#FrightFall Start!

I mentioned to you that I would be doing the FrightFall Read-a-thon a few weeks ago. Guess what? It is here and started today! I am pretty excited to join in this reading challenge as it will get me a little out of my comfort zone.

I decided to purchase a mystery/thriller on Kindle to start this frightfully good read-a-thon but will be reviewing several children's books too as I go along. I am excited and a bit scared (HA) to get going.

If you would like to join me and several others just click on the photo to the right and it will take you right to the link to sign up.

Happy reading!
~Naila Moon

#Giveaway: "Fall" in love with Two New Books & $100 Paypal

Carole P. Roman is starting the Fall season off right with two brand new books, 
If You Were Me and Lived In Greece and Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis.

"Captain No Beard and his crew of loyal pirates heave anchor for another adventure, this time in the icy waters of the Arctic. Captain No Beard's steering a course due north, sailing by the light of the North Star. Everyone on the crew wonders what the captain's up to, especially as he gets embarrassed when they ask. When the captain finally admits his plan, the crew discovers he plans to steal the aurora borealis, the beautiful northern lights that brighten the arctic sky. They're all shocked. They may be pirates, but even they know stealing is bad. Besides, how can anyone steal the lights from the sky? A charming, engaging tale about doing what's right."

"If You Were Me and Lived in…Greece , early learners get a taste of what their life would be like if they lived in Greece while being introduced to the birthplace of democracy. This book is the latest installment of the educational series about the cultures of the world that speaks to young children about the topics that interest them, such as the foods people eat, the names of boys and girls, and the activities that children their age living in a foreign land are likely to engage in. This exciting visit to Greece also introduces the important concept of democracy to children and highlights some of the other cultural contributions that Greece has made to Western civilization. Basic information is offered in a playful way that won’t overwhelm children."

Join Carole P. Roman as she celebrates the launch of each of these books with a wonderful giveaway which includes a paperback copy of each of the books and $100 Paypal.
Carole P. Roman's award winning books have entertained children from around the world and these two new books are sure to be a hit! Enter in the Rafflecopter below.

Disclosure:
This giveaway is arranged by Away We Go Media on behalf of Carole P. Roman whom is responsible for prize. Naila Moon of Reading Authors was asked to promote this giveaway and received compensation for the post.
This giveaway runs from Sept. 29-Oct.14, 2014at 12AM MST
This is open Worldwide. If there is an international winner, the books will only be sent via Kindle.

NOTE: The first entry on the Rafflecopter MUST be entered in its entirety or you will be disqualified. You also may not enter this giveaway solely based on this entry. You must do at least one more entry.

Away We Go Media will not sell or use this information in anyway with exception to inform winner and send the prize.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook, Twitter or any other social media outlet.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

#BookBlast: MANscapes:Journey Into Light

When I was asked to promote MANscapes by Manuela Cardiga I thought it looked like a very interesting book.  In light of all of the stories we recently have heard about relational abuse, I think this book could be very timely. I suspect this book is also not for the faint of heart but does give some hope from abuse.

Admittedly, I have not read the book yet so, I cannot review it for you my readers, but only offer it to you as a book that I think you might like. I hope to read it in the near future as it is on my TBR pile.

Summary:
" All women - from the most exquisite beauty to the plainest drab - want to believe in the Cinderella myth. Even the harsh-faced and sour-hearted, somewhere deep in their night-time struggles with their bitterest reality, dare to dream some Prince could still see past the dense veil of unkind nature and time, to the delicate, frail-hearted beauty within." 

But Clara wasn't Cinderella, waiting for her Prince, she was Sleeping Beauty poisoned by a deadly kiss. After 24 years Clara awakens from a living nightmare of abuse and discovers her life unfolding miraculously; but the true miracle is her own blossoming: the maturing of a frightened abused girl into a strong woman capable of love, laughter and joy. In Tahiti's exotic landscape Clara finds her way from darkness to incandescent light, embracing in herself the strength of choice, and the power of decision. MANscapes is a powerful parable of hope and renewal, a story of one woman's discovery of herself and her journey into love.

About the author:

Manuela Cardiga was born in Mozambique and raised in South Africa where she studied fashion design. She moved to Europe where she worked as a fashion designer, then moved to the crazy world of advertising as a graphic designer and copywriter. Manuela is a designer by profession, a cook by vocation, and a writer by compulsion. She currently resides in Lisbon, Portugal where she writes contemporary and historical fiction, designs book covers, illustrates children’s books, and mothers a gorgeous daughter while juggling a day job. She also dabbles enthusiastically in exotic, experimental cuisine, much to the discomfort of family and friends.

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#Review: The Dazzling Darkness by Paula Cappa

Summary:
A secret lies buried beneath the haunting statuary in Old Willow Cemetery. In Concord, Massachusetts, the surrounding woods are alive with the spirits of transcendentalists Emerson, Thoreau, and Alcott. Elias Hatch, the cemetery keeper, is the last of modern-day transcendentalists. Does he know the secret power buried in Old Willow Cemetery? Would he reveal it? 

Next door to this cemetery is a lovely gabled house. When the Brooke family moves in, the secret of Old Willow strikes. 

On a cold afternoon in March, five-year-old Henry Brooke does not arrive home from the school bus stop. Antonia Brooke is frantic her child is missing, or—the unspeakable—stolen. Adam Brooke spends a harrowing night searching the Concord woods, fear gripping him as hours pass with no leads. 

Finally, a police dog tracks Henry’s scent inside Old Willow Cemetery. Detective Mike Balducci suspects that Elias Hatch knows the truth about what happened to Henry. Balducci knows Hatch’s metaphysical beliefs. What Balducci discovers buried in the cemetery is beyond the grave, beyond apparitions or shadowy drifts rushing through the pine trees. 

There are the dazzled faces in the darkened air … and their secret.

My review:
I can't imagine ever losing a child either by them going missing or by death, It is not something a parent ever wants to go through but unfortunately, it does happen. Author Paula Cappa, explores this subject with this book. 

It is painful to see the main characters go through anguish as they look for their child. Each lead seems to lead to another but this is no ordinary missing persons case. I was absolutely intrigued as the author unfolded each piece of the mystery and was engrossed in their discoveries of just what had happened to Henry. Just as I thought the book was coming to a conclusion and end,..BAM...another twist in the plot.

This is a case of the unexplained intertwined with historical characters like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Marie Curie. Real scientific discoveries, crystals, paranormal, and myth were all here too, coupled with good old fashioned belief and a tad bit of religion.

This book is one you cannot put down once you start reading it. 5 stars!

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collection. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours. ~Naila Moon


Where to find the author:

Goodreads
Amazon

Fall Fright Read-a-thon #FrightFall

Even though it is not officially Fall yet, in my mind it is! I love this time of year and what makes it even more exciting is all of the things that go on at this time. 

To add to my giddiness this year. I am participating in the FrightFall Read-a-thon which begins September 29th. Who doesn't like to read scary books once in awhile? Or a good mystery? Or a thriller? I do! This is the chance to get to do that.

Would you like to join me and the few other participants? You can sign up with the link above and win a prize or two as well.  Have fun!

#Review: Town Haunt: An Anna Nolan Mystery by Cathy Spencer #TownHauntsReview

Summary:
Cemetery caretaker Sherman Mason is horrified to hear his dead wife calling to him from her grave. He asks newcomer Tiernay Rae, a gorgeous witch and proprietor of the Healing Hands store, to hold a séance to find out what’s troubling his wife’s ghost. Tiernay needs a coven to focus her powers, however, so her roguish brother, Greg, suggests that Anna Nolan and her two friends help ‒ “the maiden, the mother, and the crone” as he calls them. But with Halloween fast approaching and the séance unleashing a malicious evil in the small town of Crane, can Tiernay stop it before someone gets hurt, or even killed?

My review:
I like a good ghost story but not with a bunch of gore. This was just enough to keep me intrigued although in truth, I could have used a little bit more. It was almost too mild.

I liked the story line and characters. Sherman is not your ordinary cemetery caretaker. He has some brains to him but has fallen on bad luck.

The "witch" is not the fairy tale kind with the haggard looks. No, this gal is glamorous and has the eye of another character in the story. She really cares about people even when they do not think the best of her like Anna Nolan, the semi-sleuth of the group.

Personally, I like the two characters and to have known what made them click a bit earlier on would have made the mystery more exciting.

I did think at times the book dragged a bit even though I could follow along just fine. Some things seemed a bit plausible to happen in real life and others seemed like the author was reaching. I know she meant for this to be more of a mystery than paranormal book but she could have easily done a paranormal.

Overall, not a bad book and I would read more from this author but I did expect much more considering the characters and the good start to the story.

I give this book 3 stars.



Where to find the author:


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Goodreads
Website
Disclosure: I received a Kindle copy of this book for my open and honest opinion, The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tag, your it! My top 10 books.

This Summer there have been a lot of tag challenges going around Facebook. They have been fun, inspiring, and sometimes down right funny.

Just this week I was tagged by my friend, Rebecca to do the "10 Books Challenge" were I share 10 books that has stayed with me throughout my life for whatever reason.
The challenge did not say that I had to tell why, but I thought why not? So, I decided to use this challenge for this blog as it fits perfectly. Note: If you click on the book, it will take you to a link to buy it too. (For the record, I have no affiliation links)

So, here I go...

1. Daddy Long Legs-this book has resonated with me for years. I read the book around middle school years and it stuck. It is really my favorite book of all time. I loved the girl wrote letters to an unknown sponsor. She spoke of life, love, and angst.

2. The Giving Tree-I have always loved Shel Silverstein from the first time I read his books. This book in particular I love because it speaks of giving from the heart everything you have. It also represents using what you have and are given wisely.

3. If You Give A Mouse A Cookie-this book is just fun and quirky. I actually like the whole series that started with this book. It shows that sometimes you get in an endless loop of being asked for things and it may never end.

4. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs-I have always liked the fairy tale of the three pigs. However, this telling of the classic tale I adore. I love that the wolf tells the story of what happened from his perspective.

5. The Hardy Boys Mysteries-I know this is not just one book but I loved this series. I used to own several of the books when I was a kid and read them so much they were totally dog eared. The mysteries intrigued me but did not bog me down. I recently found a independently owned book store that has almost all of the books. I would like to own and read them again.

6. Nancy Drew Mysteries-I love these pretty much for the same reason as #5 except it was a girl! Growing up, this was important for me to relate to.

7. It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown-seriously, who does not like Snoopy and the gang? If you know me at all, you know I love Snoopy! This is one of my favorites of the cartoon version. I love that Linus mistakes Snoopy for the Great Pumpkin. This book was also a gift given to me by my husband and has a prominent place in our home every Halloween.

8. Yellow Star-this book I have only read this year but is for sure among my favorites. I am interested in the stories of holocaust survivors. I feel their stories need to be heard so those atrocities never happen again but also so they are remembered. This book is told in first person narrative and is good but heart breaking too.

9. Stillwell: A Haunting On Long Island-although this book is from one of the authors I represent, I really do like this book.I like the ghostly story mixed with just a bit of love story. It is sweet and timeless. In addition, I just like how the author weaves words.

10. Autobiographies/Biographies-I know this is not a book but a genre. I love reading all sorts of books from this genre of which there have been too many to mention. If I find someone interesting, I will read about them.

Many books could be on this list but this is my top selections Who knows they can always change.
So, who to tag now...

Happy reading!
Naila Moon

#Review:Good Night Sleep Tight What A Wonderful Flight by Louis Lintvelt/Illustrated by Do Thai Thanh

Summary:
After an exciting flight, it is time to say goodnight. 
The tired sun sets overhead. 
Sleepy aircraft get ready for bed. 
They slow their propellers and park their wings. 
Time to snuggle up and tuck in...Goodnight, Sleep Tight. 

The charming illustrations and sweet rhyming text are sure to be a delight for sleepy aircraft enthusiasts.

My review:
This sweet little book tells the story of several different types of aircraft with cute little names that match. For example: Fire Plane Dave and Jane the Jet
Each one has a two page spread for what they do, then another two page spread of how the "sleep" at night.

The book is totally in rhyme of which the author excels at. The pictorial illustrations show each aircraft boldly with the surrounding as secondary. The pictures are in darker more muted colors to denote the idea that the aircraft are going to go to sleep after they work.

I read this book to my grandchildren. My grand-daughter delighted in the repetitive line,
"Hush...Goodnight...Sleep Tight." I winked at her every time this line came up and she would say the line with me and wink too. 

We loved this book and it gets 4 stars from me and a wink from my grand-daughter pictured above.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The review expressed here is 100% my own and may differ from yours.

Where to find the author:

Amazon
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