Branded is a Young Adult fantasy novel penned by the author Joseph T Humphrey. This is the first installment in ‘The Forgotten Series’.
Main character of the story is a high school kid named Henry Murphy. When Henry was born, his parents had to enter another realm to save their lives. Henry’s parents Thom and Dawn entered the new realm and mixed up with others to live a normal life. After years, Henry is a senior at Middleton High. Charley is an orphan girl and is a friend of Henry at the school.
Once when Henry was in the classroom, he saw a hall monitor in a blue vest taking Rachel out of the classroom. But when Henry checked with others, they all said nothing like that happened. Henry even told his parents about it. Read this story to know what happens next. What challenges Henry might have to face?
This is a wonderful story. Plot of the story is interesting. Cover photo is eye-catching and the language used in the book is lucid. Pace of the story is fast and I wasn’t bored anytime while reading it. Those who enjoy reading fantasy stories shouldn’t miss to get their hands on this book.
Q1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
My name is Marie Ballif. I homeschool my four children and I love to teach. I am married to my best friend. I love learning, reading, influencing and helping children learn to love themselves.
Q2. What is your inspiration behind your book “THE FLYING WARTHOG: A Modern-Day Parable”?
My inspiration for this book is the feelings that, I believe, every one of us experiences at some point. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, but I think by doing so, we miss the beauty and individuality of ourselves. I want anybody who reads my book to love themselves a little more when they are done.
Q3. When did you realize you want to be an author of Children’s Book?
I have always loved to write. I wrote short stories all through grade school, poetry and songs through high school. Once I had my first child, I knew that I wanted to actually write and publish books.
Q4. Are you planning to release your next book soon?
Yes! I am very excited! I am working on my next book and hope to have it released in the next 4-6 months!
Q5. For which age group your books are suitable?
Truthfully, I like to think that my book is suitable for all ages because all of us need a bit of love and encouragement at some point. But, If I have to be specific, I’d say age 5-10.
Q6. What is your favorite Quote?
It is difficult to choose just one quote, but I will try.
“A child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.” -Pablo Casals
Q7. What do you like the most about your country?
The beauty and the people.
Q8. What suggestion you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
My suggestion is start. Just start reading to them and allowing them time to read.
Q9. What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success to me is an impactful book in the hand of every child so that children can love themselves and love others.
Q10. Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
My family. My husband is so supportive and encouraging. My children whom, I write books for and about. My parents.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Annabel Harz. I’m a career teacher, burgeoning editor and emerging writer. I am Australian and have lived (and worked) around Australia and overseas. I live in the country because I love the lifestyle.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your ‘Journey’ books?
Definitely the biggest challenge in publishing both my books was facing my past: as I wrote in the Preface of Journey into the Shadow and the Sunshine, ‘Do I really want to peer into the most difficult times of my life again, to pry them open for public view?’
These works are autobiographical, therefore, publishing them puts my vulnerability openly in public view and this can be uncomfortable and confronting. Gradually, through the publishing process — especially during the editing — each poem transforms from ‘purely raw emotion’ to ‘ready for the public’, which makes it easier for me to release to the world.
I would like to reassure readers that my books have happy endings! In addition to the poems about being broken and lost, there are plenty of positive poems about strength, resilience and happiness (one reviewer described them as ‘beautiful love poems’).
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
It’s hard to name one author or book which has influenced my writing: I am always reading, and I read widely, across genres: I gain something from every title, so am influenced by every book and every author I read.
The authors which influence my own writing the most are those whose writing challenges my thinking and broadens my perspectives: I relish books which show me new ways of being, and (for fiction) have unexpected twists and turns which I can’t predict. Perennials are Kathy Lette, Ben Elton, Paulo Coelho; two new authors I have recently discovered are Claire Ishi Ayetoro and S.M. Stevens: stunning work!
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
Gosh, that’s a hard one! There are infinite beautiful places in Australia, which are highly varied: we have fragrant eucalypt forests, humid temperate and tropical rainforest, stunning coastlines, heavenly mountains, sandy desert and sparsely vegetated semi-desert … I guess my favourite spots to visit are where I feel at peace, and that includes anywhere in nature. I’m especially fond of places I have lived in, where I have seen the land in different seasons. Another favourite spot to visit is my family, which is strictly not one single place, although it acts as a landscape in my heart: my connection to family is strong and I am uplifted when I share time and place with them.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
Definitely! For me the planning process very much involves readying myself to put my work out on public view, especially as the content is very personal. I take time over the format and layout, which informs my decisions about what to include overall: this process of sifting the content continues into the editing process, where I have removed poems that niggle (alerting me to that they don’t quite fit) fairly late in the process, when much of the book feels complete.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your ‘Journey’ books?
Both my books contain poetry and pictures which illustrate my journey from depression to wellness as a teenager-young adult, so the content is largely from that era.
It therefore took me ‘decades’ and ‘a year’ to write each one. Once I had put the content together, the actual publishing process was inside a year.
Q7. On what platforms can readers find your books to buy?
My books are available in physical bookstores and online, from the following places: INDEPENDENT BOOK STORES (Print) The Book Wolf, Maldon, Vic Torquay Books, Torquay, Vic Lorne Books, Lorne, Vic Collins Booksellers Ballarat on Lydiard, Ballarat, Vic Everybody Knows Books, Ballarat, Vic The Independent Bookstore, Ballarat, Vic
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?
I published Journey into the Dark and the Light in 2017. Given that Journey into the Shadow and the Sunshine focuses on the same topic, this book deserved a similar title. Both books take the reader on a journey, from the depths of depression to the positivity of wellness, so putting Journey into the title was an easy decision to make. To create the remainder of the titles I followed my heart, ensuring that both the sad and glad experiences of the content were reflected. The audience vicariously experiences both sides of the yin-yang symbol on the covers and I wanted to portray this duality in my titles. The artwork for the cover took some consideration: for both books, I wanted to use an original piece, to allow the audience to easily predict what to expect from the inside content. It was a matter of deciding what would be attention-grabbing, interest-piquing and, above all, relevant to all sections of the book. The torn-paper look was created by the design team at Balboa Press. I was enchanted when I received the first draft of Journey into the Dark and the Light. The cover showed my artwork while withholding some of it, it wasn’t a full reveal – mirroring the mystique of many of the poems and pictures within. It fitted so well, stylistically, that I requested the same look for Journey into the Shadow and the Sunshine. When something is perfect, why change it?
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I keep things fresh by judging each item on its own. Each and every poem must earn its place within its section (alongside nine other poems), and within the overall book. I apply the same scrutiny to my artwork: I strive to provide a variety of artwork styles for the audience.
During the editing phase I ‘read as a reader’: I approach each poem and picture as an outsider who has no prior knowledge of my story. This enables me to work out which text needs more clues to be understood, as well as sorting out what doesn’t contribute to the collection as a whole. I tweak individual poems at line-level, ensuring that every word value-adds; I evaluate the match of each picture to its poem; I rearrange the order until it works. Each item must therefore stand on its own as well as enhancing the whole, and if it’s not … it’s discarded.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
There aren’t really any secrets in my book: the strength of my poetry and artwork is that it is raw and honest, it displays my vulnerability openly. This aspect of my work can make it challenging to consume, as there is really no place for me as the author or the reader to hide from the unsettling brutality that a condition like depression engenders; yet as it is ultimately cathartic to see how far I have come, it is also inspiring (to quote multiple reviewers). I am glad to provide happy endings in my books, mirroring my life: I have overcome my depression and can now appreciate the multitude of joys that life has to offer.
There comes a time in life when we feel unworthy, unloved or undervalued. If you have ever felt these, then this book is for you.
Recently I read the book “My Vagina Doesn’t Do the Dishes” penned by the author Suzanne Arden. In this book, the author has mentioned how we have been programmed to leave no time for ourselves to be feminine. We believe that as women, we can do it all and we get drained trying to prove it right. Being a working woman, it is not easy to do it all by yourself. So, the author wants to suggest readers ask for help.
It’s time for women to support each other and show compassion for each other. We should support each other in building instead of tearing down.
The thought provoking questions given at the end of the chapters are amazing. I am glad to get my hands on this book. I appreciate Suzanne’s thoughts and writing style in this book.
It is an insightful book. I like to recommend it strongly to my fellow readers.
“Gone but never forgotten” is a children’s book about grief and loss penned by Pamela Rae Hughey and illustrated by Arnav Chakraborty.
Story features a boy whose father is going to his mother’s gravestone and the little boy is keen to know more about his grandmother as to how she raised his father and what she liked to do. Give a quick read to the story to know more about his grandmother and her likings. Readers will come to know what is the actual grief and loss to the family when their loved one passes away.
This is a wonderful story that I will surely share with my friends. This book is a great addition to the children’s bookshelf. The story is fast paced and exciting. Cover photo of the book is attractive and the language is lucid so kids can understand it easily. I love the message behind the story that our loved ones may be gone but will never be forgotten. I am definitely interested in reading more books by the author.
“Chewie the Pup” is an interesting children’s book penned by Drew Antony Piercey and illustrated by Toria Ashplant.
Story features Chewie, the pup who didn’t have a place to call home. His mother told him that sooner or later he will definitely have his own home but he should have to wait. Read out the beautiful story to know will Chewie have his home? This story gives a strong message to the readers that we should never leave hope as the wait can be long but it will be worth it. Children will learn the importance of home in their life.
The story is fast paced and exciting. Beautiful artwork, fun and easy to read book. A wonderful story that I will surely share with my friends. Lovely addition to any children’s bookshelf. The illustrations tell a story themselves and the writing is very imaginative. Cover photo of the book is attractive. I am definitely interested in reading more books by the author.
“Boo’s Shoes – A Rabbit and Fox Story” is an interesting children’s book penned by Sybrina Durant and Illustrated by Pumudi Gardiyawasam.
Story features a Bunny, Boo who is fond of wearing shoes of all types be it Flip Flops, Clogs, Slippers, Boots and many others for every occasion but he didn’t like to wear shoes with laces. Read this story to know why Boo doesn’t like shoes with laces. Readers will definitely enjoy this story.
The story is unique. I enjoyed reading it from the first page itself. Cover photo of the book is very attractive and the language of the book is lucid so kids can understand it easily. Pace of the story is fast. It will catch the kids’ attention in the first go. This book would be a great addition to the children’s bookshelf. This Book also has an instruction page on how-to-tie laces.
About the Author: Sybrina is the author of the “Learn To Tie With The Rabbit and the Fox” series of books. They include the book with that name in English, Spanish and Tagalog plus a special little book to gift to boys in a wedding party. Other books in the series are “Nellie Knows How To Knot A Neck Scarf”, “Ned Knows How To Knot A Neck Tie” and “Cleo Can Tie A Bow”. Boo’s Shoes: Learn To Tie Shoelaces is the latest in the series. It is about a little bunny who doesn’t think he needs to learn how to tie shoelaces. His friend, Farah Fox shows him that tying is a skill he can use for many things. Sybrina always writes songs for her book. Listen to “No Laces” and watch the book trailer for Boo’s Shoes at https://youtu.be/v15ir7QMm3s.
Unlawful Games written by the author Adam Klein is a suspense novel. Main character of the story is a defense attorney Salvatore Amici. He has a loving wife Danielle Amici and is a father of two kids. Sal recently won the biggest case of his life by defending his client David Flores. What Sal didn’t know is that one morning two NYPD detectives would come to his door to tell him that David Flores has been arrested for murdering his wife and son.
Sal collapsed after the cops left. Somewhere he considered himself responsible for the murder of David’s son and wife. If he hadn’t defended David, they would have been alive.
Read this story to know will Sal ever trust anyone again? Writing style of the author is amazing. Cover photo is well designed. Pace of the story is fast and I enjoyed every bit of it. The story kept me on the edge and I was curious till the last page to know what will happen next. Those who love reading suspense novels should get their hands on this one.
“The Girl with No Sol” is a coming of age young adult novel penned by the author Karen Vega. Story features fifteen years old Kalamiti Sol who is the leader of The Crew. The Crew includes Lucas, June, Blake, Jay, and Maci. Different members have different jobs in the crew. It could be stealing or guarding. Lucas is the one who always gets Kalamiti out of trouble. Kalamiti stole a black BMW Z4. She got caught by the police and taken to a detention center in Springfield, Illinois.
Kalamiti’s grandmother Nonna picked her and took her to her home in San Jose, California. Soon, Kalamiti was enrolled into school. Even though she had to leave the Crew members behind, one of the members, Lucas, met her again. Read this story yourself to know what will happen next.
This is a wonderful story for light reading. Cover photo of the book is nice. Narration is smooth. This story is written in first person Pov so readers would enjoy it more. I strongly recommend this book to young adults.
“Learning Together With Sally and Kate” is a Children’s Book penned by the author Sarah Taber.
Story features two friends Sally and Kate who want to learn how to build a snowman. Read this story book and learn step by step what shape and other stuff they would need to build a snowman.
Pages of the book are colorful. Illustrations are pretty and would catch kids’ attention in the first look. Language used in the book is lucid and kids could understand it easily.
This is the first book in the adventures of Sally and Kate book series. I had a great time reading it to my little one.
Sassy Reviews 