I LOVE this new series! Perfect for middle-grade readers.

I recently got to read a preview copy of a new book by Mikey Brooks called Battle for Acropolis. It's one of six books in a new series called The Gates of Atlantis. I've read some of Mikey's books with my kids before and I was excited to see what this new series was all about. He did not disappoint.

A SURPRISING TWIST

Don't you hate it when you find a book you like and you have to WAIT for the sequels? (GASP!) Here's the catch with Battle for Acropolis: It is one book in a series of six...and they were ALL released on the same day! Isn't that a fun idea? No waiting!

Here's the blurb for Gates of Atlantis: Battle for Acropolis:

Thirteen-year-old Talon is in trouble...again. He didn't mean to burn down the school library. It just happened. Things like that always happen to Talon. His life is a mixture of the weird and bizarre. No one else he knows can shoot fire from their hands or cause an earthquake...but he can.

Every night the same dream haunts Talon: the destruction of an underwater city. He doesn't have a clue what it means but he feels like fate is trying to warn him. It's not until he runs away with his foster sister Hattie that he discovers his trouble-making powers and strange nightmare are connected. Together they are the key to saving magic...to saving Atlantis.

Doesn't that sound fun??? I read this book to my kids while we were traveling recently. I was completely hoarse from reading out loud for so long, but I didn't care. I had to know what would happen next. AND, it kept my kids completely enthralled all the way across west Texas and New Mexico. (If you've ever traveled in those areas, you know it's saying a lot to say we didn't get bored.)

I feel like most books have a part or two that you "just have to get through." Know what I mean? I didn't ever get that feeling from Battle for Acropolis. It really kept moving. 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

I had the pleasure of interviewing Mikey so you can all get to know him and his writing. Here it goes:

TC: How long have you been writing?

MB: I have been a story teller as long as I can remember. I started putting words on paper when I was about 12, so a really long time.

TC: What books and projects have you previously released?

MB: I have a fantastic middle-grade series out called The Dream Keeper Chronicles. There are two volumes available in both book and audiobook. The final installment will be out this fall. My other middle-grade book is The Stone of Valhalla, which has been on Amazon’s bestselling list since it came out in April this year. I also have several picture books that I both wrote and illustrated including ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures which is also an Amazon bestseller.

TC: Each book in The Gates of Atlantis Series was written by a different author. Can you tell us about your part in it?

 MB: Yes. Each book is written by a different author and each has different main characters. If you fall in love with the characters from one book, don’t worry, they’ll make an appearance here and there in the others. The books do not have to read in any order, however, my book is best when saved for last. I had the opportunity to write the conclusion to the series arc. I guess you could say mine is the last book. I also was fortunate enough to illustrate the covers and do all the other art you’ll see through the books.

TC: Is the series complete, or will there be more to come?

MB: The series does end with Battle for Acropolis, however, I know several of the Atlantis authors, myself included, that have thought about more adventures for our characters to go on. I know for sure I have at least one other book in me featuring Talon as the main character.

TC:  You are an illustrator and a writer. Do you find yourself wishing you could spend more time on one or the other?

MB: I do get rather busy doing other authors’ books and wish I could focus more time on my own projects, but I’ve got bills to pay. If you want to know the truth: I absolutely LOVE what I do. There’s a saying if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Well, that’s me. I really don’t feel like its work. Whether I am writing or drawing I am doing what I love.

TC: The Gates of Atlantis: Battle for Acropolis is a fantasy novel. How does it feel to create a "new reality"? Have you always been imaginative?

MB: I love the idea of a “new reality”. These fantastic hidden worlds like Harry Potter’s Wizarding World or Percy Jackson’s Olympians—they bring magic so close to home. I think readers will get the same sensations from the Atlantis books. They make you think that it “could” be real. And that’s what I love about them.

Yes, I have always been living in a daydream. I like to find magic in the mundane. It’s my own personal way of not getting bored. I am currently teaching my imagination ideology to my kids: Never settle for a life that is boring when you can dream it so much better.

 TC:  Who is your favorite author and what is it you like about their work?

MB: Oh gosh, I don’t know if I can answer with just one. There are so many authors that have influenced me in many ways. Two authors who really opened doorways for me are: L. Frank Baum and J.K. Rowling. I am the world’s biggest Oz and Harry Potter fan. My office is dripping with magical memorabilia from those books. It helps inspire me and keep me floating high above the clouds. You’ve already touched on what they do for me: they write in a way that straddles both the real and the fantastic. Other authors I adore include: C.S. Lewis, Jennifer A. Nielsen, Rick Riordan, J. Scott Savage, Brandon Mull, Eoin Colfer, and many more. Notice how those I just listed are also writers that open doorways to the “new reality”.

TC:  When not writing (or illustrating) where would you most like to be or what would you most like to be doing?

MB: I am a family man. I love to spend time with my girls. We can do just about anything together but I like it best when they are having as much fun as me. When the girlies are in bed, I like to snuggle up with “my girl” and watch a movie (75% of the time a chick flick).

TC: What book are you currently reading or which book is next on your list to read?

MB: I am a HUGE middle-grade book reader. It’s pretty much all I read. I just finished up the last book in Jennifer A. Nielsen’s Ascendance Trilogy (it was amazing). I highly recommend the first book: The False Prince. It will hook you! Before that was Alan Tucker’s A Measure of Disorder. (Totally excellent). Next on my list is the first Seven Wonders book by Peter Lerangis. I have heard nothing but good things. I am a BIG TIME audiobook fan. If a book is in audio I will give it a go. I listen to about 3 books a week as I illustrate.

TC:  Do you have any other projects in the work that you want to give us a sneak peek at? 

MB: I am currently finishing up on The Dream Makers, which is the last book in The Dream Keeper Chronicles, which is slotted for release in early fall. It’s going to be a spectacular ending so I don’t want to give anything away yet. I do have a book I am shopping to agents right now which just won 1^st place in my chapters’ League of Utah Writers Writing Competition for Middle-grade and YA. It’s called The Witches of Roosevelt Elementary. It’s about two kids that find out their parents are keeping a huge secret from them: they’re witch hunters. When their parents mysteriously disappear, witches invade their school disguised as glamorous lunch ladies. I hope I find an agent soon because I have kids asking about it. I hate to keep them waiting.

Thanks, Mikey!

Here's a glimpse at the other five books in the series.

Written by Wendy Knight

Written by Jaclyn Weist

Written by Juli Caldwell

Written by J. R. Simmons

                 

Written by Laura D. Bastian
(I really enjoyed her Eye on Orion!)

CHECK OUT WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THESE BOOKS AND SOME FABULOUS INTERVIEWS AND REVIEWS:

28-Jul	http://blog.mistglenmoon.net/blog/
28-Jul	http://angelaschroederauthor.blogspot.com/
28-Jul	amazingauthoradventures.blogspot.com
28-Jul	http://semishort.blogspot.com/
29-Jul	http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com
29-Jul	http://cindybennett.blogspot.com/
29-Jul	http://familyisfriendship.blogspot.com/
30-Jul	http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com
30-Jul	www.lisatcresswell.blogspot.com
31-Jul	http://rockinbookreviews.com
31-Jul	http://cindybennett.blogspot.com/
31-Jul	www.amandakthompson.blogspot.com
2-Aug	www.tifaniclark.blogspot.com
2-Aug	http://blog.mistglenmoon.net/blog/
2-Aug	Biblioreviews.tumblr.com
3-Aug	http://www.jjbennett.com/
3-Aug	amazingauthoradventures.blogspot.com
3-Aug	http://peacewrites.blogspot.co.uk/
3-Aug	https://www.facebook.com/pages/Triple-A/471916489621936

You can purchase any of the books on Amazon!  Happy reading!  (Now I'm going to leave so I can go read one of the other books in the series.)

A Trip, A Tornado, and A Great New Read

This year, we found ourselves celebrating the 4th of July deep in America's heartland--Goodland, Kansas, to be exact. We found ourselves there because it was exactly halfway between our home and my sister's home in Arkansas. With four kids in tow, we drove across Utah and into colorful Colorado (that's what their signs say), enjoying the scenery and great weather.

                                                         (Good thing I washed my feet.)

It started to rain as we passed through Denver, and the rain clouds followed us. Being the awesome mother that I am, I started hinting to my kids about the possibility of tornadoes the second we crossed the Kansas border. (You may remember me mentioning before that I sometimes like to scare the crap out of my kids. Hee hee!)

One thing we've learned is that no matter where you are in our great country, there are good people who enjoy celebrating their freedom just like us. Goodland is a smaller town, but we were excited to find out that there were concessions, rides, music, and fireworks at the local fairgrounds. Having been to a Kansas County Fair on a previous road trip, and knowing they raffle off cool things, such as cows, we packed the kids back into the car and got ourselves down to the fairgrounds.

                                                         (The calm before the storm.)

We'd just gotten to the party when the first rumbles of thunder sounded and the sky darkened drastically. I'd heard that tornadoes come when the sky turns green. It hadn't turned green yet so I figured we were safe. But, after being at the fair for exactly five minutes, the skies opened up and giant raindrops (Seriously, each drop was like an entire tablespoon of water!) began to fall. Screams and yells erupted from the crowd as everyone ran for the parking lot. We figured if the locals were running, we should, too. Lightning strikes were everywhere and thunder roared as we ran for our car. I think my kids thought the world was ending for sure. And I'll admit, I kept one eye on the sky, thinking I might see Dorothy or Toto float by.



Alas, the rain continued for at least an hour causing us to miss out on 4th of July fireworks this year, but we did NOT experience our first tornado. Later on the trip we drove through a town in Arkansas that had just been devastated by a tornado and it was sickening. I guess it's something we can live without seeing.

Anyway, after returning from our trip, a recently released book on Goodreads caught my eye. The book takes place in Kansas and tells the story of one town's experience when a tornado strikes. I messaged the author, James Marie York, and she gladly shared her book with me. (Fun fact: Jamie York has been married for 14 years and has 3 boys, just like me.) I read Nowhere I Know this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Here's the blurb of Nowhere I know, by James Marie York:

What happened? How did we get here? Those are the two main questions that have been asked since we all realized we were no longer in Kansas. Us, our homes, streets, buildings, cars, I guess pretty much everything came with us, too. Which also leaves us the questions - what did we leave behind and how are we going to survive? 

When it started, most were outside looking to the sky. It was tornado season and watching for tornadoes is how most people passed the time. Seriously, it was that or watch the wheat grow – which do you think you would do? Small town life is great in some ways, but entertainment is not one of them. Try being a 17 year old in a town of 1000 that has one grocery store, one convenience store, a library, 9 churches and 3 bars. You take your entertainment were you can find it. 

Especially if you are like me; I don't have a lot of friends, let alone a boy friend. I am one of those kids that spends my time with my head either in front of a computer or buried in a book. I’m sure you know the kind – the ones that seem nice enough, but you don’t really know? Yea, that's me. 

I don’t know if that has made all of this easier or harder on me. I was lucky enough to have one of my friends hanging out with me that afternoon. He knew how scared I was of storms, so he stopped by to keep me company. I don’t know if I should feel guilty that I’m so happy he is here, but I don’t. I’m just glad someone is with me.

Everyone always said that we were safe from tornadoes. Some Indian legend about the way the creeks crossed or something. I, for one, thought they might be right. Our little town had been in the same place for over 140 years without getting hit, so really, what were the odds of it happening now, right?"

***My Thoughts***

Nowhere I Know is the Wizard of Oz for a new age. James Marie York, does a great job of creating a new world inside of an old one. Her descriptions of the "new" surroundings produced colorful pictures in my head and her characters are likable enough that you actually care about what happens to them. There are many moments in the book where she creates suspense and you can't stop reading until you know how the conflict is resolved. I'll definitely read the next book to come from James Marie York! If you like to read Young Adult books, I recommend this one.

You can purchase Nowhere I Know over at Amazon and you can learn more about Jamie and her book by visiting her website.  Right now she's doing a giveaway for 2 SIGNED PAPERBACKS! Don't miss out!

Check out what's new from my publisher!

Creative Prose Publishing is excited to announce our Summer Blastoff!

Throughout the next few months we will be launching several new books as well as reintroducing you to some of our current releases. All of this will culminate in a giant, blow out party at the end of the summer. Refer back here often to keep up on what's coming up. Here is the schedule:

• June 30: Cover Reveal of Tifani Clark's Shadow of a Life (see it here)
• July 7: Cover reveal of Rachel Stiber's Elise's Choice
• July 14: Q&A with authors Jamie Canosa and Debra Chapoton
• July 28: Launch party and release date for Beginnings, an anthology based on famous first lines*
• August 11: Launch party and release date for Tifani Clark's Shadow of a Life
• August 25: Launch party and release date for Rachel Stiber's Elise's Choice
• September 8: End of Summer Launch party and giveaway, featuring all of our authors

*Beginnings features stories from our writing contest winners, authors: Laurie Treacy, Jamie Canosa, M.M. Roethig, and Candace Gleave

Thank you for stopping by,

Creative Prose Publishing

Shadow of a Life Cover Reveal!

Today has been a long time coming, but it is finally here. This is the official cover for Shadow of a Life!

Coming from Creative Prose Publishing.

Don't miss the exciting first installment in Tifani Clark's "The Soul Saver" Series, entitled Shadow of a Life!

Available August 11, 2014.

Jamie Peters plans to spend the summer before her junior year with her nose stuck in a book—not saving lost souls. Usually the girl that blends into the crowd, Jamie’s world is turned upside down when a mysterious ghost begins to follow her.

But Sophia isn’t just any ghost.

A hundred years earlier, Sophia’s disappearance sparked a national mystery that remained unsolved. Jamie knows the legends surrounding Sophia’s disappearance, but she never dreamed she would find out what really happened . . . or that her family might have had something to do with Sophia’s disappearance.

Determined to set Sophia free, Jamie blows the dust off her family’s past and unearths clues to discover what she must do to save Sophia’s soul. She enlists the help of childhood friend—and secret crush—Peter Ashby as she sets off on a dangerous quest to find a missing map. Spending the night in a graveyard, crawling through a dilapidated barn, and staring down the barrel of a gun aren’t enough to deter Jamie from helping Sophia. But can she find the answers she needs before another ghost gets revenge on her and Sophia?

About the Author

Tifani Clark grew up on a farm in southeastern Idaho (yes, that’s where they grow all the potatoes) as the middle of five children. She had a lot of space to imagine and daydream and often pictured herself as a character in one of the many books she read. She was habitually found pretending to be Scarlet O’Hara. Tifani loves mystery and hates it when one goes unsolved. She is married to the love of her life and is the mother to four fabulous children. When not writing, she enjoys playing the violin and piano and traveling to new places. She especially enjoys visits to national parks and places of historical significance.

Discover more about Tifani and her writing at

Website  *  Facebook  *  Twitter   *  Pinterest * Goodreads

Creative Prose Publishing

Ghost Post #2: GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE!

Two summers ago we went on one of the best vacations EVER. We visited the Oregon and Washington Coasts. 

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

In Astoria, Oregon, we made the obligatory visit to the Goonie house. Yes, that's right. The Goonie House.

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Was any movie better than that one in the 80s? Huh, huh, huh? I dare you to name one. Pirates, treasure, old ships, romance, mystery, adventure…sigh…they don’t make them like that anymore.  

Oh wait…pirates, treasure, old ships, romance, mystery, adventure…I think I might have just described my upcoming book, SHADOW OF A LIFE. Hmm…  (Insert shameless plug.)

Anyway, after visiting the Goonie house, we decided to go Letterboxing. If you don’t know what Letterboxing is, you should check out Atlas Quest. It’s like Geocaching, only more family friendly. Our letterboxing adventures took us to a cemetery where we learned the following haunting story.

"Steamships were still rare in 1852, so the General Warren, with its plume of black smoke, attracted a lot of attention from the towns it passed on its journey down the Columbia River. Grain filled the cargo hold and 52 people enjoyed the lavish appointments that adorned the interior. At the bar crossing, they picked up river pilot Captain Flavel to steer them to open sea. Once in open water however, conditions became precarious and water filled the cargo hold and the topmast blew off. The decision was made to turn about for the relative shelter of the river. Captain Thompson requested a bar pilot but it was late in the afternoon of the following day until conditions permitted Captain Flavel to reboard the struggling vessel. The pilot felt that it was too dangerous to attempt a crossing but the panicked crew and passengers pleaded. Absolving himself of any responsibility, Flavel moved forward. Progress was slow and the ship began to deteriorate. Captain Thompson ordered the ship run hard aground. This was accomplished and volunteers were called for to take the remaining lifeboat to find help. Volunteers were slow to respond as the men felt that certain death awaited them. Captain Flavel, with his superior knowledge of the river, piloted the boat. Miraculously, within 3 hours they were making their way back to the stranded ship. 

But it was nowhere to be found. 

It had broken up and there were only bits of lumber where a once grand ship had been. Forty-two bodies were recovered, among them a newly married couple, found still clasping hands with her wedding ring still on her finger."

(Taken from our personal Letterboxing notebook. Someone carved the stamp by hand!)

To find the letterbox, we were sent on a treasure hunt…in a cemetery. The air was windy and you could smell the water of the Columbia River as we walked through the cemetery in search of our treasure—er, letterbox. 

We found the letterbox hiding behind a creepy mausoleum. Long story short, we stayed too long and it started to get dark. The creepy mausoleum started emitting scary shadows and we all freaked ourselves out...as usual. (I mean, the kids were scared. I would NEVER get scared.)

Astoria, Oregon Daily Photo

We ran back to the car. Fast.

I never saw any of the ghosts associated with the ship, but they’ve definitely stayed on my mind. 

I love ghost stories!

Who DOESN'T Like to Scare the Crap out of their Kids??? (Ghost Post #1)

Who doesn't like to scare the crap out of their kids? Just the other day, I picked up our 9 and 10-year-old sons from an evening activity and brought them home. Unbeknownst to me, my husband was hiding in the dark garage. When we pulled in and climbed out of the car, he jumped out from his hiding place and started hissing at them. I'm pretty sure the out-of-this world, high-pitched scream that came from our 9-year-old could be heard on both coasts.

Since my first book to be released is a ghost story, I've decided to periodically share on my blog some of my favorite ghost stories or haunted places to visit. I'm convinced that I saw a ghost once, but I'll post about that experience later. So, without further adieu, here is Ghost Stories, Post #1.

________________________________________

A few years ago, my husband and I spent a night in Jamestown, California with our two young sons. We were traveling from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco and it was the perfect stopping point. Jamestown was a booming gold rush town back in the 1850's. Countless people came to the town--chasing their American dreams of striking it rich. It's also famous as a railroad town and has a great railroad museum. We got to ride one of the old trains while we were there! Let me just say that the drive through the mountains to get to Jamestown was AMAZING! (If not slightly nauseating.)

In the late 1800's, the Jamestown Hotel--I believe it was formerly called the National Hotel--was built. It has been through multiple fires and at one time was converted to the Motherlode Hospital. Although it has now been renovated into a bed and breakfast, some of the ghosts from the hotel/hospital's past still reside there.

So, being the AWESOME parents that we are, we decided to spend a night in the haunted hotel...again, who doesn't like to periodically have the crap scared out of them? And who doesn't stay in haunted hotels with two young children?

The hotel is small--only a handful of guest rooms--and the staff goes home at night, leaving you alone with the resident ghosts. The rooms aren't big, but they're fun because they're decorated as if you took a step back into the 1800's. Ours had old photographs on the walls, worn wallpaper and antique furniture. Our kids slept on an actual trundle bed that pulled out from underneath our bigger bed.

One of our favorite parts of the room was the bathroom. It sported an antique vanity, a clawfoot tub, and one of those old toilets that you flush by pulling a string above your head.

Did we see any ghosts during our stay at the Jamestown Hotel? Nope. BUT, at one point I left the room to choose a book from the hotel's "library"--don't plan on finding a TV in your room--and I totally psyched myself out. The floors are creaky, the hallways are dimly lit, and there are very few other guests. By the time I got back to the room, I was convinced I was being followed. It was enough to produce that creepy, crawly feeling that starts at the base of your spine and works its way up to your head. I didn't leave the room again until morning. I'm getting the shivers just thinking about it. Yikes!

In case you decide to have your own stay in the Jamestown Hotel, here are two of the hotel's ghosts and their stories:

FLORA
Legend says that Flora came to Jamestown and fell in love with one of the local miners. He was shot and killed in some sort of drunken argument the day they were supposed to marry. Distraught, Flora shut herself in her room for days, her cries never ceasing. When she finally quieted, the staff entered her room to check on her. They found her sitting in a chair, still in her wedding dress, and dead of a broken heart. Flora is known as a mischievous ghost and likes to mess around with the hotel guests and staff--throwing things from shelves, emptying suitcases, flickering lights, and slamming doors.

MARY
Legend says that Mary came to town during the hotel's brief time as a hospital. No one knew where she had come from or what her story was. It soon became apparent that she was pregnant, but her delivery did not go as hoped. Mary and her baby died during childbirth and were buried in the local cemetery. Staff and guests insist they can still hear Mary's moans coming from Room 7.

Until next time...watch out for ghosts!

I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

I have an announcement to make.

DRUMROLL PLEASE....

I'm going to be published!!! I signed a contract earlier in the week to publish my first book "Shadow of a Life" with Creative Prose Publishing. I am very excited for the opportunity to share something that I am passionate about with others.

Check here for more details later!