Peter Pan (Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection #12) by Jenni James -- Book Tour Review + Giveaway
4/30/2016
Wendy is not quite certain why such a handsome young man would need her—especially a lad who clearly has a touch of madness in him. What boy learns to fly? But whatever the reason, home life has become too much for her now that her parents are hoping she marries an acquaintance she can barely abide. There is something about Peter Pan that intrigues her greatly, and then there is this magical world he talks about, this Neverland . . .
Books in the Series and Books Still to Come...
Other books in this series still to come:
Jenni James is the busy mother of ten kids (7 hers, 3 her hubby's) and has over twenty-five published book babies. She's an award-winning, best-selling author, who works full-time from home and dreams about magical things and then writes about what she dreams.
Some of her works include The Jane Austen Diaries (Pride & Popularity, Emmalee, Persuaded...), The Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection (Cinderella, Snow White, Rumplestiltskin, Beauty and the Beast...), the Andy & Annie series for children, Revitalizing Jane: Drowning, My Paranormal Life, Not Cinderella's Type, and the Austen in Love Series. When she isn't writing up a storm, she is chasing her kids around their new cottage and farm in the tops of the southwestern mountains, entertaining friends at home, or kissing her amazingly hunky hubby. Her life is full of laughter, crazy, and sunshine. 
CHAPTER ONE
IT WAS WHILE HE flew above the rooftops over Kensington Road in London that Peter Pan first spotted the beautiful Wendy Darling in her bright blue ruffles and fetching white lace hat. She was walking with another girl and twirling her dainty parasol to the side and not above her head like she was supposed to. In fact, in the precisely seventeen and half minutes that Peter had been spying on the girl as she traipsed along the fashionable trail of Hyde Park during the midday stroll, she had nearly hit three unsuspecting men with her twirling, and one old biddy of a grandmother who was all huff and nonsense. The woman was practically poked in her eye by the girl, so of course Peter could understand the growling reprimand associated with such an accident. However, it was Wendy’s shocked and blushing apologies that caught his attention. For though she was most decidedly sorry for nearly maiming each of her victims, her giggles grew louder with each unintentional attempt once the person was out of earshot. It was that smile, that unabashed way she tossed her head back and laughed up at the trees that nearly stole his heart. The silly girl could not have been more than sixteen or seventeen at the most, just a year or two younger than him, but my goodness, to see such freedom among the snobbish British aristocracy was so refreshing. Her friend did not share in the humorous situation as much as she did, and so Peter spent little time admiring the companion she was walking with. Instead, he passed another good half an hour inconspicuously bounding and flitting from rooftop to rooftop until she eventually headed toward a side street and then home with her friend. The delightful girl was still chatting and chuckling from time to time. As he stopped at the house across the road, he watched as she handed her weapon—er, parasol—to the butler, and then his jaw dropped at the beautiful red hair pinned beneath the hat she took off just before stepping inside the fine, stately home. What was it about a female with ginger hair that made his breathing change? Peter flew around the house a few times until he located her exact bedroom. It helped when the maid opened the window leading to the little balcony, and he could hear the girl chattering inside. That’s when he first heard her name. Wendy. Except he thought it was “Windy.” And he didn’t know why, but something inside his heart began to glow all warm and fuzzy. The boy who could fly with the wind and a girl called Windy. It was too perfect. He was destined to like her before they had even met. Now, finding a way to speak with her without anyone being the wiser would be a bit trickier… * LATER THAT NIGHT, ONCE the darkness fell, he approached her balcony again. This time, Peter flew right up to it and peered inside. It was a mild night and the window was still open, so he stepped over the railing and stood there within the shadows. The space was only a few feet, just enough to allow the doors to open and maybe someone to step out. But nothing more than that. In the room, he could make out the faint glow of a gas lamp near a pink-canopied bed. There was definitely someone talking, but it was very methodical, like the person was reading aloud. A faint breeze caught the curtain nearest, bringing it out onto the balcony, and for a moment, Peter was able to see the room quite clearly. There, on a padded chair near the mantled fireplace, sat the girl, with a book in her hand. She was reading to two boys in pajamas sitting on cushions below her. Both were being very quiet and listening with rapt attention. From what he could tell, it was some sort of adventure story about a treasure and pirates. He grinned. This girl had the makings of the ideal woman. No one could be more suited to him than a female who did not mind a bit of adventure every now and then. He slowly slid down the side of the balcony and listened to as much of the story as he could. When she stopped in the middle of an exciting bit, he almost protested right along with the boys. “Wendy! You cannot stop now. We must find out what happens. We must!” “Hush, John. It is time you went to sleep.” Another voice popped up with, “We do not want sleep. Not in the middle of such tyranny!” “Michael, come now—you know Mother and Father will be especially upset if I do not get you into your room before they return this evening. Now, shoo, you two. Hurry along.” “But what about the pirates?” Wendy laughed. “This chapter is over. I promise to read the next to you tomorrow night. The same thing I do every night.” Peter leaned his head against the glass. There was something so intriguing about the girl. Her voice was heavenly, but it was more than that. Perhaps it was her motherly instinct, her patience with her brothers, her kindness in reading to them? She seemed like such a gentle, caring soul. Just these scant minutes with her today, and already he could see she was unlike anyone he had ever met before. He sighed. Was it normal for an eighteen-year-old to feel the tuggings of belonging like he did? Was that not for dimwitted, sensitive people, to be always lingering about, wishing for more? Peter had been more the type to jump into a battle than to contemplate life and her mysteries and all that he might be missing. Why should he feel as though anything were missing? He simply had the best life that ever could be. He heard the door shut, and he peeked inside the room once more to see Wendy approaching the window. Gah. He quickly crouched and then sprang away. He hung above the edge of the roof as he watched her walk outside and glance first one way down the street and then the other. “It is all right now. You may come out of hiding. The boys are abed,” she said to the air around her. He heart stopped. Was she speaking to him? “Boy, I know you are there. You have been following me all day, and now I wish you would at least show yourself so that I may sleep tonight without imagining you to be much more frightful than you are.” Peter froze. Truthfully. He had never ever been caught. In all the days he had traveled and zipped about London, no one—that he knew of—had ever been any wiser. And yet, in just one short day, this captivating, audacious girl was calling him out. He watched the top of her head as she sighed and tapped a foot. “I am waiting…” Where had this enchanting creature been all his life? He could not help himself. He chuckled and then clutched his mouth with his hand to stifle it, but it was too late. Wendy whipped her head up and gasped as she stared directly at him. 
I have always loved the story of Peter Pan and Jenni James’ retelling is both fun and exciting. Readers will love this familiar, but new tale of the friendship and romance of Peter Pan and Wendy and their adventures in Neverland. The characters are simply delightful and the re-telling of Peter’s story enticing. I would recommend this quick and entertaining story to those that love fairytales as well as any of Jenni James’ previous stories.
Series: Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection Genre: fiction, fantasy, fairytale, romance, young adult Publisher: StoneHouse Ink Publication date: May 26, 2015 Number of pages: 186 Category: Middle School + Content Rating: G Book Rating: 5 stars 
Other books in the series:
1-Beauty and the Beast 2-Sleeping Beauty 3-Rumplestiltskin 4-Cinderella 5-Hansel and Gretel 6-Jack and the Beanstalk 7-Snow White 8-The Frog Prince 9-The Twelve Dancing Princesses 10-Rapunzel 11-The Little Mermaid 13-Return to Netherland Coming soon… 14-Captain Hook 15-Princess Red 16-Princess with the Golden Touch 17-Princess and the Pea 18-Rose Red 19-Thumbelina 20-The Ugly Princess 21-Diamonds and Toads 22-The Ice Queen 23-The Forgotten Princess 24-The Thrushbeard 25-The Swan Princess 26-The Goose Girl 27-The Light Princesses 28-Princess Nightingale 29-The Princess Who Never Laughed 30-The Disenchanted Queen A review copy of this book was provided by SLB Tours. 
April 18--Beauty & the Beast--Singing Librarian Books
April 19--Sleeping Beauty--Bookworm Lisa April 20--Rumplestiltskin--26 Countless Possibilities April 21--Cinderella--Reading Is My SuperPower April 22--Hansel & Gretel--Katie's Clean Book Collection April 23--Jack & the Beanstalk--Wishful Endings April 25--Snow White--Katie's Clean Book Collection April 26--The Frog Prince--Smiling Book Reviews April 27--The Twelve Dancing Princesses--Mel's Shelves April 28--Rapunzel--Reading Is My SuperPower April 29--The Little Mermaid--Wishful Endings April 30--Peter Pan--Singing Librarian Books 
 About the Book An epic adventure—that’s all Bryce wants this summer. So when he stumbles upon a treasure map connected to an old family secret, Bryce is determined to follow the clues to unearth both, even if it means hiking in the wilderness in the middle of nowhere. Bryce must work with his bickering brother, Jack, or they may never see the light of day again! About the Author Shari Schwarz is a literary intern and lives in Colorado with her husband and their four boys. “Treasure at Lure Lake” is her debut middle grade adventure which reflects her love for a good adventure story and spending time hiking and camping in the northern Colorado Rockies. ReviewThis story is about a struggling family, but intertwines it into a bit of an adventure novel as well. Shari Schwarz has created a story that will especially grab the attention of middle school boys. It shows sibling rivalry and family secrets that may pull them all apart or bring them together. Adding a bit of adventure to some painful subjects is a fun twist in the story. I would recommend this book to middles school readers, especially boys. Genre: middle grade, contemporary, adventure, family Publisher: Cedar Fort Publishing & Media Publication date: April 12, 2016 Number of pages: 192 Category: Middle School + Content Rating: G Book Rating: 5 stars  A review copy of this book was provided by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media. Tour ScheduleApril 11: Michelle 4 Laughs | E.G. Moore April 12: Brenda Drake April 13: YAtopia | Operation Awesome April 14: Rockin’ Book Reviews April 15: My Book a Day | I Write for Apples April 16: Love Is Homemade April 17: Michelle Hulse | That Artsy Reader Girl April 18: The Dragon’s Nook April 19: Mel’s Shelves April 20: April 21: Bookish Babes April 22: Reidhead Random-ness | The Swanky Seventeens April 23: Blooming with Books April 24: April 25: My Inner MG April 26: Middle Grade Minded April 27: Singing Librarian Books April 28: Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews April 29: April 30:   About the Book
But Keri has three people to guide her: her mysterious Timekeeper, clever Bookkeeper, and steadfast Doorkeeper. Together they must find a way to repair the boundary before her neighbors realize just how vulnerable Nimmira is. With a spunky main character, lyrical storytelling, and hidden romance, The Keeper of the Mist is an engrossing story that is full of adventure. About the Author Rachel Neumeier started writing fiction to relax when she was a graduate student and needed a hobby unrelated to her research. Prior to selling her first fantasy novel, she had published only a few articles in venues such as The American Journal of Botany. However, finding that her interests did not lie in research, Rachel left academia and began to let her hobbies take over her life instead. She now raises and shows dogs, gardens, cooks, and occasionally finds time to read. She works part-time for a tutoring program, though she tutors far more students in Math and Chemistry than in English Composition. Giveaway Link to giveaway is in the graphic above. Tour ScheduleApril 25th: A Reading Nurse & The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club - Welcome Post April 26th: Her Book Thoughts - Interview Da Readaholic Book Blog - Promotional Post Book-Keeping - Review + Favorite Quotes Singing Librarian Books - Promotional Post April 27th: Ink of Blood - Interview Here's to Happy Endings - Promotional Post 5 Girls Book Reviews - Review Cover2Cover - Promotional Post April 28th: Curling Up With A Good Book - Guest Post Adventures in Bookland - Review The Alchemy of Ink - Review Country Book Bumpkin - Review + Favorite Quotes April 29th: Bibliobibuli YA - Review FLYLēF Book Reviews - Review + Favorite Quotes b00k r3vi3ws - Review The Library Mistress - Promotional Post April 30th: A Book Addict's Bookshelves - Interview A Dream Within A Dream - Review Crossroad Reviews - Review Retro Writer - Review May 1st: Addicted Readers - Guest Post The Best Books Ever - Review Take Me Away To A Great Read - Review + Favorite Quotes soycazadoradesombrasylibros - Promotional Post  
Just when he is about to abdicate the throne to his cousin, he meets Cecelia Hammerstein-Smythe, while a wolf, and begins to hope for the first time in months. Can he balance both worlds as a human and beast, gaining the love and trust of a girl who has every reason to despise him?
Cecelia detests the prince. She only knows Alexander as the arrogant monarch—the tyrant who has made her life miserable—though perhaps he's changed right before her eyes. He's not as full of himself as he once was. The prince is gentle now... but then again, so is the beast. 
Jenni James is the busy mother of ten kids (7 hers, 3 her hubby's) and has over twenty-five published book babies. She's an award-winning, best-selling author, who works full-time from home and dreams about magical things and then writes about what she dreams.
Some of her works include The Jane Austen Diaries (Pride & Popularity, Emmalee, Persuaded...), The Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection (Cinderella, Snow White, Rumplestiltskin, Beauty and the Beast...), the Andy & Annie series for children, Revitalizing Jane: Drowning, My Paranormal Life, Not Cinderella's Type, and the Austen in Love Series. When she isn't writing up a storm, she is chasing her kids around their new cottage and farm in the tops of the southwestern mountains, entertaining friends at home, or kissing her amazingly hunky hubby. Her life is full of laughter, crazy, and sunshine. 
CHAPTER ONE
“ARRRRUUUGHHHHHH!” The prince half sobbed, half howled into the night air as his feeble skin ripped, agonizingly making way for the tormented form to escape. He was nearly doubled over, never having known such excruciating pain before, and yet the old woman continued to laugh at him. Her unmerciful cackles pierced his ears louder than his tearing skin. He was sickened and dazed as the transformation ended with a jolt, leaving a deep-rooted, throbbing ache throughout his whole form. Everything stung with the awareness of newly stretched and swollen limbs. Taking a ginger step, he practically fell over from the searing of nerve endings as the pain shot up from the soles of his feet to his legs and back. Tender, singed, and unprotected new flesh covered his whole form. He was so preoccupied with trying to cope, he did not hear the woman until she said, “You will be sore for quite some time, so you had better get used to it.” Her laughter grated again. “Why?” gasped the prince. “Why me? Why now?” He tried to straighten and turn to meet her gaze more fully, but while attempting it, he stumbled and collapsed. Fire surged through every bone as his raw nerves met the harsh ground. The pain was more unbearable than the transformation. Dizziness flooded into his pounding skull and his nauseated stomach threatened to spew out his throat and onto the ground if he did not hold as still as possible. He felt her cane grind into his hip, but he was too weak to acknowledge it. “You, boy, needed to be taught a lesson.” She jabbed him with the sharp stick and continued, “Now you will forever know what it feels like to be ugly. Your eyes are too hazy at the moment to see the figure you have become.” She moved the cane to his inflamed, disjointed knee and dug deep into the taut tissue. He flinched and writhed in agony, his howls filling the darkened forest. “But when you awaken, and you will awaken, you may wish you were dead. However, that is not the purpose of such a transformation. You will live through this—it will be several days until you are healed enough to make it back to your castle, Prince.” She hissed his title as if it were the true curse. “At that point, when you are able to crawl up the stately stairs to your fine room, I want you to haul yourself up upon your chiseled table and peer into the looking glass. Take in every inch of your deranged form. “That will be the day you accept what has truly happened to you and the day you realize what it means to be a hideous beast forever.” “No!” he yelled as her cane lashed at his swollen twisted spine. “Please…” His body convulsed. Nausea swam in dizzying circles until he could no longer focus on anything but the bile rising, aching to relieve itself, as the cane pounded again and again. The old woman wheezed, and thankfully the whacking stopped. She coughed for some time before weakly sputtering out the rest of the curse. “You will be forced to stay this way forever—half man, half beast—unless you find some poor, pitiful female to embrace, accept, and love you for the monster you are.” Her breathing became more labored. “You h—have one year to achieve that impossible feat. O—one year from today to ch—change your spoilt habits and become a man. If you do not succeed, you will be forced to roam the earth in your gruesome form, terrorizing all who meet you, c—causing them to escape in fear from your presence. Though I must warn you—” She wheezed again, a huge, snarling inhale, which forced a series of bone-rattling hacks from her. They became larger and more pronounced with each cough—precious air forcing its way into her battered lungs. The prince felt the space around him shift before he heard the thud of her collapse and the silence that followed. It was several minutes before he was able to slowly scrape his body against the earth in painful strides enough to flip over and see her, and another several minutes before he could move enough to see that she was indeed dead. He smiled then, a bitter hate-filled smile. *** CECELIA’S EYES FLUTTERED OPEN and she stretched to the glorious sunshine trickling through her window. The day was warm and welcoming—her toes wiggled in excitement under the patchwork quilt her grandmother had designed especially for her. Today she would cast off being Miss Cecelia Hammerstein-Smythe and instead, become the girl promised to Lord Charles David Willington, the most perfect man in existence. She hopped from the bed, her black braid swaying with her. Within minutes, she had washed in the hand basin and, without waiting for her maid, dressed in a pretty white morning frock with a lavender sash and adornments. Whirling around like a little girl, she watched the dress fan out above her stockings and smiled. The world was a wonderful place. And she, Miss Hammerstein-Smythe, was very grateful indeed to be a part of it. With a curtsy to no one in particular and a jaunty half-minuet step, she made her way to the wardrobe and fetched her lavender slippers before heading lightly down the stairs into her mother’s breakfast parlor to greet Sanford’s impassive countenance. “Good morning to you too!” she trilled out as she brushed past the butler into the waiting room. “Cook has outdone herself this morning, has she not?” The platters loaded on the sideboard were all of her most favorite breakfast foods, and when she turned, she saw a huge bowl upon the middle of the table. “Look at that fruit! How could I ever eat half so much food?” “Well, you know how Mrs. Parnel dotes on you. We’re all fortunate she hadn’t the time to go shopping, or we would be looking at twice as much food.” The butler grinned at his mild humor before schooling his features into a more appropriate look and announcing rather grandly, “I have received word from Jenkins that we are to expect your special visitor around two this afternoon, when he would like to take you driving in his carriage, if you are so inclined.” Cecelia eyed over the plate she was filling from the sideboard. “I am very much inclined, as you well know.” “I will be sure to see that your reply of acceptance is sent immediately.” Sanford poured her a cup of tea and set it upon the saucer on the table while a young footman held a chair for her and pushed it in as she sat down. It only took her a few minutes to eat, but another half hour to decide on the very best outfit to be seen wearing in the open carriage with Lord Willington. After she had seen her maid lay out the dress to be worn later, Cecelia grabbed her pelisse, buttoned it over her white-and-lavender morning gown, and made her way outside before her mother or William, her stuffy older brother, could persuade her otherwise. She was just tying the bow to her bonnet at a rakish angle as she entered the pathway that led to the cheerful brook not quite a mile from the great house. She loved the water, and any time she had a few minutes free, she would find herself sneaking off to enjoy a cool moment of refreshing solitude where no one would bother her. Once she had made it to the brook, it was no time at all before her slippers and stockings were off and stuffed safely into the crook of a tree branch. Her bonnet and pelisse were soon to follow, hanging from the stub just below her shoes. With a sigh, Cecelia sank onto her favorite rock and carelessly trailed her bare feet and ankles in the water. She made sure her gown was tucked away from the water’s edge or there would be no excuse for the scolding she would receive from her mother for ruining yet another frock. She took a deep breath and leaned back against the large angled stone, enjoying the peaceful smell of grass and wildflowers, her ears rejoicing over the soft babble of the little stream beneath her. This was exactly what an ideal day should be. There was no need for anything more enjoyable than such faultlessness. In fact, she was positive that with the soon-to-be proposal from Lord Willington and the glorious peace-filled morning before her, there had never been a more perfect day during the whole of her existence. And nothing, absolutely nothing, could ruin it. Prince Alexander halted in his tracks at the lovely girl before him. He could just make out her profile with her back to the rock like that. Her hair was in wild abandon, with its long curls escaping the bun that was now quite forgotten and rather disheveled-looking. His eyes skimmed past her pert nose down her sweet lips, then on to the hand that was softly trailing over the grass beneath it. Her legs moved then and he quickly looked away when he noticed they were uncovered. His heart began to beat fast. What if he were caught? Prince Alexander knew it would be highly uncomfortable for them both—she in her state of undress and he, the chosen prince of the land, escaping his castle. He had been roaming farther and wider from the palace than normal as of late. Escaping the confines of the monstrous place, he needed to be outdoors. Just last night, transformed into the beast, he had come across this exact brook and had been eager to see what it looked like in the daylight. He came as soon as he had awakened from his adventures and become his usual self again. What had seemed like a good idea earlier now all of a sudden seemed very bad indeed. 
Beauty and the Beast has long since been a favorite fairytale of mine. Jenni James’ retelling is an excellent adaption. The story is about a sweet young women, Cecilia. She loathes the prince, who continually makes her life miserable. Prince Alexander has been cursed as a werewolf and has been given one year to have a young women fall in love with him to break the curse. Cecilia and Werewolf Prince strike up an unlikely friendship, but will it be enough to turn Prince Alexander back to his former, but now better self? This retelling is a fun, quick, light read that fairytale lovers will thoroughly enjoy!
Series: Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection Genre: fiction, fantasy, fairytale, romance, young adult Publisher: StoneHouse Ink Publication date: June 4, 2012 Number of pages: 142 Category: Middle School + Content Rating: G Book Rating: 5 stars 
Other books in the series:
2-Sleeping Beauty 3-Rumplestiltskin 4-Cinderella 5-Hansel and Gretel 6-Jack and the Beanstalk 7-Snow White 8-The Frog Prince 9-The Twelve Dancing Princesses 10-Rapunzel 11-The Little Mermaid 12-Peter Pan 13-Return to Netherland Coming soon… 14-Captain Hook 15-Princess Red 16-Princess with the Golden Touch 17-Princess and the Pea 18-Rose Red 19-Thumbelina 20-The Ugly Princess 21-Diamonds and Toads 22-The Ice Queen 23-The Forgotten Princess 24-The Thrushbeard 25-The Swan Princess 26-The Goose Girl 27-The Light Princesses 28-Princess Nightingale 29-The Princess Who Never Laughed 30-The Disenchanted Queen A review copy of this novel was provided by SLB Tours. 
April 18--Beauty & the Beast--Singing Librarian Books
April 19--Sleeping Beauty--Bookworm Lisa April 20--Rumplestiltskin--26 Countless Possibilities April 21--Cinderella--Reading Is My SuperPower April 22--Hansel & Gretel--Katie's Clean Book Collection April 23--Jack & the Beanstalk--Wishful Endings April 25--Snow White--Katie's Clean Book Collection April 26--The Frog Prince--Smiling Book Reviews April 27--The Twelve Dancing Princesses--Mel's Shelves April 28--Rapunzel--Reading Is My SuperPower April 29--The Little Mermaid--Wishful Endings April 30--Peter Pan--Singing Librarian Books 
Escape to Eden by Rachel McClellan
4/16/2016
About the Book Run Now! When seventeen-year-old Sage wakes up in a hospital with no memories, her only clue are the words written on her hand. With a deadly disease threatening to wipe out mankind, Sage must find out who she is and why most people would kill to get their hands on her--before it's too late. This fast-paced, futuristic thriller is a spine-tingling read! Rachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was... About the Author Rachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was... ReviewRachel McClellan has written a fast-paced, page-turning dystopian novel that teens will absolutely love! There is plenty of action going on to keep readers hooked and wondering what will happen next. With fun and interesting characters, as some of them are mutated humans of sorts, and a thrilling story about a teen girl, Sage, who is known as an “original” along with her brother are running from those that want them dead. Along the way they meet some fascinating people and creatures that help them to survive. Readers of dystopian fiction will not want to miss this exciting read. Series: Escape to Eden Genre: fantasy, science fiction, dystopian, young adult Publisher: Cedar Fort Publishing and Media Publication date: February 9, 2016 Number of pages: 304 Category: Junior High + Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 5 stars  A review copy of this book was provided by Loving the Book.  
 "Aislin is cursed. A regular college student at night and a swan during the day, Aislin can only break the curse by finding her true love. But when her beloved discovers the truth, will his fear override their love? This modern adaptation of Swan Lake will help you discover what love really means." 
 Kaki Olsen is always on the brink of another adventure. If she couldn't be a writer, she'd be a full-time musician or travel guide and she would take her lunch breaks at Fenway Park. Until that happens, she speaks both Spanish and English at her every-day office job, but she has vacationed enthusiastically in such places as Istanbul and Ireland. She has lived in five states, but will always refer to Boston as home.She regularly contributes academic papers on zombies or wizards to Life, the Universe and Everything, a sci-fi/fantasy symposium originated at her alma mater, Brigham Young University. Her published works have appeared in such magazines as Voices and AuthorsPublish. She is a doting aunt and librarian of two bulging bookshelves. Q & A with the Author:
5. When did you start writing, and was there a specific event or person who influenced you to become an author? I started writing when I was 7 and still have the crappy little fairy tale that I wrote then--The Princess Who Never Smiled. In 9th grade, I had a teacher who was so frustrated by my work that she told me I was never going to be intelligent enough to understand literature. The next paper I wrote was on Elie Wiesel's Night. I read that book in the corner of a train station in Boston and cried for the last half of it. When I got my paper back, that same teacher had given me an A. I never got anything else in the rest of my classes with her and she left for a new job the same year that I transferred schools. When it came for me to apply to schools, she told Brigham Young University that I was the most talented writer she'd taught and that if they didn't want me, she would convince me to apply to Harvard where she taught. They let me in.
6. Are you currently working on a project, and if so, can you tell us anything about it? I'm currently working on a million. I have 55 plots running around in my head and am usually actively researching or developing at least 5. The novels I'm writing are The Matchmaker's Apprentice (The third son of a royal family finds himself suddenly heir to the throne and has to find a bride with the help of local matchmakers) and Scions and Saints (A girl is orphaned at eight and grows up determined to join the war against her parents' murderers; meanwhile, her mother is the unwilling leader of the revolution that her husband started ten years ago before he faked their deaths). I'm writing a novella called Check-in about a possessed phone whose ghost tries to save a kidnapped girl's life. I have two short stories--Just One Chance (A dragon-smuggling android discovers that she miscalculated the flight time to the destination when her cargo starts to hatch) and Birdsong From A Forgotten World (A 15-year-old French girl joins her family on a ship heading to a new colony world as the only violinist going into space). I'm also editing The Deserter, which is best described as what would happen if Harry Potter disappeared, the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix were tracking him down and the last person to see him alive was Hermione, who has forgotten that he ever existed. Like I said, I have a million things to wrap up.
Connect with the Author:
Excerpt #2
I think it's inevitable that every high school student read Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, wakes up one day as a giant cockroach. He tries to normal life, even when everything's changed. He can't work or go out. He can't find joy in things that used to make him happy. He overhears conversations about what a burden he is to the rest of the family. Eventually, he allows himself to die to put an end to that.
In all of Aislin's years of homeschooling, I only asked to change the curriculum once. When Mom mentally replaced Gregor with Aislin, she removed it from the planned reading list without further argument
It may be just a story, but I've seen some of the guilt Aislin feels for the circumstances she didn't ask for. If anyone in this world knew what it was to wake up one day with a different life, it would be her.
Aislin has always said that I try to compensate for her lack of a life with my own activities. She scoffs at my attempts to keep her life normal, but I would rather risk her scorn than let her believe that she has nothing to contribute to our lives.
As far as I know, Aislin has never read that novella, but I'm sure that she knows the story too well.
Check out all the great blogs that are a part of this event by following along on the Facebook page.
Check out my previous review of Swan and Shadow & interview with Kaki Olsen.
The Legend of the Dagger Prince (Annals of Adamah #1) by T.A. Gallant -- Release Day Review
4/8/2016
About the Book Death. Deception. Redemption. In the days of King Tsedecc, the seventh generation after Qccesed the Great, a kidnapping shatters young Prince Korbin's idyllic world. In short order, everything he knows is called into question as he hears horrifying things about the world around him. In the deadly aftermath, nothing can ever be the same. A twisting tapestry of virtue and intrigue, The Legend of the Dagger Prince is much more than a coming-of-age tale or an adventure story, although it could aptly be described as both. This carefully-woven medievalesque fantasy is a rich journey toward redemption, exploring hard lessons regarding the cost of loyalty and honor-and the price of deceit. Eminently quotable and flavored with a subtle Old World literary feel, The Legend of the Dagger Princeis the opening salvo in T. A. Gallant's exciting new series, The Annals of Adamah. About the Author T. A. Gallant learned to read at age four, and was an early fan of the great literature of Dick and Jane and The Bobbsey Twins. It was somewhat later that he came to appreciate other giants: Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, C. S. Lewis, Jane Austen, Eco, Potok, Graham Greene, Anthony Trollope, and of course, Bill Watterson. T. A. tried his hand at fiction as a kid, but delayed becoming a novelist until middle age. He still loves the giants, but writes nothing like them. His fantasy style borrows vaguely but quite unmistakably from unlikely sources, such as the King James Bible and old newspapers. The occasional lyrical quality of his prose springs from many years of songwriting. Since transplanting from the Great White North, Gallant lives in a hobbit-hole near Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Kristi and a herd of children. ReviewT.A. Gallant has written an action-packed suspense novel that teens are not going to want to miss. The exciting story is filled with plenty of intense and thrilling moments that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. There is some violence, but nothing graphic. The gripping story will keep readers wondering what will happen next. Fun characters and a enticing storyline, including deceit, treachery, and murder plots, also enhance the plotline and keeps readers hooked. I would recommend this novel to readers that are ready for a fun new suspense filled adventure. Series: Annals of Adamah Genre: suspense, adventure, mystery, fantasy Publisher: Timotheos Press Publication date: April 8, 2016 Number of pages: 182 Category: Middle School + Content Rating: PG, some violence, nothing graphic Book Rating: 5 stars  Other books in the series:
2-Nabbi’s Concubine (Release date TBD) A review copy of this book was provided by the author. About the Book In the fairy tale realm of Arilland, stories are told at children's bedsides--and not the stories you think you know. Tales of Arilland is a collection of fairy tales, presented in the magical topsy-turvy way that only Alethea Kontis can do. Discover the story of Bluebeard's first wife ("Blood From Stone"), what really happened to Snow White in those dark woods ("The Unicorn Hunter"), how dangerous the Little Mermaid might have been ("Blood and Water"), and just how far Little Red Riding Hood was willing to go ("Hero Worship"). Included in this collection is "Sunday," the original novelette that inspired the award-winning novel Enchanted, as well as "The Cursed Prince," the previously untold history of Prince Rumbold of Arilland…and more. Woodcutter enthusiasts will rejoice at this opportunity to delve into the secret worlds beyond Kontis’s intricately woven fantasy novels. And if you are not a fan yet, you will be! Available to purchase on - AMAZON - Books in the Series
About the Author Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops picture books, The Wonderland Alphabet, Diary of a Mad Scientist Garden Gnome, Beauty & Dynamite, The Dark-Hunter Companion (w/Sherrilyn Kenyon), and a myriad of poems, essays, and short stories. Princess Alethea lives and writes on the Space Coast of Florida with her teddy bear, Charlie. ReviewAnother fantasy, fairytale re-telling by Alethea Kontis is her Tales of Arilland. Although a bit more on the darker side of fantasy, Alethea captures readers with her combination and mixture of several popular fairytales within her story. This adventure story will intrigue readers as they delve into this magical novel. Although this story has a great plot line, I was disappointed to discover sexual content in a novel for such young readers. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy fantasy and fairytale retellings. Series: Books of Arilland Genre: fantasy, fairytales, young adult Publisher: Alethea Kontis Publication date: July 15, 2015 Number of pages: 144 Category: Upper Middles School+ Content Rating: PG-13, some violence, but nothing graphic, sexual content Book Rating: 4 stars  Other books in the series: 1-Enchanted 2-Hero 3-Trixter 4-Dearest 6-Trixter and the Faerie Queen A review copy of this book was provided by Prism Book Tours.  About the Book Trix Woodcutter is the long prophesied Boy Who Talks to Animals. He’s also a foundling prankster scamp who places his family under a sleeping spell so that he can run away from home. Compelled by a vision of his dead birthmother, Trix departs on the eve of a Great Catastrophe, only to find himself caught in the maelstrom. Armed with little more than his wits and the wisdom inherent in all fey-blooded youth, Trix confronts a legendary Animal King, faces off against a ghostly feline, rescues a damsel in distress, and discovers more about himself than he ever wished to know. Available to purchase on - AMAZON - Books in the Series
About the Author Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops picture books, The Wonderland Alphabet, Diary of a Mad Scientist Garden Gnome, Beauty & Dynamite, The Dark-Hunter Companion (w/Sherrilyn Kenyon), and a myriad of poems, essays, and short stories. Princess Alethea lives and writes on the Space Coast of Florida with her teddy bear, Charlie. ReviewTrixter by Alethea Kontis is about the many fun and exciting adventures of Trix Woodcutter, the Boy Who Talks to Animals. It is a fairly quick read, that middles school students and young adults will enjoy. Full of magical beings and mythical creatures, this novel will entice the attention young readers. The enticing cover will also catch the attention of its readers. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy the combination of fantasy and fairytales. Series: Books of Arilland Genre: fantasy, fairytales, young adult Publisher: Alethea Kontis Publication date: July 15, 2015 Number of pages: 144 Category: Upper Middles School+ Content Rating: PG, some violence, but nothing graphic Book Rating: 4 stars  Other books in the series: 1-Enchanted 2-Hero 4-Dearest 5-Tales of Arilland 6-Trixter and the Faerie Queen A review copy of this bok was provided by Prism Book Tours.  
 Niahm (pronounced Neeve) Parker is thoroughly content with her life in the small town of Goshen. Her parents, who travel frequently for their work, have raised a headstrong, independent teen. While her peers can hardly wait for the opportunity to leave, Niahm plans to stay forever.When Shane Coleman and his nephew Sam move into town, it's the biggest event to happen in as long as anyone can remember. It’s quite remarkable for anyone to move into Goshen rather than out, but when it’s discovered that Sam is 17, it requires some serious burning of the phone lines. All the teen girls are thrilled to have a new hottie in town—all except Niahm. Sam Coleman represents a threat to her perfect way of life. Sam is drawn to Niahm against his will. He'd prefer to not be bound to this angry, stubborn, unlikeable girl. Unfortunately, he has no choice. However, Sam didn't plan on falling for Niahm. For Immortals, love is not only forbidden, but dangerous for her. He finds himself in a fight not only for Niahm's heart, but to protect her from being harmed by those who seek to destroy Sam and those like him. Niahm finds herself attracted to the tall, copper- headed boy, who becomes her friend and then her support when tragedy strikes. Soon, she begins to realize that there may be more to Sam than she ever suspected... much more. But what he truly is, she can't begin to imagine 
~ AMAZON ~ B&N ~ SMASHWORDS ~
 Bennett lives a most unglamorous life in the beautiful state of Utah. She is the author of several YA books in many subgenres. She's the mom of two daughters, two sons, two daughters-in-law, and a son-in-law not to mention her three adorable grandbabies. She loves gooey cookies, dark chocolate, and cheesy popcorn. She hates housework and cooking, and has no plans to become a domestic goddess. Her favorite pastime--other than writing--is riding her Harley.
Q & A with the Author:
1. When did you start writing, and was there a specific event or person who influenced you to become an author?
Absolutely. I’ve talked about him before. My 9th and 10th grade English teacher, Steven Bickmore, is one of the biggest influences on my love of writing. Each day we’d come into class and be assigned a topic to write on for 10 minutes before moving on to the day’s lesson. It was the thing I looked forward to more than anything, those 10 minutes of pure creative flow.
2. Are you currently working on a project, and if so, can you tell us anything about it?
I’m working on two, actually. One is the sequel to Immortal Mine, tentatively titled Immortal Yours. I’m also working on a new project that as yet is untitled. It’s about two best friends, one of whom is in love with the other, when tragedy strikes, completely changing their lives. It’s about them finding their way in their new reality, and how life can unexpectedly change in a blink, which isn’t always a bad thing.
Connect with the Author:
Snippet #2
“How tall are you?†I blurt out. He blinks in surprise, and it occurs to me that my tone sounds a little accusatory, as if he’s been keeping it secret. I drop my voice to a murmur, “Not that I, you know, wonder about it very much, or anything.â€
“I’m six-three,†he says. “How tall are you?†I glance up at him, and quickly away, but not before I see the grin and teasing glint in his eyes.
“About a foot shorter,†I say.
“About a foot?â€
“Fine, exactly a foot, okay?†I know I sound sullen, but I still haven’t decided whether I should be nice to him or not—especially when I’m this confused about him. I’ve never been confused about a boy before. It’s kind of embarrassing to admit, but I’ve never even kissed a boy before.
“Should I call you shorty, or shrimp?†he laughs.
I glare at his chest. “Should I call you lanky or Lurch?†I shoot back. Yeah, I know. Lame. But he only laughs more. Then he slips his hand from my shoulder and holds it toward me.
“You can call me anything you want if you’ll agree to a truce.â€
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