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Colorado Mandala Book Review

7/30/2013

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Colorado Mandala
~Written by Brian Heffron
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Book Synopsis

With refreshing depth, distinct literary merit, and highly original poetic phrasings that spill from the pages like paint, Colorado Mandala is poet Brian Heffron's debut work of literary fiction. It mines the complex landscape of post-Vietnam America to unearth the deep connections that bind individuals together, and also ferociously rip them asunder. Illustrative, luscious, seductive, and engaging, this rare piece of craftsmanship will stir the senses of any one who thirsts for artistic expression, or who longs for an era in our country now utterly, irretrievably gone. 

In the heady, hippie backdrop of Pike's Peak, Colorado, in the tumultuous 1970s, three souls swirl together in an explosive supernova. Michael is the flinty-eyed, volatile former Green Beret, whose tour in Vietnam has left unbridgeable chasms in his psyche and secrets that can never find light. Sarah is his fair-haired paramour, the ethereal Earth Mother widow of a fallen soldier and single mother to a ten-year-old son Stuart. Paul is a young wanderer, who is drawn in by Michael and soon bears the mantle of both minister and scourge. As they are drawn together, and torn apart, each is changed forever. And our hearts race along with them, through the rocky, raw Colorado terrain amidst the blood sport of man and beast. 

Laying bare the loss and acceptance of a pioneering age, Colorado Mandala shines revelatory light on the crazy, glorious, and romantic notion that each generation conceives anew: that love can be a spiritual gift shared openly rather than coveted, or hidden, or hoarded. If you wish to go barefoot again and climb an unspoiled Colorado trail, look no further. If you long for something to wake you up in simple, clean language, a shimmering story awaits. Awaken to what you have always known: simple truths show you the way home. With his gripping and unforgettable Colorado Mandala, it is clear that Brian Heffron knows the way.



Book Review

Colorado Mandala is a passionate novel about life, love, and healing. Eloquently written, the story explores the life of a Green Beret Vietnam Veteran, as seen through the eyes of his close friend, and the lives' of those effected by his downward spiral. Shocking secrets are revealed and only by accepting the truth can healing begin.

I found Colorado Mandala to be a compelling story. The author's ample attention to every detail breathes life into the story.  He vividly describes Pike's Peak in all its splendor and his vast knowledge of the area is evident. Each character is carefully created in the same manner giving readers a well written and fully developed novel that is captivating from beginning to end.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Colorado Mandala. Available at Amazon.com.

Watch the Book Trailer

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About the Author

Poet and novelist Brian Francis Heffron is a staff writer/director/producer at Public Television where he creates educational programming to assist students and teachers.

After getting a BFA in Writing from Emerson college, Heffron became a professional sailor, working up from deck hand to celestial navigator to delivery skipper, eventually circumnavigating the north Atlantic including a passage from St. Thomas to Gibraltar in a 37 foot sailboat.

He got his first television set experience in the world of Advertising working for WRK, a subsidiary of Young & Rubicam. There he learned the ropes of production and produced his first commercials. Since then has worked at almost every position on a set from grip to props to production design and was eventually the director of photography on the award winning independent feature film, "The Imported Bridegroom".


Heffron has worked in Los Angles since the early nineties as a screenwriter and TV producer/director. Since joining PBS he has won Telly Awards, Aurora Awards, Videographer Awards, Emmys, and the Davis Award. He is credited with creating the first animated web series on AOL entitled "Hollywood Nights", and he was the creative director of a software and art company that created the fifty thousand clip-art images contained within MSWord.

Along the way he created a poetry life-blog in his Facebook Notes section that attraced an international audience. On Valentine's Day he published a handmade poetry chapbook, Sustain Me with Your Breath, that sold out in three weeks. It then became an e-book sensation. Heffron followed up with a one hour spoken word poetry CD entitled, "Something You Could Touch". This broke sales records in its category.

He has been writing since he first met Christopher Robin and Winnie the Poo. "Go, Dog, Go!" was a strong early influence and remains so. His poetry and prose is deeply infused with images of nature, and hopefully, snatches of humor.


You can find out more about Brian Heffron by visiting  www.brianheffron.net.

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The Jared Effect Book Review

7/27/2013

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The Jared Effect
~Written by Jake Malden
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Book Synopsis


Vanessa picks up a hitcher on the Interstate and enlists him to rescue her friend from a doomed romance, with no idea how far he'll go to help. 

Sasha steals a carnie from her shy friend Libby at a funfair, setting the girls on course for a surprise that will rock them both. 

Hot teacher Sylvia re-acquaints herself with an ex-student at a music gig, and finds their one-time classroom roles shockingly reversed. 

It's all one man - Jared Morgan, who dropped out of college and hit the road with a Fender acoustic and a change of clothes. He's been blowing in the wind ever since, getting by on short-term gigs and shorter-term loving. 

'The Jared Effect' tells three stories of this charming long-haired rogue and the women whose lives he changes. And maybe of the woman who can change him in return. 


Book Review

The Jared Effect
  is a wild and steamy story about the life of a travelling playboy named Jared Morgan and the "effect" he has on the females he encounters.


I found Jared's ability to clearly read between the lines and understand the needs of the people he meets to be intriguing. He seems to perceive their desires even before they fully realize them and he wastes no time in fulfilling their cravings. Jared even learns a thing or two about himself along the way.

The story flows at a fairly rapid pass, but no detail is overlooked. The characters are revealed through the type of relationship Jared builds with them individually and much is learned about Jared this way as well. 

The Jared Effect is a stimulating short story that is graphically detailed and recommended for those who enjoy reading erotica. Available at Amazon.com.
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Robby's Quest: Ocean Bound Book Review

7/26/2013

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Robby's Quest: Ocean Bound
~Written by D.C. Rush
~Illustrated by Daniela Frongia
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Book Synopsis

To escape the hot Arizona summer, Robby the Robin and his band of friends - his brother Ricky, the Sparrow family, a trio of Mourning Doves and Benny the ever dependable Blackbird - fly west to San Diego in search of a cool summer breeze and some seaside fun. Upon arriving in San Diego, Joy and her new friend Josie wander off to investigate a cruise ship and end up on a voyage they will never forget. 

Will Joy and Josie get back to San Diego and their loved ones? Will an encounter with a killer whale be one adventure too many for these lovely little Sparrows? Are their friends and family brave enough to attempt a daring rescue mission? 

These plucky birds once again demonstrate the strength of their love and loyalty to each other in this tale about teamwork and trust.
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Book Review

The lively adventure continues for the flock in Robby's Quest: Ocean Bound, the second book in the series, as the birds decide to head to the cooler temperatures of San Diego. 

Young readers will get a bit of a geography lesson about various popular locations in and around Phoenix and San Diego as the birds travel from one locale to the other. Friendship and teamwork are key to the success of the group and are important traits for young readers to learn and apply in their own lives.

Robby's Quest: Ocean Bound is beautifully illustrated with vibrant colors and great attention to detail visually enhancing the birds' adventures.

I recommend picking up a copy of Robby's Quest: Ocean Bound. Available at Amazon.com.

View the book trailer for Robby's Quest: Ocean Bound
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Return to Cardamom Book Review & Kid Lit Blog Hop

7/25/2013

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Return to Cardamom
~Written by Julie Anne Grasso
~Illustrated by David Blackwell
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Book Synopsis

Life is sweet for Caramel and things are finally getting back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be for a telepathic elf who can train trees and control computers, but she soon finds life on Cardamom is not all cupcakes and apple cider. 

A saboteur is hiding in the rainforest canopy, and the elves’ precious cardamom export has been wiped out. Caramel is certain it’s another trick of Alexander222 and her Aunt Isabel, but no one will believe her, and the clock is ticking. She must expose the saboteur in time to save the crop or the Elves of Cardamom will lose their livelihood. 

Caramel won’t rest until her theory is proven. While she is on the hunt, she makes a shocking discovery, one that will change everything. 

Follow Caramel’s gripping adventures in the exciting sequel to “Escape From The Forbidden Planet.” Suitable for children ages 9-12


My Review

Return to Cardamom is an exciting story that takes readers on an intergalactic quest to find the evildoers behind the destruction of the precious cardamom crop. The story is fast-paced and action packed right from the start. I found it difficult to put the book down and was eager to find out what would happen next.

The story is brilliantly written and teaches children to be courageous in difficult situations. Readers also learn that being kind and caring towards nature's gifts benefits us all. 

The main character, Caramel is an energetic and inquisitive young elf and the author takes great care in developing her. I found myself rooting for Caramel's success throughout the story.

I did not read the first book in the series, Escape From The Forbidden Planet, prior to reading Return to Cardamom, but the story's easy flow and character detail made it easy to follow and I was able to grasp the necessary background information to make it an enjoyable read.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Return to Cardamom. Available at Amazon.com.

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About the Author

Julie Anne Grasso is an Australian author with a background in paediatric nursing. She spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories about a little girl elf just like them. Add in some very funky technology, her love of science fiction and desire to impart great values through her little girl elf named Caramel and there you have it, the Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy was the result.

Julie lives in Melbourne with her husband Danny and their little elf Giselle. Most days she can be found sipping chai lattes, chasing a toddler, and dreaming up wonderful worlds that often involve consumption of cupcakes.

For more information about Julie Anne Grasso and the Caramel Cardamom Trilogy, visit Julie’s Author Blog and Book Website.



Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Schedule (2013)

July 17 
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)
The Wise Owl Factory Book a Day (Review)
Jemima Pett (Review)

July 18
Amanda’s Books and More (Review)
Tales of a Bookworm (Review)
InkSpired: A Blog (Review)

July 19
Sher-A-Hart (Review)
This Kid Reviews Books (Review)

July 20
Fiona Ingram (Review)
swlothian | author (Review)
A Library Mama (Review)

July 21
Imagineer – ing (Book Spotlight)
Stanley and Katrina (Review)

July 22
Published Bestsellers (Author Interview)
The Jenny Evolution (Review)

July 23
Word Spelunking (Guest Post)
Stitch Says (Author Interview)

July 24
Nik’s Picks Book Reviews (Review)
R.K. Grow- reading.writing.blogging. (Author Interview)
Diane Estrella @That’s What I’m Here For… (Review)

July 25
Guiltless Reading (Review)


July 26
Kid Lit Reviews (Review)
BeachBoundBooks (Review)

July 27
Mel’s Shelves (Review)
Learning and Growing the Piwi Way (Review)

July 28
My Devotional Thoughts (Author Interview)
Daisha Korth Books (Review)

July 29
Fiona Ingram (Author Interview)
Published Bestsellers (Review)
Bookworm for Kids (Review)

July 30
Nayu’s Reading Corner (Guest Post)
Stitch Says (Review)

July 31
Cheryl Carpinello’s Writing Pages (Guest Post)
Nayu’s Reading Corner (Review)
Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog (Review)


Return to Cardmom Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a copy (print in U.S./Canada & e-copy internationally) + a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash Contest runs: July 17th to August 7th, 11:59 pm, 2013 Open: WW How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Geography Club Book Review

7/25/2013

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Geography Club
~Written by Brent Haringer
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Book Synopsis

Russel Middlebrook is convinced he's the only gay kid at Robert L. Goodkind High School. Then his online gay-chat buddy turns out to be none other than Kevin, the popular but closeted star of the school's baseball team. Soon Russel meets other gay students too. There's his best friend, Min, who reveals she's bisexual; Min's soccer-playing girlfriend, Terese; and Terese's politically active friend, Ike.

But how can kids this diverse get together without drawing attention to themselves?

"We just choose a club that's so boring nobody in their right mind would ever in a million years join it. We could call in the Geography Club!"

Geography Club for anyone, gay or straight, who's ever felt like an outsider -- a fast-paced and funny tale of teenagers who may not learn any actual geography in their latest club, but who discover plenty about the treacherous social terrain of high school, and the even more dangerous landscape of the human heart.



Book Review

The Geography Club is the first book in the Russel Middlebrook Series by Brent Hartinger and sets the stage for what's to come. The story is engaging and well written making it a highly enjoyable read.

The author does an incredible job of capturing the timeless high school experience faced by teens of past and present making it simple to identify with the situations the story's characters encounter. Geography Club is a heartfelt reminder of just how tough life is for teens and even though they differ as individuals they are all simply seeking to fit in and be accepted for who they are.

I found Geography Club to be an encourage story of teens stepping outside their social boundaries and cleverly finding a way to be themselves. I highly recommend picking up a copy of Geography Club which is available at Amazon.com.
View the Geography Club movie trailer (Coming to theaters in 2013)
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Blucy: The Blue Cat Review

7/21/2013

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Blucy: The Blue Cat
~Written by Julia Dweck
~Illustrated by Erika LeBarre
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Blucy : The Blue Cat by Julia Dweck is the story of a bluetastic cat named Blucy and how her loving owner finally finds a way to connect with this very rare kitty.
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Mandy got to choose her very own kitten from the pound. She didn't know how she was going to choose, but finally decided on an unusual kitten whose fur changed to blue. She named this special kitty Blucy. 

Mandy tries hard to train Blucy, but Blucy has a mind of her own. She likes getting into mischief and hiding among anything blue. However, Mandy remains patient and loving with her fury friend and soon Blucy loves her back.

Blucy's silly antics will amuse young readers and leave them yearning for a Blucy of their very own. Mandy's calm and loving nature teaches children how to care for animals and be good pet owner's themselves.

The illustrations by Erika LeBarre are charming and capture Blucy's coy attitude as she frolics in a sea of anything blue.


I recommend picking up a copy of Blucy: The Blue Cat. Available at for pre-order with a 20% discount at Amazon.com.

View the Blucy book trailer.
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KiteReaders Classic Favorites Giveaway

7/15/2013

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 You could be 1 of 3 lucky winners to receive KiteReaders entire Classics Favorites Series!

Retold by Roberto Piumini and beautifully illustrated by prolific artists such as Nicoletta Costa, KiteReaders’ Classics Favorites Series revisits some of the most beloved pieces of children’s literature and transforms them in a way that children today can understand and enjoy. The series has already sold over 1M print copies to date, while the digital titles are rapidly hitting the bestseller lists across Amazon, iBookstore, and Barnes & Noble.

Enter now and receive a free eBook immediately! Increase your chances of winning the grand prize by inviting your friends to enter! Every time one does, YOU get another point! Ends Sunday, August 4, 2013 at 11:59 PST.

Follow the link to enter the KiteReader's Giveway: http://kyte.ws/classics-giv


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Gemini Rising Ethereal Fury Book Review

7/8/2013

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Gemini Rising Ethereal Fury
~Written by Jessica O'Gorek
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Jessica O' Gorek spins a thick web that captures readers and consumes them into the fantasy she creates in her new book Gemini Rising Ethereal Fury.

All of Earth's natural resources are being destroyed and Mother Earth isn't going to take it anymore. She is collecting humans who have spent their lives ruining the planet. Now, she has transformed them into a powerful army, known as Gemini and they have one single mission: rid the world of humans. Oynx, one of the younger Gemini soldiers, has the task of infiltrating a church compound in order to kill those who reside within it's walls. But, Oynx is about to experience something he's never felt before, especially not towards a human. He knows if Mother Earth or the other Geminis find out he will be banished, but he can't seem to fight his emotions for this beautiful young girl known as Violette. Can Oynx overcome his feelings for Violette and be able to focus on the task at hand or will his secret be uncovered causing his own demise?

Gemini Rising Ethereal Fury is unlike any story I have read. The concept is fresh and inviting leaving me eager to read more. The author's ability to create well developed characters that were easy to like (or hate) and the intriguing story line left me rooting for the Gemini army, so long as they made an exception for a couple of humans. Jessica O'Gorek truly has a gift for writing and I recommend picking up a copy of Gemini Rising Ethereal Fury. Available at Amazon.com.

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About the Author

I was born in Chesapeake, Virginia on April 19th, 1979. I was raised within the American Indian religion and was taught great respect for the earth and all its living beings. Powwows, sweat lodges, vision quests, you name it, I've done it. I was the weird kid who would confront kids on the playground in elementary school when they squished a bug. I would very sincerely tell them what they were doing was morally wrong and then I would pray for the bug to come back as a butterfly in its next life.

I grew up admiring my father, Barry Weinstock, as an author. When I was twelve I started hand writing novels. My first one was two thousand pages. My daughter, who is thirteen, is currently working on her first novel. I hope to continue the legacy. (Amazon.com)


You can find our more about Jessica O'Gorek and her work by visiting http://geminirising1.blogspot.com.

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Magelica's Voyage Editorial Book Review

7/3/2013

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Magelica's Voyage
~Written & Illustrated by Louise Courey Nadeau
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Magelica's Voyage by Louise Courey Nadeau is a beautifully written enchanting tale filled with alluring adventure. 
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Magelica is a young girl, who hatched from a brilliant sapphire egg. She was given the name Magelica because her birth was magic and she had an angelic face and lovely wings. Magelica also had a silver feather, which she learns contains magic. Whisked away in the night by a warblegrif, Magelica sets out on an fascinating adventure in search of the Isle of Dreams. She is told the island can be found on a turtle's back. The turtle needs Magelica's help to overcome his great sadness, but unable to see the  magic contained within herself Magelica is unsure she can help.

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Queen Raya's words of wisdom, "you are what you make of yourself," not only help Magelica realize that life's true magic is in her heart, but teach children that the same is true for them as well.

The story is magnificently illustrated, from the winsome depiction of Magelica to the creative Isle of Dreams, the authors gifted imagination is prevalent on every page.

 I found Magelica's Voyage to be a charming story with a very special message for all. I highly recommend picking up a copy. Available at Amazon.com.

View Magelica's Voyage Book Trailer
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