Book Details:
Keeping Christmas Magic by Anna and Gunnar Counselman
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 38 pages
Genre: Children's Book
Publisher: Mascot;  Release Date: August 2021
Tour dates: November 26 to December 6
Content Rating:  PG - It is a book about how to keep Christmas alive when your kids find out the truth about Santa.
Book Description:
   Shhhh, don’t tell! Keeping Christmas Magic reveals the true story of Santa Claus, asking you to become a Christmas Magic-Keeper.

​Buy the Book: Mascot  ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Amazon ~  add to goodreads ​

BOOK REVIEW By LAWonder10:
This book, written in prose, is a good way to "break it" to kids when they want "the truth aboit Santa". It is also one that sadly makes children aware of the tradition, which for many, somew hat ruins part of the Christmas "Magic".
Not being a fan of watercolor images, I have to admit these were very nicely done. The Book and pages are of high quality cardboard and paper. The book Cover image is very plain yet eye-catching.
The age recommendation, I feel, is very likely accurate. However, I would put the age beginning at 10 instead of 8. I feel it is sad that such young children would need some of the Christmas "Magic" ruined.
I offer a Five Stars rating for this book.
*This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.

Guest Post 4:                                     Kris Kringle an Origin Story
         Our family loves Christmas movies. From “you’ll shoot your eye out” in A Christmas Story, to Tim Allen’s transformation after not reading the Santa Clause carefully enough, to Will Ferrell’s giant elf pelting bullies with snowballs in Jon Favreau’s contribution to the Santa Cinematic Universe. We even love movies that aren’t strictly about Christmas, but are set at Christmastime like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon and Home Alone. Every time Marv Murchins slips on marbles, we snuggle a little tighter and love Christmas a little more.
         But for some reason, Hollywood, in the age of Origin Stories for superheroes, hasn’t done an origin story for the greatest superhero of all, Kris Kringle.
        Ok, so we’ll acknowledge that Kris wouldn’t cut quite the dashing figure if set alongside Superman and Wonder Woman in Justice League. And if Santa had come bursting through one of Dr. Strange’s portals when Captain America called the Avengers to assemble, he might have gotten flattened by Thanos. But regardless, to our family, it’s high time this teleporting beacon of joy and light, powered by belief itself, got his very own X-men Origins.
          That’s where Keeping Christmas Magic comes in. In this origin story, like all superheroes, Kris starts off as a mild-mannered person with above average character. He discovers something special inside himself that he’d always suspected was there. He trains and develops that special quality, and eventually turns it lose on a world full of darkness and evil, triumphing after thinking that all was lost.
          But in this origin story, our hero becomes immortal not by getting bitten by a radioactive spider or by getting adamantium fused onto his skeleton, but instead by infusing his magic into parents and brothers and sisters everywhere.
         By showing everyone the pathway to become Christmas Magic Keepers, Kris builds a legacy of love that endures for over a thousand years.

Meet the Authors:

​       Anna and Gunnar are the husband-and-wife team behind Keeping Christmas Magic. Anna immigrated from Russia at age 12 and began her American journey in Swampscott, MA, attending Boston University before moving out to California to pursue her entrepreneurial career which has culminated in her co-founding Upstart, an AI lending platform.
        A third-generation Marine, Gunnar grew up pretty much everywhere there's a Marine base before going to Cornell for undergrad deploying as a Human Intelligence Officer to Iraq, the Horn of Africa and Bosnia before attending Harvard for business school. Gunnar's entrepreneurial career has focused in education software and services where he's founded and invested in a handful of companies including his most recent company, Array.
​        When their then-six-year-old son Tristan started asking hard questions about Santa, they didn't have good answer. Wanting to keep Christmas as magical as possible for as long as possible they looked for a children's book to help and when they couldn't find one, they wrote it. Originally, the poem was just for Tristan and his baby sister Sasha, but some close friends convinced them to submit it for publishing and the more they worked on the story, the more they felt like it needed to be told. They hope that the book does for parents around the world, what's it's done for them, help make an otherwise difficult conversation a beautiful experience instead.
connect with the authors:  website ~ goodreads

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway Details:​
​
Enter to win a signed copy of KEEPING CHRISTMAS MAGIC! 
(one winner/USA only) (ends Dec 13)

Book Details:
Alicia Connected: Tricked with Treats
by Derek Fisher
Category:  Middle Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 86 pages
Genre:  Middle School Fiction; 
Content Rating:  G.  Suitable for everyone.
Publisher:  Securely Built; Release date:   July 2021
Tour dates: November 22 to December 10
Book Description:
​        Halloween is here, and it is Alicia’s favorite time of year. What's not to like about dressing up in a costume and getting free candy? But there is something even more exciting happening this year. For the first time, Alicia and her friends are throwing a virtual party in TullyTown!
         Putting together a party in TullyTown isn't easy, and Alicia and her friends want to do the best they can to make sure it is enjoyed by plenty of avatars in TullyTown. For one of Alicia's friends, getting ready to throw a TullyTown party leads to looking for easy treats. But what if it's a trick?
        Alicia has been using her tablet for a while and is getting more used to how to use the technology. However, there is always something new for her and her friends to learn.

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Indie Bound

REVIEW by LAWonder10:
Alicia Connected is an informative, fun series which children can easily relate with. They are not only fun stories, but they educate and caution children regarding issues children face every day.  This chapter book series also encourages unity and kindness.
In Tricked With Treats, amidst Halloween frolics, the characters are faced with unkindness and a cyber demon. How they are  warned and prepared is gentle yet clever, as is the solution. How the children respond is selfless and unifying.
The characters are realistic and defined well. The scenes are depicted with clarity enabling the reader to easily visualize them. The Cover and Title are eye-catching, "fitting" and well done.
The small, simple illustration at the beginning of each chapter additionally enhances the story.
I strongly recommend this series to all schools and children, ages 8 to 14.
I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating.
This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.
​

                                          Guest Post 2:   Inspiration for the Book
         For writing this book, I tried to use as much real-life experience as possible, whether it was derived from my own family or friends of ours that are raising children in this digital world. Writing is a bit easier when you can draw on experiences that you or others have gone through.
        Many of the characters, especially Alicia and her parents, are modeled very closely to my daughter, wife, and me, lthough not everything that happens in the book are situations that we’ve experienced. This added a bit of pressure when writing since I knew that my daughter and wife would be reading this book. I wanted to make sure that they were portrayed in a way that would make them proud.
​         In this particular story, Halloween was a great topic since it’s a favorite in our house. It was easy to draw parallels to the overly decorated house since we do a very similar thing in our household. In fact, I decorate the woods behind our house so that trick-or-treaters have a path to walk through to collect their candy. So, you can say that we take Halloween seriously!
        In many ways, the topics that are in the book and the security situations that come up are based on common concerns that parents regularly face when raising children in a digital world. Especially in “Tricked with Treats,” there are online concerns that even adults face. Being tricked online is what is called “social engineering” and we are all targets of it all the time. However, many of us adults have built up a healthy distrust for things online that look too good to be true. Many children do not have that immunity so far. Although security can be a dry topic, my goal with this book was to ensure that it was still approachable while enabling parents and children to understand some of the dangers online

Meet the Author:
​       Fisher is an award-winning author who has spent decades in the computer engineering field, with the last 10 years in cybersecurity as a leader, speaker, and instructor. His passion has been to take complex security topics and make them simple and easy to understand. He holds several security certifications and teaches cybersecurity at Temple University, where he is also an external advisory board member to the cybersecurity program. Alicia Connected: Tricked With Treats is the first book in the Alicia Connected series. The first book, Alicia Connected: The Big Gift, was a second-place recipient of the prestigious Purple Dragonfly Award in the STEM category.
​
Connect with the Author:  Author's Website ~ Facebook ~Instagram

Here is the tour schedule. 

Giveaway Details:​
​
Enter to win a signed copy of ALICIA CONNECTED: TRICKED WITH TREATS! (one winner/USA only) (ends Dec 17)

Book Details:
The New Enchantress (Alyssa McCarthy's Magical Missions, Book 3)
by Sunayna Prasad
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12),  175 pages ~ Genre:  Fantasy
Publisher:  Amazon KDP ~ Release date:   March 2021
Tour dates: June 1 to June 28, 2021
Content Rating:  PG: Some intense scenes and mild language.
Book Description:
           The point of no return has come!
         It’s the summer before high school and life is about to change for fourteen-year-old Alyssa McCarthy. A sorcerer hexes her with everlasting powers, requiring her to become an enchantress. If she cannot learn to control her magic pronto, she will forget her loved ones and serve as the warlock’s eternal slave.
         In order to control her powers, Alyssa must gain control of her emotions. With the struggles of adolescence and disasters everywhere, catastrophes are bound to happen! It’s only a matter of time before Alyssa’s world changes, for better or worse...

BUY THE BOOK: Apple ~ Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo ~  Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:
       Sunayna Prasad enjoys writing fantasy books for children, as well as cooking, creating artwork, watching online videos, and blogging. She has also written The Frights of Fiji, and A Curse of Mayhem and is constantly creating and brainstorming new ideas.
Sunayna also loves cartoons, traveling, and thinking outside the box.
       She lives in New York.
Connect with the Author:   website ~ twitter ~ goodreads

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway:​

Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card, courtesy of the author of The Alyssa McCarthy Magical Missions book series (ends July 5)

Book Details:
A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight by Jen White
Published by: Farrar Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication date: April 20th 2021
Genres: Contemporary, Middle-Grade
Synopsis:
      Jen White’s A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight is a sensitively-written middle grade novel about a girl struggling with anxiety, family secrets, and the meaning of friendship.
         Cora is constantly counting the minutes. It’s the only thing that stops her brain from rattling with worry, from convincing her that danger is up ahead. Afraid of the unknown, Cora spends her days with her feet tucked into sand, marveling at La Quinta beach’s giant waves and her little sister Sunshine’s boundless energy.
         And then danger really does show up at Cora’s doorstep–her absentee uncle, whose sudden presence in the middle of the night makes her parents nervous and secretive. As dawn breaks once more, Cora must piece together her family and herself, one minute at a time.
          A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight is an endearing and revelatory middle-grade novel that is perfect for fans of Counting by 7s and Fish in a Tree.
Goodreads ~ Purchase: Amazon ~  B&N ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Google Play ~

                   10 Things You Didn’t Know About A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight
1. Cora’s character is essentially a ball of worry in human form. Have you seen the old Charlie Brown comic where he’s upset and there’s a black cloud of scribbles above his head? This is Cora at every moment.

2. Even though the character Brain is essentially a panic-inducing bully, he was one of my favorite characters to write. He has charm and wit and a wicked sense of humor.

3. Patrick was inspired by the character Roger, aka Star Wars Kid, in my first book, Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave. Patrick’s and Roger’s hearts are pure and trusting. I love people like that.

4. There’s a train track that runs along the ocean through my town, just like the one in A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight. You would be surprised at how quiet trains can be when they don’t blow their whistles—especially at night. After living near a train, I understand how someone could walk along the tracks and not hear a train behind them. P.S. Please don’t walk on train tracks.

5. Patrick has a point. On paper, time travel should work. Theoretically we should all be traveling through worm holes.

6. This book is dedicated to my daughter, who struggles with anxiety, and is essentially my hero for how she has dealt with her own Brain.

7. I am the oldest child of five and have five kids, so writing the dynamics in a sibling relationship feels very natural to me.

8. I loved adding a treasure hunt to A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight. I’ve always hoped to find treasure when I’ve been at the beach. One time my brother found fifty-five dollars at the bottom of a lake. I’ve never been that lucky. Cora’s obsession with finding the Cat’s treasure comes from my desire to find a really, really, good treasure one day.

9. I hope I get to meet a ghost cat. I’m allergic to cats, so a ghost cat would be the perfect pet for me.

10. One of my favorite scenes is when Cora’s little sister Sunshine gets scared and crawls into bed with Cora in the middle of the night. This is the first time we see the usually very peppy Sunshine worried. In this moment Cora must be the brave one. This is where Cora begins to talk back to Brain. It’s a turning point in the book because we recognize that Cora’s being honest with herself and facing her fears. In this scene she begins to tip-toe into someone who can overcome Brain.

AUTHOR BIO:
Jen White writes middle grade fiction. Her second book, A THOUSAND MINUTES TO SUNLIGHT, releases on 4.20.21. Her debut, SURVIVAL STRATEGIES OF THE ALMOST BRAVE, has been translated into several languages. She grew up in Southern California and currently resides there with her family. Jen received her bachelor of art’s degree in English and her master’s degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults. You can find out more at www.jenwhitebooks.com.
Author links: Website ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads ~Facebook ~ Twitter ~

Giveaway Details:
Tour-wide giveaway (INT)

• Print copy of A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight
  

This grand prize giveaway - ends Apr 29th:

Book Details:
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF JIMMY CRIKEY: Worlds Beneath And Above The Stars by Wallace E. Briggs
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12),  302 pages
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy - Tour dates: Feb 1 to Feb 19, 2021
Publisher:  Independent |  Release date:   June 2020
Content Rating:  G.
Book Description:
        Do you want to know a secret? Beneath the very ground on which you walk and beyond the stars above your head, are more worlds than you could ever dream of. There are monsters. Be afraid. Magic, wielded by witches and sorcerers. Epic adventures in worlds far across the ocean. And fearsome weapons which threaten to destroy everything.
      Jimmy Crikey is a brave soul who faces some pretty scary challenges. Solving mysteries and averting mayhem, his incredible courage allows him to free up his abilities to shine and rise above every challenge in his path, on his way to discovering why he looks so very strange. With a bright red mop of unruly hair, big blue eyes, a small snub nose, pointed ears and enormous feet, poor Jimmy is ridiculed by the neighborhood children and runs away in search of a world where he fits in.
        Following a midnight flight through the forest, he stumbles into a lost, underground world called Roombelow and magic, adventure, danger and excitement await. From the little lady who lives at the bottom of a well, a starship that wants to take him home, trolls, little people, traders and diamonite stealers to water sprites, witches, helpful dolphins, and interplanetary warfare, Jimmy learns the biggest lessons of his life.

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Add to Goodreads

                                  – Best Laid Plans -
        An excerpt from ‘my life as an Export Sales Manager’ Ninety-nine per cent of my export sales trips consisted of taxi rides to airports, hours waiting, a few hours flying, rarely comfortably, and then more time spent in passport queues and baggage halls. Usually, it was then another taxi ride to the hotel, arranged by the company Travel Agent. Occasionally I was afforded the comfort of being picked up at the airport by a representative from an existing appointed distributor/agent. There would usually follow meetings at the distributors’ offices, perhaps with staff training sessions, and end-customer/user visits which helped establish the status of the agent and perhaps assisted in the winning of some contracts. This could typically take one, two or three days and often the programme allowed little if any free time for exploration of whichever county I was visiting. The exceptions were memorable.
          The hotels I was assigned to were usually of a high standard and the quality of food excellent but it could be a lonely existence as a stranger in a strange country unless the distributor accompanied you for the evening. The most memorable exception was a tour which included a five-day stint at an exhibition in Israel supporting a long established Agent, followed by a three-day sales tour in Egypt with a newly appointed Distributor. The Egyptian part of the trip was planned to give me a one-day break from business in Cairo to visit the Museum and The Pyramids of Giza.
           Ah! The best-laid plans .... As I approached the hotel venue on the last day of a slow-moving exhibition in Tel Aviv the MD of the Distributor put a hand on my shoulder. “What are you doing here?”
          I looked at him in surprise. “Today is the last day of the Exhibition. I’m not due to fly out until tomorrow.”
          “We can manage the exhibition stand today but you are not on duty. You are on a one day trip to Jerusalem. See, here is your ticket and Ashmeil will take you to the tour pick-up office and when you get back the company will provide transport to your hotel where you will join us for dinner, as thanks for your work supporting us this week.”
         I was dumbfounded but graciously accepted the MD’s offer. In general, my memory is atrocious but that day is burned indelibly into my grey cells. Emotions ran high that day, and still. To visit the Holocaust memorial and the eternal flame left with me with a heavy heart about man’s inhumanity to fellow men. I visited Christ’s supposed birthplace at the site of the stable by the side of the Inn, now entombed within a church. I walked in the steps of the Lord as our group traced His last journey, carrying the cross, on foot Via del Rosa, the Way of the Cross. The streets were crowded but there were clearly marked Stations of the Cross, points at which Jesus had stumbled or rested. Whether an avid believer or not nothing will erase those memories of walking the crowded, narrow streets of Jerusalem in the footsteps of the Lord. And two days later I had set a day aside during my short trip to Egypt to visit the pyramids. Who would swap places with me? As I said before: best-laid plans of mice and men... From landing in Cairo the following afternoon, the new distributor had set up so many appointments that there was hardly time to eat, let alone to visit any tourist sites.
           As we ended the programme of industrial visits late afternoon on the last scheduled day of business, we headed back into the city and drove past the pyramids on our right- hand side. I was craning my neck around to get a better view.
           “You have seen before,” he said. “No?”
           “No,” I replied. “I had hoped to book a tour but we have been very busy.”
           “That not good,” the distributor said, and yanked his car across two streams of oncoming traffic amid a cacophony of blaring horns, and then sped back to the entrance to the pyramids. My heart rate must have doubled following that maneuver. He drew up at the entrance gates which were in process of being locked. He jumped out of his car and there was an intense conversation with Duty Guard. There was much gesticulation amid raised voices and then, I swear, cash exchanged hands before I was a part of a Grand Prix around the pyramids. At each pyramid, we screeched to a halt in a cloud of dust and sand and I was ushered out of the car to take a photograph. If I remember correctly, we completed a circuit of the pyramids in about ten minutes. I don’t remember the Sphynx and really, the rest is a blur across the pixels in my eyes. And my photographic record is a disaster of poorly framed, out-of-focus shots on my manual 35mm camera. I was in touching distance of the great stones but never got to touch them. But would I change a thing about that trip? Never! Of such stuff are indelible memories made. I was grateful for the opportunities that came my way while doing a job I loved.

Meet the Author:

        My formative years were experienced in and around Durham City. Married in 1964 to a girl I first met at the age of eleven, Pat and I spent many happy years in the North East before employment almost took us off to emigrate to Jo'berg, South Africa but plans were changed in the final weeks and instead the company moved me to Sussex. After more than twenty years in Sussex, then Hampshire, employment was again responsible for the move to beautiful rural Lancashire.
         Jimmy Crikey was born one rainy day, many years ago, during a family holiday in Great Yarmouth, to entertain my son and his new found friends for an hour or so. The story expanded over the following wet afternoons in the cramped confines of a beach tent, and more and more adventures were required to keep the children entertained.
         Many years later I decided to commit to the written word. Now retired I look forward to sharing The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey with a wider audience. These began as several short, twenty minute duration, stories but after an encouraging review from a major Publisher I brought them together in this offering and hope they will bring a sense of wonder and enjoyment to another generation.

connect with the author:  website

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway  Details:​

Autographed copy of 
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF JIMMY CRIKEY
 (USA only) (1 winner) (ends Feb 26)
 
To Enter, Fill in the Rafflecopter Below.

This film is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Movie Synopsis

Second chances start when a hardened criminal crosses paths with a precocious little girl who is helped by an angel to change hearts during the holiday season. 

 Link to Purchase DVD:
https://www.amazon.com/Lucy-Shimmers-Prince-Peace-Diamond/dp/B08KQSTNVR

LUCY SHIMMERS & THE PRINCE OF PEACE will be released on Amazon Prime on Black Friday, November 27 and then on Living Scriptures on Friday, December 4. 

SPOILER:
  LUCY SHIMMERS tells the story of five-year-old Lucy and the incredible influence she has on those around her, especially hardened criminal Edgar. Lucy, with the help of her guardian angel, create miracles that change his heart and inspire a second chance in his life.

My husband - who is usually anti-movie - stated, "they don't make them better than that".

REVIEW By LAWonder10:
WOW! This was such an incredibly touching production! The acting by all was superb!

Lucy, portrayed by,    , Was absolutely adorable! Each and every other character, regardless of how small the part, wee equally impressive.

Although much of the film is predictable, it is well worth watching and is never dull.

This film addresses the topic of Jesus' love for all, the true meaning of Christmas, bringing joy others. thoughtfulness and giving. It also addresses redemption and forgiveness of self and others. It is a true Christmas message which should soften  the hearts of even the most hardened.

I offer a Five Stars rating for this incredibly heartfelt story and acting.

ROB DIAMOND’S NEW FEATURE FILM LUCY SHIMMERS & THE PRINCE OF PEACE ANNOUNCES RELEASE-Film debuts on Amazon Prime on Black Friday, Nov. 27 and Living Scriptures on Dec. 4-

Salt Lake City – Writer, Director and Producer Rob Diamond announced today that his new film, LUCY SHIMMERS & THE PRINCE OF PEACE will be released on Amazon Prime on Black Friday, November 27 and then on Living Scriptures on Friday, December 4.

LUCY SHIMMERS & THE PRINCE OF PEACE is Diamond’s 15th feature film and was produced completely in Utah early in 2020. “I can truly say that this is my favorite film I’ve ever made,” said Diamond. “The inspiration for the film came from a dream I had and then the story and the entire production came together absolutely seamlessly.”
LUCY SHIMMERS tells the story of five-year-old Lucy and the incredible influence she has on those around her, especially hardened criminal Edgar. Lucy, with the help of her guardian angel, create miracles that change his heart and inspire a second chance in his life.
The film features mostly local talent, including Shawn Stevens as Grandpa Jackson, Adam Hightower as James Shimmers, and Florencia Stevens as Isabelle Shimmers. In addition, the film stars well-known actor Vincent Vargas (THE MAYANS) and newcomer Scarlett Diamond in the title-role of Lucy.
Scarlett Diamond just so happens to be the granddaughter of filmmaker Rob Diamond. “Granted I’m biased, but Scarlett was absolutely incredible. She is only five-years-old and this was her first major speaking role and she proved she’s a natural!” proclaimed Diamond.
In addition to writing, directing and producing, Diamond also operates an acting studio and many of the actors in the film are current and former Diamond students. The film was shot entirely on location in Salt Lake City and Heber, Utah early in 2020. “Our last day of filming was literally the day before Utah shut down in March because of the pandemic,” said Diamond.
For more information on LUCY SHIMMERS & THE PRINCE OF PEACE, visit its IMDB page at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11916254/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1.

Giveaway-

$50 Amazon Gift Card 

            This tour is made available by Covenant Communications Publishing

"Your husband willingly signed over his life to Azra. Boris owes Azra his life and services. There's nothing more to it than that." 

​Book Details:
 Braidy Von Althuis and the Final Fight (Book 5)
by Cassidy Dwelis
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 252 pages
Genre:  Paranormal  |  Tour dates: Oct 30 to Nov 20, 2020
Publisher:  Precursor Publishing ~ Release dates:   October 2020
Content Rating: PG: Some mild profanity and some mild magical violence
Book Description:
        Braidy von Althuis is going to get his father back, no matter the consequences. Mr. von Althuis has been abducted by Azra, Queen of Djinn, and the family is in shambles. Half of the von Althuises no longer have their magick, and an army of djinn awaits them at Azra's gates.
      Somehow, despite all of the odds, Mrs. von Althuis, Uncle Rolo, Aunt Liz, Blockhead, and Braidy have to band together to retrieve Braidy's father from the clutches of certain doom. Even though they hate each other, Braidy is determined to pull the fae and djinn together to fight against Azra's tyranny. He will have to work with old friends, and old enemies, to finally end the war between djinn and fae that has come to a nasty head.
     Will Braidy be able to unite an army at his back and save his father, or will Mr. von Althuis belong to Azra forever?Braidy von Althuis and the Final Fight is a story about working past differences, justice, and morality. This book is suitable for children aged 8 - 11.
Buy the Book: Amazon

REVIEW By LAWonder10:
In this final book of the Braidy von Althuis series, action, violence, surprises, and unexpected finalization occurs. The von Althuis home has been transported to the Ukraine. The family desperately want to rescue Mr. von althuis and return home to America.

​The possibility of a peaceable outcome seems in every way, impossible! Mr. Boris von Althuis has been kidnapped by the djinn who has proclaimed herself Queen. She is so strong, there are none who dare defy her... None except the von Althuis family.

The characters are well-developed and unusual. The action and events are easily visualized. The Title and Cover istoo dark to attract the attention of the "browser. The choice would be very good if the color were lighter and images clearer.

What I didn't like is the notion that accountability was not a necessary part of obtaining peace. It is important to forgive past injustices by all and seek for peace. However, for justice to prevail, accountability must be addressed as well. peace can not be obtained without sacrifices and compromises.

What I did like was the desire for peace and having not one individual enslaved to another. Obsession with power and greed is what corrupts. 

I offer a Four Star rating for the literary value of thi book.
*This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. this is my honest review.

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:

​Meet the Author:
    I’m Cassidy, and I love storytelling! I’m incredibly passionate about writing, art, and anything that allows me to create my own worlds. My goal is to write dreamy fiction for all ages that is unique, inspiring, and imaginative. I want my books to instill wonderment in the reader. I like to write about themes that include coming of age, magic realism, identity, relationships, and bullying. My books are intended for readers ages eight to twenty-five, and are meant to connect the world of the fantastical to everyday life. I currently live in Colorado and just got my MA in Publishing!

connect with the author:  website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Complete signed set of Braidy Von Althuis series with Customized Teas (USA only)

Enter by using the Rafflecopter Below!

About Alane AdamsAlane Adams is the author of the Legends of Orkney™ series for middle grade readers, and The Coal Thief, The Egg Thief, The Santa Thief, and The Circus Thief, historical picture books set in the 1920s. Alane has also launched a prequel series, The Witches of Orkney featuring The Blue Witch, The Rubicus Prophecy and the newly released Witch Wars. When Alane is not writing or talking to kids in schools about Reading Is A Superpower, she's out hiking somewhere in the world or hanging out with her three boys in Southern California.

Alane is proud to be a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the International Reading Association, The Literacy Research Association, and the California Reading Association.
Website ~ Amazon page

Alane Adams on Supporting Educators with #PointsForTeachers
         Teachers spend on average $400-$600 out of their own pockets to provide basic classroom supplies for their students ranging from pencils, dry erase markers, colored paper to glue sticks— a fact which is both heart wrenching and hard to fathom in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. As a children’s author and literacy advocate, I am a huge supporter of helping teachers succeed in the classroom.
            Last summer, while trolling on Twitter one night, I discovered a grassroots movement gaining momentum on social media. A young teacher in Texas, tired of having to spend money out of her own pocket to provide basic classroom supplies for her classroom had come up with the idea of posting her Amazon wishlist on social media, asking other teachers to help fund it and inviting them to do the same thing. This effort became known as #clearthelists and thousands of teachers began posting their lists and buying items off each other’s lists. The simple joy they felt at empowering themselves to solve this problem by helping fellow teachers spread like wildfire and it quickly became a movement.
           We quickly put our heads together at Rise Up, the literacy foundation I founded in 2008, and agreed we should try to help as many teachers as we could. Using humorous tweets, I quickly became known as the #gifqueen, and by the time fall had settled in, we had helped fund over 500 teacher wish lists.
          Since the global pandemic struck, we’ve seen a surge in requests for pandemic-related Back-To-School needs with teachers asking for remote learning tools such as document cameras and new laptops. Classroom needs are changing as well with a need for individualized containers to keep students supplies separate, along with increased sanitation supplies, face masks, hand sanitizer—all this is on top of their normal requirements.
           We at Rise Up tried to think of new ways to engage and help teachers meet the challenges ahead. I realized I had an enormous stockpile of unused credit card reward points sitting around that could easily be converted into Amazon dollars. Using reward points is easy on Amazon—all you have to do is register your participating rewards credit card—American Express, Citibank, Chase, and Discover are just a few they accept—and when you get to check out, you simply choose “use reward points” and the points value is deducted off your total. This inspired us to expand our efforts to help teachers clear their lists with a movement we call #PointsForTeachers.
            The goal is to educate individuals who would like to help but maybe don’t know how they can make an impact. We hope to encourage them to look at those unused reward points that are sitting idle on their credit card statements and reach out and find a teacher to help. It’s super simple and easy to make a big impact. All you have to do is follow these steps:
                · Register your card on Amazon at amazon.com/shopwithpoints.
                · Search for a teacher to help on Twitter using #pointsforteachers or #clearthelists.
                · Shop for items on the teacher’s list.
                · Use your points to pay at checkout!
          To kick the program off we pledged 1 million reward points toward teacher’s wish lists. To date we’ve helped 200 teachers get back to school with essential items and we have many more to go before we run out of points. To donate your points, just go to JustGiving.com and search for Rise Up Foundation.
          With everything that is asked of teachers during these challenging times, now more than ever, they need our support to get them the items they need to make a difference in the lives of their students. Won’t you join us in making a difference in the life of a teacher and their classroom today?

"Your husband willingly signed over his life to Azra. Boris owes Azra his life and services. There's nothing more to it than that."

Book Details:
Braidy Von Althuis and the Final Fight (#5) by Cassidy Dwelis
Book Series: Braidy Von Althuis  |  Genre:  Paranormal
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 252 pages
Publisher:  Precursor Publishing |  Release dates:   October 2020
Tour dates: Oct 30 to Nov 20, 2020
Content Rating: PG: Some mild profanity and some mild magical violence
Book Description:
Book Description:
           Braidy von Althuis is going to get his father back, no matter the consequences. Mr. von Althuis has been abducted by Azra, Queen of Djinn, and the family is in shambles. Half of the von Althuises no longer have their magick, and an army of djinn awaits them at Azra's gates. Somehow, despite all of the odds, Mrs. von Althuis, Uncle Rolo, Aunt Liz, Blockhead, and Braidy have to band together to retrieve Braidy's father from the clutches of certain doom.Even though they hate each other, Braidy is determined to pull the fae and djinn together to fight against Azra's tyranny. He will have to work with old friends, and old enemies, to finally end the war between djinn and fae that has come to a nasty head. Will Braidy be able to unite an army at his back and save his father, or will Mr. von Althuis belong to Azra forever?Braidy von Althuis and the Final Fight is a story about working past differences, justice, and morality. This book is suitable for children aged 8 - 11.

Buy the Book:Amazon

You May Also Read These Earlier Books:

Book Details:
Braidy Von Althuis and the Pesky Pest Controller (#1) by Cassidy Dwelis
Book Series: Braidy Von Althuis
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 320 pages
Genre:  Paranormal |  Tour dates: Oct 30 to Nov 20, 2020
Publisher:  Precursor Publishing
 Release dates:   May 2017  |  Tour dates: Oct 30 to Nov 20, 2020
Content Rating: PG: Some mild profanity and some mild magical violence
Book Description:
      Ten-year-old Braidy von Althuis just wants one thing: to fit in. The other kids at school think he’s weird, and for good reason. Despite his oddities, Braidy wants more than anything for his dad to be able to come to Township Day, a fun-filled event at school, but Mr. von Althuis refuses. “It’s too dangerous,” he says.
      Things change for Braidy when Mr. von Althuis gets sick, and, even worse, this pesky pest controller won’t leave Braidy alone! Will Braidy be able to get his family to Township Day without his world falling apart? Braidy von Althuis and the Pesky Pest Controller is a tale of friendship, family, magic, and mayhem that takes a look at what it means to be bullied and how to rise above it.This book is suitable for children aged 8 - 11.
Buy the Book:Amazon ~ Add to Goodreads

View the Trailer Below.

“Braidy felt a churning cauldron of fear stirring in his stomach. Uncle Rolo had the habit
  of destroying good things.”

 Braidy Von Althuis and the Gullible Ghost Hunter (#2) by Cassidy Dwelis
Book Series: Braidy Von Althuis
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 241 pages
Genre:  Paranormal | 
Publisher:  Precursor Publishing | Release dates:   3/2018
Tour dates: Oct 30 to Nov 20, 2020
Content Rating: PG: Some mild profanity and some mild magical violence
Book Description:
        Ten-year-old Braidy von Althuis finally has what he needs: a good friend, Saturday-Morning cartoons, and a loving family. While life has been perfect since Braidy defeated the warlock that attempted to kidnap his father, Braidy knows the quiet will not last.
      Strangeness creeps through Maple Hills, especially since a ghost hunter moved into town. This ghost hunter has Braidy’s dead Uncle Rolo worried sick, but Braidy’s family thinks the newcomer in town is harmless. Braidy feels otherwise, and to make matters worse, a friend from Uncle Rolo’s past comes to call.
        Will Uncle Rolo follow the rules and stay safe, or will Braidy watch his uncle tear their family apart?
       Braidy von Althuis and the Gullible Ghost Hunter is a story about telling the truth, taking responsibility, and what it means to be a family.This book is suitable for children aged 8 – 11.

Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Add to Goodreads

REVIEW for Braidy.... and the Gullible Ghost Hunter By LAWonder10:
Briady's close friend, Kara, is someone who he van trust and won't "freak out" over situations with his crazy family. She is the only one allowed inside the house, other than his "qutrky" family... That s, until a visitor came to town.

His grandmother couldn't bear the loss of her son, Rolo, so used her Fae magic and he is still dead, but exits s though he was human. He was confined to their house for many months on probation. Now Uncle Rolo goes out occasionally but is breaking the rules! Braidy doesn't want to be a "snitch" but this can bring trouble.

With the arrival of an unexpected visitor, Uncle Rolo is stirring up more trouble.

Braidy and Kara goes to an unusual source for answers. this just creates more headaches!  How is this all going to end?

This second book of the series is an entertaining tale in the unusul series. It is great for the Halloween part of the Season. This book's setting is at Halloween time. However, it is a good series for Middle Grade aged students who wants a "fun", slightly spooky, light mystery.
It does emphasize honesty. It can be a good teaching tool.

The characters were creatively developed, although somewhat difficult to visualize. The scenes wee portrayed well. The Title and cover were a good "fit".

It was a little outrageous for me, but on a literary level, I offer a Three and a Half Stars rating.

*This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.

  "He should have known this would happen. Wishes in movies and books seemed to go bad, so why would this one be any different?"

Braidy Von Althuis and the Dastardly Djinn (# 3) by Cassidy Dwelis
Book Series: Braidy Von Althuis
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 210 pages
Genre:  Paranormal  |  Tour dates: Oct 30 to Nov 20, 2020
Publisher:  Precursor Publishing | Release dates:   10/ 2018
Content Rating: PG: Some mild profanity and some mild magical violence
Book Description:
        Ten-year-old Braidy von Althuis misses his family dearly. Ever since his father, his aunt, and his uncle went to look for Gran in Europe, the house has been quiet and lonely. Even worse, Braidy’s cousin Blockhead is miserable after a breakup. Braidy wishes more than anything that he could do something to make his cousin happy.His wish is granted by a mysterious djinni, but the wish does not solve all his problems. Something is wrong with Blockhead, and Braidy learns a dark secret about his family that changes everything he knew. Will Braidy and Blockhead be able to undo the djinni wish, or will Braidy spark a war that may change the world as he knows it?Braidy von Althuis and the Dastardly Djinn is a story about identity, self-worth, consent, and responsibility. This book is suitable for children aged 8 - 11.
Buy the Book:Amazon ~ Add to Goodreads

View the Trailer Below.

" All of the regret that she buried in her garden in America will grow up like weeds and swallow her like quicksand."

    Braidy Von Althuis and the Changeling Children (# 4) by Cassidy Dwelis
Book Series: Braidy Von Althuis |  Tour dates: Oct 30 to Nov 20, 2020
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 249 pages
Genre:  Paranormal
Publisher:  Precursor Publishing | Release dates:   October 2019
Content Rating: PG: Some mild profanity and some mild magical violence
Description:
      Braidy von Althuis is celebrating his eleventh birthday, but not with his best friend. Mr. von Althuis has decided to move the family out of Maple Hills, and Braidy is forced to say goodbye to Kara and to eat his cake alone. Even though the von Althuises have lived in Maple Hills for hundreds of years, something has spooked the adults so badly that they feel helpless without Gran. Something is coming for them, though Braidy knows not who or what.When the family arrives in Ukraine, a whole slew of new problems arise. Mr. von Althuis gets a job, Uncle Rolo finds himself in more trouble, and Aunt Liz and Braidy are summoned to an audience with the Fairy King. In order to go home, Braidy and Aunt Liz must solve riddles or belong to the Fairy King forever. Will Braidy and Aunt Liz be able to escape the Fairy King's clutches or will heartache and memories of a life long gone tear Aunt Liz and Braidy apart? This book is suitable for children aged 8 - 11.
Buy the Book:Amazon ~ Add to Goodreads

View the Trailer Below.

          Writing takes practice. Lots and lots of practice. There are people out there with natural talent, sure, but as long as you have the tools and the proper know how, anyone can start taking fiction writing to a place that allows you to actually finish your book. Over the years, I’ve created a list of checks and to-dos that I use to make sure my writing is polished. I am a one-man band of publishing (it seems that’s the main catch of being an indie publisher!), so that means that I need to have a streamlined system to make sure my books are printed at perfection. Here’s what I’ve learned!
                    A Schedule is to Publishing as Water is to Living
          In other words… essential. Every well-oiled machine has several working parts that fire at just the right time. It’s the same with writing and publishing a book. Without some kind of structure to keep you on track, it’s easy to just… not write your book. Often, I hear new writers say, “Oh, I’ve been working on my manuscript for five years.”
          In some cases, these things take time. However, without a proper schedule it’s easy to put off writing your manuscript… forever. After having published five novels under my own imprint, I’m now a hyper-efficient machine, but it was not always that way.
                 Start at the End
         When creating a publishing schedule for yourself, start at the end. This is the basis for any large-scale media project. What day do you want your book to be published? Then, work back from there. When do you need to have your book trailer done by to make your launch day? You can work backward from the launch date and include things on your publishing schedule like sending the book out to editors, compiling your reviewer list, writing a press release, and compiling the book. As you work back, you’ll make it to the very first step which is… starting your manuscript.
         Remember, every author is different, and your writing pace, available time, and size of your novel will determine what your schedule looks like. Be firm and flexible with yourself (which sounds like a paradox), and you’ll have a finished book before you know it. Not only will it be done, but you’ll be absolutely tickled that you did it!

Meet the Author:
I’m Cassidy, and I love storytelling! I’m incredibly passionate about writing, art, and anything that allows me to create my own worlds. My goal is to write dreamy fiction for all ages that is unique, inspiring, and imaginative. I want my books to instill wonderment in the reader. I like to write about themes that include coming of age, magic realism, identity, relationships, and bullying. My books are intended for readers ages eight to twenty-five, and are meant to connect the world of the fantastical to everyday life. I currently live in Colorado and just got my MA in Publishing!
connect with the author:
  website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Here is the tour schedule.

Giveaway Details:​


Complete signed set of Braidy Von Althuis series with Customized Teas (USA only) (ends Dec 4)

Enter by filling in the Rafflecopter Below!

The Winter of Enchantment # 1
(Sebastian and Melissa)
Author: Victoria Walker
Narrator: Kim Bretton
Length: 4 hours 13 minutes
Publisher: Victoria Clayton Limited⎮2020
Genre: Fantasy; Children’s
Release date: Jun. 15, 2020
Synopsis:
      A magic mirror enables Sebastian to travel from his Victorian world of winter snow and Mrs Parkin to a magic world of Melissa, Mantari, and wicked Enchanter and many other exciting people.
     This wonderful audiobook follows in the great tradition of the E. Nesbit magic books.
     Since its first publication in 1969 it has proved its appeal to children of every age.

About Audiobook #2
Author: Victoria Walker
Narrator: Kim Bretton
Length: 5 hours 34 minutes
Publisher: Victoria Clayton Limited⎮2020
Genre: Fantasy; Children’s
Series: Sebastian and Melissa, Book 2
Release date: Jul. 22, 2020
Synopsis:
The sequel to The Winter of Enchantment and the return of Mantari the magic
cat.
Sebastian and Melissa would never forget their arrival at the house called Hadlows. The
long drive through the neglected park and woodland, the lake glimpsed through trees, the
house, with its "thousand windows"looking down on them and the great hall, empty but
for the portraits covering the walls. Hadlows held a secret, of that they were sure.