Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Kid Lit Blog Hop #22

Welcome to the 22nd Kid Lit Blog Hop. The Kid Lit Blog Hop takes place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. We have managed to create a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists, as well as parents seeking out their next great read. So, you are more than welcome to link in and take some time to make some new friends. Please join me in welcoming back our co-hosts for this Hop, Bruce from The Bookshelf Gargoyle, Victoria Simcox - author of The Magic Warble and The Black Shard, Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. A big, big welcome to all of you! Please be sure to give each of our hosts a visit to say a quick hello and we'll be sure to visit you right back!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

Kid Lit Blog Hop
<div align="center"><a href="http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/category/kid-lit-blog-hops/" title="Kid Lit Blog Hop"><img src="http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Kid-Lit-Blog-Hop-Button-Sep-2012-e1349976901756.jpg" alt="Kid Lit Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
 

Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. We ask that you kindly follow your hostesses and co-hosts. You can follow us any way you choose (Email, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, G+, Pinterest, etc.), but we've added our preferences below. If you could just give us a quick "follow" or "like" that would be much appreciated! Make sure to leave us a message if you are following us (i.e., on Twitter or Facebook or on our websites) and we will be sure to follow you back. Thanks! :-)

Hostesses:

Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews Twitter * Facebook

Jaymie @ Snacks for Max Twitter * Facebook

Sue @ Kid Lit Reviews Twitter * Facebook

Katie @ Youth Literature Reviews Twitter * Facebook

Julie Grasso, Author/Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Cheryl Carpinello, Author / Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Co-Hosts:

Bruce @ The Bookshelf Gargoyle Goodreads * Facebook

Victoria Simcox, Author Twitter * Facebook

Stacie @ BeachBoundBooks Twitter * Facebook

2. Link up any Kid Lit related post. This can be a link to a children’s book review, a discussion about children’s literature/literacy, or a post on a recently-read children’s book or one that you love from your childhood.

* Don't link directly to your blog, it must be a specific post*

* For Authors, we prefer you to link to your blog if you have one *

* Make sure you include an image relevant to the POST (e.g., book cover), not your blog button or photo of yourself.*

* Feel free to link more than one post.*

3. Please visit AT LEAST the TWO LINKS directly ahead of your own and leave them some love in the form of a comment. We are trying to build a community of bloggers, readers, parents, authors, and others who are as passionate about children’s literature as we are so please CONNECT and follow any or all of the blogs that interest you! 4. If you like, grab the button above and put it somewhere on your blog, preferably the post you're linking up. If you'd prefer, you can just add a text link back to this Hop so that others can find it and check out all these great book links! 5. It would really help us get the word out about the Kid Lit Blog Hop if you would be so kind as to tweet, share, and spread the word about the Hop!
Interested in co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop? Please email renee @ motherdaughterbookreviews (dot) com and put Co-Hosting Blog Hop in the subject line.
Happy Hopping!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Meet YA Author Philip Coleman

Please join me in welcoming Philip Coleman, author of the YA novel The Master's Book. Like most of us, Philip has written some stories that will never meet a reader!

First, a bit about Philip:

I’ve worked as a biologist for most of my life—in Ireland, where I grew up, then in Brussels, Belgium and now in Switzerland. I’ve been an avid reader all my life, but, although I wrote a little in my teens, I only took up writing again in 2006, and now this is my first published novel.  I have a grown-up son and daughter (who were roughly the same ages as Sean and Maeve during the time in Brussels but otherwise aren’t a bit like them at all!). I now live in France.


Why did you pick to write books for YA?


I’ve been inspired (and daunted) partly by the quality of what is already out there for this age group and partly by sharing reading experiences with my children at that age, when we read a lot together. It’s a way of re-living that time with them.

What types of books do you like to read?

All sorts. Classical and literary fiction, intelligent thrillers, YA (of course), humour, history and, occasionally, popular science.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I love food; cooking it, sharing it and eating it myself (and drinking, of course). I do a bit of drawing and painting, and I try and get a bit of exercise, either in the gym or in the mountains where I live. I only started learning to ski this year.

Tell us about The Master’s Book, and how the story came to be.

As I said, I get a lot of the inspiration from sharing my kids’ experience in their early teens, and going back to when I was that age myself. My three years in Brussels were a very happy time professionally for me, but also in terms of watching my children blossom in their understanding as they learned languages and travelled more. I wanted to capture that time, seeing Brussels through the eyes of a boy, Sean. Both of my children had stunning-looking classmates of mixed race and this became the inspiration for Stephanie. By the way, although Brussels is often seen as boring, parts of it are beautiful and quite lively, and there is a lot of history bound up with the city and its satellite towns, as you will see when you read the book.

Here's a peek at The Master's Book:

Sean moves to Brussels to a house that is a crime scene...

In 1482 Mary, the last Duchess of Burgundy, lies on her deathbed in a castle in Flanders. She is only 24. In her final moments she makes a wish that, 500 years later, will threaten the lives of a boy and a girl living in Brussels.

The Master’s Book is the story of Sean, an Irish teenager, just arrived in Brussels to a house that is also a crime scene. Together with Stephanie, his classmate, he finds an illuminated manuscript, only for it to be stolen almost at once.

Where did this manuscript come from? Who was it originally made for? Is there a connection with the beautiful tomb Sean has seen in Bruges? Above all, why does someone want this book so badly that they are prepared to kill for it?

Part thriller and part paper-chase, this book is aimed at boys and girls of twelve and over.

Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

Prior to this I wrote two fantasy novels, but if they ever see the light of day it will be after a major re-write. In fact, I was first inspired to write when I read Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. The last scene takes place in the Oxford Botanic Garden and, as a botanist myself, this gave me the idea of writing a fantasy set in a fictional botanic garden.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

I am working on a sequel to The Master’s Book, concerning fugitives from the Rwandan genocide, a tragic event with strong Belgian connections.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Don’t give up writing! Keep trying. On the other hand, if you really feel that you’ve given one story a determined effort, re-drafting it and then trying to get it published, be prepared to move on. It’s a good idea to have more than one project on the boil, if you can find the time. Get feedback as well, from websites such as www.youwriteon.com.

Anything else you want readers to know?

Come to my Facebook page, where you can see photos of some of the locations in the story.
I also have a new website.

Where can readers find your books?

MuseItUp Publishing 
Amazon US 
Amazon UK 
Amazon FR 
Amazon ES 
Amazon DE


Sunday, August 18, 2013

Tutankhamen Speaks - Sample Sunday

Sample Sunday brings you an excerpt from the short historical Tutankhamen Speaks. 






Dear _________,
    Long ago the old texts of Ancient Egypt alluded to a scroll in which King Tut spoke to the people from beyond the tomb. Many archeologists put this down to an incorrect translation of the ancient Egyptian texts. Others swore to accuracy of the translation. None of that mattered though because the scroll in question could not be found. Scholars labeled it a hoax, something that never existed. It was ludicrous to imagine someone speaking from the grave. They were wrong on both accounts.
    While helping to clean out a basement room in the Cairo Museum after the Arab Spring, I found an old scroll wrapped in linen and stuffed in a box. Upon further examination of said scroll, I decided to translate it myself, being, as you know, an expert in Egyptian hieroglyphs and scripts. What I found convinced me that this was the missing scroll of Tutankhamen’s voice from the grave.
    The condition of the text varies from well-preserved to hardly able to read. In several instances, large chunks of the text were totally eroded away. Some entries had only a beginning sentence or two while others had no ending. It was the details given that convinced me that King Tutankhamen did indeed speak from beyond the tomb, from the Land of Everlasting Life. But I will leave you to decide for yourself. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. If you agree with me, I urge you to publish what I have sent so that the world can see this important time-altering work.
 

Yours Sincerely,
S. L. Wood




Author/Editor’s Note:

 
    Several years ago I met the Egyptian scholar S.L. Wood at a lecture on the state of Egyptian antiquities in the 21st century. We talked over dinner about our fascination with and love of ancient Egypt. Over the intervening years, I received emails apprising me of items of significance he had come across. You see, Wood spent his hours in museum basements, not in the field. “Treasures,” he told me, “are hidden deep in the basements of museums around the world.”
    One day a package arrived from him. His accompanying letter (part of you’ve already read) explained what he had sent. Blown away by what I read, I’ve followed his wishes and published his find for the world to read and marvel about.
    I’ve edited Wood’s translation of Tutankhamen’s words into chapters giving the translation more of a story format. This was done entirely for the reader’s enjoyment.
    As Wood stated in his letter, pages of text were either missing or damaged. In instances where what remained ignited my interest, I have included those.
    Here’s hoping you will enjoy this rare peek into the life of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh King Tut!




Tutankhamen Speaks
(Stories from my Life)


Father and Me

    Do you have favorite memories from your childhood that you can’t bear to let go, that immediately transport you back to that time and place you will remember forever and forever? I have two that happened on the same day.
    I was six years old and barefoot in the middle of winter. This I remember because the sand and stones did not burn blisters on my feet. My hands could touch the granite blocks in the square without recoiling like a snake does when its rest is disturbed in the heat.
    That morning I remember waking up to a shrill noise echoing off the walls in my chamber and down the halls.
    My half sister Ankhesenpaaten came running into my bedroom.
    “Tutankhaten, Tutankhaten, you must get up!” [ed. note: I have chosen to use ‘aten’ to show the time of the Aten worship, and ‘amun’ to show the return to Amun’s worship.]
    “What is that noise?” I asked, struggling to put on my tunic as she entered.
    “It is an elephant! One the generals brought it this morning as a gift for father.”
    “An elephant? Wherever did he find one?”
    “I don’t know. Come quickly, or we shall miss it!” she shouted back as she ran out of the room.
    I followed her down the hallway, the sound building the closer we got to our father’s receiving room. Rushing into the arched entrance lined with pictographs of the Aten, my father’s god, our bodies froze, our eyes not believing what we beheld. 
    In front of our father stood the biggest animal we had ever seen.
    “Tutankhaten, do you see it? Do you believe such a magnificent creature is here, in our palace?” Ankhesenpaaten was breathless after the rush down the hallway, but it didn’t stop her from running on about the elephant.
    And it was magnificent!
    It stood there, its smooth gray skin dripping sweat. The enormous legs and feet shifted nonstop in agitation. Ears as big as me flapped nervously as its head, too small in proportion to the body, swung back and forth, its tiny eyes seeking a way out. At the front of the head was its long trunk framed by the biggest horns I had ever seen.
    Suddenly, the trunk arched and stretched. The noise that had wakened me now blasted out of that trunk and threatened to deafen all in the room, including Ankhesenpaaten and me.
    Our father stood and motioned at the door. He was also saying something, but no one could hear a word.
    A man, who I didn’t see before, appeared from the other side of the animal. He dressed in the desert white gown worn by those who made the plains of sand their home. He touched the gray beast on the left side. The animal ceased that horrible noise, turned around, and followed the man out the door. That was when I saw the tail. What a funny addition to such a large animal! The tail was puny, short, and sickly looking. If the head of this animal was too small for the enormous body, then the tail was woefully out of place. It was too short to be of any use flicking away flies and gnats and couldn’t even reach halfway up the body.
    I looked questioningly at my father. Noticing me, he nodded his head in the direction the creature had gone. Then he did a strange thing. He held out his hand to me.
    I can’t remember another time that he ever exhibited such affection toward me. Usually he reserved that for my half-sisters. Ankhesenpaaten squeezed my arm and gave me push in Father’s direction.
    A grin spread across my entire face. I might have even skipped to him. I know my heart was skipping.
    Placing my tiny hand in his, his strong but delicate fingers wrapped around mine. A smile even touched his lips as he gently tugged on my arm.
    Hand-in-hand we walked out of the palace and into the pleasant Egyptian winter sunlight in full view of all his subjects who had also heard the deafening noise and had gathered to view the strange animal. Ankhesenpaaten followed at father’s heels not attempting to hide the smile on her face.
    This day was the day that my father the Pharaoh Akhenaten acknowledge me as his rightful heir to the throne of Egypt. Me, Tutankhaten. However, this is not the main reason I remember this day.
 

  
Thank you for reading.  

Tutankhamen Speaks is available only on Amazon.

US   UK  DE  ES  FR  IT

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Where's Blucy by Julia Dweck and a $100 Book Blast Giveaway!

About the Book

Blucy by Julia Dweck

Title: Blucy

Author: Julia Dweck

Illustrator: Erika LeBarre

Year published: 2013

Publisher: Xist Publishing

Number of pages: 21

Recommended age: 3+

Summary (Amazon): Once in a blue moon, a special pet comes along. When Mandy adopts the best cat at the shelter, she doesn't realize it has a big secret and an even bigger personality. Features full screen images and pop-up text.

Blucy Facebook Page * Blucy Pinterest Page * Goodreads

 

Purchase & Special Offer

Xist Publishing is pleased to offer you a special Buy One Get One FREE (BOGO) offer when you purchase Blucy by Julia Dweck. The Deal? If you purchase Blucy (e-book) through Amazon, you will receive a FREE electronic copy of Julia Dweck's newest book, Mary Had a Sleepy Sheep (released September 5, 2013). All you have to do is forward your purchase confirmation email to sales@xistpublishing.com and Xist Publishing will send you a complimentary copy of Mary Had a Sleepy Sheep. Don't wait to take advantage of this great deal!

Amazon

 

The Early Buzz

"Julia Dweck scores another winner Blucy! This book is beautifully illustrated, features solid rhyming verse, has a most unusual main character in Blucy the cat, and will surely be loved and appreciated by all cat-lovers! I would recommend this wonderful picture book to children who love cats and for their grown-ups who will recognize their own cat's behavior in this funny story. ." ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"Ms Dweck and Ms Lebarre have created a delightfully humorous read that will no doubt capture the attention of every little mischief maker. The rhythm and rhyme are wonderful and flow so beautifully throughout the book. The illustrations are absolutely exquisite. I honestly wish I could purchase every one of them to put upon my toddlers walls." ~ WhenIgrowupIwannawriteakidsbook

"The illustrations are amazing and beautiful and the story pulls you in and had Dino telling Mandy and Blucy what to do and got upset when they didn’t listen to him. He was hysterical with some of Blucy’s antics and wanted to know if Balboa could do that to. Really and truly a cute book and one that Dino will keep reading, especially now that he think he’s a catosaurous." ~ Dinosaur Superhero Mommy

A blue cat? I love color - lots of color and these illustrations are exactly that. The rythmic method used by Julia is perfect for all ages and the content is entertaining for all - including adults. My daughter loves mood rings so she found this book particularly interesting - what about a "mood cat". I am also a firm believer and supporter of pet adoptions - so another plus for this story...That Blucy is quite a mischievous cat. Blucy has special facts at the end of the story as well as a game for the kids to keep them thinking. I love this book as I have all of Julia's books and so do my kids. ~ The Stuff of Success

A Phenomenal Children's Classic. Children & Adults will love and cherish this beloved tale. Julia Dweck has always amazed me with her talent at writing children's books and Blucy is by far my favorite one yet. I laughed and giggled my way through the whole book and had to read it again several times for the pure joy of the story. The illustrations are fabulous and very colorful and I found myself staring at each page as I read and just loved the details in the illustrations. This is a RECOMMENDED MUST read story that adults and their children will fall in love with. This book will become the best bedtime story that children will want to hear over and over again. ~ Back Words, White Pages

 

About the Author: Julia Dweck

Julia Dweck, Author

Julia Dweck's background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read and what makes them giggle. She's collaborated with leading artists in the world of children's literature to produce over 20 Amazon eBooks. Her titles have garnered placement on Amazon's bestsellers in children's color picture books multiple times with two #1 bestsellers: PIE-RITS and Zombie-Kids. These titles have been chosen by Amazon Editors for the prestigious "Kindle Daily Deal." Many of Julia's titles have earned placement on Amazon's top ranked lists based on customer review. In her spare time, Julia is a designer of educational adjuncts for children's literature, and has worked with such notable publishing houses as Penguin Young Readers. She presented at the 2011 National Center for Family Literacy for her creative use of technology in the classroom. For more information about Julia Dweck and her books, please visit her website, Jule Loves 2 Write.

Twitter * Facebook

 

* Where's Blucy? *

Before we get to the $100 Book Blast Giveaway, we have a special treat for you. If you head on over to Julia Dweck's Facebook Fan Page, you will find the "Where's Blucy?" contest. Julia Dweck fans are invited to post suggestions of "blue" places Blucy could be hiding, (e.g., near Elvis' blue suede shoes). The most creative answer will win a print of the Blucy cover by the artist, Erika LeBarre. Head on over to Julia Dweck's Facebook Fan Page to enter and...

Pssssttt... if you enter the contest before August 20th, 2013, you gain 5 entries in the $100 Book Blast Giveaway below!

Julia Dweck - Blucy  

* $100 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $100 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner's choice) Contest runs: August 13 to September 15, 11:59 pm, 2013 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: A randomly drawn winner will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. If you have any additional questions, feel free to send us an email!

* This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Julia Dweck and by Xist Publishing. *

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Meet MG/YA Author Kristy Brown

Today we welcome fellow MuseItUp author Kristy Brown and her MG/YA novel Kiera's Quest - Awakenings to Carpinello's Writing Pages.

First, a bit about Kristy:

I live in the North-East of England, UK. From an early age I had a love of writing, mostly poetry and short stories. I trained and graduated in Performing Arts. After time went by, I wanted to re-visit my real passion. So after my first son was born, I began writing Kiera’s Quest. I live happily with my very supportive husband and my two beautiful boys. I have many ideas for stories! I just wish there were more hours in the day.

Why did you pick to write books for MG/YA?

I guess I’m still a big kid at heart! I found my love of books from an early age through authors such as Roald Dahl, etc. I remember reading The Magic Finger to my grandad.

What types of books do you like to read?

I love MG/YA fantasy. Anything with angels, vamps, witches, magic…A bit like the stuff I write!

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

Read! Take my kids out. Watch movies. Catch up with my friends.

Tell us about Kiera's Quest and how the story came to be.

Kiera’s Quest -Awakenings is kind of an MG/YA crossover. The entire concept for the first book came from staring at my niece’s doll’s house. I thought what if? You’ll have to read it to see the connection!

Here's a peek at Kiera's Quest:

Meet Kiera, a pretty, intelligent, and talented girl, brought up by her uncle and abandoned by her parents. Life is as normal as she believes it to be, apart from the deep ache inside her, telling her she’s different. For years, Kiera has had dreams where she ventures into a different reality. She’s not alone; a presence is always there, keeping her safe, yet she feels vulnerable, and hunted.



Zakk, Prince of Zantar, is under the Witch Queen’s spell as she tries to take over his world. He crosses paths with Kiera, and their fates are entwined.



As their journey unravels, she learns that she is not the only one affected by this prince. Who is on her side? Will she find out why she has been chosen? How can someone so young, defeat such evil? Will she find the strength to save the ones closest to her? Will this be Kiera’s only quest?

Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

Book two in the Kiera’s Quest series is called Sacrifices. Book three Perceptions is out with my publisher MuseItUp in May 2013! Book four is roughly half way to completion.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

When I have completed book four, I would love to write about a completely new concept that I had a dream about! This will be a little darker for the YA audience.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Never give up! There is always someone out there that will believe in your story, as much as you do!

Anything else you want readers to know?

Just a big thank you really, to those who have read and supported! If you like high fantasy- twisted witches, shifters, talking dolls and a slice of teenage angst, you may enjoy my books!

Here's where you can find Kristy and her books:


Twitter

Goodreads

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com US



Kid Lit Blog Hop #21

Welcome to the 21st Kid Lit Blog Hop. The Kid Lit Blog Hop takes place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. We have managed to create a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists, as well as parents seeking out their next great read. So, you are more than welcome to link in and take some time to make some new friends. Our summer holidays are in full gear and we have been one busy household. I may be a little slow hopping around but leave me a quick hello in the comment section and I'll be sure to give you a visit back. :-) Please join me in welcoming our co-hostess for this Hop, Serena Schreiber, author of Finn's Ship. Welcome Serena! Please be sure to give each of our hostesses a visit to say a quick hello and we'll be sure to visit you right back!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

Kid Lit Blog Hop
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Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. We ask that you kindly follow your hostesses and co-hostesses. You can follow us any way you choose (Email, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, G+, Pinterest, etc.), but we've added our preferences below. If you could just give us a quick "follow" or "like" that would be much appreciated! Make sure to leave us a message if you are following us (i.e., on Twitter or Facebook or on our websites) and we will be sure to follow you back. Thanks! :-)
Hostesses:
Co-Hostess:
2. Link up any Kid Lit related post. This can be a link to a children’s book review, a discussion about children’s literature/literacy, or a post on a recently-read children’s book or one that you love from your childhood.
* Don't link directly to your blog, it must be a specific post*
* For Authors, we prefer you to link to your blog if you have one *
* Make sure you include an image relevant to the POST (e.g., book cover), not your blog button or photo of yourself.*
* Feel free to link more than one post.*
3. Please visit AT LEAST the TWO LINKS directly ahead of your own and leave them some love in the form of a comment. We are trying to build a community of bloggers, readers, parents, authors, and others who are as passionate about children’s literature as we are so please CONNECT and follow any or all of the blogs that interest you! 4. If you like, grab the button above and put it somewhere on your blog, preferably the post you're linking up. If you'd prefer, you can just add a text link back to this Hop so that others can find it and check out all these great book links! 5. It would really help us get the word out about the Kid Lit Blog Hop if you would be so kind as to tweet, share, and spread the word about the Hop!
Interested in co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop? Please email renee @ motherdaughterbookreviews (dot) com and put Co-Hosting Blog Hop in the subject line.
Happy Hopping!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Meet MG Author Cordelia Dinsmore

Today Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes Cordelia Dinsmore, middle grade author of Michaela's Gift.

A bit about Cordelia:

Cordelia Dinsmore lives in a century-old farmhouse surrounded by fields of corn, wheat, sunflowers etc., depending on the whims of the farmers. A dog, five cats, a horse, and several humans share the small farm where she works and plays.

Cordelia writes strictly for children and has a fondness for creating rhyming picture books. When she’s not writing, she loves to grow flowers, blackberries, tomatoes, and the occasional herb. She also loves bird watching and scouring the Flint Hills for artifacts and prehistoric shark teeth.


Why did you pick to write books for Middle Grade readers?

I’ve spent most of my adult life surrounded by children and teens, so they are who I know best. I’ve been involved with foster children since the time my oldest child was very young, and they, as an entity, have so many stories to tell. Aside from that, I find it challenging to write for young people. They see the world from a unique perspective, and I try to capture a bit of that in my writing.

What types of books do you like to read?

I read a wide variety of subject matter. In adult books, my favorite authors are Clive Cussler, Nora Roberts, and J.D. Robb. I must confess that I read mostly MG books in about every sub-genre I can find. I think the quality of story one gets from a great MG book far exceeds that of many other genres. Of course, that’s just my own opinion.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I spend most of my free time working and playing with my son and my granddaughter. I’ve always tried to be involved with my kids as much as possible. My daughters are grown now, but I spent a lot of hours with them in their 4H projects, Girl Scouts, Special Olympics, and other kid activities. We love to go to museums and zoos, and the botanical gardens are another favorite. I also like to garden. I’m pretty much a failure at it, but it’s a great way to spend time outdoors.

Tell us about Michaela's Gift and how the story came to be.

Michaela’s Gift is based on the wonderful memories I have of spending time at my grandparents’ house in Central Tennessee. The house was haunted – I actually saw the ghosts just as Michaela did – and the way she describes them is exactly how they looked. My mother was never the kind of woman Michaela’s mother is, but she was frightened of my grandmother’s dog, and wouldn’t let us make friends with her. I know my siblings were both terrified of Blackie, but I’m an animal lover, and I managed to make friends with her on the sly. Of course, my grandparents’ home wasn’t as magical as the one in Michaela’s Gift, but the memories, in retrospect, make it seem so.

Here's a peek at Michaela's Gift:

Twelve-year-old Michaela Cochran still believes in enchanted mountains and fairytale castles, but her happily-ever-after will never happen if she can’t convince her mother to accept the magical gift Michaela has inherited.

Michaela Cochran and her family make the trip to her father’s ancestral home every year, but this year is special. Michaela is now twelve, the age when every girl in the family receives a special gift. When Aunt Sharon explains that Michaela’s gift is a magical ability to bring one of her drawings to life, Michaela begins making plans. What she wants most is a castle high on the mountain, where her family can live together. But if she can’t figure out how to resolve the growing hostility between herself and her mother, her gift is meaningless.
 




Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

I have written several other books. I currently am subbing some picture books that I wrote for my son when he was small. One is a monster book, and the other is about a cuddly elephant. I also am currently working on another contemporary MG, but I’m only about three-fourths of the way through the first draft. It’s rather dark and is proving to be a bit difficult to write from an emotional standpoint. I’m also in the process of changing a YA historical into an MG. I originally intended it for MG, but I listened to generous advice from a few people that thought it was too mature for MG, but now I know better. It’s been a great learning experience, however. Other than that, I have a few trunked novels that are absolutely horrid, and a chapter book about a cow that friends and family love, but the market isn’t ready for.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

I think my dark MG will be the next item up for submission. It’s a story of an abused girl and how she discovers her own worth. I just hope it isn’t too dark for the MG world because it definitely isn’t YA.

What advice do you have for other authors?

I’m probably one of the last people to be giving advice. I think it’s very important to read and study current books in your genre and to do it with a critical eye. Not in the sense of criticizing the author, but in seeing what works and evaluating what it is about the book that makes you like or dislike it. I think it’s also good to know that in today’s market, one needs to be open to and prepared to do a lot of marketing.

Anything else you want readers to know?

I just want to thank them for their interest in my work, and to let them know I appreciate each one of them for taking the time to read Michaela’s Gift and, if they are so inclined, giving their honest opinions regarding it. I also want to thank you so much for allowing me time to share with your readers today.

Where can readers find you and your books?

 I’m so glad you asked because I have a whole list available just for that purpose!


http://cordeliadinsmore.blogspot.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/grammy2kiera

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/melody.peugh

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