THE ADVENTURES OF MITEE MITE by David John

We are thrilled to be hosting David John, author of the children's book series, The Adventures of Mitee Mite! David will be traveling the blogosphere with Pump Up Your Book January 2 - February 28. Leave a comment below to let him know you stopped by!

Title: THE ADVENTURES OF MITEE MITE SERIES
Author: David John
Publisher: Mitee Mite
Pages: 120 pages total in series
Genre: Children’s Picture Book

BOOK BLURB:

Building on a desire to teach children about time, shapes, measurements, and money, author David John created THE ADVENTURES OF MITEE MITE series. In the same way that many of us learned our ABCs, the book and app (available on Google Play and iTunes) collection helps young readers learn how many seconds are in a minute, the number of sides different shapes contain, and more, using a catchy tune that captures their attention and motivates learning.

Focusing on children from age 3 to 11 years old, THE ADVENTURES OF MITEE MITE book and app series offers its readers a dynamic female superhero, Mitee Mite, as their guide through the often tricky terrain involved with mastering time, shapes, measurements, and money. In her matching red cape and boots, Mitee Mite, accompanied by her alarm clock sidekick, Terry the Ticker, activates her superpowers by using her manners, respecting others, and accurately answering questions in the games she encounters during her adventures.

The five books in THE ADVENTURES OF MITEE MITE book and app series include The Time Frame Game and The Time Frame Game Advanced, which break down seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and years to teach readers the fundamentals of time. The Measuring Game explores the components of feet, yards, and miles, as well as cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. Mitee Mite teaches kids about currency in The Money Game and dives into a colorful world of triangles, squares, hexagons, and more in The Shape Game. The companion song for this series (available at www.miteemite.com) helps kinds absorb the skills in an enjoyable and interactive way.

           

The idea for THE ADVENTURES OF MITEE MITE book and app series came about when David was faced with a dire challenge. “One day as I was babysitting my friends’ children, and not having any idea what to do, I made up fun games to help them learn,” David revealed. The goal of the series is to expose children to a variety of lessons in a manner that is fun, relatable, and memorable. David says, “Mitee Mite was created to help give children a head start on the basics of time, measurements, shapes, and money.”

David’s daughter, whom he calls his “Little Mite,” is the inspiration for the main character and the themes of the series. David’s desire to teach his daughter the basic skills featured in THE ADVENTURES OF MITEE MITE book and app series has expanded into the goal of sharing these lessons with other children through his “You Buy, They Read” program. “We plan to give away one book for every one bought to kids in need.” In addition, David will donate $1 for every $2 of the gross sales of apps to teachers “who are going into their own pockets to buy supplies.”

Review:   Positively love these little books. They are great for teaching young children. There is a question on one page, with several possible answers, and then the answer is given on the following page. Each page contains vibrant illustrations to hold a child's attention.  I'm always on the lookout for books that are educational, to share with my grandchildren, and this series is wonderful for them.

Rating: Five stars

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Book Trailer:

About the Author

David John is the author of The Adventures of Mitee Mite book and app series. The series follows the adventures of superhero Mitee Mite and her sidekick, Terry the Ticker. The five titles in the series are The Time Frame Game (Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-9860919-0-2; Softcover ISBN: 978-0-9860919-6-4), The Measuring Game (Softcover ISBN: 978-0-9860919-2-6), The Money Game (Softcover ISBN: 978-0-9860919-4-0), The Shape Game (Softcover ISBN: 978-0-9860919-3-3), and The Time Frame Game Advanced (Softcover ISBN: 978-0-9860919-5-7). Complementary apps for each book are available on Google Play and iTunes.  The companion song is available at the website:  www.miteemite.com.

David lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife and daughter. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing hockey, and creating new stories for The Adventures of Mitee Mite book and app series.

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Murder On Moon Trek 1 (A Sylvia Stryker Outer Space Mystery) by Diane Vallere

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Cozy mystery, space opera

Series: Outer Space Mysteries

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Polyester Press (December 17, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1939197406
• ISBN-13: 978-1939197405

Synopsis: When space academy dropout Sylvia Stryker hacks her way into the position of Uniform Inventory Manager aboard the Moon Unit 5, she jumps at the chance to leave her small planet behind. But when the ship's second navigation officer is found dead in the uniform closet shortly after departing the space station, Sylvia's problems become bigger than falsified test results. And when her supervisor places her on probation for her own uniform infraction, she's at risk of being dropped off at the nearest substation. Juggling red shirts, white lies, and an army of little green men, Sylvia has to expose a killer before the Moon Unit 5 becomes space dust.

Review:  This is a great first story in what promises to be a fabulous new series.  The main character is reminiscent of those in other series by the author, in that she has a flair for fashion and a curiosity to solve mysteries around her. However, this character is from another planet, is PURPLE, and solves her mysteries in space.

When I read the description of this book/series, I was curious whether the author would be able to do it justice, as it seemed so far removed from her other series. However, after reading the entire book, I have no more doubts. Even though I'm not much of an expert in space travel, all the details felt realistic to me, with nothing that glaringly jumped out and said NO WAY!!

I love Sylvia, the main character, as well as the supporting characters, and look forward to more of their adventures.

Rating: Five stars

About the author

I grew up reading both Trixie Belden mysteries and Vogue magazine and learned how to spot a counterfeiting ring and accessorize a wardrobe. Now I use that knowledge to dream up plots for the Samantha Kidd, Madison Night, Material Witness, and Costume Shop mystery series. I still love accessories, only now some of them are accessories to murder.

Reindeer Roundup (Zoe Donovan #27) by Kathi Daley

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Cozy mystery

Series: Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 15, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1977500765
• ISBN-13: 978-1977500762

Synopsis:  It's funny, it's family, it's a Zak and Zoe Christmas Mystery.

A reindeer invasion, baby on the way, small-town decked out for the holidays, and a killer on the loose, all come together in this fun and heartwarming Christmas Cozy Mystery.

Review:  Another great story in this series! As usual, Zac has gone all out with the Christmas decorations, including getting 8 reindeer for the celebration in town. Zoe is 9 months pregnant, and missing Zac, who has had to fly to Paris to care for his mother who was involved in a suspicious accident there.

Meanwhile, an old friend of Zoe's is found dead (a body she didn't stumble upon for once!) and while she wants to find the killer, she also wants to protect baby Catherine, so she takes a less active role in this case, generally taking someone else along when she is talking to possible suspects. 

Along with trying to solve the murder, she is worried about getting the 8 reindeer rounded up again before Zac gets home...and concerned that the baby will come before then as well.

I love this series, and I enjoy the changes which seem to be on the horizon for this family. I have a feeling Alex is going to start taking a more active role in solving cases, as she did a fabulous job in this one.

Can't wait to see what book #28 has to offer!!

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. 
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries. 

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf). 

2017 Literary Escapes Challenge--Year End Update

Challenge – Try to read 1 book set in each of the 50 states + the District of Columbia. (51 Points). If you complete the challenge you earn 50 Bonus Points. You also can earn Bonus Points for books set in Countries around the world. 1 Bonus Point for each country. (No repeats – only 1 point can be earned for each country.) Your books can be fiction or non-fiction and can be in any format, print, digital, audio. 


Alabama--To Kill A  Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Alaska--Finding Justice by Kathi Daley

Arizona--Sprinkle With Murder by Jenn McKinlay

Arkansas--Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women Of Little Rock by David Margolick

California--Scheduled To Death by Mary Feliz

Colorado--Fatality By Firelight by Lynn Cahoon

Connecticut--Pick Your Potion by C.C. Dragon

Delaware--Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

District of Columbia--Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich

Florida--Child's Play by Merry Jones

Georgia--15 Minutes by Larissa Reinhart

Hawaii--Murder At Turtle Cove by Kathi Daley

Idaho--Blue Heaven by C.J. Box

Illinois--Life After by Katie Ganshert

Indiana--When The Grits Hit The Fan by Maddie Day

Iowa--Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World by Vicki Myron

Kansas--Brake Failure by Alison Brodie

Kentucky--A Ghostly Mortality by Tonya Kappes

Louisiana--A Fatal Romance by June Shaw

Maine--Telling Tails by Sofie Ryan

Maryland--Courtyard Corpse by Sherry Lodge

Massachusetts--The Witch And The Dead by Heather Blake

Michigan--My Perfect Imperfections by Jalpa Williby

Minnesota-- 

Mississippi--

Missouri-- 

Montana--Vangie Vale and the Murdered Macaron by R.L. Syme

Nebraska-- 

Nevada--Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay

New Hampshire--It's Always The Husband by Michele Campbell

New Jersey--

New Mexico--The Night Journal by Elizabeth Crook

New York-- 

North Carolina--Purr M For Murder by T.C. LoTempio

North Dakota--Badlands by C. J. Box

Ohio--Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda

Oklahoma--Gone With The Wings by Leena Clover

Oregon--The Shadow by Kathi Daley

Pennsylvania-- 

Rhode Island--Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

South Carolina--What She Inherits by Diane V. Mulligan

South Dakota--These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Tennessee--The Big Overnight by Libby Kirsch

Texas--Say Goodbye For Now by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Utah--

Vermont--The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian

Virginia--

Washington--A Winter's Tail by Kathi Daley

West Virginia-- 

Wisconsin--Avery: The Case Against Steven Avery and What "Making a Murderer" Gets Wrong by Ken Kratz

Wyoming--Open Season by C.J. Box


International Settings
Canada--Holiday Hangover by Kathi Daley
Italy--A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay
Greece--Evanthia's Gift by Effie Kammenou
France--Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Egypt--Exodus 95 by Kfir Luzzatto
England--I Found You by Lisa Jewell
Australia--The Secret Daughter by Kelly Rimmer

Love, Secrets and Absolution by K.L. Lovely

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Family life, coming of age

Paperback: 280 pages

• Publisher: Globeflower Books (November 1, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1999829409
• ISBN-13: 978-1999829407

Synopsis: People in the village gossip about Grace’s son, Alfie. 

He’s a lonely boy full of secrets, lies, and obsessive thoughts. 

How far can a mother’s love go? Will she ultimately sacrifice her life for his? 

Set in Nottinghamshire, this family drama follows the lives of Grace and Alfie as he transforms from a naïve, young boy into a teenager spiraling out of control. 

Love, Secrets, and Absolution is a coming of age story with a difference. 

Deceit, betrayal, love, and addiction, a family falling apart in the midst of teenage angst and torn loyalties; will anybody find absolution? 

Review: This book is the story of a family of a child with Asperberger's Syndrome. Although we don't learn exactly what makes Alfie so different until he is a college student, I had a strong suspicion much sooner based on his behaviors and his feelings.

The book has chapters from the point of view of Grace (the mother), Alfie (the child) and Paul (the father). I loved the chapters from Alfie's point of view as an infant and toddler--they were definitely a new perspective on things.

Reading all the challenges this family went through over the years and seeing how each of them dealt with those challenges (too much trying to keep things from the others, in my opinion!), was a deeply emotional experience. 

The ending is very realistic, giving the reader hope for Alfie's future without tying everything up in a neat little bow.

I received an ARC of this work from the author and publisher, with no expectation of a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Rating: Five stars

About the author

 K.L Loveley is an exciting new author whose debut novel, ‘Alice’ was published in February 2017. Her love of writing began with a gift of a five-year lockup diary at the age of seven and she has never stopped writing since. In addition to writing novels, the author writes poetry and will be sharing some of these on her blog.

She lives with her husband in a quaint village in Nottinghamshire and enjoys walking and cycling in the famous Sherwood Forest. The author and her husband own a narrowboat and spend time navigating the British waterways. She spends many cozy evenings on her boat writing additional novels which will be released in the future.

BLOG TOUR: The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Book Information

Genre: Thriller

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (January 9, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1250130921
• ISBN-13: 978-1250130921

Synopsis: "A jaw-dropping psychological thriller." —Publishers Weekly, starred review 

"Fiendishly clever...in the vein of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train. This one will keep you guessing." –Anita Shreve, New York Times bestselling author of The Stars are Fire

When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.
You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love. 
You will assume you know the anatomy of this tangled love triangle.
Assume nothing.

Twisted and deliciously chilling, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's The Wife Between Us exposes the secret complexities of an enviable marriage - and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.

Read between the lies.

Review: This story has more surprises than Christmas morning! Every time you think you know what's happening, and why, the entire story gets turned upside down. 

When the story begins, it appears to be about the perfect couple with the perfect marriage, until issues begin to surface and the husband leaves for someone else, whom he plans to make his third wife. The further you go into the story, however, the darker it becomes, with twists and turns continuing all the way to the very last page.

Since finishing this book, I have read that it has been optioned for a movie, which is one that will definitely go on my must-watch list. 

It's difficult to say too much about this one without giving away the story, but I will say that I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense-filled thrillers.

Rating: Four stars

About the authors

Greer Hendricks spent over two decades as an editor. Her writing has been published in The New York Times and Publishers Weekly. The Wife Between Us is her first novel.


 Sarah is the mother of three young boys, which explains why she writes part of her novels at Chuck E. Cheese. Sarah penned her first book, Miscellaneous Tales and Poems, at the age of 10. When publishers failed to jump upon this literary masterpiece (hey, all the poems rhymed!) Sarah followed up by sending them a sternly-worded letter on Raggedy Ann stationery. Sarah still has that letter and carries it to New York every time she has meetings with her publisher, as a reminder that dreams do come true. 

Her website is www.sarahpekkanen.com and please find her on Facebook Instagram and Twitter @sarahpekkanen!

Find purchase links, more teaser trailers, and more information about the authors here.

BOOK TOUR AND GIVEAWAY: Honey-Baked Homicide (Down South Cafe Mystery #3) by Gayle Leeson

Honey-Baked Homicide (A Down South Café Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 

3rd in Series 

Setting - Virginia 

Berkley (December 5, 2017) 

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages 

ISBN-13: 978-1101990827 

E-Book ASIN: B06XJM6VGH 

 

Synopsis: The owner of a delightful Southern café tastes the sharp sting of suspicion in this delectable comfort food mystery . . . It’s fall in Winter Garden, Virginia, and business at Amy Flowers’ Down South Café has never been better. So when struggling beekeeper Stuart Landon asks Amy to sell some of his honey, she’s happy to help. The jars of honey are a sweet success, but their partnership is cut short when Amy discovers Landon’s body outside the café early one morning. As Amy tries to figure out who could possibly have wanted to harm the unassuming beekeeper, she discovers an ever-expanding list of suspects—and they’re all buzzing mad. She’ll have to use all of her skills—and her Southern charm—to find her way out of this sticky situation...

Review: This is the third book in the series, and each one has been more exciting than the last. Each book is also easily read as a stand-alone novel if you prefer.

Amy Flowers is an independent, strong-willed woman with a fascinating array of family and friends surrounding her. I love that one of her customers, Homer, has a new hero every day whom he shares with Amy over his breakfast, along with a memorable quote from the day's hero. I have taken to writing down my favorite quotes to memorize them.

The murder victim in this story was a quiet, unassuming man who was hiding from his past and attempting to protect his family from harm--and was passionate about beekeeping and bees. When we meet his children and his nephew after his death, as well as a neighbor who seems suspicious, there is no shortage of suspects.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is a cozy mystery fan.

Rating: Four stars

About the Author

Gayle Leeson is a pseudonym for Gayle Trent. I also write as Amanda Lee. As Gayle Trent, I write the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb Mystery series. As Amanda Lee, I write the Embroidery Mystery series.

The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The heroine, Daphne, has returned to her hometown of Brea Ridge to open a cake baking and decorating business and is wrestling with the question of whether or not one can go home again. She enjoys spending time with her sister, nephew, and niece, but she and her mother have a complicated relationship that isn’t always pleasant. Daphne has also reconnected with her high school sweetheart and is pursuing a rekindled romance while desperately trying to put her past behind her.

Kerry Vincent, Hall of Fame Sugar Artist, Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show Director, and Television Personality says the series is “a must read for cake bakers and anyone who has ever spent creative time in the kitchen!”

Says Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author, “One day I found myself happily reading . . . mysteries by Gayle Trent. If she can win me over . . . she’s got a great future.”

The Embroidery Mystery series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop. Marcy Singer left her home in San Francisco, along with the humiliation of being left at the altar, in order to move to Tallulah Falls and realize her dream of owning her own shop. She takes along her faithful companion, a one-year-old Irish wolfhound named Angus O’Ruff. She makes many new friends in Tallulah Falls, but she also makes a few enemies. Thankfully, her best friend Sadie MacKenzie and her husband Blake run the coffeehouse right down the street from Marcy’s shop, the Seven-Year Stitch; and Detective Ted Nash always has her back.

Publishers Weekly says, “Fans of the genre will take kindly to Marcy, her Irish wolfhound, Angus O’Ruff, and Tallulah Falls. This is a fast, pleasant read with prose full of pop culture references and, of course, sharp needlework puns.”

Pat Cooper of RT Book Reviews says, “If her debut here is any indication, Lee’s new series is going to be fun, spunky and educational. She smoothly interweaves plot with her character’s personality and charm, while dropping tantalizing hints of stitching projects and their history. Marcy Singer is young, fun, sharp and likable. Readers will be looking forward to her future adventures.” (RT Book Reviews nominated The Quick and the Thread for a 2010 Book Reviewers’ Choice Award in the Amateur Sleuth category)

I live in Virginia with my family, which includes her own “Angus” who is not an Irish wolfhound but a Great Pyrenees who provides plenty of inspiration for the character of Mr. O’Ruff. I'm having a blast writing this new series!

Webpage: http://www.gayleleeson.com http://www.gayletrent.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GayleTrentandAmandaLee/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GayleTrent 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gayletrent/pins/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayletrentleeson/ 

Purchase Links:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Books-A-Million
• Indiebound

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS 

December 4 – Bibliophile Reviews -  REVIEW, GUEST POST 

December 4 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT 

December 4 – The Montana Bookaholic - SPOTLIGHT 

December 5 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews  - REVIEW 

December 5 – A Holland Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST 

December 6 – Celticlady's Reviews - SPOTLIGHT 

December 6 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT 

December 7 – Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder - REVIEW, RECIPE 

December 7 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW   

December 8 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW 

December 8 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – INTERVIEW 

December 9 – The Power of Words – REVIEW 

December 9 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW, RECIPE 

December 9 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW 

December 10 – Bookworm Cafe – REVIEW 

December 10 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews - REVIEW, GUEST POST 

December 11 –Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW 

December 11 – The Ninja Librarian - REVIEW, INTERVIEW 

December 12 – Varietats – REVIEW 

December 12 – A Chick Who Reads - REVIEW 

December 13 – Brooke Blogs - SPOTLIGHT 

December 13 – My Reading Journeys - REVIEW 

December 14 – StoreyBook Reviews - REVIEW 

December 14 – Valerie's Musings - GUEST POST 

December 15 – Melina's Book Blog - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 

December 15 – Book Babble – REVIEW 

December 16 – Sapphyria's Books – REVIEW 

December 16 – Laura's interests – CHARACTER GUEST POST 

December 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW 

December 17 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 

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