A book Review. The Stone of Valhalla

Welcome to The Stone of Valhalla Blog Tour!

A middle-grade fantasy-adventure by Mikey Brooks.

Don’t forget to check out the GIVEAWAY at the bottom this post

for a chance to WIN a $25 Amazon Gift card and other great prizes!

Synopsis: AKA what the books says for itself.

Aaron was chosen to save their world, but it might come at the cost of losing his own.

Breaking into an old lady’s basement was supposed to reward 13-year-old Aaron with new friends. Instead he finds an enchanted amulet that transports him to another world—one at war with magic. Before he knows it, he is accused of witchcraft and invited to a bonfire—where he’s the main attraction. If that’s not bad enough, a goblin army shows up and toasts the town...literally. The good news: Aaron escapes being charbroiled. The bad news: the goblins are after him. They want his amulet and will stop at nothing to get it. Battling to find his way home, Aaron teams up with a not-so-magical-wizard and learns it’s his fate to destroy the amulet and save this new world. But is he willing to sacrifice his own?

What I thought of it:

This was a fun book. Solid Middle Grade characters and kids will probably love this book. The story started out with Aaron sneaking into a house to steal something as an initiation into a gang. That bothered me, given the fact Aaron seemed to be an intelligent kid. He should have listened to his inner voice and not gone in. But if he hadn’t, then we wouldn’t get to go see the fun world of magic in Valhalla. 

Mikey did a great job with plot twists and doing some unexpected things. I was able to catch on to some of the plot twists, and expected what would happen, but I’m happy to say I was pleasantly surprised on some of the other twists.

Aaron is the chosen one from Earth who was prophesied to come to a different dimension of Earth where there is magic and the setting is medieval to help stop an evil power from getting ahold of the Stone of Valhalla.  There was lots of action and adventure, even some mild violence and SPOILER alert, a death or two, but very manageable for young readers.

It didn’t have me as completely engaged as some books but I still really enjoyed it. Solid 4 stars for adults and more like 5 stars for kids.   

If you are looking for adventure and excitement for younger readers, similar to books like Rick Riordin, Brandon Mull, Tyler Whiteside, J. Scott Savage, or Chad Morris, then check out these books by Mikey Brooks. 

Where to Find The Stone of Valhalla:

Exclusive price for the eBook release is just $2.99! (List Price: $4.99)

And only $9.99 for the paperback! (List Price: $12.99)

On April 12^th 2014 the price will return to the List Price

Kindle | Paperback

Another special offer:

During The Stone of Valhalla Blog Tour

Mikey’s other great middle-grade eBooks will also be set to the low price of just $0.99!

The Dream Keeper:

Kindle | Nook | Kobo

The Dreamstone:

Kindle | Nook | Kobo

You’re Invited to PARTY!!

The online launch party will take place on Thursday, April 10^th at 4pm (MST). The party will run for 2 hours and you’re invited to drop by anytime. The longer you stay the more chances you have of winning prizes! We have slew of eBooks to giveaway, as well as a Stone of Valhalla necklace AND a $25 Amazon gift card! It is hosted by LovingtheBookLaunchParty on Facebook. Just follow this link to join the event: http://goo.gl/Q2Fd3r.

What’s that? Another Party!

That’s right! If you’re local to Utah you don’t want to miss this kickin’ party. We are having a launch party to celebrate the release of this awesome new book. Of course there will be plenty of giveaways there too, but what’s even better are the guest authors! Just check out these fabulous names: J. Scott Savage, Chad Morris, Lisa Mangum, Jenni James, Ali Cross, and many more. The Launch Party is: Friday, April 11^th from 6-9pm at The Viridian Center in West Jordan, Utah. Follow this link for a map: http://goo.gl/dqVc0u

About Mikey Brooks:

Mikey is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll catch him dancing the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is the author/illustrator of several books including the best-selling ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures and Bean’s Dragons as well as the middle-grade fantasy-adventure series The Dream Keeper Chronicles. His art can be seen in many forms from picture books to full room murals. He loves to daydream with his three daughters and explore the worlds that only the imagination of children can create. Mikey has a BS degree in English from Utah State University and works fulltime as a freelance illustrator, cover designer, and author. As a member of the Emblazoners, he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the hearts of children’. He is also one of the hosts of the Authors’ Think Tank Podcast. You can find more about him and his books at: http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/.

The Giveaways!

Enter the giveaway below to be entered to win one of the following prizes:

$25 Amazon Gift Card

The Stone of Valhalla Necklace

Autographed Paperback of The Stone of Valhalla

Autographed 11x17 Poster

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WonHundred Word Wednesday

Here we are again with another week, and another writing prompt.

This one felt odd to me, and I think I was in a weird mood when I wrote it. It's funny how the mood of an author can really color what comes out.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

The prompt was:  "The devil's name was Fred."

Mom never thought I’d amount to much. She kept telling me if I didn’t pull my act together, I’d only serve as a bad example. I wasn’t all bad, but I never made an attempt to do anything worthwhile.

It wasn’t a big surprise when I died and stood in front of the devil himself. He looked tired, and I felt bad for him. “You need a vacation, man.”

Satan perked up and grinned. “Amen to that. I hereby promote you to lord of the underworld. What’s your name?”

“Fred.” I looked over my new kingdom and thought of Mom.

Now go check out the other blogs with the same prompt. 

Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author: www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Alison Woods (Peering Into. . .): http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/

Jessica Winn, the distracted writer:http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow: http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton's Kreating Krazy blog: http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings: http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist  http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com

Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

K.R. Wilburn  http://www.krwilburn.com/my-blog.html

Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

Kat!e Larson http://katesnovelidea.blogspot.com

Miranda Nelson http://www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com/

Book Cover Reveal

This looks like such a fun book and I'm excited to share the cover with you. Can't wait til it comes out in April. Watch for it. 

Trifecta Books is proud to announce a fun YA urban fantasy by author Jaclyn Weist—The Princess and the Prom Queen.

Jenny’s had it with her life. Six siblings in an overstuffed house are enough to drive anyone crazy, and sometimes she dreams of escaping to some fantasy world. When she suddenly wakes up to find herself being kissed by a strange—but very handsome—prince, Jenny knows her life just got a lot more exciting. Now stuck in a medieval land of castles and royalty, when Jenny learns that the queen has agreed to marry her off to the prince, it’s time to take matters into her own hands. She goes on a quest to find out who dragged her to this time while trying to keep from falling in love with either of the boys vying for her attention.

Princess Genevieve has only known life under her mother’s rule. She wants to do more than go to battle or deal with suitors. She wakes to find herself in a new world filled with gadgets, electricity, and moving carriages. She finally has the freedom to be who she wants to be with a family who cares deeply for her and a boy worth any sacrifice. It’s more than everything she always wanted. 

As Jenny and Genevieve settle into their new lives, they face an unknown evil which threatens everything they care about and makes them face tough questions—like who they are and what they really want their lives to become.

The Princess and the Prom Queen will be available on Kindle April 29^th, 2014, with print to follow shortly. You are invited to attend the online launch party on Facebook by clicking here at 7:00 pm on that day. https://www.facebook.com/events/312279742253197/

WonHundred Word Wednesdays

"You are on a crowded subway platform when you see a familiar face"

This is something new I'm trying with some friends. We call it Wonhundred Word Wednesdays. Each Wednesday we'll post a 100 word story with a different writing prompt. Everyone is welcome to follow the links below to see the way different people can interpret the same opening.

We hope you have as much fun with this as we will. 

Here's mine.

The crowd pushes me. I keep my head down. Can’t take the chance I’ll be seen. The train’s late and the crowd’s antsy. I want to push them all down and take off running, but I can’t chance it. I must blend in.
The train pulls up. I’m almost there. I’ll never come back. Nothing’s left for me besides prison. It wasn’t my fault, but he doesn’t care. I glance furtively around as the wave of humans propels me onto the train. A relieved breath escapes me. A hand touches my shoulder and I turn to see him. I’m caught.

Now go see these other blogs to find out how other writers interpret the same writing prompt. :) Thanks for visiting. 

Wendy Knight, Author:    www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Kelly Martin, Author:    www.kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com

Alison Woods (Peering Into. . .):    http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/

Jessica Winn, the distracted writer:    http://thedistractedwriter.com/

R.K. Grow:     http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

Stephanie Worlton's Kreating Krazy blog:     http://stephanieworlton.blogspot.com/

Leah Sanders, inklings:     http://inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com/

Laura D. Bastian     http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Jaclyn Weist    http://jaclynweist.blogspot.com
Amryn Scott http://wildscottkids.wordpress.com/

Blog Tour with Krista Wayment

It's time to welcome a new book to the world.  TRUSTED book 1 of the Dragon's Trust series available March 27th

About the Book

Renick, the fifth son of a dragon breeder, crashes into an unexpected adventure that challenges everything he thought he knew about dragons, history, and himself.

Stranded in the massive Helath forest, Renick meets two other passengers: Thane, a noble training to be a dragon knight, and Lainey, the orphaned niece of a healer. Together they survive an attack by vicious wolves, rescue a baby dragon with a broken wing, and escape from a band of dragon hunters as they make a perilous climb into the mountains. What they discover there will change everything.

I had a chance to read an Advanced Reader Copy and it was lots of fun. Very well thought out plot and world. The characters are lovable and the baby dragon makes me want to have one of my own. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who likes dragons and fantasy, young or old. 

About the Author

Krista Wayment has been making up stories since she learned to talk. Writing naturally grew out of that. Krista is an avid Fantasy and Science Fiction fan, and a total nerd. She is also a software engineer and loves playing video games. Although, curling up with a good book is still one of her favorite past times.

www.kristawayment.com

Find her on Goodreads HERE 

If I could pick my colored dragon, I'd pick green. Cause green's my favorite color. :)  What color would you pick for a dragon?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want a shot at a pot of gold? (Amazon gift card?)

Twist of Luck Blog Tour  Available as of March 1st 2014

I had a chance to read this book early on and I really enjoyed it. So to celebrate its release, we're doing a blog tour. 

Every day a different blog will post a question. When you find the answer, send an email to her at:   jaclynweist@gmail.com
She will draw a winner each day from those that got it correct. You can find the answers on Wikipedia. Or if it's a question from the first book and you haven't read it, I have a hint on this post. So it's really easy to enter.
The answers will also be posted the next day on the next blog in the tour, along with the next trivia question. Some questions deal with colors of the rainbow. Other questions deal with leprechauns. And, of course, at the end of the rainbow, there's a pot of gold. In that pot of gold will be an Amazon gift card! 
Those that answer questions by sending her an email will be entered to win the gift card on the last day. Even if you miss some of the day's questions, you still have a shot! 

And don't forget to purchase a copy of book one, Stolen Luck. The great news is that it's $.99 right now! That link is here. Good luck!!

Yesterday's Answer: Leprechauns repair and make shoes. They can't stand to see shoes that are in need of repair. 

Today's Question: What color of paint did Megan pick out? Even though it may not have been what she ended up with.

The prize:  An e-copy of my book. Eye On Orion  
Check it out on Amazon HERE 
Barnes and Noble HERE

About Twist of Luck: 

Megan finally has her luck back and hopes that life will return to normal. Unfortunately, the magical world has other plans. Suddenly, she find she has fairies following her to provide security, dragons become a constant threat, and an imp tracks her every move. As if that wasn’t enough, her luck begins to manifest itself in ways she could never imagine.


About Jaclyn:

Jaclyn is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing as a senior in high school, when her dad jokingly said she was the next Dr. Seuss (not even close but very sweet). She met her husband, Steve at BYU and they have six happy, crazy children that encourage her writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next.

Find the book on Amazon HERE
and Barnes and Noble HERE

Find the answer and tomorrow's question at:

leaveittolivia.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Dan Wells

Hi! I'm Dan Wells, author of the Partials Sequence, and I'm very excited to tell you that today is my birthday! Woohoo! And because it's my birthday, I want to ask you a small favor:

Contribute to charity.

The post-apocalyptic world of Partials is fun to read about, in part, because of how desolate it is: the characters live in a wasteland, scavenge desperately for food and clean water, have virtually no electricity, and live in constant fear of disease, bad weather, vicious criminals, and marauding bands of enemy soldiers. The horrifying, inescapable truth is that this is not science fiction: there are millions of people, all over the world, who live in conditions even worse than these every day of their lives--people who would look at the deadly world of Partials as an absolute paradise. Kira, my main character, has dedicated her life to helping other people. We have the power and the opportunity to do the same, and I think that gives us a responsibility to step up and do it.

Yes, I have a book coming out next week, and yes, I'd love it if you'd buy a copy. I'd love it even more if you'd buy two copies and give one to a friend. But you know what? I don't need your money. I have a house, and food, and clothes, and running water, and wireless Internet, and really when you think about it I'm incredibly, amazingly blessed. Not only do I have a job, I love my job, and if times get tight I can just write more books, which is what I want to do with my time anyway. So don't worry about me. Take the money you would have spent on my book and give it to someone who really needs it--someone who's trying to fight hunger, or cure a disease, or overcome poverty and poor education. If you can afford to both buy my book AND contribute to a charity, take a moment to consider how amazing that is. That puts you at a level of disposable income most people in the world can only dream about. You have the power to make an incredible difference. Don't waste it.

I've listed some awesome charities here, or you can pick your own:

Vitamin Angels  Click HERE  

- Give life-saving vitamins and other care to pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five. Kira would be proud.

Heifer International Click HERE  

- Fight hunger and poverty through education, empowerment, and sustainable initiatives. This group is the very definition of "teaching a man to fish" instead of just giving him a fish and calling it a day.

Midwest Food Bank   Click HERE 

- Not all hunger is in other countries. This and other American charities are helping the people right under your nose, that most of us don't even see.

Project C.U.R.E.   Click HERE 

- The largest provider of donated medical supplies and equipment in the world.

Books For Africa  Click HERE  

- Literacy and education have a stronger long-term effect than literally any other charitable effort, bar none.

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law   Click HERE   

- Mental health is an issue particularly close to my heart. Mental disorders are common enough that I can pretty much guarantee everyone reading this has a relative or close friend who struggles with one. Help give them the rights, access, and dignity they deserve.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dan, and thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your words of wisdom and advice.

Here's his newest release. RUINS Book 3 in the Partials Sequence

Go to Dan's Amazon page to see the books he's got available:  AMAZON 

If you are a Nook fan, check him out on Barnes and Noble HERE

To find Dan's website, go HERE 

He's involved in one of my favorite podcasts for writers and other creative people. Go see Writing Excuses 

Overall, check Dan out and celebrate his birthday with him.