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Journey – Book Review

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Author: Gary S. Roen

Paperback: 252 pages

Publisher: Legacy Book Publishing; First edition (June 1, 2017) Language: English

ISBN-10: 193795207X

ISBN-13: 978-1937952075

Book Description

A syndicated book critic now turns his attention on a new endeavor, the short story, by writing his own science fiction collection. Some are as short as 66 words, which is a true test of an author’s ability to tell in so few words. There are seven adventures of the scary stuffed bear named Slotski, who has rare abilities. This compilation contains other slices of life in the near future: technology gone amuck, a smart phone that is smarter than it should be, a radio broadcast that isn’t all it sounds, a cat that has a message for humanity, and a woman who doesn’t want to just make money in a research study, are among some of the intriguing stories you’ll find in Journey.

My Review

Gary Roen’s book Journey is a creative and intriguing read! In this collection of diverse short stories, the reader will experience a remarkable journey through the author’s insightful, witty, unique, and cringeworthy stories.

The book starts with several short stories about a captivating character named Slotski Bear–a disembodied soul possessing a creepy-looking stuffed bear (a bear you can’t help but love) who guides and helps certain people in need. The author’s other short stories in this book have spell-binding characters, as various as they come, venturing into peculiar situations with unexpected results.

Journey is full of twists and tangles that will keep the reader wanting more. Highly recommended.

N.B. Some short stories have adult content.

About the Author

Gary S. Roen, author, nationally syndicated book critic/writer, consultant has been writing close to 45 years. He is the author of “Journey, A Collection of Science Fiction Short Stories” Legacy Book Publishing, “Slotski’s World” another collection of sf short stories and “The Forgotten Father” a book of poetry from Taylor and Seal Publishing, and the co-author of “Cats Cats and More Cats Royal Fireworks Press Roen is the author of two books of poetry, “Look at Me World,” Chateau Publishing, “Made By Man” Nest Egg Publications; his poems have also been published in numerous small magazines. He has published in short story collections like Computer Legends Lies and Lores Ageless Press, Anotherealm SF magazine, and Mercury Sky online. He is also the author of a satirical play entitled “Vamp
His syndicated reviews have appeared in hundreds of daily, weekly newspapers and other periodicals that currently include Midwest Book Review, West Orlando News, Sodo News, Orlando Advocate, St. Cloud In the News, Osceola News-Gazette, Bivouac Magazine, Arrhythmic Souls and Beach Side Reader Brevard County Florida.

Gary Roen’s Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gary-S.-Roen/e/B07GRCKX8K

Book Review – Kitty Claus by T. L. Needham

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Kitty Clause coverKitty Claus

by T.L. Needham, Lizzy Dodig (Illustrator)
Kindle Edition, 28 pages
Published November 10th 2013 by Outskirts Press Inc. (first published November 16th 2012)

About the Book: Can Kitty Claus, the meanest cat around, learn what Christmas is all about? On a snowy Christmas Eve a fierce cat named Kitty Claus rules over a family of starving mice. Until a frightful crisis for the ferocious Kitty Claus is resolved when the father mouse rescues him from danger and transforms their adversity into a new bond of mutual friendship. This is a little story-poem of transformation, courage, and righteous behavior that generates the most positive outcome. Originally published in the award-winning book -PESKY POEMS- a collection by T. L. Needham.

What I Thought: Kitty Claus is a wonderful poetic story. I love books that give me warm heart tingles, books that are written in a whimsical way where magic flows from page to page. I especially enjoyed the heartwarming theme of helping those in need, no matter what color their fur is. The illustrations are exceptionally well done and fit the text of the book perfectly. Kitty Claus and his mice friends are charming and their tale is one everyone will love.

About the Author: T. L. Needham, is an award winning author and a native of Kansas City. He grew up with tales of survival of his mother’s family, who endured life during the 1920s and 1930s in western Kansas. This inspired him to write the historic memoir–When I Was A Child, which was honored with an HONORABLE MENTION in WRITER’S DIGEST INDIE BOOK AWARDS, plus a FINALISTS by USA BOOK NEWS–BEST BOOKS AWARD in the category of History-USA. In addition, this book has been awarded the BRONZE MEDAL by READERS FAVORITE, a national book review/literary critic/author services firm. Recently this book was awarded a GOLD MEDAL by Global Ebook Awards, and the cover was awarded an HONORABLE MENTION MEDAL.
Read More: http://www.amazon.com/T.-L.-Needham/e/B004U1PXVQ/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Other Books by the Author:

When I Was a Child   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11009712-when-i-was-a-child
The She Wolf http://www.amazon.com/She-Wolf-T-L-Needham-ebook/dp/B00KQ3UCRW/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Pesky Poems http://www.amazon.com/PESKY-POEMS-T-L-Needham-ebook/dp/B00BPEBNQ0/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Dragon Books For Children – Review

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Dragon books for children, book review.

Review by Boyu Huang                                                                                                 Allbooks Review.www.allbooksreviewint.com

Genre: Children’s books                                                                                                           Title: Sir Princess Petra: The Pen Pieyu Adventures                                                               Author: Diane Mae Robinson

Sir Princess Petra - The Pen Pieyu Adventures

Sir Princess Petra – The Pen Pieyu Adventures    Author: Diane Mae Robinson

Review: You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it doesn’t hurt that Sir Princess Petra has a great one. A delightful story, it chronicles the adventures of a young princess become knight in shining armour. It’s everything you would want in a book: cute, funny, and with great messages. The adorable illustrations will serve as your companions as you eagerly flip the pages.

Robinson was honored with two major awards for the first work in the children’s book series, Sir Princess Petra. She was awarded the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artists Award for Children’s Book Author and took 2nd place in the Purple Dragonfly Book awards for Children’s Chapter Book.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sir Princess Petra and know many others will as well.

This book is highly recommended by Boyu Huang, Allbooks Review.www.allbooksreviewint.com

ISBN number: 978-1-61346-264-5                                                                               Publisher: Tate Publishing                                                                                           Number of pages: 64                                                                                                       Price: US $7.99 | CAN $9.24                                                                                               For more info on dragon books for children visit: http://www.dragonsbook.com

June 2013 http://hstrial-allbooksreview.intuitwebsites.com/Young-Adult-Childrens-Fiction-Genre-Book-Reviews.html?_=1368532876957

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Other dragon books for children:

Book two, Sir Princess Petra’s Talent – The Pen Pieyu Adventures,                                      pre-release editions available here: http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781625106827

Sir Princess Petra's Talent - The Pen Pieyu Adventures

Sir Princess Petra’s Talent – The Pen Pieyu Adventures

Release date: Sept., 24, 2013, and will be available on B &N, Amazon, Goodreads, Booktopia, and all other major distributors.

Synopsis: Sir Princess Petra has already proven she is a kind and noble knight. This, however, does not please the king and queen—they want her to behave like a princess and forget this
silly knight nonsense of hers!
But when the king writes a new rule in the royal rule book that requires her to attend Talent School and acquire a princess talent certificate or suffer the spell of the royal magician, Petra, reluctantly, agrees to go. But who could have guessed what Sir Princess Petra’s Talent would be?

Kid Lit Review

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Reviewed by Kid Lit Reviews  http://kid-lit-reviews.com/

Sir Princess Petra The Pen Pieyu Adventures by Diane Mae Robinson

5 stars / 5 stars Princess Petra’s birthday request sends the court into a frenzy, but when she agrees to undertake a knight’s quest they can’t stop her. Armed with a cake knife and outfitted in the best royal pots and pans, Petra sets off to face a dragon and win her real armor before encountering a bog witch, and an army of the kingdom’s worst enemies. Will Petra’s kindness and acceptance prove to be more valuable than weapons and armor?

Petra is the Princess of Pen Pieyu. It is September ninth, Petra’s ninth birthday, more appropriately called her “royal birthday.” Her father, the King, tells Petra she can have “anything your heart desires.” So what does a little Princess choose? Diamonds? Jewels? Barbie’s Palace? A Royal Playground? Nope, Petra decides she wants to become a knight. The King tells her she cannot because not only is she a Princess, she is a . . . girl.

“Where is it written that a girl cannot be a knight?” Petra asks. They check the Royal Rulebook and no, nothing about a girl not being a knight. Ah, but to be a knight, Petra must prove she is brave by performing an act of bravery. She chooses to quiet the howling dragon. Petra suits up in her temporary, makeshift armor and heads out to the Forest of Doom to hush Snarls.

Sir Princess Petra is one of those stories that will appeal to most everyone. It is charmingly funny. Petra sets out to prove she has what it takes to be a royal knight and proves she can do nearly anything. Snarles, the howling dragon, is endearing and lovable. If stuffed, sitting on a toy store shelf, every kid would want him. The story is short enough to be read in one sitting, say at bedtime. There are many opportunities for humorous, wacky, high-pitched voices, making Sir Princess Petra fun to read aloud. The author’s imagination is appropriately childlike. Petra is a child every parent will love. I know a child would have sweet, funny dreams after hearing mom or dad read this at bedtime.

Girls and boys will love this story. Girls will be able to relate to Petra, the girl who wants to break conventional female boundaries and enter into a male dominated career. Petra can encourage girls to become anything they choose, even when conventional wisdom, or a Royal Rulebook disagrees. Boys will love Snarls, the howling dragon and all the other Forest of Doom characters.

The illustrations are pencils drawings with wonderful shading and highlights. Petra is a strong character, yet the artist renders her sweetly, catching the child’s emotions perfectly. Snarls, the nasty, horrifying, dangerous dragon Petra sets out to conquer, looks the part until Petra sways him with her charms, and then helps him escape a predicament no one could expect. It is just one plot twist, which will entertain and amuse the reader. I hope Ms. Robinson continues her Pen Pieyu adventures.

Read more about Diane’s multi-award winning dragon books for children series: www.dragonbooks.com



Sir Princess Petra


Author:  Diane Mae Robinson
Illustrator: Samantha Kickingbird
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Publication Date: January 17, 2012


Number of Pages:  68


ISBN: 978-1-6134-6264-5


by KidLitReviews in 5stars, Debut Author, Library Donated Books, Middle Grade Tags: , ,, , , , 

































































































































					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Review from an author I greatly admire

			
						

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This is a book review of my book, Sir Princess Petra – The Pen Pieyu Adventure, from an author I greatly admire. Read more about Mark Simon Smith’s books right below the review.


5  / 5 *’s Highly Recommended Silly Adventure, November 29, 2012



This review is from: Sir Princess Petra (Pen Pieyu Adventures) (Perfect Paperback)


As an author, I greatly appreciate the whimsical qualities of Diane Mae Robinson’s work. Often times, it’s not enough to have a solid, well-written story when it comes to creating children’s books. There needs to be a bright sparkle that captures the child’s attention and pulls them along. So many times I’ve watched my son start a book and then put it down, just a few pages in, because there was no flash of color that kept him interested.


Robinson’s writing has it all and is a perfect read for that younger reader striking out on their own. I love her vivid descriptions and laugh-out-loud whimsy – it’s the exact same thing I strive to accomplish when writing.


Highly recommended.


Recently, I read and reviewed Mark Simon Smith’s book, Sir Nathan and the Quest for Queen Gobbledeegook. I became an instant fan. This book is the best children’s book I have read in many, many years–and believe me, I read a lot of children’s books. 5 / 5 http://www.dianemaerobinson.com/2012/11/book-review-sir-nathan-and-quest-for.html


Mark Simon Smith’s perfected writing and zany humor captures the reader in the first paragraph and takes them on a wonderful, incredible adventure that you don’t want to end.That is what a good book is all about!


I have received his second book, Sir Nathan and the Troublesome Task, and can’t wait to start it during the holidays. I will put up a review of this book, also.




For more information on Mark Simon Smith and his books, visit: http://somewhatsillystory.com/


Read more reviews on Diane’s multi-award winning dragon books for children series: www.dragonbooks.com


 
































































					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Another 5 Star Review For Sir Princess Petra

			
						

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Rating: 5.0 starsReviewed by Author Anna del C. Dye for Readers Favorite          “Sir Princess Petra” is a cute story for elementary school girls that will entertain them to no end. It is a well-presented and written book that will delight kids and their parents. “Sir Princess Petra” has nice drawings that will help your brain enjoy the tale more fully. I enjoyed the story and the fine work done by the author. This book is part of a new well-crafted series to collect and read with your children. Petra is a princess and her father is going to grant her a wish. She thinks and thinks until she finds her perfect desire. Petra would like to become a trusted and brave knight. Her parents try to persuade her to change her mind, but she does not. Even the book of rules can’t stop her from becoming the first princess knight in their kingdom. So, she goes on her quest alone, armed with a knife and a sack of onions. Her armor is made of pots and pans, because nothing in the royal armory fits her. Yet, she is brave and bold even after the hawks, bees, and dragons try to chase her back home. No, not even the crocodile can divert her from her path to knighthood.


The ‘Pen Pieyu Adventures’, of which “Sir Princess Petra” is one of the books, will provide hours of good, clean reading for your elementary school children. It is well-conceived and nicely written for their age level. I would recommend it for elementary school children, their teachers and parents alike. Well done.


BUY THE BOOK


http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007DKO8SK


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sir-princess-petra-diane-mae-robinson/1107150083?ean=9781613462645


http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61346-264-5






































































































					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
5 Star Review For Sir Princess Petra

			
						

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Rating: 5.0 starsReviewed by Stephanie Dagg for Readers Favorite




“Sir Princess Petra”by Diane Mae Robinson is a fun fairy tale for 4th to 6th graders and I am sure they will love it. The heroine, Petra, is a feisty young lady who is constantly driving her poor father to check the official royal rulebook since she pushes things to the limits. She surprises everyone by qualifying to become a Knight and in the process making friends with the frightening dragon Snarl. She also bests the pizza-faced witch and Nastybun and his puny knights and stops the howling dragon from howling without resorting to her sword. Onions and saucepans and other unusual implements play a key role in her victories, just one of the many humorous touches in this extremely likeable book. Another sweet part is where the witch has forgotten how to say the word ‘please’.




Although it is a fairy tale, there is substance to the story. At its heart is an unconventional heroine who constantly has to face up to the rules that everyone else accepts blindly. Petra does things her way and with panache. But she is scared at times and this is well-portrayed. Petra accepts her limitations, like the rules, but works either within or around them. There is a strong sense of right and wrong and fairness in the book, which is quite a pleasant change. Too often parents are unreasonable and stupid in children’s books, but here the king and queen allow their daughter the freedom to go and try and fight a dragon, and, since the rules permit it, eventually allow her to have Snarl as her royal steed. Pen Pieyu isn’t a bad place to live at all! This is a bright and breezy book, buoyed up by its humor and general pleasantness. Lovely illustrations too.


Sir Princess Petra – The Pen Pieyu Adventures