Book Review - Sleep Train by Jonathan London and Lauren Eldridge

Photo Credit - Amazon

All on board! While on a train, a small boy is struggling to fall asleep. He decides to count the train cars to help him fall asleep. As he counts the trains, he feels himself drifting slowly into dreamland.

The tots I volunteer with enjoyed learning about the different train cars. They loved counting along with the child in the story. We enjoyed the gorgeously detailed 3D illustrations in this book as well. It was fun and entertaining read especially the rhyming parts.

Engagement Activities -
1. How many rhyme pairs can you come up with in one minute? 
2. If you can go anywhere in the world by train, where would you go? And why?  
3. What is your favorite part of a train?  
4.  What is your bedtime ritual?

5. Where do you think the train is going?

6. What do you do when you can't fall asleep?

  **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Simple Soul of Susan by Noel Branham + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Susan Combs lives the simple life. She doesn't want to leave her small town. She prefers staying at home to take care of her sick father. Susan is also in love with the boy next door. However, Calder Hurtz has big aspirations and dreams. He wants more than the simple life. When Susan accidentally hears a conservation between Calder and another boy, and her life is changed forever.

The summary of the book was interesting but I had a hard time getting into the book. I found the story a bit slow. I also had a bit of trouble understanding some of Susan's personality.  I didn't like that Susan actually had an inheritance but kind of used the Hurtzez' generosity. I also found her to be stubborn and expected people to help her. For example, she wanted Calder to help with her ailing father but he doesn't get a say on anything. She also likes Calder but when he showed her that he liked her, she started crying and made him apologize. And when he finally told her straight out, she said she couldn't trust him while she has been keeping secrets herself. Personally speaking, I didn't really like Susan and I felt like that made me enjoy the book a little less.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy in  exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book

Title: The Simple Soul of Susan
Author: Noel Branham
Genre: Romance, YA, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary
Release Date: October 11, 2017
Susan Combs had long ago found the love of her life. The only problem was the other party still didn’t know he had been found. Every day Susan saw Calder Hurtz, her next door neighbor and childhood best friend. They always enjoyed the short drive to school down the dusty streets of their small Texas town. She was happy in those perfect moments, for her life at home was most imperfect. The challenging homestead she inhabited was also the favorite subject of local gossip. But one autumn day she overhears Calder and another boy having a conversation. This occasion of accidental audience sets Susan’s life on an unforeseen path. In the seasons to come, her future will be changed by two hospitalizations, two confessions of love, and one betrayal. Compulsively readable, The Simple Soul of Susan is an engaging, soul-endearing romance and a mesmerizing debut.

About the Author

 

Born and raised in a small Texas town, Noel Branham started her career in digital communications after graduating with a degree in English. An award-winning communicator, she now writes from her residence in Florida about things closest to the heart: home, family, and love.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Noel giving away

Grand Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card
First & Second Place Prize: eBook copy of the Simple Soul of Susan!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cee4/the-simple-soul-of-susan-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review - The Venerate Order by Troy Dukart + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Things are finally getting better for a college graduate, Strafe Rocknus.  He is surrounded by caring friends, a thoughtful girlfriend, and he is the team leader in a state-sponsored project. While testing out his catapult, he is launched into a mysterious cave. He discovers an ancient and highly valuable artifact. When the artifact lands in the wrong hands, it triggers a war that spans two worlds. Will Strafe be able to stop the war?

The novel reminded me of Square-Enix's Final Fantasy video games series. I could literally imagine the characters going through each obstacle and the fight scenes. However, if I didn't think about the book in that way, some of the details and conversations felt unauthentic. While the novel was fast paced, I would have enjoyed a bit more character and plot development. Overall, a fun read especially for RPG fans.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book:

Title: THE VENERATE ORDER

Author: Troy Dukart

Pub. Date: February 26, 2018

Publisher: Creativia

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 217

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, TBD

Strafe Rocknus has suffered hard losses in his life, but now things are looking up for the college graduate. 

He has a sizzling girlfriend, good friends and a bright career ahead of him. But one day, Strafe awakes in a mysterious cavern, discovers an ancient artifact, and unwittingly ignites a war that spans two worlds: his own, and one he never knew existed. 

With the abyss of the unknown before him, Strafe enters the swirling darkness. Desperate, he must navigate a new and hostile world on the brink of catastrophe, and learn the truth of who he is, while facing a darkness with the power to destroy everything Strafe has ever cared about. 

Soon, he will discover that his greatest strength comes from those he fights for.

  

About Troy:

Troy Dukart is the author of the Venerate Saga (The Venerate Order, The Venerate Redemption, sequels to follow).

Troy grew up outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities. Troy is recognized by Toastmasters International as an Advanced Communicator Bronze and Advanced Leader Bronze.

He's lived in Japan as well as California. He loves to travel.

Make sure to stop by his website and sign-up for the newsletter to stay in the know!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | YouTube | Instagram

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE VENERATE ORDER, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2745/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/7/2018- Lauren is Reading- Review

5/7/2018- Confessions of a YA Reader- Excerpt

5/8/2018- The BookWorm Drinketh- Review

5/8/2018- Here's to Happy Endings- Excerpt

5/9/2018- The Genre Minx Book Reviews- Excerpt

5/9/2018- Writer of Wrongs- Guest Post

5/10/2018- Zooloo book blog- Review

5/10/2018- Mythical Books- Guest Post

5/11/2018- two points of interest- Review

5/11/2018- Book-o-Craze- Excerpt

Book Review - Tribal Affairs by Matt Dallmann

Photo Source - Amazon

Dahlia is a centuries-old powerful genie, who is helplessly trapped in a damaged golden locket. The locket is a family heirloom that was passed on to Liana by her beloved dead mother. She wears the locket during her father, Jamison's opening night performance. The locket causes a chain of unfortunate events which leads to a showdown between Liana and  Dahlia's nemesis, Stefan. Will Liana be able to defeat Stefan? Will Dahlia be able to escape her prison?

 I found the novel to be an interesting read. It was quite enjoyable to learn about different versions of genies. I found the dynamic between Taffi and Liana was fun to read. I enjoyed that when Taffi was in peril all he could think about was Liana's purple bedroom instead of his pending doom. The novel was narrated by Dahlia and I felt like it took away from the story. Dahlia seemed very involved in the beginning and was curious about Taffi but eventually disappeared after a few chapters. We only got to hear about her history through Liana's dreams. I would have enjoyed the book better if the book was narrated by Liana instead.  Overall, I found it to be an interesting book to read especially if you are interested in reading novels about genies.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Tribal Affairs

By Matt Dallmann

Genre: YA Fantasy

Brief Description

Dahlia, a centuries old genie, lies hopelessly trapped in a damaged golden locket charm attached to an ankle bracelet. Its owner, sixteen-year-old Liana, wears it for the first time during her father Jamison’s opening night illusion spectacular. Not only does its presence cause Jamison to folly his performance, but it also starts a chain of bizarre events that lead to a showdown with Dahlia’s mortal enemy, Stefan, and an unsuspecting romance between Liana and his son.

About the Author

Matt Dallmann has a background in acting and holds a BFA from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. His films and screenplays have been featured at film festivals across the United States including Cinequest, Big Apple Film Festival, Seattle’s True Independent Film Festival, DragonCon and Zero Independent Film Festival. His piano compositions have been published for commercial use and he is a member of ASCAP. Matt is also the Co-Founder and Vice President of the boutique medical billing firm VGA Billing Services, Inc. in New York City. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.

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