Frederico the Mouse Violinist by Mayra Calvani

I have a soft spot in my heart for children's books and I played the violin when I was young so this book was review was a no brainer.  My 15 year-old is playing the violin so when this book was offer for review I jumped at it.  This book was written for kids between the ages 4-8.  It is very well done.  The reader will learn who Antonio Stradavari is, they will learn terms that are associated with the violin.  Terms and definitions are interwoven throughout the story as well as at the end of the book there is a page with glossary of terms, term word search page, match the terms with picture activity .   Your child will also fall in love with Frederico, the mouse who lives in Antonio's workshop.  The illustrations are just a gorgeous as the book is intriguing.  The illustrations are done very well. 

Frederico is a little mouse with a big dream: he wants to become a violinist. Each day he watches as Stradivari makes his famous violins. Each night, he sneaks into the workshop to play. But the violins are too big! Then, unbeknown to Frederico, Stradivari sees him playing and begins carving a tiny device. Could it be a famous Strad especially for Frederico?

excerpt
Frederico was a little mouse with a big name: F-R-E-D-E-R-I-C-O.

He lived in Cremona, Italy, in the workshop of a famous violin maker named Antonio Stradivari.

During the day from the tool shelf, he peeked at the luthier making his celebrated Stradivarius violins. The mouse sighed with longing. His pink nose twitched at the strong smell of wood and varnish, the oil used to make violins glossy.

 Frederico the Mouse Violinist was selected an “Award-Winning Finalist in the ‘Children’s Picture Book: Hardcover Fiction’ category of the 2011 International Book Awards.

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. Her nonfiction work, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing was a ForeWord Best Book of the Year Award winner. She’s had over 300 stories, articles, interviews and reviews published. Frederico, the Mouse Violinist is her fifth and latest children’s picture book.

Mayra reviews for SimplySharly.com and is co-editor of Voice in the Dark Ezine. She also offers book reviewing workshops online. Visit her website at www.MayraCalvani.com. For her children’s books, visit www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com.
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An ecopy of this book was provided for review by Pump up your Book tours

Teaser Tuesday ~ Spring for Susannah

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought I would play for un! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

click on cover for more information about book

"Ut!" Marta pointed to the door.  Jesse complied.  Ivar continued to rifle the food baskets. Marta repeated her command, swatting him on the seat of his pants.  Slinking out, he mumbled two words from the corner of his mouth.  Countering with a remark of her own, Marta flicked her apron at him and sent him howling into the yard.

~taken from p. 72 of  Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond

The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Lady of Bolton Hill Bethany House (June 1, 2011) by Elizabeth Camden

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.

A word from Elizabeth: I am a college librarian in central Florida by day, but by night I can be found pounding out inspirational historical novels the moment the sun goes down. I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others.

As for who I am? I love old Hitchcock films, the hour before sunset, a long, sweaty run through the Florida countryside, and a glass of good wine. After spending my entire adult life on a college campus (either as a student or a librarian) I have finally been able to pursue my ultimate goal of writing professionally.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Female journalists are rare in 1879, but American-born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative articles championing London's poor. When the backlash from her work forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face-to-face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished factory worker she once knew. In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel's success is fueled by resentment from past wounds and Clara's deeply-held beliefs about God's grace force Daniel to confront his own motives. When Clara's very life is endangered by one of Daniel's adversaries, they must face a reckoning neither of them ever could have foreseen.

When Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain's worlds collide after twelve years apart, the spark that was once between them immediately reignites into a romance neither of them thought possible.

But time has changed them both.

Daniel is an industrial titan with powerful enemies. Clara is an idealistic journalist determined to defend underprivileged workers.

Can they withstand the cost of their convictions while their hearts, and lives, hang in the balance?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lady of Bolton Hill, go HERE.

Mailbox Monday ~ June 5, 2011

Join Mailbox Monday meme

@ The Printed Page

Kick start your summer by Reading

I thought that today I'd just post links to different Summer Reading programs for you to check out. Some are just for kids and others are for adults.   Click on the link icons to go to get the details for each reading program. 

Adult/teens/kids divisions...

Borders...

Barnes & Noble...

Chuck E. Cheese...

Sylvan Learning Books....

Scholastic...

And last but not least check out your local library.  This summer our local library's them is....

A Great Catch by Lorna Seilstad

Couldn't ask for a more enjoyable, delightful, fun read.  This book was superb.  This was one of those that you just don't want to set it down and then when you get to the end you say it can't be over.  This is a book you'll never want to see end.  The characters are absolutely wonderful.  I love books with a feisty, spitfire, determined heroine.  That is just what you'll get when you read Lorna Seilstad's book A Great Catch.  This was my first book of hers to read and I loved it and she is a favorite of mine now.  I'm going to have to look up more of her books.  Emily doesn't let anything stand in her way, not even men.  She's determined, strong, independent, stubborn and driven by a cause.  However, so is her counterpart Carter.  Carter seems more sure of himself where Emily is lacking in her self confidence.  She is ready to take on the world, but watch out her clumsiness will get her in more than one scrape as you read.  I loved the humor that Seilstad puts into Emily.  She has a good heart, but sometimes things just don't turn out so right for her.  Emily's grandma and two aunts add just the right mix as secondary characters.  You'll fall in love with them too. They are quite the characters.  This was a most wonderful read and lots of hoots.  Oh, yes, I just love, love, love the cover of this book too.  It is so appropriate. 

Get more information about this book here.

A copy of this book was provided for this review by

Meet author Joan Wolf

Oops I goofed up forgot to post the author interview in the book tour today so here is the interview.  Visit the book tour, my review and information on a contest here. 

(argh!  Blogger is having issues AGAIN! and I can't post any pictures right now.  I hate posts without pictures.  Sorry.) 

What draws you to historical/biblical fiction?

I have always adored history, a love I inherited from my father. He used to discuss people from history as if they were people in the current newspapers. I think almost 90% of my books must have an historical setting.

You’ve had a successful career writing for the ABA, why start writing for the CBA now?

A few years ago I had an extraordinary experience where God touched my life. This encounter stirred my interest in writing about other people who had experienced the presence of God in their lives and the CBA seemed to be the best place for me to do that.

What is it about the historical account of Esther that led you to write a romance story about her?

When I was a girl Esther fascinated me. It seemed wonderful that God had chosen a woman to be the person who would save His people. And, since I am a romantic soul, I also thought that there must have been a great love between her and the king for him to have done as she asked.

Why did you move away from the traditional interpretation of King Ahasuerus’ conduct?

I always thought that Ahasuerus must have loved Esther deeply because he listened to her and revoked the edict that Haman had sent out. A king who not only allows his wife to break into his religious feast without punishment, but also comes to have dinner with her the following day, must care for her very much indeed. And such a man must be a much nicer person than the king traditionally portrayed by Xerses/ Ahasuerus.


You love animals. Do you ever incorporate them into your books?

Do I not ever incorporate animals into my books? I am famous for my horses, but dogs play their part as well. Unfortunately, I couldn’t put Esther on a horse, but I did make Ahasuerus a fanatical horseman.

What is your favorite historical era to write about?

I love to go way back in time, to periods where the records are mostly archeological. I actually did three books set in the Upper Paleolithic, the period of the last ice age. My next book is about Rahab, and I’m having such fun reading about pottery and stone remains from the late Bronze Age.

The Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf

I have just started reading this book and it has proven to be a wonderful pick up.  The author keeps you guessing as to what will happen and you want to keep reading.  Beautiful cover, beautifully written.  You feel as if you are living right there in Persia with Esther.  You feel her heartache and pain and her joy.  You see how God works all things out for His good not ours. 

An inspiring re-imagining of the tale of Esther, a young Jewish woman thrust from a life of obscurity into a life of power, wealth, intrigue . . . and tender love.
See the story of Esther in an entirely new way-with all the political intrigue and tension you remember, but told as a passionate and tender love story between a young man and woman. Misunderstood by many, King Xerxes was a powerful but lonely man. Esther's beauty caught the eye of the young king, but it was her spirit that captured his heart.

Imagine anew the story of Esther, one of our faith's great heroines, destined to play a key role in the history of Christianity. More here.

Joan Wolf was born in New York City but has lived most of her adult life with her husband in Connecticut, where she raised two children and countless numbers of assorted animals. Joan is the author of numerous historical novels including The Road to Avalon which Publishers Weekly lauded as “historical fiction at its finest.”

For more about Joan and her other books, please visit www.joanwolf.com.

See the Author Interview here.  Sorry I was going to post it here and forgot so now you have to follow a link I'm truly sorry.  

Link to buy the book

Blog tour schedule

To celebrate Joan Wolf’s debut Christian Fiction title, A Reluctant Queen, Joan and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away A Reluctant Queen prize package worth over $150!

One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf (for KINDLE)

To enter, just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the contest ends on June 20th. Winner will be announced on June 21st during Joan’s A Reluctant Queen Book Club Party on Facebook (details below)! Hope to see you there – bring your friends!

Join the fun on June 21st! 

Joan will be wrapping up the blog tour and Kindle giveaway promotion during her A Reluctant Queen FACEBOOK party on her FB author page. During the party she'll announce the winner of the Kindle, host a book chat discussion, test your trivia skills (Is Esther's story in A Reluctant Queen fact or fiction?), and more. Don't miss this chance to meet the author and make some new friends!



A copy of this book was provided for this review by...

Hope Rekindled by Tracie Peterson

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Hope Rekindled Bethany House (June 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.

She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.

In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.

She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books

ABOUT THE BOOK

Will Love Escape Her Grasp?

Life seems to be falling into place for Deborah Vandermark. On the cusp of finally marrying Christopher, the man who claimed her heart, she is devastated when he receives an urgent telegram. Bound to his family obligations, Christopher travels to Kansas City, uncertain of what he will find there.

When her fiancé returns to Texas, Deborah is faced with a very different future than she expected. She finds herself plagued with questions and uncertainty...about marriage, motherhood, and her passion to train as a physician. And when an old adversary reveals a contract that may spell ruin for Vandermark Logging, Deborah's life seems to be spiraling out of control. Can Christopher and Deborah find a way to claim the future they long to share when so much stands in the way?

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Hope Rekindled, go HERE.

Whatcha Reading ~ A Reluctant Queen

This is how "Whatcha Reading Wednesdays" works this week...

Go to page 1 type in the first sentence. If it is a spoiler at all be sure to put **Spoiler Alert** at the top of your comment (like if the selection announces the death of an integral character or something).

Link up over at Busy Moms Who Love to Read

Esther rose early as usual.  She dressed in her  brown robe and overtunic, fitter her veil over her long black hair, and went out to the courtyard behind her uncle's house to begin making the day's bread-more than she and her uncle needed because she gave some to the old women in their community every day.