Two Points of Interest

Saturday, April 6, 2019

Book Review - Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans by Russell Ginns + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Samantha loves her uncle Paul. They have shared a lot of beloved memories over strawberry waffles, puzzles, and stories. However, one-day uncle Paul just disappears without saying goodbye. He leaves the family a special gift for each of them. Samantha's sister receives a check for $2,400,000,000, while her brother, Nipper got the New York Yankees. Samantha gets a rusty red umbrella with a tag that says, "Watch out for the RAIN".

While Samantha is trying to decipher the mysterious message, she feels that her uncle is in danger. She remembers him teaching her that not everything is what it seems. As Samantha and her brother work to solve the puzzles their uncle left behind, they find themselves being targetted by RAIN. Will Sam and her brother be able to solve the puzzle before it's too late?

The easy to read the book was a fun read. I liked that the author included puzzles in the novel. The puzzles were fun but, he also included the answers. I think it was a treat how the author incorporated different languages and facts in an interesting but, educational way. Overall, this quirky book is perfect for children who love traveling, facts, and puzzles.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Title: SAMANTHA SPINNER AND THE SUPER SECRET PLANS (Samantha Spinner #1)

Author: Russell Ginns

Pub. Date: February 27, 2018

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, audiobook, eBook

Pages: 256

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

Get ready for round-the-world adventure with Sam Spinner and her brother Nipper in the first book in a new hilarious, puzzle-packed series filled with super-secret messages! Perfect for fans of Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library and classics like Holes.

Samantha Spinner's uncle Paul disappeared, and here's what he left:

* Samantha's sister got a check for $2,400,000,000.

* Samantha's brother got the New York Yankees.

* And Samantha got a rusty red umbrella with a tag hanging off its worn handle. The tag says "Watch out for the RAIN."

Thanks a lot, Uncle Paul.

After all the strawberry waffles, stories, and puzzles they've shared, how could he just leave without saying goodbye? And what is the meaning of that mysterious message?

The answer is simple. Sam knows in her heart that Uncle Paul is in danger. And if he taught her anything, it's that not everything is exactly what it seems. Which is why we should pay close attention to that rusty red umbrella, and never trust a monkey at a hula-hoop contest.

The RAIN is coming and Samantha Spinner is about to find herself mixed up in some super-important, super-dangerous, super-secret plans.

Praise for Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans:

"A winning mix of fast-paced action, fascinating facts, bathroom humor, and hidden puzzles...[that is] sure to please action-loving middle-grade readers." --Kirkus Reviews

"Full of adventure and survival,...[and with] characters [that] are likable, realistic, and well rounded...[Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans is] great for [readers of] series like The 39 Clues." --School Library Journal

About Russell:

Russell Ginns is a writer and game designer who specializes in puzzles, songs, and smart fun. He has worked on projects for a wide variety of organizations, corporations, and publications, including Sesame Workshop, Girl Scouts of America, Nintendo, and Scientific American. Russell lives and writes in Washington, D.C. He is the author of Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans and Samantha Spinner and the Spectacular Specs. To learn more about him, visit samanthaspinner.com and follow @rginns on Twitter.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 lucky winners will win a finished copy of SAMANTHA SPINNER Series, US Only.

Giveaway Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2908/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

4/1/2019- Rhythmicbooktrovert - Review

4/1/2019- Kelly P's Blog- Excerpt

4/2/2019- Christen Krumm, Writer- Review

4/2/2019- ❧Defining Ways❧- Excerpt

4/3/2019- Adventures Thru Wonderland- Review

4/3/2019- The Hermit Librarian- Excerpt

4/4/2019- Savings in Seconds- Review

4/4/2019- Twirling Book Princess- Excerpt

4/5/2019- Two Points of Interest- Review

4/5/2019- Dazzled by Books- Excerpt

Friday, April 5, 2019

Book Review - The Center of the Universe by Ria Voros + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

GG Carter is a beautiful famous celebrity news anchor. GG is everything her daughter, Grace is not. GG is flawless, beautiful, and has impeccable taste. While Grace is an aspiring astrophysicist. GG and Grace have never quite understood each other.

Then one day GG just disappears. Reporters and camera descend on their house to report on the story. Grace and her family are struggling for answers over GG's disappearance. While the authorities are looking into GG disappearance, Grace grows closer to her high school's popular boy, Mylo. Grace realizes she doesn't know her mother as well as she thought. She is left wondering did her mother leave on purpose or was she abducted?

When I first read the premise of the book, I thought it would be an interesting read. However, roughly one-third of the book, I lost interest in the novel. I felt it like it was very slow and boring. There were almost zero buildups on why GG disappeared. During, the GG's disappearance I felt like the disappearance was a side story compared to Grace and Mylo's budding friendship. The book didn't have enough material to keep me interested in the characters.

**Disclosure - I received a free uneditted copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Title: THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE

Author: Ria Voros

Pub. Date: April 2, 2018

Publisher: KCP Loft

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 512

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD

Grace Carter's mother --- the celebrity news anchor GG Carter --- is everything Grace is not. GG is a star, with a flawless wardrobe and a following of thousands, while Grace --- an aspiring astrophysicist --- is into stars of another kind. She and her mother have always been in different orbits.

Then one day GG is just ... gone. Cameras descend on their house, news shows speculate about what might have happened and Grace's family struggles to find a new rhythm as they wait for answers.

While the authorities unravel the mystery behind GG's disappearance, Grace grows closer to her high school's golden boy, Mylo, who has faced a black hole of his own. She also uncovers some secrets from her mother's long-lost past. The more Grace learns, the more she wonders. Did she ever really know her mother? Was GG abducted ... or did she leave? And if she left, why?

Author Ria Voros (Nobody's Dog, The Opposite of Geek) reaches for the stars here, deftly combining mystery with a passion for science and themes of mother-daughter bonds, celebrity, first love and best friendship.

Facts about astronomy and astrophysics are seamlessly woven into the story and are supplemented by an interview with real-life astrophysicist Elizabeth Tasker, making this the perfect book for readers who love STEM. And even readers who don't have stars in their eyes will love this smart, suspenseful, relatable and literary novel.

About Ria:

Ria Voros is a YA and children’s author, teacher, presenter and obsessive reader. Her children’s and young adult novels have been finalists for the White Pine Award, the Rocky Mountain Book Award, and been a Best Books for Kids and Teens selection. She has an MFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia. When she’s not writing, teaching or eating sweet things, Ria can be found hiking to the tops of mountains or buying too many books at any bookstore she enters. She lives in Victoria, BC, Canada with her husband, daughter and son.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 lucky winners will win a finished copy of THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE, US Only.

Giveaway Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2907/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

4/1/2019- Moonlight Rendezvous- Review

4/2/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review

4/3/2019- A Gingerly Review- Review

4/4/2019- Here's to Happy Endings- Review

4/5/2019- two points of interest- Review

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Book Review - Redemption Point (Crimson Lake #2) by Candice Fox

Photo Credit - Amazon

Ted Conkaffey has been falsely accused of abducting Claire Bingley. He moves to Crimson Lake to disappear and rebuild his life. He works with private detective Amanda Pharrell to help solves cases. However, Ted starts to realize that no matter where he goes, he can never escape his past.

Clarie's father, Dale has an act of revenge on his mind. He wants Ted to help him find the true culprit of the violent act against his daughter. He is willing to stop at nothing to get his revenge. If Ted doesn't get on board with his plan, he will be the first casualty.

Meanwhile, Amanda is investigating a homicide involving two young bartenders at a dive bar called Barking Frog Inn. It is also Detective Inspector Pip Sweeney's first homicide investigation. The duo finds themselves oddly comfortable in each other's presence. However, as they continue to work the case, they realize there a special bond between them.

The book was an interesting read and a good ending for the series. I liked seeing Amanda and Ted being accepted by other characters for people beyond their past. I wished that Ted came out of his shell a bit more and defend himself. I think for a guy who knows that he is innocent but leaves his battles for other people to fight, shouldn't mourn things he lost in his life and especially if he doesn't anything about it. While this novel could be read as a standalone, I found the novel to be more enjoyable when it was read together.

Monday, April 1, 2019

Book Review - Friendroid by M.M. Vaughan + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Eric Young is a popular well-liked kid. Eric just moved to Ashland and he needs to make friends with the right kind of people. The kind of people who are interested in skateboarding and new Slick sneakers his Uncle Martin sends to him. However, Eric has a deep dark secret; he doesn't know that he is an android.

Danny Lazio is the opposite of Eric Young. He doesn't have any friends and his classmates don't accept him. Danny has Land X though, an online role-playing game that he excels in. When Danny finds out that Eric is also a fan of the game, he thinks finally found a friend.

However, Danny realizes there is something odd behind Eric's sudden disappearances, his parents, and lifestyle. Danny and Eric try to investigate the weird events that seem to occur only when Eric is around. As the dig deeper into Eric's life, they realize there is a powerful force that will stop at nothing to keep Eric's secret quiet.

The novel was a heartfelt read about friendship and finding the one person who understands you. While it was an enjoyable and relatable read, I found the book to be very predictable. Overall, a fun read for people of any age as it teaches readers the quality of friends is better than quantity.

Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (March 26, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1481490656
ISBN-13: 978-1481490658

Praise for FRIENDROID

"A timely parable for this generation of digital natives." ―Kirkus

"Vaughan presents another noteworthy sf middle-grade offering peppered with mystery." ―Booklist

"For middle-grade readers who are ready to fight the power." ―Publishers Weekly

Stranger Things meets robots in this sweet story about an unlikely friendship between two boys—one human, one android.

Eric Young is an android, but he doesn’t know. He does know that he’s just moved to Ashland, so it’s important to make the right kind of friends—the kind that would be interested in skateboarding and the new Slick sneakers his Uncle Martin sends him.

Danny Lazio doesn’t have any friends, but he doesn’t care. Even if his classmates don’t accept him, he still has Land X, the online role play game that he’s actually really good at. But then Eric takes an interest in Land X, and suddenly Danny thinks he might have found a real friend…if he can figure out the mystery behind Eric’s sudden disappearances and strange lifestyle.

It becomes harder to ignore the weird events that happen only around Eric. But uncovering the secret behind Eric’s identity is an act that might cost them both as powerful forces soon move in around them.

This heartfelt story about friendship and what it means to be human is sure to tug at your soul—or your soul-chip if you’re like Eric.

You can purchase Friendroid at the following Retailers:

Photo Content from M.M. Vaughan

The daughter of South American parents, Monica Meira Vaughan grew up in Spain before moving to London at the age of five where she learnt English by watching Sesame Street and reading every Roald Dahl book she could get her hands on. On leaving school, and after a brief stint in public relations, Monica decided to train as a primary school teacher. She spent over ten years working in special needs, mostly with children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, before becoming a full time writer.

Monica loves writing after midnight, building cardboard cities and playing Lego with her daughter. She lives in London, UK.