Monday Review by the Book Dragon: A Fun & Poignant Love Story!

 

Though the Book Dragon rarely reads contemporary fiction and even more rarely reads romance, he still gives this fun, quirky, and surprisingly deep story Pride and Butterflies by Franky A. Brown 5 claws!

 

(Maybe it has something to do with the immediate appearance of SCALES in the story, because Book Dragon also wishes he could give this story a special award, something like:

 

Here's my 5 star review: "This is a laugh-out-loud, fun and funny romantic comedy that also has deeper, more poignant layers. When I first started reading, the first person present tense was almost too much to handle because the main character sounded so hyper and flaky. But actually it worked perfectly for this story and the many zany circumstances. I love the butterfly images, both literal and figurative, throughout this book, and the lovely cover perfectly captures the mood of the story. I'm so glad I bought the paperback so I can admire the artwork again and again. Oh, I almost forgot! This author deserves an award for Best Use of Turtles in a work of fiction! Highly recommended."







Evening with the Authors

I've got to work up an elevator pitch for my books ASAP. This event is coming up soon! At least I did make some push cards, for I and several other authors will have a chance to meet teachers, librarians, and other book lovers in San Antonio on November 4th and participate in a "round robin" pitch session, going from table to table and talking about our books. After that we'll have an autograph session. I know it will be fun once I get there, but I haven't done one of these events in a long time, so wish me luck!

Push card front

Push card back



And here's a video that the organizer put together:

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Clean contemporary YA takes on serious issues

Although the Book Dragon rarely reads contemporary anything, he can whole-heartedly recommend these two well-written books in the Bird Face series by Cynthia T. Toney and gives them 5 claws!

My 5 star review of 8 Notes to a Nobody: This is a stellar debut novel with a captivating voice by a talented writer. The main character, Wendy, is realistic and sympathetically portrayed, so much so that the book drew me in and transported me back in time to the end of eighth grade with all those up-and-down emotions, from joy to angst. The author holds nothing back in dealing with the serious problems affecting today's youth: anorexia, depression, divorce, alcoholism, and suicide, yet all are portrayed in a sensitive, caring manner, and the main character grows in wonderful and sometimes unexpected ways. Highly recommended for ages 13 and up!

My 4.5 star review of 10 Steps to Girlfriend Status: Having read 8 Notes to a Nobody, I was eager to continue Wendy's story, and this book does not disappoint. The author has managed to reconnect with her 14 year old emotions. They all ring true! As with the first book, this story goes beyond the problems of being a girlfriend and tackles realistic, serious problems that many young people will face: blended families, effects of divorce, family tragedy, and serious illness. I give this installment 4.5 stars only because there were a few scenes I thought ended too abruptly, but younger readers probably won't mind the shorter scenes and snappy pacing. There are some great discussion questions at the end which keep the reader thinking long after the last satisfying page of the story is read!

Monday Review by the Book Dragon: Much more than a coloring book!

The Book Dragon recommends Annie Douglass Lima's new book with coloring pages and activities all related to Bible verses and gives it a resounding 5 claws!

Here's my 5 star review: "This is so much more than just an 'adult coloring book.' There are fun pages with Scriptures to color which can then be removed and framed or given away, but there are also many word searches, crosswords, word scrambles, 'find a quote' and, a new one for me, 'letterdrop' puzzles, all using verses of Scripture! I love that not only is the book useful and fun, but that proceeds will be donated to translate the Bible for people who don't yet have Bibles in their own language! Buy one to keep and one (or more) to give away as gifts!"

At $8.99 for 144 pages of coloring and activities (plus an answer key in back), these books really would make great Christmas or birthday gifts. Actually, you would be giving a double gift with each purchase, knowing your money is going toward a good cause!