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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The DREAMSTONE by Mikey Brooks

 Today I am pleased to announce the release of my good friend's, Mikey Brooks, second full length novel: The Dreamstone. It is the second book in the Dream Keeper Chronicles. I have't read it yet, but the first one was full of fun, thrills, and action-packed adventure in the lands of Dreams and (night) Mares. 

Mikey Brooks is a multi-talented person. He is an author, artist, baker, and can literally create art out of most anything: words, computer images, food. :) He's also a darn nice guy who willingly shares his knowledge of all of the above and more.

Please check out his newest release below his excerpt. 

For the next two weeks, both novels are just .99. NOW is the time to try him out. :) 

Mikey is the author to a few picture books as well as the illustrator to several others. He is also the illustrator for my Ginnie West series. You can check out those covers if you scroll down the right side of my blog. Several of his picture books are also on sale during this launch. Those can also be found on the right side of my blog. 

Keep reading--there is a chance to win MANY great prizes. Mikey's series is great for boys and girls and would be a good one to check out for reluctant readers as well. 


Welcome to the Official Blog Tour of:
THE DREAMSTONE,
Book Two in The Dream Keeper Chronicles
A thrilling fantasy-adventure series for middle-grade readers!
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Don't forget to check out the GIVEAWAY
at the bottom of this page for a chance
to win one of over 30 prizes! 

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DREAMS: 

Dorothy called it Oz, 
Alice called it Wonderland, 
but Nightmares call it HOME. 

When Parker’s mom is dreamnapped by the wicked Mab, it is up to him and Kaelyn to save her. When they return to Dreams, they discover Mab isn’t their only problem. Gladamyr has lost his powers and the only way to get them back is to become what he fears the most—a nightmare.

SYNOPSIS:
In Book 1, The Dream Keeper, Parker and Kaelyn discovered that Dreams was a real place that everyone visits while they sleep. An evil nightmare named Fyren took control of the gateway to that world. Parker and Kaelyn teamed up with Gladamyr, the only dream keeper to escape capture by Fyren, and together they save Dreams from Fyren’s rule. After the defeat of Fyren the children return to Awake to find Mab, Fyren’s next in command, has dreamnapped Parker’s mom. 

The story continues in Book 2, The Dreamstone, as the children return to Dreams to save Parker’s mom. Finding her, however, is not their only problem. Mab has waged a war on the Crossing and has sent an army of dragons to bring it down, nightmares have been released from prison, and Gladamyr has lost his powers to shape-shift. Parker, Kaelyn, and Gladamyr must once again defy all odds to set things right and save Parker’s mom before it’s too late.    

In Praise of THE DREAMSTONE:
“The Dreamstone, by Mikey Brooks, is a wild stallion of a story: fast, thrilling, and unpredictable. I was hooked in chapter one. If he can snare the attention of an old reader like me, he’ll have kids sneaking this one into class underneath their text books…If this one isn’t a kid-pleaser, I don’t know what is.” –Michelle Isenhoff, author of the Divided Decade Trilogy and the Taylor Davis Series.

“This really is a cracking novel. Action-packed and spellbinding!”—Cas Peace, author of The Artisans of Albia series.

"If you like the Percy Jackson, Fablehaven, or the Harry Potter series, you'll love this!" –An Amazon Reviewer.

AUTHOR BIO:
Mikey Brooks is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll catch him dancing the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is the author/illustrator of several books including the best-selling ABC ADVENTURES: MAGICAL CREATURES and BEAN’S DRAGONS as well as the middle-grade fantasy-adventure series THE DREAM KEEPER CHRONICLES. His art can be seen in many forms from picture books to full room murals. He loves to daydream with his three daughters and explore the worlds that only the imagination of children can create. Mikey has a BS degree in English from Utah State University and works full-time as a freelance illustrator and cover designer. As a member of the Emblazoners, he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the hearts of children’. He is also one of the hosts of the Authors’ Think Tank Podcast. You can find more about him and his books at: www.insidemikeysworld.com
Now Available in Audiobook!

BOOK LINKS:
eBook: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP33YZO

ISBN:
Hardback: 978-1-939993-22-9, Paperback: 978-1-939993-23-6, eBook: 978-1-939993-24-3

PRICE:
Hardback: $19.95, Paperback: $12.99, EBook: $2.99.
 
Excerpt from: THE DREAMSTONE:
Parker watched as the ambulance with his mother inside drove away. He had expected the medics to barrel down the street with sirens blaring and lights flashing, but instead they drove calmly. The cold night air hurt his throat, at least, he told himself it was the air. Whenever Parker tried to hold back his emotions he got a pain way back in his throat. Kaelyn held his hand, but it didn’t really help. All he could think about was Mab and how she’d taken his mom.
The former ruler of Dreams was vicious and cruel. He had seen what she was capable of when she cut the arm off Mentia, the psychotic clown that chased him and Kaelyn through the vaults. The only thing that guy did was laugh at her. Parker could only imagine the things Mab could do to his mom. Now that Fyren was gone, Mab had a host of nightmares at her command. He shuddered, thinking about the creatures he had seen during the battle in Éadrom.
“Parker, we’ll find her,” Kaelyn said, trying to comfort him.
“How are we supposed to do that?” he snapped. Kaelyn pulled back, and immediately he felt bad. Heck, she had just lost everything she had ever owned—another gift from the nightmares of Dreams. They had burnt down her house and almost burnt the two of them in the process. Kaelyn had nothing. Not even a picture to remind herself of her dead parents. Yet here she was, the one comforting him. It wasn’t as if his mom was dead, she was just kidnapped, or dreamnapped. “Look, I’m sorry.”
She gave a smile. “It’s okay. Really. I understand.”
“Parker,” his dad called from the car. Parker turned to see his dad was ready to leave. What a jerk! Parker glared at him.
His dad lowered his cell phone for a second. “Look, I’ve talked it over with Zelda and I want you to come and stay with me for a while—at least until your mom is better.”
“No thanks.” Parker turned his back.
“Parker, I don’t have time to argue. Remember—I’m still your father.”
“You sure act like it.”
“I’m acting like it now.”
“You can’t even get out of your car!” Parker shouted. “You can’t even put down your freaking phone. Mom just went off in an ambulance, and you’re more concerned with your stupid work. I’m staying here! I’m not going with you!”
“You’ve got ten minutes to get a bag.” His dad went back to his phone, not giving a sign he had heard a word Parker said.
Parker turned on Zelda. “Did you say I would go with him?”
Kaelyn’s aunt stepped back, worry crossing her face. “Parker, he’s your dad, and who else is there?”
“You can stay with me. Where else are you going to go?” The second he said it Parker wished he hadn’t; or at least tried to sound more tactful. He knew that Kaelyn was handling the fire okay, but Zelda was on the brink of tears anytime someone mentioned the fire or what she lost in it. “I’m sorry . . . really . . . .”
“Parker, I understand, so please, don’t apologize.” Zelda tried to reassure him with a smile. It didn’t really work. Her face was still smudged with black soot, and there were visible tear lines down her cheeks. He at least had a place to go, but Kaelyn and Zelda were homeless. “Your place is with your dad, our place is . . . .”
“Where are we going, Zelly?” Kaelyn asked. They waited for an answer but Zelda only shrugged.
“Look, if I have to go to my dad’s there’s no reason you can’t stay here. Really, my mom wouldn’t mind. Anyway, it doesn’t matter where I sleep. I have to get back to Dreams.”
Zelda looked concerned. “Are you sure, Parker?”
“Dead sure! My mom may be a cold hearted person in the courtroom, but she’s at least human at home—well, when she’s not turning off my video games.”
“Can you call your house when you’re ready to go back?” Kaelyn asked.
“You can count on it, Kae. We’ve got to talk to Gladamyr—I need to find my mom.”
“I know.” Kaelyn gave him a hug.
Parker looked at both Kaelyn and Zelda. He could tell having a place to stay tonight brought them a little comfort, but he still wished he could stay. He thought of his friend and physiatrist, Dr. Gates. He was like the father his own would never be. He wished right now Dr. Gates were here. “Can you explain to Gates what’s going on when he decides to get his butt over here?”
Kaelyn smiled. “You can count on it.”
“Come inside and I’ll show you around. Apparently I’ve got ten minutes.”




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10 winners will receive a gift bag with numerous signed books marks, 
collector cards, wrists bands, and a handmade dream key necklace.


Paperback Books:

Can You Survive? Treasure Island, by Blake Hoena

The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer, by Lisa Cole Orchard

Color of Freedom, by Michelle Athearn Isenhoff

Explorer X-Alpha, by Lm Preston

Gangsterland, by Ansha Kotyk

Cycles, by Lois Brown

Andy Smithson: Blast of the Dragon’s Fury, by L.R.W Lee

Princess Kandake, by Stephanie Jefferson

Weight of the Crown, by Stephanie Jefferson

Arrow of the Mist, by Christina Mercer

Cassidy Jones, by Elise Stokes

The Seventh Attendant, by Elise Stokes

Curse at Zala Manor, by BBH McChiller
The Curse of the Double Digits, by Lynn Kelley
Into the Forest and Down the Tower, by Ann T. Bugg
Off to Camp and Discovering Art, by Ann T. Bugg
Agency, by Shantal Hiatt
Psyched, by Juli Caldwell
Ragesong, by J.R. Simmons

EBooks:
Secret Sisters Club, by Monique Bucheger
Trouble Blows West, by Monique Bucheger
The Alien Mind, by Virginia Jennings
The Last Time Keepers, by Sharon Ledwith
Frogs & Toads, by Stacy Lynn Carroll
Nexus Point, by Jaleta Clegg
Warrior Beautiful, by Wendy Knight
Shahira and the Flying Elfs, by Anna del C Dye (PDF)
 



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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Fury of the Storm Wizard by Shauna Black

I am SOOOOOO happy to announce the release of my very good friend's book: Fury of the Storm Wizard.

I fell in love with this story several years and several versions ago. I love the concept-- magic in the Old West. A shape-shifting dragon (Boone) masquerades as a human when he has to, but loves to be able to fly freely whenever he can. Boone is a character you can't help but love. He's fun, kind-hearted, mischievious, and is hopelessly addicted to ice cream.

Jesse, a human boy about to be a thunder mage is also endearing. He is a half-orphaned boy who is trying to make sense of way too many changes in too little time. His mom dies and he is struck by lightning all in the same day. The lightning brings to life magical powers that had lain dormant his whole life and causes him no end of trouble.

Add in a whole cast of colorful characters and you have one entertaining middle school read. This book is perfect for reluctant boy readers--full of fun and magic and a glimpse into what the world was really like 150 years ago. (minus the magical dragons and mages, of course--but then again, people say there is magic all around us, so who knows?)




SYNOPSIS
A storm is brewing in Silver Valley, where an unusual string of mining accidents has locals whispering of dark magic. When the marshal sent to investigate goes missing, his young assistant Boone turns to Jesse and Eliza for help. But Jesse is a new mage with raw magic, and Eliza is hiding a secret. The three must learn to trust each other before the valley is destroyed and they are ripped away from everything they hold dear.

EXCERPT
Jesse skidded to a stop, pulling away from Eliza. Squeezing his eyes shut, he spun around in one smooth motion, pulling the gun up to his shoulder and squeezing the trigger. He thought he heard a high-pitched squeal just before the gun’s report set his ears ringing.
Jesse risked cracking his eyes open to see if he’d hit anything. The basilisk wasn’t far away, rearing back with a bloody scratch along the side of its face. Jesse felt a crushing disappointment. He’d only grazed it. But then a rumbling began under his feet. There was a whoosh of air from the stope opening, and a wave of heat following it.
“Oh, no.”
A huge ball of crackling lightning formed and raced toward them.
“Run!” he screamed at his friends. “Run!”


For more fun, check out these delicious recipes for Boone's favorite treat: ICE CREAM!

LEMON CUSTARD ICE CREAM
CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
APPLE STREUSEL ICE CREAM
“FRIED” ICE CREAM
VANILLA ICE CREAM
3 cups milk
1 ¾ cups sugar
½ tsp salt
1 can evaporated milk
1 Tbsp vanilla
3 cups cream
Dissolve sugar in the milk. Add remaining ingredients. Place in ice cream maker and churn until frozen. Makes 4 quarts.
BLACK FAMILY ICE CREAM BASE
1 large package gelatin, any flavor
1 cup boiling water
1 ½ cups sugar
1 large package instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups heavy cream
6 cups milk
1 cup fruit, chopped
Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, stir together sugar and pudding mix. Beat in eggs. Add vanilla, cream, milk, and dissolved gelatin. Stir in fruit. Place in ice cream maker and churn until frozen.

Not only is Shauna my friend, she is one of my heroes. I saw her a couple times while she was battling cancer (we live in different states) and she always had a smile on her face and a positive faith-affirming outlook on life.  

Please check out her book at. Read the free sample then purchase it. You'll be glad you did. :)



When Shauna E. Black was diagnosed with cancer in early 2012, her author aspirations were put on hold. Now, almost two years later, she will realize her dream as she publishes her first novel, Fury of the Storm Wizard.

Jesse, the main character of Fury of the Storm Wizard, must find courage as he grapples with the death of his mother and a move from the Kansas prairie to a Colorado mining town, where Jesse discovers he has astonishing magical power.

When he befriends a girl scarred by fire and a young dragon disguised as a human, Jesse finds strength to overcome his challenges. Together, the teens must uncover the truth behind a string of deadly mining accidents and foil the plot of an evil mage before Jesse can learn to control his magic and use it to save his friends and family.

Like Jesse, Shauna found strength to defeat cancer in the support of her loved ones. They gave her the courage to make her dreams into reality. Fury of the Storm Wizard will be available the first week of December 2013 in paperback and ebook formats at online booksellers. Please visit http://www.thunderstrucknovel.com or http://www.shaunablack.com for more details.