Children's Book Review: Shivery Shades of Halloween by Mary Mckenna Siddals and Jimmy Pickering

Hardcover, 32 pages

Published August 5th 2014 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indiebound

A rollicking, rhyming Halloween romp—in every color!

What color is Halloween? Why, it’s as green as an “eerie glow, evil grin, vile brew, clammy skin,” as white as “cobwebs clinging, a misty trail, a skull, a spook, a face gone pale . . .” Children will learn their colors as they follow a cute little creature on his adventure through haunted halls, moonlit forests . . . perhaps even a Halloween party! Jimmy Pickering’s stylized settings and adorable monsters add a blast of colorful creepy-crawliness that will make kids giggle. Who knew that learning colors could be such spooky fun?

     Shivery Shades of Halloween is just the perfect treat for your kid this Halloween season! It's bursting with colors, the silly rhymes and tongue-twisting word pairings make it super fun to read aloud (and occasionally laugh together when mommy's tongue gets twisted in a knot when trying to keep up with the rhythm), and it's just such a great way to learn about the many colors of Halloween! 

     When thinking about Halloween, certain colors come to mind right away, black, orange and purple being the first ones to pop into our heads. But did you know Halloween is way more colorful than just that? Halloween is also red, brown, yellow, blue, gray, white and green! And thanks to this beautifully illustrated little book your child will learn to spot the other, less-obvious colors of Halloween, and to associate them with many different adjectives (for example: blue is chilly-spills, gloomy-doomy, dreary-weary). 

    Jimmy Pickering's illustrations are not horribly detailed, but they have this gorgeous Halloween-y quality to them that just works here. The blues and the whites are chilly and frosty, the grays are cool and nicely textured (stone-like, well-shaded), the yellows and oranges are glowy and shiny.. He knows what effect will work with what color and thanks to that his illustrations are vibrant eye-catching and wonderful to look at. The colors are saturated and rich, and they really pop off the pages.

     Mary MacKenna Siddal's writing draws you in and instantly puts you in a trick-or-treating mood. The rhymes are simple, but very engaging, and the descriptions of colors are just too silly to read them with a straight face. They make for a very entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny read, and I think parents will love them just as much as kids will. 

     Overall, Shivery Shades Of Halloween is a fantastic and spell-binding book. A creative and mesmerizing way to teach your child about colors and the spirit of Halloween. This is definitely one of the best Halloween-themed picture books I've seen around this season. Your child will love it!

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Review)

Genre:	Young Adult, Supernatural, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Aliens
Publication Date:	May 8th 2012
Pages:	335 pages
Published By:	Entangled Teen
Website	Jennifer Lynn Armentrout
	Obsidian on Goodreads
My review copy:	Bought for my Kindle :]

Where to get:

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something... unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 

If I don't kill him first, that is.

(Goodreads)

Not being able to do anything with my review blog since moving here was like missing an arm or a leg. According to my mom, "Katy's Krazy Obsession" was my whole life. Not entirely, but it was important to me. She didn't get books the way I did.

I'd always avoided confrontation in the past, but this guy was flipping my bitch switch like nothing else.

What the heck was wrong with him? I thought people in small towns were supposed to be nice, not act like the son of Satan.

"I've always found that the most beautiful people, truly beautiful inside and out, are the ones who are quietly unaware of their effect." His eyes searched mine intently, and for a moment we stood there toe to toe. "The ones who throw their beauty around, waste what they have? Their beauty is only passing. It's just a shell hiding nothing but shadows and emptiness."

I was always able to lose myself in reading. Books were a necessary escape I always gladly jumped into headfirst.

"Remind me," he paused, drawing in a stuttered gasp, "to never piss you off again. Christ, are you secretly a ninja?"

Okay, so, why has it taken me this long to read this series?! I was missing out! All the hype around the Lux series is totally the truth. I'd be part of that hype if I had read this earlier than this past month. But oh my goodness is this series good! This was also my first crack at reading a Jennifer L. Armentrout book. Let me tell you, it's not going to be the last! I plan on reading whatever I possibly can by her, because it's good. Seriously, if you haven't picked up this series yet, what is stopping you?!

First things first, Katy, our main character, is a book blogger! Tell me how cool that is! It was really easy to relate to her considering she does what a lot of us to when blogging about books. I really loved that aspect of Katy. I also related to her on a deeper level because of what she has been through. Most of my life my father wasn't around and with Katy, her dad died from cancer a few years before the story starts. Katy is a very likable character for the most part. There were times that she was infuriating at least when it comes to the boy factor.

Speaking of boys. Daemon Black. Oh, how you have leapt to the top of my book boyfriend list! I love it! He is seriously swoony. He's dark, handsome, broody, moody, snarky, smart, arrogant, and so many other things that I am forgetting to list because I'm just imagining him in my head right now. Sexy. The chemistry that Katy and Daemon have, I LOVE! They want to rip each other's heads off but they definitely have chemistry!

Now on to the best friend. Dee. I loved her so much! She reminded me a lot of Alice from Twilight. Because she's fun, bubbly, smiley, and just a blast. I really loved the fact that there was a great friendship within this book.

Now, tell me, why haven't you picked this up yet? If you have, do you agree with me that it is such a great series? I immediately jumped into the next book after reading the last sentence in Obsidian and I have a feeling that is how it is going to be for the rest of this series! Definitely go pick this up!



Interview & Giveaway with Paul Mannering, author of Tankbread

Today we have author Paul Mannering stopping by the blog as part of our Spook-tastic Halloween event! Paul is here to talk about his post-apocalyptic zombie thriller, Tankbread, and share with us his favorite Halloween-y reads and spooky stories!

Tankbread sounds like an awesome and thrilling story, and I don't know about you guys, but personally I can't wait to read it! 

I also have the pleasure of hosting a giveaway of Paul's exciting new book, so be sure to scroll all the way down and enter! :) And great news - it's INTERNATIONAL! 

How would you describe Tankbread to those who haven't heard of it yet?

Tankbread is set in Australia, ten years after humanity lost the war against the risen dead. Now intelligent zombies rule the world.

The survivors live in an uneasy peace within Sydney, feeding the undead of a steady diet of cloned people called Tankbread.

One outlaw courier must go on a journey through the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Australia. Fighting his way into the very heart of the apocalypse in the desperate search for a way to save the last humans and destroy the undead threat.

His only companion is a girl with an extraordinary secret. Her name is Else, and she's Tankbread.

What were the challenges in bringing this story to life? Did you have to do any research for your book?

The main challenges were that I a not Australian and I was writing from New Zealand. My research was a very thorough use of Google Earth and maps to ensure that my descriptions of the locations and travel between the various points in the story were accurate.

Can you share with us a few of your favorite quotes from Tankbread?

Stephen King has said that he spends a long time on preparing the opening line of his books. Tankbread came to life initially from the opening line, which just popped into my head:

The asian across the table from me is tearing great gobs of warm flesh from his girlfriend's neck. Tendons and tissue hand from his mouth in bloody spaghetti strands while his jaw works tirelessly to consume. He chews her like gum.

What are some of your literary inspirations? Favorite books/authors?

I read everyone. My current favourites include, Philip Palmer (Debatable Space), Joe R. Lansdale, HP Lovecraft, John Everson, and Jasper Fforde,

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

There is always hope even in the face of disaster.

Halloween is here! To me that means horror movie nights with popcorn, tricks and (hopefully) stacks of yummy treats, and, perhaps most of all, the chance to scare someone and experience the thrill of being scared myself. What does Halloween mean to you?

New Zealand doesn't really celebrate Halloween - which is a terrible shame. For me it means horror movie marathons and telling spooky stories in the dark.

Do you have any real-life spooky stories to share with us? Any supernatural experiences or blood-chilling encounters?

I walked into a room full of my dead ancestors (in ghostly form) in an old homestead in Australia when I was 7. I only found out later who the people I saw were. The room they were in also terrified my mother as a child.

What are some of your favorite scary stories? Any favorite horror or thriller books/authors?

Joe R. Lansdale, "By Bizarre Hands" is one of hte great horror collections. Also John Everson's "Needles and Sins"

What's the scariest / most memorable horror movie you ever saw?

The Ring. The scene were the girl comes out of the well. I have a real phobia about wells.

Fill in the blanks:

1) If I was magically transported back in time to the Dark Ages, I'd... I would be burned at the stake as a heretic and a witch

2) I'm a pro at... Using my imagination. That whole 10,000 hours to master a skill thing really applies to writing and making up stories. Something I have been doing for over 30 years now.

3) I'm addicted to... Writing. It's my escape from the mundane. It is my drug of choice.

4) I'm scared of... Wells and being forgotten.

5) The last book I faked reading was... Atlas Shrugged. The stupidest book I have ever tried to read.

Last question: I'm super curious and I'm sure your fans are all wondering about it too: are you working on a new book now? If so, when can we expect it? Can you share some juicy details to keep our appetites going?

Tankbread II: Immortal is being prepared for publication in 2014.

It continues the story of Else and brings back some old friends and enemies as she races against time to save the one person that means everything to her.

Tankbread III: Deadland is being written at the moment. It's the final book in the trilogy.

I also have a new book I'm working on called Dead! Dead! Dead! which is about bikers in an outbreak of infected insane cannibal types (not zombies) brought about by some bad drugs.

I'm editing an anthology called Fat Zombie, for Permuted Press. It is the stories of the unlikely survivors of the apocalypse. The disabled, the least-prepared etc.

Tankbread by Paul Mannering

Ten years ago humanity lost the war for survival against a spreading plague that brought the dead back to life as flesh eating monsters.

Now intelligent zombies rule the world. Feeding the undead a steady diet of cloned people called Tankbread, the survivors live in a dangerous world on the brink of final extinction.

One outlaw courier must go on a journey through the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Australia. Fighting his way into the very heart of the apocalypse in the desperate search for a way to save the last humans and destroy the undead threat.



His only companion is a girl with an extraordinary secret. Her name is Else and she's Tankbread.

WHAT YOU CAN WIN:  
2 copies of Tankbread (thank you, Permuted Press!)
RUNS TILL: November 14th
OPEN TO: Everyone - it's an International giveaway!

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About the author:

  Blog | Goodreads

Paul Mannering is an award winning writer living in Wellington, New Zealand

Paul has published dozens of short stories and radio plays in a range of genres across many different international markets. He has edited a collection of horror fiction, published his own collection and his first novel.

In 2007 he co-founded BrokenSea Audio Productions, which podcasts free audio drama each week to an audience of millions. Paul lives with his wife Damaris and their two cats.

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Heaven Bound, Hell Hunted by Caitlin Elyse (Review & Giveaway)

Genre:	New Adult, Romance, Paranormal
Publication.Date	March 14, 2012
Pages:	336
Published By:	Caitlin Elyse
Website	Caitlin Elyse
	Heaven Bound, Hell Hunted on Goodreads
My review copy:	Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Where to get:

When Katherine Ambrose became a Slayer, she had one goal in mind--kill the murderers who destroyed her family. After a brief mission into the human world, Kitty finds herself caught between Kenric, her long-time protector; Darien, her lovesick best friend; and Storm, the silver-blooded immortal with an ego to match her own. She never thought she'd attract the attention of one of Hell's cruel masters. When Itzal, the demonic warlord of Hell, declares war on Heaven, Kitty must fight her desires and her thirst for revenge if she wants to remain free. Not even Heaven's holy strength can deter Itzal from his target. And that target is Kitty. Heaven has bound her to their moral will. Hell is hunting her for their own dark desires. And three men are vying for her affection.

(Goodreads)

"Mm-hmm," Storm nodded, rested his chin on one hand, and put on a wide-eyed, enthralled expression. "That's fascinating, do tell. 'By any means necessary'? That sounds scary. What does the big bad Slayer have in mind?"

I laughed. "You did good."
Storm gave me a mock pout. "But I was trying so hard to do bad."

"You have ears. Cat ears." Storm's voice was playfully accusatory.
"Congratulations, you have eyes that work right," I snapped irritably, too tense to come up with a better retort.

I've been in somewhat of a paranormal slump recently. Not for any particular reason, I've just been reading a bunch of contemporaries, and I was okay with that. But then I sat down and started reading Heaven Bound, Hell Hunted. And goodness gracious, this book. THIS BOOK, Y'ALL. I am in love. 

I loved learning about this world and the creatures within it. There are so many paranormal creatures in this book. Some I don't think I've even heard of before, and others that I've never seen in this light before. It was also incredibly cool how the heavenly aspect isn't all sunshine and roses like we'd expect. It's actually kind of dark and sort of flawed in a way that made this story stand out from others it might be compared to.

I was to carry these lovely characters around in my pocket. Not because they're all adorable or happy-happy or whatever. But they were FUNNY. And I love them. Kitty was snarky and strong, but as the story went on she got more vulnerable and I think it was good to see her knocked down a notch. It's not often that happens and I still want to be BFFs with a character. And, in case you couldn't tell from my quotes, I adore Storm. I'm crushing all over that angel boy. (Not stereotypical angel boy, mind you. It's just a lineage thing.) 

Sweet, sweet romance made me smile. And swoon. One of the things that drew me to this book was the fact that there were three guys instead of two--that takes away the possibility of a traditional love triangle. It was a pleasant surprise to also see that while the guys all cared for Kitty, they weren't over-the-top obnoxious about it. Plus, that little boy brio we've got going on takes a little twist at one point, changing things up. It also helped that Kitty didn't bounce between the guys every five seconds. She knew what she wanted and she went for it, which I admire.

And then there is the fact that Storm is everything I could ask for in a book boyfriend. Seriously. I love him. I WANT MOAR. *grabby hands*

The ending left me wanting more. Partly because I just love these characters and their story and partly because of the way things ended. I mean, I can live until I get book 2. I can. I can, I can, I can. But I WANT more so bad. Goodness, I already miss these Kitty and Storm. I heeeeearrrrt theeeeem!

Overall, this is the best paranormal romance I've read in a while. I am seriously racking my brain for a paranormal book I've read recently that I loved as much as this one...and I'm coming up blank. It has enough of the regular stuff to be something I like, but it was also different enough to hold my attention and not bore me. At all. Not one little bit. Ahhhh, this book. So much love!

 

Cailtin Elyse is awesome enough to be giving away a paperback copy of Heaven Bound, Hell Hunted along with the sequel, Heaven Prays, Hell Preys to one lucky winner! The paperback giveaway is US/Canada only, but if you're international, you can still enter to win digital copies of the books instead. Trust me, you want these books. Enter through the Rafflecopter below!

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