Review: Mo the Donkey: The Wedding Adventure by Charlotte Sullivan

Title: Mo The Donkey: The Wedding Adventure

Author: Charlotte Sullivan
Illustrated by: Hannah Baker
Published: Nov. 7, 2016
Genre: Children ages 4 on up
Review: ebook provided by author
Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

A charming illustrated children’s book based on the true story of author Charlotte Sullivan’s animal-mad wedding, featured in the Daily Mail and on The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Mo the Donkey is jumping gleefully across his field. Today is a very special day. Mo is going to be a page boy at his owner Charlotte’s wedding. But what will happen when a very muddy puddle, a missing bridesmaid bull terrier and some stolen sausages threaten to stand in Mo’s way?
Join Mo and all his animal friends on their great wedding adventure. Can they save the day from ruin?

Review: Oliver and the Billy Cart by Lou Silluzio

Title: Oliver and the Billy Cart

Author: Lou Silluzio
Published: Aug. 19, 2015
Publisher: Domjaf Media
Pages: 50 (paperback)
Review: ebook provided by author
Genre: Children ages 5 on up
Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

Do you have a young child who hates following rules? Or does their sense of adventure overrule their need for safety? This exciting tale will have young readers holding their breath, and learning a valuable lesson about rules and safety along the way.
Oliver loves the new blue billy cart his grandfather has just given him, and he can't wait to see how fast it can go. But Oliver's grandfather and mother just keep giving him rules, rules, rules! Oliver is a big boy with a brand new billy cart and he doesn't need rules! Or does he? Find out just how much fun ... or trouble Oliver gets into!

Review: Felix and Jedi by Lou Silluzio

Title: Felix and Jedi

Author: Lou Silluzio
Published: Jan. 24, 2016
Publisher: Domjaf Media
Pages: 34 (print)
Genre: Children ages 5 on up
Review: ebook provided by author
Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

Do you have a young child who loves to tease their pet dog? Are you tired of telling them over and over to 'be nice'? This adventure-filled tale will help your child understand the consequences of being a bully.
Felix is a cheeky little boy who delights in teasing his dog, Jedi. As much as Felix's mother tells him not to tease Jedi, Felix just can't help himself. But things are about to take a turn for the worse when Felix takes a tumble. Feeling guilty, Jedi thinks there is only one thing to do. What happens when a boy loses his best friend?

Blog Tour and GIVEAWAY: The Courage of a Samurai: Seven Sword-Sharp Principles for Success by Lori Tsugawa Whaley

 

Title: The Courage of a Samurai: Seven Sword-Sharp Principles for Success
Author: Lori Tsugawa Whaley
Publisher: Aviva Publishing
Publication Date: January 21, 2016
Genre: Motivational
Number of Pages: 264

The Courage of a Samurai is a Japanese American's journey into bushido, the samurai's code of ethics. Each chapter features a timeless message about Japanese and Japanese Americans who applied the principles of courage, integrity, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty to overcome life's challenges, and emerge stronger individuals. The Courage of a Samurai provides the reader a look ‘ inside’ this ancient code through the lives of inspiring individuals.Why did Chiune Sugihara, aka the Japanese Schindler, save the lives of Polish and Lithuanian Jews during World War II against the orders of the Japanese and Lithuanian governments? Understand the meaning of Honor in Saigo Takamori’ s, aka The Last Samurai, determination to preserve the samurai’ s way of life. Learn why “Go for Broke!” was the motto of the famous World War II all-Nisei 100th/442ndRCT, and discover why this simple motto reflects the essence of the way of the warrior. The Code of Bushido can guide us through the challenges we all face, and inspire us to live a life of honor, courage, and integrity in today’ s fast-paced and changing world. Sharpen your sword, and let the journey begin!

   

What others are saying...

"Bushido might be a Japanese culture, but I now realize that many of its aspects have universal values and appeals. I recommend this book to anyone who seeks inspirations to be a better person who can think beyond his/her personal and cultural boundaries." - Amazon Review

"Inspiring and clear. Wonderful stories that relate basic life principles in a way anyone can enjoy and follow." - Amazon Review 

"A very special and thoughtfully written book, that is a 'must read', for all, who want to reflect on their lives and learn how to make it better......especially, knowing there are those who have gone before us, making sacrifices we may have forgotten or fail to recognize." - Amazon Review 

"Ms. Whaley's book is one of the most inspirational that I ever read. She takes the story of the brave Japanese American soldiers of World War II, and uses their story to inspire her modern readers. I could not put the book down! It was gripping, passionate, intense, and beautiful all at the same time! I recommend this to anyone and everyone." - Chris Brusatte

Lori Tsugawa Whaley is an author, professional keynote speaker and life coach. Lori is a third generation Japanese-American baby boomer and a descendant of the samurai warrior; she is on a mission to empower others to reach their God-given leadership potential no matter their path, heritage, or circumstances. Lori and her husband John reside in a Japanese-style home in the Pacific Northwest.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+

Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice. Giveaway ends: November 25, 11:59 pm, 2016
Open to: Internationally.
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Lori Tsugawa Whaley and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

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Spotlight and GIVEAWAY: Return to the Secret Garden by Holly Webb

November 1, 2016; Hardcover, ISBN 9781492639091

Title: Return to the Secret Garden

Author: Holly Webb

Release Date: November 1, 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Praise for Return to the Secret Garden

“What a joy to return to the scene of a beloved children's classic... RETURN TO THE SECRET GARDEN with Holly Webb and enjoy the wonder of childhood and the magic of friendship in this sequel that is sure to warm the hearts of young readers everywhere. This is an absolute literary delight.”

– Pamela Klinger-Horn, Excelsior Bay Books (Excelsior, MN)

Return to the magic of Burnett’s classic tale with a brand-new character as she discovers a very secret garden.

It’s 1939, and the occupants of the Craven Home for Orphaned Children have been evacuated to Misselthwaite Hall, a fancy manor in the English countryside, to escape the Blitz. Emmie would hardly call the orphanage “home,” but her heart breaks knowing that leaving Craven means leaving her beloved cat, Lucy. Away from everything she’s ever known and trapped in imposing Misselthwaite, Emmie finds herself more miserable than ever.

But soon she starts discovering the secrets of the house—a boy who cries in the night, a diary written by a girl named Mary, and a garden. A very secret garden…

Goodreads link:

http://ow.ly/rfse305NpEl

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://ow.ly/rKbi305NpND

Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/1yFh305NpWv

IndieBound: http://ow.ly/qtjR305Nq2Y

Review: The Hiccupotamus by Aaron Zenz

Title: The Hiccupotamus

Author: Aaron Zenz
Published: Jan. 6, 2012
Publisher: Two Lions
Pages: 32
Genre: Children ages 3 on up
Review: ebook
Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk

HIC HIC HIC What's worse than a chronic case of the hiccups? How about a HIPPO with a chronic case of the hiccups? Is there any cure, or are those hiccups doomed to stay? vibrant illustrations, spirited text, and unforgettable characters unite in this exciting debut work from talented author/illustrator Aaron Zens.

Spotlight and GIVEAWAY: Murphy by Susan Hughes

November 1, 2016; Trade Paper, ISBN 9781492634003

Title: Murphy

Author: Susan Hughes

Release Date: November 1, 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

The newest adventure in the pawsitively adorable Puppy Pals series!

Kat and her BFF Maya love playing with the puppies at her Aunt Jenn’s grooming business, Tails Up!, and the girls are always there to help a puppy in need.

So when a shy Shetland puppy named Murphy arrives, Kat and Maya can’t wait to play with him. But Kat invites new-girl Grace along, and Maya is less than pleased. Then they find a lost cocker spaniel named Tawny, and the girls can’t seem to agree on what’s best for her. Will Tawny find her way back home? And can Kat be friends with both Maya and Grace? Maybe Murphy can help them sort it all out!

Goodreads Link: http://ow.ly/LtfM305R2HW

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://ow.ly/fRpS305R2Nh

Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/8Rmm305R2VH

IndieBound: http://ow.ly/czVP305R33u

Review:The Ouija Board by Shelby White

Title: The Ouija Board

Author: Shelby White
Published: Dec. 14, 2015
Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing
Pages: 105
Genre: Teen, Ghost
Review: ebook provided by author
Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

When Alycia and her three best friends buy a Ouija board for some late night entertainment, they come in contact with something that defies all reason. They find themselves faced with questions that would make others run in fear. Delving into this frightening unknown, they soon discover they are dealing with a force more powerful than they could possibly understand.

Enlisting some knowledgeable help on supernatural entities, they are introduced to a world they never thought existed. As they try to maintain the normalcy of their summer break and figure out how to rid themselves of this other worldly being they realize their lives will never be the same and that some games aren’t meant to be played with.

Blog Tour and GIVEAWAY: The Gardenia Curse by C.M. Savage

 

Title: The Gardenia Curse
Author: C.M. Savage
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Number of Pages: 158
Release Date: October 26, 2015

 Thirteen-year-old Eva Thomas finds herself in a life threatening mystery when her dreams become real. Night after night, she is transported to Dreamland, where an evil being, the Shadow, wants her dead. Can Eva save herself and her dreams before it’s too late? Exhausted from troubled sleep, Eva stumbles through her days in a new town where her grandmother is known as an eccentric and in a new school where a bully has decided Eva needs to be put in her place. Eva is left feeling alone and uncertain until she meets Alice, a quirky classmate with non-stop questions about Eva’s family. Is Alice a friend or is she after something more? 

In Dreamland, Eva is constantly on the run from the Shadow, even after she meets Herman, her dream-guide. Will Herman be able to protect Eva from the Shadow and shed some light on why the Shadow wants her dead? Or are Eva’s dreams destined to remain a nightmare? 

Mystery, evil and a touch of romance—all in a night’s dream.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Saguaro Books

What others are saying...

"In The Gardenia Curse, Eva’s adventure unfolds like a gardenia blossom, a little at a time, getting more intriguing with each pedal that unfurls until finally the full thing is open to enjoy." - Amazon Review 

"The Gardenia Curse is an exciting middle grade fantasy that easily captivates readers with it's imaginative plot and interesting characters." - BeachBoundBooks 

"The author really captures your mind and heart. I am looking forward to the authors second book to see what happens next!" - Amazon Review

C. M. Savage began writing at a young age. She used a typewriter and crayons to write and illustrate her first book when she was in second grade and continued to write off and on through college. After traveling, she enjoyed working with birds of prey, mammals and endangered Hawaiian birds. She is a second degree black belt in Taekwondo, enjoys crafting and having fun with her family. She recently moved back to Bend, Oregon with her husband and two daughters. The Gardenia Curse is her debut novel. She is now working on the sequel.

Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter

Blog Tour Prize Pack Giveaway

 

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize(winner’s choice), a copy of The Gardenia Curse, and a Book Flower.
Giveaway ends: November 28, 11:59 pm, 2016
Open to: Internationally.
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, C.M. Savage and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

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Review: The Sundown Kid: A Southwestern Shabbat by Barbara Bietz, John Kanzler (Contributor)

Title: The Sundown Kid: A Southwestern Shabbat

Author: Barbara Bietz
Contributor: John Kanzler
Published: July 7, 2017
Publisher: August House Publishers Inc
Pages: 32
Genre: Children ages 6 on up
Review: Paperback provided by publisher
Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

During the early days of settling the "Wild West," there were many Jewish families who became fearless pioneers seeking to create new communities in the desolate terrain. In this story, a young boy and his family move to the desert Southwest where they are the only Jewish family in their small town. Despite keeping busy with chores, adapting to their new home among strangers proves challenging. Every Shabbat, Mama complains that there is too much soup, not enough family. The young boy has an idea to help relieve Mama s homesickness and invites their new neighbors for Shabbat dinner. By honoring the Jewish value of inviting guests into their home for a meal, the family creates a sense of community in their new town." 

Review: If You Were me and Lived In Poland by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me and Lived in Poland
Author: Carole P. Roman
Illustrator: Kelsea Wierenga
Published: Sept. 5, 2016
Publisher: Cardinal Street Inc
Pages: 22
Genre: Children ages 6 on up
Review: Paperback provided by author
Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

Join Carole P. Roman when she visits Poland in the newest book of her informative series. Learn about the varied customs and cultures. Travel to Eastern Europe to discover what you would eat and do for fun. See the land through the eyes of a youngster like you and understand what life is like in this exciting place.

Don't forget to look at the other books in the series so that you can be an armchair world traveler.

Blog Tour, GIVEAWAY and Review: Ornaments of Love Picture Book by Sharlin

Title: Ornaments of Love Picture Book

Author: Sharlin Craig

Published: December 3, 2015

Publisher: Harmony Hearts Publishing 

Pages: 32

Genre: Children ages 6 on up

Review: ebook provided by author

Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk

A touching Christmas story with glowing illustrations, Ornaments of Love is a story to cherish for years to come. A beautiful tale of Ayana, an endearing ten-year-old who excitedly anticipates that special time of year when the entire family joins together to decorate and admire the Christmas tree.

But sadly this year is different. Ayana realizes that her mom and dad are far too busy with everything else to enjoy the tree with Ayana. Then, something unexpected happens and the family is brought together with tenderness and joy.

Filled to the brim and overflowing with charming moments, gentle humor, and timeless illustrations, this beautiful story is a wonderful reminder of what’s important not only during the Christmas season, but every day of our lives. Ornaments of Love is destined to become one of your favorite holiday stories. One that will remain in your heart forever.