#Review: Hello, Ninjas & Hello, Knights by Joan Holub #boardbooks #mathconcepts

Summary:
Perfect for reading out loud, Joan Holub’s hilarious text and Chris Dickason’s lively illustrations will have little ones learning and laughing as they try to find all the sneaky ninjas hidden on each page.

A clever, interactive approach to first concepts, this board book series also introduces important “next-step” concepts like counting in a hilariously engaging way.

My review:

If your kiddo, like my Grandson, loves ninjas, then this is the book to get! A new board-book series by the author will have your child wanting to do a ninja roll or chop but having fun counting while doing so. I have read many books by this author and her gift of writing is always top-notch. 

I love the rhymes that the book has and the illustrations that go along with it are just fantastic. The little twist in the middle of the book, which is a fold-out page,  will not only have your child in stitches but you too! I know I laughed out loud when I found out what the ninjas were on a mission for. I will just say it is pretty yummy but you will have to get your own copy to find out what it is.

A winner for sure! 5 stars!

Summary:


Perfect for reading out loud, Joan Holub’s hilarious text and Chris Dickason’s lively illustrations will have little ones huff-puff laughing as the knights and dragons run up and down the castle wall.

A clever, interactive approach to first concepts, this board book series also introduces important “next-step” concepts like opposites in a hilariously engaging way.

My review:
This book is in the author's new series of board books. The illustrations are as fun as the ninja one I read, quite bright and colorful. Here the subject is Knights and Dragons. Even if you have a Princess, she will love this book.

As with many of Ms. Holub's books, she always has something to learn in them. In this book, the concept is learning opposites and making friends.
How do you make friends with dragons? Well, read the book for that!

Once again, the board book had a pull-out page that made the book simply fun and there were lead up pages that made me laugh, the one I loved most was seeing the king's underwear flying.

You can't miss this book.
Another 5 stars!

Disclosure: The books here were given to me by the author. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.
~Michelle aka Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Joan is an NY Times bestselling children's book author, with books starring Goddess Girls, poodles, a superhero zero, or even a red pencil, in stories about friendship, girl-power, mythology, and other universally important stuff.

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#Giveaway & #BookBlast: The Wesyern Lands and All That Really Matters Series

   

The Purple Haze (The Western Lands and All That Really Matters Book 1) Being a princess is hard. Especially when you're just a little OCD. And your twin goes missing. Sure, Princess Eloise is Futur#e Ruler and Heir to the Western Lands and All That Really Matters. And yes, her life is structured by Protocol and full of little "habits" that help her get through the day. But none of that matters when her twin sister disappears. Eloise has to suck it up to try and get her back. She sets out with her champion (a nervous, yammering chipmunk), her guard (the human incarnation of rectitude), and two horses (one an equine perfection, the other on a vow of silence). Like a kind of fantasy-world Gilligan's Island meets Discworld, a quick little two-day jaunt turns into traipsing across realms. sniffing out a trail that is getting colder by the minute. The Purple Haze is a humorous novel set in a world of weak magic, talking animals, and wäÿ töö mänÿ ümläüts. If you like quirky, clever characters, lively dialog, and fun, ripping yarns, then you'll love this fabulous debut novel from Andrew Einspruch
  Get The Purple Haze today and dive into the freshest fantasy series in years. ON Sale for $.99 

The Star of Whatever (The Western Lands and All That Really Matters Book 2)

The slightly OCD princess was doing just fine, thanks. Then she got thrown to her death. That might have put a crimp in things. Princess Eloise, Future Ruler and Heir to the Western Lands and All That Really Matters, swallowed back her "habits" and went after her missing twin sister. She found her. Awesome! And then they both got chucked into the mysterious, magical, deadly Purple Haze. Less awesome! While her champion (a nervous, yammering chipmunk) and her guard (the human incarnation of rectitude) rot in prison and her two horses desperately try to find some way to help, Eloise and her sister go deeper into the Purple Haze to discover the source of the inner tug they both feel. The Star of Whatever (book two of The Western Lands and All That Really Matters series) is a humorous, Discworld-ish novel set in a world of weak magic, talking animals, and wäÿ töö mänÿ ümläüts. If you like quirky, clever characters, lively dialog, and fun, ripping yarns, then you'll love this fabulous second novel from Andrew Einspruch. Get The Star of Whatever today, and dive into the freshest fantasy series in years. Get this new release on Amazon also available in Kindle Unlimited

Get the prequel for FREE - The Wombanditos (The Western Lands and All That Really Matters Book 0)

Andrew Einspruch is the author of the humorous YA fantasy series The Western Lands and All That Really Matters. He's also had more than 120 children's books published, both fiction and non-fiction, that have sold around the world. Starting with the four-book "Dunkin' Dazza" series in the 1990s, Andrew's work has covered everything from basketball to DNA, biographies to histories to mysteries, outback heroes to Christmas Island red crabs, and from how the rides work at amusement parks to how the Australian Government works (perhaps the greatest mystery of all). Andrew is the co-founder of the not-for-profit charity the Deep Peace Trust, which fosters deep peace for all species. Based in rural New South Wales, Andrew, Billie and their adult daughter Tamsin run the Trust's A Place of Peace, one of Australia's largest farm animal sanctuaries. The cows, sheep, horses, goats, dogs, cats, and geese, as well as local wildlife including kangaroos, wombats, and cockatoos, are a constant source of inspiration. If you ask, he'll deny he ever programmed in COBOL for a bank.

  Enter to win a set of The Western Lands and All That Really Matters Series in print. A great gift for any child in your life. Fill out the form to enter

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#Spotlight: In The Key of Be by Lena Hubin #memoir

Non-Fiction / Memoir

Date Published: April 2, 2018

Publisher:  Chatnoir Press

Many of us across the globe suffer from some sort of mental illness. .Although it can be treated, many still struggle, some win, some lose. This is the story of one woman's fight.

Lena Hubin is a straight-A college senior when she lands in a psych ward. After her release, psychotherapy, illicit drugs, and sex distract her from her chronic anxiety--but none yields lasting relief. Despite teaching abroad, marrying, earning a masters and adopting two children, she remains haunted by anxiety.

 In her fifties, Lena returns with her family to the U.S., anticipating peace of mind. But when her son struggles with alcoholism, she feels her sanity swirling down the drain like the liquor she would dump--if she could find it. In a quest to help him, the author starts a journey that will change her life for good. 

Lena Hubin has been writing since she was a young kid growing up on a small Wisconsin dairy farm. She has had essays and articles published in ISS Newslinks, The International Educator, Midwest Living, and The Sun. For four years she wrote quarterly book reviews for In Recovery Magazine. She has a masters degree in Creative Writing from California State University, Fresno. Lena writes, plays piano, teaches, and works for social justice in Prescott, Arizona, where she lives with her husband, dog, and cat.

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#CSReadathon #Christmas Challenge

Are you joining in this season? I am off and running with two middle grade books and many Hallmark films.

Join in on the fun!

Peace, Michelle

Review: The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren #Paranormal #cozymystery #vampires

Summary:

Vampires who knit
A troublemaking witch
Who killed Granny — and is she really dead?

My review:
This is the first book in a series but is also a stand-alone book. I seriously loved this cozy mystery. 

The main character, Lucy, is trying to find herself when she goes to visit her beloved grandmother. However, upon arrival, she finds that her grandma has died and she has suddenly inherited her Grandma's knit shop, a family secret, and a cast of interesting characters who just happen to be vampires that knit.

Of course, being a cozy, a murder happens and minor chaos ensues. I enjoyed the fact the vampires helped out with the shop and taught Lucy a thing or two. They also protected her just as they had her Grandmother. I did not know who the actual murderer was until near the end even though there were clues. The family mystery discovery and dissolving were also well done. The only thing I thought was maybe the chapters should have been switched as they were both near the end but, that is personal preference.

One major thing I loved and a running theme throughout the book was acceptance of people no matter who (or what) they are. It was loud and clear and I would hope that theme shows up in future books.

Great job! 5 stars.

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book from the author for review. The reviews and opinions are 100% mine and may differ from yours.  ~Michelle aka Naila Moon

Where to find the author:
Amazon

#Review: A Bully On the School Bus by Dr. Mildred D. Peyton #Preventbullying #October

Summary:
The book “A Bully on the School Bus” is about a little girl named Nicole, who experienced being bullied while she is on the school bus. On her way home from school one day, Nicole is confronted by one of her fellow schoolmates who rides the same school bus. This book helps readers understand how bullying may occur among school-aged children and, also, how readers can address the problem if and when such a problem does arise.

My review:
The month of October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Unfortunately, bullying happens everywhere to kids and adults alike.

The author of this book has begun a series for children to combat the problem. This is the second book in the series that I have read. Here the main character is being bullied on the bus by another student who keeps pushing her to move out of her seat. I do not know if it was intentional but it reminded me very much of the Rosa Parks story.

I was pleased to see that the main character went to her parents for help and told them what was going on. They were able to help her find a solution that turned out positive in the end. The bus driver was helpful as well and the adults in her life were a positive influence.

However, the issue I had was that this is not always and most likely not always the case. I wish I could say it was. I felt the book at the same time positive, was almost too nicely wrapped up in a bow and everything was fine. The truth of the matter is often bullying increases and children do not always tell the adults in their life what is going on. I think statistics prove that.

Overall though, I see what the author was trying to do and that is to raise awareness. Someone has to take a stand with this problem and she is tackling the problem through books. In the back of her books, she includes a definition of what bullying is, tips for parents and children, and resources. This is a good inclusion and is well received by this reader.

In my mind, I liked this book but I do think needs a bit of tweaking.with the reasons above I give it 3 stars.

Where to find the author:
Amazon

Review & #Giveaway: The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller by Cleo Coyle #CozyMysteries #CryptKeeper

The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller (Haunted Bookshop Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Berkley (September 25, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 0425237451
ISBN-13: 978-0425237458
Digital ASIN: B078VX9SNF

Summary: Penelope Thornton-McClure and her bookshop's ghost-in-residence Jack Shepard are back on a new case in this delightful paranormal mystery from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

A big bestseller leads to small town trouble.

Bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure didn't believe in ghosts until she was haunted by the hard-boiled spirit of 1940s private investigator Jack Shepard. Now Jack is back on the job, and Pen is eternally grateful...

After an elegant new customer has a breakdown in her shop, Penelope suspects there is something bogus behind the biggest bestseller of the year. This popular potboiler is so hot that folks in her tiny Rhode Island town are dying to read it--literally. First one customer turns up dead, followed by another mysterious fatality connected to the book, which Pen discovers is more than just fiction. Now, with the help of her gumshoe ghost, Pen must solve the real-life cold case behind the bogus bestseller before the killer closes the book on her.

My review:
This stand-alone book was an enjoyable read. I was able to take my time with the book and really get to know the characters and dive into their realities. I loved that the book takes place in a bookshop. Sweet!

I loved the strong characteristics of the main character, Penelope and her ghostly friend, Jack. 
Jack, although rough and tough, had a sentimental side when it comes to Penelope. It was, however, hard to see him as truly a ghost that only Penelope could hear. In "real" life, they could have easily been lovers as well.

I liked the switch back to the 1940's to give clues to the present. I have seen other authors do this but it was done very well by this author. It also allowed Jack to be a real person and not a ghost. The description of him was spot on.

There were hints to who the killer might have been but I truly did not know until the end and that too was fun for me because it kept me wanting to read the book. Just as I thought it was one person, that person was proven to be innocent. I loved all of the twistings of characters together.

This is a terrific book, a nice little cozy to read for Halloween too.
Overall, I give the book 4 stars.

Disclosure: This review is part of a book tour for the authors. I received a copy of this book from the authors but my review is 100% my own opinion and may be different from yours.
~Michelle aka Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Cleo Coyle is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the Coffeehouse Mysteries--now celebrating nearly fifteen years in print. They also write the nationally bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, which were originally published under their second pseudonym, Alice Kimberly (The Ghost and Mrs. McClure, The Ghost and the Dead Deb, The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library, The Ghost and the Femme Fatale, The Ghost and the Haunted Mansion). Alice has worked as a journalist in Washington, DC, and New York, and has written popular fiction for adults and children. A former magazine editor, Marc has authored espionage thrillers and nonfiction for adults and children. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together. You can learn more about Cleo, her husband, and the books they write by visiting www.CoffeehouseMystery.com.

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Giveaway:

Michelle aka Naila Moon of Reading authors is not responsible for the giveaway from this author. For rules see the Rafflecopter or the tour page.

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