November | 2012 | I'm an Eclectic Reader

Book Tour: Book Review Frizzy Tizzy Goes to the Park

Title: Frizzy Tizzy Goes to the Park
Author: Wendy Hinbest
Genre: Children’s Book, Picture’s Book
Purchase: Amazon | Goodreads | Smashwords
Blurb: Frizzy Tizzy attempts to face her fears and begins to second guess herself, until she realizes things are not always what they seem.

Links: Author Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Google Plus

Book Review:

Frizzy Tizzy Goes to the Park is a quick, fun read. Young kids will love the colorful, childlike drawings, with their own, unique style. The writing is basic, so that kids learning how to read can enjoy the book as well, and don’t need their parents to read it for them every time.

Frizzy Tizzy wakes up and has bacon and eggs. She absolutely loves bacon and eggs! Her parents ask what she wants to do today, and naturally, she wants to go to the park. There’s a large slide at the park, and Frizzy Tizzy wants to go off the slide…But she’s scared! What will happen next?

A fun and enjoyable read to enjoy with your children.

November 30, 2012 at 12:36 am Leave a comment

Guest Post: Who Inspires Me by author Courtney Elliott

We’re hosting a guest post by author Courtney Elliott today, in which the author talks about who inspires her. Courtney Elliott is the author of “The Chick Flick Project” currently on tour with Enchanted Book Promotions.

Who Inspires Me

I’m inspired by a lot of people on a daily basis. It doesn’t take much to get an idea rolling in my head, and I’m very grateful for that. My biggest problem is usually focusing on only one idea at a time rather than coming up with one.

I think my biggest inspiration right now are the friends that I’m surrounded by. They always have so many interesting things going on and I’m usually finding ideas in their day to day lives. Two of my ideas are actually based on two friends of mine. One had a dream about her and a guy and I thought it sounded like a great story, so I wrote down a quick idea and then went for it. The second was actually living my idea for a little while.

Other than that I look to other writers for inspiration. One of my favorite authors is a woman named Bobbi Smith. I think she’s absolutely fascinating. Her stories always have a way of completely hooking me. I can finish one of her books in a day, and that is saying something. My favorite of hers is called Pirates Promise. I just thought it was such a great story and I’ve read it several times.

Another author that really inspires me is Nicholas Sparks. His stories tend to have the tragic effect that I find so captivating. I have yet to find a story of his that I don’t completely adore, and I hope I never do. My favorite of his would probably have to be The Notebook. I know it’s extremely cliché, but it’s just such an amazing love story. It made me want to write great love stories myself.

When I began writing The Chick Flick Project, I wanted to try and incorporate these authors into it. I kept thinking of how sweet but powerful these love stories were. They had characters that the reader found themselves rooting for the entire time. That was exactly what I was trying to accomplish with Zack and Ally. I wanted two people that not only could readers relate to, but also wanted to see succeed.

About “The Chick Flick Project”

Title: The Chick Flick Project
Author: Courtney Elliott
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Publisher: Senzuri Books

Ally Nichols is fed up with constantly putting herself out there to only be rejected again and again. After her most recent failure, she comes up with a solution. She decides to start modeling her love life after all of the big screen’s most recognizable love stories. Hilarity, heartbreak, mishaps and mayhem ensue. She hopes that maybe one of them actually figured out the secret to true love. The only problem: no one ever told her that sometimes your Hollywood Happy Ending is where you least expect to find it.

Author Bio

Courtney Elliott lives in a small town in Texas called Cleburne. She has been writing stories since she was eight years old. She’s an easy person to get along with. She loves making jokes, most of which are self deprecating. She’s not ashamed of who she is therefore not afraid to be herself. She may be young, but does not believe age should be a factor, her writing should speak for itself.

Links

Goodreads | Author on Goodreads | Facebook | Courtney’s Blog | Senzuri Books Facebook

November 22, 2012 at 12:30 am Leave a comment

Book Review: The Escape of Princess Madeline

Title: The Escape of Princess Madeline
Author: Kristin Pulioff
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Malachite Quills Publishing
Release Date: November 5th, 2012

The Kingdom of Soron is known for many things, its rolling landscape, haunting history, fiery sunsets, and its beautiful princess. Princess Madeline woke on her sixteenth birthday to realize that her future had been planned out, a life full of privilege, royalty, and boredom… a life with a husband and knight champion that she did not choose. Using her charm, strength and stubbornness, she defies the King at every turn, determined to keep her freedom on her terms.

Freedom quickly turns to disaster as she finds herself seized by a group of wandering bandits. With the kingdom in turmoil over her capture- her Knight Champion eager to prove himself, a group of dedicated suitors determined to win her hand, and a group of exiled wizards join forces to rescue her. Follow Princess Madeline in this adventure to find freedom and love.

Review:

This book starts out strong, has some doubting moments in the middle, and ends strong. The author has a great way to describe setting, especially the castle Madeline grows up in. I could imagine it quite well based on description alone. Princess Madeline, the main character, is forced to marry a man she doesn’t love. And why? Simply because her father, the King, says so. Of course she’s not too pleased with that. When running away from the ball held in her honor doesn’t work, she decides to run away, unknowingly bringing herself in a danger of the likes she never expected.

Madeline may be brave, but she’s also very spoiled, and it shows. I liked her, but only up to some degree; I imagine younger children will adore her though, because she’s witty and humorous and not afraid of saying what she thinks. I actually liked her twin brother better, who was more calm and moderate, but of course that’s my own opinion.

The story isn’t necessary that original, but it was a fun read, and well-executed. The plot was solid, and although I thought the scenes in the woods could’ve been a bit clearer, overall I really enjoyed it. The characters made up for the ‘been there, done that’ plot and I feel like the sequel may dive into more original territory.

A nice read for younger children, say middle grade and up.

November 9, 2012 at 12:25 am Leave a comment

Release Party “The Chick Flick Project”

We’re hosting a release day party for The Chick Flick Project, a romantic comedy novel by author Courtney Elliott, published by Senzuri Books.

Read more about The Chick Flick Project, find out more about the author AND get a chance at winning an eBook copy of this delightful and fun read!

The Chick Flick Project

Title: The Chick Flick Project
Author: Courtney Elliott
Genre: Romance, Comedy

Ally Nichols is fed up with constantly putting herself out there to only be rejected again and again. After her most recent failure, she comes up with a solution. She decides to start modeling her love life after all of the big screen’s most recognizable love stories. Hilarity, heartbreak, mishaps and mayhem ensue. She hopes that maybe one of them actually figured out the secret to true love. The only problem: no one ever told her that sometimes your Hollywood Happy Ending is where you least expect to find it.

Author Bio

Courtney Elliott lives in a small town in Texas called Cleburne. She has been writing stories since she was eight years old. She’s an easy person to get along with. She loves making jokes, most of which are self deprecating. She’s not ashamed of who she is therefore not afraid to be herself. She may be young, but does not believe age should be a factor, her writing should speak for itself.