Review - Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact by A.J. Hartley

TITLE:    Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact

AUTHOR:    A.J. Hartley
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 431 pages
PUBLISHED:   Penguin Razorbill, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   Eleven-year-old Darwen Arkwright has spent his whole life in a tiny town in England. So when he is forced to move to Atlanta, Georgia, to live with his aunt, he knows things will be different - but what he finds there is beyond even his wildest imaginings!


Darwen discovers an enchanting world through the old mirror hanging in his closet - a world that holds as many dangers as it does wonders. Scrobblers on motorbikes with nets big enough to fit a human boy. Gnashers with no eyes, but monstrous mouths full of teeth. Flittercrakes with bat-like bodies and the faces of men. Along with his new friends Rich and Alexandra, Darwen becomes entangled in an adventure and a mystery that involves the safety of his entire school. They soon realize that the creatures are after something in our world - something that only human children possess.

MY TAKE:   I love being taken on new adventures.  Darwen Arkwright takes us on a grand one with his new American friends.  In Darwen, A.J. Wright has created a very likable and relatable hero.  Darwen is truly a fish out of the water when he's dropped into a new life in America.  The proper young English boy is having a hard time fitting in when he accidentally sees a strange creature in the mall and follows it into a dusty old mirror shop.  Little does he know that the odd owner of the shop will soon set him on a dangerous and mysterious path to a world on the other side of a magical mirror.  


This is a fast-paced and fun story that will appeal to adventurous explorers of all ages.  I especially think that boys of about 9 or older will get a kick out of the various creatures and gadgets that Darwen comes across. Wannabe archaeologist Rich is a stalwart friend to Darwen as well as an interesting character on his own.  Girls will enjoy the eccentric Alexandra as she becomes a surprisingly stout supporter of the awkward Darwen.  I was quite engrossed in the tale and enjoyed imagining the creatures that the author described. 


This story is destined to be a classic and definitely has a place on the keeper shelf.  I highly recommend this story, especially if you or the kids like jumping into another world for a while.  Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact would also make a great gift this holiday season. I have a couple of young readers in mind to receive a copy.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Get your copy:

Amazon 

Kindle

The Book Depository

Barnes & Noble

Nook

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Veteran's Day Blog Hop Giveaway

A Salute to Veterans

With this Veteran's Day Blog Hop, we are honoring the selfless service by veterans to our country.  In keeping with this, we'd like to introduce Jessica Scott ~ active duty Army Captain, full time Mom and Author!  We also salute her husband who is currently deployed on his final tour with the Army as a First Sergeant. Thank you both for all you do and thank you to ALL of the veterans ~ you are appreciated.
Jessica and Romance at Random's Loveswept line are promoting the first book in her new Coming Home series:

Because of You: A Loveswept Contemporary Military Romance  
From the war-torn streets of Baghdad to the bittersweet comforts of the home front, two wounded hearts navigate the battlefield of coming home from war in this explosive eBook original from newcomer Jessica Scott.
Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there’s more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he’ll never see again—until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care.
Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there’s a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels—for the first time in a long time—like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty—it’s a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected—her deepest desire..
Each of the following 25 blogs will be giving away a FREE ebook copy of Because of You.  Be one of the first readers to enjoy this powerful love story.  It is easy to enter ~ just comment below or on any of the participating blogs.  Stack your odds by visiting all of the sites and entering their drawings.  That's a total of 25 chances to WIN!  Drawing ends 11/13/11 at midnight PST.  Be sure to leave your email address with your comment.
If you don't want to wait (and why would you?) you can get your own copy:Amazon Barnes & Noble


~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Never Been Bit by Lydia Dare

TITLE:    Never Been Bit
AUTHOR:    Lydia Dare
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 363 pages
PUBLISHED:   Sourcebooks, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   Lydia Dare's paranormal historical romances feature the hottest theme in paranormal combined with the most popular time period in historical romance. This is the third in a trilogy of vampire Regency romances, where the glittering world of English high society is a playground for the rich, titled, and undead.


Vampire Alec McQuarrie's heart was broken long before it stopped beating. Now Alec's after-life is an endless search for pleasure. Young witch Sorcha Ferguson has come to London in search of a man, beast-or even a blood sucker-of her very own...

MY TAKE:    Once again Lydia Dare has entertained me immensely.  I reviewed In the Heat of the Bite earlier this year and was thrilled to get a chance to check out this book as well.  


The author has continued her hot streak with Alec and Sorcha.  Alec is a gentlemanly vampire who has known the fiery witch Sorcha all of her life.  When she announces that she is determined to ensnare a Lycan for her husband, Alec goes into protection overdrive.  The story that follows is hilarious, romantic and fun.  


Ms. Dare has a knack for creating characters that make you laugh and root for their success.  I love the fact that she has storylines occurring in the background the entire time.  The machinations of some of the secondary characters is fascinating.


This is a fun series with stories that stand well on their own but also make great additions to the entire collection.  I'm looking forward to the next Regency vampire story and to reading more about the wolfy men of her companion Lycan series.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Available NOW from:

Amazon

Kindle

The Book Depository

Barnes & Noble

Nook

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Santa Club by Kelly Moss and Jim Keserich

TITLE:    The Santa Club
AUTHOR:    Kelly Moss ~ Illustrated by Jim Keserich
INFO:    Hardcover, Fiction, 32 pages
PUBLISHED:   Palmary Press, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:   A delightful book with captivating illustrations, The Santa Club transitions your child from receiving gifts to experiencing the joy of giving. With sensitivity, faith, and love, The Santa Club tackles the serious question, "Is Santa Claus Real?" To be read with your child, this wonderful book not only answers that sometimes "dreaded" question but it also addresses the questions of why Santa comes at Christmas and who was the first Santa. The Santa Club is a wonderful parenting resource and a stunning children's book, and is sure to become an annual family favorite.

MY TAKE:    Many parents dread the day when their child asks them if Santa Claus is real. This charming new book by Kelly Moss is a lovely way to ease into that discussion.  The colorful illustrations by Jim Keserich will delight both kids and adults.  They complement the author's explanation brilliantly and will capture the attention and imagination.


The author has created a story that I think will become a family tradition.  It invites the young reader with questions to join an exclusive club ~ "The Santa Club".  There is a caution that the reader can't share what they've learned with others who aren't already a member.  Ms. Moss brings together elements of Santa and the joy of giving with that of Christ and the reason for Christmas.  Her book is appropriate for kids to read by themselves or with an adult.  It will help keep the magic alive even for older kids who have already decided they know the truth.  The true spirit of giving will be reinforced.

I highly recommend The Santa Club for all.  It is a very gift-worthy book in a beautiful hardcover format with the full color illustrations.  There is a really neat page in the back for a new Santa Club member where the child's photo can be placed.  More info can be found at TheSantaClub.com.    

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Copies available in plenty of time for the holidays at:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

The Book Depository

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Frankincense Trail by Jody Kihara

TITLE:    The Frankincense Trail
AUTHOR:    Jody Kihara
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 253 pages
PUBLISHED:   Star Magnolia Publishing, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Author for Review and Blog Tour

FROM GOODREADS:   In 200BC, frankincense was worth its weight in gold, making Arabia was the envy of the world. But wealth comes at a cost: the precious resin had to be transported along the Frankincense Road, a dangerous route through rocky mountains and barren desert. 


Alia is a princess in a dwindling kingdom that lies on the Frankincense Road. Having grown up hearing tales of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, she dreams of finding a way to restore her kingdom’s former might. When a caravan journeying to the mysterious incense lands stops to take on travellers, she sees her chance.

She soon realises, however, that her trust in the caravan leaders has been misguided. They are not mere incense merchants, but traitors and mercenaries. Alia’s journey soon turns from dangerous to life-threatening. 


The Frankincense Trail is a story that transports the reader to a time and place reminiscent of the Arabian Nights tales.


MY TAKE:    Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read.  While I tend to lean towards a lot of the English and Scottish history, this story was a very refreshing change.  Arabia's past is a completely new area for me to explore and enjoy.


Jody Kihara has created two fascinating characters in Alia and Kardal.  Their chemistry and interaction keeps the reader engrossed in the story.  Alia's naivete was annoying at times, but I think if you keep in mind that she was a young, sheltered Princess before she ventured out into the world, it explains a lot of her behavior.  I liked that Kardal was strong and commanding, yet showed a weakness towards Alia.  


The story was entertaining yet educational as I learned many things about Arabian culture and history.  The plot moves along quickly and had me completely hooked. The tale truly did remind me of some of the Arabian Nights adventures. I read the book in one afternoon as I couldn't put it down.  


I highly recommend The Frankincense Tour for readers who enjoy YA, historical fiction, adventure and a little mystery sprinkled in for good measure.  
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

You can snag your own copy here:  

Amazon, Kindle, 
The Book Depository, 
Barnes & Noble, Nook

You can read the first two chapters and check out the cool trailer.  

There are a lot of fun things being planned along with this blog tour including a Twitter-view (Twitter interview):

@JodyKihara

@ladystorm33 

@onebookshy  

Join us!

November Tour Schedule:

1st:  One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

        2nd:   Freda's Voice

        3rd:   In between Writing and Reading

        4th:   Fictitious Musing

        5th:   The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia

        6th:   Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my!

        7th:   Sweeping Me

        8th:   Can't Put It Down

        9th:   Library of Clean Reads

       10th:   The Book Addicted Girl

The author is giving away 5 copies of The Frankincense Trail.  Winners can choose print or digital copies. 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop Starts NOW!

It's that time again for another fun and exciting giveaway hop hosted by Inspired Kathy at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Rhianna at The Diary of a Bookworm.  This Halloween inspired blog hop will run from October 24th until midnight October 31st.  At the time of this post, there are over 425 blogs participating!  That means lots of chances to win some great bookish goodies.  You can find the list HERE.
First I hope you will take the time to enter the drawing I am having here at One Book Shy. I will have two winners this time; one US/Canadian and one International.  I am keeping it super simple as there are a lot of blogs to check out on this hop.  Just fill out the simple form below with your name and email address and that's it!  No flaming hoops to jump through on this one :) 

Oh, in case you're wondering what the prizes are.  I will tell ya...
US/Canada winner will receive a $10 GC to Amazon.comInternational winner will receive a $10 credit to The Book Depository
Now continue on your way through this hop BUT...Just so you know, I will be having a 1000+ follower drawing in the next couple of weeks with 5 prize packages so you should plan on coming back for that!  Click on the box at the top right of the page to get email updates so you'll be one of the first to know when it happens.


~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Guest Post + Review - The Snowman's Revenge by Mark Smythe

Please welcome Mark Smythe, author of The Snowman's Revenge to One Book Shy as he tells us how the book came about.  

Why I Wrote the Book

A Joke

A religious man is on top of a roof during a great flood. A man comes by in a boat and says "get in, get in!"  The religious man replies, "No, I have faith in God, he will grant me a miracle."

Later, the water is up to his waist and another boat comes by and the guy tells him to get in again. He responds that he has faith in God and God will give him a miracle. With the water about chest high, another boat comes to rescue him, but he turns down the offer again because "God will grant me a miracle."

With the water at chin high, a helicopter throws down a ladder and they tell him to get in, mumbling with the water in his mouth, he again turns down the request for help, stating that a miracle of God will save him yet.

He arrives at the gates of heaven with broken faith and says to Peter, “I thought God would grant me a miracle and I have been let down."

St. Peter chuckles and responds, "I don't know what you're complaining about, we sent you three boats and a helicopter."

Explanation

If I’m even lucky enough to be invited to the gates of heaven, I didn’t want St Peter to say to me: “Hey Mark, we sent you some pretty good ideas, like that snowman book thing. Why didn’t you do anything with that?”

So, it was something that just HAD to be done. Despite the time and all of the work and the ongoing expenditures and all of the seemingly endless efforts required, it ……. just …….. had …….. to ……… be ……… done ………., regardless.

Besides, it was great fun and thoroughly enjoyable and a great learning experience, as well.

And, when I see the smiles on little faces, like when I read it to a classroom at our local elementary school, it certainly makes it all very much worthwhile.

Mark Smythe

BIO

Mark Smythe resides in a small, rural town located in the beautiful Southern geography of Western New York State. It is a lovely and quaint agricultural community, just South of Buffalo, New York.

He and his two children, Cassandra and Alexander, live on a picturesque, turn-of-the-century farm complete with a charming old white farmhouse, quaint red barns and wooden pasture fences.

Mark is an Interior Structural Fire Fighter with a local Volunteer Fire Department, and also works in the field of Bio-Oncology Diagnostics.

TITLE:    The Snowman's Revenge
AUTHOR:    Mark Smythe, illustrations by Mike Motz
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 44 pages
PUBLISHED:   Mark Smythe, 2008
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  If you were left out in the cold snow all by yourself, would you be mad? Of course you would! Well, this snowman is out for revenge, especially after he sees those kids in the nice warm house, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate! So, let's see what happens in this delightful story, nicely flowing with rhymed verse, beautifully illustrated and quite humorous indeed. So lovable, it's sure to be an instant favorite and a timeless classic with "kids" of all ages.

MY TAKE:    This is the perfect book for reading to the younger crowd or having them read it back to you.  It is the story of a disgruntled snowman who is left out in the cold while the kids are having fun inside without him.  He sees them enjoying the warm house and even warmer cocoa that Mom makes and starts to get a little upset.  As he plots his revenge, nature takes its course and... you will just have to read the book for the rest.


A delightful tale that is a quick and easy read.  The illustrations are bright and colorful and are a perfect match to the rhythm of the story.  I think it would be a fantastic gift for the whole family this holiday season.  (I do caution against reading it to the really young as the snowman is a little bit scary when he's mad.)  Recommended for ages 4 and above.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Start your gift shopping now:  
Amazon, The Book Depository, Barnes & Noble

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Pub Across the Pond by Mary Carter

TITLE:    The Pub Across The Pond
AUTHOR:    Mary Carter
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 360 pages
PUBLISHED:   Kensington, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Author for Book Tour and Review

FROM GOODREADS:   Sometimes leaving home is the only way to find where you truly belong.

Carlene Rivers is many things. Dutiful, reliable, kind. Lucky? Not so much. At thirty, she's living a stifling existence in Cleveland, Ohio. Then one day, Carlene buys a raffle ticket. The prize: a pub on the west coast of Ireland. Carlene is stunned when she wins. Everyone else is stunned when she actually goes.

As soon as she arrives in Ballybeog, Carlene is smitten, not just by the town's beguiling mix of ancient and modern but by the welcome she receives. In this small town near Galway Bay, strife is no stranger, strangers are family, and no one is ever too busy for a cup of tea or a pint. And though her new job presents challenges--from a meddling neighbor to the pub's colorful regulars--there are compensations galore. Like the freedom to sing, joke, and tell stories and, in doing so, find her own voice. And in her flirtation with Ronan McBride, the pub's charming, reckless former owner, she just may find the freedom to follow where impulse leads and trust her heart--and her luck--for the very first time.


MY TAKE: The premise of an American woman winning her own pub in Ireland and having the chance to reinvent herself in that magical country had me jumping at the chance to read this lovely book.  I think many of us dream of having an opportunity like this.  Getting a chance to live it vicariously in a great book is as close as most of us will come to it.

Mary Carter did not disappoint me.  Her heart-warming story of a woman who is always there for everyone but herself was one that I couldn't put down.  I became very invested in Carlene's tale.  I enjoyed watching her grow into an independent woman who makes her own decisions and starts to finally live for herself.  On the other side, Ronan is fighting his head and his guilt in losing the pub to an American woman that he can't fight or hide his attraction to.  Their budding relationship draws the reader in quickly ~ along with all of the townspeople. 


The Irish town of Ballybeog makes me want to move there NOW.  I love how Ms. Carter brought the townspeople to life for me.  I could hear their voices in my head and imagine being right there in the middle of Uncle Jimmy's with her listening to them.  Character development is very much a strong suit for the author.  The residents of Ballybeog are very believable; I wanted so much more when I was done with the book.  I found myself laughing out loud at a few parts as well as tearing up a couple of times.  Along with the romance; descriptive scenery, fascinating characters and the magic of Ireland make this a must read story.


I highly recommend The Pub Across the Pond and look forward to reading more of Mary Carter's stories.  Thank you to the author and Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tours for including me on this tour.  You can find out more about Mary Carter by visiting her website at Mary Carter Books.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Grab yourself a copy:  

Amazon, Kindle, The Book Depository, Barnes & Noble, Nook

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.