The Golden Ghost by Marion Dane Bauer

Delsie knew she and her friend Todd were not allowed to explore the abandoned houses by the old mill.  But when she dared him and they did, she sure didn't expect what she found...


Random House Books for Young Readers published this book in March and sent me a copy for review (thank you).  It's written for ages 6-9 and is part of the "color" ghost series by the Ms. Bauer.  It is illustrated by Peter Ferguson.


Ms. Bauer is a previous Newbery Honor-winner, so I was not surprised to see how smoothly her words flowed or how well she portrayed the children's friendship.


Sneaking down to the abandoned houses changes Delsie's life.  She and Todd find evidence one of the houses is occupied by a squatter; and she finds herself attached to a ghost!


This is not a scary ghost story, but it will fuel your child's imagination.  Reading this story aloud would be fun, too.  Why not get yourself a copy (perhaps pick up the others in the series, too) and have some fun playing with ghosts?


Happy reading.

Fierce Dawn by Amber Scott (Includes Guest Blog)

Sadie's Mom is acting really strange, but Sadie tries to keep Heather, her little sister, from worrying.  Then Mom dies and Sadie goes crazy...


The author shared a copy of this ebook with me for review (thank you).  This book is being promotion priced today for 99 cents on Amazon.  The direct link for purchase is in the guest blog at the bottom of my review.


This is a paranormal romance/adventure and I must admit they are growing on me.  I used to think they were silly, but I'm finding that they have good story lines, the author can make you empathize with her characters, and when the story ends, you want to read more about them.  Ms. Scott has this list down.


When Sadie gets out of the hospital, she's very cautious and careful about what she says and what she does.  She doesn't want a return trip!  When she meets Elijah, she has hopes for a relationship, but running into him with the library cart was not a good start.  Especially since he doesn't appear to be interested in her.  But that changes, and that's where this story takes off.


Ms. Scott throws in immortals, humans, changelings, and evildoers and mixes the plot "pot" into a very interesting and entertaining story.  


I really enjoyed this story.  For 99 cents how can you say no?  Pick up a copy for yourself and settle down to read a good adventure tale.  I'm hoping there will be more in this series. Sadie is just beginning to learn who and what she is...


Here is a guest post from the author that has more information about her and links to the sale:

I’ve Been Caught Cheating!

By Amber Scott © 2011

I’ve tried to hide it. To deny it. I kept up an alternate identity to keep my secret from the reading world. I even tried really, really hard to stop. Six months ago I finally gave up. I came out as a I’m a genre jumper. Yep. I write in more than one genre.

Moreover, I have not one, but three different paranormal worlds going, each with its own set of rules. I’ve given up trying to pick just one.

I just can’t!

I love them all too, too much. I love the blood addict vampires and winged seekers in “Fierce Dawn” just as much as the medieval Ireland Druid magic and evil fae of “Irish Moon.” Then there’s my Stupid Cupid series begun with “Play Fling” which tracks the lessons of a seriously

challenged matchmaker. What magic I’m loving most all depends on where my muse has taken me.

I know what you’re thinking. Uh-oh. That’s a no-no, right? Or, man, this chick gets around, right?

Yeah. Have I mentioned all the stand alone contemporaries in there, too? Eek! I do. I get around.

In the beginning of my career, I read a book by a famous agent who advised against indulging one’s muse by writing in more than one genre until a career has been established. The rule was, pick one and stick it out for five to ten books.

I tried to. I really did. But my muse just wouldn’t work that way. Ignoring the itch of adventuring into a new world stemmed my creativity and my progress. I tried separating out my paranormals under a different pen name at first. But then my paranormal worlds themselves differed drastically, too. It came down to either splitting off into yet another personality or going the therapeutic route.

I decided to simply write all my sub-genres under one name.

The truth is I don’t know if readers will mind. I do know that it feels right. I know that my books have a common theme no matter what magical or modern setting they arise from. Love can transform you. In each book, I get to see just how much.

As a reader, I love variety. I love my Shiver wolves as much as my Eclipse wolves. I love my regencies as much as my highlanders. I love my aliens right alongside my comic heroines. It never feels like infidelity.

I’m happy to say, writing ‘around’ no longer does, either. Yes, I’m easy. But I promise you this:

No matter where I take you, it will be one hot, addictive adventure.

In fact, today, “Fierce Dawn” is the IBC’s Bestseller For a Day, promotion priced at just 99 cents

for your buying pleasure. Grab yours and get in on some amazing giveaways, including a Kindle

and a signed ebook of “Fierce Dawn.” Just click HERE.

I've heard of some people reading more than one book at a time, but here's a writer who isn't challenged about writing about separate worlds and times.  Pretty amazing, eh?


C'mon folks, click that link above and get yourself a copy so you can read about Sadie and Elijah.  After all, you even have a chance to win a Kindle!

Buglette the Messy Sleeper by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

How does your child sleep?


Tricycle Press just published this children's picture book and sent me a copy for review (thank you).  You can currently buy a copy at your local bookstore.  It's written for ages 3-5, but I enjoyed it so much I'm keeping my copy for me!  (I guess I must just be a big kid.)


This is a lovely book.  The illustrations are perfect:  Little ladybugs, cute toys and accessories.  They make you smile before you even begin reading the book.


Buglette is a very tidy bug during the day, but when she sleeps she dreams of going on BIG adventures.  And boy, is she messy then!  Her antics at night left me wondering when she would fall out of bed...


I highly recommend this book to households with young readers and households with children's literature collectors.  This book is a keeper.


Here is a link to the trailer where you can get a preview of the book's contents:  Buglette the Messy Sleeper  


Here is the author's own explanation of how the story evolved in her mind:  


Says Bethanie: "I suppose it’s no surprise that I wrote a sleep-themed book at the point in my life when I was sleeping the least. I was a slightly delirious, sleep-deprived Mama with a newborn and feisty 3-year old when my friend asked me to take a writing workshop. I was too tired to say no. As I started to mull over story ideas, I was struck by the contrast between my swaddled newborn who slept so calmly and my 3-year old who thrashed from one end of her bed to the other every night. I began to suspect that my 3-year old was having BIG dreams. And the story of Buglette was born."


Now for the best part:  I can offer one autographed copy of this picture book to my readers.  Leave a comment here on the blog and email me at info @ bookfaerie.com (take the spaces out) with your name AND address and tell me why you'd like to win.  I'll turn your name into the publisher and they will send a copy of the book.  But there's just one, so get your name in now!


And, if you miss the one I'm offering, the author is also holding a contest on her blog for one:  http://bethaniemurguia.blogspot.com/  


Why not buy a copy of this precious book today?

Chicken, Chicken, Duck! Nadia Krilanovich

Does your child like to make animal sounds?  This would be a wonderful book for them.


Tricycle Press published this book in March and sent me a copy for review (thank you).  You can get a copy at your local bookstore now.


This is a very cute story and Ms. Krilanovich's illustrations make the animals come to life.  As each page turns, another animal comes into view.  The noise each animal makes is a cool addition to the story and as the animals add up your room will sound like it's a filled barnyard!


The animals even get into a stack on a two page spread for the little ones to ogle over and identify sounds for each.  Why not pick up a copy today?


Happy reading.

William's Midsummer Dreams by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

William has a chance to audition as Puck in a Shakespeare play during the summer break and he's looking forward to it.  But will he meet up with the Baggetts again?


Antheneum, a division of Simon & Schuster, will be publishing this book in June and sent me an eGalley for review (thank you).  You can pick up a copy at your local bookstore in a couple of weeks.  Right now, you could grab William S. and the Great Escape, the first book in this series, to prepare yourself for the next adventure.


William is a serious young man who is slight of build and not too good at sports.  He's nervous about going to a new school, but he's very happy that he and his siblings have been adopted by their aunt and that they now have someplace safe to live.


He enjoys acting and is looking forward to the chance to audition for the Shakespeare play this summer.  He also discovers he enjoys gymnastics, and classes have never been a problem for him.  As is usual, though, he has a few difficulties to face before summer is over...


This is the story of a young man finding opportunities for growth in his new life and how he handles the challenges he's handed.  It's written for ages 8-12 and it's a good read.  Why not pick up a copy for your young one?


Happy reading!

Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne

This is a very interesting tale.  A young boy runs away from home looking for new adventures and runs straight into magic...


David Fickling Books published this book on May 10th and sent me this copy for review (thank you).  It's available as a hardcover or an ebook.  You can purchase a copy at your local bookstore now.


This reminds me more of an old-fashioned fairy tale than a modern day novel and that's actually its charm.  Noah is a naive young man who thinks the big outside world must be more exciting than staying home with his parents and doing chores.  But he runs away with no money, no plans, and the villages he passes through aren't friendly.


The third village he visits has an odd tree in it and he stops to look it over.  While sitting on the bench, a dachshund and donkey stop to visit - and they can speak!  This is the start of a wondrous adventure for Noah.  


Noah meets an old man in the toy shop in the village and he chats with him.  The stories the old man tells teach Noah (and perhaps you) about people and consequences in life choices.  This is a book with a gentle message.


I really enjoyed this read.  Why not pick up a copy for a young one you know and share some magic with them?


If you'd like to win my ARC, leave a comment here on the blog and then email me at info @ bookfaerie.com (take the spaces out) with your name AND address.  I'll pick a winner in about a week.  

May Magic by Ron Roy

Twins Bradley and Brian Pinto are celebrating Mother's Day by taking their Mom to see Hypo, the world's greatest hypnotist.  But Hypo turns her into a duck!


Random House Books for Young Readers sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It was published in March is now available for purchase at your local bookstore.  John Steven Gurney is the illustrator.  This is one of the Calendar Mysteries series.  It's #5 and shows off the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries kids.  It's written for ages 6-9.


This is cute little story about a young man who wants to convince his Mom that he should be able to breed ducks for big bucks.  She's not willing, so he tries various ploys to get what he wants.  She turns the tables on him by playing a trick on him.


Young ones should find this story run to read because Mom starts acting like a duck...


Why not share this story with your young ones?


Happy reading!