Review: Mighty Dads by Joan Holub Illustrated by James Dean

Summary:

Mighty dads, strong and tall,
help their children, young and small.

They keep them safe and bolted tight
and show them how to build things right.

Inventively told through James Dean's colorful construction vehicle characters, MIGHTY DADS is an adoring dedication to hard working fathers and the subtle ways they teach their boys and girls to follow in their tracks. The Dump Trucks learn to get dirty. Crane keeps his little one safe from harm. The busy Cement Mixer gives his daughter a hug. The Forklift cheers his son on.

A surprising and touching view of a father's love for his children, MIGHTY DADS is the perfect way to say: I'm proud of you!

My review:

I absolutely adored this book!  First of all, the pictures from illustrator, James Dean, were bright, colorful, and bold. I loved how he made the "children" tiny but obviously worked hard while helping their "dad".

The author, Joan Holub, made each page a semi-rhyme...no pun intended...and had the action in bold letters.  I could hear many children imitating the sounds as I read. In fact, each page made me smile right on into the next page.

I also liked the fact that the little ones did the same work as the "dads" but in smaller scale. Yet, "dads" kept encouraging each to do their best and keep going which would ultimately result in work well done.

As it is now heading into Father's Day at the time of my review, this is the perfect book for Dad's to read and share with their children. For that matter, to share any time! This book is a winner!

5 stars!

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

Where to find the author:

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Review: The Crew Goes Coconuts by Carole P. Roman

Summary:
There is a storm brewing on the Flying Dragon, and it's not about the weather. When the crew finds themselves parched and not enough juice to go around, blame falls on Matie the goat, Hallie's friend. Divided, they square off, ready for a fight and Captain No Beard must teach his crew that not only is bullying wrong, they must learn to value and respect each and every member of the crew. Watch the crew of the Flying Dragon learn an important lesson about being a true friend.

My review:
In this new book of her Captain No Beard series, Carole P. Roman introduces a new character aboard the imaginary flying ship, a goat with an unusual name. The goat is mistreated by half the crew which cause trouble upon the ship. 

Captain No Beard intercedes and shows the crew that each of them have their own gifts, and that being hurtful to another is not the way a crew should act.
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Bullying is a huge topic these days and is finally being noticed more. Possible solutions and action is being talked about through different media. I was pleased to see the author take on this subject with her books.

This subject is difficult because there are so many different levels of bullying but Carole P. Roman shows children that each person has things about them that are wonderful and some things that may not be so wonderful. However, each person has something that can be useful in society.

5 stars

Where to find the author:

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Disclosure:
I purchased this book on Kindle for my own collection. The review here is 100% my own opinions and may differ from yours.
~Naila Moon

Review: The Bronze and the Brimstone: Book II of the Verona Trilogy by Lory S. Kaufman

 ary:
This is book #2 of the Verona Trilogy where Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln, three teens from the 24th-century, are trapped in 14th-century Verona, Italy. They've survived many deadly experiences by keeping their wits about them and by introducing futuristic technology into the past. Principal among these inventions is the telescope, which brought them to the attention of the rich and powerful.

But standing out can get you into unexpected – situations. The nobles of Verona now believe Hansum is a savant, a genius inventor, especially after he brings them plans for advanced cannons and black powder. Being the center of attention is great, but the potential for trouble is now exponentially greater because people are watching Hansum’s every move.

Meanwhile, artistic genius Shamira has fallen for a Florentine artist with bloody and disastrous consequences. Lincoln, considered an incompetent back home in the 24th-century, has blossomed – at least until he’s shot in the head with an arrow. And Hansum, after secretly marrying his new master’s beautiful daughter, Guilietta, is offered the hand in marriage of lady Beatrice, daughter of the ruler of Verona. To refuse could mean calamity for all the teens.

My review:

I found myself a bit bogged down in this second book. I think the focus on Hansum was too much as it took up most of the book. I thought it was unfortunate as the other two main characters are just as interesting. Also, since the theme throughout the first book was to work together, this theme was lost in the second.

The ongoing romance between Hansum and Guiletta was rather goofy to me considering that this is supposed to be a young teenager. Hormones out of whack indeed! I seriously could not see this young man staying devoted to her with all the money, power, and another beauty being thrown his way. That kind of pressure would break even the strongest of the modern teens today of which he really is.

The second book was once again divided into three "books" within the book with chapters in each. This just drove me nuts and again, I found this to be quite confusing. I am not sure why the author has chosen to write like this and I find it to be quite distracting.

The author did write a good tale considering all that I have said before. I am not sure young adult girls would be all that thrilled with the military coups and glory of war, I know I wasn't. However, young adult boys would probably get into it...maybe.

The author was also able to make me feel like I was right there with Hansum. I was able to relate to his feelings, his wants, his needs, his loss, his loneliness, and his utter disappointments. For that I give the author kudos.

I was disappointed in the ending for this book and felt it may have been better suited in the third book. It seemed abrupt and misplaced. Since I have not read the third book yet, I will give the author the benefit of the doubt.

Again, I can only give 3 stars and hope that the next book is a winner!

~Naila Moon

Disclosure: I was given this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100 % my own and may differ from yours.

Where to find the author:

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Michael Phillip Cash's "Flip It" #Giveaway...$100 Paypal Cash & More!

Have you ever watched those home shows where they have bought a dilapidated house and turned it into a show piece? It is certainly fascinating to watch. However, what if one of those houses has former ghost inhabitants that just do not want to leave? 

Author Michael Phillip Cash's newest book, The Flip is all about a house flip going terribly wrong.

"Julie and Brad Evans are house flippers. They buy low, clean out the old occupants junk, and try to make a profit. Enter Hemmings House on Bedlam Street in scenic Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island. Too good a deal to pass up, but with an ominous secret. The old Victorian Mansion has dwellers that do not want to be dispossessed. As the house reveals it's past, will the couples marriage survive The Flip?"

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend and looking toward the Summer,  Michael Phillip Cash wants to introduce The Flip to the world at large. The author is generously giving a great and fun prize pack that will set the winner up right for Summer fun in the sun.

One winner will receive all of the following:

*A copy of his book, The Flip
*A screen printed beach towel
*A bottle of sunscreen
*A tote to hold it all
*$100 Paypal cash

Would you like to win this great prize? All you have to do is enter in the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

Where you can find Michael Phillip Cash:

Amazon
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Rules and disclosure:
This giveaway has been arranged and promoted by Away We Go Media. Naila Moon of Reading Authors was asked to promote this great giveaway on behalf of Michael Phillip Cash and was compensated for this post.

There will be one winner for this giveaway picked at random by Rafflecopter.org. Winner must be at least 18 years of age to enter and have a Paypal account. 
Winner must respond with full mailing address and Paypal account information within 48 hours of an email sent or forfeit prize.

The giveaway will be from May 25, 2014 at 12 AM MST-June 9, 2014 12 AM MST
The giveaway is open to U.S. only.

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Review: Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester

Summary:
Rick and Abby grew up together, became best friends, and ultimately fell in love. Circumstance tore them apart in their early teens, though, and they went on to lives less idyllic than they dreamed about in those early days. Rick has had a very successful career, but his marriage flat-lined. Abby has a magical daughter, Paige, but Paige's father nearly destroyed Abby's spirit.

Now fate has thrown Rick and Abby together again. In their early thirties, they are more world-weary than they were as kids. But their relationship still shimmers, and they're hungry to make up for lost time. However, Paige, now nine, is not nearly as enthusiastic. She's very protective of the life she's made with her mother and not open to the duo becoming a trio. Meanwhile, Rick has very little experience dealing with kids and doesn't know how to handle Paige. This leaves Abby caught between the two people who matter the most to her. What happens when the life you've dreamed of remains just inches from your grasp?

My review:
Cons:
I have read all of Steven Manchester's novels and usually find them to be fantastic. He usually manages to get me immersed in the lives of the characters and I want to know them personally.
This time, not so much.  

As much as it was sentimental for the characters Rick and Abby to find each other again, I found myself wanting to slap both of these characters upside the head and not wanting to know them at all. Frankly, both made me ill with the sappiness of their "love" story. Honestly, it was a repeat performance throughout most of the book.

Rick loves Abby (and has the heart of gold, along with his pocketbook)...Abby loves him (And hates her ex-husband and does EVERYTHING for Paige)...Paige is bratty to Rick and disrespects her mom...repeat. When it finally got to Rick and Abby making love, I was exhausted. 

Steven Manchester had some minor characters in here too, Rick's Dad and Grandmother, Paige's friends, and Abby's ex-husband. I think I would have liked to have seen these characters developed more and why they related to the major characters the way they did. Surely, there was even more backstory about them? 

My last issue was the last chapter of the book. I will not reveal what that is because I simply do not do that but I will say it seemed anti-climactic and maybe even misplaced. If anything, I thought the chapter should have been more of an epilogue.

Pros:
Even with all I have said above, Steven Manchester simply knows how to write! His descriptions of places and times brought me into the story where the characters didn't. I could get lost and usually do in his descriptive edge. This is such a strong suit for Mr. Manchester that is just top notch and because of that he managed to keep me reading to the end.

His prose pieces were also sprinkled throughout the book as the character Rick was a "writer". I loved this even among its sappiness. The pieces were beautiful, eloquently done and well placed within the book.

Though this is ultimately a love story, it is not a dime store romance book. I was pleasantly happy about that and would have been completely disappointed if it had been. In fact, the author clearly worked at making their love hopeful and quite meaningful among everything that was working to keep them apart.

Over all, I liked the book even if I felt it was not Steven Manchesters best. Without a doubt there will be more novels from this author and I certainly look forward to reading them.

This book: 3 stars

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours.
~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

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#Giveaway: "If You Were Me and Lived In Russia" ...three prizes!

Carole P. Roman continues to write great children's literature!
With her ground breaking series of, "If You Were Me and Lived In...", Carole P. Roman captured the hearts of children around the world.  Her first book about Mexico has won several awards including the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in 2012.

Now, she wants to introduce her most recent in the series, "If You Were Me and Lived In Russia."
Come along as Carole P. Roman takes your child on tour to Russia and learns things like,where St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin are. Find out what borscht is and what is the most popular game children like to play.

To introduce this fine book, Carole P. Roman is having a mega giveaway with three winners.
Enter below for your chance to win one of the three prizes.

1st Prize:
If You Were Me and Lived In Russia book, $30 Paypal and a set of Russian nesting dolls

2nd Prize:
If You Were Me and Lived In Russia book and $15 Paypal

3rd Prize:
If You Were Me and Lived In Russia book and $5 Paypal

Where to find Carole P. Roman:

Facebook
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Goodreads

Rules and Disclosure:
Naila Moon of Reading Authors was invited to promote this giveaway on behalf of Carole P. Roman. I was compensated for this post.
This giveaway was arranged by Away We Go Media.

Winners will be selected at random by Rafflecopter. All entries will be verified for accordance with the rules of each entry. There will be three (3) winners for this giveaway.

NOTE:
The giveaway is open Internationally. However, if an international winner is selected for the first prize, you will not be eligible for the nesting dolls and can only receive a Kindle copy of the book.
Kindle copies of the book for 2nd & 3rd prize for international winners as well.

You must have a Paypal account in order to win and prize will only be paid in US dollars only.

Giveaway begins on May 22, 2014 at 12AM MST through June 6, 2014 at 12AM MST. Winners must respond to an email sent to them within 48 hours or forfeit their prize.

This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social media outlet.

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Review: GG & Mamela by Belinda Brock, Illustrated by Avi Katz

Summary:
This picture book celebrates the loving relationship between Lily and her great-grandmother (GG) as her life starts to slow and wind down in hospice. GG and Mamela illustrates how strength and comfort can be found through love, family and tradition. This book offers a gentle and open-ended way to start a conversation about death and dying, as well as introduce the concept of hospice care.

My review:
This book became somewhat personal to me as my own parent had to have hospice at the end of his life. Unlike, GG, my Dad had hospice at home.  I cannot say enough about how kind they were!

When someone is dying, it is difficult for adults to deal with and very confusing for children. I loved how this book allowed  Mamela's father to express his sorrow and yet, help Mamela to understand that it was ok too. That even though her GG (Great-Grandma)  is dying, she will always be...her GG!

The book pointed out that the strength in families, the comforts of home, and sometimes repetition is what gets you by. In the case of Mamela and GG, it was the  telling of stories and making GG's secret chicken noodle soup. In fact, the book ends with the recipe for her soup. That made me smile.

The illustrations were done is watercolor and added a realness to the book. Although the book seems to end abruptly, the reader does not need to know the true ending because in truth it is a reality. This story book would certainly help children through the processes of a loved one being in hospice and leave opportunities for questions and discussion

5 stars

Disclosure: I received this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours.

Where to find the author:

Amazon
Goodreads