Writers of the Future Review

The future is here…the future is now!  Orson Scott Card, Kevin J. Anderson and Larry Niven have seen the future. Now, you can, too.

A constellation of the brightest lights in the Science Fiction and Fantasy firmament have judged these authors to be the best, the brightest, the truest emerging stars in the field.

From Alien Invasion to Alternate History, from Cyberpunk to Comic Fantasy to Post-Apocalyptic Worlds, these are the winning writers who have mastered every version and vision of sci-fi and fantasy.

Don’t be left behind. Get a read on what’s next.

“The Writers of the Future contest looks for people with the best imaginations who can see through the possibilities of the strangest and best ideas and tell stories that intrigue us and involve us.” —ORSON SCOTT CARD

Celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Writers of the Future contest and the 26th anniversary of the Illustrators of the Future contest

 

 

I was given the chance to review the latest Writers of the Future collection, volume 31 to be exact. This is a new genre for me to read as I am usually reading young adult novels or real life stories. Recently, my favorites have been Hollow City by Ransom Riggs, Spin by Catherine McKenzie, and various other stories. In addition to my favorites like My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, Peace, Love & Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle. As you can see, these are far from science fiction.

 

Since I was sent an advanced copy to read, I dove right in not knowing what to expect. I've watched Hunger Games and I've even sat down to watch Star Trek with my husband. That's as science fiction as it gets unless you count Men In Black. But books are far different from movies. I'm not going to give you a detailed description of each story in this collection as that would be cheating and giving it away. I want you to wait until May 4th so you can get this book for yourself and indulge in the mysteries that lay ahead of you. But I will give you some of my favorite aspects of it so you know what to expect.

 

The stories are from 25 award winning authors and they vary from story to story. It's a long book. Just shy of 500 pages actually. But the stories are very intriguing in which you end up finishing the book quicker then you would believe. Or, I just read fast and was very into it. Crazy, because I just told you about the books I read and science fiction was not on my list. So a couple of my favorite stories in the book involve illegal brain-enhancing drugs, sins must be forgiven or else the world ends, a girl who is haunted by ghosts of her past, and the sun exploding. Now doesn't that sound just incredible? I think what grasped me the most was knowing that this was all science fiction. Could it happen? Or was I just getting so caught up in the moment that I started questioning whether or not these stories could truly happen. The writers are incredible and they really keep you turning page by page finding out what happens next.

 

Another great thing I love about this collection is the illustrations. There are some really fascinating and amazing photos throughout the book. They are just as amazing as the stories within the book. They are incredible. I just can't say enough how talented the illustrators AND the writers are. I really want to tell you about some of my favorite stories in more detail but since the book hasn't been released yet, I really don't want to spoil it. I can say that every page will have you wanting more and it's hard to put the book down. I will say when you get the book, my favorite is called Stars That Make Dark Heaven Light. That is by far my favorite. And my favorite picture... Page 132.

 

But that's all I am going to share with you! The stories are good for young adults and adults. Honestly, if you have a middle aged student who is a mature reader, they would find this a good read as well. My husband, who is not a big reader, even has read a couple stories out of it. He is going to read more once I get my hands on a physical copy of the book. This is going to be a collection that I share with everyone for years to come.

 

Now that the physical description of the book has been reviewed, I want to tell you about another awesome event in which I plan on watching. It's the Writers of the Future awards ceremony. They'll be streaming right on their homepage, www.writersofthefuture.com or click HERE for a direct link. It starts at 6:30pm on April 12th. You should tune in so you can get an idea of the talented artists that helped contribute to this collection. Plus, it can sometimes be a tear jerker for these new artists to have their talent revealed and acknowledged for the first time. I'm looking forward to it!

 

Check out the videos below to get an idea of what to expect!

 



 

 

 

Come May, you will be able to purchase this collection on AMAZON 

or you can preorder at Barnes & Noble if you are a member.

 

 

*I was given this product to review for free in exchange for my honest opinion*

2 Jack Templar Monster Hunter Review

Orphan Jack Templar has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. The day before Jack's fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits...until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him. 

As if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly?  Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.

For Middle Grade readers and higher 

Fans of: Percy Jackson Series, Harry Potter and The Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine

 

When my 10 year old stepson came to visit for Thanksgiving, we made the rule no electronics. He is constantly on his Kindle Fire or watching tv while he is living with his mother so it wasn't surprising when she sent him with his Kindle. Therefore, the books and board games came out so we had no reason for any electronics. I myself can't stand to have the tv or computer on so it's nice having a good book to sit down and read. I read through a couple pages of Monster Hunter and was pleasantly surprised. For it being a young adult read, I found it interesting so I let my stepson read. He got pretty into it and even picked it up a couple of times when we didn't even tell him it was time to read. He isn't advanced for his age and is actually REALLY behind so the fact that he found it a good read and could understand it was great. I highly recommend this for anyone who would like a good read for their children.

 

You can purchase this on AMAZON

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

My Twins' First Christmas Book Review

My Twins' First Christmas

 

In this next adventure for Paris and her twin sisters, she teaches them about all of the Holiday activities surrounding Christmas, as well as a little bit about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

 

 

 This is a wonderful book for anyone looking for something holiday related for their youngsters to read. It's a colorful, well written story about twins (who also have a variety of other books) that experience multiple cultures in one, specifically Jewish celebrations and others like Kwanzaa. It's fun for the little ones to read and you can be happy knowing it is showing them other cultures. I highly recommend this to anyone with little ones.

 

You can purchase this on their WEBSITE or on AMAZON

 

 

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Haven Series Review + Giveaway

Haven Series Collection (Books 1 & 2) Known as a place of refuge, Haven is a sanctuary for those with supernatural abilities. Decades of peace between the Witches, Vampires, Goblins, Elves, and Orcs is coming to an end. Now the once tranquil world is shrouded in deception and corruption. Dark secrets tear at the very fabric of their alliance, giving way to an evil that stirs in the shadows. Exhilarating and utterly gripping, the HAVEN series is an action-packed journey full of suspense, magic, mystery, and intrigue.

A Stranger Magic (Book 1):
Sam Dalcome thinks he is so completely average that no one ever notices him. Until he discovers a mysterious stranger outside his home. Bewildered, he tries to uncover the stranger’s intentions. But Sam is sidetracked when he and his friend Travis discover a secret passageway deep in the town’s quarry that leads to a hidden cavern. What they uncover next will not only change their lives forever, but will uncover the first clue to a deadly Dalcome family secret. Sam finds himself drawn into a world of mystery and magic he never knew existed, which brings him closer to a destiny he never knew was possible. Get it today for FREE.

Revenge of the Viper (Book 2):
The Great War of Haven ended thirteen years ago but Alisa Dalcome is about to discover that the war did not end for her. Placed on Earth as a sleeper agent for the Majesty of Haven, Alisa had one objective—protect the portal keys at all costs. In the wrong hands the magical keys could jeopardize the safety of everyone on Haven. But Alisa’s relocation was more than just Majesty business; it was also a chance for her to escape her enemies, enemies that still wanted her dead. Alisa wasn’t thinking about herself when she left Haven, she was thinking about her children Sam and Sarah. The Great War had already taken her husband Rylan; she would be damned if she would let it take her children too. But what Alisa didn’t count on was her inquisitive son Sam and his friend Travis. Sam’s world has turned upside down after discovering magic is real. After barely escaping the caves Sam begins to piece together the past day’s events when he stumbles onto his mother’s secret past. With the clues mounting, Sam must dig deeper to uncover the truth that could change his life forever.
But Sam doesn’t realize that his mother’s past has already caught up with them. Hidden within the shadows nearby is Haven’s most malevolent predator—the Viper. A hunter forged from the blackest of magic, it watches, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Can Sam uncover the truth in time or will his mother’s past collide with the present placing them all in grave danger?

 

I am an avid reader and I like to read books that both relate to my own life but I also like ones that allow me to escape my own reality. After reading the Haven Series, I am really into this author and the writings. It was great to be able to feel like I was reading my own fantasy.  There are some main characters, Sam and his mother and sister. He doesn't have that ordinary of a life since there are some real deep family secrets that are explored. I won't tell you about that since I would give it away but the series flows very well and you aren't left hanging when you finish one book to the other. Both books quickly captured my attention and kept me wanting to read more. I put the kiddos to bed and stayed up entirely too late reading on my kindle app. 

 

Want to have a coyp for yourself? Leave a comment below with your favorite book you have EVER read (or multiple books if you have many favorites) and I will randomly choose a winner!

 

But don't fret, if you don't win, you can purchase the books on AMAZON.

 

 

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Cancer- 100 Things to Do Besides Chemo Review

Book Description: Stop feeling like a victim and regain the ability to control your life by choosing to live and to be healed

Cancer: 100 Things To Do Besides Chemo presents to those suffering from cancer a new option: stop feeling like victims and regain the ability to control their lives by choosing to live and be healed completely - and even spontaneously - from cancer.

 Michal Peleg is specializing today in Tetha Healing for a cancer cure as a method of short introversion in the healing process in order to help cancer patients to take responsibility on their treatment rather than waiting for the chemo to end.

 Michal was healed from cancer when she was only 22, after she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma stage 4. This book is a unique opportunity to learn from Michal and her active approach in the process of healing from cancer, rather than getting carried away with the events and letting things happen. In her belief, cancer has become a worldwide problem which suffers from too much information - an industry which offers so many methods, books, diets, treatments, and studies that claim to have the answer. This leads cancer patients on a long search full of uncertainty about a cure, which costs them valuable time. Despite all the information available today, Michal finds that the cure for cancer is within reach; we can find it faster than previously imagined -it is found within our minds and the lifestyle we choose to live. As simple as that.

 In essence, this book is a summary of the best paths and tips she learned along the way -the ones that have stayed with her and that she uses to this day, more than 15 years after being completely cured.
˃˃˃ Fast tips to consider
The book is short for a reason: to provide readers with fast tips to consider, steps to integrate into their lives, and habits to reconsider and change. Don’t underestimate a single step. Each of the steps, even the smallest, makes up an essential part of the whole equation of being healthy and happy forever.

˃˃˃ A tool of great importance
The book is a tool of great importance for any cancer patient, patients' families and their children, as well as doctors, nurses, and social workers.

 

I was diagnosed with a form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma a week before I turned 21 and then relapsed at 22 as well. It is hard being a young adult going through cancer but even harder when you don't know what the future holds. I went through 16 rounds of chemotherapy, tons and tons of medications, surgeries, and numerous hospitalizations. Unfortunately, we don't know what the future holds for side effects and the risks of secondary cancers from the treatment of my original cancer diagnosis and relapse. This book is short and sweet but tells you about different ways that you can help overcome cancer. It's not a cure. It's suggestions. There is no definitive that one thing will work for you but not the same for someone else. But it is saying that you are not limited in what you have to go through. There are a few things that I agree on but there are also a few things that I as a 2x cancer survivor would know I probably would avoid. I think everyone should read this book because it is great to get an understanding and give you ideas in case you are ever in the situation that I and many, many, others have been through. No your body, know your health but know your options...

 

 

You can purchase it on AMAZON

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.