Review for Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo's Saturn Surprise by Oneeka Williams M.D.

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 2015 | Age Level: 6-12

The rings of Saturn go round and round,
Disappeared one day and could not be found.
To put them back, just take a chance,
And join me in the Saturn Dance!
Meet Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo-
9-year-old girl Super Surgeon on the Go.

Born with supernatural powers from electrical energy, she jets around the Universe fixing problems with her gifted hands. Dr. Dee Dee’s, and cousin Lukas’s, visit to the Island of Positivity Planetarium is interrupted when Gordon the Gullible Globe sounds the alarm that Saturn’s rings have disappeared. Dr. Dee Dee is skeptical but mobilizes her team of assistants and instruments for a mission to Saturn. Oh boy! Is she SURPRISED when she arrives at Saturn!

About the Author

Dr. Oneeka Williams grew up in the Caribbean with her mother, a science teacher, and her father, a journalist. Her love for the sciences and for writing developed at an early age, as did her desire to become a doctor. When she first entered the operating room while attending Harvard Medical School, it was love at first sight. Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo embodies all of these elements and encourages kids to live a life without limits. This is Dr. Williams third book. Dr. Dee Dee Dynamos Mission to Pluto and Dr. Dee Dee Dynamos Meteorite Mission were the first two. She is a practicing surgeon and lives in Massachusetts with husband, Charles and son, Mark.

Review:

Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo's Saturn Surprise is a delightful story filled with great information about the planet Saturn. 

Dr. Dee Dee has supernatural powers which allows her to fly around in space and help the planets. In this story she helps Saturn fix it's rings because they have gone crazy. While reading the story children will learn about what a ring plane crossing is, as well about the Cassini-Huygens Spacecraft, Saturn's moons, and the names of Saturn's rings. There is a lot of alliteration in the story which will help readers remember the characters names. Readers will enjoy the nonfictional information included in the story. It is very informative and will help readers for reports and such. 

A few quibbles. At times the illustrations are confusing. When looking at the illustrations for ring plane crossings, the boxed pictures help the reader understand what is going. The other illustration is confusing to the reader since all the Saturn's virtually look the same. Dr. Dee Dee has supernatural powers but Kyle ad Lukas don't so technically they shouldn't leave Freeda, which is why she comes along on the ride, and yet those characters, at times, are outside in space. Kyle is also very negative and weighs down the story. Dr. Dee Dee sends positive messages to kids like don't give up, use your voice, be confident and assertive, yet here's a character who is whiny and negative. The last illustration on page 32 shows Dr. Dee Dee applauding, yet the story says that Saturn and the rings applauded. Given the fact that neither Saturn or it's rings have any hands in the illustration makes this part impossible, though they could shout with glee. These are small things but are none the less noticeable. Otherwise, the story is well developed with a great message for kids. Amazon says that this book is for 5-6 year olds but it is really meant for older children. Some of the vocabulary is for older children, younger won't get it. Though the author did add in a vocab section in the back of the book as well as a glossary of info talked about, questions and a resource guide.

Overall, this series is informative, well written with great educational story lines, and has great messages for kids who are 6-12 years of age.

Interview with John Fioravanti for Passion & Struggle

Come and join me as I talk with author John Fioravanti about his book Passion & Struggle  on Stories From Unknown Authors http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 1pm EST today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Fiora Books (October 13, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0993655823
• ISBN-13: 978-0993655821

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2014

Marco Rossini is a historian with no political aspirations, and no desire for power. However, he possesses unique knowledge that is about to change his life: he knows the human history of the planet Earth. The year is 2796 CE, and on the planet Genesis, human civilization looks very similar to the world it left behind. One difference dominates: a Church, created by the United Nations to compel peace, has ruled for seven centuries. Now, in the wake of a brutal war that aligned humanity with the new rulers of Earth, the old ways have been shattered, and Genesis needs a new, egalitarian government. Marco is the right man to help lead the change, but as the professor soon discovers, the battle between Church and state is far from over, and both sides are willing to spill blood. Struggling to remake his world, to find love, and to survive in troubled political waters, can Marco Rossini change history?

Author Bio:

I taught high school history for thirty-five years in just two schools in the Waterloo, Ontario region. My wife and business partner, Anne, and I have been married for 40 beautiful years. We have three adult children and three grandchildren. In 2002 I wrote an educational book for high school students about writing skills in the discipline of History. "Getting it Right In History Class" is available in Canadian and International editions at Wintertickle Press.

In 2006 Iceberg Publishing commissioned me to write an inspirational book about my years in the classroom. "A Personal Journey to the Heart of Teaching" was published in 2007. The book won a Bronze Medal at the IPPY International Awards in Los Angeles in May, 2008. I retired from teaching the next month.

My wife and I decided to strike off on our own and founded our own publishing company in December, 2013. We called it, Fiora Books. Our good friends at Iceberg Publishing turned my award winning book back over to us to publish under the Fiora Books imprint. The 2014 edition of "A Personal Journey to the Heart of Teaching will be available in May, 2014 on Amazon in paperback and eBook formats.

My next project is to launch a series of science fiction novels called "The Genesis Saga". The first title in the series is scheduled for publication in the fall of this year.

Review for If You Were Me And Lived In Scotland by Carole P Roman

If You Were Me And Lived In Scotland by Carole P. Roman
A Child's Introduction To Cultures Around The World

Summary:

Carole P. Roman is taking students to Northern Europe again and this time it’s to visit Scotland. You’ll learn about the fascinating architecture that was inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. Whether your name is Ian, Connor, or Malcolm, you’ll follow along and visit Loch Ness and hope to get a sighting of its famous occupant, Nessie. Perhaps you’ll try haggis or tatie scones and finish your meal with a clootie. This series has created a whole generation of armchair travelers that are thrilled to learn about cultures and customs from around the globe. 

Review:

In this book readers will learn lots of things about Scotland and a little bit about what it would be like if you were to live there. The clothes you would wear and some of the food you would eat. What you would call your parents and some of the traditions and activities that are there. Children and adults will be able to get an idea of the country, where it is located, and some of the myths. The author keeps the information simple for young readers. It is enough to give them an idea about Scotland's' culture and customs. It is not a story, but more of a 32 page nonfictional read for young children.

If You Were Me And Lived In Scotland

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 2, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1500531332
• ISBN-13: 978-1500531331

Interview with Rhani D' Chae for Shadow of the Drill

Come and join me as I talk with author Rhani D' Chae about her book Shadow of the Drill  on Stories From Unknown Authors http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 1pm EST today.

Summary: A brutal experience transforms an unproven youth into a ruthless killing machine. For fifteen years he waited, building his body into an unstoppable weapon so that vengeance would be had through the strength of his will and the power of his hands. 

On the bloodstained streets of a northwestern city the enforcer known as the Drill stalks his prey. Judge, jury, and executioner; he seeks out those who target the weak and the vulnerable, condemning them to the kind of justice that has made him a legend.

• File Size: 618 KB
• Print Length: 287 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1479746479
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00GBHQZZU

     

       About the Author

Rhani D'Chae lives in Tacoma, Washington, and has set the majority of her writing projects in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys chatting with fellow writers via Facebook and loves getting comments and other input from those who have read her work. Ms. D'Chae is currently working on Winter of the Drill and hopes to have it completed by early 2015.

Review:

Shadow of the Drill is a powerful story of characters who have to deal with the best and worst of themselves. Readers who love suspense will love the complexity of the story and how it flows through all the characters lives and what had made them who they are. Though the storyline switches often, readers will enjoy how the characters change and adapt to various situations and will then evolve into something the reader did not expect. 

Interview with Catherine MacDonald for Romancing The Vines

ROMANCING THE VINES

By

Catherine MacDonald

Francesca Bernard is a vintner in the Sonoma Valley who just can’t seem to perfect her wine, her finances, and her love life. She finds herself torn between the man she lives with and the man she loves. A letter arrives from a long-lost cousin encouraging her to travel to Italy to uncover the secret to her wine and her heart. Tension is tight around the vineyard, so she leaps at the chance. Once in Italy, her cousin notices Francesca’s torment and convinces her to visit the local seer, who is known to help lost souls. The old woman propels her back through time on a heart-pounding quest where she visits three lives where her survival was in jeopardy. Armed with the secrets and truths, she finally understands how the love, lust, and revenge they have endured for centuries holds the answers to her present survival.

Magna gathered Francesca’s hand into her own cool gnarled ones and stroked them lightly. “Listen dearie. No one is allowing you to remain innocent and stuck on the wheel of life and death for eternity, but yourself. Even though the mind forgets, the soul remembers. Hopefully by examining these lifetimes you will understand the truth. You are responsible for the life you have—no one else.”

INTERVIEW

1. Give us a brief synopsis of your latest work.   

Romancing the Vines is the sequel to Season of the Vineyard. It completes the saga of Francesca, Enrico, and Giancarlo. Francesca is a vintner who just can’t seem to perfect her wine, her finances, and her love life. On a visit to Italy, Francesca is propelled back through time on a heart-pounding quest where she visits three lives in which her survival was in jeopardy. Armed with the secrets and truths, Francesca finally understands who the love, lust, and revenge the three of them have endured for centuries hold the answers to her present survival.

2. What got you into writing? 

As a former school teacher and English major, I’ve always loved the written word. I’m one of those people who continually have her head stuck in a book or my Kindle. I started writing when I was a child, but it never took off until my own children were older and I had the “room of my own”.

3. What genres do you like to read and write?

 I like to read juicy novels with characters I’d like to sit down and chat with. I enjoy writing historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and spiritual fiction. When the story idea appears in my mind, it’s my job to chip away to find the story. Sometimes it takes awhile to flush out the characters and plot.

4. What is your process for developing characters?

 Do you people watch and base characters off of what you see? Or are your characters complete figments of your imagination? I love people watching. It’s where I find some of my best characters. Sometimes I create a character like I would a recipe—a little bit of this and a little bit of that, stir it together, and look at what you’ve created.

5.  Do you have any works in mind that you’ve not yet written? If so, what are they?

I have an entire drawer full of notebooks containing sketches of stories. Currently, I am working on a novel set in 1923 in the era of speakeasies, the mob, and illegal alcohol.

6.  What inspired you to write your most recent story? 

I had readers ask for the sequel for Seasons of the Vineyard, so I wroteRomancing the Vines. The current story I’m working on came from research during Prohibition in my city. Did you know Reno was one of the wettest cities during Prohibition and it was controlled by a mob? No, well I didn’t either until I started my research.

7.  Where can potential readers find your work? 

I am on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. You can visit my website for links: www.supernovel.com

8.  Where can readers connect with you socially online? 

My website and blog: www.supernovel.com  There you will find links to twitter and facebook.

BIO

Catherine MacDonald writes about vibrant, brave, strong, and hardy women. Growing up in Sacramento, California her library card was her passport, and the books she read were her adventures.

Always fascinated by the written word, after college Catherine took her keen love of books to the classroom for twenty-five years. Catherine uses her dreams, visions, and experiences to create her multi-layered themes of love, relationships, and spirituality. She is the proud mother of two grown children (and son-in-law) and nana to three wonderful grandchildren. She lives in a cozy house filled with books, Lulu the labradoodle, and her husband Paul. She invites you to read her books and enter her characters' lives.

Website: http://www.supernovel.com/

Blog: http://www.supernovel.com/blog/

http://lindabarnett-johnson.blogspot.com/2015/03/romancing-vines-by-author-catherine.html

Upcoming Release of Mystery Romance Novel Loves' Conqueror on Net Galley

Loves' Conqueror is a long awaited book for my romance novel fans. For years I have been focusing on my children's books. which have been very successful. But my fans keep asking me when I am going to write another romance. Well, my dear fans, it has finally arrived. Loves' Conqueror will be released on May 1st, 2015. If you would like to read and review it in advance you can go onto Net Galley and request it at http://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/62284

Please post reviews on Amazon. I'm excited to read what people think. about this new adventure with some amazing characters. I will also be posting some of those reviews on my website http://www.reneeahand.com  Thank you everyone for your support. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy!

Description:

Miranda Mayne, the daughter of a notorious pirate, spent most of her life in the hustle and bustle of London society, though her true love was always the sea. Promising her father she will stay away from the life that killed her mother, Miranda accepts the marriage proposal of a man she thinks she can trust--only to discover that his true intentions are to secretly capture her father. Trapped between loyalty and deceit, Miranda's heart falls prey for her true match only to find that he is out of her reach. Will she lose everything she holds dear or can she save her father, find true love, and most of all...find herself before reality prevails?