Children's Books Review Roundup

Princess Madeline and the Dragon
After a season of battle and rebuilding, the Kingdom of Soron is exhausted. With the return of the exiled wizards, the Spring Faire, and her upcoming wedding, Princess Madeline is looking forward to a peaceful season of celebration. When the mysterious green dragon reappears, threatening the kingdom and the king, Princess Madeline and Prince Braden won’t rest for long.

Faced with this incredible new danger, Princess Madeline and Prince Braden must find a way to lead their kingdom and secure their future. Can they find the answers hidden within their mother’s cryptic messages from the past, or will the dragon destroy everything they hold dear? 

Follow Princess Madeline as she embarks on a dangerous new adventure to save her kingdom and her family.

My Review:
This is by far one of my favorite series EVER for kids.  This is the 3rd book in the trilogy.  This is a clean series that is free of profanity and sexual situations.  This is a series that is also a smart book.  Which means to me, that the author does not dumb down the story line or situations.  She allows the reader to use their imaginations and allows them to see the good and bad in the world.  There is something for everyone in this series!!!  Pulioff is a natural storyteller.  This series is a gift she has given to her readers.  I am so glad their are authors out there writing stories like this.  Pulioff is a force to be noticed and has set the bar high in this genre!  5 stars

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The Lonely Lake Monster
Pearl doesn't mean to be a troublemaker. Trouble just seems to find her.
Pearl Petal and Ben Silverstein can't wait for their first official day as apprentices of Dr. Woo, veterinarian for imaginary creatures. That is, until they are tasked with clipping the sasquatch's toenails. Gross!

Then Pearl spots a monster in the lake behind the hospital. Even though they were told not to leave the building for any reason, Pearl sets off for a closer look, with Ben trailing cautiously behind.
The outing goes awry when Ben is captured by the creature and held hostage on an island in the middle of the lake. It's up to Pearl to hatch a rescue mission. Will she save the day or cement her reputation as the town troublemaker? And will the hospital's secret patient be able to help?
Suzanne Selfors takes readers on an incredible adventure full of mythical creatures and astonishing discoveries that are anything but imaginary.

My Review: 
This is a quirky and fun book (the second in the series).  This book sparks imagination and mystery in your young reader.  There are some great elements to this book; fun creatures, mystery and some nice lessons. They have such an engaging story...my boys and I cannot get enough of this series.  There is another book coming out in July and we are biting at the bit to get our hands on it!!!  Pearl and Ben are such great characters that any child can relate to.  This is the best of this genre.  Clean, great story, great characters and a series that keep you wanting more.  5 stars

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The Secret Dinosaur
On a trip to a museum Marlin Maxton discovers a forgotten room with a dusty old dinosaur display. To his astonishment and delight his interest sparks the huge models into life! These are dinosaurs for today - life sized animals and metal machines combined. They are as awesome as their prehistoric predecessors - and best of all they befriend Marlin. 

Together boy and dinosaurs embark on a series of thrilling adventures - the first being to protect them from the immediate danger of hunting humans. Some adults believe these animals are a menace to be destroyed - and Marlin is the only protection they have.

With exciting illustrations throughout, this dinosaur book is perfect to engage and encourage independent and newly independent young readers moving fully into chapter books. It is also a delightful story to read aloud to younger dinosaur fans. 

It combines action and adventure with dinosaurs in both urban and rural settings - in these books, the dinosaurs are the heroes!

This is Book 1 in a series.

AN EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK.......

"Marlin woke up suddenly. It was the middle of the night and there was a noise outside his window. He sat up and blinked. He was dreaming. No! There it was again! 
TAP...TAP TAP...TAP...
He slipped out of bed and crept over to the curtains. The floor was cold under his feet and the air was chilly but he hardly noticed. He reached out with one finger and nudged a crack in the curtains.
WOOOOSH!
Something very fast flashed past - silver in the moonlight - and was gone. Marlin jumped back, his heart racing. "What was that?!" He edged forwards again. He pulled the curtains open wider this time and peered out. At first he saw nothing, but then he noticed the strange marks on the lawn. All over, the grass was churned up and muddy as if something heavy had been racing around on it. Then he saw it. A creature standing at the end of the garden. Just under the apple tree, next to the back garden gate, was a little silver dinosaur with a long whip tail and a slender neck. It cocked its head to one side, blinked and looked right at him.
There was no mistaking it.
It was one of the Troodons from the museum."

My Review: 
This is a great book for children starting to read chapter books.  It has a great story, with short chapters and black and white pictures which keep the children engaged.  My boys loved reading this books with me and are looking forward to reading the others in the series. 4 stars

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Pink Flamingos All Around
Dr. Matthew J. Anderson, a flamingo expert, brings us this fantastic frolic full of fabulous flamingos -- Pink Flamingos All Around. This educational and entertaining book is targeted for pre-K children.

My Review:
This is a great book for so many reasons.  It is cute and original, a great early reader book and a PERFECT book for me to create a lesson plan around for my Art Through Stories class.   The pictures are adorable.  My kids and I really enjoyed this book!  I think this is a MUST for kids who want something that is new and exciting! 5 stars

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Review: White Lies by Emily Harper

Imagine standing in line at Harvey Nichols waiting to buy the most gorgeous silk Gucci dress. The only minor problem? You can’t afford it, it’s a size smaller than you are, and you have absolutely no place to wear it.

Meet Natalie Flemming: a twenty-something woman working in London for a fabulous shoe-designing firm, but the only thing they let her touch is the company’s tax forms. She has decided to give fate a vacation and takes the task of finding the man of her dreams (or Johnny Depp if he would just return her calls…) into her own hands.

She craves adventure, spontaneity, passion- or will just settle for a decent date.

Emily Harper has a passion for writing humorous romance stories where the heroine is not your typical damsel in distress. Throughout her novels you will find love, laughter, and the unexpected!  Originally from England, she currently lives in Canada with her wonderful husband, beautiful daughter, mischievous son, and a very naughty dog.

I adored this book!  There is nothing better than curling up with a book which contains a great main character...witty, fun and a character I could totally relate to.  I so enjoyed being on the journey with Natalie and her funny mishaps.  With humor, romance and a great story that flowed flawlessly this is a debut not to be missed! 4.5 stars!!!!

Mandy's Romance Corner Reviews

The Backup List by Miriam Brady and Amber Best

Madison Grey looses it all in an instant.  Her entire life is torn upside down with pain and the ultimate loss of her family.  Her friend are desperate to help bring her back to life again.  It hopes to cheer her up they take her to her favorite rock band concert.  Calvin Hunt, lead singer of said band, notices Madison in the audience and is immediately captivated.  Calvin pursues Madison, but can she get past her heart ache and guilt for a second chance at love.  This story is an emotional roller coaster ride.  I cried, laughed, smiled and cried again during this story.  But it was so worth the roller coaster ride. This story touched my heart and soul.  I felt sad for Madison but I was rooting for Calvin to show her that life was worth living for.  I loved, loved, loved this book.  You have to read it, especially if you want to find out the significance of the title.  I give it 5 stars.

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Untamed Heart by Catherine Sharp

This was an good western romance book.  This is the story of Shane Cordell, raised by the Cheyenne, and Ashley Clayton.  It is the story of the love they find and the struggles they go through to hopefully get a happily ever after.  The story is written well and will keep you engrossed until the very end.  If you are a fan of historical romances or western romances this is a good book to read.  It was a quick read at only 260 pages.  I give 3 stars.

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Do or Die by Suzanne Brockmann

I am a huge fan of Suzanne Brockmann.  I have read all of her Trouble-Shooters series and have loved them all.  This book is not part of the Trouble-Shooters series but is an awesome book.  There is an alpha male named Ian who is out to protect his family at all costs, even if it means staying in prison.  Phoebe is the lawyer who needs to get him out of jail to help the FBI.  What ensues will keep readers on the edge of their seats.  There is lots of action, some romance and you just have to keep turning the pages to what happens next.  Suzanne does a wonderful job of putting her readers in the story and making them feel a part of it.  I absolutely loved this book.  You have to pick it up.  I give it 4 stars.

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Law Man by Kristen Ashley

This is another book in the Dream Man series by Kristen Ashley.  Mitch Lawson is a mega hot police detective.  For years he has had his eye on his neighbor Mara Hanover.  An opportunity presents itself and Mitch is able to weave his way into Mara's life.  Mitch is all alpha male but in a way that is subtle and super sexy.  Kristen Ashley is a brilliant writer who knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats.  Some romance stories these days are the same-ole-same-ole but Kristen's books are far beyond that.  I love how Mitch steps in and helps Mara stand up for herself and helps her resolve the issues at hand.  This is an awesome book.  I give it 4 stars.

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A Christmas to remember: Hope Ramsay, Molly Cannon, Marilyn Pappano, Kristen Ashley, Jill Shalvis

This is a collection of Christmas stories by some of today's great authors.  I love this time of year, especially Christmas stories.  This collections tells about love, hope and makes you feel good.

"Dream A Little Dream" by Jill Shalvis

This is another one of the Luck Harbor novels. Ian O'Mallery and Melissa Mann have been friends with benefits for a while, but when Ian starts to get to close Melissa runs the other way.  Ian wants more from Melissa, will he get it or is this the end of them.  This is a story about true love coming about with lots of fire and smoke.

"Every Year" by Kristen Ashley

This is a Christmas novella with the Chaos motorcycle club.  Tabby and Shy spend Christmas with her family to try to bring some happy Christmas memories for Shy and his brother Landon.  It is a heart warming tale of what Christmas should really be like.  It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  You want to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa, a warm fire and this good book.  

"Silent Night" by Hope Ramsay

Broke single mom Maryanne is out of gas, out of money, and almost out of hope when she takes refuge with her baby in what she THINKS is her cousin's barn. Lonely Daniel Jessup, visiting from Atlanta is determined to cook a last Christmas dinner in the old family homestead if he can.  This a great story about two lost souls who come together by chance and brings things into a new light.  Will the two of them find happiness and hope in each other or will the Christmas spirit fly away before they have a chance?

"Have Yourself A Messy Little Christmas" by Molly Cannon

Lincoln Jones mother - owner of the house he's living in - is determined to come home for a clean, well-decorated Christmas, and has hired Dinah as professional organizer/decorator, so Lincoln doesn't have to.  Lincoln like his stuff his way and does not want anyone to mess with it.  Dinah is determined to make the best of this situation no matter his protests.  Will they be able to get along and make the house a Christmas miracle ?  Will the attraction towards each other consummate ?   

"A Family for Christmas" by Marilyn Pappano

Jared Connors has been groomed by his elite doctor parents his whole life to become a doctor.  He became one but he choose to become a pediatrician, much to his parents dismay. Ilena Gomez is a war widow with a six-month old son. Jared is trying to stand on his own and Ilena is trying to survive being a widow.  These two people come together with their broken lives, can they find peace and happiness in each other?  I hope so.

This collection was an awesome read.  Each story started out with a letter from the author to the readers.  All of these short stories talked about love, hope and a chance at happiness for most of the characters.  I would highly recommend this book, it gives you a taste of each of these authors writing style and will make you want to add them to your list of favorites.  I give this 4 stars.

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Sweet Revenge by Rebecca Zanetti

This is the second book in the Sins Brother series.  Matt Dean is on a mission to find one of the people who can save him and his brothers from the ticking bomb inside all of them.  His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho.  He meets Laney Jacobs and is immediately smitten.  Yes this hard warrior has fallen hard, but who exactly has he fallen for?  Rebecca does an awesome job of bringing twists and turns into this story.  It keeps you on the end of your seat and trying to figure which one is the woman Matt is looking for.  I absolutely love Rebecca's style of writing, it is full of alpha males, strong women and hooks you in the from the beginning. Another hit series on her hands.  I give this book 4 stars.

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Turn up the Heat: Lori Foster, Christie Ridgway, Victoria Dahl

This is a collection of sizzling stories from three best selling authors of today.  

Lori Foster's Love Won't Wait is a tale of Brendan who is used to getting what he wants, especially from women.  Merrily does not fall for Brendan's charm, at least not at first. She has a proposition for him but will it turn out the way both of them expect?  Lori Foster is a brilliant author who bring another tale to greatness.  I love watching confident men get a little taste of their own medicine.  This is another great read from Lori.

Christie Ridgway's Beach House Beginnings tells the story of Meg who makes a trip back to her home town for the first time in 5 years.  Sparks fly when she meets Caleb.  Can Caleb tempt her to spend the weekend with him for a chance at love?  Christie does a magical job of bringing these characters to life, it has you rooting for Caleb and hoping for the happy ending to come.  Another great tale by Christie Ridgway.

Victoria Dahl's Strong Enough to Love is a story of forbidden love that gets a second chance at life.  Photographer Eve Hill has tried to forget about Brian Stewart, but his sudden reappearance in Jackson Hole, WY sends her life into a tale spin of epic proportions.  Will their forbidden love find a way or is this the end of them for good.  Victoria does a great job of weaving this story to life with awesome characters.  You can't help but root for a happy ending for these two.  Brilliant book.

I loved all three of these books from these fabulous authors.  Everyone of these lovely ladies does a wonderful job of drawing their readers in and keeping them enthralled until the very end. I could not but this book down.  Great read.  I give it 4 stars.  

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The Deadly Series Boxed Set by Jaycee Clark

This I Will Defend!  This is the family motto of the Kinncaid brothers, and trust me when I say I would want them to defend me.  This box set rocks the house.  Each one of these books offers the reader a unique story around one of the brother's.  They are all alpha males who are real and care about their loved ones immensely.  The brothers are all very different in personality along with the women they love.  There is mystery, romance,  and edge of your seat  suspense.  I could not put this set down.  As soon as I finished one book I wanted to find out what the next brother was like.  Jaycee Clark did a brilliant job in creating a believable family who loves one another no matter what happens.  My favorite brother was Ian, don't get me wrong, all of the books are awesome but I loved Ian the most.  You seriously have to read this set, its a must read.  I give it 5 stars.

Showcase: A Medical Affair by Anne McCarthy Strauss

While under the care of her pulmonologist after a life-threatening asthma attack, Heather Morrison enters into an affair with her doctor. This affair violates the state’s code of conduct and his medical treatment violates the Hippocratic oath. Heather’s life is shattered as a result. After the doctor terminates the relationship, Heather begins research for her own healing, and armed with this information, she initiates a civil lawsuit. Although it is a work of fiction, A Medical Affair was extensively researched. A Medical Affair is a critical book for women who want to make educated decisions regarding their relationships with their doctors.

Anne McCarthy Strauss is a versatile writer, researcher and public relations professional. She is also an avid supporter of victims’ rights. She has spent the last decade educating women and men on the seldom revealed but all too frequent occurrence of affairs between doctors and their patients. Her novel, A Medical Affair, is the story of a doctor who violates a sacred trust by having an affair with one of his patients. 

A lifelong New Yorker, Anne lives on Long Island with her husband and their two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The mother of one son, she has written for both consumer and trade magazines including Old House Journal, Waterfront Home & Design, Design Trade Magazine, Design New England, Distinction, Log Home Design Ideas and Florida Design Review. She has been a regular contributor to Martha’s Vineyard Magazine and Vineyard Style. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA).

Visit her at www.annestrauss.com.

Q.  What inspires your writing?

A. Life inspires my writing.  Reading an article in the media, visiting websites and simple people watching all inspire me to write the stories that live behind the facades of exterior appearances.  Talking with people enriches these opportunities.  Almost everyone has a book-worthy story that will come out if you get to know them well enough.

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

A. Writing affords the opportunity to create and control that few other careers can offer.  In other words, I get to tell the story the way I see it and twist it in any way I choose.

Q.  What is the toughest part of being a writer?

A. For me, solitude is the biggest challenge of being a writer.  Too much solitude brings on depression for me.  And many writers are inclined toward depression.  To avoid it, I make a point of writing in libraries, coffee shops and the few bookstores that remain on Long Island where I live.

Q.  If you could not be writer, what would you do/be?

A.  I would love to have had the opportunity to pursue a career as a dancer.  However, I never had a dance lesson until I was in my forties – way too late to embark on that career.  Most of my published articles have been in interior design magazines.  I am intrigued by architecture and design and the people who create and decorate beautiful structures.  Interior design would have been a good career choice, but writing about it allows me to combine two interests.

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?

A.   Perseverance is my strongest attribute.  When I set my mind on a goal, I never give up no matter how many times I’m shot down.  So the story of my life would be called something along the lines of “The Woman Who Never Quit” or “She Never Gave Up.”

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

A. Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind.  It has everything – love, loss, jealousy, war, a massive fall from wealth to poverty, and the determination of Scarlett O’Hara, a strong character who never gives up.

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?

A. The answer really depends on the aspect of my life I’m looking at.  From a romantic perspective, I see myself as Allie Nelson in Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook.  Allie was torn between two men who loved her.  She chose Noah Calhoun who adored her and lived for her until the end.  I won’t go further into my own parallels, but it’s pretty easy to read between the lines.

Q.  What character from all of your books are you most like?

A.  Well, I’ve written three novels, but A Medical Affair is the first to be published.  Each of my protagonists is based, however loosely, on myself since I’m the person I know best.  Heather Morrison has many of the characteristics I had when I was in my late 30s in as much as I was a single woman with a fulltime job.  I was a single mom.  And, yes, I had even dated one of my doctors but, like most women, I had no idea at the time that his simply asking me to lunch was an unethical gesture on his part.

Q.  Which book would you love to take a weekend vacation inside of?

I find myself choosing another Nicholas Sparks book – Nights in Rodanthe.  I spent many challenging years as a single mother.  I’d have given anything for a weekend away and on my own in a beautiful place.  Protagonist Adrienne Willis got that chance in the coastal village of Rodanthe, North Carolina.  The passionate weekend that ensued with her meeting Paul Flanner would make for an amazing weekend.  I could do without the storm, and Paul’s anger was a bit overwhelming.  But the passion of that weekend wouldn’t have risen to the levels it did without the raw anger of both the storm and of Paul.

Q.  What is your favorite season?

A.  Fall.  No contest.

Q.  What inspired your book cover(s)?  Or what is your favorite book cover and why?

A.  The cover of A Medical Affair took a few takes.  Ultimately, though, it represents the themes of the book:  the flowers are for love, the get well card portrays the doctor, and the locket is the one Heather always wore with the picture of the child she plans to adopt inside.

Q.  Are you working on something new?

A.   Yes, currently I’m working on a book about four childhood friends who rekindle their friendship at their high school reunion.

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?

A.  First of all, thank you for stopping by.  I’d also like to ask women readers if they have had or know someone who has had an affair with her medical doctor.  Virtually all women I’ve asked this question at least know someone who has been involved in such a relationship.  These women should read A Medical Affair to learn the truth about these affairs and to know they are not alone.  And others should read it to avoid the pain and anxiety that virtually always results.

Highlight: Shadowlands by Alan Steven Kessler

A coming-of-age story about a young boy who endures abuse by creating a world of shadows where he can escape beatings and the dead. His journey is across a unique internal landscape where there is no borderland between sanity and madness, only a compelling, sometimes horrific blending of the two into a power strong enough to summon love and extract revenge. 

The novel is psychological horror without blood or drool. In the story the protagonist, Steve Goldblatt, asks that before judging evil we first live with those who made it and taste, as he did, what they put into their witches’ brew. 

Through his haunting voice, Mr. Goldblatt brings the reader face to face with demons--external ones and those living deep within our soul.

Find out more about Kessler HERE

SHOWCASE: STORY SPROUTS: CBW-LA WRITING DAY EXERCISES & ANTHOLOGY 2013

STORY SPROUTS: CBW-LA WRITING DAY EXERCISES & ANTHOLOGY 2013

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: CBW-LA Publications (October 18, 2013)
• Edited by: Alana Garrigues, Nutschell Anne Windsor
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0989878791
• ISBN-13: 978-0989878791
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

STORY SPROUTS 2013 ANTHOLOGY STATISTICS:

• 19 Authors
• 38 Combined Anthology Entries – 2 per Contributing Author
• 6-hour Workshop
• 10 Writing Exercises (included in Story Sprouts)
• Dozens of Photo, Character and Conflict Prompts (included in Story Sprouts)
• 240 pages

What is it about:

What happens when linguistic lovers and tale tellers workshop together? Inspiration. Wonder. Discovery. Growth. Magic.

Brave and talented, the writers featured in this anthology took on the challenge of dedicating one day to the raw and creative process of writing.

A rare view into the building blocks of composition, Story Sprouts is made up of nearly 40 works of poetry and prose from 19 published and aspiring children's book authors.

This compilation includes all of the anthology writing exercises and prompts, along with tips, techniques and free online writing resources to help writers improve their craft.

KINDLE & PRINT COPIES AVAILABLE THROUGH AMAZON:

LINKS:

Learn more about Story Sprouts at http://www.storysproutsanthology.com/

Join the Children’s Book Writers of Los Angeles at www.cbw-la.org  

Find Nutschell at:

Blog: www.thewritingnut.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nutschell

Linked-In: www.linkedin.com/in/nawindsor

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/nutschell

Find Alana at:

Website: http://www.alanagarrigues.com/

Blog: www.writercize.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlanaGarriguesWrites

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alanagarrigues

Q.  What inspires your writing?

N: I draw inspiration from the things I experience, the people I meet, the events I hear/read about on the news, the books I read, the movies I watch. Life is what inspires my writing.

A: I am primarily a journalist and creative non-fiction writer, so true stories. I am really interested in what drives people and how they connect, and I'm fascinated by cultural diversity and harmony. I also love to research, educate and inspire others to do what they love. 

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

N: That I get to create worlds and make characters come alive. More than that, I love that my stories have the potential to touch a reader’s life.

A: Communicating with my subjects and packaging their story into something that moves a reader.

Q.  What is the toughest part of being a writer?

N: Making time to improve the craft, making time to actually write. I’d like be writing or reading all the time but a 9-5 job, and other responsibilities often get in the way.

A: Time is definitely an issue! I don't even attempt to improve - I am so busy with writing for production! I think that it naturally improves over time with more production. I am a freelance writer, so that is my job, but I also have six-year-old twins, and I'm active in several non-profit organizations, so balancing it all is a challenge.

Q.  If you could not be writer, what would you do/be?

N: I’d be sad if I couldn’t be a writer. I’d probably end up doing some other kind of creative work—photography maybe, or graphic design, or film. That or I’d be a software engineer, which I think is kinda cool.

A: I love anything that connects people - event planning, work in a museum or library, education. I've had a diverse array of jobs from managing a paint-your-own pottery studio and running a summer art camp to public relations to landscaping to HR, and I've honestly loved something about every position!

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?

N: Hmm…That’s a tough one. I think it would be “The Girl Who Wouldn’t Stop Writing.” Lame, I know. But true.

A: Wow - that is a TOUGH question! Travel is big for me. Maybe "The Winding Road."

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

N: Oh I have so many favorite books! But Harry Potter comes to mind most easily.

A: I revisit Winnie the Pooh often - I love A.A. Milne. As far as creative nonfiction goes, I really enjoyed Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?

N: I’d like to think I’m a bit like every character I’ve ever related to in the books I’ve read. If I have to be specific, I’d have to say Tris from Veronica Roth’s novel. Tris is Divergent, and I feel like I am, too.

A: I honestly haven't compared myself to a character in any book since I was very, very young, when I felt like I jumped back and forth between Elizabeth and Jessica in Sweet Valley Twins. Ha! I had forgotten about that. 

Q.  What character from all of your books are you most like?

N: I put a little bit of myself in all the characters I write, so it’s hard to say which one I’m most like.

A: I think that I put a little of myself into all of my stories, in that I channel other people's stories, but I have to find something in myself that relates so that I can tap into that and do justice to their story. Luckily, I find myself able to relate to pretty much everyone I meet in one way or another. 

Q.  Which book would you love to take a weekend vacation inside of?

N: Harry Potter, most definitely. I’d love to wander Hogwarts.

A: I love the worlds created by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and I do want to vacation in Barcelona (though I don't recall which part of Spain his books take place), so something in his book, I imagine. Book stories in Spain sound nice, though his books are a little spooky!

Q.  What is your favorite season?

N: Spring.

A: Ditto! Spring!

Q.  What inspired your book cover(s)?  Or what is your favorite book cover and why?

N: The tree in the book cover of STORY SPROUTS symbolizes the stories that have sprouted from the workshop which inspired the book, and also the growth of the writers featured in the anthology.

A: Yes, we wanted to show that this book was the beginning to stories that would eventually take root and blossom. The writers wrote these stories in six hours, but our hope is that the experience resonates and lives on in their future writing.

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book.

N: I can’t remember any funny event. Although I do remember my Mom asking me how my book “Bean Sprouts” was selling.

A: Nothing yet! Must mean we have a lot more promotion to do! Great question - I want to see what other authors have to say about this!

Q.  Are you working on something new?

N: I’m currently rewriting a middle grade fantasy novel.

A: I am working on a creative nonfiction about a woman who founded a non-profit organization in West Africa. It's in the "humorous humanitarian" genre, as my subject calls it. Full of funny! And inspiration.

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?

N: Thank you for dropping by and reading the interview! I hope life treats you all wonderfully. 

A: We'd love to have any of you in the L.A. area visit us at a future workshop (cbwla.org) … and we also love to know how Story Sprouts touches you! If any of the exercises strike a chord or you discover a brand new voice among the authors, we want to know. We love feedback, and if you are an aspiring writer, we want to cheer you on!!