Follower Love Giveaway Hop

It's time for some follower love. And what better month than February. Thanks to I'm A Reader, Not A Writer and Rachel Renee Anderson for hosting.  I'm going to make this short (ish) and sweet. 

I love middle grade and young adult books. 

I love shopping for...middle grade and young adult books. 

So for my giveaway I'll buy you a, you guessed it, middle grade or young adult book! (up to $25.00 CDN) from Book Depository.  The give-away is international, just be sure Book Depository delivers to you.

The only thing I ask is:

-leave  comment with contact information (email)

-tell me what book you'd like

Happy Hopping to you and here's the link back to the list of participating blogs!

MMGM-Quest for the Secret Keeper by Victoria Laurie

Welcome to another MMGM, compliments of writing and blogging rockstar Shannon Whitney Messenger! Today I am recommending a book that is coming out next week, THE SECRET KEEPER by Victoria Laurie. It was my privilege to be able to read the digital ARC compliments of Net Galley and Random House Books for Kids.


From Indie Bound:
Delphi Keep is awash in activity, and for Ian, Theo, and Carl, their safe haven might be nearing its end. The Royal Navy has taken the keep to use as a hospital and the tunnels running under the keep and the castle are ideal to set up a central communications outpost for the approaching war. The earl is happy to help the effort, but now the keep is no longer safe for the orphans and they must be evacuated to his winter residence.
Ian, Theo, and Carl know that if they're sent away, they'll no longer be protected. But more important than their safety is deciphering the third prophecy. All clues point to a quest. The orphans don't know where they must go, but they know they must rescue the Secret Keeper.
To do that, however, they need to work out who this Secret Keeper is. And what, exactly are the secrets he's keeping?


I will be recommending my library orders a copy of this entire series. We were just talking about good series for middle grade (and I'd go up to 14 on this, depending on the reader-think Pendragon) I will be buying my own, as well. From the opening scene where the groundwork for the mystery and myth is laid and the opening chapter where we are transported to 1940 and the Delphi Orphanage, the 12 year old me was in my glory.  I am a big fan of orphans with mysterious backgrounds taking on the forces of evil. So put those two together and I'm hooked.  The author's storytelling voice sparkled for me. I often found myself reading it out loud so I could hear the tale unfold (true this is!). This is a book I'd recommend for the school and public library of couse--and one that would do well read out loud in the classroom. Set on the world stage of World War Two only adds to the texture and, of course, the action. Fast paced, dramatic...heart stopping. Dark times abound in the real and fantasy world as Ian, Theo and Carl set out to save themselves, the orphanage-all of us! Best part is, beginning February 14, you can hand over all three books in the series to your readers!


And finally. I never read series books out of order, but I started this one before it dawned on me, oh yes, this is a series. I could not stop reading, I was pulled in I tell you. Happy MMGM all. And for your continued blog hoping pleasure:


Shannon Whitney Messenger (a.k.a. Fearless Leader)-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author
Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Danika Dinsmore-The Accidental NovelistShannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn
Gina Carey
T.L. Conway
Andrea Mack

#Wipmadness-Check In February 6, 2012

It's time for our first check in of the month! Thought I would start us off with a quote. Found it yesterday, it gave me a wow moment.


Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall-Ray Bradbury



Hope your #wipmadness is moving along and you feel as though you've got the upper hand. Had some pretty crazy goals (still do) set for this month and now that I've spent some time with them, realize that I am in need of revising them. To that end I won't be taking part in the PB MARATHON. The one where you write a picture book everyday. What was I thinking? Not sure. On the other hand I have a new PB to work on for 12 X 12. Other #wipmadness success was working on my synopsis for HAPPY MEDIUM and tweaking the opening 5 pages so I can get it sent out to for the Western Washington Annual SCBWI Conference.

Still working on the editor in my head. Don't need her quite yet, so she really needs to back off!

Also got going on taking advantage of small nuggets of time Lora Rivera even came up with a twitter tag for it. #5minblitz. Got two good sessions in on that. Helps quiet you know who.

This week is about:
-working on second draft of the PB mentioned above and getting it to my crit buddies
-finishing synopsis and first 5 for HM
-starting writing course and keeping up

How about all of you? How did it go? Do you have a particular focus between now and next Monday?

Here is to a week of jumping and spreading those wings!

# Wipmadness-February!

It's time to write like with passion in the month of February and I have two very specific goals.

1) Break down the critic who has taken a room in my head. I've been busier than usual and didn't realize that sneaky editor had moved in and slooowed me way down.

2)Take full advantage of short chunks of time. Five minutes, ten minutes, thirty. Years ago when the children were littles and still at home and I worked f/t and ran my storytelling company and...(well you get the picture) I could grab moments here and there and write. Up until recently I had all day, night, weekends and didn't have to do that. With a full time job, blogging, reading and a few other things I want that skill set back!

So-I am taking a course, committed to 12 by 12 (12 picture books in a year-drafts), AND taking part in Picture Book a Day in February and working on the second draft of HAPPY MEDIUM. It sounds like a lot but am figuring it will break down the critter in my head and _make_ me use full advantage of short spurts of time if I want to get it done and get ready for #wipmadness March with Denise Jaden and her team!

Either that or I am a total maniac.

What about you? Goals for #wipmadness February

Looking back for inspiration in January from Angelina:

Angelina C. Hansen: Wipmadness

Go Team WIPMADNESS!

2012 WIPMADNESS and Angelina C. Hansen

The fabulous Angelina got #wipmadness rolling again in January. The following is her kickoff post:

Angelina C. Hansen: A little 2012 WIPMADNESS Anyone?:

I'd highly recommend reading her Monday check in posts (and the comments too!) for inspiration and that push to carry on into February. If you've never taken part-it might be something to try.

In March Denise Jaden will be hosting the annual biggie for #wipmadness. It's crazy good time of writing, inspiration, daily checkins, prizes, being in cyber with other writers. So do watch out for that!

And I am happy to be the host for February. I have a major middle grade rewrite I am working on, plus the first draft of a picture book and I'm taking a course.

Still a day left in January so...go #wipmadness team GO!!! See you all on Monday for the first February Check In.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Skyfall by Michael Dahl

Do you ever start reading a book and you just know it's going to be good? And you are right. In fact, the book gets better and better as the plot flys along, twists, turns and takes you on an adventure filled ride that makes you feel you are right there with the characters? Skyfall by Michael Dahl is such a book. If you are not afraid of some late night battles for the planet, complete with trolls and other scary moments, this book is for you and your kids.

More from the publisher's website:


Far above the small town of Zion Falls, the stars fall from the sky. Deep below the sleepy city, an ancient evil awakens. Caught in the middle are four teens with hidden powers beyond their wildest dreams.


Of course this book had me from the description, so it was great that it did not disappoint my inner 10 year old. And happily there are more in this series. Very glad I was still able to read this in adobe reader. Thanks to Stone Arch and Net Galley!


Ready for some more middle grade marverlous-ness? Head over to Shannon Messenger's blog
to see who is talking about what books. You can also click here for my list of MMGM posters. Happy blog hopping and growing your middle grade to read piles!


Speaking of growing your to read piles or in this case...reading them. I'd love if you could join in for a read-a-thon. OH MG YA Canada to be exact. Going to spend a week (Mar 4- March 11) reading middle grade and young adult written by Canadian Authors. You can sign up now and I will be adding suggestions (in case you are looking) of authors and books to read throughout February. There is another Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon taking place in June so stay tuned for that, as well.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-POPULAR CLONE by M.E. Castle

Here is the book: Meet Fisher Bas: 12 years-old, growth-stunted, a geeky science genius, and son of the Nobel Prize-winning creators of the Bas-Hermaphrodite-Sea-Slug-Hypothesis. No surprise: Fisher isn't exactly the most popular kid in his middle-school, tormented daily by the beefy, overgrown goons he calls The Vikings. But he senses relief when he comes upon the idea of cloning himself--creating a second Fisher to go to school each day while he stays at home playing video games and eating cheetos with ketchup. It's an ingenious plan that works brilliantly, until Fisher's clone turns out to be more popular than him--and soon after gets clone-napped by the evil scientist Dr. Xander. (fr. IndieBound.Org)
Here is a review from Kirkus:

POPULAR CLONE by M.E. Castle | Kirkus Book Reviews

Here is the website: The Clone Chronicles by M.E. Castle

Here is my advice: Get thee on a library waiting list (or recommend your public library purchase this one). Or go get your own copy January 24. Why? This was a totally readable middle school novel about dealing with bullies and believing in yourself no matter what, that kicks in with some good humour and over the top science and invention that had me wanting more with each page turn. (whoa, long sentence?) Fisher hates school, hate it and would do anything to not go. When his parents aren't convinced he should be going to Stanford quite yet, Fisher comes up with another plan. Makes a clone! The log notes Fisher shares as he creates his clone are hilarious and the ground work the author lays out for you prior to this is wonderfully done. You will not doubt for a minute that Fisher can do this. Take all of that, mix in some espionage and a build to a climax that is thrilling, shocking and fast paced. Just the kind of climax that requires a super hi-tech hero, Fisher Bas, his clone, Two and a pet pig who flies.

Here is a list of bloggers who've been known to share some MMGM marvelousness:


Shannon Whitney Messenger (a.k.a. Fearless Leader)-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author
Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Danika Dinsmore-The Accidental Novelist
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn
Gina Carey