Library of Clean Reads: Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tours

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Keeper of the Black Stones by PT McHugh

Keeper of the Black Stones (Stone Ends Book 1) by PT McHugh
Glass House Press
ISBN: 978-0981676807
Publishing date: Feb 26, 2013
Trade paperback, 372 pages

I love historical fiction and time travel, so the combination of both in this book made the perfect combination for pleasure reading. McHugh's debut novel in his Stone Ends YA series was an exciting and fun book to read! Although the book cover may lead one to believe that this may be a dark story, it's far from that.

Almost fifteen-year old Jason is a shy high school kid who now lives with his grandfather after losing both parents to a car accident three years earlier. He misses them terribly and feels guilty for their death because he had asked them to return earlier from out of town. Living with his grandfather, Dr. Richard Evans, a physics professor, is okay, but apart from Paul, his nerdy best friend, Jason feels his life is boring and mundane. Until he discovers his grandfather's secret—that he can jump through time through a magical set of stones. When Jason also feels a connection to the stones and further uncovers the plot of a madman bent on reshaping history and messing around with time itself, he takes action and races through time to save the world and his grandfather.

McHugh succeeds in creating great characters and deftly transporting the reader to Medieval England in the 15^th century when King Henry is fighting against Richard III. McHugh brings history alive through the pages of this book. I could smell the damp walls of the underground tunnels under the cold castle stones, hear the battle cries and the thundering of horses' hooves as history-making events took place, and clearly pictured those towering and hulking Vikings who had villagers scampering away with the baring of their rotten teeth.

The first half of the story focuses on developing the cast of characters and introducing Dr. Richard Evans' time travel concept through the stones, but once Jason travels through time, it's non-stop action filled with adventure, danger and excitement. Jason has found his mission in life, and the reader can see how he grows as a character. I really liked him and his new friends, and I think young readers will be able to relate to him. McHugh also includes historical people who made a difference in this world. It's a great way for kids to get a history lesson. I love books that immerse young readers into history.

As with any time travel novel, the reader has to suspend belief at times—I marvelled at how easily Jason could gallop at top speed on a horse—but I was so engrossed in the story that I didn't care since it is fantasy after all. The book ends with a cliffhanger (oh no!), so I can't wait to read the second book titled Washington's Stone. If you like time travel and action adventure this is a great series to start. Highly recommended.

Note: This book is rated V = violence for battle scenes with swords and guns. Not gory or bloody. There were also some mild religious expletives. (Oh my G*d)
I will count this book toward the following challenges: My Personal Time Travel Challenge
To read more reviews, visit the Pump Up Your Book Tour Page.

About the author:
PT McHugh didn’t start out as a storyteller. He was, however, born into a family of that encouraged imagination. He became a fan of history in school and then went to college to become a construction engineer, to build a world of straight lines, angles, and equations.

He was just as surprised as everyone else when he realized that he believed in magic, and might just know the secret of how to jump through time. Since then, he’s been researching the possibility and learning everything he can about history. Just in case the opportunity arises.

PT was born and raised in New Hampshire and currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife, two daughters, and a dog named Bob, daring to dream of alternate worlds and cheering for his beloved New England Patriots.

Visit the Author:
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tours for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
Delacorte Press
ISBN: 978-0345528674
Published Jan 15, 2013
Hardcover, 416 pages

About 4 years ago I read Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, and liked the gems of wisdom I found in that little book written in the 50s with advice still relevant to women of the 21^st century. And though I knew of Charles Lindbergh, I didn't know as much about his wife, which is why I was so excited to read Melanie Benjamin's The Aviator's Wife, a novel that succeeds so well in painting a portrait of this extraordinary woman.

Most, like me, may just have known Anne Morrow Lindbergh as the wife of the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean from America to France. Or perhaps as an author, for she has written several books. But after reading this book, we get to know a whole lot more about Anne; her accomplishment as co-pilot with Charles as she helped him chart routes for airlines; their struggle with being hounded by the media; how the kidnapping and murder of their firstborn baby boy affected both her and Charles, and later in life how she dealt with her husband's lack of presence as he flew off constantly for work.

Although it was difficult not to admire and marvel at the work of Charles Lindbergh, I did not like him as a person, or rather as a character in this book. Benjamin does an amazing job of getting the reader on board with a mix of emotions as we read of Anne, her triumphs and mistakes as she supports her husband, (in situations when I'm sure I would not have done so); lives through the unimaginable events of losing a baby boy with the media feasting on every aspect of this news; and loves her husband to the end, appreciating the joys they experienced together even with all the bad hoopla their fame brought them.

I was compelled to do more research about the Lindberghs as I was reading this book, wondering, if the events in this fiction account were actual events that had transpired. Writing this book was an ambitious undertaking, but I truly think Benjamin pulled it off very well. The story flows smoothly through the years as we read about a remarkable couple and how they managed (or rather she did) to make their marriage survive through all the ups and downs. Anne was the perfect wife for Charles because she understood him and by his side she helped him to become the man he was, even though most of the world did not seem to acknowledge her role in his life.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read. I think there may have been some mild religious expletives, but I honestly can't remember.
Visit the Pump Up Your Book Tour page to read more reviews:

About the author:
Melanie Benjamin is the author of the nationally bestselling Alice I Have Been and The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb. Benjamin lives in Chicago, where she is at work on her next historical novel.
Visit the Author: WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and Pump Up Your Book Promotions for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Launching Today: Allergies, and Awesome You

Do you have a child with allergies? Can you imagine life allergy free?

The AmazingAllergist will show you how!

Allergies, and Awesome You: Believe You Can Get There Too!

This book, through a life story of an allergic child, will empower you and your children.

"Allergies, and Awesome You" is a part of the AmazingAllergist’s Awesome Series that empowers allergic children to live and lead great lives, allergy-free. It is a by-product of the author’s extensive medical knowledge, vast experiences as an allergy specialist, and the desire to make a difference, one allergic child at a time.

Learn more here - http://amazingallergist.com/book/

About the Author

Atul N. Shah, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI, is a celebrated author of this AmazingAllergist book series, founder of www.AmazingAllergist.com, and the medical director of www.Center4AsthmaAllergy.com. He is a board certified allergist who has earned an honor of fellowships in both the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

He has personally treated more than 20,000 patients, made a significant impact on more than 100,000 lives as an allergist so far, and earned the nickname “AmazingAllergist” from his patients and peers. His work is rewarded daily with numerous compliments of smiling patients and their families. He has been recognized with various awards, including the America’s Top Physicians’ Award, the Patients’ Choice Award, and the Most Compassionate Physicians’ Award. He believes that every allergic child and individual has a potential to live a great life, allergy-free. His desire to empower allergic individuals translated into this series of books.

Meet the Author

Buy the book - http://amazingallergist.com/book/

Join our online community

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmazingAllergist

Twitter - https://twitter.com/LifeAllergyFree

~ ~ ~ WIN A FREE KINDLE FIRE! ~ ~ ~

Pump Up Your Book Tour and the AmazingAllergist are giving away a FREE KINDLE FIRE! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to win! This giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canada citizens. Deadline is June 1 and announced on June 2. If you are the winner, contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife (at) gmail.com or Tracee Gleichner at tgleichner (at) gmail.com. You have 48 hours to reply. If we do not hear from you in 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Thanks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Clutter Cut Inc. by Lester Lex, illustrated by Guillermo Piloto

Clutter Cut Inc. by Lester Lex, illustrated by Guillermo Piloto
SilverHouse Books
ISBN: 978-0982931264
Published November 2011
Paperback, 32 pages

Clutter Cut Inc. is about a boy names Cloot who has too many toys. They clutter his room. Some he's never used, others are old and broken or missing pieces. Cloot's Dad gives him an idea about sharing his toys, but Cloot feels glum and not sure if he can give his toys away.

The Dad understands his boy's dilemma and helps Cloot make a decision by writing out their goal of helping boys and girls who feel sad, like kids in the hospital. So Cloot gives his toys away and feels so good about what he did that a wonderful idea sprouts from this initial clean-up project.

This book is a heartwarming and delightful story told in rhyme and colorful illustrations. Although adults can be decisive and straightforward about getting rid of their children's toys, for children, on the other hand, this can be a major dilemma. Toys are their world! I couldn't help thinking of Toy Story when I read this book. I liked how Cloot's Dad handled the toy clutter and taught his son to share the things he loves the most. He allowed his son to experience the joy of giving.

The watercolor illustrations are attractive and bright, and I especially loved Cloot, with his huge expressive eyes. He reminded me of my son. The pictures really brought out well the life of an ordinary kid whose imagination is vivid as he plays with his many many toys. My son spent time looking over them since he loves to draw and color. This is a great book to help young ones find objects in the pictures because there are so many things to find in one picture! The only illustration that needs more clarity is the book cover. The title of the book does not stand out enough. Both my kids (11 and 8 year-olds) looked at it and asked me what the title was, and although we thought the lettering using toys was clever, it wasn't clear.

Apart from this, we thought this was a beautiful book for pre-schoolers and up. It's a great way to introduce the whole let's-get-rid-of-toy-clutter dilemma in a positive and engaging way, especially now that Spring is here and parents will want to involve their kids in--you got it!--spring cleaning.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
For more reviews, please visit the Pump Up Your Book tour page.

About the illustrator:

“Ever since I was a little boy I have loved cartoons. It’s not as bad for you as they say, because from them I developed a passion to draw and this is what I now do. And when I’m not drawing I still watch cartoons.” Guillermo Piloto

Find out more about Clutter Cut online at www.silverhousebooks.com/ClutterCutInc.html

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and Pump Up Your Book Promotions for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Friday, September 30, 2011

The Full Moon Bride by Shobhan Bantwal

The Full Moon Bride by Shobhan Bantwal (Rated: C)
Kensington Books
ISBN: 978-0758258847
Published Aug 2011
Trade paperback, 352 pages

Soorya Giri is a 30 year-old Indian-American environmental lawyer who lives at home, the only child of wealthy parents who wish to see her married to a nice Indian man. Battling with her weight and self-esteem issues, Soorya despairs of finding a husband and so agrees to bride viewing—a practice that enables her parents to choose an appropriate man who comes to her house with his parents so they can meet her and her parents and decide if she is suitable for their son.

After several rejections, Soorya meets handsome and charming Rajesh Vandepalli and his family who come all the way from Kansas City to New York for a bride viewing. Thinking he could not possibly find her attractive and balking at his unconventional and unstable career, Soorya makes it clear she is not interested in supporting him through a practical marriage, no matter how much her family likes him.

I enjoyed reading Bantwal's novel that deals with the experience of arranged marriages among the Indian culture in America. Soorya is clearly proud of her heritage, but she has also been raised in America, attended an Ivy League university and practices law in a prestigious firm. She is headstrong, proud and has a feisty character. She's also inexperienced in dating and relationships and now craves romance, marriage and children.

Growing up in an immigrant family, I could relate to Soorya, although we come from diverse backgrounds. Soorya loves being a New Yorker, but culture does shape who she is, from the food, Hindu religion, modest dress and customs to the way her grandmother, who lives with them is highly respected. I enjoyed watching Soorya blossom both professionally and personally and see herself as more than just a plain girl who was always rejected.

This was a fun book to read, although there were some scenes I didn't care for. I initially thought it would be a serious book from its cover, but Soorya has a good sense of humour, and I accepted the author's invitation to “join Soorya Giri on her bumpy journey to find that nebulous, elusive thing called 'love'”.

I will count this book toward the following challenges: Reading the World Challenge

Disclosure: Thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotion for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

So You Want to Write A Guest Post: An Author's Guide to Promoting with Guest Blogging by Jaime McDougall

So You Want to Write a Guest Post: An Author's Guide to Promoting with Guest Blogging by Jaime McDougall (Rated: C)
Published by Jaime McDougall 2011
Ebook pdf format, 26 pages

Authors are always looking for creative ways to promote their books whether they are published traditionally or independently. Yup, long gone are the days when authors were elusive superstars we admired from afar. Now both the bestselling and the fledgling author has his own website and blog, chatting with his readers and twittering about his books.

As both an author and a book blogger I have seen an increase in guest blogging by authors. I have written guest posts as an author when my book Daughter of Mine, was on tour and I have hosted other author's guest posts on my review blog. So I was curious to know what Jaime McDougall, a virtual book tour co-ordinator, would give as guidelines for guest blogging. Okay, I was more than curious; I wanted to know if I had done it right!

So You Want to Write a Guest Post is an easy, quick read that will take you less than an hour to finish. It covers how long a guest post should be, how to query book bloggers, if it's okay to use the same guest post more than once and what to do after the post is live. The author also includes a Do and Don't List (which basically summarizes the book), links to some great guests posts, and a list of topic ideas for guest posts.

As a blogger who has read many guest posts throughout the blogosphere and received queries, I knew much of the info in this book, but for the new author with little Internet marketing experience, this ebook provides basic info on how to promote a book successfully through guest posts. However, the info is basic, too general, and short. Smashwords states this book has about 7500 words which amounts to approximately 10 pages.

With the Internet providing free and instant access to just about anything under the sun, I expected more details from this ebook, especially on how to research potential blog hosts (taking into consideration SEO and Alexa rank), how to write a post suited to the blog host, and tips on writing guest posts, including catchy titles, which can make the difference on whether a reader will actually stop to read the post.

I also think that including useful links such as to blog directories, blogging tips articles, online groups, message boards, and book tour sites (which are a goldmine because of all the links to book blogs that are tour hosts) would have added more value to this book. If I could have all the info on guest blogging in one handy book, instead of being told to go look for it, I would consider it a good reference.

So if you are an author with little marketing and blogging experience, then this book will give you the basics on how to guest blog properly. However, if you are a savvy researcher and a regular visitor of book blogs, you may already know to query and write a guest post, and this book would give you a few added tips, at best.

About the Author:

Jaime McDougall is a citizen of the world, currently loving life in beautiful country Victoria in Australia. She loves eating sushi, kidnapping her husband and naming her pets in honour of science fiction authors. (So far, a cat named Asimov and a puppy named Brin.)

A love of fiction has always coursed through her veins and she told stories as a child even before she knew how to write them. Settling into one genre was never her style and she has plans for novels in women’s fiction, urban fantasy and more – all with a touch of romance.

She has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: High School: The Real Deal and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Campus Chronicles. She has also enjoyed writing a column called ‘The New Australian’ in local newspapers as well as various articles online.

Her fiction work and poetry has been published both online and off in places including The Oddville Press (no longer running) and The Filth zine.

So You Want to Write a Guest Post is her first ebook and is available on Kindle and at Smashwords.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this e-book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Frederico, the Mouse Violinist by Mayra Calvani (Book Tour)

Frederico, the Mouse Violinist by Mayra Calvani (Rated: C)
Guardian Angel Publishing
ISBN: 978-1616331146
Published Nov 2010
Paperback, 24 pages
Ages 4-8

My seven-year old son plays the violin. So when I saw this book, I wanted to read it to him. And I'm so glad I did because it inspired and touched him!

Frederico is a little mouse who lives in the workshop of Antonio Stradivari, the famous Italian luthier or violin maker. He longs to play the violin and is delighted when Stradivari gives him a gift. Throughout the story, we learn about the violin and its parts as Frederico entertains himself at night after the violin maker leaves the workshop. The different names of the parts of the violin are written in bold in the text and my son was happy to learn them since he knew them only in French. (His violin teacher is French Canadian.)

The illustrations are delightful and my son commented on the bright background that he particularly liked. The use of the color yellow illuminating the scenes gave such warmth to the pictures. “It's a happy story, Mom,” he added, “with no sad parts.” Clearly, this book with its cute mouse and wise luthier made him happy. In addition, there are several activities relating to the story that are included at the end of the book.

My ten-year old daughter also listened to the story as I read it and found it sweet, simple and very interesting since we learned about the famous Italian luthier who lived from 1644 to 1737 and whose violins today are worth millions of dollars. This led us to do more research on the Internet and we became fascinated with the Stradivarius violins. The story of Frederico, the mouse who had a passion for violin playing, and learning some history about this beautiful instrument inspired my son to pick up his violin and practise his songs, the ones he played in his concert just yesterday on a stage full of other violinists.

This is a lovely book for any child who loves to play a musical instrument but especially the child who is a budding violin player.

About the author:
Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. Her nonfiction work, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing was a ForeWord Best Book of the Year Award winner. She’s had over 300 stories, articles, interviews and reviews published. Frederico, the Mouse Violinist is her fifth and latest children’s picture book.

Mayra reviews for SimplySharly.com and is co-editor of Voice in the Dark Ezine. She also offers book reviewing workshops online. Visit her website at www.MayraCalvani.com. For her children’s books, visit www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com. You can find Voice in the Dark at http://voice-in-the-dark.com. You can also connect with Mayra on Facebook and Twitter.

I will count this book for the following challenge: Italy in Books Challenge

Disclosure: I received a pdf version of this book through Pump Up Your Book Promotions. I was not told how to rate or review this product.

Monday, March 28, 2011

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark (Rated: S, P)
Atria Books
ISBN: 978-1416590590
Published April 5, 2011
Hardcover, 368 pages

In 1947, Evie Mitchell, along with 5 year-old son Billy, follows her historian husband Martin to India as he documents the end of the British Raj. Their marriage is suffering ever since Martin returned from the war in Europe, emotionally scarred and reclusive. Evie is lonely until she discovers hidden letters of two English women, Adela Winfield and Felicity Chadwick, who had lived in India in the same house almost a hundred years ago during the Sepoy Revolution in the 1850s. In time she also discovers journal entries, and reading about their lives has a profound effect on her.

The backdrop of exotic India during two revolutions at different time periods made this book an exciting read for me. I was transported back in history and the author's depiction of India was so real, both in its foreign beauty and stark living conditions. I could smell the spices and the cow dung, taste the hot curry dishes and see the colorful silken saris billowing in the dusty air.

The book goes back and forth between the two stories until they merge at the end. I could relate to Evie's desperation in trying to save her marriage, and I felt for Martin's emotional pain that was destroying his family life, although it was clear he loved both his wife and his boy. Adela and Felicity's story was about their love for living an unconventional life. Felicity wanted to return to her beloved India, where she'd spent the first few years of her life, to live a life free of aristocratic constraints. Adela did not want to marry because she preferred women over men.

I have to admit that when I first read that she was physically attracted to Felicity I was very uncomfortable and debated whether I should keep reading. But Felicity does not reciprocate these feelings, loving Adela only as a sister. Adela then hooks up with her maid (what?) until she is discovered by her parents and is sent off to India to be with Felicity. I felt this was a ploy in the plot to get Adela to India as part of the Fishing Fleet, a group of eligible young women sent to meet eligible bachelors among the British in India. After this incident, the topic veers away from this subject. The book contains a few sexual scenes, religious profanities and I think two f-words.

Once Adela gets to India, both stories really pick up for me. Felicity meets a wealthy Indian man in the midst of Indian unrest and Adela's journals chronicle their life and the changes that take them unawares. It was tremendously sad, heart-wrenching and exciting at the same time. The times were dangerous, their love forbidden, and their cultures clashing just like a hundred years later when Evie is living in India during the Partition. India's history was so interesting to read about that I couldn't put the book down at this point and read the whole evening to finish it. I loved the ending.

The Sandalwood Tree is a well-written book that immerses the reader in an exotic world. It has given me the desire to read more books set in India.

Elle Newmark is an author whose books are inspired by her travels. Her work has been published into 16 languages and she lives in the hills north of San Diego with her husband, a retired physician. She has two grown children and five grandchildren.

To find out more about Elle or learn about her books visit http://ellenewmark.com

I will count this book toward the following challenges: Reading the World Challenge, Historical Fiction Challenge

Disclosure: Thanks to Pump Up Your Book Virtual Tours for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.