Review: Wicked Treasure by Jordan Elizabeth

WICKED TREASURE

Treasure Chronicles, #3

by Jordan Elizabeth

Curiosity Quills

YA Fantasy

311 pages

An asylum patient has a cryptic vision: Clark will overthrow the presidency. She's just insane...right? 

When a clockwork lion kidnaps their daughter, Clark and Amethyst's calm new life shatters. Hunting down the beast leads the Grishams and Treasures to a conspiracy not just against Clark, but also against the country. 

The conspirators attacked their little girl. An offense like that can’t go ignored. With his old gang at his back, Clark is ready to take on an abandoned circus, dethroned royalty, a corrupt orphanage, and the presidency itself. 

WICKED TREASURE is the third installment of the Treasure Chronicles.

MY TIDBITS

This is one of those books which has so many different aspects that it's hard to shove it into one specific genre drawer. A young woman, who's been locked away in an asylum for years, predicts that Clark will take over the presidency. This sets off a string of events, which leads to the kidnapping of Clark and Amethyst's daughter. These two will stop at nothing to get their daughter back, unleashing a wave of revealed conspiracy and adventure. This is the third book in the series, and I was really looking forward to diving in. Although this book doesn't hang on to the plot from the first two, it's easier to understand the characters and their style after reading the rest of the series. However, it is possible to jump into this one as a stand alone. Unlike the first two books, the steampunk elements back down and government conspiracy fills the left over holes. This gives the entire book a different direction, which leaves Steampunk fans a little unsatisfied. On the other hands, fans of conspiracy and history will be a little more in their element. The characters, Clark and Amethyst, are still as strong-headed and courageous as before. They don't back down and take on anyone and anything to get their daughter back. It's hard not to get caught up in their struggle and cheer them on. The dark style and romantic elements hold strong as they always have for these two characters. The plot runs a little differently than in the rest of the series, but it grabs just as much. With a captivating writing style, the author brings the world to life and keeps the tension high. The characters and their motives are layered with intrigue and shadows, adding twists and turns at unexpected times. Especially the addition of Samantha brings a nice sub-plot and puts a new dimension to the story. There were a few moments when confusion sets in, and some characters' actions fell a bit out of sync, but it wasn't enough to make me want to lay the book down. I still needed to see how things turned out in the end. Summed up, this book takes a different turn to the rest of the series but is just as engaging and holds many surprises. Especially fans of action, paranormal, history and conspiracy will enjoy giving this a read. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and enjoyed it enough to want to freely leave my thoughts.

Wounded Heart by L.L. Hunter

Wounded Heart

by L.L. Hunter 

YA dystopian/ post- apocalyptic

Cover Designer: Desiree DeOrto

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

They might have killed her, but they will never break her

After the death of Blossom, the girl she called her sister

Skye’s heart has been shattered and she’s out for revenge.

But not if Lukas has anything to do about it.

Skye is not only fighting the feelings she has for Lukas, but the deep rage in her heart.

A rage that will put everyone in danger if Skye can’t find a way to make peace with her demons.

In the much anticipated second instalment of the Molten Heart Saga,

War rages on.

Will Lukas heal Skye’s heart in time?

L.L. Hunter is the author of over 20 published works, including The Legend of the Archangel Series and The Garden of Eden. She has studied everything from veterinary nursing, forensic science, and dramatic arts, but has always known her true calling was to be an author. 

She has been writing since her teens - everything from fan fiction, to song lyrics, to plays and musicals. When not working on her next paranormal romance, she can be found at home in Australia, reading somewhere comfortable with one or both of her “fur babies.” Follow her on Facebook, Twitter @llhunterbooks, and her blog - http://llhunter.blogspot.com.au

Author Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LL-Hunter/110104129132865 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LLHunterbooks Amazon: http://amzn.to/1So75bF Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6559537.L_L_Hunter Blog: http://llhunter.blogspot.com.au Authorgraph: http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/LLHunterbooks Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/llhunter Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/l-l-hunter Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/by8k0r

Buy Links: Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2qq0otp

Amazon UK: http://amzn.eu/eSejJOU

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/mt/book/wounded-heart/id1146553839?mt=11

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wounded-heart-ll-unter/1124439029?ean=2940153686073

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/wounded-heart-2

Warren High: An Elephant Never Forgets by J.C. Roberts

Warren High: An Elephant Never Forgets

 (Warren High #1)

by J. C. Roberts

Middle Grade Supernatural Mystery

Release Date: 7 March, 2017

ages 8+

Something strange has come to Warren High…

Warren High’s Paranormal Investigation Club has something of a reputation. No one knows more about the supernatural than its sole member, a freshman prairie dog known as Ned Gunnison. While he typically enjoys the solitude his club provides, he finds it shattered by a strange request from the mysterious rabbit, Laura.

While he’s been told that he’s seeking a friendly ghost, Ned can’t help but notice that students have started becoming injured with no explanation. What’s more Laura seems to know things that she shouldn’t be able to know. As the attacks become increasingly violent, Ned must find a way to stop the angry spirit or he may just become its next target.

A thrilling supernatural mystery for children between late elementary to early high school. If your child enjoys Goosebumps, they'll love Warren High! Perfect for the adventurous child who loves a good mystery.

You can find Warren High: An Elephant Never Forgets on Goodreads

You can buy Warren High: An Elephant Never Forgets here:
- Amazon
- Amazon Paperback


Note from the author. . .

Writing An Elephant Never Forgets was a tremendously fun journey. I remember when I first started writing the book, I wanted to give a glimpse into the struggles that can come from someone who has Autism, specifically Asperger's Syndrome. While Ned is never officially diagnosed within the book, and typically such a condition isn't caused by external stimuli, his behaviors are very indicative of someone who does suffer from ASD. The goal of the book is of course to be entertaining, but I really hope that if parents read this with their child who has Asperger's it may give them a better understanding into the way their minds work.

My inspiration for the story (as well as two of the characters), however, comes from a pair of paranormal investigators by the names of Ed and Lorraine Warren. They have had thousands of cases in which they've helped people with their problems, some of which have been even made into movies (such as Annabelle, The Conjuring, and The Amityville Horror). Now there are many people who do not believe in such things as ghosts or demons or such paranormal things, but one thing that sticks out about the Warrens is that when they did their investigations they would never charge their clients. While Ed Warren has passed away, Lorraine Warren still lives in Monroe, Connecticut where she runs The Warrens' Occult Museum with her son-in-law. Being a firm believer in the paranormal myself, it only increases the impressive nature of the Warrens' illustrious reputation, and I hope that this book does the spirit of their work justice.

The most common question I'd get while sharing the rough copies of the book was "Why animals?" I've always found animals to be fascinating, not just as creatures, mind you, but as personalities. Every animal is different, obviously, even within its species, but common traits begin to form that allows them to be used as a 'mask' for a character. By using these animal 'masks' it gives you a glance into a character's personality before they even utter a word. In some cases, it may even give a glimpse into the character's insecurities.

For example, Ned, being a prairie dog, is of a species of animal that is typically very social in nature. This says something about his personality. Particularly that perhaps it isn't the way he would be had certain events not changed his behavior. Maybe it's even a representation of the dreams he has for his future.

My absolute favorite example though is Ashley. Ashley is a Black-Footed Cat which is a very odd breed of wildcat. These cats are small, around half the size of the average house cat. Even still, they survive hunting prey that's much larger than them. Some have even been known to take down antelope. In addition, they are one of the most aggressive and territorial wildcats in the world. This is a perfect animal for Ashley as it shows off her drive for 'survival' within her school life. She's a star athlete, a socialite, and cares greatly about her appearance, but when you peel back her layers, you find that inside is this terrifying mentality of doing whatever it takes to get what she wants. If she can't overcome an opponent with her strength or agility, she'll use her cunning to tear them down to size instead.

Finally, I hope that you sincerely enjoy my work. It is the culmination of nearly two years of blood, sweat, and tears. My greatest dream is to inspire other people to find what they wish to do with their lives and to chase their dreams. So if I had to give a message to my readers, it'd be this. Listen for your call-to-arms. Everyone's is different, and everyone struggles to hear it at first. If you don't know what you want in life now, that's okay. Even still, don't ever stop moving. Seek new experiences and find opportunities to find friends and do good deeds in the world. Kindness can change someone's life forever, and cruelty must never be allowed to surpass your kindness.

Thank you all for your support, I wish you the best of luck in life and literature.

Sincerely,
J. C. Roberts



And here she is. . .

J. C. Roberts is a young author who was born and raised in Houston, Texas. From childhood, he's always been fascinated by old legends, mythology, and folklore and wished to seek out their origins. For a short while, he was a teacher at a private school for children with social struggles called Focus Academy, where he primarily taught English and Mathematics.

He has a pet prairie dog named Stormy, and enjoys practicing archery. When he's with friends, his favorite thing to do is play board games (his favorite being Betrayal at the House on the Hill) and he has a deep love for puzzles and mysteries, especially logic puzzles. His favorite author is Annette Curtis Klause, and he always loves corresponding with his readers. You can email him at JCRobertsFanMail @ gmail.com with any questions or comments you may have.

You can find and contact J. C. Roberts here:
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Amazon

Sneak Peek: Deathbringer by Tamara Grantham with Giveaway

DEATHBRINGER

Tamara Grantham

(Fairy World M.D., Olive Kennedy)

Crimson Tree Publishing

Publication date: April 25th 2017

Fantasy, Romance

Some heroes are fated to save the world. Others are meant to destroy it…
Olive Kennedy is all about positive thinking. She’s been stuck on Earth for the past four months, waiting for the spring equinox to arrive so she can return to Fairy World — but she’s staying positive. She’s hopeful she’ll once again see her handsome Viking fiancé who’s waiting for her. She’s optimistic that her mission to reclaim the sword of Dracon — a sword of King Arthur fame and the only weapon capable of killing Theht — won’t result in death and destruction. And then there’s the small matter of an asteroid that’s been ripped out of its orbit and is hurtling toward Earth…no biggie.
One last thing — she’s fated to destroy the world. To stop that prophecy from being fulfilled, she may have to sacrifice the one person she loves the most.
Good thing she’s staying positive.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT

I stood and crossed to my bedroom, then grabbed my backpack and slung it over my shoulder. After grabbing my temporary mirror case out of a drawer, I placed it on top of my dresser.

I wasn’t sure if I should cringe or laugh as I scanned my new mirror. I’d found it at the dollar store after a frustrating day of trying to create a new mirror box with no success. I’d bought it because it was absurd and to remind myself that it was temporary.
The plastic box was pink with the name BARBIE scrolled on the top. Inside was a foam liner that had once held five nail polish bottles. I’d cut the foam to make larger slots. Now, it held my five figurines that represented the races of Faythander: Dragon, elf, Wult, pixie, and goblin.
After unlocking the latch, I opened the lid. “You’re fabulous! Inside and out!” sang to me in a bubble-gum voice as I propped the lid open.
As I said, temporary solution. Extremely temporary. It had a mirror under the lid and was the perfect size for my figurines, so it worked. For now.
Scanning my figurines, I found the Wult and removed it from the foam, then propped it upright against the mirror. I needed to get to the Wultlands, and this would be the easiest way to do so.
I ignored the glittery scrolling along the edges of the mirror and focused on the glass. Taking a deep breath, I paused before touching my fingers to the mirror.
Months ago, the portals had started acting erratically. I’d thought the problem had been solved after we’d restored the fairies’ stone, but when I’d returned to Earth four months ago, the portal had almost torn me apart. I’d gotten several stitches in my abdomen because the crossing had been so violent. Since then, I hadn’t once been able to open a portal, but tonight, I had no choice. I needed to return to Faythander before the equinox, and I had one thing in my favor—I hadn’t tried opening a portal with my new Barbie box yet.
Here’s to hoping my luck improved, I thought. Then again, this was my luck we were talking about. Yeah, probably not.
Carefully, I placed my fingertips to the screen, inhaled a deep breath, and then conjured the word to open the portal.
Magic flowed from my heart, through my arms and hands, and into the mirror. Gold and amber swirls licked like fire over my skin as the magic interacted with the mirror, mingling with the blue glow coming from the plastic case.
The power grew inside me as the portal opened. Wind swirled around me until the room disappeared and I floated in a void. Voices came from somewhere. Soft whispers. Among them was a familiar one. The cold, detached voice of Theht.
I am here. I am waiting.
I’d gotten better at tuning her out, but being in a place like this, between worlds, made it almost impossible to keep her away.
Soon, we shall destroy the world together. Deathbringer.
The wind grew stronger and faster, wrapping around me, squeezing the air from my lungs. It compressed me until I couldn’t breathe. Pain coursed through my nerve endings as the pressure weighed me down. I felt as if I’d been buried under millions of tons of sand.
I cried out, but couldn’t hear my voice over the wind. Tears leaked from my eyes. I felt their warmth on my cheeks. In a desperate attempt to survive, I focused on the magic within me, unleashing every ounce, pouring it into the portal to keep it steady.
I thought for sure I was dead when I hit the ground. I landed awkwardly, my shoulder and hips taking the brunt of the impact. My mirror, on the other hand, made a graceful landing in a pile of leaves beside me.
I lay on the ground, panting for air, staring at the faded blue sky through the patchwork of branches with budding green shoots.
“Never again,” I muttered between gasps. Next time, I would find a Viking ship and cross through an underground ocean filled with man-eating sea-snakes before using a portal. “Never. Again.”
On the bright side, at least I’d finally made it back to Faythander. The $.99 investment into the Barbie mirror wasn’t such a bad buy after all.

And here she is. . .

 

Tamara Grantham is the award-winning author of more than half a dozen books and novellas, including the Olive Kennedy: Fairy World MD series and the Shine novellas. Dreamthief, the first book of her Fairy World MD series, won first place for fantasy in INDIEFAB’S Book of the Year Awards, a RONE award for best New Adult Romance of 2016, and is a #1 bestseller on Amazon in both the Mythology and Fairy Tales categories with over 100 reviews.
Tamara holds a Bachelor’s degree in English. She has been a featured speaker at the Rose State Writing Conference and has been a panelist at Comic Con Wizard World speaking on the topic of female leads. For her first published project, she collaborated with New York-Times bestselling author, William Bernhardt, in writing the Shine series.
Born and raised in Texas, Tamara now lives with her husband and five children in Wichita, Kansas. She rarely has any free time, but when the stars align and she gets a moment to relax, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, taking nature walks, which fuel her inspiration for creating fantastical worlds, and watching every Star Wars or Star Trek movie ever made. You can find her online at www.TamaraGranthamBooks.com.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Serenade by Heather McKenzie

SERENADE

The Nightmusic Trilogy, Book One

by Heather McKenzie

Clean Teen Publishing

YA Suspense, Romance

346 pages

Kidnapped and held hostage in the Rockies, a teenage heiress falls for her abductor while her corrupt father and devoted bodyguard fight to get her back. The discovery of true love and dark family secrets turns deadly in this epic coming of age adventure.

Kaya Lowen dreams of living like a normal eighteen-year old, but being heiress to a billion-dollar company has put her life in constant danger. Fiercely guarded by her powerful and corrupt father, she develops close bonds with those who protect her, especially Oliver a bodyguard who has proven his devotion to her time and again. He wins her heart - until a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning everything she believes in. 

Haunted by true love and reeling from a guilty conscience, Kaya's world unravels when she's kidnapped. Held captive in a rugged wilderness fraught with raging storms, mystical caves and deadly predators, Kaya's father scours the forest and her bodyguard fights to get her back. But, the discovery of a dark family secret makes Kaya wonder if staying in the arms of her blue-eyed abductor, a captivating stranger with dark secrets of his own, is a safer place to be. At least, that's what her heart is telling her, her head is saying run...

An epic adventure centered on a smoldering love-triangle, Serenade sings a timeless tale of courage, self-discovery, and life-or-death love that will leave you breathless.

MY TIDBITS

Intrigue, tension and danger pack these pages the whole way through. 

Kaya is a rich man's daughter who lives in a castle in the mountains, which might sound like the perfect life. Except, it's not. Thanks to a grandfather who wants to see her dead, she's under constant, heavy security. No friends. No life outside of the bodyguards and her nanny. When secrets start to unfold, she discovers that her grandfather isn't the only deadly threat in her life.

My favorite part of this book is the great outdoors. This takes place in the rustic mountains and the landscape comes to life. The descriptions paint lovely scenes and place the reader between pines, rocks and waterfalls. Even Kaya's room and surroundings gain vividness without the text every tipping into wordiness.

Kaya is a pretty down to earth character--all things considered. Almost too much so. She lives a very sheltered life but has a strong personality and adapts easily. She's caring, has a warm heart and overflows in determination. It's easy to root for her the whole way through. Those around her are just as vibrant and personality rich as Kaya, and round off the scenes well.

Action and tension ride high the whole way through with mounds of unexpected twists and turns. There are layers upon layers of secrets, most which are hard to predict and catch by the surprise. Bad guys meld with the good ones, making it hard to know what the real intentions are. Not everything falls into place, leaving several holes scattered throughout. The reasoning behind several secrets laid a little thin.

Romance rides high and grabs with amazing heroes. But even these have intentions which aren't crystal clear. The author does a terrific job keeping a shadow of doubt over the purity of the love and danger which might lurk within. There is a love triangle and a hard hitting 'love at first sight', which lacked a bit of reality. 

All in all, this is an engaging read and is sure to keep young adult suspense fans on the edge of their seats, and dreaming of what book two will bring.

And here she is. . .

Heather McKenzie is a Canadian author and Serenade is her first novel. A professional singer/songwriter with five albums to date, she has been telling stories through music for years and pulls from her extraordinary experiences as a musician to fuel her passion for creating Young Adult fiction. A rocker at heart, a mom of three, an aspiring painter, and a lover of animals, she is kept grounded by her husband at their home in Edmonton.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Davenport House: Debutante by Marie Silk with Giveaway

Davenport House Prequel: Debutante

by Marie Silk

 April 21st 2017

YA Historical

The family saga begins in Debutante, a prequel to the best-selling Davenport House series. A life of luxury for the Davenports means drudgery for the servants on the grand country estate. This is their story in 1909 America, six years prior to the events of book one.
While her father is away on business, sixteen-year-old Mary Davenport feels confined and alone, despite her privileged life at the family’s mansion. As the day of Mary’s debutante ball draws near, the servants are conflicted by instructions from Mary’s mother to starve her until she fits into a gown that was made too small. Mary is also under pressure to act the part of society while being forbidden from seeing her only friend, the servant boy who works in the stable.
In a shantytown hours away, a young girl called Abigail is hired to sew a gown for a dressmaker’s wealthy patron. Abigail gives up her education in order to provide for her impoverished family. Neither she nor Mary is aware of how connected their futures are destined to become.

Goodreads / Amazon

Special release price of 99¢!

AND: Each book in the series will be on sale for 99¢ between April 22-27!

And here she is. . .

Marie Silk has enjoyed writing stories and plays since childhood. She lives with her family in the United States and travels the globe as often as life permits. She is an admirer of history, antiques, and architecture. Marie is the author of the best selling Davenport House family saga.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook 

GIVEAWAY!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sneak Peek: A Daughter's Curse by C.J. Davidson

A DAUGHTER'S CURSE

The Queen of Water's Forbidden Love

by C.J. Davidson

YA Fantasy

303 pages

When Brisnay discovers that she is a part of a fantasy world and meets Nickolaus, her miserable life takes a turn for the better. A world where anything is possible becomes her refuge and sparks fly between her and Nickolaus. Just when she thinks she knows everything about the realm she was thrust into, she uncovers shocking truths that rattle her to the core. 

Betrayal. Hate. Envy. Deceit. Vengeance. Retribution. These are some of the things that Brisnay must face to fight a powerful, unknown enemy who is out to destroy her and strip her of the powers she's rightfully inherited. 

Brisnay realizes that she has no choice but to take a stand and must get revenge by fighting for the right to love.

EXCERPT

“W

here is it?” Brisnay heard her father’s voice thunder.

Brisnay shot up in bed and glanced at the clock. It was nearly three a.m.

It was barely an hour ago when Nickolaus had helped her into her house through the bathroom window. And it had taken at least thirty minutes to go to sleep from all the excitement she had experienced.

Brisnay groaned.

What is he yelling about now?

“I don’t know,” she heard her mother answer in a gravelly voice.

“Did you take it?”

“No! I haven’t touched it! I have no idea where it is!”

Brisnay felt like her chest was caving in. She sharply breathed out as she felt her insides churn. She got up and paced.

Are they talking about the book? What am I going to do now?

“It’s not here! Where is it?” her father demanded.

“I’m telling you the truth! I haven’t seen it!” her mother yelled back.

Brisnay heard a sickening slap. She was sure her father had struck her mother. All at once, she heard her father’s heavy footsteps heading toward her room. With an erratic heartbeat, she slipped quietly back into bed and pulled the covers up to her face, squeezing her eyes shut. A knot started to build in her throat.

She heard her father shove open her bedroom door, and then he flipped the lights on. “Brisnay!”

Brisnay lay frozen.

“Brisnay! Get the hell up!”

Then, out of nowhere, a sharp pain cut through Brisnay’s body. She didn’t know how, but her father had struck her in the stomach. She stumbled out of bed, breathless, and leaned over as she clutched her stomach with both hands.

“Did you get a book out of our closet?”

Brisnay’s heart sank faster than a rock sinking to the bottom of the ocean. She had never seen her father this angry.

And here she is. . .

Today, I am married and have four children. Their names are Dluce, Marin, Carlos, and Isabella. I work as Branch Manager at a financial institution. I couldn't be happier with what I have accomplished so far.

My next step is to somehow help those affected by domestic violence. What hurts the most, is when children are in the middle of it. It is my belief that no one should have to feel unsafe, living life on the edge, wondering when they are going to get hurt. Sleeping with one eye open is the worst feeling in the world. Fear that catches in your throat paralyzes your whole body. Living life like that hurts and it comes with consequences. I know.

https://www.facebook.com/C-J-Davidson-1403997853241488/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

http://c.j.davidsonofficial.com

http://www.cjdavidsonofficial.com/bio

Review: Elly and the Smelly Sneaker by Leslie Gorin

ELLY AND THE SMELLY SNEAKER

by Leslie Gorin

Illustrated by Lesley Vamos

Sterling Children's Books

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

40 pages

Elly has everything a girl could desire: bonbons, pretty clothes, maids to put everything in order, and a family that treats her like a princess. Except that, to her, life’s a boring, royal pain. All Elly really wants is to be with other kids—especially when they play baseball. She dreams of opening days, double plays, and joining the team. Then, one day, her fairy godfather arrives to make her wish come true. Will Elly FINALLY succeed in trading her glass slippers for a pair of smelly sneakers? A fun and inspiring twist on Cinderella that’s just right for today’s girls.

MY TIDBITS 

Take Cinderella's plight, flip it upside-down, and out comes a delightful tale which is hard not to love. 

Elly has the life of a true princess. Her step-mother and step-sisters coddle, primp and adore her. But Elly isn't into all those things like dresses, cakes and teas. She wants to head outside and join the baseball scene.

This book is simply a ton of smiles and fun. Elly is a princess. . .at least, her life is. But her heart is that of an average kid, who wants to run, play and have not always ladylike fun. It's a tale which hits modern day girls right on, and encourages them to step out of their everyday mold and chase those dreams. . . even if the dreams don't match the ideals of everyone else. Throw in a pair of smelly sneakers to replace those glass slippers, and it's obvious which fit better to a day of excitement and adventure.

The illustrations are a treat and bring the tale to life. There are funny details hidden throughout, which will have kids going back to find them. There's a nice balance between text and picture, allowing the story to unfold from both sides.

The words and text easily roll off the tongue, making it a joy to read-aloud. There are word plays peppered throughout the entire book, some which won't necessarily be picked up by young listeners right away. But adults need to have their fun too. Plus, clever kids will grab these up and are sure to point them out. 

Summed up, this is a wonderful twist on a beloved fairy tale, which fits perfectly to those modern day princesses, who might not be so princessy after all. My own daughter loved it and kept it by her bed, flipping through it again and again and again.

All about the author. . .

Before she became an author, Leslie Gorin taught on a Navajo reservation and attended film school to become an animator. But she preferred writing, and her stories and articles have appeared in such places as Highlights for Children, Spider, Hopscotch, National Public Radio, and the anthology New Mitzvah Stories for the Whole Family (Reclaiming Judaism). She is the author of Bertie Wings It! (Sterling), and her awards include a Disney Fellowship, a Luce Scholarship, a grant from the Highlights Foundation, and Runner-up for the 2014 SCBWI Barbara Karlin Work-in-Progress grant for picture book texts. Leslie lives in Eagle, ID. Learn more about her at lesliegorin.com.

All about the Illustrator. . .

Lesley Vamos studied at the college of Fine Arts in Australia, receiving a Distinction and Animation Honor in a Bachelor of Digital Media. Since graduating, Vamos has spent her time traveling, doodling, learning, meeting like-minded creatives, as well as experiencing as many facets of the creative industry as she can. Lesley has illustrated many books in Australia, as well as Lou Lou and Pea and the Mural Mystery for FSG (October 2016). Leslie lives in Sydney, Australia. Learn more about her at stripeddesigns.tumblr.com.