Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Select Few Blog Tour


Hello Book Lovers! Today on my post I have the Select Few tour. On my post there is a spotlight, guest post, and giveaway.


After rejecting the cult-like influence of her father's family, Julia moves into a fancy hotel in downtown Austin. But she finds herself alone except for her boyfriend, John--and her fears. Once again she's suppressing her abilities, afraid her family will come for John when they find out he's been developing abilities of his own in her presence. The FBI is also keeping a close eye on Julia hoping she can lead them to her father, Novak, as he's wanted for questioning in his former assistant's death.

With tensions high, Julia and John agree to go separate ways for the summer, paving the way for Julia to reunite with Angus, fellow outcast. Together they set out on a road trip to California to find Julia's mom and a way into Novak's secret underground world. Along the way Julia will learn the Puri perhaps aren't the only humans evolving into something different. . . and that maybe she's the leader her people have needed all along.



Guest Post: 


Ten Random Facts about SELECT FEW
(Can be behind-the-scenes or about the book, characters, etc. Whatever comes to mind!)
1. I was very influenced by an article in The New Yorker entitled “Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich.”
2. I was watching West World on HBO around the time I was drafting and I loved the weird wild west meets completely engineered world. I wanted to bring some of that quality into Julia’s family’s secret location.
3. One of my good friends lives in a cove similar to the one in Select Few but there is no meditation community there!
4. I decided to use The W Hotel as Julia’s new home after visiting a new friend who lived in a residence there. I felt like I was going to visit Eloise at The Plaza!
5. I was inspired by Bonnie and Clyde when I wrote the Angus/Julia road trip sequence.
6. The Rosewood Hotel where Julia check in when she arrives in the San Francisco Bay Area is just a few miles from where I grew up.
7. If there was a soundtrack for this book, one of the first songs would be Tupac’s California Love.
8. Same with Ophelia by the Lumineers. Oh, and Jay Z and Beyonce’s Bonnie & Clyde (Me and My Girlfriend).
9. My editor and I had to figure out how to make Julia’s inheritance legally plausible! The thinking was the FBI would seize everything.
10. I met with an FBI agent to pick his brain. He was so patient and answered a billion questions when I asked him to stretch his imagination and picture a scenario that involved a fugitive group of highly evolved people so it would seem as plausible as possible. 

Praise for SELECT FEW

“...mixing mystery with science fiction with a heaping dose of romance." ―Kirkus Reviews

"...a page-turning adventure." ―School Library Connection  


Marit Weisenberg received her BA in English from Bowdoin College and her Master’s Degree from UCLA's school of Theater, Film and Television. She has worked in film and television development at Warner Brothers, Universal, and Disney. She lives in Austin with her husband and two daughters.

Marit’s debut YA novel was Select, and she worked on the first draft of the book over the course of eighteen months during Amanda Eyre Ward’s class ‘Write a Novel in a Year.’ As of now, there are two books in The Select series.  

PHOTO CONTENT FROM MARIT WEISENBERG 



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Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I would also like to say Thank you to Jean for letting me participate in this blog tour. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below. 

~Sabrina 
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Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Oracle Of Doom Nerd Blast


Hello Book Lovers! Today on my blog I have the Oracle of Doom nerd blast on my sblog today. On my stop there is a spotlight and giveaway.

Check out a book and read your future. . . . It’s another page-turning adventure from #1 New York Times bestselling author D. J. MacHale!

Marcus is an agent of the Library, a place filled with tales that don’t have an ending. Puzzles that won’t be solved until Marcus and his friends step in to finish them. This time it’s their own stories at stake.

Theo just visited the Oracle Baz, an old amusement-park machine that spits out fortunes for the cost of a quarter. Fun, right? The only problem is, the oracle’s cheap predictions have been coming true . . . and Theo’s fortune says that life as he knows it will end on his fourteenth birthday! Plus, Lu’s cousin, who also went to the oracle, is missing.

Marcus knows where to find help for his friends–the Library. It turns out that the Oracle Baz was a real man who died in a fire long ago. Can a glimpse into the fortune-teller’s past change all their futures?  


Praise for BLACK MOON RISING

“MacHale once again pens a page-turner that adds just the right amount of humor.” —Kirkus Reviews

Praise for SURRENDER THE KEY

“MacHale deftly pulls readers into this page-turning adventure, well-choreographed chapter transitions defying them to put it down.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Readers who love action and adventure, lightened with a bit of humor, will look forward to meeting Marcus, Lu, and Theo again.” —Shelf Awareness   
D.J. MacHale is a writer, director, executive producer and creator of several popular television series and movies. As an author, his ten-volume book series: Pendragon: Journal of an Adventure Through Time and Space became a New York Times #1 bestseller.

He was raised in Greenwich, CT where he had several jobs including collecting eggs at a poultry farm; engraving trophies and washing dishes in a steakhouse…in between playing football and running track. D.J. graduated from New York University where he received a BFA in film production.

His film-making career began in New York where he worked as a freelance writer/director making corporate videos and television commercials.

D.J. broke into the entertainment business by writing several ABC Afterschool Specials. As co-creator of the popular Nickelodeon series: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, he produced all 91 episodes. D.J. also wrote and directed the movie Tower of Terror for ABC’s Wonderful World of Disney. The Showtime series Chris Cross was co-created, written and produced by D.J. It received the CableAce award for Best Youth Series.

D.J. created and produced the Discovery Kids/NBC television series Flight 29 Down. He wrote every episode and directed several. His work on Flight 29 Down earned him the Writers Guild of America award for Outstanding Children’s Script and a Directors Guild of America award nomination.

Other notable television writing credits include the ABC Afterschool Special titled Seasonal Differences; the pilot for the long-running PBS/CBS series Ghostwriter; and the HBO series Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective for which he received a CableAce nomination for writing.

In print, D.J. also authored the supernatural Morpheus Road trilogy; a whimsical picture book The Monster Princess; and The SYLO Chronicles, a thrilling sci-fi trilogy. He also wrote Voyagers: Project Alpha, the first of a six book science fiction adventure.

D.J.’s newest book series is The Library, a spooky middle-grade anthology about a mysterious library filled with unfinished supernatural tales, and the daring young people who must complete them.

D.J. lives in Southern California with his wife Evangeline and daughter Keaton. They are avid backpackers, scuba divers and skiers. Rounding out the household is a spoiled golden retriever named Casey and an equally spoiled tuxedo cat named Jinx.  


PHOTO CONTENT FROM D.J. MACHALE



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Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I would also like to say Thank you  to Jean for letting me participate in this nerd blast. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below. 
~Sabrina 
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Sunday, October 28, 2018

LULU The Broadway Mouse Nerd Blast


Hello Book Lovers! Today on my blog I have the Lulu The Broadway Mouse nerd blast. On my stop there is a spotlight and giveaway.

Ratatouille meets Broadway in this charming new middle grade novel about a little mouse with big dreams.

Lulu is a little girl with a very big dream: she wants to be on Broadway. She wants it more than anything in the world. As it happens, she lives in Broadway's Shubert Theatre; so achieving her dream shouldn't be too tricky, right? Wrong. Because the thing about Lulu? She's a little girl mouse.

When a human girl named Jayne joins the cast of the show at the Shubert as an understudy, Lulu becomes Jayne's guide through the world of her theatre and its wonderfully kooky cast and crew. Together, Jayne and Lulu learn that sometimes dreams turn out differently than we imagined; sometimes they come with terms and conditions (aka the company mean girl, Amanda). But sometimes, just when we've given up all hope, bigger and better dreams than we'd ever thought could come true, do.  


Praise for LULU THE BROADWAY MOUSE

"Preteens who are star-struck for Broadway will enjoy the drama." ―Kirkus Reviews

"Jenna Gavigan is a true Broadway baby whose backstage debut novel will delight theater kids of all ages (and species)!" ―Tim Federle, author of Better Nate than Ever

"A standing ovation for Lulu! This delightful debut serves up a sweet and sassy mouse's-eye view of life in the footlights from a real Broadway insider. Encore, please?" ―Heather Vogel Frederick, author of the Spy Mice, the Mother-Daughter Book Club, and the Pumpkin Falls Mystery series

"Jenna manages to capture the drama and tension and excitement of the theatre without ever losing the magic and joy of what it feels like to be on Broadway. Lulu's burning desire to be onstage was exactly how I felt when I was younger, and reading this book reawakened that feeling in me!" ―Tony nominee Jonathan Groff   

Jenna Gavigan, a fourth generation New Yorker, grew up dreaming of Broadway. At age sixteen she made her Broadway debut in Gypsy, opposite Bernadette Peters. Since then she's appeared in a half-dozen films, on more than a dozen television shows, and on east and west coast stages, most recently Off-Broadway in the world premiere of Straight. Jenna graduated from Columbia University with a BA in Creative Writing, where she focused on fiction, television, and screenwriting. She lives in a teeny tiny Manhattan apartment with her husband, Kevin. This is her first novel.  

PHOTO CONTENT FROM JENNA GAVIGAN 

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Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I would also like to say Thank you to Jean for letting me participate in this nerd blast. Don't forget to enter the giveaway down below. 
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Saturday, October 27, 2018

The Journal Of Angela Ashby Trailer Blast


Hello Book Lovers! Today on my blog I have The Journal of Angela Ashby trailer blast. On my stop there is a spotlight, book trailer, and giveaway.

I have great power.
That’s what she told me. The old fortune-teller at the school carnival.
I thought I was doing the right thing … with the magic journal she gave me. But nothing could prepare me for what happened next.
Or, for what I unleashed.

At a school carnival, a mysterious fortune-teller gives twelve-year-old Angela Ashby a journal and warns her to use it wisely. Nothing prepares Angela for the journal’s power—when she pours her heart onto its pages her desires come true.

She tests the journal by conjuring a gnome, a unicorn, and a farting fairy and then uses it to stop the school bullies in their tracks. But the unintended consequences alienate her best friend and puts her favorite teacher in danger of losing her job.

After she shares her deepest desire of all—that her parents get back together—her adversary steals the journal, and Angela fears she will use it to bring mayhem to the entire school if she doesn’t get it back.  


Praise for THE JOURNAL OF ANGELA ASHBY

"Gardner has created a likable character in Angela, who faces off with the class bully in defense of herself and her best friend. Alternately full of sass and seriousness, Angela quickly learns that writing in her new journal may lead to some unintended consequences, some hilarious and some grave. An enjoyable tween romp about the familiar world of bullies mixed with a bit of magic, this one would be great for a class read or group discussion." ―Seattle Book Review

"The Journal of Angela Ashby is a middle grade fiction by Liana Gardner and is perfectly written for the target audience. A combination of magic, childhood troubles, social messages, and the need to think before acting is prevalent, and a lesson well ingrained into the pages, There is some good tension building, injections of humour, and character development. Angela and Mallory make a great team, perfectly complementing each other in the way close friends do. This is certainly a book I will read with my son when he is older, as I think it instills some important lessons and values,much like the old 80's and 90's cartoons used to do. While the book itself has a clear beginning and end, there are hints that a sequel may follow, and it's certainly something I would consider picking up. If you're looking for a story of friendship, childhood problems, and a healthy sprinkling of magic in everyday life, then look no further." ―K.J. Simmill, Award-Winning British Author

"The Journal of Angela Ashby by Liana Gardner is a charming story of action and consequence. Gardner presents her characters and their problems with an equal touch of magic and reality. This allows the message of the tale to come through while entertaining instead of preaching. Gardner does a great job of taking what could be a clichéd story and putting a few twists in it to keep it fresh and humorous." ―Kris Moger, Readers' Favorite

"The Journal of Angela Ashby is an engaging and fun coming-of-age story about a twelve-year-old girl who is suddenly the possessor of great power. I loved following as Angela began to appreciate her journal's powers and realized the importance of carefully considering everything she wished for.Throughout the story, Gardner addresses the issue of bullies and bullying, which is something all kids and most adults have to deal with at some point, and she shows how Angela learns to differentiate between solving the problem and descending into bullying behavior herself.Gardner also admirably addresses the stress and confusion felt by kids and tweens when their mom and dad get divorced. The Journal of Angela Ashby is a marvelous fantasy that brings up real-life issues without lowering the magic and fun potential for a moment, and Sam Shearon's illustrations really make it all come alive most brilliantly." ―Jack Magnus, Author


Liana Gardner is the award-winning author of 7th Grade Revolution and the Misfit McCabeseries. Daughter of a rocket scientist and an artist, Liana combines the traits of both into a quirky yet pragmatic writer and in everything sees the story lurking beneath the surface. Engaged in a battle against leukemia and lymphoma, Liana spends much of her time at home, but allows her imagination to take her wherever she wants to go.

She fostered her love of writing after reading Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and discovering she had a great deal in common with the character Jo. The making up of stories, dramatic feelings, and a quick temper were enough for her to know she and Jo would have been kindred spirits.

Liana volunteers with high school students through the International Trade Education Programs (ITEP). ITEP unites business people and educators to prepare students for a meaningful place in the world of tomorrow. Working in partnership with industry and educators, ITEP helps young people “think globally and earn locally.”  

PHOTO CONTENT FROM LIANA GARDNER



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Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I would also like to say Thank you to Jean for letting me participate in this trailer blast. Don't forget to entrt the giveaway below. 

~Sabrina 
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Friday, October 26, 2018

Death by the River Blog Tour


Hello Book Lovers! Today on my blog I have the Death by the River tour. On my stop there is a spotlight, review, and giveaway.

 Some truths are better kept secret. 

Some secrets are better off dead. 


Along the banks of the Bogue Falaya River, sits the abandoned St. Francis Seminary. Beneath a canopy of oaks, blocked from prying eyes, the teens of St. Benedict High gather here on Fridays. The rest of the week belongs to school and family—but weekends belong to the river.

And the river belongs to Beau Devereaux. 

The only child of a powerful family, Beau can do no wrong. Handsome. Charming. Intelligent. The star quarterback of the football team. The “prince” of St. Benedict is the ultimate catch. 

He is also a psychopath. 

A dirty family secret buried for years, Beau’s evil grows unchecked. In the shadows of the ruined St. Francis Abbey, he commits unspeakable acts on his victims and ensures their silence with threats and intimidation. Senior year, Beau sets his sights on his girlfriend’s headstrong twin sister, Leslie, who hates him. Everything he wants but cannot have, she will be his ultimate prize. 

As the victim toll mounts, it becomes crystal clear that someone has to stop Beau Devereaux. 

And that someone will pay with their life.

WARNING: Readers of Death by the River will encounter situations of violence and sexual abuse which could be upsetting.  


Review: 
This past year I got back into reading thrillers and I am so glad I did cause I would have missed out on this book if I hadn't. So many layers to this book. It's a got a great plot and characters you will love and some you will hate but with that there is family and friendship relations and we see how those relationships can affect a person in a good or bad way. The entire time I was reading I was on a roller coaster of emotions. It really had me thinking about darker side of people and how some are so good at hiding it and having you thinking they are the all american boy/girl. WIthout getting to much more into as I am worried I will spoil this  book, I'll just I highly recommend it and will definitely be reading more from these authors in the future. 4/5 Bloody Fangs


Praise for DEATH BY THE RIVER

"... a thrilling psychological work ... Catching the current vogue of teen psycho and revenge tales like Bates Motel and 13 Reasons Why ... a horrifically brilliant book ... Beau Devereaux could have easily been a clichéd psycho, but the plot constructed around him and his development during the novel really shone as a masterpiece of character creation ... much in the style of Dexter or Hannibal." ―K.C. Finn, Multi-Award-Winning Author 

"Rare is the story that simmers and rises to a boil so naturally and constantly that the reader manages to be repeatedly shocked ... a full-speed rollercoaster that doesn't slow down until the final page. Employing an evocative setting, powerfully defined characters, and taking along hard look at the darker side of human desire, this novel will catch your breath and hold it until the very end. RECOMMENDED" ―Michael Radon, US Review

"While the authors have written a chilling story here, there's more to Death by the River than thrills. It's actually a fascinating study into the effects of good and bad parenting on children. Do it badly and parents, children and society as a whole pay the consequences. This book is not just an exciting read; it's a sobering one." ―Viga Boland, Retired high school English teacher and Author of No Tears for my Father: Viga's true story of incest 

"While the story follows compelling characters, it also plunges readers into an intriguing setting. It is ironical that the horrors are taking place along the river that runs so close to a seminary, an establishment that should evoke a powerful sense of God and reverence for life. The characters are sophisticated and readers will learn to honestly hate the villain of the story -- he is well imagined and developed with skill. In a subtle way, the authors allow his crooked mind to reveal itself. Like most serial killers, he is a charmer and an intelligent young man, but beneath the cool surface is a cauldron of simmering evil. Weis and Astor have written a riveting crime tale with strong psychological underpinnings. Death by the River is ingeniously plotted, written in gorgeous prose, and featuring a strong conflict that propels the narrative forward. The suspense intensifies as the story moves on, with the reader always feeling as though something awful could happen at any moment, and this feeling grows in intensity until the explosive climax. A real thriller!" ―Romuald Dzemo, Readers' Favorite

"A suspense-filled thriller steeped in equal parts atmosphere, insanity, and revenge." ―Mary Ting, Award-Winning Author of ISAN: International Sensory Assassin Network

"Weis and Astor have created something so dark, edgy, and gritty, it will stay with you long after you close the book." ―Julieanne Lynch, Dragon Award Finalist: Horror (2018) 

"... a crime thriller that pulls readers into the twisted mind of the protagonist and holds them engaged till the exhilarating finish. The writing is flawless ... Death by the River is psychologically engaging, emotionally rich, and utterly absorbing." ―Christian Sia    

Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, CRRN, ONC, PhD, is a multi award-winning author of over twenty-five novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured animals. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans. Weis writes paranormal, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance.

Lucas Astor, Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight. He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

Weis and Astor’s first collaboration was the multi-award-winning Magnus Blackwell Series.


PHOTO CONTENT FROM ALEXANDREA WEIS AND LUCAS ASTOR 



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Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I would also like to say Thank you to Jean for letting me participate in this blog tour and  say Thank you to Alexandrea & Lucas for letting me review their book. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below. 

~Sabrina 
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Thursday, October 25, 2018

Finchosaurus Blog Tour


Hello Book Lovers! Today on my blog I have the Finchosarus blog tour. On my stop there is a spotlight, excerpt, review, and giveaway.

FINCHOSAURUS follows the adventures of Atticus Finch Martin, otherwise known as Finch. Finch’s dream is to uncover a dinosaur fossil and name a new species after himself—until he digs up a note in the fifth-grade class garden with the word HELP on it. He is determined to come to the aid of the mystery note-writer. But when the quest turns out to be harder than expected, Finch risks losing two things that he really wants—his best friend Noah, and a field trip to Dinosaur State Park.

Excerpt:
Mrs. Adler drew a deep breath and put the this-hurts-me-more-than-it-hurts-you look on her face. “I am really disappointed, Finch,” she said. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
Finch nodded. Of course he knew what it meant! It meant he was a fidgeting, impish, nincompoopy chicken who wasn’t going to Dinosaur State Park. It meant that she and Mr. White and his mom and his dad would all say they were “disappointed in him,” which just meant that they would pretend to be sad and surprised that he had messed up…
Back at his desk, Finch bobbed lightly up and down on his bouncy chair. He pulled a bunch of stuff from his desk, so he could pretend to be cleaning.
It seemed like all he did anymore was pretend.
He pretended he was a dinosaur. He pretended he was going to be a paleontologist. He pretended he was doing his best work.
The dinosaur pretending was like make-believe. In make-believe, you knew what was real and what wasn’t. He knew he wasn’t really a dinosaur. Obviously. Maybe it was a little babyish, but it wasn’t doing anything bad.
Pretending that he was going to be a paleontologist was another kind of make-believe. He really did want to be a paleontologist. It was like making a wish. Maybe it was stupid, because to be an actual scientist you probably had to go to a lot of school, and school was not something he was good at. But at least it wasn’t wrong to wish something.
But pretending to other people that he had been doing his best—that was like telling a lie. He had told himself it was okay, but it wasn’t. He could tell that from Noah’s face, which looked scrunched up tight, the way it had when Noah was telling him about Rozzy being sick.
And now, pretending that he didn’t care about the trip to Dinosaur State Park—that was ridiculous. He wasn’t fooling anybody. Everybody knew how much he wanted to go.
Finch didn’t like this feeling. He needed to feel something different. He bounced a little higher on his chair.
“Finch,” said Mrs. Adler. “Settle down, please.”
Finch didn’t want to settle down. He wanted to bounce. Bounce, bounce, bounce.
“Finch!” said Mrs. Adler.
Bounce, bounce, bounce. Bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce!
“Finch! If you can’t settle down, I will—”
Nobody heard what Mrs. Adler would do if Finch couldn’t settle down, because everybody was laughing. Because Finch had bounced himself right off his chair and slam-landed on the floor. Which landed him out in the hallway with Grammy Mary so he could “collect himself.”

Excellent. Out here he didn’t have to see Noah, looking so bummed, which just made him feel more bummed than he already was. He was dreading lunch, when Noah would probably bite off his head.

Review: 
I loved this book. It was so fun and cute. It follows a boy named Finch who loves dinosaurs and is always digging trying to find the next fosil. While outside one day at school he was digging and found a note that said Help. This note sends Finch on a hunt to see who wrote it and how he can help them. He starts off by try ing to find out on his own but realizes he needs help so he tells his bestfriend Noah which then leads to them telling another classmate. While the three of them are working on finding out which classmate wrote it they start helping the kids in class who they know need help. But while doing this Finch doesn't get his own schoolwork done and is at risk of not going on the field trip. But just when you think he can;t go all his classmates come to his rescue and help him just like he had been doing for them. 



I really enjoyed this book. Finch is a great character and his heart is in the right place even though he forgets to do his own work in the process. But he has a great best friend who is looking out for him. This book definitely shows that helping others is a good thing but you have to remember to take care of yourself and ask for help when you need it. I hihgly recommend this book to kids and adults. 4/5 Bloody Fangs 


Praise for FINCHOSAURUS

"...If it's anything like the last (In Memory of Gorfman T. Frog), it's worth discovering." ―Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal

"An amusing, empowering tale that should appeal especially to middle schoolers with abundant energy." ―Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Gail's Previous Middle Grade Novels

THE WAFFLER
“A solid middle-grade choice—no waffling necessary.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The book captures the pains and pleasures of being both a twin and a fourth-grader.” —Booklist

WHAT'S BUGGING BAILEY BLECKER?
“Andrew Clements fans will enjoy this school story, too.” —Horn Book

“Bailey is emotionally authentic, with an individualistic voice and a strong streak of stubbornness, of which she is particularly proud.” —Publishers Weekly

“Purposeful in a lighthearted way but guaranteed to make your head—scalp and brain—itch!” —Kirkus Reviews

IN MEMORY OF GORFMAN T. FROG
"Middle-graders will celebrate as Josh learns to use his personal “pause” button to stop talking long enough to keep out of trouble. Obvious appeal, particularly to fans of Andrew Clements’s work.” —Kirkus Reviews  
Gail Donovan is the author of the middle-grade novels The Waffler, What’s Bugging Bailey Blecker?, and In Memory of Gorfman T. Frog, which was named a New York Public Library Best Books for Children. She is also an author for the Rainbow Fish & Friends picture book series based on the bestselling books of Marcus Pfister. Donovan, who was born and raised in Connecticut, lives in Maine with her husband and two daughters, where, in addition to writing children’s books, she is a library assistant at the Portland Public Library.

PHOTO CREDIT: TOM BELL 



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Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I would also like to say Thank you to Jean for letting me participate in this blog tour and say Thank you to Gail for letting me review your  book. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below. 

~Sabrina 
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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Archivos Nerd Blast




Hello Book Lovers! Today on my blog I have the Archivos nerd blast. On my stop there is a spotlight, trailer, and giveaway. 

With ARCHIVOS, storytellers are empowered to be the architects of their stories. Through an interactive visual representation of an entire story world, storytellers and fans can examine the interconnections between characters, places, and events. Produced by Wonderthing Studios, ARCHIVOS provides - at a glance - a deep appreciation and comprehension of the interaction between story elements composition, superior to any wiki or blog 
.   DESCRIPTION
ARCHIVOS is story mapping and presentation application developed by Wonderthing Studios, designed to support storytellers in the creation and promotion of their story worlds.

HISTORY
Wonderthing Studios LLC was founded in January 2015 by David Robison to celebrate and foster the storytelling community in all its forms and facets. The studio develops multiple channels of engagement – from podcasts to board games to software – in order to support storytellers and provide tangible opportunities for the creative community to interact and share wisdom and experience.

ARCHIVOS has been in development for over a decade, built upon the idea of a visual representation of the network of interaction between story elements. It’s creator, David Robison, conceived a framework of documentation and relationship that would articulate the dynamics of a story setting more effectively than any wiki or blog. The application serves as both a development tool for narratives as well as a presentation framework for sharing those narratives.

 

THE STORY WEB
Explore the associations and connections between story elements with The Story Web. This interactive display allows you to analyze the networks of association in your story setting and navigate its length and breadth with a few clicks of the mouse!

THE LIVING MAP
Highlight the significant events and locations of your story world in the Living Map. Geography, city maps, floor plans can be showcased in this interactive and searchable display.

THE TIMELINE
Chronicle the significant events of your story world – from deep history to current events – and then explore the entire continuum on the Timeline! Zoom in to see days or zoom out encompass decades, ensuring continuity and consistency across your story setting.

Praise for ARCHIVOS

I am very excited by the potential of Archivos for authors and storytellers of all stripes. I am truly enjoying watching Archivos evolve! ―Mary Layton, Author

There’s no better way to get a visual recap of any story than there will be when ARCHIVOS hits the streets. Watch out. ―Jay Swanson, Author, Vlogger, and Chronic Transient

Archivos provides individuals and organizations with an extraordinary tool, one where the structure and breadth of a narrative can be deftly visualized, shared, and explored. My team of creators is delighted to be working with Archivos and making use of their fantastic system! ―A. David Lewis, Comics for Youth Refugees Incorporated Collective 
Dave Robison is a storyteller who has been captivated by tales and legends his entire life.

He’s contributed vocal fabulousity to dozens of audio drama and fiction productions for EscapePod, Pseudopod, Cast of Wonders, and Podcastle, as well as The Drabblecast, StarShipSofa, Tales to Terrify. He has narrated several audio books for Tantor Media, J. Daniel Sawyer, Scott Roche, and John Meirau and appeared in audio dramas by Jay Smith and Bryan Lincoln.

As a child, he wrote Curious George and Paddington Bear fan fiction to the indulgent delight of his family. He was drawn to the immersive storytelling of live theater at an early age, participating in community workshops and school productions, a passion that continued through high school and college. He was also drawn to role-playing games which led to a deep appreciation of speculative fiction, cutting his genre teeth on Robert E. Howard, Michael Moorcock, and JRR Tolkien.

He attended the University of Michigan, majoring in Theater and Dance but transferred to the University of Wyoming when tuition costs got too expensive. Securing his Theater degree, Dave pursued a degree in Graphic Design and, in the years that followed, worked at dinner theaters, design studios, and ran a used bookstore. When he was hired teach computer classes at New Horizons Computer Learning Center, it began a decade-long exploration of programming, education, and web development.

In 2012, Dave launched The Roundtable Podcast with friend and colleague Brion Humphrey. The podcast gave writers the opportunity to brainstorm their story ideas with established authors and editors like Lou Anders, Cat Rambo, Kameron Hurley, and Hugh Howey. The unique format combined with Dave’s over-the-top delivery and enthusiasm earned the podcast a small but dedicated following.

In 2015, Dave formed Wonderthing Studios, LLC and brought the Roundtable Podcast under its banner. The studio is the launching point for several creative endeavors including Vex Mosaic, a monthly review of essays inspired by speculative fiction media, and Manifest, a board game combining the positional strategy of chess with the fantastical diversity of Magic: The Gathering.

In 2016, Dave was honored to be invited to help lead The Ed Greenwood Group (TEGG) as its Vice-President assisting in the initialization of the diverse processes required to execute a massive shared world collaborative storytelling publishing venture. Later that year, he was appointed Executive producer of Onder Media Group (OMG) overseeing the development of multiple media channels that celebrate speculative fiction culture in all its forms and facets.

In 2017, Dave released Archivos, a story mapping and presentation tool, through Wonderthing Studios.


PHOTO CONTENT FROM DAVE ROBISON



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Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I would also like to say Thank you to Jean for letting me participate in this nerd blast. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below. 
~Sabrina 
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