Curse of the Spider King by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper

The Curse of the Spider King: Book 1 in the Berinfell Prophecies

By: Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper


Ages: 12 - 17


Curse of the Spider King is the first in a fantasy trilogy for middle grade readers.  It's co-written by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper, both individual writers as well.  This brand new series is about seven 13-year olds from various parts of Earth who find each other in a mysterious way. They are gathered together to grasp their destiny. They're really elves who were brought here as infants to protect them from the Spider King when he ransacked the elven kingdom, Allyra. Now that they're teens their powers are revealed and the Spider King has rediscovered their whereabouts. To quash them will eliminate the hope of the elf remnant in Allyra, but those who've been watching over the growing children are determined to see their charges safely home.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit.  One thing I like about reading teen fantasy is they are usually clean.  When you start getting into adult fantasy novels, they usually end up being geared around certain activities vs the story.  This story can get to be a bit much since there are 7 main characters.  I think if you have an on level reader or above reader, they will enjoy this story.   My 12 year still has a few years I  believe.  She doesn't like reading, so I haven't set this book out for her yet.  I think she might get into it more when she hits 13.

Description: Fantasy. Mystery. Action. Humor. Parents, teachers, and librarians will no longer have to push kids to read-The Berinfell Prophesies will engage intermediate readers and leave them clamoring for more.
The Seven succeeding Elven Lords of Allyra were dead, lost in the Siege of Berinfell as babes.  At least that's what everyone thought until tremors from a distant world known as Earth, revealed strange signs that Elven blood lived among its peoples. With a glimmer of hope in their hearts, sentinels are sent to see if the signs are true. But theirs is not a lone errand. The ruling warlord of Allyra, the Spider King, has sent his own scouts to hunt down the Seven and finish the job they failed to complete many ages ago.

Now 13-year-olds on the brink of the Age of Reckoning when their Elven gifts will be manifest, discover the unthinkable truth that their adoptive families are not their only kin. With mysterious Sentinels revealing breathtaking secrets of the past, and dark strangers haunting their every move, will the young Elf Lords find the way back to the home of their birth? Worlds and races collide as the forces of good and evil battle.  Will anyone escape the Curse of the Spider King?


Put out by: Thomas Nelson

Price: $14.99



You can purchase at Amazon as well ~ Curse of the Spider King: The Berinfell Prophecies Series - Book One


Disclosure: Thomas Nelson provided complimentary copies to Mama Buzz reviewers for the purposes of this blog tour.

Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor

I love books about magic, books that are set in a fantasy world that we can only dream about.

Description of  Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor ~

One day twelve-year-old Tirissa discovers that everyone in her village is under a spell. Everyone but her! Then she sees a mysterious stranger change into a huge bird, a bird with a beak like a sword. Did he cast the spell? Desperate to find someone who can break it, she flees, leaving her village behind. An old herbwoman tells her to seek help from a wizard who lives far away, and her journey takes her across the Three Kingdoms. Along the way she's joined by a kindly troll and a short, fat palace guard. They are pursued by the twin princes of Kellayne, the best hunters in the Blue River Kingdom, as well as by the huge, dangerous bird. Meanwhile, an evil wizard watches Tirissa and her friends in his magic mirror and plans a second spell that will kill everyone in the Three Kingdoms.

Publisher	Outskirts Press, Inc
Binding	Paperback
Reading Level	Ages 9-12
# of Pages	338
ISBN-10	143274013X
ISBN-13	978-1432740139
Publication Date	08/27/2009

About Willow

I grew up in Albuquerque, NM, in the late 1940’s and 1950’s, always with my nose in an Oz book or else out under the peach tree in the back yard, looking for fairies. After I grew up, moved to CA, and graduated from Occidental College, a few aptitude tests suggested I should be a novelist, but I didn’t try my hand at it until my thirties. By then I’d forgotten my childhood love of fantasy and over the years tried my hand at a variety of genres. None of the stories really captured my imagination and each time my interest petered out. But the years passed and one day, in my fifties, I felt a yearning to read Lord of the Rings, which I had never read. Halfway through, I knew that all along it was children’s fantasy I wanted to write. And so I began writing the tale of Tirissa, who loved to be out under the trees, and it turned into Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor.

I found Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor to be a really fun read.  Tirissa from the village of Oakenwood, is a young 12 year old girl.  She becomes the only one around with true life in her eyes. Tirissa believes the bird known as “the Beak”, cast a spell on everyone. She knows she must find help for the village.  Her first stop after leaving Oakenwood, leads her to being captured by a troll named Oglo.  Oglo ends up becoming a very important friend to her throughout the story.  She finds out she must travel to the palace.

Willow creates a wonderful fantasy world.  You will enjoy traveling along with Tirissa and other creatures she meets along the way.  This is a great introduction to fantasy novels for young kids, and it is an enjoyable read for adults that enjoy Young Adult fiction.  You get a bit of everything in Willow's world ~ wood nymphs, trolls, witches, wizards, palace guards, princes and more.

Fun news ~ Head over and join Tirissa's Facebook fan page for a chance to win a free copy of the book:
http://tinyurl.com/yzna8l7

If you comment below, you are gaining an entry into a $50 Amazon Gift certificate sponsored by Pump up your Book Promotions {Leave a comment at their blog stops and you could win a FREE virtual book tour if you’re a published author with a recent release or a $50 Amazon gift certificate if you are not published.}


I was sent a copy of Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor from Willow through Pump up your Book Promotions.

Five Star Publications ~ Girl Talk

I had my first daughter at 19, so I found myself not relating with my friends anymore.  The women I did relate to were usually quite a bit older then me, and we were never able to form a good friendship.  I have a small family as well, so I only had a small handful of women influences all my life.  How I wish I had the book Girl Talk: Celebrities and Other Extraordinary Women Share Their Secrets from Five Star Publication years ago!

Something special happens when women get together and talk - confidences are shared, help and support given, all in the name of sisterhood and friendship. Women are compassionate listeners, knowing intuitively when to offer advice or merely a shoulder to lean on. Gigi Garner captured these intimate moments and compiled them with permission into a book for all women. Contributors include such stars as Naomi Judd, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Shari Belafonte, as well as other women, from a prison warden to an elementary school teacher. Beauty and health tips to advice on careers and relationships, this book covers them all.

Publisher: Five Star Publications Price: $15.95 U.S. Paperback / Nonfiction Size: 8" x 8" ISBN: 1-58985-051-3 ISBN: 978-1-58985-052-1 Publish Date: 2008 www.GirlTalkBook.com

Fact Sheet

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT?

Women are compassionate listeners, knowing intuitively when to offer advice or merely a hug and a shoulder to lean on. Author Gigi Garner has captured dozens of these intimate moments between women in her new book Girl Talk. Contributors include such stars as Naomi Judd, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Shari Belafonte, as well as other women with a wide variety of careers and perspectives. Girl Talk offers the feminine perspective and tips on beauty, health, fashion, careers, relationships, and more.


WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK UNIQUE?

• Gigi Garner, daughter of famed television and movie actor James Garner, has called on many of her Hollywood friends to be contributors to Girl Talk.
• The author has gathered advice and tips from other accomplished women who live far beyond the spotlights of Hollywood. Contributors include women with such diverse careers as bank officers, company presidents, prison wardens, professional anglers, and school teachers.
• There is something special that happens when women get together in the name of sisterhood and friendship. Girl Talk is a window into that special world.

 I have had such a blast reading this book.  All of the little tidbits of new information.  Some things I already do and I found myself saying "Hey, I do that too!".  Of course the part on the Secret Dish is a must read for anyone with kids that don't like their veggies.

This is a really fun book to read.  It is an easy read, you can pick it up when you have a few minutes and get through a story.  Girl Talk is one of those books you can pass around with your friends.  They will all enjoy it and you will have even more to talk about.  It would be a great reading club book as well if you are looking for low key read, especially during the holidays.  Speaking of holidays, this would be a great book to pick up as gifts for the hard to buy woman!

I did this review with Mama Buzz.  I was sent a free copy of Girl Talk from Five Star Publications.  I was not paid for this review or my opinions.

Sponsor ~ Pick up some limited edition Tofurky  & Gravy Soda this Thanksgiving!

Dracula's Tomb

My daughter enjoys reading, but mainly at school.  She isn't big on reading at home, until lately that is.  When I handed her Dracula's Tomb to she was instantly hooked on this book.  It honestly surprised me a bit because she is funny about scaryish type things.

First she read it from cover to cover then she started playing with the book.  At the very end, there is a pop up of Dracula.  Once she finished the book, she started looking through all the illustrations and making up her own stories.  She even played dentist with the pop-up Dracula because he was eating to much sugar blood.  I loved watching her imagination going wild while reading a book!  I can't recommend this Halloween book enough.  It is great for boys and girls, during Halloween or not.  Excellent book, one of my favorites in awhile for children.

After I gave Cami  Dracula's Tomb, she has been carrying it all around the house playing with it.


I was sent Dracula's Tomb to read and possibly review.  Opinions are mine.

Your Family Constitution by Scott Gale Virtual

If you have a family, then you must read Scott Gale's book, Your Family Constitution: A Modern Approach to Family Values and Household Structure.

This book is actually more of a personal account of Scott Gale (a parent), who has lived through the experience of balancing work, marriage, kids, and has succeeded.  Your Family Constitution has step by step suggestions to help you do the same thing.

I've had this book for over a month now.  It has really helped me to organize my approach to my kids behavior.  We are slowly working our way through the techniques, and we are already experiencing positives from this book.


Another great thing about Your Family Constitution is the website.  It is full of informative information, and fun things to do.  They even include a free resource area with ebooks, links, family homework and charts & downloads to help you on your journey. 



Are you ready to get started on the road to clarity, consistency and whole-hearted commitment to get better? Begin by downloading Your Family Constitution’s first E-book.
Learn about the most common problems parents contend with in a world that moves at a frantic pace, as well as the few simple ways to end the chaos.
 

RIP IV Challenge

Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings is again hosting the Readers Imbibing Peril (RIP IV).  This will be my third year (2007, 2008) playing along, and this is my favorite book challenge each year! 

Mystery.
Suspense.
Thriller.
Dark Fantasy.
Gothic.
Horror.
Supernatural.

The desire for the thrill that comes with this kind of reading drifts in on the autumn winds. You breathe it in and it takes hold of you, tempting you to late nights, book-in-hand, turning pages and starting at every unknown noise. Something wicked this way comes…

I'm again going to be participating in the Peril the First:

Read Four books of any length, from any subgenre of scary stories that you choose.

I might actually add the Short Story Peril as well:

From Stainless Steel Droppings ~ More than any other time of the year, R.I.P. season brings out my desire to explore the short story genre. We will again do Short Story Sundays, for those of you who read R.I.P. related short stories any time during the week and want to write about them. I know I have Lovecraft, Poe, and Angela Carter waiting in the wings for my short story reading.

I'm really excited about this challenge starting up again.  I look forward to it every year.  These are actually the kind of books I normally read, but when the challenge is going, I find so many new authors and books, I never knew about.   

I haven't had a chance to start my TBR yet for this challenge.  Anyone feel like the fall snuck up on them?  Once I get my kiddos to school next week, I will have more time to think about reading selection and I will update here as I decide. 

Some of the books I've read in past RIP Challenges ~

Tithe by Holly Black
Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie
Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers
Breaking Dawn
Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist <--- Great one for the challenge!
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Grave Sight (Harper Connelly Mysteries, No. 1) & No 2
Season of the Witch

Some of the books I never got around to reading ~

Nightmares & fairy tales. Vol. 1 by Serena Valentino
The Thirteenth Tale
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Dead To Me by Anton Strout

Updated, books I've read so far (10/27)

Memoirs of a Fortune Teller ~ Read September, my review
The Historian ~ Trying to read
The Haunting of Hill House ~ Read & enjoyed!
Ghosts of Anchor Bay ~ Read
Robe of Skulls (kids book, great if your kids want to play along) ~ Read



 

9 Free Short Stories from Barnes & Noble

I go to Barnes and Noble once or twice a week to use the wi-fi service they offer while my daughter is at dance.  The first time I went there, I was checking out the website and saw the e-reader they offer.  I figured I'd download it and keep some books on my laptop for when I'm without internet while out.  You can download it to your iphone, blackberry, pc or mac.  When you download it, you can also download some free books.  I got a bunch of great books for free already!

They also have 9 free short story audiobook downloads.  Each one is about an hour long.  At checkout, they show up as a penny, when you checkout though it zero's out.  I selected paypal to get past the cc screen. 

Here are the 9 short stories available to download for free ~

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Merrano of the Dry Country
Ysrael: An Unabridged Story from Drown
Truth or Dare: from The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted
Fathers: An Unabridged Story from The View From Castle Rock
Great Day: An Unabridged Story from Armageddon in Retrospect
Best New Horror: A Story from the Collection 20th Century Ghosts
Super Goat Man: An Unabridged Story from Men and Cartoons
The Babysitter's Code: from Short Story Collection Hardly Knew Her


 Also if you are in the area on the 24th, they are giving away a free child size cookie and hot chocolate, yum!  Find the coupon and others on the coupon page.

2009 Books Read

Short Stories

1. A Reversal of Fortune by Holly Black
2. Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russel
3. Holiday by M. Rickert
4. All Hallow's Haunting
5 - 14. Restless Dead ~ 10 stories
15. Love Struck by Melissa Marr {Love is Hell} ~ May 2009
16. Sleeping with the Spirit by Laurie Faria Stolarz {Love is Hell}
17. Stupid Perfect World by Scott Westerfeld {Love is Hell}
18. Fan Fictions by Gabrielle Zevin {Love is Hell}
19. Thinner then Water {Love is Hell}


Full Length Books ~

1. Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie by Holly Black
2. Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell
3. Ironside: A Modern Faery's Tale by Holly Black
4. Body Count by PD Martin
5. Murderer's Club by PD Martin
6. Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi
7. Whispering Lake by Jessica Coulter Smith
8. Shocking Pinkby Erica Spindler
9. Death Perception by Victoria Laurie
10. Freeze Frame by David Warner
11. Cross Country by James Patterson
12. Save the best for Last by Kim Hanks
13. White Witch Black Curse ~ April 2009
14. Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris ~ April 2009
15. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich ~ April 2009
16. Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair ~ April 2009
17. The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver ~ April 2009
18. Would-be Witch by Kimberly Frost ~ April 2009
19. Blasphemy by Douglas Preston ~ April 2009
20. Silent Thunder by Iris & Roy Johansen ~May 2009
21. Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman ~ May 2009
22. An Accessory to Murder by Elaine Viets ~ May 2009
23. Black Echo
24. Just take my Heart by Mary Higgins Clark ~ May 2009
25. Clubbed to Death by Elaine Viets ~ May 2009
26. Katka by (June 09)
27. Relic by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child (June 29, 09)
28. 39 Clues Maze of Bones (June 09)
29. Lick of Frost (July 09)
30. Run for your Life - Michael Bennet by James Patterson (July 09)
31. Finger Linking Fifteen - Stephanie Plum - reading
32. Blue Zone by (July 09)

33. Deadlock by Iris Johansen (July 09)

34. When the Wind Blows by James Patterson (July 09)
35. Crop Paper Scissors by Joanna Campbell-Slan (July 09)
36. Cradle and All by James Patterson (July 09)
37. Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson
38. Memoirs of a Fortune Teller (September 09)
39. The 8th Confession (September 09)
40. Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams (9/09)
41. The Haunting of Hill house by Shirley Jackson (10/09)
42. Ghosts of Anchor Bay (10/09)
43. The Robe of Skulls: The First Tale from the Five Kingdoms (Tales from the Five Kingdoms)
44. The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz (10/09)




Graphic Novels ~

1. The Good Neighbors by Holly Black (1/09)

Idea/Instruction Books ~

1. Lost Sock (1/09)
2.
3. Sock Doll Workshop (1/09)
4. Softies by Therese Laskey (1/09
5. Junk Beautiful: Room by Room Makeovers with junk by Sue Whitney (July 09)

Movies ~

1. Sex in the City (1/2009)
   
2. X-Files (1/2009)
   
3. The last templar (1/25-1/26)
   
4. Step Brothers (1/28)
   
5. Get Smart (1/29)
6. Dark Night (2/09)
7. Coraline (2/14/09)
8. Baby Mama (2/19/09)
9. Burn After Reading (3/31/09)
10. Made of Honor (4/09)
11. Star Trek (5/09)
12. The Sixth Day (5/09)
13. Mall Cop (7/09)
14. Harry Potter (7/09)
    

Review ~ 72 Virgins by Avi Perry

A suspense-thriller about a nightmare scenario-a countdown to a Mumbai-style attack on U.S. soil, where the FBI, the Israeli Mossad, the US-based Iranian clandestine terror network, and the Islamic Jihad fraternity, all engaged in a timeless conflict, which plays out to a crescendo that comes to a head before the dramatic conclusion. The story offers an ample dose of realism, a cast of intense characters who engage in love, lust, and violence. It portrays the Jihad culture with its rationale and the volcano that breeds an irrational obsession with death. Moreover, it builds on the Jihadists' motivation for targeting so many innocents and exploiting the victims' massacre as a stepping-stone to their dream of eternal paradise next to Allah's throne. The real question is not whether Jihad terrorists' plots will ever cease to emerge-there is no chance of that. The question the book seeks to answer is, will the next one be stopped before it's too late?

This is a write up from the publisher of the book  72 Virgins by Avi Perry.  Perry was born in Israel, and he served in the IDF as a member/commander/accordion player of "Lahakt Pikud Zafon" (Northern Command Group) during his regular military service in the early 60s. He later studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and after serving in the Six-Day War as a military field intelligence and communications specialist, he went on to study for his Ph.D. in the US, where he currently resides.

My Thoughts ~ This book starts out with instant action.  It draws you in at the very first paragraph.   Not only is 72 Virgins a gripping fictional thriller, but it is also a very frightening book.  It is a very real book.  72 Virgin is one of those books that isn't real, but borders so close to "real" that it is scary.  With Perry's background, this book helps you to identify with the Jihad culture in a way that most of us never have before.  


In writing this review, I have been reading Avi Perry's blog.  I wanted to include a snippet from his blog here ~ 


I lived and breathed war violence, military intelligence, spy-craft designed for terror deterrence. I understand wars, military conflicts, and faith-based hate—an Islamic trait, since I grew up in that kind of a hostile neighborhood. I have been frustrated by the naiveté of my American friends and colleagues who keep asking, whenever I take a trip to my birthplace, “aren’t you worried? Isn’t it dangerous over there?

I keep thinking to myself. “Aren’t you worried as well?” Did you forget 9/11? Did you forget the following terror and potential terror attacks on US and Western interests all over and around the world?America needs a constant reminder. Americans must be more alert and more aware. The economy is important. The healthcare system must be fixed. But security should not be sacrificed in the process. Without security - freedom, the economy and healthcare are meaningless. And if you don’t get it, try living in Afghanistan for a week.   


I think this is one of those books that you just have to read.  There is strong writing, great story from an experienced man.  It is a great way to open your eyes, think of things differently but in a fictional sense.  That is part of the joys of reading for me.  When I can learn something while enjoying a good book.

You can purchase  72 Virgins at Amazon, it retails for $19.99.  You can learn a bit about Islam at Perry's website, he has videos, pdf files and power point presentation.  

Avi Perry is also a musician.   He played professionally to finance college, and now continues to play as a hobby at home.  He has some Christmas jazz on his website if you are interested.

I would like to thank Avi Perry for sending me a copy of his book to review.  To note, I was not paid for my review in any way.  My opinions are mine.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Behind the Writing of "72 Virgins", with author Avi Perry (bookmarketingbuzz.com)
• Interview with Avi Perry, author of "72 Virgins" (zensanity.blogspot.com)

Halloween Book ~ Where's My Mummy?

I was sent Where's My Mummy? to review just in time for Halloween this year.   Written by Carolyn Crimi and illustrated by John Manders, this book is just spooky enough for your little ones.   With a repetitive nature, it is easy for young ones to follow along the story and quickly learn the words.

My favorite part of the book?  The illustrations.  They are just beautifully done, just a bit creepy in the good old Halloween fashion, but not too scary that kids will not enjoy.

Book Description ~

This gently spooky read-aloud treat is also a satisfying bedtime book — sure to delight the youngest reader on many a deep, dark night.

Little Baby Mummy wants just one more game of hide-and-shriek with Big Mama Mummy before bedtime. The night is deep and dark, full of friendly creatures that click their clacky teeth and whoosh past on flippy-floppy wings. But who will comfort Little Baby Mummy if a small, scritchy-scratchy someone gives him a scare? Big Mama Mummy, of course! Fresh, comical illustrations complement this everso- slightly suspenseful story with a satisfying ending.

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1 edition (July 28, 2009)
• Language: English

Your child will truly enjoy this Halloween tail.  All kids will relate to Baby Mummy not wanting to go to bed.  Baby Mummy starts off his game in the cemetery, only to have a visitor come out and tell him to go to bed.  Saying he's not scared, he ventures off into other scary places.  Baby Mummy meets a variety of scary creatures without showing any fear.  

It's only when the most un-scary creature crosses his path does Baby Mummy call out in fear for his mummy.

I honestly get a kick of this story every time I read it.  Both  my daughters thought it was cute as well.  Retails for only $7.99 at Amazon.