings, and dilemmas that haven’t even come up yet (some of which hopefully never will!).

I hope you’ve enjoyed this perspective and look forward to getting to know you a bit too. Thanks for reading!

AUTHOR BIO: Lori Verni-Fogarsi has been an author, speaker, and small business consultant since 1995. She has been featured in media including “Lifetime Women’s Network,” the “My Carolina Today Show,” and “Boston Globe Forums Live.” Her public speaking has occurred at many prestigious venues including “North Carolina State University,” “Nassau Community College,” and many more. She has received two awards for her novel, “Momnesia,” and her nonfiction, “Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies and Adult Dogs,” continues to be one of the most highly recommended in its genre since 2005. Lori is a happy married mom of two, step mom of two more, and has two cats, both rotten. She is very excited about the release of “Unexpecting,” and enjoys getting to know her readers via social media and in person. She invites you to learn more at www.LoriTheAuthor.com.

“Unexpecting”: Shelley and David are a couple of almost-empty-nesters preparing to embark on the next stage of their lives. They just ordered white furniture and planned the vacation they’ve waited their entire lives to take when Alexandra, seventeen and pregnant, shows up on their doorstep and announces that she’s the daughter they never knew they had!

“Momnesia”: Feeling invisible under all the responsibilities of caring for her family, a suburban mom sets about finessing a new version of her old vivaciousness… seeking balance between her “momminess” and her “sexiness!”

“Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies and Adult Dogs”: Whether you have a puppy who is first learning, an adult dog with ongoing confusion, or simply want to teach your pet to use a designated area, this book answers literally every housebreaking question!

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LoriTheAuthor
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LoriTheAuthor
• Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/LoriTheAuthor
• Lori’s Website: http://www.LoriTheAuthor.com
• Like other social media? Look for her at LoriTheAuthor everywhere!

Dan Wright's Legacy of the Dragonkin is featured on Penny's Tales!

PAGE TURNER BOOK TOURS PRESENTS…

   

Legacy Of The Dragonkin

Blurb:

Benji Dragonkin aspires to be a hero, just like his mother - Queen Daniar Dragonkin. He wants to become a famous warrior so that he can save the day - and win the heart of his long time friend, Lydia Taurok. But with his mother being overly protective of him, and a dark side to his father that threatens to tear their family apart, Benji has a long way to go just yet.

Zarracka Dragonkin, still a prisoner of Daniar, plots her revenge against her sister - and Benji may just be the key to her victory.

And in the land of Drewghaven, the Kthonian Knights arise once more, determined to once again bring forth their revenge against the men of the world. Their leader, Jihadain, seeks to settle old scores with Daniar - and break her spirit in the process.

With villains gathering and allies faltering, Benji sees this as a chance to prove himself a true warrior. But even more harrowing is a warning that his mother receives, forshadowing a greater evil:

"She is coming..."

Amazon UK | Amazon USA

About Dan Wright:

Dan lives in the UK, his hometown being Canterbury, Kent. A huge fan of both Fantasy and Manga, he has a style that combines both within his writing, which lets him tell stories that are both dramatic and tongue-in-cheek at the same time.

Dan also runs his own website, blog and even a wiki page that goes into detail of the world of Draconica. He is also a reviewer for the website Read2Review and also reviews books independently on his own website.

Authors who have inspired Dan are Douglas Adams, J.R.R Tolkien, Harlan Ellison, Alan Moore, Joss Whedon, H.P Lovecraft, George R.R Martin and Hiromu Arakawa.

You can connect with Dan Wright at the following places:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Character Interview – The Man in Shadow

A huge thanks to Penny’s Tales for having me today. For this part of the blog tour, I was asked to do a character interview for a character of my choice. I decided to interview, who I consider to be, the one that is the cause of all the chaos in the book. The Man in Shadow.

The Man in Shadow is somewhat of an enigma. Very little is known about him and his motivations – but he is responsible for releasing the Kthonian Knights and sending them on their path of destruction. But just who is the Man in Shadow really?

I managed to get some time to speak to him today and it was an – interesting talk to say the least.

Dan: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

MIS: Hmmm, let’s see. I may or may not have been born to a mother I may or may not have had. I may or may not have lived a life of pain and suffering. I may or may not have been married, had kids and seen them all taken away from me. And I may or may not have a deep seated hatred for all life and seek to destroy them. Or I may or may not just be a complete evil person just may or may not just enjoy messing with the lives of others. There. Does that answer your question?

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Oh, the usual. Pillage, destroy, burn everything, seek the death of all life, fart in public places – you know, the usual activity that all villains like to do!

Why do you release the Kthonian Knights from their prison?

The Kthonian Knights play a key story in my plan. With them causing chaos in Drewghaven, it allows me to focus on other things. Plus, I kinda like the Kthonian Knights. Sure, they are gendercidal maniacs that seek the death of all men, but they’re nice girls really. All they need is a cuddle now and then. Sure, they’ll probably rip your spine out for so much as touching them, but it’s only because they care!

Are you working with other people or working alone?

Well... there is a group of people that have hired me, called The Kabal. And I may or may not be working with them. Tell the truth, I haven’t decided yet.

What are your motivations for your actions?

Sigh. This is the problem. People ALWAYS think you need to have a reason for your actions. What’s wrong with doing things just because I can? Do you think a God needs a reason to cause death and destruction – no, they do it because they have the power to do so.

And besides, if you knew what I knew – how meaningless and pointless life is – then you wouldn’t need any motivations for your actions. You’d do it just because you feel like it.

Hell, I could carve YOU up into a million pieces just because I wanted to. But I won’t. Anyway, who would clean the mess up afterwards? Hehehe.

People call you the Man in Shadow because you tend to hide in the darkness. Can you tell us your real name?

If I told you that, I’d have to kill you. Well, I’d probably torture and then tickle you first, but I WOULD end up killing you eventually. It just depends of how happy I’m feeling at the time.

Every so often, we notice that you have to vent some kind of black gas from your mask. Can you tell us the reason why you need to do that?

I just have a bad case of gas! Hahaha!

But seriously, it’s void gas. Something left over from my imprisonment (which I could tell you about but it’s a very long and boring story and I’d probably just bore you to death telling it). Unfortunately, Draconica air doesn’t agree with me, so I have to wear the mask to be able to breathe. But occasionally, some of this left over stuff can clog my lungs. It’s a pain, but something that I have to do now and then.

At some point in Legacy of the Dragonkin, there is reference made to an entity known only as She and eludes to something called Final Ragnarok. Who is She?

Oh I couldn’t tell you that. I do so hate spoilers after all. You’ll find out what Final Ragnarok is when everyone else does. But by then it will be too late!

As to who She is? Well, I think I can give a little teaser...

Let’s just say that She is a being of immense power and hatred. She’s been living in the darkness for centuries – a living, boiling mass of hate. A hatred that has been brewing for such a long time it’s all she’s known. She is the one who, when released, will bring Draconica to its knees. Draconica will burn, people will die and all your worse fears will come true.

Or, she may just be a misunderstood soul that just needs a little loving. Who knows? Well, I do, but like I said, I hate spoilers.

 

It's a deal! Buy one for 99 cents and get the other for 1 Cent.

Starting Saturday, March 9, if you buy Hike Up Devil's Mountain, a great kid's adventure/fantasy, for a mere 99 cents, you will receive At What Price? for ONE CENT!  It's true!  It's true!

What do you get when one ten-year old boy breaks into the basement of an old abandoned house, that is to be demolished the next day, and finds a mysterious glowing stick? Now add the school bully and his ten-year old brother who also find their way to that basement.  The bully wants that stick!  A fight ensues and that bully is now a toad. 

What you get is a whirlwind adventure of two boys and a toad that have to hike up Devil’s Mountain to find the only person who can help them.

The dangers they meet along the way will keep you turning those pages to find out what happens next!  There is a surprise ending you just don’t see coming!

5.0 out of 5 stars What a fantastic book!,

By Jenny VanderVeur - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hike up Devil's Mountain (Kindle Edition)

For the first time, I was thrilled to have my son glued to the computer. This was his first experience with an Ebook, and it was definitely a success. For days all he could talk about was Hike Up Devils Mountain and what was happening in the book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic is alive and hopping along!,

By Marie C. Cordalis (Spokane, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hike up Devil's Mountain (Kindle Edition)

Excellent fast fun read! This is more like a novelette than a novel and was a very fast read. It's age appropriate and the two friends (ages 10 and 11) that I shared it with thoroughly enjoyed it as did I :) Very well written, well edited and a very clever fantasy read. The twist at the ending is fabulous!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fantasy story for children!,

By jvandermate - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hike up Devil's Mountain (Kindle Edition)

Just finished this book. Loved this fantastical story and the reveal at the end. As a teacher, I loved the descriptive writing in all the action scenes, setting details, and tiny attention to detail such as the veins in the dragon's wings. I could picture it all.

 

Katherine Gardner is awakened at 6:30 in the morning with a call from a strange woman who claims to have her granddaughter, Rio. This woman is calling the police if Katherine doesn’t make arrangements for somebody to pick this little girl up.

Katherine is a fifty-six years old woman and all alone, since her husband died over three years ago. Her life takes a dramatic turn when six-year old Rio comes to stay with her. Rio is a scared little girl whose life is filled with uncertainty and fear. 

In her grandmother, Rio finds a safe haven and an unconditional love that she has never known in her six short years and Katherine has found a love to fill the void that has been absent for way too long.

Unfortunately Katherine’s daughter, who deserted Rio, has other ideas.

5.0 out of 5 stars so many emotions stirring!, February 23, 2013

By 

L. Rempe "clean freak" (Glendale, AZ United States) -

The author of this short story was masterful at bringing so many emotions to the surface. The connection between the grandmother and her granddaughter contrast to the relationship between the grandmother and her own daughter. You develop a true bonding within this troubled family and yearn to read more to reach resolution.,

5.0 out of 5 stars An emotionally moving story for everyone, December 16, 2012

By 

Kathleen C. Sprayberry "K. Sprayberry" (Georgia) -

At What Price? By: P.A. Estelle

Retired and widowed, Kat Gardner welcomes her six-year-old granddaughter into her life when the child's mother disappears. The years are kind to Kat and Rio, giving them a chance to learn trust and how to laugh together. But those happy moments are interrupted every couple of years when Rio's mom shows up. A drug addict, Mom steals everything not nailed down, leaving Kat with a difficult choice - give in to extortion or lose the granddaughter she loves.

A Tender Story, October 30, 2012

By Michael Thal "Michael" (Sherman Oaks, CA)

At What Price? by P.A. Estelle is the heart-warming story of the love between a child and her grandmother. At the tender age of six Rio is abandoned by her mother, Lacy. The child is welcomed into her grandmother's home with open arms. However, every two years Lacey shows up in Rio's life to cause havoc.

With deep emotion and tenderness, Estelle brings to us a novella that shows a tight bond between a child and her grandmother that will keep readers at the edge of their seats in expectation of disaster.

Please go to the website http://store.solsticepublishing.com/penny-estell-free-books-1/  

Be sure to put both books in the cart.  

They will be downloaded in PDF format to your computer!

Erin Danzer's Cover is revealed on Penny's Tales

PAGE TURNER BOOK TOURS PRESENTS

Erin Danzer’s Cover Reveal For

Into The Spiral

(The Spiral Defenders, Book 1)

 We are honoured to join Erin Danzer today as she reveals her brand new cover for the eagerly awaited Into The Spiral (The Spiral Defenders, Book 1)

Fifteen-year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Lambert wants to get out from under her older brother’s shadow. When Ronnie gets a tattoo and then is struck by lightning, she suddenly finds herself able to see and hear things in shadows that don’t appear to others. Then Ronnie meets Gavin Clearwater, the hot new guy in all of her classes and finds out he can see and hear the same things she can.

Gavin tells her about the Spiral Defenders, a group of warriors that travels through space and time to defend the planets of the Spiral. After meeting the Commander of the Spiral Defenders and realizing his intentions might not be pure, Ronnie struggles between following her destiny to become a Spiral Defender and trying to regain the life she had before being struck by lightning.

~*~

Excerpt:

She looked and gave a little wave before turning to walk into her room only to find her way blocked by yet another guy. This school seemed to be crawling with hotties! This one was only a few inches taller than her, kind of short for a guy, with straight black hair and dark slightly slanted eyes. He wore black cargo pants, a black t-shirt that did nothing to hide his six-pack abs, and black combat boots. He looked her up and down and arched an eyebrow as he stepped aside.

“After you, Princess,” he said, making a sweeping gesture with his arm as he slightly bowed. Ronnie didn’t know whether to be appalled or to laugh at him and didn’t have time to make up her mind as their Homeroom teacher asked if they would be joining them today. Cheeks flushed, Ronnie walked into the room and sat in the first available seat. The guy in the doorway sat at the desk behind her and gave a small smirk that she pretended to ignore. Who the hell did this guy think he was? She looked across the room and smiled when she saw Shawn sitting in the back corner. He smiled and nodded when he saw her and her heart fluttered.

“Boyfriend, or someone you wish was?” the boy behind her whispered. Ronnie rolled her eyes. Her shoulders tightened as she tried to ignore him but he wasn’t going to be dissuaded so easily.

“Huh, well, if you’re not going to answer, then I’m going to have to guess,” he continued. “My guess would be that he’s not your boyfriend but you want him to be. Since you didn’t walk in with him, it makes me wonder if he’s even interested in you. What is he, an oblivious friend? Or does he not even know you exist? Is that what this outfit is for; so he will finally see you?”

Ronnie’s ears reddened and it took the last of her willpower to keep from turning around and telling him to shut up. She clenched her hands together on top of her desk, praying the teacher would call on either one of them just so he would stop talking. A million comebacks flashed through her mind, but she ground her teeth, knowing she would never say any of them. Despite her promise to herself to become her own person, she really didn’t know how to go about doing that. She thought it would be easy once she got the tattoo, but she knew she was failing. Even showing it off this morning, the little bit that she was able to, had taken more courage than she normally possessed—and she hadn't even had the satisfaction of Shawn seeing it.

Thinking about Shawn took her mind off the jerk behind her and she managed to tune into what the teacher was saying. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that interesting (all about locker assignments and hall passing times) so she tuned out as quickly as she’d tuned in, her mind wandering back to Shawn. She snuck another peek at him and was thrilled to find him watching her—or at least that’s what it looked like at first. He was actually looking at something behind her. She moved her head to get a better look and felt a tug on her hair.

“Stop moving; I’m almost done,” the guy behind her muttered. Ronnie spun around.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she shrieked, unable to pretend ignorance anymore. She ran a hand over her hair and found a thin lock he had apparently been braiding. Her eyes narrowed as the rest of the class waited for his reaction. Even the teacher had stopped talking.

“I was bored,” he muttered. “And your hair is really pretty.”

~*~

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes And Noble

Smashwords

iTunes

                                                      Add it to your Goodreads TBR list!

 

Erin Danzer wrote her first book at 10-years-old for a Young Authors competition, where she was awarded an Honorable Mention and discovered a passion for the written word. She’s written several novels and short stories since that spark ignited. Into the Spiral is the first of a four book series. In addition to her novels, Erin writes a monthly short story serial, The Cassandra Serafin Chronicles, posting alternately on her blog and in Literary Lunes bi-monthly online magazine. Erin resides in Racine, Wisconsin, with her husband, two children, and their cat.

You can connect with Erin at the following places:

Website

Facebook Fan Page

Twitter

Goodreads