Winner chosen for Airel

I used Random.org to select the winner from the Airel blog tour.  The winner has responded and I have passed on the information.  The winner is ~ Julie S.

Thanks for entering.  The blog tour is still going on.  To find more information you can go to Pump Up Your Books Page for the tour.... here.  Or you can purchase it at Amazon by clicking on the following link.

Review of "Escape from Zobadak"

Escape from Zobadak by Brad Gallagher
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Age Recommendation: Middle Grade

Description from Goodreads:When Uncle Gary mysteriously disappeared, all he left behind were a nightstand and mountains of sawdust. Billy Fyfe, 11, inherits the nightstand, but when he's awakened at night by noises from inside, he decides to take a closer look at it. He discovers a hidden panel that opens to an antique maze of wooden corridors. He and his sister Sophie believe that Uncle Gary is hiding somewhere in the nightstand. He has good reason to hide. The sinister men from the Zobadak Wood Company are prowling the neighborhood looking for him - and they will stop at nothing. As Billy, Sophie and their two friends, Chris and Maggie, begin to explore the ancient hallways they discover far more than they expect. But the real surprise is waiting for them when they climb back out and discover just how persistent the Zobadak men are. As logic unravels, and their situation grows desperate, Billy must make a terrifying choice: let the police handle things the conventional way, or escape to the nightstand and try one last time to find Uncle Gary before it's too late.




Beka's Thoughts: This was definitely the most different book I have ever read. The story line and the characters were so unique and special that the book seemed to have its own personality. I enjoyed the entire book, and though the book had a few flaws here and there, they were so tiny that looking back I could not even name one. At the end, there is certainly promise for a sequel, and I cant wait for it. From page one, the story had me entranced and I could not put it away until I had read through the last page. 

This book was received to review through the Library Thing Early Reviewers Program.

In my Mailbox #27

In my mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.  It's a way  let other's know about the books that we receive and may not be able to get to quickly.  It 's also fun to interact and get to know each other .  I love to get ideas for books to read from the pages that I visit.  I hope you see something fun or interesting  to read here as well.


I just returned from a Family Reunion and I'm finally getting to this post.  I usually like to do it on Saturday just after I get my mail.  All of the titles are linked to goodreads.  Just click on the title for a book description.



All books this week are review books:

The Map of Time by Felix J Palma
Received hard copy in the mail from Simon & Schuster

Seers by Heather Frost
Downloaded from Netgalley

My Girlfriend's Boyfriend by Elodia Strain
Downloaded from Netgalley

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress by Christine E.  Schulze
Received eBook copy from author to review

Eve by Anna Carey
Downloaded from Netgalley

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells by Rose Pressey
Received eBook to review

Ding Dong the Diva's Dead by Cat Melodia
Received eBook to review as part of an upcoming blog tour
























And Finally!

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
Downloaded from Netgalley


Here is my week in books!  Bet you can't tell which one I am super excited to read?  I hope you got some wonderful reads in your eBox or Mailbox.   Let me know.

Review of "Being"

Being by T. R. Mousner
Rating " 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: YA SCI - FI

Description from Goodreads: For elite extraterrestrial pilot EBN-Reyoz-X, awaiting rescue while hiding out in a trailer park is a grueling nightmare. She's injured, lacks proper supplies and can't blend in with the indigenous population because she's seven feet tall and can't control the trail of wildflowers blooming in the wake of her footsteps. She's unprepared to begin sexual maturity in the alien land and when she develops feelings for Shale, the mute teenage boy next door, she's convinced circumstances can get no worse.

Except rescue never comes and once word spreads that her touch holds miraculous healing abilities, EBN must find a way to fix her ship, evade capture by the United States Air Force and survive long enough to return home.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the take on this Young Adult Sci-Fi book. It is told from two points of view. The first is EBN, she has crashed landed on Earth. It is interesting to see the negative and positive aspects of Earth culture told through and alien viewpoint. I enjoyed and agreed with the analysis. She expects to be rescued, but rescue doesn't come.  She must learn to adapt and "fit in".  It's hard to do when you are seven feet tall!  She also has a unique power to heal humans of their infirmities.  That also makes it hard to blend in.

EBN is struggling to survive in a toxic environment when she meets a young human and bonds with him. He is 13 and she begins to develop feelings for him. It seems that he is a little too young, but there are things that make me wonder if he is fully human. That will remain to be seen in future installments of the book.

Her brother Aix is trying to put the pieces together of her disappearance, he realizes that things are not adding up and it is leading to political intrigue on his home planet. We see his struggle to put the pieces together and learn more of her disappearance.  He is a very intelligent and resourceful young man, I mean alien.

The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, that is why I believe that there will be more. There is some swearing, it comes from bullies, other that that I have no reservations in recommending this book to anyone who likes a good book.  This book would be classified as young adult, but I think that it has a cross appeal.

I received an eBook edition from the author to review.

Interview with P.J. Hoover ~ author of "Solstice"



I am excited to have P.J. Hoover here today to have a chat and let us know a bit more about herself and her novel "Solstice".  I enjoyed her book and you can see me review posted yesterday.  You can find it ...here!

She successfully weaves a tale combining Dystopia and Mythology. 

One thing that I have loved about blogging about books is the opportunity to meet (online of course) some great author's.  It's fun to get to know them by email and asking questions. I love to share this with you, the people who read my blog.

1. Why did you decide to write a novel based on Greek Mythology?

The second I read Mythology by Edith Hamilton, I fell head over heels for mythology. I loved the idea that these super-human beings ruled over the earth, and I could not believe that people used to think they were all true. Of course that was in sixth grade, and I never thought about writing a novel in sixth grade. It wasn’t until I decided to write for the young adult market that I figured a mythology-based story would be perfect for me to write. So Solstice was born. Plus, the starship Enterprise even mixes in mythology because it’s so awesome. Who Mourns for Adonis anyone?

2. It is interesting to me that you combined a Dystopian future and mythology in one book.  How did you come up with the idea for Solstice?

I was trying to figure out how to make a mythology story more than just a plain vanilla retelling. I wanted to go beyond the myth. So I asked myself (and my critique partners) what would happen next. In the story of Persephone and Hades, I wondered what if Persephone died. How would that affect the world around us? And the idea for Solstice came to me, and I ran with it.

3. Solstice deals with a world that has one season.  Do you have a favorite season?

I’m partial to autumn. I love when the cool weather starts to blow in, and the air feels so fresh. I adore pumpkin seeds and cooking squash. For me, autumn is the season that inspires me. It’s like change that is much needed finally arrives.

4. When did you decide that you wanted to be an author?

After my second child was born. I read all the time growing up and as an adult, and I was always sure that if I tried I could write a book. And so, one day, I decided that instead of reading and reading and reading, why not mix in a book of my own. I love writing and the discipline required to do it. And I love using the creative part of my brain.

5. What would you like your readers to know about you?

I adore hearing from readers! There is nothing like knowing my stories are connecting with real people out in the real world. So if anyone ever wants to drop me a line, please do. It’s the best part of being an author!

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing SOLSTICE and for the opportunity to hang out with your readers!

Thank you so much for letting me visit your blog! I’m thrilled to be here!

Thanks for visiting P.J.  I am very happy that you dropped by!

You can find the trailer for the book... here!

P.J. has a wonderful website up where you can read the first few chapters of Solstice and her other books.  Go to this page.  It's a great place to visit.  http://www.pjhoover.com/extras_solstice.php

About P.J.:

P. J. Hoover first fell in love with Greek mythology in sixth grade thanks to the book Mythology by Edith Hamilton. After a fifteen year bout as an electrical engineer designing computer chips for a living, P. J. decided to take her own stab at mythology and started writing books for kids and teens. P. J. is a member of THE TEXAS SWEETHEARTS & SCOUNDRELS. When not writing, P. J. spends time with her husband and two kids and enjoys practicing Kung Fu, solving Rubik’s cubes, and watching Star Trek.

Her first novel for teens, Solstice, takes place in a Global Warming future and explores the parallel world of mythology beside our own.
Her middle grade fantasy novels, The Emerald Tablet, The Navel of the World, and The Necropolis, chronicle the adventures of a boy who discovers he’s part of two feuding worlds hidden beneath the sea. You can visit her website at www.pjhoover.com

REVIEW of "Solstice"

Solstice by P. J. Hoover

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: cross between Dystopian and Greek Mythology
Age recommendation: over 16
Description from Goodreads: Where Mythology and Dystopia meet...

Piper’s world is dying. Global warming kills every living thing on Earth, and each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles which threaten to destroy humanity. Amid this Global Heating Crisis, Piper lives with her mother who suffocates her more than the chaotic climate. When her mother is called away to meet the father Piper has been running from her entire life, Piper seizes an opportunity for freedom.

But when Piper discovers a world of mythology she never knew existed, she realizes her world is not the only one in crisis. While Gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper's life spirals into turmoil, and she struggles to find answers to secrets kept from her since birth. And though she’s drawn to her classmate Shayne, he may be more than he claims. Piper has to choose whom she can trust and how she can save the people she loves even if it means the end of everything she’s ever known.

SOLSTICE is P.J. Hoover's debut YA novel and is the first front-list novel to be independently published by an Andrea Brown Literary Agency author.
My thoughts:
I love books about Greek Mythology. To me it's all about capturing the ideas and beliefs of an ancient civilization. The stories have always held a particular spot in my imagination. It's been great for me to see books coming out that capture the Greek myths and bring them into modern civilization.

Piper lives sometime in the near future where the world in in perpetual summer. The temperatures soar and threaten all life. Many of the creatures and plants have died. Life revolves around escaping the heat and surviving it.

Piper lives with a very controlling mother. He mother doesn't want her to ever leave. She monitors who she is with and where she is at. They have moved many times to keep her away from her father. Piper has been lead to believe that he is a terrorist and a threat to her.

Of course, as in all good books, things are never as they seem. Piper is given a gift on her 18th birthday from one of the customers who come to their botanical nursery. She opens it and finds a feather. From that point on her world changes.

Two young men suddenly appear at her school and vie for her affections. They are both immortals in disguise. There is something about Piper that they want. She is not sure what it is, but is determined to find out. She is brought into a world of secrets and lies. Her future depends on unlocking her past.

P.J. Hoover's book is well written with a solid plot. I loved turning the pages and finding out what she had up her sleeve next. The romance seemed a bit creepy and obsessive, but I still liked it. The mother would have driven any person insane quickly. She kept the book moving at a quick pace that kept my interest. I must admit that I didn't start figuring out what was happening with Piper and her role in the mythology aspect until about 2/3 of the way through the book.

There is one section of the book in the Underworld that is a bit graphic for younger readers dealing with genitalia. That is my only caution to readers.

I received this book to review through my participation with Pump Up Your Books blog tours. 

Come back tomorrow where I will be having an Author Interview with P.J.!

Review of " A New Name for Worthless: A Hero is Born"

A New Name for Worthless: A Hero is Born by Rocky Shepheard
Genre:  Picture Book


Description from Goodreads: Worthless is a chained dog who has never lived inside the house. He suffers through cold winters and hot summers only with the help of his two friends Otto and Sly Fox. His friends plot to free him and they set off on an adventure to look for a new life somewhere where there are no chains. They search for days in snow and ice until they find a place on the edge of a pond to hunker down for the winter. But fate intervenes and presents an opportunity for Worthless to finally prove to himself that he is worthy of love and a good home. Will Worthless have the courage to face his fears and become the dog he has always wanted to be?


Rachel's Thoughts:
Worthless is an abused dog who is chained up and ignored. He makes friends with a fox and otter who help him to escape. When he saves a human, he gets a new owner who loves him.


My 3 year old couldn't sit still through the whole book as it is a little longer than her attention span. She didn't understand the story, either, but she really enjoyed the pictures. My 6 year old really liked the book, especially the characters. I thought that it was a little too serious for children but my kids didn't have a problem with it so I guess it is just me! The message is an important one that all children should learn. 3 out of 5 stars.


~Rachel~


This book was received to review.

REVIEW - Blue the Bird on Flying

Blue the Bird on Flying by Becky Due




Description from Goodreads: Blue the Bird does not want to fly. Follow Blue's journey of self-discovery, as Blue learns a lesson on self-esteem and independence. Blue the Bird was a finalist in the Violet Crown / Teddy Book Awards 2007.






Rachel's Thoughts:
This was a cute book. Blue is a bird who doesn't want to learn to fly and relies on friends to get himself from place to place. The pictures were simple and colorful and the story was a nice lesson on independence. My 3 and 6 year old girls really liked it. I give it 3 out of 5 stars although my girls rate it a 4 out of 5.


~Rachel~


This book was received to review.