Tag Archives: Magic

Bobbie Pyron, Author of Lucky Strike: On Tour

Posted on by

This post was most recently updated on May 15th, 2015

https://www.virtualauthorbooktours.com/?p=4173Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (February 24, 2015)
ISBN: 978-0545592178
Category:  Children’s Fiction, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Magic, Friendship, Bullies
Tour Date: April 1-May29, 2015
Available in: Print & ebook, 272 Pages

By the award winning author of ‘The Dogs of Winter’, Bobbie Pyron.

A rich, southern voice tells the unforgettable story of two vulnerable outsiders, the lightning strike that turns their world upside down and the true meaning of lucky.

Nate Harlow has never had a lucky day in his life. He’s never won a prize, he’s never been picked first, he’s never even won a coin toss. His best friend, Genesis Beam (aka Gen), believes in science and logic, and she doesn’t think for one second that there’s such a thing as luck, good or bad. But only an extremely unlucky person could be struck by lightning on his birthday… and that person is Nate Harlow. By some miracle, though, Nate survives, and the strike seems to have changed his luck.

Suddenly, Nate’s grandpa is the busiest fisherman in their small, beachside town. And Nate finds himself the center of attention, the most popular kid at school, the one who hits a game-winning home run! This lucky streak can’t last forever, though, and as a hurricane draws close to the shores of Paradise Beach, Nate and Gen may need more than just good luck to save their friendship and their town: They need a miracle.

Praise for Lucky Strike by Bobbie Pyron:

“This well-told story of growth, friendship, and small-town life hits all the right notes. The quirkiness of the characters and the town never goes too far, and there is an overall cozy feeling to the book. Genesis’s dad is the preacher at The Church of the One True Redeemer and Everlasting Light, but she is a scientist through and through, which adds complexity to the text, including musings on destiny, fate, probability, and weather. Fans of Susan Patron’s Higher Power of Lucky (S. & S., 2006), Sheila Turnage’s Three Times Lucky (Dial, 2012), and Ingrid Law’s Savvy (2008; both, Dial) will find something new for their to-read shelves.”- School Library Journal starred review

“Even lightly sketched characters leap off the pages, adding rich depth to an already satisfying tale. In the slightly fantastical Gulf Coast world that Bobbie Pyron (The Dogs of Winter, 2012) has imagined, people can change in unexpected ways. With just a spark of magic, bullies can become true friends, those without humor can learn to giggle, and perennial victims can emerge victorious. Amusing, endearing and sometimes even electrifying.”- Kirkus starred review

“Bobbie Pyron offers a gentler take on survival and friendship than in her gritty novel The Dogs of Winter. A dramatic and sweetly poignant story, enlivened by a dash of magical realism.”- Publisher Weekly

Praise for The Dogs of Winter:

Junior Library Guild Selection

Kirkus Best Books of the Year!

“Packs plenty of punch.” The New York Times

“This story is amazing. I read it in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. The writing is captivating and the story is heartbreaking. The characters are wonderful, both the good and the bad. The writing is descriptive and filled with emotion. An absolute MUST read.”-Bev Sharp, The Wormhole

“An amazing story that was emotional and realistic? The book is written in first person, and I think this is a perfect story for young adults and older adults alike. The tenacity of the dogs and the boy will enthrall you.
There were no boring portions of the story, and I believe that the author captured the emotions of the characters perfectly. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.”-Ruth  A. Hill, My Devotional Thoughts

” I loved this book. I loved the writing. I loved the characters. The book is adventurous, engaging, happy, sad, and an overall emotional roller coaster all rolled into one.”-BookAngel, As I Turn the Pages

“Bobbie Pyron has a gift for creating characters that live in my heart.  She did it with A Dog’s Way Homeand she’s done it with this one, The Dogs of Winter.  I wanted to dive into the story, take Mishka in my arms and just love him.  Bobbie Pyron has created an emotionally powerful story about survival, love, and healing.  This is not a story I will ever forget.  It is a truly thought-provoking and unforgettable read.”-Heidi, GEO Librarian

About Bobbie Pyron:Bobbie Pyron Outside

Bobbie Pyron was born in Hollywood, Florida and spent her growing up years up in the panhandle, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and dreaming of being a mermaid.  She has degrees in Psychology and Anthropology, and a Masters degree in Library Science, and has worked as a librarian for over twenty-five years.

Her first book, a novel for teens titled The Ring (WestSide Books), was published in October of 2009. Her second book, A Dog’s Way Home (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books), was published to starred reviews in March of 2011. The Dog Writers Association of America recently awarded Bobbie the Maxwell Medal of Excellence and the Merial Human-Animal Bond Award.  It was also named a Banks Street Best Books of the Year.

Bobbie Pyron’s book, The Dogs of Winter (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic), came out October of 2012. The Dogs of Winter is a Junior Library Guild Selection and a Kirkus Best 100 Children’s Books of the Year. Bobbie lives in Park City, Utah with her husband, two dogs, and two cats.

Bobbie Pyron’s Website.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BobbiePyron
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bobbie.pyron?fref=ts

Buy ‘Lucky Strike’:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository
Indie Bound

Follow the Tour:

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Apr 2 Spotlight & Giveaway

Rockin’ Book Reviews Apr 7 Interview & Giveaway

Hott Books Apr 8 Review

Always Reiding Apr 9 Review & Excerpt

Geo Librarian Apr 10 Review

Curling Up With A Good Book Apr 13 Interview & Excerpt

fuonlyknew Apr 14 Review & Giveaway

Once Upon A Story Apr 15 Review & Excerpt

Beneath the Jacket Reviews Apr 16 Review

Indie Review Behind the Scenes Apr 17 Live I 6 pm cst

Cassandra M’s Place Apr 20 Review & Giveaway

In Bed With Books Apr 22 Review & Excerpt

In Bed With Books Apr 22 Interview

Allison’s Book Bag April 24 Interview

Allison’s Book Bag April 24 Review

Mary’s Cup of Tea Apr 27 Review & Giveaway

Deal Sharing Aunt Apr 28 Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Bound for Escape Apr 30 Review

What U Talking Bout Willis? May 1 Review

Lisa’s Writopia May 4 Review

Books, Books, and More Books May 5 Review & Excerpt

Beth’s Book-Nook Blog May 8 Review

Sweet Southern Home May 11 Review

The Crypto-Caper Review May 12 Review

One Frugal Girl May 15 Review

 

 

Craig Staufenberg, Author of ‘The Girl Who Came Back To Life’: On Tour

Posted on by

This post was most recently updated on January 7th, 2015

girlwhocamebacktolife_cover_highresPublisher: Create Space  (April 16, 2014)
ISBN: 978-1497532731
Category: Fantasy, Magic, Fairytale
Tour Date: October, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 180 Pages

“When you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead. There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds you, says “Goodbye,” and Sends you to the next world.

After her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits. Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her mother and father’s spirits back home with her.

Taking the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother—by train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and oceans—Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons—what to hold on to, when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.”

Praise for ‘The Girl Who Came Back To Life:

“Once I started it, I had to finish it in one sitting to see what happened to Sophie.”-Lisa R.

“I am an avid reader and an experienced editor, and I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The story is unique and interesting. I have not read one like this one before. It is appealing in a very human and also a very transcendent way – calling on our desires to have strength, to make amends, to feel, and to forget.”-Dara S.

“Sophie’s coming-of-age story is harrowing, but also incredibly unassuming and honest. There is a simplicity and a clarity to your writing that makes this epic journey seem relatable.”-Isaac S.

“A very good read!”-Frank B.

Praise for Craig Staufenberg’s ‘9/11 heartbreaker’:

“Author Craig Staufenberg has created an amazing little graphic novel that is touching and compelling and not at all what I expected.”-Nolan B. Canova, Crazed Fanboy 

“What could have been exploitative or overtly cheesy and sentimental instead comes off as personal. This are memories and views that aren’t forced upon the reader. The rough art ads to that personal touch. This really feels like an illustrated journal entry. The writer has something to say, and needed to get it off his chest.”Bret Schenker, Graphic Policy 

“Staufenberg, who began the book as a means of exploring our generation’s memories and feelings about September 11, has created one of the most poignant and thought-provoking reactions to the events of that day that I’ve had the pleasure of encountering in any form of media.”-Marc, With Great Power 

“By the end, the philosophical introspection and haunting feel of the 911 heartbreaker give this tale a very unique feel. I’m really glad I spent some time with this heartbreaker.”-Jason Sacks, Comics Bulletin

About Craig Staufenberg:CraigStaufenberg_AuthorImage

Craig Staufenberg is a writer and filmmaker living in NYC.

Website: http://craigstaufenberg.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouMakeArtDumb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
/YouMakeArtDumb
Google+: https://plus.google.com
/108490376831859338288/posts

Buy ‘The Girl Who Came Back To Life’:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository

Follow the Tour:

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Sept 30 Giveaway
The News in Books Oct. 1 Review
The News in Books Oct. 1 Guest Post
Pinky’s Favorite Reads Oct. 2 Excerpt
Cassandra M’s Place Oct. 3 Review & Giveaway
Mom With A Kindle Oct. 3 Interview & Excerpt
100 Pages A Day Oct  5 Review & Excerpt
Christy’s Cozy Corners Oct 6 Review & Giveaway
Wall-to-wall books Oct. 7 Review
I’m A Voracious Reader Oct. 8 Review
The Rest Is Still Unwritten Oct. 10 Guest Post & Excerpt
Sweet Southern Home Oct 14 Review
Becky’s Barmy Book Blog Oct 14 Guest Post & Excerpt
Geeks in High School Oct 15 Review
I Feel So Unnecessary Oct 16 Review
Rockin’ Book Reviews Oct. 17 Review, Interview, & Excerpt
The YA Lit Chick Oct. 20 Review
Lady in Read Oct. 21 Review
LetsTalkAboutBooks Oct. 22 Review
Falling Books Oct 24 Interview & Giveaway
Deal Sharing Aunt Oct. 27 Review, Interview, & Excerpt
What U Talking Bout Willis? Oct 29 Review
What U Talking Bout Willis? Oct 29 Excerpt
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers Nov 1 Review
The Librarian Fatale Nov. 3 Review
Mom Does It All Nov. 4 Review & Giveaway
A Dream Within A Dream Nov 5 Review & Giveaway
JBronder Book Reviews Nov 6 Review
Cici’s Theories Nov 10 Review, Guest Post, & Giveaway
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Nov 11 Review
Manic Mama of 3 Nov. 7 Review & Excerpt
I Can Has Books? Nov 12 Review
Two Children and a Migraine Nov 13 Review
Indie Re Behind the Scenes Nov 20 11 am CST Live Interview (Google+ Hangout)
The Book Lovers’ Lounge Nov 24 Review

Angela Shelton, Author of Tilda Pinkerton’s Magical Hats: On Tour

Posted on by

This post was most recently updated on August 14th, 2013

case6.140x9.210.inddPublisher: Quiet Owl Books  April 1, 2013)
Category: Children’s Literature/Fantasy/Magic
Tour Date: July- Early August, 2013
Available in: eBook and Print,  196  Pages, including a 344 Word Glossary
Illustrated by James Murry

Eleven-year-old Madison Mae and her younger brother, Albert, want to help save the family farm during troubled times. When a mysterious Magical Hat Shop appears by their grandpa’s red tractor mailbox, the children meet Tilda Pinkerton who presents them with one-of-a-kind hats, causing new ideas and talents to suddenly burst forth. As a flood of harm comes rushing towards the farm, Tilda Pinkerton teaches the children how they can accomplish much more than anyone ever imagined.

Increase your child’s vocabulary, self esteem and awareness of social issues, while they enjoy a great story!  Tilda Pinkeron’s Magical Hats does it all. Grades K1-4.

Praise For The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton:

“INCREDIBLE! WOW! AMAZING! I’d go on but I think you’d get tired of it but I also don’t want you to think that I’m being overly promotional or something. I truly fell in love with The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton. 
This book had me smiling and laughing. What makes it so unique? Well, there are great characters and such, but it all comes down to the words. Yes, words! The names of the characters are based on what they do and their personalities.  My mind was flying off in ways it could help kids learn new words and enjoy doing so.”-Rebecca Graf, A Book Lover’s Library

“Once I dived into the book  I have to say it did not disappoint! The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton is so well written and entertaining from start to finish.  It was one of those books that I hated to put down and definitely want to share. The story line is so well thought out and put together that I was pleased  see that this book is just one of many that will come from Tilda Pinkerton.  I love the fact that Angela Shelton wrote a book that is a suitable for both children and adults.  Young and old will both love this book and rest assured if you are looking for a gift for a birthday or for Christmas coming up this book would be perfect!!”– Jayda, Two Children and a Migraine

“This is a truly lovely story.  If Dr. Seuss had written a novel it would be just like this–whimsical, charming, colorful as an artist’s palette, with moral values wrapped in parables like peaches in whipped cream, with epic struggles of good against evil and full of the wonder and wisdom only ever comprehended by the heart of a child.  This story will speak to every child heart aged 8 to 88.”–Joy Renee Davis, Joy Story

“The characters are colorful and quirky, the writing style easy and fun. And, word geek that I am, I absolutely loved that the story is also a bit of a dictionary: for “big” or “new” words, there are footnoted definitions.  Also, most characters have surnames that reflect their personalities. The vocabulary is amazing, and you learn without consciously learning (the best kind). I was sucked into the story, trying to work out the tangles on my own — piecing together clues, and trying to figure out the bad guys versus the good guys before all was revealed. There’s adventure, suspense, a little romance, and a dash of space-y goodness; I look forward to future adventures of Tilda.”– Rebecca, A Word’s Worth

“Finally a character in a book that loves words as much as me.  I love Tilda and her zany way of talking. So exciting to have a book so entertaining and enlightening.
I highly recommend this book.  Read it to yourself, read it out loud, read it to your kids, watch your vocabularity grow.  And the best part is no one will know you had so much fun with words.”–Mindy, Boks, Books & More Books

About Angela Shelton:Angela Shelton

Angela Shelton is an author, actor, blogger and public speaker. She has been writing since she was eight years old. Her first novel was adapted into the movie Tumbleweeds. Angela won a regional Emmy award for her portrayal of Safe Side Superchick in The Safe Side video series created by Baby Einstein’s Julie Clark and America’s Most Wanted’s John Walsh. After living in Los Angeles for over a decade, Angela left the big city for a one-light country town to marry her first love and fulfill her dream of writing books in a barn house.

Find out how Angela has incorporated the character of Tilda Pinkerton into an entire line of book projects, each geared towards a different age group at  www.MagicHatShop.com

Angela Shelton’s Website: http://angelashelton.com/
Angela Shelton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelashelton
Angela Shelton on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngelaSheltonFanPage
Tilda Pinkerton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tildapinkerton

Buy Tilda Pinkerton’s Magical Hats at:

Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble

Follow the Tour:

So Many Precious Book July 2 Review & Giveaway
Books, Books & More Books  July 3 Review
Books, Books & More Books  July 5 Guest Post
Haunting of Orchid Forsythia July 8 Review
Sweeps4Bloggers July 9 Review & Giveaway
Sincerely Stacie July 10 Review
Library of Clean Reads July 11 Review
Cozy Little Book Journal & The Bookish Elf July 15 Review
Cozy Little Book Journal & The Bookish Elf July 16 G & Guest Post
Carole Rae’s Ramblings July 17 Review
Reading Novels Online  July 19 Review
Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell July 19 Review
Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms July 19 Review
Saving for 6 July 22 Review
Saving for 6 July 23 Guest Post
Thoughts in Progress July 23 Review & Giveaway
Joy Story July 25 Review
Haunting of Orchid Forsythia July 26 Interview
From L.A. to LA July 29 Review
Heck of a Bunch July 30 Review & Giveaway
Second Bookshelf July 31 Interview
Pragmatic Mom Aug 5 Review
Sweet Southern Home Aug 6 Review
VW Stitcher Aug 7 Review
Musing with Crayolakym Aug 8 Review   
DWED Blog Aug 9 Review & Interview
Giveaways & Glitter Aug 13 Review