Review: The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen

THE LITTLE REINDEER

by Nicola Killen

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Picture Book/Holiday

32 pages

An enchanting Christmas story about a magical yet unlikely friendship between a little girl and a lost reindeer, lovingly told and illustrated with red foil highlights and interactive die cuts.

When a jingling sound wakes her from her sleep, a little girl’s dreams come true when she meets a lost reindeer in the forest. They set off on a magical adventure and it becomes a Christmas never to forget. Nicola Killen’s evocative illustrations are sure to enchant in this beautiful book with die cut pages, foil, and flashes of festive red.

MY TIDBITS

A charming tale, which carries the beautiful simplicity of wondrous Christmas magic.

Ollie has just snuggled into bed on Christmas Eve, when the sound of bells draws her to the window. Curious, she grabs her sled and heads outside to discover where the jingling is coming from. In the forest, she discovers a cheery collar with silver bells, and soon, the reindeer it belongs to. This is when her real adventure begins.

Ollie is a brave little girl with an adventurous spirit and mounds of curiosity. Even the reindeer costume she wears from the very first page—a characteristic which exists in the illustrations without explanation—makes it clear how much she feels at home in fun and fantasy. Her short but exciting trip is sure to invite young listeners/readers to dreams of their own, and the ending leaves with a comforting sense of Christmas warmth. But it's the illustrations which really make this book a treat.

The mostly black and white scenes express a comforting simpleness, while still being detailed enough to grab and hold young listeners/readers' attention. Bits of color are sprinkled in with careful thought, drawing emphasis in exactly the right spots. The added dabs of silver give the entire thing a touch of special significance, creating a more valuable feel.

This is a gentle book to snuggle up with under a fuzzy blanket and after a warm cup of hot chocolate. It warms the heart, allows Christmas dreams to fly and is sure to become a cherished favorite.

BOOK BUZZ

“An original and entertaining Christmas story with its own understated charm.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A quietly magical tale of holiday miracles and nighttime adventure.” —Publishers Weekly 

“Killen works magic through simplicity in this understated holiday story…A perfect bedtime read; little ones will cozy up to this sweet book and drift off on their own reindeer-fueled flights of fancy.” —Booklist 

“An elegant book that has a calming effect; a perfect holiday bedtime story.” —School Library Journal 

And she is. . .

Nicola Killen worked in greeting card design for many years before embarkng on the master's course in children's book illustration at Cambridge School of Art. Her designs are featured on products for many retailers including Paperchase, John Lewis, Clintons, BHS, Sainsburys, Tesco, Boots, and Book Tokens. Since graduating, she has been illustrating and writing picture books, board books, and pop-up books. She lives in Cambridge and works in a studio she shares with friends.

Cover Reveal: Grayghost by Tamara Grantham with Giveaway

This is one for Mommy's Morning!
I've enjoyed this series from the very start (tons of magic, fairies and even a bit of reality thrown in).

GRAYGHOST

by Tamara Grantham

Fairy World MD., #7

Crimson Tree Publishing

Fantasy, Romance

COMING. . .

FEBRUARY 26th, 2018!!!

The final installment in the epic Fairy World MD series by Tamara Grantham.
It’s been four years since Olive Kennedy sealed the portals between Earth and Faythander. Four years that she’s been living on Earth, working as a consultant to the Houston PD. It helps keep her mind off other things—like being separated from her husband and her dragon king stepfather.
Her ex, Brent Sanchez, works with her on the police force and helps her solve crimes. His friendship is a comfort—but also a reminder of what she’s missing. Everything changes when Olive discovers a broken mirror at a murder scene. It contains magic, and although it shouldn’t exist, it could be used as a portal to Faythander. Dark forces are at work, and the one person she wants by her side to help her is literally a world away. Olive will stop at nothing to solve the murder and return to the only place she calls home.
New from award-winning author Tamara Grantham, Grayghost is the thrilling conclusion to the best-selling fantasy series Fairy World MD.

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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.

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Review: The Bear Who Didn't Want to Miss Christmas by Marie Tibi

THE BEAR WHO DIDN'T WANT TO MISS CHRISTMAS

by Marie Tibi

Illustrated by Fabien Ockto Lambert

Sterling Children's Books

Picture Book, Holiday

ages 6 to 10

40 pages

Poor little bear! He’s supposed to hibernate—but if he does, he’ll sleep right through Christmas! What can he do?

Winter is coming, and it’s time for little bear to settle in for his long cold-weather nap. But that means he won’t get to celebrate Christmas with his woodland friends, and he’s very sad. Can his pals find a clever way to help him join in the fun? This heartwarming, holiday picture book captures the festive spirit of the holiday and the beauty of friendship. 

 MY TIDBITS

This inspiring tale is a perfect read to snuggle into the holiday spirit.

Everyone is excited about Christmas except Little Bear. Every year, he watches his friends prepare themselves for the holidays and grow excited about the approaching fun. He'd love to experience Christmas too, but he needs to hibernate. Luckily, his friends might have an idea, which could solve his problems.

The idea of never getting to experience Christmas will automatically pull at young readers/listeners' heartstrings and make them sympathize with Little Bear. But even without this, he is a super cute character, who is easy to like. His group of friends are a lively, happy group. Each one is presented right away on the first page with their names below them, so readers can easily keep them apart. They cover a wide range of forest animals—kids are sure to find their own favorites. The bond of friendship between the group spills off of every page and is sure to leave a smile.

The illustrations are full and lovingly done with little details and small dabs of humor thrown in. The characters' emotions are easy to guess, and the situations simple to follow. It's the kind of book that kids can pick up later on their own, and see the story unfolding as they flip through the pages on their own.

This is a heart-warming tale, which fits the pre-holiday season perfectly. Not only does it give a sprinkle of Christmas cheer, but shares the warmth and kindness of what friendship is all about.

And here they are. . .

The Author. . .

Marie Tibi worked in education before becoming a children's book writer. Her previous books, published in Frnace, include La Petite Poule Moustachue, Mimi La Petite Croche, and Le Grand Petit Explorateur.

The Illustrator. . .

Fabien Lambert is a graphic designer, illustrator, and writer of children's books. He lives in Nantes, France. 

Sneak Peek: Fall of the Cities by Vance Huxley with Giveaway

Fall of the Cities
Planting the Orchard

by Vance Huxley
YA Fantasy/Apocalyptic

The world is falling apart. Terrorists spark a worldwide oil and gas crisis while imports grind to a halt. Europe and Britain are erupting into chaos as food runs out and desperate people take matters into their own hands. 

As the government begins to seal off rioting parts of the city, Corporal Harry Miller takes an offered discharge to get his sister and her kids to safety. But he’s not fast enough. Trapped in the city with a rag-tag collection of ordinary citizens, Harry struggles to create a small pocket of stability - a place to ride out the coming confrontation between rioters and the Army, and save themselves from complete annihilation.

**FREE on Amazon!**

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Vance Huxley lives out in the countryside in Lincolnshire, England. He has spent a busy life

working in many different fields – including the building and rail industries, as a workshop

manager, trouble‐shooter for an engineering firm, accountancy, cafe proprietor, and graphic

artist. He also spent time in other jobs, and is proud of never being dismissed, and only

once made redundant.

Eventually he found his Noeline, but unfortunately she died much too young. To help with the

aftermath, Vance tried writing though without any real structure. As an editor and beta readers

explained the difference between words and books, he tried again.

Now he tries to type as often as possible in spite of the assistance of his cats, since his legs no

longer work well enough to allow anything more strenuous. An avid reader of sci‐fi, fantasy and

adventure novels, his writing tends towards those genres.

Website * Amazon * Goodreads


SNEAK PEEK

The sergeant got the squaddies all sorted out and lined up by the time the Hercules finished

taxiing from the runway to wherever. By then Harry had made sure his stick was invisible inside

his pack because it wasn't allowed in public. The men were organised purely by their remaining

gear with no reference to what unit they belonged to. Because he had a full set of kit, Harry was

in the first thirty off. They started off as soon as the back door lowered into a ramp even if the

view didn't help.

Harry couldn't see where they were going since the ramp pointed back towards the runways.

The first thing he noticed was the puff of vapour as everyone breathed out. Then the cold bit

through his clothing, reminding Harry, and the rest, that it was January and they were no longer

in a desert. The soldiers wheeled as instructed and came around the end of the plane, and into

view of the terminus.

The view of the terminus wasn't quite as expected. Harry didn't actually think there would be a

cheering crowd, but nobody at all in one of the busiest airports in England was eerie. Nobody

seemed to be in any of the parked planes outside the terminal, and nobody behind the terminal

windows. Not even staff or Army brass to greet them.

There was plenty of debris around the planes as they marched past and a lot of noise

somewhere ahead. There weren't any footprints in the light snow. The place really was

deserted, though still warm inside. The soldiers marched into the main hall and came to

attention in ranks, and an officer appeared.

As soon as he spoke it was apparent from his voice that he was the one from the plane. "There

has been a breakdown in law and order. Martial Law has been declared in London and the

other major population centres, so we are unable to take you to your barracks yet. First the

streets must be cleared. There are no shields or batons available, so we will use fixed

bayonets."

"You are the British Army, and I trust you to uphold the traditions of that Army. Turn in your

ammunition so there are no accidental discharges, and try to minimise casualties among the

civilians. We will organise cover if firearms are used against you." He left and headed back

through the terminal, and the sergeants began to split everyone up into squads.

"What about bricks and stuff, Sarge?" Harry had seen riots on the TV and they always included

rocks and bricks. "Without shields we'll get beaten to death even with helmets." "Move your

packs round to the front if possible. Take some gear out to lighten them, but nothing essential. I

don't know if we're coming back here though your kitbags will catch up eventually." The

solution spread down the line and a very small pile grew behind them. Most of what was in the

packs was essential if they weren't coming back to collect it. The pack felt weird hung in front

but was probably capable of stopping a brick.

"Right, you lot. Outside those doors are the taxi ranks and access roads. We go left, to where a

fairly thin line of London Bobbies is trying to stop the citizens storming the planes."

"Why do they want the planes, Sarge?" Which was a good question since there were no pilots

in evidence. Though another two planes had now landed.

"Since I'm a mushroom as well I wasn't told. Presumably because one of them thinks they can

fly one of those bloody planes. Which they will not be allowed to do. Am I clear?" "Yes Sarge!"

From most of the throats present.

"Let's get at it then, because there's another two planeloads coming through here to sort out

any other little problems. Turn in your ammunition, now. " Harry really started to worry. What

sort of unrest needed three planeloads of squaddies with bayonets?

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Review: Sanctuary by Melle Amade with Giveaway

SANCTUARY

Shifter Chronicles Book 1

by Melle Amade
YA Dark Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

It’s survival of the fittest, but first you have to fit in.

Shae is sure the icy rage that claws at her is driving away her friends and pulling her closer to the wrong boy. After all, it’s Aiden she has always secretly wanted, not Callum, who has barely spoken to her in the last year.

But, as her protected life unravels, she discovers the violent supernatural world that lurks in her quiet hometown and the ancient feuds that threaten to destroy both her friends and her family. 

To save those she loves, Shae must succumb to her own fury and take on the Ravensgaard, the renegade warriors of the Order, but as the battle approaches her deepest fears are coming true, she’s becoming just like them. Shae's not sure she can afford the price she'll have to pay—her own humanity.

Sanctuary is a teen paranormal romance for fans of shifters and Gothic romance. Fans of Flightless Bird and White Raven will be enchanted by this strong female seeking truth in a world of secrets and mystery.

Goodreads * Amazon


MY TIDBITS

I'm not necessarily a shifter fan, but the blurb caught me on this one, and I gave it a go. I was not disappointed.

Shae is about to turn sixteen and the school year is about to start, but she's coming out of summer break on a low. Her best friends, an inseparable group of five, all went to Europe to summer camp. She was left behind with her mother, who is battling huge mood swings and anger issues. Shae hasn't heard from her friends all summer long, and they haven't returned her texts. And here she was just crushing on one of them, Aiden. A week before school begins, she finally meets up with them again, but things have definitely changed. Not only has Aiden hooked up with her best friend, but they act more like a secret group or pack than her friends. And they are keeping many secrets. Soon, Shae finds herself in the middle of a war, and every turn could mean her death.

This book surprised me, and I ended up reading it in one sitting. Shae is hard not to feel sorry for from the very first page. Her mother is out of her mind, her friends act weird, and she's very devoted to her younger brother and finding her footing again. Shae has anger issues of her own, but it makes her more believable. The other characters each of their own personality and problems. It's not always clear who can be trusted and who can't. At times, even Shae's best friend comes across as a huge jerk. There shadows upon shadows in the relationships as well as situation, which make the ending very hard to guess.

There's never a boring moment as Shae tries her best to figure out what's going on, and this plot doesn't release the details quickly. It takes awhile for Shae to uncover things. Some twists aren't as surprising as others, but there enough layers to keep the reader on their toes.

Romance is key in this one, and Shae, although sometimes acting older than her character, lets her teenage hormones get the best of her. She kisses quick, which was a little irritating at first, but otherwise, the romance is a triangular tug-a-war without clear cut threads on either side. 

Fans of YA paranormal and shifter tales will enjoy this one and get lost in Shae's world. I'm looking forward to see where the next book in the series takes her and her friends.

Remnants

Shifter Chronicles Book 2

Now that she understands the rules, she wants to change them.

Shae’s body is betraying her and she's terrified. Though she's joined the ranks of her shifter friends, she knows inside she’s not like them. Her unstable cells won’t let her control the shift. 

As Topanga grows crowded with suspicious shifters, aligned with the fascist Order, it becomes clear they have been living in a tiny haven on the edge of an intolerant, militant shifter society. Even worse, Shae's formal presentation to El Oso, the Order's Berserker Supreme Leader, is only days away. Without full control of her powers or her body, she's not sure she'll survive the inspection.

As Shae discovers the dreadful truth about her family heritage, she's faced with a severe choice: break with the Order and lose her friends or submit to a life of subjugation and lies. 

No matter what she chooses, she'll be left with only Remnants of the life she had.


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Harvest
Shifter Chronicles Book 3

In the shifter world, one law holds true; you will reap what you sow.

Shae underestimated El Oso, the tyrannical leader of the Order. Now, banished, flightless and living on the dangerous edge of the shifter world, she finds it impossible to pursue her one goal, finding and freeing her father. Without the support of her friends, who are torn by loyalty to their families, Shae is forced to attempt the impossible...alone.

A hidden group of shifters with unexpected powers swoops in to help Shae. They want nothing more than to discover El Oso’s magic and destroy the Order completely, even if it means sacrificing Shae’s father. Too late, Shae discovers she has sown the seeds of destruction for herself and her family. The defenses of her refuge are breached, not by El Oso, but by the enemy very enemy he has been desperate to protect them against. An enemy intent on massacring every known shifter. Shae must find a way to escape her self-inflicted fate and empower her friends to unite if they are to find a way to survive the harvest. 




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Deluge
Shifter Chronicles Book 4

First comes the rain, then follows the flood.
 
Escaping the Order by engaging the Hunters was only the beginning. Now, with their safe haven destroyed Shae and Roman are left hiding in a remote village with no chance of ever finding her father or making a difference in the shifter world. That is, until a strange Hunter seeks Shae out and gives her hope she can find her father and possibly the tool to find El Oso. 
 
They risk everything to return to Topanga and reunite with their friends, who are the only ones who might just believe Shae’s adamant theory that one of the murderous Hunters is actually on their side. As they test loyalty and strength they uncover the very power that has made the Hunters mortal enemies to the shifters for over a thousand years. Their new-found power is a beacon to the Order and the Hunters, who descend like a flood to drown out the spark of light rising in the shifter world.




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Heritage
Shifter Chronicles Prelude

In the dark shifter world, they prepare for a summer of fun, but find they must battle against the Hunters who are afraid of the supernatural world. Dutch born, Matilde, the estranged niece of Lord Van Arend, barters with her scheming mother to spend the summer with the only friends she’s ever had, the Ravensgaard at Castle Brannach. But if Matilde gives her mother the information she will break her friends’ trust and begin the downfall of the regime; a regime the shifters may need to protect them from the Hunters.



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USA Today Bestselling Author, Farm Girl, Marketing Director...
Since I was eight I have been writing stories that capture the adventures in my head and the characters strong enough and flawed enough to have them. When I look at an empty field I see a formidable citadel. When I meet a vulnerable old man, I greet an emeritus warrior. When I walk through city streets I feel dimensions hiding around every turn. It has been my lifelong passion to explore these worlds that reveal the pain of loneliness, the joy or self-actualization, and the hope of magic.
I grew up in a place called Potter Valley where the Milky Way is held aloft by a circle of mountains and the central business district consists of a bait store and a saloon. At 19 I moved alone to London and spent the next ten years exploring the world, even becoming an Australian citizen, before I returned to California and found a new home in Los Angeles. My world revolves around my two wee children and my love of travel.
My days are spent in an office overlooking Los Angeles International Airport where I work as a Director of Marketing for a data center technology firm, which wouldn’t make you think I had an MFA in film with an emphasis on writing from Chapman University. However, I also have degrees in visual communications and global communications, which allowed me to work for some of the finest technology firms in the world. In my spare time I have penned six screenplays, four stage plays, an opera libretto, numerous short stories, and five manuscripts for novels. My heart lies with my manuscripts, which are focused on YA and New Adult audiences and range in subject from Vikings in Iceland to Knights Templar in Italy to Aborigine mysticism in Australia to shapeshifters in Los Angeles.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!

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Fall of the Cities: Planting the Orchard by Vance Huxley with Giveaway

Fall of the Cities
Planting the Orchard

by Vance Huxley
YA Fantasy/Apocalyptic

The world is falling apart. Terrorists spark a worldwide oil and gas crisis while imports grind to a halt. Europe and Britain are erupting into chaos as food runs out and desperate people take matters into their own hands. 

As the government begins to seal off rioting parts of the city, Corporal Harry Miller takes an offered discharge to get his sister and her kids to safety. But he’s not fast enough. Trapped in the city with a rag-tag collection of ordinary citizens, Harry struggles to create a small pocket of stability - a place to ride out the coming confrontation between rioters and the Army, and save themselves from complete annihilation.

**FREE on Amazon!**

Goodreads * Amazon

Vance Huxley lives out in the countryside in Lincolnshire, England. He has spent a busy life

working in many different fields – including the building and rail industries, as a workshop

manager, trouble‐shooter for an engineering firm, accountancy, cafe proprietor, and graphic

artist. He also spent time in other jobs, and is proud of never being dismissed, and only

once made redundant.

Eventually he found his Noeline, but unfortunately she died much too young. To help with the

aftermath, Vance tried writing though without any real structure. As an editor and beta readers

explained the difference between words and books, he tried again.

Now he tries to type as often as possible in spite of the assistance of his cats, since his legs no

longer work well enough to allow anything more strenuous. An avid reader of sci‐fi, fantasy and

adventure novels, his writing tends towards those genres.

Website * Amazon * Goodreads


SNEAK PEEK

The sergeant got the squaddies all sorted out and lined up by the time the Hercules finished

taxiing from the runway to wherever. By then Harry had made sure his stick was invisible inside

his pack because it wasn't allowed in public. The men were organised purely by their remaining

gear with no reference to what unit they belonged to. Because he had a full set of kit, Harry was

in the first thirty off. They started off as soon as the back door lowered into a ramp even if the

view didn't help.

Harry couldn't see where they were going since the ramp pointed back towards the runways.

The first thing he noticed was the puff of vapour as everyone breathed out. Then the cold bit

through his clothing, reminding Harry, and the rest, that it was January and they were no longer

in a desert. The soldiers wheeled as instructed and came around the end of the plane, and into

view of the terminus.

The view of the terminus wasn't quite as expected. Harry didn't actually think there would be a

cheering crowd, but nobody at all in one of the busiest airports in England was eerie. Nobody

seemed to be in any of the parked planes outside the terminal, and nobody behind the terminal

windows. Not even staff or Army brass to greet them.

There was plenty of debris around the planes as they marched past and a lot of noise

somewhere ahead. There weren't any footprints in the light snow. The place really was

deserted, though still warm inside. The soldiers marched into the main hall and came to

attention in ranks, and an officer appeared.

As soon as he spoke it was apparent from his voice that he was the one from the plane. "There

has been a breakdown in law and order. Martial Law has been declared in London and the

other major population centres, so we are unable to take you to your barracks yet. First the

streets must be cleared. There are no shields or batons available, so we will use fixed

bayonets."

"You are the British Army, and I trust you to uphold the traditions of that Army. Turn in your

ammunition so there are no accidental discharges, and try to minimise casualties among the

civilians. We will organise cover if firearms are used against you." He left and headed back

through the terminal, and the sergeants began to split everyone up into squads.

"What about bricks and stuff, Sarge?" Harry had seen riots on the TV and they always included

rocks and bricks. "Without shields we'll get beaten to death even with helmets." "Move your

packs round to the front if possible. Take some gear out to lighten them, but nothing essential. I

don't know if we're coming back here though your kitbags will catch up eventually." The

solution spread down the line and a very small pile grew behind them. Most of what was in the

packs was essential if they weren't coming back to collect it. The pack felt weird hung in front

but was probably capable of stopping a brick.

"Right, you lot. Outside those doors are the taxi ranks and access roads. We go left, to where a

fairly thin line of London Bobbies is trying to stop the citizens storming the planes."

"Why do they want the planes, Sarge?" Which was a good question since there were no pilots

in evidence. Though another two planes had now landed.

"Since I'm a mushroom as well I wasn't told. Presumably because one of them thinks they can

fly one of those bloody planes. Which they will not be allowed to do. Am I clear?" "Yes Sarge!"

From most of the throats present.

"Let's get at it then, because there's another two planeloads coming through here to sort out

any other little problems. Turn in your ammunition, now. " Harry really started to worry. What

sort of unrest needed three planeloads of squaddies with bayonets?

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway