SuperScruff by P. Lynn Halliday (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

 

SuperScruff

by 

P. Lynn Halliday

 

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GENRE: Children's

 

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BLURB:

 

Goat Tails are a series of stories all about life on our family farm in Manitowaning. Join with us as we share the entertaining and crazy antics of all the critters that occupied that farm . . . especially the goats.

 

In our second book, Scruffy the kid arrives back from his BIG adventure. The lost had been found, but would he be welcomed or was it Pen Prison for him again? Scruffy had been in trouble so many times in the past that he began to have doubts. Sure the Maker loved him . . . but did everyone else?

 

Imagine his surprise when he was greeted at the fence by a churning, hopping, squawking sea of excitement, all straining to get a look at him! Wow, he was a superstar!

 

It suddenly struck him: now he knew for sure what his purpose was. He was made to be super . . . the super, duper hopping hero of the barnyard!

 

SuperScruff, the fearless leader of the Scruffkids!

 

"Oh no," bleated Nellie Nanny, "here we go again!"

 

Truer words have never been spoken: Scruffy was at it again. Join the fun as SuperScruff learns how to be truly Super!

 

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EXCERPT

 

Scruffy looked around him, searching for the perfect way to show just how Super he was. He spied a ladder leaning against the side of the barn. Papa had been using that ladder to paint the window frames in the loft of the barn. He gazed up to the top of the ladder and an idea began to form. What if he climbed the ladder into the loft of the barn? Surely if he hopped the length of the barn and leapt out of the window, he would be able to fly clear over Poop Hill. It was probably 20 or 30 feet. This was far enough away that no one could claim that he did it only by hopping. They would think he was flying, just like he said he could. This would be the perfect demo to show his Super-Powers.

 

Calling everyone over, he told them that the barrel-jumping earlier was just a warm-up for the real event. Now he was going to show everyone how Super he was by flying over Poop Hill. Everyone quickly looked at the poop pile. It was a ten-foot-high stinking, steaming pile of poop... way too huge to hop over. Even Hobby had to admit that if Scruffy managed to pull off this stunt, he was really SuperScruff!

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS

 

Amazon.com

 

Amazon.CA

 

Barnes & Noble

 

Book Depository

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

 

Lynn is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a pharmacist, a storyteller and a Christian, living and working in Northern Ontario. Life on the farm has helped each member of our family to grow in so many different ways. Perhaps the most profound growth has been spiritual, as we have all marvelled while working on our farm at the amazing world that our loving God has made. How wonderful it is that God designed each person and critter for a special purpose—no mistakes and no misfits.

 

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH P. LYNN HALLIDAY

 

Website 

Facebook

 

Instagram

 

Goodreads

 

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GIVEAWAYS

Please also enter the Goodreads Giveaways for print copies of the two books in this series!

Scruffy Finds His Way entries via this link.

SuperScruff entries via this link.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The tour dates can be found here
 

 

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My review:

 

3.75 stars

 

 

SuperScruff by P Lynn Halliday is part of the ‘Goat Tails’ series, and features some of the barnyard animals on a family farm in Canada, particularly an exuberant kid goat named Scruffy. His decision to live up to the name SuperScruff leads him into multiple adventures and requires that he learn the purpose the Maker has decreed for his life.

 

This Christian children’s fantasy teaches several lessons utilizing cute animal characters. In addition to the identical bible scriptures that bookend the story, Scruff’s mother counsels him about serving the Lord’s purpose rather than puffing up his own importance. There are a few consequences that are glossed over, and at times I was a bit confused about whether the characters referred to were human or animal, but I enjoyed the interactions between Scruff and his friends and family. The illustrations do a great job of enhancing the story, and I think this is a lovely teaching story for youngsters.

 

 

A copy of this story was provided for review

 

You Can Do Anything by Danni Maynard (VNBtM, guest post, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

 

 It is my pleasure to share a guest post by author Danni Maynard, who answers my question...

 

ELF:  What scares you the most or makes you the happiest about writing?

 

 

DM: It’s strange. In my head I don’t consider myself an ‘author’. I didn’t set out to write a book because I wanted to write a book, or visualised a glamorous author lifestyle. Rather I wanted a particular book for my daughter, which I couldn’t find. That book being an inspirational one for young kids, especially girls to demonstrate what they can be when they grow up. There were books similar in nature to this concept, however not at a preschool level. 

 

I lead a very busy and different lifestyle. That being a working mum, lecturer at two universities, a pilot and currently completing a Phd. I have three fantastic kids and still meet all of their needs. I am lucky and have support from a fantastic husband who is a great dad. I want my children to see that my motivation comes from passion. My work, studies and hobbies are all around aviation. All I wish for my kids regarding their career, is that they have a passion. Whatever they choose I hope it is from passion.

 

So I set out to learn about the process of writing a kids book. There is a particular method that works best for young kids. I learnt that repetitiveness is key (which is the part I absolutely hate when reading to my daughter. I find it boring, but I do understand its importance now). Rhyming is also important, but most of all it is about the pictures/imagery. I did a mind map of the points I wish to get across in my book and then developed a rhyme to address each point in my mind map. Then it was off to find an illustrator. I think the hardest part was communicating my illustration concept to another person. You have to be very specific. Detail is important. 

 

Now that my book was finished I was happy and really only looked forward to getting a hard copy to give my daughter and also her day care. I didn’t expect it to do so well. A part of me is considering another book, however I am conscious that my Phd needs to have my full attention. You never know what the future may hold. “They” say the sky is the limit…… not for pilots. It's our playground 

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You Can Do Anything

by 

Danni Maynard

 

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GENRE: Children's

 

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BLURB:

 

The most inspiring people in the world started with a dream that a lot of other people thought wasn't possible. By setting their minds to something and working hard, they proved that their dream was achievable. Dream big and be what you want to be.

 

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EXCERPT

 

When I am a lawyer I will stand up and be proud. I will shout to the world, “I can be anything,” OUT LOUD.

 

To the airport I’ll go and fly in the sky, because I am a pilot who loves being up high.

On weekends I will sail to the sea and the ocean, my smile will be huge when the waves are in motion.

 

It is great to be a girl in the world of today, I can be anything and I still get to play.

 

PURCHASE LINKS   

           

AMAZON.COM

BARNES & NOBLE          

BOOK DEPOSITORY

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Danni Maynard grew up dreaming big and wanting to break the stereotype of what women were 'meant' to be. She is a lecturer in aviation, a pilot and is working towards her doctorate in, you guessed it, aviation. Danni is still dreaming and has turned her attention to encouraging young minds of today to dream along with her. She is a strong believer in supporting kids to pursue their passions no matter what the world tells them they can or cannot do.

 

She brings this passion to her daily life as a mother of three amazing children who are constantly reminded that they are allowed to imagine a life that encompasses fantasies, aspirations and ambitions. This attitude to life was shaped by her mum, who is a powerful and supportive role model in Danni's life and sculpted her to be an independent and strong-minded thinker. Danni also dedicates time to Women in Aviation – Australian Chapter to educate and inspire young girls about the fascinating industry that is aviation and the opportunities it presents to women.

 

CONNECT WITH DANNI MAYNARD

 

Website

 

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The tour dates can be found here
 

 

 

 

Luna's Adventures Series by Stephanie Hewitt (Spotlight, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

 

 

Luna's Adventures Series

by Stephanie Hewitt

 

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GENRE: Children's

 

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BLURB:

 

Book 1: Where did Luna go?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luna is a cheeky and playful big black dog with lots of curly-wurly hair who likes to explore and play. One day, Luna gets a little bit stuck somewhere . . .

 

Where did Luna go?

 

Come and explore with Luke to help find Luna.

 

 

 

Book 2: Luna Loves Biscuits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luna is a cheeky and playful big black dog with lots of curly-wurly hair who likes to explore and play.

 

Luna really loves her special dog biscuits. One day Lilly leaves Luna's special dog biscuit jar open.

 

Will Luna be a naughty dog or a good dog?

 

Let's find out.

 

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EXCERPT

 

In the creaky, leaky old kitchen, the sneaky plan to get Luna’s special dog biscuit jar was coming together.

 

Luna and Ollie made a treasure map of ideas to get the dog biscuit jar down from the kitchen bench.

 

The sneaky plan was ready.

 

In the creaky, leaky old kitchen Luna was beginning to feel a bit bad. If she took all the dog biscuits from her special jar, would her best friend Lilly get mad?

 

If Lilly got mad, then Luna would be sad, especially if Lilly never gave her any more beautiful dog biscuits ever again. Luna did not want to make Lilly mad.

 

Luna really loves her dog biscuits, but Luna loves Lilly more.

 

PURCHASE LINKS   

 

BOOK 1: Where did Luna go?

 

Amazon print

Amazon Kindle

Bookshop

Barnes & Noble

Book Depository

 

BOOK 2: Luna Loves Biscuits

 

Amazon print

Amazon Kindle

Bookshop

Barnes & Noble     

Book Depository

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

 

Hi, I’m Stephanie Hewitt! I am a new Australian children’s author.

I am the mother of two toddlers. I love writing stories for my children and others that they will enjoy.

 

 

 

 

CONNECT:

 

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

Goodreads 

Twitter

  

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GIVEAWAY

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The tour dates can be found here
  

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4 stars

 

Where did Luna go? by Stephanie Hewitt follows the search for a “big black dog with curly wurly hair” who isn’t in any of her typical locations.

 

This fun children’s story celebrates the bond between a kid and a pet, and does a great job of showing the hide-and-seek interaction throughout the house. I think this cute book will stimulate a child to ask questions and may even make them want a Luna of their own.

 

 

A copy of this story was provided for review

 

 

4.25 stars

 

Luna Loves Biscuits by Stephanie Hewitt explores the challenge of being faced with an ethical decision as demonstrated by a “big black dog with curly wurly hair” who really wants some of her favorite biscuits, even when her human isn’t there to give them to her.

 

This delightful children’s book does a great job of teaching a lesson while providing a fun and stimulating story. I like that Luna thinks about her actions even though her doggie friend tempts her to do something she shouldn’t, and the conflict between getting something she really wants and not being naughty is nicely demonstrated.

 

A copy of this story was provided for review

one jaded Rose by James Byron Books (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

One Jaded Rose

by 

James Byron Books

 

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GENRE: Fiction / Humorous / General

 

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BLURB:

 

One jaded Rose is a light-hearted caper, the first in the series written by James Byron Books. Rose needed a plus-one, but not for the usual wedding or party. She was going to a funeral and needed a quiet, unassuming type, but when Nic Thorn arrived, he was anything but a wallflower. Rose and her BFF, Sandy, have time on their hands, and soon find that Nic will fill the void. He coerces them into his madcap investigations of scams, frauds and misunderstandings. This modern-day adventure leads them from one lively caper to another, involving portrait provenance, invoice inaccuracy, and a recycler's relapse, on their travels from Brisbane to Adelaide and across the South Australian border.

 

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EXCERPT

 

Brushing down the light chiffon dress trying to take the creases out, Rose allowed herself to feel pretty. After all, being able to buy off the rack was easy when you still had your youthful shape, and access to couture stock at wholesale prices.

 

She was miles away in thought when someone rapped softly on the car window. Pulling herself out of her reverie, she looked at who was making the intrusion. It was a parking inspector, and as they were still parked on a yellow line in Eagle Street, knew she was in trouble. Damn you Nic.

 

She smiled at the man, then upon second look she decided it might be a woman, and attempted to open the gullwing door then realised she didn’t actually know how to. She raised her palms with a defeated gesture, but the woman still wanted her to step out of the car anyway. Damn it Nic, where are you?

 

Finally, Nic was coming towards her. He was all smiles and chummy with the buyer/ owner, and she knew that they had not yet realised the dilemma with the parking inspector, so she pressed on the horn. It sounded like a soft whine, instead of the musical note Eb that the pre-1960’s Mercedes are known for. Finally Nic saw her, jogged up to the car and let her out, all the while maintaining his ‘business as usual’ composure.

 

Rose climbed from the car and nodded to the parking inspector, trying to explain that she really didn’t know how to get the door open, but she was being ignored. Nic had now taken control of the situation. In one movement, he gave the new owner the keys, stopped the traffic to allow his departure, and turned back to the inspector. All in less than 60 seconds.

 

He then held out his hand to the inspector and placed his other hand onto her shoulder. Rose thought it was very assuming of him to take this approach, but it seemed to be working. Soon they were both smiling, and with a polite thanks, Nic said something about dobbing in the real parking abusers. The inspector started to move away. Rose realised it might be an opportune time to again offer an apology, but the woman just sneered at her.

 

PURCHASE LINKS   

        

Amazon (print)

Amazon (e-book)

Bookshop

Indigo Chapters (Kobo e-book)

Indigo Chapters (print)

B&N

Book Depository

Rakuten Kobo

Smashwords

Apple e-books

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

The author is a long-term banker by profession, and a lifetime musician, songwriter and inveterate dreamer. His writing is a creative escape that he needs to keep his mind active and fingers supple, ready to write his next caper, penned as James Byron Books. The author lives in South Australia in a renovated church, with a very shy cat. He has been fortunate to have visited many places that are worthy of a peek, and enjoys including them in these stories.

 

 

 

 

CONNECT WITH JAMES

 

Website 

Facebook

Goodreads

 

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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My review:

 

3.5 out of 5 stars

 

one jaded Rose by James Bryon Books follows Rosemary (Rose) Palmer, whose Vita Brevis dating app matches her up with a very unusual plus one…for a funeral. It turns out that Nic Thorn isn’t just any date, and getting to know him will involve Rose and her friend Sandy in adventures that will be challenging in more ways than one.

 

This wacky and humorous story is the first book in the ‘A Nic Thorn Caper’ series. Puns and allusions to various pop icons are interwoven with several unusual adventures. Nic “buys stuff, sells stuff, finds, stuff, loses stuff, and does stuff,” and he gradually convinces Rose to go out of her comfort zone and participate in various unusual challenges that always have unexpected twists. Some of the fun of reading this story is parsing out the hidden gems and figuring out what the true goal is for each of the adventures while puzzling over the mystery that is Nic.

 

I think it’s best to approach this story with one’s tongue in cheek and a casual, along-for-the-ride attitude. There are plenty of secondary characters, and I would have liked more depth to some of them, but hopefully that will be rectified in subsequent additions to the series. I enjoyed the glimpses of areas of Australia and its culture, but I was a bit confused about some of the elements of the story and startled by the unexpected outcome of one caper. Primarily this is a fun, lighthearted story with comedic elements mixed with those reminiscent of “The Sting,” and I look forward to reading about more of Rose and Nic’s adventures.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review