Review & $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway - Osteoblasts to the Rescue by Heather Manley, N.D.

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Osteoblasts to the Rescue   Merrin and Pearl are at it again! This time these two young Human Body Detectives are exploring the skeletal system. With the ability to jump in and examine the various systems in the body, Merrin and Pearl’s adventures are fun stories and helpful tools to educate children. In Osteoblasts to the Rescue, Merrin and Pearl navigate their friend, Lily’s, broken arm and learn all about bones. As the fourth in The Human Body Detectives series, Osteoblasts to the Rescue can also stand alone as a book that’s sure to inform, engage, and inspire readers of all ages.  

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OUR TAKE

As a homeschooling mom, I was very curious to check this book out.  I had seen these Human Body Detectives books on the Homeschool Buyers Co-op before, but I had never  purchased them.  After checking out Osteoblasts to the Rescue, I will definitely buy the rest of the books in the series!

Osteoblasts to the Rescue is a very cute and educational story.  Pearl and Merrin travel into their friend's body in order to explore her skeletal system and discover how her broken arm is healing.  The story is short, but cute and is followed by a non-fiction section of the book that gives more facts about the skeletal system.

What I loved:

• The educational value.  The book had so much great information about the skeletal system!  I learned a lot from reading it.  I thought it was great that the author used all of the technical terms for everything and didn't dumb the information down too much for kids.  Instead, the technical terms were used and then the author would give the common term to explain it.  I loved that the book got my daughter thinking about her bones and asking questions.
• The fun story and illustrations.  If this had simply been a non-fiction kids' book about the skeletal system I don't think my daughter would have been very interested.  But, because there was a cute story involved and there were fun illustrations, she was drawn in.  By the time we got to the completely non-fiction part of the book at the end, she was already invested in the story and wanted to know more.  
• The facts section.  I think it was great that the facts given at the end of the story were interesting and presented in a bullet-point format.  This made it easier for my 9-year-old to digest the information.  I thought it was great that we were given nutrition information on what types of foods would help our bodies.  I also LOVED the illustrations of the skeleton that reinforced what we had already been learning about.
• The jokes.  At the very end of the book were a list of cute kids' jokes about bones.  Definitely appreciated in my joke-loving family!

What I didn't like:

• Confusing at first.  While I loved that the technical terms were used and the book explained the skeletal system thoroughly, I was a bit afraid that the information might confuse my daughter at first and I did have to stop and explain a few things to her (or show her on our bodies where certain bones were that they were talking about).  If I had had a print copy of the book instead of an eBook copy, this would not have really been as much of an issue, though, because I would have seen that there was a picture of the skeleton with all of the bones that were being discussed labeled and I could have referred to it more easily (it's harder to do this with an eBook).  After reading the non-fiction section of the book, I think it would be great to go back over the story part of the book and re-read it - I will definitely be doing this with my kids, but we haven't done it yet.
• Series references.  While this book could definitely be read by itself, I think it would have been nice to have read at least the first book in the series first.  The book explained that the girls are human body detectives and that they can go into people's bodies, but it didn't really explain how or why - I'm guessing that there might have been a bit of explanation in the first book.  We'll definitely be getting it and reading it!

Osteoblasts to the Rescue is a very cute and extremely educational kids book, which I HIGHLY recommend for homeschooling moms or anyone who has kids who appreciate learning about the human body.  We will definitely be getting the rest of the books in this series!  4.5/5 Stars.

    Author Heather Manley, N.D. I have always been passionate about healthy foods and exercising. Growing up in Toronto, Canada I would exhaust my allowance at the health food store and write school papers on spices and herbs. It was no wonder I found myself studying biology at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. I loved animals as well so I initially focused on wildlife conservation and animal biology, however, with some exposure to naturopathic medicine, this health care philosophy rang true for me. I switched to pre-med and I graduated in 1993. I earned my doctorate at the from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon before moving with my family to Hawaii where I became licensed and continue to practice today. Everything I learned in medschool came into fruition when my children were born. I realized the importance of teaching them, by example, about healthy food and lifestyle. Telling them what to eat was not enough, so I created and wrote educational adventure stories that explain the physiological systems in the body. Not only did my kids love the engaging and interactive stories but so did their friends. I love seeing kids have fun learning to understand their bodies and how food helps them run faster and be smarter. My focus is on preventative health. I am passionate about encouraging families to seek the value of a simple lifestyle and offering tools to assist them at being proactive and confident in their daily living. I am constantly inspired seeing people make positive changes in their lives. With my website, I am excited to reach more families in a way that will manifest healthy living.

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Review & Giveaway - Evertaster and The Buttersmiths' Gold by Adam Glendon Sidwell

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The Buttersmiths' Gold

BATTLES. BLUEBERRIES. BOVINES.

TORBJORN AND STORFJELL’S HISTORY UNFOLDS IN AN EPIC EVERTASTER NOVELLA.

Everyone knows the most coveted treasure of the Viking Age was blueberry muffins. Blueberry muffins so succulent that if you sniffed just a whiff, you'd want a whole bite. If you bit a bite, you'd want a batch; if you snatched a batch, you'd stop at nothing short of going to war just to claim them all.

Young Torbjorn Trofastsonn comes from the clan that makes them. He's a Viking through and

through – he's thirteen winters old, larger than most respectable rocks, and most of all, a Buttersmith. That's what he thinks anyway, until a charismatic merchant makes Torbjorn question his place among the muffin-makers. When Torbjorn lets the secret of his clan's muffin recipe slip, he calls doom and destruction down upon his peaceful village and forces his brother Storfjell and his clansmen to do the one thing they are ill-prepared to do: battle for their lives.

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About The Buttersmiths' Gold

The Buttersmiths' Gold is a spin off novella in the Evertaster series that tells the story of two Viking brothers and their adventurous past. The Evertaster series (Book #1 released June 14, 2012) is about Guster Johnsonville, who goes searching for a legendary taste rumored to be the most delicious in all of history. Along the way he meets a slew of mysterious characters, including two Viking brothers Torbjorn and Storfjell. The Buttersmiths' Gold is their story. 124 pages. By Adam Glendon Sidwell. Published by Future House Publishing.

Evertaster, Book #1:

A legendary taste. Sought after for centuries. Shrouded in secrecy.

When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother’s casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’ reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it’s too late.

 

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MY TAKE

Evertaster

I read both Evertaster and The Buttersmiths' Gold for this review.  First, I'll give my thoughts on Evertaster.

Evertaster is an adorable kids' adventure novel filled with quirky characters, crazy villains and even crazier "monsters" (okay, not exactly monsters, but I don't know what else to call giant man-eating chickens!).

What I loved:

• The unique concept.  So, when was the last time you read a book about a boy who saves the world with his incredibly refined palate?  Never, you say?  Yeah, me neither.  This idea was so fun and unique!  Guster is an Evertaster - he has such an amazing sense of taste that he can detect not only every ingredient in a recipe, but also exactly what the climate was where the ingredient was grown, who touched it, how much of it was used, and so on and so forth.  This seems like a wonderful gift.  The only problem is that his sense of taste is so refined that almost nothing will satisfy him and he is literally starving to death.  When he hears of a mysterious "perfect" recipe that could bring about world peace and satisfy his incredibly picky taste buds, he just has to find it!  However, the ingredients are not so easy to come by and he is being pursued by a gang of murderous chefs who want to use the One Recipe for their own dastardly plans.  Like I said, this plot is NOT cookie cutter!
• The fun adventure.  I could totally see this book being made into a really fun kids' cartoon.  I mean, I could practically see the movie as I was reading it.  Each ingredient that Guster needs to find is so imaginative - massive eggs grown on a tree from seeds that are laid by giant, man-eating chickens, sugar crystals growing like stalagmites and stalactites in hidden cave guarded by gorillas, butter that comes straight from the cow (after the cow has been "joggled" properly).  Really, I don't know how Sidwell came up with this stuff, but it was so much fun to read!
• Guster's family.  I loved the fact that Guster's family was involved in his whole adventure and that they grew closer and closer because of it.  They stuck together, even in the midst of all the craziness.  I especially appreciated his wonderful, unadventurous mom who had to embrace her inner adventurer.  One of my favorite Mom quotes came from the beginning of their search for the One Recipe (when things had just started to get really dangerous):

"Guster!  How many times have I told you not to go into dark secret passages in the middle of ancient cities?  See?  This is exactly what happens when you disobey your mother!"

          Yep, just another average day in the life of a mom.

What I didn't like:

• Honestly, not much.  In order for me to come up with things I didn't like, I have to be pretty nit-picky.  There were a few minor editing issues in the book (and I am very picky when it comes to editing - I read one review that said that this book was poorly edited and all I can think is that she must have read a much earlier version of the book because I saw nothing but a few very minor issues).  There were also a few points in the end where I wasn't sure why Guster made some of his final decisions (don't want to spoil anything, so I won't go into more detail about that).  But, overall, I liked most everything about this book!

Evertaster is a humorous, fast-paced children's novel that is sure to please.  I highly recommend it!  5/5 Stars.

The Buttersmiths' Gold

The Buttersmith's Gold is a companion novella to Evertaster that tells the history of the butter used in The One Recipe and how it came to be.  It is a fun tale that includes Viking wars and giant murderous trolls.

What I loved:

• The history.  It was fun to learn about how and why the Vikings originally started "joggling" their cows in order to make their incredibly unique and amazing butter.  I also liked that there was a little insight into The One Recipe thrown into this book that you didn't get from Evertaster.
• Torbjorn.  I thought that the character of Torbjorn was great - and one that kids would really be able to relate to.  He's trying to prove that he's growing up to his father and his clan, but he makes some pretty major mistakes along the way.  I love that he is able to redeem himself and save the day in the end!

What I didn't like:

• The tone.  Actually, I should clarify and say that there was nothing wrong with the tone of this book.  It just wasn't what I was expecting after I had just read Evertaster.  Where Evertaster was a fun, humorous adventure, The Buttersmiths' Gold read more like a fable.  And while it had its lighthearted moments, it just felt more serious somehow.  Again, it's not that this was bad, it just wasn't what I was expecting based on the first book.  

Overall, The Buttersmiths' Gold was a great addition to the Evertaster series.  While it was a little less fun and humorous than the first book, it added great depth to a part of the story that just had to be explored further.  I would give this novella 4/5 Stars.

    Author Adam Sidwell In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Transformers and Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He’s been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can’t wait to fall into the sea.

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Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 7/2/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $25 US.  a Rafflecopter giveaway  

5 Star Review & $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway: Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy (The Templar Chronicles #2) by Jeff Gunhus

 

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Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy (Book 2) After barely surviving the onslaught of monsters that tried to kill him the day before his fourteenth birthday, Jack Templar leaves his hometown on a quest to rescue his father and discover the truth about his past. Joined by his friends Will and T-Rex, and led by Eva, the mysterious one-handed monster hunter, Jack sets out for the Monster Hunter Academy where he hopes to find answers to his questions. Little does he suspect that the Academy is filled with dangers of its own, many of them more terrifying than anything he’s faced so far.

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Jack Templar: Monster Hunter Orphan Jack Templar has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. The day before Jack's fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits...until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him. As if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.

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My TAKE

I read both Monster Hunter and Monster Hunter Academy for this review, so these are my thoughts on both books.  I have to confess that my kids haven't read these yet (they just haven't had time recently because they are in the middle of other series), but I have no doubt in my mind that my 10-year-old son will LOVE these books and I'm pretty sure my 9-year-old daughter will enjoy them as well.  (I'll post an update once they finish them). 

What I loved:

• The fun and witty intros.  Both books start out with a really amusing warning about how monsters are real and cautioning you that reading the book will draw monsters to you so that you will never be safe again.  (Warning - if you have kids who are easily scared, this might actually get to them!).  I thought it was great fun and a fantastic way to draw kids into the story, making them feel like they could actually be a part of it.  Just check out this excerpt from Monster Hunter Academy (what middle grade boy wouldn't LOVE this?)

Since I can’t be certain that you read my first book about the night I found out I was a monster hunter, I should start out with a warning. 

First, monsters are real. Vampires, werewolves, zombies, demons; you name it. In fact they are more common than you could ever imagine. Second, this book is not make-believe. This is a truthful account of my life as a monster hunter and the mysterious circumstances that seem to constantly surround me. Third, reading this book makes you fair game for monsters. 

You heard me right: the simple act of reading this book will attract monsters to you and give them the go-ahead to attack. Usually, if you were under fourteen years old, you would be safe by the Law of Quattuordecim, an ancient truce between man and monster that protects non-combatant children on both sides until sundown on their fourteenth birthday. I blew it by attacking a monster that was trying to eat someone I knew the day before my birthday. You’re about to blow it by reading this book. 

If you’re over fourteen, you are already at risk for monster attacks, but in reality they are few and far between. Still, by reading this book, you are guaranteeing they will come after you. So don’t come crying to me if a rock troll chops off your feet or a harpy eats one of your eyeballs. The choice is yours. 

However, if you decide to turn the page, you’ll be reading about the Monster Hunter Academy, a place no non-monster hunter has ever seen or heard about before. What happened there is not for those with weak stomachs or for those who are easily upset. There is blood and gore and death and, like it or not, some kissing. But there is also an adventure unlike anything you have ever seen before. 

So turn the page if you dare. The adventure starts now.

• The action.  These books are full of monster fighting action, sure to please your average middle grade boy.  The fighting sometimes gets intense.  (Although it's not gory or age inappropriate, if you have a sensitive child, these scenes could be bothersome).  The book lives up to its name - Jack is a monster hunter and he ends up battling LOTS of monsters.  
• The high stakes.  Unlike in some books for middle graders, everyone is not safe.  In fact, characters die.  The heightened stakes make those action scenes that I just mentioned that much more intense because you're never quite sure if everyone is going to make it.  
• The characters. Jack is a character that lots of boys can connect to - an average boy put into extraordinary circumstances.  Even though he suddenly gains immense strength, he doesn't instantly turn into a fearless hero.  Instead he sometimes lets others down and he struggles with whether or not he can handle the pressure.  Meanwhile, his friend Will is oozing confidence and courage, sometimes making Jack feel that he can't possibly be the hero everyone is searching for.  Their other friend, T-Rex is a fun character who suffers from anxiety and low self-esteem (partly from being bullied).  I especially loved him in the second book, when he truly discovered his importance and owned it!  

What I didn't like:

• Its similarities to that "other" series.  I have to confess that I was a bit afraid that this series would be a Lightning Thief copycat, just using monsters instead of mythological creatures.  I was especially worried when I saw that book two took place at a monster fighting academy (hmmm... Camp Halfblood anyone?).  However, I will say that, in the end, while some comparisons could certainly be made, I felt that the Jack Templar books stood on their own.  These books will definitely appeal to fans of Riordan, but they aren't a rehash of his books.  It's a win-win as far as I'm concerned!
• Very few adult influences.  Besides Jack's aunt (who is present only in the first book) and the leader of the Monster Academy (in the second book), there are no other adults in these books (unless you count the enemies!).  Will's parents are abusive (though this is not directly seen in the books, it is referred to) and T-Rex's grandma is senile.  While I understand how these things helped propel the story, I kind of wished that there had been one or two more positive examples of adults in the kids' lives.

I would highly recommend these books to anyone who loves adventure  and fantasy.  Riordan fans will definitely love this series!  Honestly, I felt like I had to be very nitpicky to even come up with negatives about this book - it's exactly what a middle grade fantasy should be. I am definitely looking forward to the next installment!  5/5 Stars.

***Disclosure: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and my review was not affected in any way. All opinions are my own*** 

 

Awards for Jack Templar Monster Hunter

Book of the Year Finalist by Forward Magazine   

Next Generation Indie Book Finalist

Indie Excellence Finalist

Parents Choice Recommended Book Award                            

Author Jeff Gunhus grew up in Cyprus, Greece, and Saudi Arabia where there was a distinct lack of television. He quickly found books were the gateway to incredible adventures, fascinating characters and unbelievable discoveries. Now, with five children of his own (all who watch too much television, in his opinion), he has enjoyed revisiting his old books and reliving those adventures all over again.

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Spontaneous Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop!

Kathy over at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer decided to host a spur of the moment giveaway hop and I thought I'd join in!  There are LOTS of blogs participating, so be sure to visit them all for the chance to win tons of awesome prizes!!  (See the linky below for list of participating blogs).

For my part of the hop, I am giving away your choice ANY book from the Book Depository (up to a $12 value).  This giveaway is international and is open to anyone as long as The Book Depository ships to your address for free.

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Teaser Tuesday - Jack Templar, Monster Hunter

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

~Grab your current read

~Open to a random page

~Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on the page

~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! ( make sure that what you share doesn't give away to much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

~Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

- Then go on over to Should be Reading and share your teaser in her comments section!

My teaser today is from Jack Templar, Monster Hunter.  I'll be reviewing the second book in the series (Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy) on this blog on Friday, but for now, I'm sharing a fun teaser from the first book.  (Tell me what middle grade boy wouldn't love to read a book that says stuff like this):

Jack Templar, Monster Hunter

by Jeff Gunhus

"But I warn you (and this is a big warning), if you read this book, if you learn about the monsters who roam among us and the hunters who fight them, if you decide to learn the truth, then you will become fair game for the monsters to chase...And at some point, they will find you, just like they found me, and you will be forced to defend yourself."

Review & $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway - The Trouble with Toads by Danyelle Leafty

I'm participating in a blog tour for The Trouble with Toads by Danyelle Leafty.  Make sure you scroll down to see my review of this book.  I absolutely LOVED it!!  (And then scroll down even further to enter the awesome giveaway!)

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The Trouble with Toads Once upon a time a young girl wanted revenge. But first, she wanted to be beautiful. Twelve-year-old Bettony has read enough stories that begin with ‘Once upon a time’ to know what happens to the ugly stepsisters at the end, and she’s determined to escape that fate by any means necessary—even by magic. Unfortunately, when it comes to magic, there is no place for regret, refunds, or exchanges. Even if you accidentally turn your older sister into a toad. If Bettony wants her Happily Ever After to end well, she’s going to have to find a way to turn her sister back into a person before their mother finds out she’s been dabbling with magic and grounds her for life. Tracking down the family magic turns out to be surprisingly easy. Now, if only it came with directions . . . THE TROUBLE WITH TOADS (45,000 words) is the first book in a new upper MG series The Secret Stepsister Society. The second book will be released Summer 2013.

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OUR TAKE

I honestly cannot begin to tell you how in love I was with this book.  After reading it, I felt compelled to immediately go out and find everything else that Danyelle Leafty has ever written because I was enraptured by her whimsical and flowing writing style.  She told Bettony's story with such wit and yet with incredibly beautiful language.  I found myself constantly thinking, "How does she come up with this stuff?"  It's like she's a creative genius.  I know I'm gushing, but this is honestly how I felt while reading the book.  I just got so caught up in the lush language and fun metaphors that I couldn't put it down!  Here's just one example:

"Sometimes magic is all beautiful sparkles and breathtaking views. Other times, its something simpler, easier to understand, and far closer to home . But if you could peel away all the wonder and awe, all the pretty colors and inviting views, you would see magic as it is at its most basic: a wish. A wanting. A need."

Okay, so on to talking about the actual story.  The Trouble with Toads was a really adorable story about the trouble that can be caused by dissatisfaction - especially with oneself.  Bettony is sure that all of her problems would go away if she were beautiful, so she goes to her grandmother (who happens to be a witch) and asks her for a spell.  Despite her grandmother's warnings that magic always has a price, Bettony is sure that beauty will outweigh any price she might have to pay.  Unfortunately, it turns out that she is not the one who has to pay the price.  Bettony unwittingly turns her sister into a toad!  Realizing the depth of her mistake, Bettony tries to go to her grandmother to reverse the spell.  But Bettony's grandmother tells her that only Bettony can fix the problem she has created.  So Bettony, her sister Cadmilla (now a toad) and her far too perfect step-sister, Desire go off on a quest to try and turn Cadmilla back into a human.  Along the way, Bettony learns a lot about herself and about her two sisters.

My one and only complaint about this book (and the only reason I didn't give it a full five stars) is that it ends mid-story.  I was looking for some sort of resolution at the end of the book and there really wasn't any.  We will need to wait until the next book to find out what happens with our trio of sisters.  Our family will definitely be reading the next installment when it comes out!! (I should mention that both of my kids loved this book as well, although my son said that he wasn't too crazy about the flowery musings about magic.  He's a 10-year-old boy - he just wanted to get to the action).  4.5/5 stars

One more quote, just because:

Promises are curious creatures. In general, they’re soft and small and, often, unthinkingly made. But time has a way of twisting them here and curling them there until, before you know it, the shape of the promise has changed, although the meaning burns just as brightly as ever.

***Disclosure: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and my review was not affected in any way. All opinions are my own*** 

  Author Danyelle Leafty Danyelle Leafty writes upper MG and YA fantasy, and is the author of THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA series. Danyelle has always loved fairy tales, and prefers stories where someone gets eaten, or at the very least, transmogrified. Much of her inspiration has come from fairy tales, because as G.K. Chesterton so aptly states, "Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." In her spare time, she collects dragons, talking frogs, and fairy godmothers. She also collects books, and one day hopes to make a house out of them. She enjoys learning languages, fiddling with her harp, and perfecting the fine art of mothering. (It's a lot like trying to herd chickens during a lightning storm while a goat stampede is going on.) One of her heroes is Albert Einstein, particularly for the following quote: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The most important thing is not to stop questioning."

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Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/28/13

 a Rafflecopter giveaway Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $25 US.  

Feature & Follow Friday - Series Break Ups

I decided to participate in Feature & Follow Friday with my kids' book blog this week.  I figured why not mix things up a little bit?  So, welcome!

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! This is a blog hop that allows bloggers to gain new followers and find some awesome new blogs to follow themselves!

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host has a blog that they feature each week!

So, if you're a blogger, come join in on the fun!

Here's today's question -

Q:  Have you broken up with a series? If so which one and why?

A: Since I'm answering this question on my kids' book blog, I'll answer it first with that perspective in mind.  My son just broke up with a series very recently.  I got him The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making and its sequel from the library because I had heard so many good things about them.  (Yes, I know - it has to do with Fairyland, but he likes fantasy and generally doesn't mind reading fairy tale type books as long as they're not too girly).  I noticed it was taking him a long time to read the first one.  He did finally finish, but he told me he just wasn't interested in reading the next one.  This is very unusual for him, so he must really not have liked it.  I'll still probably check the book out myself sometime, but it's low on my priority list.

As for me, I almost never break up with a series for good.  I am having a very hard time getting through all the books in the Wheel of Time series, though.  I started it in high school, gave up on it for a very long time and then starting "re-reading" the books via audiobook.  But I still only got to book 9 of 12 (or is it 13?) and then stopped.  I really want to find out what happens, but Jordan's books are just so slow and cluttered with minor characters and subplots - I just can't handle it!  I know I'll finish the series sooner or later, though.

So, how about you?  Ever broken up with a series?

Make sure to check out my giveaways while you're here!

Book Blast & $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway - Evertaster by Adam Glendon Sidwell

 I am so excited to be featuring this book blast!  These books look so darn cute to me - I can't wait to read them!  I will be doing a review soon, so keep your eye out for that, but for now you can get a sneak peak at the books.  Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of the page and enter the awesome giveaway!

The Buttersmiths' Gold

BATTLES. BLUEBERRIES. BOVINES.

TORBJORN AND STORFJELL’S HISTORY UNFOLDS IN AN EPIC EVERTASTER NOVELLA.

Everyone knows the most coveted treasure of the Viking Age was blueberry muffins. Blueberry muffins so succulent that if you sniffed just a whiff, you'd want a whole bite. If you bit a bite, you'd want a batch; if you snatched a batch, you'd stop at nothing short of going to war just to claim them all.

Young Torbjorn Trofastsonn comes from the clan that makes them. He's a Viking through and

through – he's thirteen winters old, larger than most respectable rocks, and most of all, a Buttersmith. That's what he thinks anyway, until a charismatic merchant makes Torbjorn question his place among the muffin-makers. When Torbjorn lets the secret of his clan's muffin recipe slip, he calls doom and destruction down upon his peaceful village and forces his brother Storfjell and his clansmen to do the one thing they are ill-prepared to do: battle for their lives.

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About The Buttersmiths' Gold

The Buttersmiths' Gold is a spin off novella in the Evertaster series that tells the story of two Viking brothers and their adventurous past. The Evertaster series (Book #1 released June 14, 2012) is about Guster Johnsonville, who goes searching for a legendary taste rumored to be the most delicious in all of history. Along the way he meets a slew of mysterious characters, including two Viking brothers Torbjorn and Storfjell. The Buttersmiths' Gold is their story. 124 pages. By Adam Glendon Sidwell. Published by Future House Publishing.

Evertaster, Book #1:

A legendary taste. Sought after for centuries. Shrouded in secrecy.

When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother’s casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’ reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it’s too late.

 

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Book Trailer

 
  Author Adam Sidwell In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Transformers and Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He’s been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can’t wait to fall into the sea.

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Tour Schedule

BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/30/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $50 US. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Picture Book Spotlight - Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds

Title: Creepy Carrots!

Author: Aaron Reynolds

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Dates: August 21, 2012
Pages: 40, Hardcover

Age Range: 4+

Goodreads Rating: 4.08 stars
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch in this clever picture book parable about a rabbit who fears his favorite treats are out to get him. Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—especially Crackenhopper Field carrots.

He eats them on the way to school.

He eats them going to Little League.

He eats them walking home.

Until the day the carrots start following him...or are they?

OUR TAKE

I decided that it would be fun to feature some of our favorite picture books on this blog.  My youngest son doesn't read yet, so we read lots of picture books to him and my older two still love to read them too.  When we go to the library, all three of my children can be found with a stack of picture books surrounding them.  Even though my older two often read 300+ page books, there's something about picture books that still captures their imagination!

I have to confess that I might be somewhat biased about this first book that I'm featuring because I know the author (he who wrote a fantastic kids' musical that I was in many years ago - it was an amazing and fun experience that I will never forget!).  Still, I feel justified in giving Aaron my first Picture Book Spotlight since he has been recognized as a talented author and has won lots of awards for his books.  So, I'm not alone in thinking he's pretty amazing!

Creepy Carrots! is about a little bunny named Jasper who loves to eat carrots.  He picks them from the field near his house every day.  That is, until one day when Jasper starts to get the creepy feeling that the carrots are watching him!  Suddenly, Jasper sees carrots everywhere and  he can't seem to escape them.  Finally, he comes up with a plan to rid himself of those creepy carrots once and for all.  The ending of the book has a very cute twist that had my kids laughing and re-telling the story again and again.  

This book is very cute and not too scary for little ones.  The illustrations are amazing as well (the book won the Caldecott Honor), so you should definitely pick it up! 5/5 stars

Aaron Reynolds has lots of other awesome books too! His newest picture book is a super-cute linguistic showdown between pirates and cowboys (who can't understand each other's strange lingo).  And my son loves Reynolds' Joey Fly graphic novels! Here are just a few of his other books: