Ghosts: Witches: Ghosts of Witches: Is this a book for young readers? You Bet!!!

Do you believe in ghosts? Do you believe in witches? Do you believe in ghosts of witches? Is this a book for young readers? You bet it is!!!!
Ghost Prison is a fast paced, 'what's going to happen next' story. It hits the reader with a slamming ending, a wonderful ending in my mind, one that allows the reader to understand what happened without actually showing or telling it.

There is not a lot of flowery imagery in this story. Thank goodness for that was not necessary to see and feel the setting. Additionally, too much description would have slowed the fast pace, fast read of this story.

This is the story of a 15 year old boy who has a new job as a prison guard. Is he guarding prisoners or ghosts? Why, when so many others needed the job, was he chosen? The lead guard warns him of many things, but there is one thing he must NEVER do. Will he remember and follow the older guard's instructions?

Oh, yes...what is an abhuman?

Available Oct. 1, 2013.   I read it through Net Galley. Preorder now through Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Prison-Joseph-Delaney/dp/1402293186/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377970243&sr=8-2&keywords=ghost+prison

Family history as basis for fiction

Family history stories told as fiction: I read earlier, many weeks ago, that several of you were interested in this topic.
As I see it, the beauty of using historical family fiction, family stories in fiction form, is that the writer may combine various branches of the family and change the sequence of events. That is what I have done in my Grannie Kate series. Grannie Kate is a combination of several grandmothers in our family and events that took place through many years.
I have done this as a way of preserving the love and goodness that flowed throughout our family. I urge everyone to do the same. As you can see, you can start with stories for the youngsters. They should know their family history and its characters!"

A mysterious woman, an ancient Native American Legend, and a modern girl...

For a young girl from Florida, a trip to snowy Colorado for a winter vacation promises to be full of wonder, and excitement. The adventure begins shortly before our Florida girl's plane reaches Colorado when a mysterious woman appears and recounts a tale of ice, snow, punishment and caring.  Set among the Fourteeners, the 14,000 ft. mountains of Colorado, the story spans mythological times, through early Colorado history, and into day's world.

Captivated by the ancient story and the mysterious woman who disappears as suddenly as she appears, Emily and her Dad soon begin their wondrous trek through the mountains.

The story is illustrated with beautiful winter scenes accompanied by historical photographs used to bring the story to life and deepen the reader’s imagination. One is left wondering, is the story of the Snow Angel really true? This is a classic tale of modern meets legend.

 Available at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Snow-Angel-Julia-Smith/dp/1491246529/

 

Where do your submissions go....... to the waiting room!

http://peachtreepub.blogspot.com/2010/02/where-do-your-manuscripts-go-and-other.html

Great walk through of what happens to our manuscripts when submitted. This is from Peachtree Publishing in Atlanta, GA. They publish children's picture books, middle grade and YA books. Thought this might be interesting to some of you.

Someone is snatching all the bedtime story books!

What a premise for a children's book. The title would have frightened me as a child.  The Snatchabook is one of those quick reads, so the agony of worrying about losing my own book would have been short lived, but still...I'm not sure I want to recommend this book to all children.

Written in verse which makes the reading fast and fun with illustrations that are delightful. The story is saved when all ends well. Maybe that in itself can recommend the book for the lesson we learn is that while things seem to be out of our control, with a little understanding and love, we can make them better or right again.

Available Oct. 1 on Amazon.com

Book of Lost Things (Mister Max Book 1)

Early in the 20th century, a twelve year old boy, his theatrical parents, a loving but bossy grandmother...this is the family we first meet. Then, mysteriously the parents disappear and Max, a name he gives himself, and Gram search for clues. Meanwhile, it is time for him to get a job and start supporting himself. Jobs are scarce, and he finally invents a career for himself as the "solutioneer." He will solve peoples problems, mainly by finding lost things for them. Surprisingly, the problem he has yet to solve is the mystery of what happened to his parents. Since this book is part of a three book series, I'm sure we will someday learn the answer.
I am a big fan of Cynthia Voigt, but this is not one of my favorite books by her. While the writing is good, and descriptive phrases abound, the story was very slow to take off, and by then I really was not interested in Max or his solutions. Boys of MG age might
For better and lovely Voigh books try some of her early ones: Dicey's Song, Running, any of the Homecoming series and so many more. Sorry, Mister Max, you just didn't hold my interest.

 

enjoy this once they get past the initial, but I suppose, essential background. The unnecessary 'theatrical' mannerism of his parents were overdone for the point they made.


Available Sept. 10, 2013. Pre-order now.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Tuscany

Pienza, Tuscany, Italy...the beginning. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: My favorite red wine. Montepulciano, one of my favorite Italian hill towns. Emphasize the word HILL town. By now the author should have great legs and be in good shape. This lovely Tuscan area is the perfect setting for the friendly afternoon wine sessions with girlfriends...and apparently boyfriends.

At Least You're in Tuscany  This is a funny, warm, taste of  Italy summertime read. After many missteps, the author finally finds her place in this vineyard world. It is a dream of so many of us and this book puts the glamor  in perspective....it's not all glamorous, but as she said herself....at least she's in Tuscany. I highly recommend this book for a light summertime, "I love Italy" read.  On the author's website there is a photo of a grappa soaked cake....oh my! Luciano of Pienza would be proud.
This will definitely be one of the Christmas gifts to my daughter...the author has lived her dream.

At Least You're in Tuscany:

 http://www.amazon.com/At-Least-Youre-Tuscany-ebook/dp/B009J6AIGC/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376693559&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=AT+Lease+You%27re+i+Tuscany