Today we welcome author

R.J. Hore

author of 

THE DARK LADY

about the book:

The only surviving child of a murdered king, young Princess Nefesti must take up the throne of Vadio, though she is deemed to young to rule. Knowing that her surviving relatives all wish to seize control of the realm, Nefesti must contend with princes and delegates from rival nations that seek to swallow up her once mighty realm.

Young Princess Nefasti wakes to discover her father, the King, poisoned and her mother near death. As she is the sole heiress to the ancient high kingdom of Vadio, the king’s three brothers begin to plot and quarrel over who will become Regent and control the kingdom until she comes of age, or dies. Their solution is to marry her off. If this trio were not enough of a problem, the greedy surrounding kingdoms all want to gobble Vadio up, and their ambassadors scurry through the castle plotting and scheming.

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about the book:

The Generosity of Strangers: When War Came to Fornelli is written in first person, free verse, and consists of a series of vignettes chronicling the real life experiences of a young girl and her family in war-torn Italy in the 1940s. The story is set in the town of Fornelli–a tiny hilltop community in Italy’s mountainous heart.

For Lucia and her family, life in Fornelli is anything but boring. Life is difficult, yet tranquil. But soon the war comes, and life in Fornelli is tranquil no more.

The Generosity of Strangers: When War Came to Fornelli is a true accounting from the eyes of Lucia, about faith, hope, and courage in the midst of war and its aftermath. It poetically conveys how even in desperate times people can open their hearts and rise above adversity.

MY THOUGHTS

Definitely a must read.  The war (WWII) seen through the eyes of a young girl, Lucia, from a small town in Italy.  The book is small snapshots of Lucia's life before, during and after the war.  Lucia speaks with the innocent of a child.  We see her joys and sorrows.  We see her grow and change with each turn of the page.  

A wonderful book full of charming believable characters.  Thomas Antonaccio lovingly brings his mother (Lucia) and her family alive for us.  We see their love for each other, their faith and their ability to get through anything as long as they are together.  

The book has a "PG" rating but I found nothing a child couldn't read.  I read portions of it to my 12 year old son, "What, no Nintendo? No indoor toilets? "   There is one scene where Mamma chases the German soldier out of her house with a broom.  Not only does she chase him out but she runs after him hitting him over the head with her broom.  We both laughed out loud with this! My 12 year old's response "Way to go Mamma!  Keep reading to me- I like this family"  And you will, too.  

Mr. Antonaccio hints about a sequel, I look forward to reading more about Lucia and her family.

Connect with Thomas on facebook

Genre – Children’s NonFiction / History – Europe

Rating – PG


I was so enchanted by the town of Fornelli, I've decided to upload some pictures I found.

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Hailey's Halloween

Lisa Bullard

Lerner Publishing Group

Pub Date: Oct 1 2012  

Do you have a very young child who would like to learn more about Halloween?  If so, I highly recommend this book

HAILEY'S HALLOWEEN.

 It is a delightful story for very young children about the origins and Americanization of the Halloween holiday.

The pictures are colorful and will be enjoyed by the children.

5/5 stars

The Mapmakers Union

EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHADOWS

NIGHTMARE BOOK 2

by

Robert Gray

Ever since encountering The Source and its minions on Halloween, Eve Hallows has found life surprisingly quiet … not to mention adorably boring! So when Dad receives a Ouija message that she must return to Gravesville, Eve couldn't be happier—at least until she discovers the Director of URNS, also known as the Grim Reaper, has a special job for Eve … one that will lead her to New York City and to the true identity of The Source.

With The Book of Shrieks offering zero help and a new URNS agent driving the school boys—and Eve!—crazy, Eve's beginning to realize this whole saving-the-world nonsense isn't what it's cracked up to be.

All this and she still has to find The Book of Shadows

My review

Even better than the first book!!!!!!

If one lives in our world, as I do, this book is fabulous.  If one lives in Gravesville, it was horrible- horrible and ten more horribles!

I love the characters in this story.  Eve reminds me of human Marilyn living amoung the Munsters.  She's different but pays no attention to the differences.  Mom is a snake headed, petrifying gorgon.  Dad is a shapeshifter and brother Sam is a ghoul....The family is a tight unit.  You can palpate the love they feel for each other.

Due to recent events, Eve is made to feel 'unwelcome' in her hometown of Gravesville.  Why?  Well, she's human and not a monster.  Humans are scary, they are trying to kill the monsters.  Strange things are happening in Gravesville and Eve must fix them, along with her 'human' friends.  We meet a few new characters, including a succubus.

We also learn more about how Eve came to live in Gravesville. 

This is a perfect combination of YA, Horror, Paranormal and Fun! 

I give it 5/5 stars (or 5 teacups) and eagerly look forward to the next book in the series.

That's a hint Mr. Gray...please keep me in mind when looking for reviewers for the next book!!