Thursday, January 28, 2016

My Review Of Chase Tinker And The House Of Mist

 In Chase Tinker's world, magic, lies and secrets can be a lethal combination… 

Everything is on the line for Chase Tinker: his family, his friends, his house, his magic…his life. Will destiny be on his side at last? Will the Marlowes finally be defeated—and at what cost? 

The Final Showdown. 

Who survives?

My Review Of Chase Tinker And The House Of Mist:  I loved this book. I had the privilege to read all four books. Chase and the rest of the characters are such great, fun characters. I have enjoyed reading how Chase discovered magic and how he has grown through each book.  In this book I was sad when Chase's grandfather died, but Chase became the keeper of the Tinker house which gave him more magical powers. Would that magical power be enough to defeat the Marlowes and find the Tinker's magical house? Magic. Adventure. Danger. I can't say enough good things about this series. Thanks, Malia, for an awesome read. I really enjoyed this series. 
I received this book free for an honest review. 
 In Chase Tinker's world, magic, lies and secrets can be a lethal combination... 

Thirteen-year-old Chase Tinker can't understand why he has the power to move things with his mind. Besides that, his dad has been missing for over a year, causing his mom to be too upset to pay much attention to her sons, so now he's been busted for shoplifting. As if this isn't enough to worry about, his younger brother Andy suddenly has a weird magical ability too. Can things get any crazier? Chase thinks. 

Then, a grandfather they thought to be long dead arrives at their door. He wants Chase and Andy to come visit him so they can learn about their supernatural heritage, and why they have magical powers in the first place. 

The boys soon find out that Grandfather, along with their cousin Janie, lives on a remote island in the middle of Puget Sound in an out-of-this-world house where fantastic magic can be found in practically every room, stairway and corridor. Chase can't believe their dad has been keeping so much from them. 

It's an even bigger shock when Chase learns that all their magic is controlled by a powerful and mysterious Relic in the attic, and if anything happens to this Relic, every bit of Tinker magic will be lost forever. He's even more disturbed when he learns his family has a dark and powerful enemy that is determined to steal all their magic, their house and their Relic. 

Now Chase must find a way to stop these evil beings, while at the same time figuring out what has happened to his dad, unraveling even more Tinker lies and secrets and not letting on that he has a huge crush on the housekeeper's daughter.
 In Chase Tinker's world, magic, lies and secrets can be a lethal combination...

After spending the summer at his grandfather's gigantic, incredibly magical house, thirteen-year-old Chase Tinker thought things couldn't get any more bizarre, or that the secrets and lies couldn't get any worse, but he was wrong.

As summer turns into Autumn, join Chase and his family for even more magical craziness in this exciting sequel to "Chase Tinker and the House of Magic." Craziness that will include: the sneezing of strange powers, the reappearance of the evil Marlowe family, another frightening kidnapping, the discovery of a mysterious, magical Japanese-American girl, a dangerous rescue mission, and a secret so mind-boggling, it will lead to a shocking climatic finish that will turn Chase's world completely upside down and leave him feeling like one of the worst people on the planet
In Chase Tinker's world, magic, lies and secrets can be a lethal combination… 

For eight agonizing months Chase Tinker's guilt over the despicable act he committed on Halloween night has been eating away at his heart and mind. Chase's life gets even more complicated when secrets about the mysterious Relic in the attic are revealed, right before an unwelcome caller arrives on the day of Chase's fourteenth birthday! 

Despite his problems, his biggest concern is that his family's Dark Enemy, the Marlowe Family, is becoming more powerful with each passing day, fueled by the energy they continue to pillage from the many magical beings of the world. If Chase and his family are ever going to win, they will need a whole lot of magical help; they must destroy the most evil threat the world has ever known!

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Work In Progress Mysterious Visions

Hi, 
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Today I thought I would share the first chapter of a work in progress, Mysterious Visions.  Remember as you read chapter 1, that this is a work in progress. There will be mistakes. This chapter will go through more revisions. 
Thanks, 

Chapter 1
             I slid the amethyst angel charm back and forth on the chain around my neck as Allison and I walked down the school hallway. I had a nagging feeling something was going to happen today to change my life.  
“Nicole, are you asking Will to the party?" Allison asked.
“You know I can’t date him."
"Why not? You've been crushing on him since we were thirteen." Allison peered over her rose-tinted sunglasses. "I see the way he looks at you. He thinks you're hot, especially when you pull your hair back in a French braid with those little wisps framing your face. He must go for that sultry brunette look.”  
I lean closer to her and lower my voice so no one else could hear our conversation. “What if I get a vision while we’re kissing or something?”  
"You've kept it a secret this long. And I'm sure if he finds out, he won't freak or something."
“You freaked out.” I elbowed her side. 
“Just a little. But what did you expect, we were only nine, and I never met anyone like you before. But things are different now. People are more accepting of these things.” 
“Maybe on the mainland, but not here. Here, people want normal, not different. Look at the way the islanders treat Moonbeam and her mother just because they practice Wicca. And when I first arrived on the island Mrs. Evan and her cronies watched me like a hawk because they thought I was like my mother. I hate to see what they would do if they knew I was.  I don’t control this gift. I don’t even know how it happens. I just get this feeling, a psychic vibe, and I see things.”
We stopped in front of Allison’s locker. She opened it and shoved her books inside and slammed it closed. “I still think you should ask him out. It’s our senior year. We’re supposed to have fun. And guys are fun.”
 “I know. But I don’t think he likes me.” I slipped my arm around Allison’s as we walked down the hall. “He hardly talks to me and he’s never asked me to a party.”
“Nicole, give the guy a break. You ask him.”
“I…I can’t.” I fingered my necklace. I’m not a flirt and I don’t like to make the first move.  
“Sure you can. It’s easy. Watch.” She untangled her arm from mine and fluffed up her curly blonde hair. Placing her sunglasses on top of her head, she pointed to Sam, leaning against the lockers.
Easy target. Even a plain-Jane like me could make nerdy Sam forget his own name.  He dressed like any other guy on the island t-shirts and surfer shorts, but he looked so nerdy in his thick, black rimmed glasses and he always carried an armful of books.
Allison swung her hips as she approached him. “Hey, Sam.”
He dropped his books. I cupped my hand over my mouth to hide my laugh. Allison caressed his arm.  “You going to the beach party?” she cooed.
He managed to nod, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. 
She leaned in to him like she was going to kiss him, but instead, she whispered in his ear.
Poor guy. I felt bad for him, but he was a guy and probably enjoyed Allison’s flirting.
“See you there,” she said with a flirtatious smile.  
Sam didn't take his eyes off her tight-jean ass as she strolled back over to me.
“And that, Nicole, is how it’s done.” Allison slipped her sunglasses back over her eyes.
“Yeah, but you have no intention of dating him.”
“So. I made his day. And I’ll spend some time with him at the party until some cute guy catches my eye.”
We walked down the hall and rounded a corner.  I bumped right into Will. 
“Sor  _”A whirlwind of pictures flashed in my mind.
A wave washes to shore tickling our toes. Will leans in and warms my lips with a kiss. His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer to him.  
"Are you okay?" Will’s voice drew me out of my vision, but I kept staring at him like a fool. I wanted to reach out and kiss him.
He waved his hand in front of my face. "Hey, Nicole Kendall. Are you in some kind of trance or something?”
"Dude, you got a gross booger hanging from your nose," Allison said.
Will brushed at his nose.
"Okay, you're good," Allison said. "But if I were you, I'd go blow your nose."       
She wrapped her arm around mine and turned me away from Will. We walked down the hallway.
"Thanks," I mumbled as we surged out into the dreary gray day.
“That was close,” Allison said. “For a moment I didn’t even know you were having a vision.”
“I didn't even feel it coming. There was no warning. No psychic vibe. It was like bam and I was inside this vision.”
“So what did you see?”
“He was kissing me,” I breathed out.
                “Girl, you've got to ask him out.” Allison pulled the hood of her jacket over her head. “Should’ve grabbed my umbrella. Looks like it might rain before we get to your place.”  She took off her sunglasses, and shoved them into her jacket pocket.
                “Maybe it’ll clear up.” A salty breeze sent a chill up my spine and I zipped my jacket up.  
We walked down the cobbled streets to Fisherman’s Wharf and turned on Main Street, we stopped in front of Grams’ Antiques. A brick building with two store front windows.  Painted in red on one of the widows was Gram’s Antiques. In the other window was a Christmas display, an old silver tree with red, blue, and gold bulbs. Under the tree a toy train chugged along on a track. It’s not Christmas but grandpa doesn't want to chance it. The scene gives the shop a homey feel. Sweet smells from the candy shop next door drifted out to the street and my mouth watered.  I live above the shop in an apartment.
I glanced through the storefront window at Arnold’s Discount Store on the other side of Gram’s. The female clerk rang up a customer.  A few weeks ago I touched her and in a vision she stole a gallon of milk to take home to her kids. I wondered if she ever went through with it.
We entered the antique shop and the little brass bell above the door jangled.  Grams stood behind the counter talking to Mrs. Evan.
“Oh, great,” Allison whispered. “Mrs. Evan. Probably trying to ferret out gossip to spread all over town.”
“Hey, Grams.” I rushed behind the counter and kissed her rosy cheek. “Allison and I are hanging out in my room.”
                Grams wrapped me in a hug. “Okay. There’s a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies upstairs.”
                “Ooh that sounds good, Mrs. Andrews. Your cookies are better than the fudge next door.” Allison took a step or two toward the stairs. “And less fattening.”
                Grams laughed. “Thanks. Could I please get you girls to help me with a few boxes first?” She looked at me. “Your grandfather picked up a lot of glassware this morning and I’d like to go through it and see about getting some of it on the shelves. They are looking a little bare these days.”
                “Where’s Grandpa?”
                “He’s gone to another auction on the mainland. He’ll be back by Monday.” Grams tucked a strand of her graying hair behind her ear.
                “Allison, how’s your mother doing?” Mrs. Evan pushed her wire-framed glasses up, but they slid back down her pointy nose. “I hear she’s been sick.”
                “She’s fine now, thanks,” Allison said politely.
 “Come on, Al, help me with the boxes.” I tossed my worn book bag on the stairs. Allison’s pink bag landed next to mine.
                “Martha, did you hear about the Parkers?” Mrs. Evan asked. “They’re having financial troubles and might …” 
                We entered the backroom. “Sheesh, there she goes again. I swear she makes this stuff up just to hear herself talk.”
Allison laughed. “I’m sure she does most of the time.”
Allison and I went back and forth, carrying boxes into the store until I set the last one on a table. “That’s it, Grams.”
“Great. Before you head upstairs can you set that box of books over by the bookcases and we’ll stock them later,” Grams said, before I could place my foot on the bottom step.
                With a sigh, I lifted the box and headed toward the bookcases. Someone stepped out of the aisle and a blur of green brushed by me. A tingle rushed through me and the room spun. The box slipped from my hands and plummeted to the floor. Pictures slammed into my mind like a freight train.
 A loud noise clangs in my ears. Mom and Dad scream, terrified looks on their faces.  Metal crashes into metal. Blood. The taste of blood. The smell of blood. Sirens scream in the distance.  Dad lies hunched over the steering wheel. Mom slumps in the passenger seat, a trickle of red dripping from a gash in her forehead and down her pale face. 
“Mom! Dad!” I fell to my knees. I closed my eyes and the image of their bloody faces swam in the darkness.
Grams was at my side, enveloping me in a hug. “What’s wrong?” she whispered. 
                “I saw them … Mom and Dad.” I opened my eyes, forcing the image away. My hands shook. My whole body trembled. “Their car accident. Their dead bodies. Who touched me?”
                “Nicole has visions!” Mrs. Evan exclaimed. “Just like her mother did!”
                I stared at her in disbelief. No. No. Not my secret. It would be all over the island.
                “It’ll be okay,” Grams said as if reading my mind. She helped me to my feet. “Did you see who it was?” 
                “No.”
                “Some guy in a green hoodie just left,” Allison said.
I rushed to the front door. Allison followed. I looked up and down the street, searching the crowds. “Do you see him?”
“I didn’t get a good look at him.” Allison looked one way and then the other. “He put his hood up as he reached the front door.”
No green hoodie stood out in the crowd. My heart sank, and a nauseous feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. I leaned against the store window and my head throbbed. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
The front door opened. “Come inside,” Grams said. (it might be raining)
“I don’t understand. Who could have caused such a…” Mrs. Evan stared at me with her beady, drink-it-all in eyes. “terrible thing?
“Oh, honey.”  Grams led me back inside. 
Mrs. Evans put her hand on my shoulder. “Oh, you poor thing. You should sit down. Allison, please go get Nicole a glass of water.”
Allison glanced at me. I shook my head. “I’m going to puke.”
Alison grabbed my arm and led me to the bathroom.
“Marge,” Grams said to Mrs. Evans. “You need to leave and I don’t want my granddaughter being the talk of the island.”
“The people have a right to know what she can do.”
Their voices faded away as I puked my guts out. Once there was nothing left in my stomach, I sat on the cool linoleum and leaned against the wall. My head pounded like a surfboard had hit it.
Allison handed me a glass of water. “Here. Rinse your mouth.”
Through the open slit in the door, I saw Mrs. Evan turn on her heels and march out the front door. It slammed shut.
 “Well, so much for keeping your secret,” Allison said. “You know that witch will have it all over the island.”
I lowered my head, covering my face with my hands. “I can’t believe it. I’ve been so careful keeping my secret and now this. Everyone will avoid me like I’ve got the plague.”
Grams stepped into the bathroom. “I’m sorry, Nicole. There is just no talking to that woman. But what worries me is why you saw your parents’ accident. You weren’t involved in the accident and you were never at the scene.”
“I know. It was so real, like I was right there. Do you think this green hoodie guy was the drunk driver, Anthony Reed?”                                                 
“Can’t be,” Grams said. “He’s still in prison.”
“But what if he escaped?”

“I’ll look into it.” Grams blue eyes swam with worry. “Why after all these years are you having a vision of the car accident? I fear it can only mean trouble.”

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Family Secret



On my blog today I have my good friend Thomas Patrick Henry from Family Secret. 

 1.       What is your name?
 Thomas Patrick Henry.  Most people call me Tom. My mom was the only one to call me by my full name.

2.   How do you envision your future?
Hopefully, demon free, but I've got a feeling that won’t happen. I plan to reopen my mom’s antique shop the Cat’s Meow. Work there for a while.

3.  Do you believe in magic? Why? Or why not?
When my mom first gave me the amulet and told me it might have magical powers, I thought she was crazy.  I didn't believe in magic. Magic was something for little kids to believe in. But I was proven wrong when I came face to face with a demon. Now I’m a firm believer in magic.

4.  What is your favorite sport?
 Baseball. There is no doubt baseball is my favorite. Go Cubs. When I was young I used to play little league. And one summer I went to baseball camp which was lots of fun.

5.  Do you have any hobbies?
I like to read and collect comic books. Also I have a pretty good bobble head collection. Mostly baseball and basketball players.

6.  What in your past would you like to forget?
My mother’s murder. That is something that will haunt me the rest of my life because she was killed by demons.

7.  Are you lucky?
Yes. I have good friends and a family that loves me.

8.  What makes you sad?
Death. It leaves a hole in your heart.  You know their spirit is still with you watching over you, but you miss their physical presence. 

9.  What is your pet peeve?
Being called a kid, especially by adults. I feel when they call me kid they are looking down on me like I don’t know anything because I’m young. 

10. Do you have a girlfriend?
Yes. Her name is Sarah.  Her, Rob, and I have been summer best friends for a long time. And then suddenly the magic of love happened. 


 Back Cover

On the road to solving his mother’s murder, sixteen-year-old Thomas Patrick Henry discovers a secret his father has kept from him for years. Tom thought Dad’s secret put him in danger, Mom’s secret is far worse. Magic. Witches. Ancient Book of Spells. Magical Amulet. Ghosts. Demons. Tom never thought these things existed until he is face to face with them. There is nothing else to do but destroy the demons before someone else Tom love dies. He already lost his mom and a close friend because this secret was kept from him. No one else will die. No one else will be possessed. Tom faces his demons. A mother’s love gives Tom the strength to slay his demons.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

This Little President Book Blast

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the newly-released board book, "This Little President: A Presidential Primer" by Joan Holub and Daniel Roode.

this-little-president-9781481458504_hr

About the Book

Title: This Little President: A Presidential Primer | Author: Joan Holub | Illustrator: Daniel Roode | Publication Date: January 12, 2016 | Publisher: Little Simon | Pages: 26 | Recommended Ages: 2 to 6

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Book Description: A board book primer on presidents Learn about the US presidents with this bright and playful board book! Highlighting ten of the most memorable presidents—and featuring all forty-four on the last page—parents and little leaders-in-training alike will love sharing this fun primer full of age-appropriate facts, leadership skills, and White House history.
Leading our country. Helping you and me. Keeping all fifty states safe, happy, and free. Little presidents have a great big job.
See more at Little Simon  

Sneak Peek

This Little President Joan Holub - Inside Page AThis Little President Joan Holub - Inside Page B  

About the Author: Joan Holub

Joan-Holub-GG-264x300Joan Holub is the author of 140+ books for children including the Mini Myths series of 8 board books: Be Careful, Icarus!, Brush Your Hair, Medusa!, Make A Wish Midas! Joan also authored the acclaimed picture books Little Red Writing, The Knights Before Christmas, and Mighty Dads, a New York Times bestseller. Joan also co-authors (with Suzanne Williams) three series: Goddess Girls (ages 8-12, Greek mythology with a middle school twist), Grimmtastic Girls (for ages 8-12, fairy tale adventure with a middle school twist), and Heroes in Training (ages 6-11, Greek mythology adventure chapter books).

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** Book Blast Giveaway **

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: January 26, 11:59 pm, 2016 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 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. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Joan Holub and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway MDBR Book Promotion Services