Welcome to the first of the author updates this week where I share recent reviews for the authors on the shelves.
The first author is Toni Pike for her children’s book Brody Cody and the Stepmother from Outer Space.
About the book
Brody Cody is almost eight years old and definitely, absolutely, positively does NOT want a mother. His mother died when he was a baby but life with his dad is just perfect.
Brody is horrified when his father goes away to a publishing conference and returns with a wife, Pandora Smith, who is a children’s author. His life spirals out of control as he is forced to eat healthy food, do his homework and help with some chores.
Even worse, he and his friends suspect that his new stepmother might be an alien from outer space.
One of the recent reviews for the book on Goodreads
This was a pleasant diversion in the children’s genre from this author whose books I’m used to reading in the mystery/thriller genre, but was delighted to read how the author crossed genres. Pike did a wonderful job with this story about a little boy growing up with his dad, just the two of them after Brody’s mom died in an accident when he was a baby, living like boys with no rules. That was until Brody’s dad falls in love with a new woman while out at a business conference and marries her, and Brody’s life of lounging, junk-food eating and lack of household rules are forever changed.
When Brody proceeds to tell his best friend Kyle about his new stepmother, he also mentioned that Pandora had two different colored eyes. The boys were convinced she was an alien from outer space, especially since Kyle is convinced he saw a UFO while star-gazing. Between her two different colored eyes, her healthy cooking and creating new house chores, the two boys are convinced Pandora is from outer space.
I found this book a delightful read. Reading a children’s book through adult eyes, we can see how cleverly the author has woven in the good changes Pandora has brought to Brody’s life, despite the fact that some of these changes were so foreign to Brody, and how he eventually learns to happily adapt and realize how wonderful it really is to have a new mom.
Head over to read the reviews and buy the book: USA – UK – Australia – Canada
A selection of other books by Toni Pike
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US
And : Amazon UK
Read more reviews and follow Toni on: Goodreads
Connect to Toni via her website: Toni Pike
The next author today with a recent review is Teri Polen for The Colony Series Book One – Subject A36
About the book
If genetic engineering could guarantee you and your family perfect health and unparalleled beauty, would you pay top dollar for it? Would you kill for it?
Residents of the Colony would. And do.
Only the Insurgents can stop them.
Seventeen-year-old Asher Solomon is a premier operative with the Insurgents. He and his team have rescued countless hostages, saving them from painful deaths in Colony labs as desirable genetic traits are stripped from their bodies.
He’s also suffered more losses than anyone should have to.
Then Asher gets intel that might give his people the upper hand. The Colony is searching for Subject A36. If the Insurgents determine the subject’s identity first, they might be able to turn the tide of the war.
Asher and his team embark on their riskiest mission ever, and the stakes have never been higher. But even if he survives the physical dangers, the devastating secrets he uncovers might destroy him.
One of the recent reviews for the book
Set in a dystopian future, Asher and his team live in a world where children with desirable traits (specific hair or eye color, physical strength, agility, etc), are captured and harvested for “gene stripping” so the wealthy can purchase coveted qualities like selecting from an a la carte menu. After seeing the destruction of his family, seventeen-year-old Asher has found a new family with his team, including, Brynn, who he has come to love and Noah, who is like a brother. But doing what they do comes with excessive risk and plenty of danger.From the start, there is barely time to catch your breath. The reader is given detailed insight into Asher’s character as well as multiple members of his team. Each are unique and fully fleshed out individuals, the good and the bad.
The Colony—which orchestrates gene stripping—is set on finding and capturing Subject A36, a genetically altered individual designed as the perfect killing machine.
This novel is packed with non-stop action, and shocking revelation piled upon revelation. The writing is smooth and snappy, scenes plunging like a roller coaster from one into the next. I devoured this book in two sittings and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction, great YA characters, and pulse-pounding action.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US
and: Amazon UK
Also by Teri Polen
Read all the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US
And: Amazon UK
Read more reviews and follow Teri: Goodreads
Connect to Teri via her website: Teri Polen
And the final author today with a recent review is Judy Penz Sheluk for The Hanged Man’s Noose…
About the book
Freelance writer Emily Garland is cash-strapped, newly single, and tired of reporting on the same old condo stats. When she’s offered a lucrative assignment in the village of Lount’s Landing, she decides to take a chance. All she has to do is relocate and uncover the real story behind a proposed redevelopment plan. What could possibly go wrong?
Plenty, as it turns out. Not everyone is happy with real estate mogul Garrett Stonehaven’s plans to convert an old schoolhouse into a mega-box store. At the top of the list is Arabella Carpenter, the outspoken owner of The Glass Dolphin antiques shop, who will do just about anything to preserve the integrity of the town’s historic Main Street.
But Arabella is not alone in her opposition. Before long, a vocal dissenter dies. A few days later, another body is discovered. Though both deaths are ruled accidental, Emily’s suspicions are aroused.
Putting her interview skills to the ultimate test, Emily teams up with Arabella to discover the truth behind Stonehaven’s latest scheme—before the murderer strikes again.
A recent review for the book
I really enjoyed this book. The mystery was well crafted. The characters are relatable and likable. The plot was well developed and moves at a great pace with well place clues and red herrings. I look forward to the next in the series.
I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator does a great job of bringing the story and characters to life. She brings each character’s personality off the page. I had no problems following which character was speaking.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US
And: Amazon UK
A selection of other books by Judy Penz Sheluk
Read the reviews and buy all the books: Amazon US
And: Amazon UK
Read more reviews and follow Judy on Goodreads: Goodreads
Connect to Judy via her blog: Judy Penz Sheluk
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books under your arm.. thanks Sally.
Super authors and reviewers, Sally. Thank you.
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Thanks John.. hugsx
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A great selection, something for everyone, by superb writers!
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Thanks Darlene.. hugsx
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These look like some fun reads for all ages. Thanks for sharing, Sally. Hugs xx
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Thanks Harmony.. have a great week.. hugsxx
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You too, Sally 🙂 Hugs xx
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Thank you so much, Sally, for sharing Debby’s wonderful review of Brody Cody. You’re awesome. And congratulations to Teri and Judy for their fabulous reviews. Toni x
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My pleasure Toni..hugsx
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Reblogged this on Toni Pike and commented:
Thank you so much to the amazing Sally Cronin, for sharing D.G. Kaye’s review of my new children’s book, Brody Cody and the Stepmother from Outer Space.
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You keep filling up my list with the terrific recommendations, Sally! Congratulations and good luck to all the authors!
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Thanks Olga.. and for sharing around…hugsx
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Thank you so much for sharing it, Olga. Toni x
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out what’s new from the Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore with author updates from Toni Pike, Teri Polen and Judith Penz Sheluk
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Thanks Don and you are featured in the new series Meet the Author on Friday.. x
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You’re welcome. That’s fantastic. I’ll be sure to promote it.
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Thank you so much for spreading the word, Don. Toni
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You’re welcome.
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Great book and excellent reviews, Sally. Congrats to Toni for the cross genre children’s book.
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Thanks Miriam..hugsx
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Thank you so much, Miriam – I’m still feeling nervous. Have a lovely week and stay safe. Toni x
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Excellent reviews for Toni, Teri, and Judy. I read Subject A36, Sally, and loved it. Thanks for tantalizing me with a couple new reads!
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Thanks Diana and always happy to tempt you.. hugs
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Thanks so much for the endorsement, Diana!
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Thank you, Diana – have a lovely day. Toni x
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Sally, many thanks for featuring Subject A36 and sharing Mae’s review!
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Pleasure Teri..hugsxx
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Congrats Toni, Terri and Judy! Three engaging books for sure. Thanks for sharing my review of Toni’s book, Sal ❤ xx
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Thanks Debby and terrific review ♥
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Terrific book with great lessons. ❤
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♥
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Hi Debby, It certainly was a fabulous review. – thank you so much for reading and reviewing Brody Cody, and it’s lovely to see it being shared here. Have a wonderful and very safe week. Toni x
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Thank you Toni. My pleasure and wishing you the same 🙂 xx
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Good to see more and more new children’s books. From my own history (Sorry, sounds like i am from the 18th century. Lol) i know how useful and important it is teaching children this way skills in other languages too.Thank you Sally!
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I agree Michael.. the more prepared children are for the different experiences they might encounter the better.. hugsx
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Thank you very much,Sally! We can not build a union without knowing eachother. Best for this is talking to another in our languages. Children now have a change for better doing this. xx
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They do Michael.. so much better hugsx
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Thanks Michael – I agree, it’s the perfect way to learn another new language. Stay safe, Toni.
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Thank you Toni! I fully agree, and maybe its the only real way doing so. But here we to often want to replay the Prussian style. With front teaching and authority first. 😉 All the best to you too.
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