Category: Book Reviews

Monster Ballet

Published on by macjam479 Comments

Written by Curtis L. Cornell
Illustrated by Christopher Chico


Book Blurb

For the first time ever, human beings of all ages have a chance to witness the Monster Ballet. It is a rare spectacle indeed, for only one night a year do the monsters dare be so bold. Peek behind the curtain to see the Monster Ballet. It is one show you won’t want to miss!

Monster Ballet is a fun, rhyming 36-page picture book with a unique, interactive ending. It is excellent for ages 3-7 and makes for a memorable read aloud.

My Review

Monster Ballet is a delightful story about witches and goblins and all that are scary, but are they really? Once a year they hold a Monster Ballet.

The rhyming lines tell the story of the once a year ballet performed by monsters in a fun way that is sure to have children giggling. The story is well thought out and written in such a way to soothe children’s fears and give them something to laugh about. The book is beautifully illustrated depicting charming monsters on each page. This non-scary book is sure to become a favorite with both children and their parents.

I highly recommend Monster Ballet to children from three to seven years of age and to their parents and teachers.

This book was gifted to me by the author.

About the Author

Curtis L. Cornell is an elementary school teacher and founder of Generations Legacy, a nonprofit that will serve as a school to provide a high-quality education for low income families in Los Angeles. Curtis is also the author of exciting youth fantasy adventure novels that comprise the Serenium Series, and additionally has created many educational resources. You can find out more about Curtis and his works at curtislcornell.com.

To Purchase the Book

http://www.chaplainpublishing.com/product/monster-ballet/

On the 31st

Published on by macjam479 Comments

Pam Wight posted her delightful Halloween poem on her blog, Roughwriting. The bewitching hour is nearly upon us. Read if you dare.

roughwighting's avatarroughwighting

autumn, HalloweenDark is night, night is just right
As I set my broom aside
with a thought so candle bright
My glowing eyes I can’t hide.

On the date of this fall month
I’m allowed to be my self
even eating my best lunch –
can of worm warts on the shelf.

But maybe I’ll surprise them
My witch cousins and witch friend
I’ll knock on doors because I can
Pretend to be a small human.

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Would You Read It? – Susanna Leonard Hill

Published on by macjam4713 Comments

My thanks to Susanna Leonard Hill for this feature. All of you authors who are thinking about writing a book or have a WIP from picture books to YA, this is a fun way to test the waters with a pitch for your idea.

Would You Read It is a weekly feature, posted on Wednesdays.  It is a chance for writers to try out pitches for their Picture Books, Early Readers, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, or Young Adult Works…

Source: Would You Read It? – Susanna Leonard Hill

Cleaning up your Amazon URL Links and protecting your book reviews,.

Published on by macjam47

Some helpful advice to authors and bloggers about cleaning up your Amazon URL links.

How to clean up your #Amazon links before sharing book pages on your blogs. And make sure your book reviews don’t get removed.

Source: Cleaning up your Amazon URL Links and protecting your book reviews,.

An Imperious Impusle: Coyote Tales – a new release from Stuart France and Sue Vincent

Published on by macjam4710 Comments

Take a peek at the first book in the Lore Weavers series by Stuart France and Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent's avatarSue Vincent's Daily Echo

“Couldn’t you make me into a Bull?” asked Coyote. 

In a time before Man walked the Earth, the Great Spirit breathed life into the land. Coyote was the First. Playful, subversive, curious and sometimes comical, he and his fellow creatures shaped the world for those who were to follow.

Coyote is a Native American Trickster and hero of many adventures. Tales of Coyote were passed down and shared with the young to illustrate the dangers of being human. Wilful, headstrong and always in trouble, Coyote journeyed through the spirit worlds, stealing fire and outwitting Death.

When the Earth was loved as a living being, the rocks sang and the trees danced. Animals uttered Nature’s wisdom and the sun rose and set upon a wondrous world. The echoes of this magical landscape can still be found in the myths and legends of many cultures. They represent the weaving of the human…

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How to Embed Tweets in Your Blog Post

Published on by macjam476 Comments

Have you ever wondered how to embed your tweets in your blog post? Sarah Brentyn has written a brief tutorial to make it a snap.

Sarah Brentyn's avatarLemon Shark

lemon-shark-screen-shot-sarahb

Tweets aren’t just for Twitter anymore.

Here’s a neat thing you can do with those tweets right here on your WordPress blog. It’s wicked cool. And easy. 3 steps…done.

All of you lovely bloggers know I’m not a techie but I wanted to share this fun find with you.

I have visuals, too, which is awesome. Admittedly, I went a bit bonkers with the arrows but…you get the point. (I know. I’m hilarious.)

First we’re going old school with a “cut and paste” URL option, then we’ll embed an html code like we know what we’re doing.

No need to hurt your eyes squinting at the screenshots—you can click to enlarge them. Let’s get tweeting on our blogs.

Copy Link Option:

STEP ONE:

Choose the tweet you want. Click on the cute, little grey v-shaped thingy in the top, right corner.

Click to enlarge

STEP TWO:

You’ll see a drop-down…

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CreateSpace eStore is Closing Effective October 31, 2017

Published on by macjam471 Comment

Author friends, if you publish on CreateSpace, please read this informative post from Chris McMullen.

chrismcmullen's avatarchrismcmullen

Image from ShutterStock.

CREATESPACE ESTORE IS CLOSING

Beginning October 31, 2017, customers will no longer be able to purchase paperbacks directly from the CreateSpace eStore.

If you have a link to your CreateSpace eStore and a customer clicks on it, the customer will be redirected to the corresponding page at Amazon.com.

According to CreateSpace, the reasons behind the change include:

  • It’s much easier to search for books across Amazon’s site than it is to search for books on CreateSpace.
  • Amazon offers a much better checkout process than CreateSpace does.
  • Amazon offers better shipping options, including Amazon Prime.
  • Amazon sends out tracking notifications for orders placed through Amazon.
  • Amazon’s storefront is a much more familiar interface for customers.
  • Several customers have requested the features described above.

Unfortunately, when a customer clicks on a link to a CreateSpace eStore and is redirected to Amazon, authors will earn Amazon.com royalties (not eStore…

View original post 774 more words

REMINDER: Dear Book Bloggers (and others promoting authors) – Guest Post by, Yecheilyah Ysrayl…

Published on by macjam4712 Comments

Bloggers. Chris the Story Reading Ape’s guest post is by Yecheilyah Ysrayl. Dear Book Bloggers (and others promoting authors) is a must-read.

Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

Hey Gang,

Sooo, I am technically not around right now. I am on a vacation of sorts. I will however dip in to respond to your commentary whenever I can. Thank you for your patience.

Before I left, I wrote this post to share something that’s been on my heart. Instead of keeping it to myself, I thought we could all benefit. After all, authors gotta stick together, right?

Now, if you promote authors then this post is for you. (Authors, don’t go anywhere. I got something for you at the end of this.)

By promote authors I mean that you are essentially doing some form of:

  • Book Promotions
  • Book Reviews
  • New Releases
  • Interviews
  • Shout-Outs

OK so I threw shout-outs in there but you get the point.

This is a reminder because we’ve seen it before. You know her asDG Kayebut I like to call her Debby because…

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IndieBRAG!!!

Published on by macjam474 Comments

Reeca over at reecaspieces brought indieBRAG to my attention. If you are an author or a blogger, take a look. It might interest you.

fredreeca's avatarreecaspieces

I have no idea how I ever found out about IndieBRAG. I am sure it was just cruising around the internet. But, I have been a huge fan for a while. I love what they do and how they do it. Anything to help authors get the word out is super in my book.

Here is some information about this wonderful company plus an interview with the president.

Who is IndiBrag

Our mission is to discover talented self-published authors and help them give their work the attention and recognition it deserves. Our primary focus is fiction across a wide range of genres; however, we selectively consider non-fiction books as well.

It is important to note that indieBRAG is not a paid book review website or service and that being nominated for and/or receiving the B.R.A.G. Medallion, or any other feedback provided by indieBRAG or one or more of its readers…

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