Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Review of Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple

Tiger Temple - Blog Tour Button

About the Book

Title: Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple (Zoe & Zak Series, Book #3)
Author: Lars Guignard
Publisher: Fantastic Press
Publication Date: January 1, 2014
Number of Pages: 267
Recommended Age: 8+

Summary

Last semester, Zoe and Zak returned the first lost Noble Truth to its rightful home. Now, Zoe and Zak are back in India for their second semester at Moonstock Himalayan Academy. School kicks off with the Activity Week Challenge in the tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan where the students must deliver medical supplies. Things, however, take a turn for the worse, when Zak becomes deathly ill after an encounter with a strange floating bubble. On returning to Moonstock, Zoe and Zak discover that a creature has come through the lava hole far below their dormitory. When Zoe and Zak follow the creature, they soon discover what they must do. They have been tasked with finding the second lost Noble Truth -- the Tiger Eye of Justice. Finding the Tiger Eye sounds like an impossible mission, and it's only made more confusing when Zak discovers that he has been given a supernatural power to help them with their task-- a power which Zak, for the life of him, just can't control. But he's going to have to learn how to use his new ability, because if Zoe and Zak can't find the Tiger Eye quickly, Zak's time will run out.  

 

My Thoughts on Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple:

I am a picky reader, and while I read a lot of middle grade novels, my tastes are indeed different from others. The Zoe & Zak series is not in my usual circle, however, surprises wait for everyone, and this was my surprise. By the end of this third book, I found myself hoping that Lars won't take too long to bring us the next book about the Third Noble Truth.

I had a good handle on Zoe's character after the first book, but couldn't figure out Zak's role in the story. Zak comes into his own in the Tiger Temple. His character grows, and he realizes that with gifts come great responsibilities. He emerges, albeit slowly, out of that 'me only' stage in the Tiger Temple, and steps up to complement Zoe.

Once again, the setting in the Himalayas in India are beautifully done and it is easy to imagine yourself there. If you haven't picked up book 1, I encourage you to do so soon.

 

Buzz About the Zoe & Zak Series

Book 1: "Awesome! ~ I am 11 and I liked the book because I love adventures. It was a different kind of adventure from what I usually read and it was funny too. " ~ 5-Star Review from J. Olsen, Amazon  
Book 1: "This was a fun read. This book was like a kid's version of Indiana Jones. It's also very educational as Zoe tells you real facts about what she sees and the history. I enjoyed it immensely. If you have a 10-12 year old child that loves adventure books, this is definitely a must read. " ~ 5-Star review from Simone Lilly-Egerter, Amazon

Book 1: "I'm sure this book was written for children who are around the age of the two children in the book, 11 or so. But, this 35 year old loved this book! It had action, adventure and imagination galore! It was exactly the kind of adventure that a lot of kids that age dream of." ~ 5-Star review from The Novice Christian, Amazon

Book 2: "I have a 10 year old son who is an avid reader!! He loves books, (but he's picky too) he loved Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. He was so excited to read the 2nd book in this series! When I presented him the first book he was not sure he would like it but changed his mind quickly, then when I heard about the 2nd book being released he almost jumped out of his chair! (no exaggeration) He is anxiously awaiting the 3rd book! I would say that any child who enjoys fantasy/adventure books should read this series! It is a well written page turner! It's a fun story that adults can even enjoy the storyline without getting bored! According to my son, 'every kid should read this series'. " ~ 5-Star review from SavyGreenSaver, Amazon

Book 2: "I loved this book, even as an adult reading it. I was completely sucked into the plot and was constantly finding myself staying up "just a little longer" to read one more chapter. Different twists and turns in the book have you constantly guessing who is behind what and who Zak and Zoe can trust. I could definitely see myself being involved in this series as a middle schooler considering how much I enjoyed it even now. Another thing I liked about it is if you missed the first book, you could still follow along with this one and not be lost." ~ 5-Star review from Staci, Amazon 

Book 2: "Lars Guignard has done a fabulous job with this series. I loved the `Ghost Leopard' & love this one even more. For late-elementary to middle school age readers, you can't beat this series. It's fun and fast-paced. Even my picky fifth grader enjoyed every page. There are bits of magic thrown in keep the action exciting. Mr. Guignard has a brilliant imagination & readers are blessed that he's chosen to use it for YA fiction. If you've yet to read the first installment in this series, do yourself a favor and read these books back to back. Don't limit it just to kids! Adults will have a blast reading these too!" ~ 5-Star review from Liz Terek, Amazon  

Purchase

Tiger Temple by Lars Guignard

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (CAN) | Amazon (AUS)

 

About The Author: Lars Guignard

Lars Guignard

Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard, Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse, and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple. He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range. For news about new releases, please join his email list by contacting the author: Zoe&ZakAdventures@gmail.com

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

Tiger Temple Blog Tour Schedule (2014)

January 15
January 16
January 17
January 19
January 20
January 21
January 22
January 23
January 24
January 25
January 27
January 28
January 29
January 30
January 31
February 1
February 2
February 3
February 4
February 5
February 6
February 7
February 8
February 9
February 10
February 11
February 12
February 13
February 14
 

* Tiger Temple Blog Tour Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card (or PayPal cash). Contest runs: January 15 to February 21, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Worldwide How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winners will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winners will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Lars Guignard and Fantastic Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway MDBR Kid Lit Book Promotion Services - Button FINAL
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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Kid Lit Blog Hop #31

Welcome to the 31st Kid Lit Blog Hop where twice per month (the 1st and 3rd Wednesday) we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists.

On this Hop, Carpinello's Writing Pages brings you an interview with MG fantasy author Elle Jacklee.

You are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors! We are pleased to welcome a new full-time permanent hostess on the Hop, Mia from the parenting and book blog, Pragmatic Mom is joining us! Big welcome to Mia and a big THANK YOU to my fellow hostesses - you are all amazing bloggers and authors.

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

Kid Lit Blog Hop
 

Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. We ask that you kindly follow your 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:
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. Please link unique posts each time ~ no repeats please. *
* 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!
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Meet MG Author Elle Jacklee

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes Elle Jacklee middle grade author of The Tree of Mindala.

 First, a bit about Elle:

I live in Wisconsin with my husband and two young children. I believe in karma, and purple is my favorite color. My professional background includes software programming and customer service.  My favorite professional title is “author”.

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

Though I've enjoyed reading from the time of my earliest memories, it was middle grade books that really had the biggest impact on me. When I first escaped to Narnia and Oz is when my love affair with reading really kicked up into a whole new level. That's a big reason why I chose that genre to showcase my debut novel. In my opinion, middle grade books, which tend to be a little more complex than the ones intended for the younger set, provide another opportunity to really light that spark for reading which could snowball into a lifelong passion that can make such a huge difference in someone's life.

What types of books do you like to read?

I'm a huge fantasy fan, as I'm sure comes as no surprise. But I also enjoy historical fiction, romantic comedy, suspense thriller, paranormal, etc. It all depends on my mood!

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

Spend time with my family, read, cook, bake, bike, and hike. You'll never hear me utter the phrase, “I'm bored.” There's never a shortage of things that I would like to do, only a shortage of time to do them in!

Tell us about The Tree of Mindala and how the story came to be.

The story for The Tree of Mindala came to me one fall day near Halloween. I was just looking out my window, enjoying the fall colors and the eerie way the wind was whipping some leaves in the corner of my patio into a swirling pile. It reminded me how much I love Halloween, and the idea my main character, Miranda Moon, was born. By the end of that day, I had concocted a cast of characters and a rough outline.

Here'a peek at The Tree of Mindala:

Miranda Moon's vivid imagination has gotten her into trouble more times than she can count. This time, she's been suspended from school. So her straight-laced younger brother, Marcus, blames her when they're relegated to their late grandparents' old cabin over Halloween weekend. But when Miranda finds a curious trinket, they're mysteriously whisked away to Wunderwood, where magic flows through the trees and everyone already knows their family name. A place even Miranda never imagined.

Just as they arrive, a sinister warlock, Thornton Crow, is freed from a long banishment. He resumes his deadly agenda to find The Tree of Mindala, the source of all the realm's magic. As Miranda and Marcus discover branches of their own family tree that they hadn't even known existed, they learn that Thornton has a score to settle with anyone in their bloodline. Especially them... Though justice has always had a way of being naturally restored in Wunderwood, Thornton's latest evil deed just may be the tipping point.

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

My current project is The Triad of the Tree: Wunderwood Book Two. I'm really enjoying getting to know the characters on an even deeper level and I'm excited about revealing more of Wunderwood's history to readers.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Write, write, write! The more you write, the better your writing will become. And remember why you write. This is a challenging and highly-competitive industry. For most, success is a long road. So learn as much as you can about marketing your book, and be patient. And most of all, thrive on the challenges, but don't ever let them take the fun out of your craft!

Anything else you want readers to know?

I can't express enough how much I appreciate them and their generous support. They are my most powerful motivation! I'm really looking forward to sharing the next installment of the Wunderwood series with them!

Where can readers find you and your books?

I love connecting with people on Facebook and on Twitter. I also love making new friends on Goodreads.

The Tree of Mindala is currently available at Amazon.
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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

2014 Egypt Reading Challenge


When we visited Egypt in 2008, I fell in love with and lost part of my soul to Egypt. Since then, I've read all that I can, fiction and non-fiction, set in or dealing with ancient Egypt. When Nada Adel notified me of her idea of a 2014 reading challenge featuring books about Egypt, I jumped at the opportunity to participate. I'm excited to find new reads and to share mine with other participants.

Remember, there are some fabulous reads set in Egypt for middle grade readers!



Here are the rules for participating:


2014 Egypt Reading Challenge
 
The challenge rules are simple:

·        Books must have a setting in EGYPT.
·        Books can be in ANY language.
·        Books can be in ANY format (e-books, paperback, audio; you name it counts)
·        Short story collections are fine. Anything that counts as a book.
·        Books can be written by Egyptians or non-Egyptians.
·        Books about Ancient Egypt are of course welcome and encouraged.
·        Books for this challenge can be included in any other challenge participants are taking part in.

**NOTE: Books read on/from 1st of January 2014 with the challenge setting can be included in your list.

To join the challenge, visit Nada's blog to add your link: Nada's Madness in Motion blog.  

Some of my favorite read so far:

 Beneath the Sands of Egypt by Archaeologist Donald P. Ryan; non-fiction

Omm Sety's Egypt By Dorothy Eady; a memoir

 Discovering Tut-ankh-Amen's Tomb edited by Shirley Glubok; non-fiction

The Lost Army of Cambyses by Paul Sussman; fictional series

 Secret of the Sacred Scarab by Fiona Ingram; middle grade adventure

The Golden Scarab by S.W. Lothian; middle grade adventure series



Good Luck and Lots of Fun to you! 
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Thursday, January 9, 2014

Meet J.A. Blackburn on her Dragon Defender Blog Tour

Carpinello's Writing Pages plays host today to J. A. Blackburn and her middle grade novel Dragon Defender. She is currently on tour with Mother Daughter Book Reviews.


About the Book

Title: Dragon Defender (Dragon Defense League, Book #1)
Author: J.A. Blackburn
Publication Date: October 19, 2013
Publisher: Pip & Grey
Number of pages: 242
Recommended age: 10+

 

Summary (Amazon):

For over a thousand years dragons have existed in secret . . . Peter Clark can build a robot from scratch and pick a lock in two minutes or less. But he can't figure out why his mother left or why his grandma refuses to talk about her. When Uncle Dominick shows up on Peter's twelfth birthday with a letter that hints at answers and an incredible story about dragons, Peter follows him, determined to find out the truth about his mother's disappearance. What he finds is a reality far different from what he ever could have imagined - where dragons live in hiding, hunted by poachers for their magical parts, and a small group of men and women work tirelessly to protect them. These are the Dragon Defenders. Peter's uncle is one. So was his mother. Now it's Peter's turn.
* Finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association 2013 Literary Contest *


Let's start with learning a bit about J.A.:

I live in Seattle, Washington with my husband, 10-year old son, and our dog Bella. I work full time and squeeze writing in on the side. Some day I hope it’ll be my full-time job.

Why did you pick to write books for MG?

As a middle-grader, I was a voracious reader. I’d read everything I could get my hands on, usually between two and twelve times, unless it was really horrible. I think there’s nothing quite like the way a kid consumes a book. I loved the idea of creating that kind of fantastically absorbing stay-up-all-night experience with a book of my own. Plus my son was nine when I started and not that into reading. I took that as my challenge – to write something that he’d love to read.

What types of books do you like to read?

I’m a big fan of fiction of all sorts. I’ve read a ton of middle grade and young adult books over the last couple of years. I adored The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens – it’s like a modern day Narnia. Is there anything like Narnia? I don’t think so! One of my very favorite YA authors is Maggie Stiefvater. Her book, The Scorpio Races, is amazing – inventive and full of sensory detail and emotion.

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

I have a full-time job that keeps me hopping. Between that, writing, and my family, it’s hard to find time for all the other things I love to do. Like, first and foremost, READING. Followed closely by, TV! I’m a sucker for TV dramas like Vampire Diaries, Nashville, and The Amazing Race. I also love to snow ski, walk on the beach, travel, cook, and host dinner parties. I’ve been known to bemoan the fact that our bodies need sleep. Just think what we could get done if we didn’t!

Tell us about Dragon Defender and how the story came to be.

Dragon Defender is a coming-of-age adventure story in which dragons are not beasts to be battled or trophies to be hunted, but misunderstood creatures that live in hiding. One family knows of their existence, the secret passed down from generation to generation. On Peter’s 12th birthday, he learns of his destiny as a Dragon Defender and goes with his uncle to Mexico. Their mission is supposed to be simple: to remove a dragon egg from a sinkhole. But the unexpected arrival of dragon poachers throws their plan into a tailspin, and before he knows what happened, Peter is alone in the heart of the jungle with a dragon egg that’s about to hatch and ruthless poachers hot on his tail.

Dragon Defender was an idea bouncing around in the back of my head for years before I ever sat down to write. I’ve always been intrigued by dragons. They routinely appear in artifacts left by civilizations across the world who had no contact with one another. Yet they’re widely believed to be completely mythological. A simple ‘what if’ question inspired the series for me. What if dragons were, in fact, real? What if they still exist?

Have you written other books?

Dragon Defender is my first published book. I look forward to writing the next two books in the series!

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

I’m halfway done writing a story about a girl named Violet who travels to a parallel fairy world to rescue her twin sister who was kidnapped by fairies. I’m having fun creating the evil fairies. Next will be the second Dragon Defense League book – The Mountain of Ice & Fire, in which Peter goes to Iceland to help his uncle rescue the Nidhogg dragon from its mountainous lair, before the ICERA (Icelandic Road Administration) unknowingly blasts it to smithereens.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Read a lot. Write a lot. Editing is your best friend. The first draft I did… ok, the first three drafts, were truly terrible. Have people who will read your work and be honest about what you need to change. If they say ‘nothing,’ they’re not being honest. I love Neil Gaiman’s quote, “Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.”

And finally, don’t give up. Even when it’s hard. Even when you don’t think you’ll ever succeed. The people who succeed are the ones who keep going. It’s what everyone says because it’s TRUE.


From Carpinello's Writing Pages: I received Dragon Defender, started reading, and never stopped! I loved this book. The story grabbed me right from the beginning. What a fabulous destiny: To guard a dragon! I give this 5 stars (*****).

More Buzz About the Book

"We read an advance copy of this book on kindle earlier this year and our 5th grade son read it twice and is anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. Great adventure, really kept our interest reading it together at night. This was one of the kids books I most enjoyed reading myself as well. The characters and the plot are well developed, and appealing to a wide range of kids (both genders). The writing is sophisticated but easy to understand, not 'dumbed down' like many kids books. The subject of dragons was so well crafted that it's easy believe that dragons just might exist, after all." ~ 5 Star Review, Leigh A., Amazon
"Reminiscent of the Fablehaven series (with just the right touch of Harry P.) this middle grade book is both an adventure and a pleasure...Fast-paced and full of wonder, this book takes middle grade readers on a vivid journey from the southwestern U.S. to Mexico; where jungles, ancient ruins and local folklore add to the enchantment that Peter finds when he discovers that dragons are in fact, real. As a former elementary school teacher, my strong feeling is that kids will eat this book whole, and then turn to searching for dragon eggs in their own backyards!" ~ 5 Star Review, Grace W., Amazon
"Dragon Defender was an absorbing action packed read! The author pulls you in from the first page and I'm not sorry to say I read it all in the first day. I'm 33 but still! This is a fun book for a chapter a night with your 5 year old (my son is loving it so far) or for yourself. The characters are well developed so you feel like you're really there, and the dragon is so believable. I'd venture so far as to say I had to remind myself that dragons don't really exist.... or do they?" ~ 5 Star Review, MGC, Amazon
 

Purchase: 

Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle)

 

Where to find J.A. Blackburn:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

     

Dragon Defender Blog Tour Schedule (2014)

January 6
January 7
January 8
January 9
January 10
January 11
January 12
January 13
January 14
January 15
January 16
January 17
January 18
January 19
January 20
January 21
January 22
January 23
January 24
January 25
January 26
 

* $50 Blog Tour Giveaway *

Amazon $50 Gift Card Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest runs: January 6th to January 31, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, J.A. Blackburn and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway MDBR Book Promotion Services
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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Meet Author K. L. Pickett

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes K.L. Pickett and her Middle Grade novel Maybe It's Magic! Karen is a fellow Muse author.

First some interesting tidbits about her:

I was born and raised in Southern California. My first job was collecting eggs on an egg ranch. Since then I’ve been a preschool teacher, real estate salesperson, loan officer, and agricultural biologist. Why so many careers? I think because I get bored and love learning new things. Currently I teach 4th grade in a rural Arizona school.

Animals have always been a big part of my life. I’ve rescued many birds in my life including a pelican, a pheasant, and several crows. I do volunteer work for the Tombstone Small Animal Shelter by making their pet posters and writing their public radio ads.

I’ve been writing for many years. Dozens of my stories have appeared in national magazines such as Boys’ Life, Highlights for Children, and Ladybug under the name Karen Troncale. My first middle-grade eBook Seventh Grade (Alien!) Hero came in 2013.

Today I live in Tombstone, Arizona (the town too tough to die), with my husband, my dog, and my mule. When I’m not writing, teaching, or reading, I’m riding my mule Tonya (Tombstone’s celebrity mule) along the same trails that Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday rode upon.

Why do you write middle-grade books?

The middle-school years were my favorite childhood years. We called it junior high school back then. I loved those years. Friends were a big part of my life. That’s when I got my horse. I learned to love reading and writing in those years and won the eighth grade essay contest, so I got to read my essay at our graduation ceremony. Those years were so much fun; that’s why I like to write for middle-grade kids.
What types of books do you like to read?

I still love reading middle-grade books. They aren’t as dark and heavy as so much of young adult books these days. Fantasy and science fiction are my true loves. One of my favorite science fiction books is The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex. Currently I’m rereading The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper. And of course, I love all of the Harry Potter books. J.K. Rowling is a genius.

Tell us about Maybe It’s Magic! and how the story came to be.

As a young girl, there was only one thing I wanted in the entire world – a horse. The book is about ten-year-old Pippy who desperately wants a horse. So the story is rooted in my own childhood dream. Pippy’s emotions and longings are the same as mine were all those years ago. The day my dad called me and told me he’d bought me a horse was the happiest day of my eleven-year-old life.

Here's a peek at Maybe It's Magic:

Ten-year-old Pippy wants a horse more than anything in the world. Plan One, begging her mom for one, doesn’t work. Plan Two, performing her own made-up magic spell, conjures up a tiny glass horse statue. Pippy’s disappointed; she wanted a real horse. But then she thinks: Maybe it’s magic! If it is, she can use its powers to get a real one.

With the magic of Little Horse, her life changes. She meets Mrs. Sunnyvale, an old and grouchy ranch owner, who buys a horse although she hasn’t owned one for years. She lets Pippy groom, saddle, and ride it. Pippy begins to think of Mrs. Sunnyvale as the grandmother she never knew.

Then bad things begin to happen. Why? Is Little Horse running out of magic?

Mrs. Sunnyvale falls ill and Pippy knows the magic is almost gone. If she doesn’t get more magic soon, she could lose her horse. Even worse, Mrs. Sunnyvale could lose her life.

You mentioned another book – Seventh Grade (Alien!) Hero – tell us a bit about it.

Many years ago I read a short story about a tiny alien ship that flew in a young boy’s window. That story stayed with me for a long time. It made me think that alien spaceships don’t have to be big. My book grew out of that thought. The main character, seventh-grader Dustin Cotter, sees a meteor crash-land on Earth. When he discovers it is really a tiny alien ship, he captures it. But he’s not the only one who saw it land. And that other person wants it…and will stop at nothing to get it.

Are you working on a new story?

Yes, my newest story involves a friendless bully, a girl with a lisp, and a boy whose mother has cancer. It is another middle-grade science fiction novel involving more space aliens and an ocelot. 

What advice do you have for other authors?

There is an awful lot of advice out there for authors online and in books. I’m afraid I don’t have much advice. I write because that’s what I do. Even if I never sold a story, I’d still write.

Anything else you’d like reader to know?

Yes! My website features a free short story and a fun kids’ activity, a different one every month. So even if you’re not interested in my current books, stop by and visit!

Where can readers find you and your books?

Please visit my website at: www.klpickett.weebly.com . You will find links to order my books there.


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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Meet Middle Grade Author Dianna Winget

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes Idaho writer Dianna Winget and her Middle Grade book A Smidgen of Sky.

 First, a bit about Dianna:

I was raised in the Yakima Valley in Washington State, and have lived in the beautiful mountains of North Idaho for the past 21 years. I got my writing start by selling articles and short stories to the magazine market. But my real wish was always to write MG novels which I’m now privileged to do. I’m a member of the SCBWI and am repped by the wonderful Lara Perkins at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Why did you pick to write books for MG?

I was blessed to have a mom who read to me from day one, so I’ve always loved books. But I became a voracious reader when I was in the ten to twelve year old bracket. My three all time favorite books, Charlotte’s Web, Where the Red Fern Grows, and The Outsiders, were all from then. I have great and vivid memories of that time in my life, and it just feels natural to write for that age group.

What types of books do you like to read?

Lots of different types! I love MG, of course, but I also just purchased Still Alice by Lisa Genova, South to Alaska by Nancy Barnes and Dangerous, by Diana Palmer. So you see, I jump around a lot.

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

Read, browse my local indie bookstore, work in my garden, spend time with my husband and 15 year old daughter, and play with my two canine buddies. I also volunteer some of my time each week helping to answer people’s questions about the Bible.

Tell us about A Smidgen of Sky and how the story came to be.

A Smidgen of Sky is my debut MG, published in November 2012 by Harcourt. It centers around ten year old Piper Lee DeLuna, a young girl who lost her daddy in a plane crash and who is determined to stop her mama from getting remarried. It’s set in Georgia because I’ve always been fascinated by the South, and is loosely based on my own experiences with being a step-parent. Although the topic is serious and there are some scenes that tug your heartstrings, there’s lots of spunk and humor as well.


 Here's a peek at A Smidgen of Sky:

Whether she likes it or not, ten-year-old Piper Lee DeLuna is about to get a new family. Four years after the plane Piper's daddy was flying disappeared, her mama is getting married again. The way Piper sees it, Mama's being flat out disloyal. Besides, who needs a stepdad—or a bratty stepsister, for that matter—when she and Mama are doing just fine on their own?

But when Piper Lee hatches a plan to get the wedding called off, everything spirals out of control. And by the time Piper realizes just how much damage she's done, it could be too late to fix things.


 
Have you written other books?

Before A Smidgen of Sky, I wrote two non-fiction books for children: Pythons—Wild About Snakes and Snow Leopards. They were published in 2010 and 2011 by Capstone Press.

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

My second novel, A Million Ways, has recently sold to Scholastic Press and will be out in September. It’s also contemporary MG, set in Spokane, Washington, and is about twelve year old Poppy Parker, a girl who faces huge changes when the grandmother who has raised her ends up in a nursing home. The story has lots of action, heartache, and an irresistible German Shepherd named Gunner. I’m hoping to hear some good news about it soon.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Read, read, read, not only in your chosen genre, but others as well. Also, be willing to revise as many times as needed, and cultivate a huge amount of patience, perseverance and determination. Everything about publishing, traditional publishing at least, moves slow as molasses. You have to truly love writing in order to stick with it.

Anything else you want readers to know?

Step families make up roughly half of all families today. Yet they present a very unique set of challenges that can be tough to figure out. I’ve received lots of great feedback on how A Smidgen of Sky has helped children facing the big issues of loss, loyalty and new relationships, so if you or others you know are in that situation, please keep Smidgen in mind. And if you read it and find it helpful, I’d love to know!

Where can readers find you and your books?

A Smidgen of Sky is widely available both online and in bricks and mortar stores. It’s available in print and as an e-book. Please visit www.diannawinget.com to read the first chapters of both Smidgen and A Million Ways, to see my latest blog post, and to learn more about me. You can also find me at Twitter: @DiannaMWinget. And I really enjoy interacting on Goodreads. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5573825.Dianna_Dorisi_Winget
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Kid Lit Blog Hop #30

Welcome to the 30th Kid Lit Blog Hop.

Carpinello's Writing Pages will be interviewing MG authors Dianna Winget and Karen L. Pickett. Also, I'm a blog stop for the Dragon Defender Book Tour by Mother Daughter Book Reviews. Watch for my interview with MG author J.A. Blackburn.

This is our first hop of 2014! In 2013, we have welcomed so many wonderful people and we are very excited to continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists. So, you are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of the new bloggers who have joined the Hop. If you are one of our regulars - thank you so much!

Happy New Year!!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

Kid Lit Blog Hop

Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. We ask that you kindly follow your hosts 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:
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. Please link unique posts each time ~ no repeats please. *
* 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!
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Thursday, January 2, 2014

Review of Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse

Carpinello's Writing Pages is pleased to participate in Lars Guignard's continuing blog tour with Mother Daughter Book Reviews. Today we take a look at the second book in the Zoe & Zak series: Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse.


Yogi's Curse Blog Tour Banner

About the Book

Title: Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse (Zoe & Zak Series, Book #2)
Author: Lars Guignard
Publishers: Fantastic Press
Publication Date: September 9, 2013
Pages: 340
Recommended Age: 8+

 

 

Summary

Zoe and Zak are back in India. Again. And this time they're attending Moonstock Himalayan Boarding School, which might seem fun except for the fact that the school itself is a little strange. Students ride elephants instead of school buses, snarling monkeys work as security guards, and angry parrots monitor the halls. And even when they manage to get used to the wildlife, the food is absolutely terrible. But living with a bunch of other kids their age can be a lot of fun, too, or at least it seems that way until Zoe's roommate goes missing. Following the directions written on a steamy bathroom mirror, Zoe and Zak fly through the clouds on their magic carpet to learn that the two of them have been chosen yet again. This time they've been asked to lift the Yogi's Curse. It's not going to be easy. Zoe and Zak don't even know what the Yogi's Curse is let alone how to lift it, but like it or not, they soon discover that a whole lot of people are depending on them. Now, if they're going to save the day, Zoe and Zak are going to have to fool the monkey guards, avoid the nasty parrots, and maybe even develop a supernatural ability or two. Because lurking beneath Moonstock is a powerful new enemy. And if Zoe and Zak can't stop him, nobody can.  

 

My Review of Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse:

I loved the faster pace of this second book. Zoe & Zak's adventures kept me turning pages to see what was happening next. One of my favorite parts of the story was the idea of this fabulous school at the foot of the majestic Himalayas. As a kid I would have loved that! I was a bit bewildered at the horrible meals that were served to the kids, though. The task of protecting the egg and saving the elephants fired my imagination. Young readers will easily identify with the antics and personalities of Zoe and Zak which are more developed in this second book. Other favorite characters are sure to Mukta and the chemistry teacher. Can't wait to read Book 3! I give this 5 stars.

 

Purchase

Yogi's Curse by Lars Guignard

 

 

 

 

Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Audiobook) | iTunes (Audiobook)

 

 

 

 

The Buzz

"I have a 10 year old son who is an avid reader!! He loves books, (but he's picky too) he loved Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. He was so excited to read the 2nd book in this series! When I presented him the first book he was not sure he would like it but changed his mind quickly, then when I heard about the 2nd book being released he almost jumped out of his chair! (no exaggeration) He is anxiously awaiting the 3rd book! I would say that any child who enjoys fantasy/adventure books should read this series! It is a well written page turner! It's a fun story that adults can even enjoy the storyline without getting bored! According to my son, 'every kid should read this series'. " ~ 5-Star review from SavyGreenSaver, Amazon
"I loved this book, even as an adult reading it. I was completely sucked into the plot and was constantly finding myself staying up "just a little longer" to read one more chapter. Different twists and turns in the book have you constantly guessing who is behind what and who Zak and Zoe can trust. I could definitely see myself being involved in this series as a middle schooler considering how much I enjoyed it even now. Another thing I liked about it is if you missed the first book, you could still follow along with this one and not be lost." ~ 5-Star review from Staci, Amazon
"Lars Guignard has done a fabulous job with this series. I loved the `Ghost Leopard' & love this one even more. For late-elementary to middle school age readers, you can't beat this series. It's fun and fast-paced. Even my picky fifth grader enjoyed every page. There are bits of magic thrown in keep the action exciting. Mr. Guignard has a brilliant imagination & readers are blessed that he's chosen to use it for YA fiction. If you've yet to read the first installment in this series, do yourself a favor and read these books back to back. Don't limit it just to kids! Adults will have a blast reading these too!" ~ 5-Star review from Liz Terek, Amazon
 

About The Author: Lars Guignard

Lars Guignard

Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard, Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse, and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple. He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range. For news about new releases, please join his email list here: Zoe&ZakAdventures@gmail.com

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

The Yogi's Curse Blog Tour Schedule (2013/2014)

December 15
December 16
December 17
December 18
December 19
December 20
December 22
December 24
December 26
December 29
December 30
December 31
January 2
January 3
January 5
January 6
January 7
January 8
January 9
January 10
January 11
January 13
January 14
 

** Be sure to look for the upcoming Blog Tour for Book 3 in the Zoe and Zak Series, "Tiger Temple" coming January 15, 2014. **

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