Feathered Quill Award Winner Gets Major Press

The winner of the mystery category in our awards program, Susan Fleet with her book 'Natalie's Revenge,' also won a special award, a press release written by Maryglenn McCombs, a well-known/respected publicist. They have been getting some major press - thanks Maryglenn for sponsoring the award!

 
Check out the press release! :  TheSunChronicle

Book Review - When I Grow Up I want to Be...A FireFighter!

When I Grow Up I Want to Be...a Firefighter! Will’s Amazing Day!

Author & Publisher: Wigu Publishing
Publication Date: February 2014
ISBN: 978-1-939973-11-5
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Review Date: March 11, 2014

For those readers who have already jumped on board with this entertaining and educational series, you will be excited by this new offering. Honoring the hardworking men and women who put their lives on the line for all of us in order to provide protection and safety, this new book in the series is fun, challenging, sweet, informative and extremely unforgettable.

We follow Will, a young man sitting in school very excited about the upcoming field trip. But when the teacher announces that it will not be a visit to the zoo but a trip to a firehouse, Will becomes more than frightened. Having an absolute fear of fire, he immediately begins to think of excuses that would allow him to stay home.

Courage wins out, however, and when Will gets to the firehouse he slowly discovers that the men there are not scary in the least. Learning all about equipment necessary for the career - everything from their fire engine to their dogs to their uniform, which offers many an apparatus the firefighter needs in order to run through the flames to save others - Will finds himself becoming more and more interested in a future career in firefighting.

As always, this line of Wigu books stands out for their ability to combine fun with information in a truly exciting way for young readers. Offering historical facts and your very own fire escape plan and safety tips for the home, every reader will find the job and life of a firefighter to be one of honor, responsibility, and sheer bravery in the face of danger.

Quill says: Yet again Wigu Publishing knocks it out of the park with this series! A+

Book Review - Believe

Believe

By: Sarah Aronson
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Publication Date: September 2013
ISBN: 978-1467706971
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 2014

Miriam Haverstraw, Janine Collins, and Abe Demitrius. Friends. Sixteen-year-old Janine was a part of the tripod, but it wasn't an easy one all the way around. Everyone wanted to be around Janine, to touch her, to hear her opinion, and probably worship the very ground she walked on if she'd let them. She'd come to Pennsylvania from Tel Aviv with her aunt Lo to begin a new life after her parents died, if you'd call it that. Dave Armstrong had literally pulled her from the ashes after a suicide bombing. Janine could still see into Emir's eyes, the eyes intent on destruction. "You have a holy soul," her mother told her as she encouraged her to survive.

Janine was the "Soul Survivor," the little girl in Armstrong's arms. A Pulitzer prize winning photograph would launch her into fame, an unwanted one. It was the tenth anniversary of the tragedy. Her hideously deformed hands were a constant reminder of her less-than-perfect earthy vessel. Armstrong, a pastor and now famous speaker, had profited from the bombing in more ways than one. It was, according to him, "a direct message from God." Yeah, right. Tell me another one. And no comment either. Janine would have given a lot for anonymity, or so she thought.

Miriam desperately needed Janine's help to save her farm. A little bit of publicity wouldn't hurt and everyone would listen to the "Soul Survivor," the sole survivor of a tragedy. Janine had her own agenda and was hustling to develop a portfolio. The only attention she wanted was from Parsons. According to Samantha, who was butting in on the girls' friendship, admission to any college would be a lock. A body flying through the air would begin to change things. "She's healing him with her hands!" It was Abe. Janine had become famous because of a quirk of fate. There was no God, but was something happening to her? Was she a faith healer? But then there was that boy in the wheelchair ...
This is a stunning, powerful tale of the power of faith and unwanted fame. This is one of those soul-searching stories that one has to read in its entirety, put it aside for a bit, and ponder its multi-layered themes. It's a coming of age novel, one that explores how faith impacts the individual, the true meaning of friendship, unwanted fame, and more. I found it to be quite mesmerizing as my sympathies shifted from one moment to the next. The writing was quite powerful, powerful enough to draw me in emotionally. Yes, this book is about how Janine Collins, the "Soul Survivor," explores her faith, but is also so much more. I found it to be a commentary on society at large and how we put it upon others to define who we are and what we want ourselves to be as we live vicariously through the lives of others. A stunning novel, but not for everyone.

Quill says: This is a powerful novel that will make the young reader take a close look at their own lives, their faith, and the world around them.

Book Review - Here We Go Again

 Here We Go Again - Short Story Collection
By: Leigh Michaels, Sparkle Abbey, Kari Lee Townsend, Ann Reavis, Barbara Witek, Anita Clenney
Publisher: The Story Vault
Publication Date: February 2014
ASIN: B00IM7EUU4
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 1, 2014

Ann Reavis claims that it is in poor taste to start a tale with such lines as "It was a dark and stormy night." Perhaps, but then again Edward Bulwer-Lytton was a successful novelist as is Ann and the other writers who have penned short stories in this anthology. Leigh Michaels, Sparkle Abbey, Kari Lee Townsend/Harmon, Barbara Witek, Ann Reavis, and Anita Clenney are hoping that you'll join them on a dark and stormy night when that rain falls in torrents to read their little snippets. Of course these little snippets could easily be expanded and in some instances, appear to let the reader in on what will happen next in series. Call them teasers as you will, but that's exactly what some of them appear to be.

It was a dark, but not so stormy couple of nights ago when I began to read these tales. Of course I was fascinated by the different styles and dearth of characters I either met for the first time or was going to revisit. There were familiar characters such as the cats Dante and Morty, but new critters like the "milksop heiress." No the heiress probably will never be a major character, but Dorinda did add a bit of spice to Leigh Michael's "Shadows of Love." Kari Lee Townsend's Morty was Mitch's nemesis and Reavis's Dante was off on yet another adventure. Then there was Barbara Witek's Maddie McClintock, a no nonsense veterinarian who was more into critters than relationships.

No anthology would be complete without a vampire and Anita Clenny obliges. Or was that a demon? You'll find out. Of course Sparkle Abbey, pet therapist cannot be left out of the mix. There's this little problem of "Phil's untimely death" and a missing dog named Shadow. A beagle to be exact. Well, this is the short of it and that's good enough for most people. I really enjoyed sitting up in bed on a dark and not stormy night to read the fabulous Here We go Again - Short Story Collection, a collection of short stories by all our favorite cozy mystery writers.

Quill says: If you love a good yarn (or six), you're sure to adore this marvelously delightful anthology from some of the best cozy mystery authors around!

Book Review - Organized Simplicity

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living

By: Tsh Oxenreider
Publisher: Betterway Home
Publication Date: November 2010
ISBN: 978-1440302633
Reviewed by: Guest Reviewer Ken Myers (please see Ken's bio below review)
Review Date: March 2014

Simple living is not easy, ironically. It's hard to know where to start, what steps to take, and what it really looks like. Most simple living books are inundated with theories, step-by-step plans, and experts who can tell you exactly what your simple life should look like.

This is not one of those books. Sure, there are checklists and tasks to help you on your journey toward a simpler life. But at the foundation of this book is the idea of redefining simplicity. You must understand simple living as something more than just a catch phrase, some pie-in-the-sky ambition, a trend. Only then will you find the motivation to create a simpler life that works for you, your family, and your home.

Such begins the book written by Tsh Oxenreider, creator of the popular blog SimpleMom.net. Tsh has written an easy to read, easy to use book about finding ways to simplify your life. This book is not a simple "how to" book based on someone else's ideas on how to create a simpler, less stressful way of living. Instead, Tsh invites you to discover what your (and your family's) life purpose is. Then she lays out specific tools which will help you accomplish the goal of "living holistically with your life's purpose."

Part 1, Living Simply in the Real World, is laid out in such a way that you can sit and read it all at once or in short bursts. First, Tsh has you create a family purpose statement. Next, she talks about time management. She states that "other than money, the biggest commodity that keeps you from living simply is time." In this chapter is a simple exercise that really helps give a sense of what your true priorities are. Part 1 goes on to explore ways to make the money you have work for you. She explains what has worked for her family regarding debt management. She has you create a home management notebook and explains how having it will proactively help you create a simple home and lifestyle. Finally, she has you imagine your home running as a well-oiled machine where family members work together. All members have time for leisure activities but also work together as a team managing the home.

Part 2, Ten Days to a Simpler, More Organized Home, gets down to the nitty gritty of simplifying your home. Each day she gives specific room-oriented tasks to complete. Room by room your house will become clean and clutter free. It is a doable system and she encourages and inspires every step of the way.

The appendix includes recipes for cleaning solutions and homemade toiletries. She also offers many helpful templates for your home management notebook. There is also a handy FAQ section at the end.

Quill says: In short, this is a nifty book to have if you are seeking a simpler lifestyle. It is beautifully done and quite inspiring.

About Our Guest Reviewer: Ken Myers is a father, husband, and entrepreneur. He has combined his passion for helping families find in-home care with his experience to build a business. Learn more about him by visiting @KenneyMyers on Twitter.

Book Review - Nick & Tesla's Robot Army Rampage

Nick & Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage

By: “Science Bob” Pflugfelder & Steve Hockensmith
Publisher: Quirk Books
Publication Date: February 2014
ISBN: 978-1-59474-649-9
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Review Date: February 2014

The duo that took the literary world by storm is back in a brand new, amazingly fun adventure.
Nick and Tesla are twins living in a very small town. This was bad before, but now the incessant boredom is even worse because of the huge adventure they just had. Soon, thankfully, a new event happens and Nick and Tesla throw themselves into it with gusto.

Their friend’s family business has been robbed; someone has stolen a comic book from their store and the twins vow to get it back. This investigation turns a little odd when, as they’re tracking down the bad guy, they continue to run into robots. The robots seem to be everywhere, from hanging out at the pizza house to standing in other stores around town. Not exactly ‘evil’ buckets of bolts, these robots are actually gifts to the owners of the stores from a brand new resident. Dr. Hiroko Sakurai has opened up a gadget shop in town, and the robots are her way to make friends with the locals.

Even though she seems nice, Nick and Tesla feel a bit wary about the new face in town. Using their Uncle’s laboratory in the basement and other normal, everyday things, the twins begin to create their own robots in order to help find the comic book thief and uncover what, exactly, it is about the new resident and her robot army that just doesn’t seem to be on the up-and-up.

The diagrams, pictures, and instructions found in this book are awesome. Readers can build the Super-Soaker Bot Blaster and still enjoy a story that is super-cool. Readers who haven’t yet jumped on board with this series should do so immediately! The first book had middle-grade readers hooked, and this one has the ability to hook every age group that wants to explore, learn new things, and have a ball.

Quill says: Nick & Tesla offer a brilliant spark to fiction, and make science the most fun it’s ever been!

Book Review - Smasher

Smasher

By: Scott Bly
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, Inc.
Publishing Date: March 2014
ISBN: 978-0-545-14118-5
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Review Date: February 2014


Talk about a page-turner! Action upon action upon action begins, as our resident hero goes on a quest to stop a true megalomaniac from taking over the world.

We begin in 1542 in a mountain village near the town of Eamsford. The hero to be, Charles, is being bullied by the usual types when all of a sudden this young girl appears to help him. The girl has many strengths, however; she also has the ability to transport herself into the past and future worlds, and asks Charles to come with her into the distant future to the city of LAanges, year 2042. The girl, Geneva, informs Charles that he is the only one who can save the world. And although Charles is a bit skeptical at first, after talking to his grandfather he decides to run away and join Geneva in her plan.

Turns out, what he finds is tragic. It seems all of Charlie’s family has been killed because of their ‘gift’; they were all able to use the Hum, which is a force that gives the person wielding it great power. Unfortunately, the Hum should only be used out of love for the ‘fellow man,’ but in futuristic LAanges, it’s being used by the fiercest of bad guys…Gramercy Foxx. When it comes to Foxx, the Hum is his ticket to further his plan of taking over the world. When Charlie and Geneva find their way to Foxx’s labs in order to put a stop to some seriously bad stuff, readers will be enthralled by everything from a computer virus to an enormous Gorilla programmed to kill everything in its path to a little puppy that melts any heart.

There are so many factors that will make this book stay in the reader’s mind for a long time to come. From a friendship that will never break to dangerous minions who are on the threshold of ending the world as we know it, readers will feel as if they are hanging on for the ride of their lives.
Not since the creation of Star Wars has there been such an exciting tale of futuristic worlds and true heroes that you will root for with all your might.

Quill says: Sit author, Scott Bly, at his computer to knock out some more adventures of Charlie and Geneva ASAP!