Uncontrollable Is out!

Yay! Uncontrollable is out today!

Uncontrollable is the second book in "The Nature of Grace" series by S.R. Johannes. Untraceable, the first book in the series, has won and been nominated for several awards including Winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Award (YA), 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (YA Nominee), and a finalist in The Kindle Book Review's "Best Indie Book of 2012 (YA)".

Kirkus reviewed Untraceable as "A thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance.  The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page."

If you like a page turner, you will love this series!

Head over to Mundie Moms for a Big Uncontrollable Launch Party with tons of prizes and then over to SR Johannes blog for even more.

To continue on with the blog tour, check out the line up! Where SR talks about anything from marketing to writing to her books to personal interviews and giveaways.

Book Summary

As 16-year-old Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program". 

While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is picking silk plants and growing fake plants. 

After a couple of wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. However, when a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues. 

Little does she know, she is being hunted too. 

On Sale Now! 

Uncontrollable is on sale in paperback and ebook at all major booksellers including Amazon, iBooks/Apple (coming soon),  Smashwords, and B&N. If you haven't read Untraceable, you can get it in paperback and ebook at all major booksellers including Amazon, Apple, Smashwords, and B&N.

Author Bio

S.R. Johannes is the author of award-winning and Amazon bestselling Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and new tween paranormal, On The Bright Side. She has also published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes.  Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable, is scheduled for September 2012.

S.R. Johannes is a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult) and was also recently nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult). Untraceable was also recently named a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review's Indie Book of the Year (YA)

After earning an MBA and working in corporate America, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing.  She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. 

Connect!

Follow S.R. online on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest

You can also sign up for her newsletter to keep up on author or book news.

Book Review: Change the World Before Bedtime

Change the World Before Bedtime

By Josh Chalmers, Mark Kimball Moulton and Karen Hillard Good

ISBN: 978-0-7643-4238-7

ASIN: 9780764342

Ebook: 32 pages

First published August 1st 2012

By: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

Book Source: Publisher

5 Stars

Goodreads summary: Written in simple, engaging rhyme, this story takes an inspirational look into how the little things in life a smile, a kind word, a simple deed can help change the world in a big way. Through 18 stunning illustrations, children will read about eating right, cleaning up the Earth by recycling and conserving, helping the sick and those less fortunate, and working in a group to make bigger miracles. Even an ordinary kid can be a superhero before bedtime! Grades Pre-K to 2.

Marisa's Review: I read this book in e-copy and I really enjoyed it. It talks a lot about the golden rule ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. It is about how the small things in life can really help someone and make their day and therefore “Change the World Before Bedtime”. We often overlook the small things and think we have to do something big to make a difference when the reality is the small things make the most impact. This book grounds us and reminds us that the small things aren’t small at all. I am very happy I had the opportunity to read this book. I hope the schools purchase it for the library. I know many kids who would read this and feel inspired.

About the Authors:

Mark Kimball Moulton:

Author/Photographer Mark Kimball Moulton was born and raised in Danbury, Connecticut, and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture.

He is a seasoned traveler and avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking and cross country skiing.

Mark also enjoys renovating period homes. His most recent endeavor, Sparrowood of Avon, is a vintage farmhouse in Connecticut and serves as a testament to his passion for nature and belief in a simpler way of life.

 

 

Karen Good:

Our dear friends are all around and my best friend, Mark Kimball Moulton (author extraordinaire) lives five doors up the road.

Riverton is our very own Brigadoon . . . only it’s real!

My husband, Bob & I are renovating this 1822 Red Brick Colonial which is perched smack dab in the middle of our town of Riverton. Right next door is the Riverton General Store (which has been in continuous operation since the late 1800′s) where we all meet regularly for coffee and catch up on the latest gossip . . . oops, I mean news!

Riverton is nestled in the valley of People’s Forest and bordered by two wild and scenic rivers, The Farmington and The Still.

 

Josh Chalmers: Has contacted me with his bio and picture. Thank you Josh!
Josh Chalmers is the CEO (Cheerfully Eager Overachiever) of Earth2, a company that develops socially responsible products, programs and properties. Motivated by a personal and professional mission statement to change the world before bedtime, Josh has designed a company that mobilizes creative and strategic partnerships between for-profit and non-profit projects and companies, to drive revenue, support and awareness to organizations that strive to improve conditions for under-served children, families and institutions.
In 2012, Earth2 launched the Earth2 Edibles philanthropic specialty food division, with a first product, Not Your Mama’s Marinara, hitting shelves in Connecticut and growing into New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts by the end of the year. In addition, Earth2 inspired and collaborated on a new children’s book, Change The World Before Bedtime, published by Schiffer Publishing. Earth2 Events continues to produce socially responsible parties, weddings and fundraisers, and Earth2′s Prints Charming division launches a new line of stationery and special event cards in 2013. Earth2′s ongoing real estate projects, Arcadia and CoolCampus are in development in New England, and the initiatives WELLfed and ARTrageous, focused on the support of clean water systems and school arts programs respectively, will grow in the coming months.
Josh, born and raised in New York City and a graduate of Columbia University, is based on the Connecticut shoreline. For more information, please visit www.earth2company.com.

 

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Book Review: Into the Pumpkin

Into the Pumpkin

By Linda Franklin

Hardcover, 56 pages

Published August 31st 2012

By: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

ISBN: 9780764341830

Book source:

4 Pumpkins

What Goodreads has to say: The fun of Halloween comes alive in this beautifully illustrated children’s book. The drawings, done each year by the author on the eve of Halloween, follow various “Halloween” characters as they prepare to celebrate this mystical holiday — pumpkins, witches, bats, ravens, black cats, scarecrows, spiders, ghosts, and more. Should they have their party in the graveyard or the pumpkin patch? Should they dress up or simply go as themselves? Take a ride on the witch’s broom and enter the pumpkin for a magical trip both you and your kids will not soon forget. Pre-K through 6th.

Marisa's Review: I love the art in this book! It is abstract yet obvious and has so many warm autumn colors, even the spider is cute (yes you read that right). The story itself is really cute and has a good poetic rhythm to it allowing you to get through it quickly.

For a child who is in grade 1 or so you could really turn it into a sing-song type book and have them memorize it. If you are using this book in the classroom, be it home school or public school you could easily have your child pick one of the beautiful pieces of art to make for Halloween decorations while learning about art techniques. I normally wouldn’t recommend this, however my children studied Matisse in grade 1 and each student did a piece of art copying one by Matisse.

If you are opposed to Halloween then I think it is fairly obvious to not purchase this book because it does talk about ghosts and skeletons and witches and the other “Pagan” things we love about Halloween. 

That said, it is in no way a scary book and I recommend it for kids of all ages as the pictures are interesting to my old eyes and the words are very sweet and easy to read. I can see a lot of potential for this book depending on how you choose to use it.

About the Author:  Linda Franklin is an award-winning artist whose work is widely exhibited in private collections throughout the United States. She is also a celebrated teacher who has launched many aspiring artists onto careers of their own.

 

Steam Powered Giraffe

I just wanted to do a quick post about this band that I have recently fallen in love with! That band is Steam Powered Giraffe. Not only do these guys look badass, they also have some incredibly unique music. I find myself listening to them on an almost daily basis at this point. I mean look at this! ---------->

Yea amazing I know! At the moment my favorite song by them is Electricity is in my soul. Here they are preforming one of my other favorite songs titled Automatonic Electronic Harmonics. I would definitely suggest you check out their webpage here and their facebook here to learn more about them.

The Calling

The Calling

by David Mack

Publish Date: July 21st 2009

by Gallery Books

4 Stars

What Goodreads has to say:

HEAR THE CALLING. No one would guess by looking at Tom Nash that he's extraordinary, and that's just fine with him. A tall, broad-shouldered jack-of-all-trades from Sawyer, Pennsylvania, Tom has a knack for fixing things. He also hides a secret talent: he hears people's prayers. Stranger still, he answers them. Maybe it's because he's a handyman, but Tom feels compelled to fix people's problems. Which is all well and good -- until the soul-shattering plea of a terrified girl sends him on the darkest journey of his life....

 SEEK THE TRUTH 

 Heeding the call and leaving his home for New York City, Tom discovers a secret world beyond the range of mortal perception -- a world of angels and demons and those who serve them. With the guidance of a knowing stranger named Erin, Tom learns that he himself is one of The Called, born with a divine purpose and a daunting task: to help the powers of Heaven in the war against the agents of Hell, an army of fallen angels known as the Scorned. Thrust into an epic battle of the sacred and the profane, Tom Nash must find the girl who prayed for his help -- because her fate will determine whether humanity deserves to be saved, or damned for all eternity....

Elina's Review: I was looking for a good book to read when I came across one that caught my interest as soon as I saw the description. The story was exactly the kind I have been looking for but I wasn't sure if it existed. I checked it out of the library and was hooked from the first page. It was everything I expected it to be. A supernatural thriller about good vs. evil. A man named Tom hears when other people pray for help and does anything he can to help them because he feels it is his purpose and his calling to do so. Unaware that there are others with the ability like his to hear prayers, he meets Erin when he is working alone and nearly gets killed. They team up to help find a kidnapped girl. The "scorned", those who do not want them to succeed, make it a life or death mission. The two head from one dangerous situation to the next and keep you on the edge of your seat hoping they make it out alive, defeat the evil and save the girl.  I found the storyline to be very engaging. It was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing what was going to happen next. I almost felt as though I was watching a movie and in these character's world. It is definitely worth a read. I loved it and am so glad I discovered this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy, action, and mystery/crime. Read this book, you won't be disappointed. David Mack is an amazing writer.

About the Author: David Mack is the national bestselling author of more than twenty novels and novellas, including Wildfire, Harbinger, Reap the Whirlwind, Precipice, Road of Bones, Promises Broken, Rise Like Lions, and the Star Trek Destiny trilogy: Gods of Night, Mere Mortals, and Lost Souls. He developed the Star Trek Vanguard series concept with editor Marco Palmieri. His first work of original fiction is the critically acclaimed supernatural thriller The Calling.

In addition to novels, Mack's writing credits span several media, including television (for episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), film, short fiction, magazines, newspapers, comic books, computer games, radio, and the Internet. He also co-authored Bryan Anderson's nonfiction Iraq War memoir, No Turning Back: One Man's Inspiring True Story of Courage, Determination, and Hope.

His latest novel is the new Star Trek Vanguard novel Storming Heaven, and his upcoming projects include an epic 24th-century Star Trek: The Next Generation trilogy titled Cold Equations, and a new original supernatural thriller.

Mack resides in New York City with his wife, Kara. 

Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell

Blow Fly
by Patricia Cornwell
Published date September 7th 2004
by Berkley
4 Stars

What Goodreads has to say: Readers are in for the shock of Kay Scarpetta's life.

Marisa's Review: Blow Fly is number 12 in the “Scarpetta” series by Cornwell. Dr. Kay Scarpetta, medical examiner, has lost everything important to her and her career and life is suffering because of it. She has lost her job and has begun consulting on certain cases. Her family and friends are very concerned about her safety and her health and what the past has done to her. She receives a letter about a particular case that is directly linked to her losses and it brings her to the Bayou where her life, Marino’s (a long-time friend and police investigator) and Lucy’s (Kay’s genius niece), all become wrapped in this hunt to find the killer before he strikes again. In the meantime Kay is manipulated without her knowledge into going to places that are very dangerous, all carefully orchestrated by this murdering family of sociopaths. Will Kay, Marino and Lucy find the killer in time with all the twists, turns and predators of the bayou? Will Lucy’s secret be revealed and will Kay get the missing pieces of her life back? This book has many twists and turns and is a very easy and quick read. It has 124 chapters making it easy to pick up and put down for someone who is busy without having to stop half way through a chapter. It is easy to follow and offers the right amount of information and suspense while keeping you on your toes. I give this book two thumbs up. I have moved on to number 14 in the series, "Predator", and I am already glued to each page eager for more. 

About the Author:  Patricia Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem, while working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. At her first signing, held during a lunch break from the morgue, Patricia sold no copies of Postmortem and fielded exactly one question – an elderly woman asked her where she could find the cookbooks.

Postmortem would go on to win the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards as well as the French Prix du Roman d’Aventure prize – the first book ever to claim them all these distinctions in a single year. To date, Cornwell’s books have sold some 100 million copies in thirty-six languages in over 120 countries. She’s authored twenty-three New York Times bestsellers.

Patricia’s novels center primarily on medical examiner Kay Scarpetta along with her tech-savvy niece Lucy and fellow investigator Pete Marino. Over twenty years, these characters have grown into an international phenomenon, eventually winning Cornwell the Sherlock Award for best detective created by an American author, the Gold Dagger Award, the RBA Thriller Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters for her contributions to literary and artistic development.

New Addition!

Hi Everyone! I know it has been far too long since I have last posted. I am super excited to announce that I have a new contributor to the blog. Her name is Elina and she was nice enough to offer to post reviews so that the blog can be updated more regularly since I have been so busy with work and have not been able to update nearly as often I would like. She will post her first review soon so be on the watch for it! If you would be interested in writing reviews for Little Birdie Reviews feel free to email me!