Thursday, June 17, 2021

Mockingbird in Mark Twain's Hat Review





This is an adorable story for any fan of a fun read!  Wynne is the main character in this story, and he is so likable and engaging.  I think what really made the book for me was the adventure Wynne went on and all the characters he met along the way, including Mark Twain himself!

This was such a fun book to read, and I can only suggest that you go grab yourself a copy!

Definite 5 stars from me!






Publisher: Waterside Press, Oct, 2020 Category: Children’s illustrated chapter book Tour dates: May 27-June 30, 2021 ISBN: 978-1949001914 Available in Print and ebook, 138 pages Mockingbird in Mark Twains Hat



Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat

 

Excerpt #3

 

Kaia Alexander

 

(Goes with illustration for chapter 3 by Elaina Scott)

 

CH. 3

The Grey Cat

 

Fryday.

     Possum woke us up before the first rays of sunlight struck the church steeple out beyond the woods. “There’s something down there in the bushes!” he said, jumping up and down on the nest.

            We all sat up and peered over the edge. It was hard to make out anything but shadows in the thin light.

            “What did you see, Possum?” asked Mother.

            “Raccoon!” he squealed.

            “There are no coons in this part of the Willem Woods,” said Sissy. “Now go back to sleep.”

            That was when I saw it, too. “What’s that?” I pointed at a ringed tail in the grass.

            My father drew a quick breath. Then he hopped up to a higher branch to take a look. That was when the little girl came, fiery braids swinging as she skipped up the trail to the schoolhouse, and the tail disappeared into the brush.

            “Probably just a squirrel,” said Papa. “No need to worry.”

            The girl sang a beautiful song about an old fisherman wading in the river, and I wanted to learn that song so I could write it into my story. Her voice was lovely and soothing.

            “Wynne, you knock that thought right out of your head,” said Papa, seeing what I was thinking. “We do not sing human songs.”

            “But it’s such a catchy tune,” I said. “Why not just this once?”

            “Because there’s nothing more dirty and rotten than humans!” said Sissy.

            “Nothing except the Grey Cat,” said Earle.

            “Earle!” said Mama.

            “What’s the Grey Cat?” asked Possum, his voice trembling. “Is that what I saw in the bushes?”

            “You saw a raccoon,” said Father. “A big raccoon is what you saw.”

            “But you said it was a squirrel,” I said.

            Just then there was a rustling in the bushes nearby and we all gasped and held our breaths, but it turned out to be a flying squirrel just coming out of the bush and climbing up the Old Oak across the hill. She leaped from one tree to the next, then soared down a few branches to settle on a clutch of acorns. She saw us, gave a little smile, and then nuzzled her mate who appeared from under a mane of leaves.

            “You see? A squirrel,” said Father.

            “What’s the Grey Cat?” I whispered to Earle.

            “I ain’t supposed to say,” he said.

            “An old nonsense tale,” said Mama. “That there was a grizzly old cat in this wood who was blind in one eye, but he was the most terrible hunter of birds that ever lived.”

            “But what if it’s not a nonsense tale?” I asked.

            “Of course it is,” said Mama. “It’s just a tale the old folks of the wood told to keep us in the nest at night.”

            Father sat us down. “Maybe it is and maybe it’s not.”

            We trumpeted all at once.

            “Either way,” he went on, “it’s why you always have to look before you land. And never go near the porches of humans. They are dangerous places filled with dogs and cats and alligators and other terrible creatures. So long as you stay far, far away from any humans, you will have avoided the greatest of troubles.”

            My mother sighed. “It’s true, but you best add to your list of avoidances all beavers and raccoons. And foxes, too.”

            My father whistled and nodded in agreement. “Raccoons and foxes might make a meal of you, but beavers are simply the scum of the wood. Stupid as logs, and good for nothin’. And dirty. We don’t associate with beavers.”

            “But why?” I started to ask, but the words got garbled in my throat. I knew they wouldn’t answer me anyway. Instructions like these were meant to be taken and not questioned.

            I took my faded photograph of Mark Twain, rolled it up and slid it under my wing. My dreams were looking far too lofty today, so I thought it best to get some sleep. Maybe I would see new possibilities in the morning.

 

Sundy.

            None of us slept for a week for trembling in fear over the Grey Cat. The crows had left us for now to invade the corn fields, but we were not relieved because in our minds there lurked this new terror. We each took turns watching the dark patches of shadows on the forest floor around the crepe myrtle tree. That was the week Earle learned to fly. He hopped all the way to the top of our tree and swept his wings open and glided right over to the Old Oak.

            “Just like a flyin’ squirrel!” cheered Sissy.

            “Oh boy! You’re a real mockingbird now!” said Possum.

            I held Mother’s wing and cheered for him. Even Father cheered. By the end of the day, Earle could turn circles in the sky over our tree, dive to earth and lift off again.

            “That boy is a real natural,” said Papa.

            “He takes after you,” said Mama, and snuggled against his feathers.

            I lifted one of my wings in the moonlight and looked at the underside where the flight feathers should have been and vowed to stop plucking them.

 

Description Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat

Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat, is an adventure story full of animals that talk. Wynne is a precocious mockingbird born in the rural south in the late 1800s. His whole family are singers, but at four days old, he wants to be a novelist just like his hero, Mark Twain. When crows attack his nest, he’s swept away on an epic adventure along the Mississippi River. Wynne learns to read and write, makes new friends in surprising places, and is mentored by Mark Twain himself. Full of delightful quotes from Mark Twain, this novel for children ages 8-12 shines with important lessons of character, perseverance, love, and the importance of friendship. Praise Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat “We LOVE this book! As we finish each chapter, we can’t wait to find out what happens next! I am ordering another few copies as gifts for my daughter’s friends.”- Yaron, Amazon “With ‘The Mockingbird in Mark Twain's Hat’, Kaia Alexander is at the top of her formidable writing talents. She has mastered historical fiction, screenwriting and with this, a timeless children's story. This is a delightful adventure featuring unforgettable animal characters that will become embedded in the heart of every reader. Whether you read this to a little one or gift it to a child to read, this is an ideal book that entertains and enthralls with every page while evoking a period and piece of literary history. I believe that Mark Twain himself would approve! Kaia not only brings her beloved animals to life, but she evokes the universal yearning to uniquely express oneself, like the protagonist of the story, Wynne. Above and beyond a simple children's story, Kaia weaves in thematic layers that remind me of myth and legend. I guarantee that the characters and story will stick with you forever and inspire children to be themselves, challenge themselves, and learn to write! They may even become interested in Mr. Twain himself, just like Wynne. Or maybe, the kinds of songs that Wynne learns to sing, and that they can learn to sing their own.”-Stuart Volkow, Amazon “Like all Kaia Alexander's books, it's a page turner and you can't put it down! A delightful adventure with twists and surprises. Love the characters and the illustrations. This is a great gift book for children as well as adults and sure to become a classic! ”- S. Peck, Amazon About Kaia Alexander Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat Kaia Alexander is an award-winning novelist, filmmaker, and writing coach, as well as founder of the Entertainment Business League, who can be found surfing her native California coastline. Website: https://kaiaalexander.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThisisKaia Buy Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat Amazon Barnes&Noble IndieBound Giveaway Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat by Kaia Alexander This giveaway is for 1 print copy to 3 winners. It is open to Canada and the U.S. only and ends on July 1, 2021,midnight pacific time. a Rafflecopter giveaway Follow Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat by Kaia Alexander Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus May 27 Kickoff & Guest Post Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus May 28 Review Michelle Reading Authors Network May 31 Review Lu Ann Rockin' Book Reviews June 1 Review & Guest Post Shiloh Amazon June 2 Review Alicis Amazon June 4 Review Cheryl's Book Nook June 10 Review & Excerpt Shanna Amazon June 11 Review Sal Bound 4 Escape June 14 Guest Review Amanda My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews June 15 Review & Interview Anastasia Living in a Bookworld June 16 Guest Review & Excerpt Chrissy Reads a LOT June 18 Review & Excerpt Betsy H. Goodreads June 23 Review All Things Jill-Elizabeth June 25 Review & Excerpt Katy Celtic Lady’s Reviews June 28 Guest Review DTChantel Amazon June 29 Review Michelle I Read Kid's Books June 30 Review Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat by Kaia Alexander a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

I've Been Watching You Review

 




Now first I want to say that this is book 2 in the Forensic Files. And as I suspected the writing only got better!


In this book, we follow Ben Cassidy a crime scene investigator who also runs a site for victims of rape. She runs that site due to the trauma of her own life. She's a single mother of a 4-year-old girl and lives with her aunt.

The love interest Jacob is an injured ex-army who is teaching digital forensics, which is where Ben meets him. He suffers from PTSD and has to walk with a cane due to his injury.

Character development is definitely a strength of K.A. Richardson and in this book, these characters come to life.

As for the mystery of who is doing these horrendous crimes. I will not tell you who it is, but I will tell you that while I figured it out, it wasn't as straight forward and there was another suspect I thought was doing it in the beginning.

Great story and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

This Is How We Are Human Review


This Is How We Are Human is the story of Sebastian.

Sebastian's story hit very close to home for me. I've lived his mother's life dealing with a child on the spectrum.

Secret/hidden illnesses like Autism Spectrum Disorder are so hard on the family. Sure it's hard on the person, but the family has to deal with the dirty looks or the disapproving stares. And I could understand the mother's desire to not only protect her child but to try to see to his happiness.

But this book is far more than a story of a young autistic man. It is the story of acceptance. A story of love, family, understanding, and most of all what it means to be human. Louise Beech hasn't just created characters, she has created living people who leap out of the pages into your life.

This story was my story, the desire for your child's happiness, the wish people could accept them for themselves. The living by a clock.

This book made me laugh and it made me cry.

A fabulously written story that touches the reader's heart.  A sure-fire 5 star read!         


                                               

Monday, March 1, 2021

The Waking of Ghosts Review



If I could give this book 3.5 stars that is what I would give it.

I really enjoyed the blurb for this book, and I thought it would be a very interesting read. What happened next was a story with so many grammar mistakes that it made my head spin. Fragmented sentences, words duplicated, and many other errors.

I found it very slow and repetitive with individual character thoughts. And there are few character interactions. It was like being stuck in someone's mind and hearing their inner thoughts about themselves, and others but not getting that actual interaction between them and others.

Another issue is that there is a lot of repeating information, and characters reiterating their goals to themselves when the POV switches back to them. I found this unnecessary since I read the book in just a couple of hours. I guess if you are one of those who put down a book and read multiple books at a time this may be helpful to you, but for me, it was redundant and bordered on boring.

It does have promise and isn't a horrible book. I would probably recommend it if someone was looking for something along the lines of the story, but I would tell them it is a very slow starting book. I will say the last few chapters really made the story for me, so that shows some promise I suppose.

I received a copy of this book from the author.

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Guardian Angel Academy Year 1: Renegade



A Demon in an Angel Academy? Yep, Hasatan (the Devil) has a Daughter and she was just allowed entrance to the Academy. I won't go further with that because you can guess what could happen, and what will happen.

This book sucked me in. The thought of a demon attending a school for Angels just made me want to read more.

The story itself kept moving along at a nice pace and kept my interest through the entire story. So much so that I am absolutely dying to read book 2!

This book is appropriate for multiple age levels and grade levels.  There is NO profanity in the book, NO sex, NO drug use, and minimal violence.

It is also a wonderful book of learning about yourself and never allowing yourself to stop learning and progressing.  When the Devil's Daughter Jez first starts at the Academy she cannot read at all. No one ever taught her to read, yet during the progression of the book she never gives up even though it's hard for her.  What a wonderful lesson for those teenagers in your life to learn about perseverance over adversity.

I recommend this book to EVERYONE!

Monday, January 11, 2021

Hello and Welcome to my world!

 I decided to make a new blog.  

Yes, I still have my original blog, but I wanted to get a clean start with my book blog since I haven't written a post in so long.  

For now, I'm just posting this for a nice hello so everyone who knows me can find my new blog.

Hope you stick around for more!

Mockingbird in Mark Twain's Hat Review

This is an adorable story for any fan of a fun read!  Wynne is the main character in this story, and he is so likable and engaging.  I think...