"Embrace What Makes You Unique and Have Fun While Doing It-- Art is about more than technique. A sound mind, healthy body, and desire to learn are essential."
Chasing Fate
Maria Miller
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN:1475252404/ASIN: B008R8B8T4
$9.99 US Paperback/ $5.99 US Kindle
5 Stars:
Chasing Fate by Maria Miller is an enjoyable read. This YA story is an action-packed, emotional journey that follows a teenager as she finds herself in the middle of an unexpected adventure. The daughter of a successful businessman, Kate seems like she lives the charmed life. But she faces some harsh daily truths behind the walls of her luxurious exterior. Kate learns to hid her misfortunes of having an alcoholic, abusive father and timid, excuse-giving mother from others. That is until her teacher catches on after Kate fails to turn in her final project.
Her teacher offers her a redemption assignment-- she has to interview someone in order to pass. Kate does not want to interview one of her father's friends, so she chooses a low-life bum to finish her assignment. Little does she know, this "bum" has led a secretive life as an ex-Navy Seal. When he asks her to return an idol, Kate finds herself in the middle of a crazy mission. With the disappearance of the bum to traveling across new lands, this story keeps the reader engaged.
Maria Miller does a great job with plot and character development. Her characters are strong, believable, and exciting. Her story is filled with plot twists that keep the pace fast and exhilarating. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an awesome adventure story with a twist.
Stay Tuned for the review of "The Young Mystery Series: The Missing Lunch" by
B.K. Maxwell
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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Currently, I am only taking on short reads--Children's Books Only--since my chapter book schedule is full. Sorry for the inconvenience. No Spammers Please!
Jaclyn M. Bartz
Author/Illustrator of "The Retired Tooth Fairy"
Volunteer Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Review
email: theretiredtoothfairy (at) outlook (dot) com
Of course, like any new Author, I cannot help but share my excitement. My first book has been released and is available on Amazon! I can officially say that I am a Published Author! This has been an exciting adventure, and I highly recommend for anyone thinking about writing a book to put yourself out there and do it. I have already completed my first goal as a newbie--I have sold my first copy to a perfect stranger! Amazing!
The very first thing that struck me about this book is the amazing talent these two artists possess. The stories are written by Aamani, who is a very talented 6 year old author...yes, I said 6 years old...and illustrated by Sunaad, who is a very talented 11 year old illustrator. This is what is great about the shift in publishing trends because talented kids, such as these two, have the chance to explore and share their talents. It is obvious Aamani and Sunaad have a very promising future ahead of them, and I look forward to seeing them progress in their very early careers.
The Mosquito and the Teapot is a short collection of stories teaching the importance of friendship and kindness. Each story focuses on separate challenges, such as the importance of telling someone to stop doing something that is not liked and another story that teaches the readers not fight with their friends over unimportant issues. In addition to the stories, Sunaad, the illustrator, does an amazing job creating delightful pictures that enhance the story.
My youngest daughter loved reading this story. We laughed at the fun passages and she loved looking at the pictures. When she found out this story was written by another kid, she enjoyed it even more. Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone looking for quick stories and chuckles to share with your little ones. And let's take a moment to give these talented kids a round of applause!
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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Books we review are for target audience 0-14 and PG. No Spammers Please!
Ha ha....sorry for the silliness. I know, I know....I am a professional writer, I shouldn't indulge in these emotions. (NOT)
So why am I doing a Happy Dance? Well, for all of my aspiring author friends, I received the first copy of my book over the weekend! Yes, a physical copy of the story I have been shackled to for the past couple of years. And let me tell you--IT IS AMAZING!!!!
I cannot believe this day has arrived. I am one step away from being a ... bum bad da dum...Published Author!
How cool is that?! The funny thing is that it feels so surreal.
I remember the first day when my character was nothing more than a private joke--forged from the depths of a lost soul with tons of newly useless information stored inside her brain. All of the hardships and pain squeezed until they popped into a final moment of absolute clarity. The day Bea was born.
Who is Bea? Well, Bea was actually Ruby...but, of course, I had to change her name. Why? Well, she is a part of me, and she deserved the initial of my last name--which eventually turned into Beatrice.
What are you talking about? Did you have too much to drink?
Nope, I am just giddy!
For those of you unfamiliar with Bea--she is a Retired Tooth Fairy who collects adult teeth; but there is only one problem--those easy-to-collect teeth aren't so easy to collect! And Bea isn't the best at collecting them. She finds herself in many precarious situations. And thus, my series follows her misadventures as a retired tooth fairy.
Alright, time to return from my little detour.
I can still remember the first day when my character was nothing more than a private joke. My daughter joyfully chuckled as we joked about the most unlikely tooth fairy. After we were done, I jotted everything down (in the worst chicken-scratch handwriting imaginable).
I brainstormed.....
I outlined.....
I sketched.....
And I returned with a very cranky-looking old fairy who was more scary than whimsical. Yikes!
Back to the drawing board.
So I brainstormed....
And sketched some more.....
Until my retired tooth fairy aged gracefully....and looks kind of like a funky librarian. But none the less, she was evolving into the beloved character she is today.
After putting Bea together with a pencil, I decided to add words to her mouth with my pen. Soon, she jumped off the paper and told me about the time she tied herself to a tooth, which then yanked her behind it after an unfortunate magical mistake. After that, we became best buddies! She shared her embarrassing moments, and I told her about the time I....(oh wait...this is public...I don't think I want to share that story).
But then, of course, the "First Timer's Curse" grabbed ahold of me.
...wait, what?....you've never heard of the "First-Timer's Curse"?
Well, my friend, the "First Timer's Curse" is when someone begins to do something creative, but then....it strikes......the worst case of self-doubt imaginable--Am I good enough? Is this good enough? What if no one likes my story? What if no one likes me? What if I get a wedgie while at a formal gathering?
Yes, it is the worst curse ever---even worse than that curse placed on those poor Chicago Cubs! It has devoured many poor souls at the start of their journeys. Such a sad thing. And it almost got me, too!
But, I was too determined. I grabbed a hold of my inner strength....the strength I never thought I had...and I continued on...until....well, until this weekend when I held my work in my hands for the first time.....oh, I love the smell of crisp, newly printed pages smooshed in between the shiny glossy cover featuring my hard work.
And, of course, I look at it and cannot believe I drew the pictures or wrote those words. Absolutely crazy good!
But why does this make me feel so happy?
Well, I remember the days of people telling me that "I don't belong" and the hardships I had faced. The utter depression of losing everything I had loved. Feeling like a loser or unimportant. I remember the struggles, and the unattainable dreams.
But, I don't regret my past because my past has shaped me into who I am, and has led me to this place in my life. And honestly....for the first time, I feel like I belong! I have accomplished something big!
So yes, I am going to do my Happy Dance....
And you can do one of your own too--Just believe in yourself. The journey is only as hard as your first step. And never ever for one second stop dreaming!
Okay, that's enough lip-service from me! I am going to snuggle next to my book, and dream of a brighter future for my family.
