Posted Friday, 12 June, 2015 by jorielov Anita Daher, Iain Reading, Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency series, Larry Verstraete, Missing in Paradise, Rebelight Publishing Inc., The Walking Fish, Wonder Horse 0 Comments
Acquired Book By: I am a regular tour hostess for blog tours via Chapter by Chapter, where I receive opportunities to host Cover Reveals & Author Guest Features on behalf of the Indie Publisher Month9Books. This is the second time I was offered to host a blog tour outside of Month9Books, featuring another Indie Publisher: Rebelight Publishing! I jumped at the chance to read this exciting novel for Middle Grade readers, as I am always seeking out light infused Children’s Lit which has a resounding story-line stitched together with a life lesson and/or a character who children can relate too as much as they can celebrate having found. For a bit of background on Rebelight Publishing, please read my anchour supplement on the top of my review for “Missing in Paradise”.
I received a complimentary copy of “Wonder Horse” direct from the publisher Rebelight Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Horse dramas and Jorie:
I grew up with a wicked fascination with horses and the horse dramas writers would spin into creation via novels and motion pictures. I still remember staying up way past my bedtime in order to finish reading one of the Black Stallion series novels or one from the Thoroughbred series! I was the girl who cherished The Saddle Club and wished she had a wicked awesome group of girls to ride horses with and develop a keenly wicked friendship circle!
Horse dramas were simply an organic progression of where I would want to go literally through stories from the moment I stepped outside the saddle as I was a young rider. I have loads of happy memories following the hooves and dramas of horse girls, women, and men in motion pictures inasmuch as I get a wicked excitement in my heart when I find a new book coming out about the strength of the bond between horse and humans. Young or old, Children’s Lit related or Western Fiction, if the story has a grounding of insight into horses and the inseparable connection of love they give back to those of us who have realised the friendship they give so freely, than the odds are favourable I am going to find the next story which reaches my hands to be a memorable read!
Hence why when this blog tour was only a whisper of a thought on Twitter when Rebelight started tweeting about it, I *knew!* I had to take part! I wanted to read the story which has been re-translated into English from it’s original published Norwegian!
By the by, with the current winner of the Triple Crown creating a buzz in the twitterverse with the tag #WonderHorse, methinks we should have started tweeting out with #WonderHorseMG to create the distinction. Sometimes I worry books will be overshadowed by more popular tags whose ‘chatter’ is anything but on the publishing industry radar.
Wonder Horse
by Anita Daher
Source: Publisher via Chapter by Chapter
Fitting into a new school in a new city isn’t easy, but dreams come true for Sera with a gift from her parents: a gorgeous and spirited American Paint horse. Sera’s bubble bursts when a mean girl, Brittany, tells her that neither she nor her less than well-trained horse belong with the rest of the “reiners” in their riding class. As Sera sets out to prove Brittany wrong, she risks losing her passion for training and the friendship of Dev, another girl who truly understands her.
Genres: Children's Literature, Middle Grade Places to find the book:
Add to LibraryThing
Published by Rebelight Publishing Inc.
on 8th May, 2015
Format: Paperback
Originally published as “Wager the Wonder Horse” by Stabenfeldt (Stavanger, Norway) in 2011 and distributed in six languages: Norwegian, Hungarian, Czech, German, Finnish and Swedish.
Published By: Rebelight Publishing, Inc. (@RebelightBooks)
Converse via: #WonderHorse & #MGLit
Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook
About Anita Daher
Anita Daher has been entrenched in the publishing industry since 1995, and is (thus far) author of fourteen books for children and teens. Aside from short stints as grave-plot seller, tour guide, and children’s party clown, she’s worked in aviation, publishing and broadcasting. When not word wrangling, she enjoys inhabiting characters on stage and screen.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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Posted Friday, 12 June, 2015 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Bookish Films, Canada, Canadian Literature, Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours, Childhood Friendship, Children's Literature, Coming-Of Age, Equality In Literature, Juvenile Fiction, Middle Grade Novel, Modern Day, Motion Picture Inter-related to Bookish Topic, Multi-cultural Characters and/or Honest Representations of Ethnicity, Transfer Student at School
Posted Tuesday, 5 May, 2015 by jorielov Rachelle Burk & Kopel Burk, The Walking Fish, Tumblehome Learning 0 Comments
Acquired Book By:
I was selected to review “The Walking Fish” by JKS Communications: A Literary Publicity Firm. JKS is the first publicity firm I started working with when I launched Jorie Loves A Story in August, 2013. I am honoured to continue to work with them now as a 2nd Year Book Blogger. I received my complimentary copy of The Walking Fish direct from JKS Communications in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Inspired to Read:
When I was first approached to read The Walking Fish it nearly felt like kismet to find science re-entering my life because I was the kind of girl who grew up in her local Science Center and ached for Summer because it meant she could spend more hours at the Center absorbing science through hands-on learning opportunities and field trips which were not available during regular school sessions. The beauty for me growing up at the Science Center is being in control of the ‘academics’ and ‘choices’ of which fields of study I could focus on without the added stress of worrying about ‘grades or homework’. You could simply go to the Center, enjoy your days, and get caught up in the joy of science without the hassles that regular school provides.
I thrived in this environment because having a curious mind was encouraging to the teachers, who loved it when we asked questions that challenged them in return to provide a plausible response. It was a mecca for science geeks – girls and boys together, whilst having a living ecosystem of sorts at our fingertips. We even had a resident boa constrictor I helped save when I was the only kid there who noticed Monty wasn’t in his cage but rather the latch on his environment was ‘unhooked’. We had resident tarantulas, an iguana I adopted, various snakes I gave a wide birth (outside of Monty, I was not keen on snakes!), and a lovely outdoor garden filled with footpath tiles and hidden nooks where you could enjoy the flowers.
I have been wanting to dig back into my readings of science, not just as an adult but to seek out titles that would stimulate a fascination for children within the realms of Children’s Lit. This branch of literature is quite dear to me, and I was thankful to be considered for a title I hope will inspire younger readers to get as excited as I had about science and the possibilities therein!
The Walking Fish
by Kopel Burk, Rachelle Burk
Source: Publicist via JKS Communications
A humorous, exciting tale of an ordinary girl who makes an extraordinary scientific discovery—a blind fish that walks.
When seventh-grader Alexis catches an unusual fish that looks like a living fossil, she sets off a frenzied scientific hunt for more of its kind. Alexis and her friend Darshan join the hunt, snorkeling, sounding the depths of Glacial Lake, even observing from a helicopter and exploring a cave. All the while, they fight to keep the selfish Dr. Mertz from claiming the discovery all for himself. When Alexis follows one final hunch, she risks her life and almost loses her friend. This is a scientific adventure not to be missed.
With great settings and vivid characters, lively and at times hilarious, this book presents the adventure of science in a way that’s sure to appeal to girls and boys in grades 4-7.
Genres: Children's Literature, Science, Middle Grade Places to find the book:
Borrow from a Public Library
Add to LibraryThing
ISBN: 978-0990782933
Published by Tumblehome Learning
on 1st April, 2015
Format: Paperback Edition
Pages: 192
Published by: Tumblehome Learning (@TumblehomeLearn)
Available Formats: Trade Paperback, Hardback
Converse via: #WalkingFishBook & #RachelleBurk
OR #MGFiction, #MGLit, #KidsLit or #MiddleGrade
About Kopel Burk
Kopel Burk is a retired physician who writes, sculpts, and remains active on the bioethics committee at his hospital. He conceived the idea for Walking Fish over 40 years ago, when he told early versions of the story to his young children, nieces and nephews. His co-author is one of those nieces. At 86, this is his first book.
About Rachelle Burk
Rachelle Burk is a children’s author, social worker, clown, and storyteller. She writes fiction and nonfiction for children, including books, magazine pieces, and poetry. Rachelle scuba dives, explores caves, and volunteers on a rescue squad. With her background as a children’s entertainer, she’s a hit in classroom visits.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
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Posted Tuesday, 5 May, 2015 by jorielov in #JorieLovesIndies, 21st Century, Aquaculture, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blog Tour Host, Book Review (non-blog tour), Bookish Films, Chefs and Sous Chefs, Childhood Friendship, Children's Literature, Clever Turns of Phrase, Coming-Of Age, Compassion & Acceptance of Differences, Cookery, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Documentary on Topic or Subject, Ecology, Environmental Activism, Environmental Conscience, Environmental Science, Equality In Literature, Father-Daughter Relationships, Fishing, GeoPhysical History, Green-Minded Social Awareness, Hard Science Fiction, History, Indie Author, JKS Communications: Literary Publicity Firm, Jorie Loves A Story Cuppa Book Love Awards, Juvenile Fiction, Literature of India, Meteorology, Middle Grade Novel, Modern Day, Mother-Daughter Relationships, Multi-cultural Characters and/or Honest Representations of Ethnicity, Philosophical Intuitiveness, Realistic Fiction, Science, Science Fiction, Social Change, Sustainability & Ecological Preservation, The Natural World
Posted Tuesday, 3 March, 2015 by jorielov Georgia McBride Media Group (GMMG), Lucas Mackenzie & the London Midnight Ghost Show, Month9Books, Steve Bryant 0 Comments
Magic and Illusion followed me throughout my childhood, as I was quite entranced by what could not yet be seen within an act and how this particular suspension of what was known was dangerously wicked on the level of curiosity! Dangerous a bit too, I suppose because sometimes I think the magicians and illusionists would push their fate a bit with what they were attempting to conjure in front of us, but for acts like David Copperfield, magic intermixed with illusion had a special aura around it making it quite enjoyable to simply get caught up in ‘the show’!
Today I have the pleasure of welcoming to my blog, the author behind a Middle Grade novel Lucas Mackenzie: And the London Midnight Ghost Show! The name of this novel alone pulled me into it’s orbit, because when you combine three loves of mine: London, Ghosts, and Magic it’s quite hard to think I wouldn’t want to read the novel! I would have opted to read this one straight-off, however, as a host for Month9Books via Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours, only the electronic versions are given to reviewers; hence why I’ve decided to feature Month9Books authors through a variety of Guest Posts and Interviews, until the day arrives where I can gather the books themselves in print edition!
Lucas Mackenzie has got the best job of any 10 year old boy. He travels from city-to-city as part of the London Midnight Ghost Show, scaring unsuspecting show-goers year round. Performing comes naturally to Lucas and the rest of the troupe, who’ve been doing it for as long as Lucas can remember.
But there’s something Lucas doesn’t know.
Like the rest of Luca’s friends, he’s dead. And for some reason, Lucas can’t remember his former life, his parents or friends. Did he go to school? Have a dog? Brothers and sisters?
If only he could recall his former life, maybe even reach out to his parents, haunt them.
When a ghost hunter determines to shut the show down, Lucas realizes the life he has might soon be over. And without a connection to his family, he will have nothing. There’s little time and Lucas has much to do. Can he win the love of Columbine, the show’s enchanting fifteen-year-old mystic? Can he outwit the forces of life and death that thwart his efforts to find his family?
Keep the lights on! Lucas Mackenzie’s coming to town.
Lucas Mackenzie and the London Midnight Ghost Show by Steve Bryant
Published By: Month9Books (@Month9Books), on 24th February, 2015
Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook
Public Library | Add to Riffle
Converse on Twitter via: #MGLit, #KidLit, & #Month9Books
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Posted Tuesday, 3 March, 2015 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours, Children's Literature, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Ghosts & the Supernatural, Juvenile Fiction, Literature for Boys, Middle Grade Novel, Month9Books, Parapsychological Gifts, Parapsychological Suspense, Reader Submitted Guest Post (Topic) for Author, Supernatural Fiction, Suspense
Posted Sunday, 18 January, 2015 by jorielov Larry Verstraete, Missing in Paradise, Rebelight Publishing Inc. 0 Comments
Acquired Book By: I am a regular tour hostess for blog tours via Chapter by Chapter, where I receive opportunities to host Cover Reveals & Author Guest Features on behalf of the Indie Publisher Month9Books. This is the first time I was offered to host a blog tour outside of Month9Books, featuring another Indie Publisher: Rebelight Publishing! I jumped at the chance to read this exciting novel for Middle Grade readers, as I am always seeking out light infused Children’s Lit which has a resounding story-line stitched together with a life lesson and/or a character who children can relate too as much as they can celebrate having found.
I received a complimentary copy of “Missing in Paradise” direct from the publisher Rebelight Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
A bit of a background on Rebelight Publishing:
Included with my copy of Missing in Paradise, I received a lovely letter from the Marketing Director who gave me a bit of insight on behalf of the publisher! In an effort to help my readers understand a bit more about this exciting new Indie Publisher, I am going to share a portion of the letter as it was written like a Press Release, giving me the ability to share the contents like I would on behalf of other publishers who include the same Press Sheets with their stories and non-fiction titles.
Rebelight is a new publisher committed to the promotion of literacy through producing high quality fiction for middle grade, young adult and new adult readers. We are celebrating the release of our first three books! Our company is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, a city of approximately 800,000 at the geographic center of North America. Our tagline: Crack the Spine. Blow your mind. And that’s exactly what we seek to do with every book.
Our mandate is to open doors to new and talented writers, and give established authors an opportunity to venture outside their genre.
I have had an inclination to seek out Canadian Lit for several years now, ever since I first learnt my local library couldn’t borrow from outside the United States! I could search for Canadian authors through WorldCat or I could continue the long process of seeking them out on my own accord through the variety of genres and works of literature I appreciate reading. One door that opened Canada up to me is by becoming a book blogger, as I have started to find Canadian Writers are amongst those authors who put their books into blog tours as much as publishers in Canada are seeking blog tour hosts who are in the United States or overseas. I appreciate their keen awareness that there are those of us down here who would be quite wicked happy to discover their stories, if only we could find a bridge that would give us a better insight into what is being published per annum.
It is my continuing hope that as time shifts forward, I can host more Canadian authors and works of literature on blog tours but outside of that focus, I want to start seeking out Canadian Lit through my public library (as some authors have their collective works housed in one of our stateside libraries which can be inter-library loaned) as much as seeking their titles through Indie bookshoppes at a later date. I fully support the Indies (as disclosed on “My Bookish Life“) and forevermore will seek out ways to be a book cheerleader for the publishers and the writers who give us such a refreshing new voice to seek out within the craft of story-telling! Read More
Posted Sunday, 18 January, 2015 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Brothers and Sisters, Canadian Literature, Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours, Childhood Friendship, Children's Literature, Juvenile Fiction, Literature for Boys, Middle Grade Novel, Modern Day, Siblings
Posted Sunday, 11 January, 2015 by jorielov Calvin Sparks, Calvin Sparks & the Crossing to Cambria, Cedar Fort Inc, Rusty Anderson, Sweetwater Books 1 Comment
I must confess I am a reader who happens to love seeking out stories of fantasy fiction that give children a full sense of freedom and adventure. I also happen to love stories that have the benefit of a time portal or a hidden dimension which seek to transport you from one location to another. I grew up on Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek and I discovered Doctor Who in my thirties; so you could say, time travel and the aspect of how time can shift in either science fiction or fantasy has been with me quite long term!
Although I passionately love The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe motion picture and the third in the film series (The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), I must say I could not curl inside the novels as readily as I found the motion pictures to being full encased with the sense of the world I had hoped to discover in Narnia. That fever of excitement to step through the wardrobe and arrive outside your own world eclipsed the feeling I have always had inside me for well-written stories where even if they are not within the fantasy genre, they suspend your mind and the hours to reveal something quite remarkable.
Books are the most portable time machines we have on hand and they give us so many ways in which to interact with different scientific theories of dimensional space. When I first saw this book coming up as a new release, I was quite excited for it. When I realised it was going to be released electronically first (ahead of print), my heart fell quite a heap! I knew then, that I would re-write this tour stop to be an interview post, as I wanted to learn more about this world, to have an introduction of Cambria before having the chance down the road to read a print edition.
This is why all my questions are directed to the author to get a bit more clarity on the foundational roots of his story as much as to gather a visual scope of the world he’s created to carry-on a series. Read More
Posted Sunday, 11 January, 2015 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Cedar Fort Publishing & Media, Children's Literature, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Fantasy Fiction, Indie Author, Juvenile Fiction, Literature for Boys, Middle Grade Novel, Reader Submitted Author Interview