Seth Eisner, Author of Journey to Galumphagos: On Tour

This post was most recently updated on November 28th, 2013

Publisher: WindSide Alley Books (August 4, 2013)
Category/Genre: Middle Grade, Action/Adventure
ISBN: 978-1491082324
Tour Date: November, 2013
Available in: Print & ebook, 84 Pages

Life can be tough for a loner like Emily. She’s had enough of being the perfect target for bullies. She persuades her brother and sister to run away with her to Galumphagos Island, a paradise on earth. But they find out that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the street, or even the other side of the ocean. They need all their courage and cleverness — and a little luck, too — to get out of the mess they landed in. Seth Eisner blends fantastic creatures, exotic travel, non-stop action, and humor in his story about three young children who learn that real courage isn’t just about adventures. It’s usually about ordinary things, like asking that other lonely girl if you can share her lunch table.  Journey to Galumphagos is sure to entertain both adults and children.

Praise for Journey to Galumphagos:

“In this entertaining, fantastical adventure for middle-grade readers, three siblings discover that running away from problems might create more of them. A well-paced, delightful children’s book with a moral that’s clear without being heavy-handed.“-Kirkus Review

“This enchanting book tells the story of 3 siblings who escape their routine life of parental control and classmates bullying to an anticipated fun-filled, exciting life of play on an island inhabited by lovable, furry creatures. When they learn that “the grass is always greener…” is not true, the children demonstrate creativity, co-operation, and perseverance in order to return home, much wiser for their experience. With new confidence, they can successfully make good decisions in dealing with adults and intimidating classmates. The illustrations are clever and help further conversation with children. As an educator, I recommend this as a book for curious independent readers and for adults to share with children. I’d love to read of further journeys by this author!”Phyllis, Amazon Reviewer

“As I read Journey to Galumphagos, all I could think of was how great it would be as a Pixar movie, a-la “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”-style. The kids precociously abandon their parents for a better place, a wonderful land where kids can do whatever they want and spend their days with wonderful giant teddy-bear like creatures. Only when the kids arrive on Galumphagos, things are immediately a little kooky. Birds that bite, turtles that fight, and Galumphers who won’t leave you alone day or night (did I just make a rhyme?!) — this book made me happy and I look forward to sharing it with kids. Enjoy!“- Ellen C. Maze, Author

“Seth Eisner has created a paradise for kids who are picked on or bullied or just not accepted in the sometimes brutal world of school, and has also pointed out some of the confusion with the language that our common idioms (“pain in the neck”) present to elementary school-aged children. In this case, the expression is “pain in the neck” (as opposed to “pain on the neck”). I remember my own daughter, when that age, responding to my comment, “How do you like them apples?” with “What apples, Mom?” and smiled when I read Seth’s words.
Also smile-worthy are the excellent illustrations that Ellen C. Maze has provided for this fantastical journey of three children (Emily and her brother and sister) who learn firsthand that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. (Another expression that children might well take issue with: “What grass? What fence?”)
Elementary-school-aged children and their parents should enjoy reading about Emily’s journey to Galumphagos and back. And all of us should appreciate the underlying plea for acceptance of each school-aged child on his or her own merits, since it is common knowledge that bullying and ostracism of those who are “different” in the schools of today has become a real problem. (And, after 33 years in classrooms and 150 teacher years in the immediate family, it’s a problem I know well.)”Connie Corcoran Wilson, Author

“Awesome book.  The title is pretty funny.  I liked the twist of the book.  It is a really good book for any third grader and over.  I don’t just love it because my great uncle wrote it.  I really think it is a great book.  And I think you should really read this book!  And I hope there will be a sequel.”Ian, a Third-Grader 

About Seth Eisner:

Seth Eisner was an unemployed English professor who wrote a 400-page dissertation on Jane Austen before he gave up trying to be poor and went to law school.  He spent most of his career as inside counsel at Kraft Foods.  He retired as Vice President and Associate General Counsel.

Seth has been married to Rosalind for 44 years during which she has shown almost infinite patience.  They have three adult children, three children-in-law, and six grandchildren, none yet old enough to read Journey to Galumphagos, but they will be by the time the sequel comes out next year. 

Seth Eisner on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seth.eisner.98?fref=ts

Buy Journey to Galumphagos:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository

Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books Nov 11 Review & Giveaway
Reading for Sanity Nov 13 Review
Deal Sharing Aunt Nov 14 Review
Rose & Beps Blog Nov 15 Guest Post
Books, Books & More Books Nov 18 Review
The News in Books Nov 20 Review
The News in Books Nov 20 Interview and Giveaway
Saving for 6 Nov 21 Review
Joystory Nov 21 Review
Sweeps4Bloggers Nov 22 Review & Giveaway
Daddy Blogger Nov 24  Live Interview on Hangout
Daddy Blogger Nov 25 Review (postponed)
Paperback Writer Nov 25 Guest Post
Rhodes Reviews Nov 26 Review
Rhodes Reviews Nov 26 Giveaway
The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia Nov 27 Review(postponed)

L. Hunter Cassells, Author of With Friends Like These: On Tour

This post was most recently updated on November 27th, 2013

Publisher: Amazon (November 24, 2012)
Category: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Tour Date: November, 2013
Available in: ebook,  107 Pages

Callie Walking is a freelance mage who solves supernatural problems. When a troubled client hires her to protect him from a “vampire”, she casts the appropriate spells and positions the usual amulets. Now, something has gone terribly wrong. Her client has turned up dead and drained of all his blood. The cops say it’s suicide, but Callie knows better.

Now she is on a mission to find out what went wrong. In her search she uncovers an ancient, long-hidden power. It challenges Callie’s deepest beliefs about right and wrong, good and evil. She knows her life will be forever changed… if she survives.

Praise for With Friends Like These:

” I really enjoyed the characters, their histories and especially their interactions. There was nothing trite or old hat. It was surprisingly “new hat.”
I recommend it to anyone who loves vampires and even to those who don’t usual like vampires. It shows that there is always a refreshing new way to look at seemingly settled concepts. Now, I am just waiting to read the next book. These characters have not come even close to exhaust the possibilities inherent in their personalities.”Skeptic, Amazon Reviewer

“Best book I have read in years!  I am a avid reader, but never read vampire books of any kind. What a surprise was waiting for me. This book is wonderful, and a written with great wit. I laughed out loud. The suspense kept me turning pages until I had read the whole book in one day. Now I am yearning for another book about “Miss Callie”. I would enjoy reading more from a truly gifted author. This should be a national best seller.”Earle Drake, Amazon Reviewer

“Lots of fun! It’s great to see Cassells’ writing in a more modern setting, and her characters are as engaging as ever. One of my favorite things about her stories (past her artful descriptions) is the depth and accessibility of her characters. I was impressed that even in a short like this she was able to smoothly set up a world with lots of potential for back-story and new plots – I hope she uses it!
Would recommend to a friend (did already).”AJCB, Amazon Reviewer

About L. Hunter Cassells:

L. Hunter Cassells grew up near the Germantown of which she writes, and now lives not far away, in a curious household involving a happy man, two ambiguous cats, two loud grandsons, their studious moms, and what might be a dozen chickens (chickens come, chickens go; best not to ask too many questions).  She has seen more than twenty thousand days and nights, holds a degree in geology, occasionally goes contra dancing, has belonged to the Society for Creative Anachronism longer than most of its members have been alive, and herds nuclear physicists for a living (no, really, she does).

L. Hunter Cassells Website

Buy With Friends Like These:

Amazon

Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books Nov 6 Review & Giveaway
Serendipity Nov 6 Review
Immortality & Beyond Nov 7 Interview
Books, Books & More Books Nov 8 Review
I’m a Voracious Reader Nov 11 Review
Rose & Beps Blog  Nov 11 Guest Post
Ordinary Girlz Nov 12 Review
Saving for 6 Nov 13 Review
Moonlight Lace & Mayhem Nov 15 Spotlight
Giveaways & Glitter Nov 18 Review
Mom With a Kindle Nov 19 Interview
The News In Books Nov 21 Review
Joy Story Nov 25 Review
Paperback Writer Nov 26 Guest Post

R.K. Price, Author of The Thunderbird Conspiracy: On Tour

This post was most recently updated on December 6th, 2013

Publisher: Quiet Owl Books (June 29, 2012)
Category/Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-0615658353
Tour Date: October 21/November, 2013
Available in: Print & ebook, 338 Pages

Just in time for the 50th anniversary of JFK’s death!

The Thunderbird Conspiracy is the remarkable tale of Robert Kaye, a Hungarian freedom fighter who claimed he knew and collaborated with JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. R. K. Price’s second novel is also a tale of a Nebraska farm boy who was a great admirer of President Kennedy and a true patriot who desperately wanted to believe his government’s hurried conclusion that Oswald had no accomplice. Yet his own harrowing experience at the hands of his government created profound doubt in his mind, and it haunted him to his death.

These two men, one willfully acting, the other a true victim, became entangled in the most notorious crime of the 20th century. This saga of intrigue and murder was revealed to the author on a wintry Colorado day about three weeks before the farm boy’s ravaged heart gave out.

That man was R. K. Price’s uncle. His name was Bud Carlson. Price stashed away Bud’s account of Robert Kaye, letting it lay dormant for nearly forty years until he could corroborate his uncle’s story with the release of previously secret FBI files from the National Archives.

Now nearing the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination Price has brought Robert Kaye and Bud Carlson back to life. Their incredible story will leave you questioning just how and why JFK was taken from America far too early.

Praise for The Thunderbird Conspiracy:

“I have always been a JFK assassination conspiracy theorist and R.K. Price’s fictionalized account was a very believable account of what could have happened. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it. I was glad that the author provided such a thorough epilogue to explain what was actual and what was fictional. Great job!”Judy, Amazon Reviewer

“Price does a wonderful job unraveling the behind the scene plan to assassinate President Kennedy, while entertaining the reader with fictional characters that make the story intriguing. Robert Kaye has a dark upbringing that haunts him in his dreams and eventually takes hold of his personality. The kindness that he bestows upon his boss and the love for his girlfriend gets upended by a woman that he meets in the boardinghouse. His goodness quickly fades and an accomplice to the one of the most tragic events of the 20th century is revealed. This plausible account convinced this reader that Oswald did not act alone.”Trish, Amazon Reviewer

“This is a thought provoking novel that I just couldn’t put down. Historical fiction based on facts. How many other things in our past have been hidden from us? Cant wait for Volume 2 Mr. Price!! Bud would be proud of the excellent presentation…. job well done!”Deb, Amazon Reviewer

“If you like historical fiction, Price will knock you out. This clever mix of detailed factual elements mixed with a wildly creative fictional storyline will keep you reading – even if you’re really supposed to be cooking a holiday dinner. The Characters are real enough to draw you into their world and era – you will have stepped back into history in a way that is immediate and sensitive to modern sensibilities.”Luanne R. Haggerty: Theater Professional, Amazon Reviewer

“What a page turner! It was such an interesting story interspersed with so much real history and intimate details. I think the author really paid a fine tribute to his Uncle Bud and the story he carried to his grave. The characters were very real and so were the locations. It was a fast-paced read that I was disheartened to see finished. Can’t wait for the real history to reveal itself in documents released or uncovered in our lifetime. Thanks to the author for sharing family lore and crafting an engaging narrative.”Michael D. Bluestein, Amazon Reviewer

About R.K. Price:

R.K. Price is a Colorado native. He lived in Pueblo for a number of years, earning his way through college as a radio/television and newspaper reporter. He moved north to Denver in the mid 70s, joining a major advertising/public relations firm as a writer, producer and press agent. Later, he formed his own media relations and political consulting firm. He spent the early 1980s in Washington D.C. actively involved in national politics, and returned to Denver in the mid 80s to become an investment and mortgage banker — a profession he remains in today. He now lives in the Washington D.C. area with his wife Janet and daughter Sara in Alexandria, Va.

R.K. Price Website: http://rkprice.com/
R.K. Price Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rkpriceauthor
R.K. Price Twitter: https://twitter.com/RK_Price

Buy The Thunderbird Conspiracy:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository  

Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books Oct 18 Review & Giveaway
Dr. Bill’s Book Bazaar Oct 21 Review
Dr. Bill’s Book Bazaar Oct 22 Interview
Ordinary Girls Oct 24 Review
Rainy Days & Mondays Oct 25 Review
Fundimental Oct 28 Review
Fundimental Oct 29 Guest Post & Giveaway
Joystory Oct 30 Review
Rose & Beps Blog Nov 1 Excerpt
Library of Clean Reads Nov 5 Review
Romance & Inspiration Nov 7 Review & Interview
Kate Eileen Shannon Nov 8 Review
Kate Eileen Shannon Nov 12 Guest Post
Tales of a Book Addict Nov 13 Review
Deal Sharing Aunt Nov 22 Review
Indies Reviews Behind the Scenes Dec 7 Live Interview                      

Jonathan M. Cook, Author of SINNERMAN: On Tour

This post was most recently updated on November 20th, 2013

Publication Date: February 14, 2013
Category/Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Coming of Age
Tour Date: Mid-October/November, 2013
Available in: Print & ebook, 185 Pages

“Love makes sinners of us all.”

In the sleepy Midwestern town of Vespers…

In the sweltering summer heat…

Julian Sane, high school teacher and cad’s cad, is a man at war with himself. But a chance encounter with a former student will push him across professional boundaries and force him to confront his personal demons.

From the author of YOUTH AND OTHER FICTIONS comes a love story for those who live in the real world, where love does not conquer all and actions do have consequences.

Note: SINNERMAN has attracted some controversy in Jonathan M. Cook’s  hometown due to a number of similarities between events in the book and actual events in the community over the past several years. This book is a work of fiction!

Praise for Youth and Other Fictions:

“All I can say is WOW! This powerful book kept me turning the pages wondering what was going to happen next. It’s one of those stories that make you wonder who did it or who will do it. Though the book dealt with a sensitive subject that would usually make me uncomfortable it was written in a way that drew me in. 
It is so suspenseful my heart raced and my palms began to sweat. 
The characters are well written and the plot solid. The author writes in a powerful manner that is lacking in a lot of fiction today. He is able to bring the reader into the mind of a killer and also the heart of the survivors. He shows that the effects of a high school shooting never go away. They are always lingering in the minds of those who lived through it, no matter how hard they try to forget. 
I recommend this book to people who love a great drama or crave suspense. This book is truly worth reading.”Stephanie, Mother of Insanity

” I found myself totally engrossed in the book, almost against my will. I was drawn in by the inner dialog of the best friend, but also repulsed by some of his thoughts. The writing is clear, concise and effective and the tragic characters seem very real.”Theresa, Frugal Experiments

” Cook allows us to get into the mind of his characters, and it brings a vividness to this story that is startlingly easy to fall into. When everything heads south, you’ll know exactly why. The reader is given an up close and personal look at the daily life of these students, at the cruel way kids can act towards one another, and at the frustration and anxiety that comes with feeling utterly alone.
 I liked the way that Cook showed the stark contrast between the kids of Jack’s youth, and the kids of today.
Watching the events unfold really took my breath away, and I found myself reading at a manic pace to find out what ultimately happened. Cook definitely shows his prowess at writing characters that will pull you in and keep you there. Youth and Other Fictions definitely isn’t an easy read, but it’s one that I enjoyed. I highly recommend it.”Jessica, Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile

“The story completely absorbed me. I did not want to stop reading because I had to know what would happen. This book does a brilliant job of getting into the heads of Jack and Jason. It shows the horrors of having to deal with the tragedy of a school shooting. It goes places you never expect. I think it is a book that people will want to read.“- Lisa, A Casual Reader’s Blog

“Jonathan M. Cook’s work is fascinating. This a work of true goodness. He takes the unthinkable: teens committing horrific crimes, and turns it into a realistic fictional read for everyone.
In Youth and Other Fiction, Cook gives us a play for play breakdown of a student’s demise and what leads to the shooting. He gives us a look inside the teacher’s head. What the teacher was thinking, the reactions. The realistic feel that this book had was incredible. Cook put you in the middle of the story and kept you there until the last page. You were front and center for all the feelings, all the reactions, all the horrific details about the crime committed. I couldn’t have felt more emotion if I was in the center of a true school shooting, it was just THAT real.
If you are looking for an emotional, GRIPPING, and fantastically written novel for adults and teens alike, this is it. This is not for the faint of heart, of course. It’s REAL. These things happen every day, somewhere, in some part of the world. You’ll turn each page with a new look on life. With a knowledge that bullying and craziness can happen among our youths today. This book is a worthy debut and is a keeper and one that should be read by everyone for a very REAL look into today’s world. Well done, Mr. Cook!”Molly, Reviews by Molly

About Jonathan M. Cook:

Jonathan M. Cook was born in 1982.  He studied Literature, Composition, and Creative Writing at Eastern Illinois University before moving to Robinson, IL, to become a high school English teacher and faculty advisor for the student newspaper.  He is currently at work on his third novel.
Jonathan M. Cook’s Website:  http://www.jonathanmcook.net/

 

Jonathon M. Cook Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.cook.351104
Jonathan M. Cook Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonathanmcook

Buy SINNERMAN:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Lulu
Smashwords

Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Books Oct 15 Review & Giveaway
Rainy Days & Mondays Oct 16 Review
Rainy Days & Mondays Oct 17 Guest Post
From Isi Oct 18 Review
I Know That Book Oct 22 Interview
Sweeps for Bloggers Oct 25 Review & Giveaway
Giveaways & Glitter Oct 28 Review
Rose & Beps Blog Oct 29 Excerpt & Spotlight
M. Denise C. Oct30 Review
Indie Review Behind the Scenes Nov 2 Live/recorded Interview
Networking Witches Nov 5 Review & Giveaway
Harlie’s Book Blog Nov 6 Review
Joystory Nov 7 Review
GrownUp Fangirl  Nov 11 Review
GrownUp Fangirl  Nov 12 Interview & Giveaway
Let’s Talk About Books Nov 13 Review
Princess & the Gummy Bear Nov 13 Video Review
Paperback Writer Nov 14 Mini Interview
Deal Sharing Aunt Nov 20 Review