Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Tegon MausMachines Of the Little People by Tegon Maus:


Publisher:  Tirgearr Publishing (April 20, 2014)
Category: Mystery, Soft Science Fiction, Technothriller, Humor, Quirky
ASIN:  B00JU2VOGS
Tour Date: Oct/Nov, 2015
Available in: ebook, 166 Pages

Ben Harris’s sister died of cervical cancer more than three years ago… his best friend and her husband, Roger Keswick, disappeared the day before the funeral. For the next six months everyone from the local police to the Department of Defense searched for him but to no avail… it was as if he had simply fallen off the face of the planet only to reappear at work as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

Then by the purest of coincidences Ben finds himself pulled back into Roger’s life only to discover he has remarried… to Jessica… a woman the looks, sounds and acts just like his dead sister. To complicate things Roger is insistent his home, his car, his life is infested with tiny elf like creatures he calls the Katoy. He claims they run massive machines under his house and watch his every move… every move that is until Jessica is found bludgeoned to death in his living room and Roger is nowhere to be found . . . again.

My Thoughts On Machines Of the Little People by Tegon Maus:


Ben’s sister, Kate dies of cervical cancer and her husband, Roger, also Ben’s best friend, disappears before the funeral.  There is an ongoing search for Roger but after six months he just shows up, out of the blue, with a new wife.  Her name is Jessica and she is a dead ringer for Kate!  

There are also strange things going on at Rogers house and he himself is acting crazy.  He says that there are little people, he calls Katoy under his house.  He claims they run machines under his house and watch his every move.  He tries to show both Ben and the police the Katoy under his house but they don’t hear or see anything.  

Then Jessica is found dead in their living room and once again, Roger has disappeared.  Has he gone totally bonkers?

Mean while, Ben has his own problems to deal with.  His car, which he calls Margaret is now his best friend and she breaks down.  He has a condition called B.C.E.D (Bio-chemical electrical discharge) that causes devices to act strange or not work at all.  

The plot is intricate and creative and the characters are Tegon Maus’s trademark, quirky characters.  Perhaps even more quirky than the other two books of his I have had the pleasure to read. This book has it all!  There are conspiracies, mysteries, psychics, little people and their machines.  Of course there is Maus trademark sense of humor as well.  his quirky characters and humor make me laugh out loud, big belly laughs.

If you haven’t read anything by Tegon Maus, this would be a good place to start.  It is book one in ‘The Eve Project’ series. Of course if you have read some of his books, don’t miss ‘Machines of the Little People’!

5/5

I received this ebook for my honest review.

Praise for Machines Of the Little People by Tegon Maus:


“Tegon Maus is an author that I read when I need a wild and crazy ride! His characters are always so quirky and unique. I am pretty sure I’ve never encountered the type of characters that are in these books in any other books! They’re hilariously flawed and extremely well-developed. They could just walk off the page…though you wouldn’t want them to.  I just absolutely recommend this science fictiony type of book to those of you who appreciate great, quirky characters and wild, conspiracy theory type plots. I am seriously glad that I was introduced to his writing.”-Christy Maurer, Christy’s Crazy Corners

“As the saying goes, it takes all sorts. This is certainly the case with the characters in this story. As this story unfolds the characters are all so amazing, from psychic elderly ladies, to nine ‘sisters’ and sinister spy like characters and agents. Then, if that is not exciting enough, add to the equation a blossoming love affair, secret research projects and deadly weapons and you soon come to realise that this book is captivating from the first page.
Oh, and don’t forget those little people – and their machines…”-Susan Keefe, Book Reviews by Susan Keefe

“The SF angle was pretty neat, but the mystery is what drives the story. The characters come alive, and the writing is fast-paced and exciting, keeping the reader turning the pages.”- Virginia E. Johnson, Amazon Reviewer

About Tegon Maus:Tegon Maus


Tegon Maus was raised pretty much the same as everyone else… devoted mother, strict father and all the imaginary friends he could conjure. Not that he wasn’t friendly, he just wasn’t “people orientated”. Maybe he lived in his head way more than he should have, maybe not. He liked machines more than people, at least he did until I met his wife.

The first thing he can remember writing was for her. For the life of him he can’t remember what it was about… something about dust bunnies under the bed and monsters in my closet. It must have been pretty good because she married him shortly after that. He spent a good number  of years chasing other dreams before he got back to writing.

It wasn’t a deliberate conscious thought, it was more of a stepping stone. His wife and himself had joined a dream interpret group and we were encouraged to write down our dreams as they occurred. “Be as detailed as you can,” we were told.

He was thrilled. If there is one thing he enjoys it’s making people believe him and he likes to exaggerate. Not a big exaggeration or an outright lie mind you, just a little step out of sync, just enough so you couldn’t be sure if it were true or not.  When he writes, he always write with the effort of “it could happen” very much in mind and nothing, he guarantees you, nothing, makes him happier.

He has consistently placed in the top 3 in 189 writing contest in a variety of genres and has been featured in magazines a couple of times to raise money for Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Tegon Maus Website: http://www.tegonmaus.com/
Author on Tirgearr Website: http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Maus_Tegon/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TegonMaus
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Tegon-Maus/150255051766767
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/tegon/tegon-maus/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/101974688416833509592/posts

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Giveaway of Machines Of the Little People by Tegon Maus:


There is still time to enter the giveaway of the book.  You can enter at: https://theteddyrosebookreviewsplusmore.com/2015/10/book-tour-giveaway-machines-of-the-little-people-by-tegon-maus.html#.Vi3ArberS70

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The Self-Taught Cook Nov 25 Excerpt & Giveaway

Deal Sharing Aunt Nov  27 Interview

Tegan Maus

Virginia PyeThanks to Caitlin Hamilton Summie of Unbridled Books, I am giving away one print copy of Dreams Of the Red Phoenix by Virginia Pye.

Description of Dreams Of the Red Phoenix by Virginia Pye:


During the dangerous summer of 1937, a newly widowed American missionary finds herself and her teenage son caught up in the midst of a Japanese invasion of North China and the simultaneous rise of Communism. Meanwhile a charismatic Red Army officer requests her help and seems to have shared some surprising secret about her husband.

Shirley must manage her grief even as she navigates between her desire to help the idealistic Chinese Reds fight the Japanese by serving as a nurse and the need to save both herself and her son by escaping the war-ravaged country before it’s too late.

Taking her own grandmother’s life as inspiration, Virginia Pye, author of the critically-acclaimed debut novel River of Dust, has written a stunning new novel of Americans in China on the cusp of World War II.

My Thoughts on Dreams Of the Red Phoenix by Virginia Pye:


In 1937 Shirley, an American woman is left in North China with her Teen-aged son, Charles when her Reverend husband dies in an accident.  She mourns for a very long time.  However, one day a bunch of Chinese end up on her door step trying to escape certain death from the Japanese invaders.  Many are injured and since Shirley use to be a nurse, she sets up a hospital in her house.  

Meanwhile the head Reverend is making plans for all of the Americans in the complex to go back to the U.S. soon.  They are not part of the war but they also know that they won’t be safe for much longer in China.

While Shirley tends to the wounded, her son, Charles is left to his own devises.  As happens with most teenagers, he gets into mischief.  A very dangerous situation with the Japanese presence.    However, he also does a lot of growing up which, Shirley doesn’t even notice until much later.

Do the Americans get out of North China in time?  What happens to Shirley and Charles?  You will have to read the book to find out.

While reading the book my admiration for Shirley really grows.  She ends up being a strong female who makes her own decisions and rescues many people from death were their wounds to go untreated.  However, I also get really mad at her for practically abandoning her son.  Just because they live in the same house doesn’t mean that she is being a mother to him which, he desperately needed.

I have to confess that it took me until the fourth chapter to really get into this book. However, once I got to chapter four, I found it almost impossible to put the book down! The drama and plot builds and builds while the main characters are well drawn out.  I think Virginia Pye captures the place and time beautifully.  So much so that I felt like I was transported to 1937 North China.

I highly recommend Dreams Of the Red Phoenix!

4.5/5

I received this book for my honest review.

Praise for Dreams Of the Red Phoenix by Virginia Pye:


“A missionary family is trapped by the invading Imperial Japanese Army in the “hard and disastrous land” that’s northern China, 1937 . . . . Shirley becomes further entangled with the revolutionaries until she’s forced to make a not-quite Sophie’s Choice but one that leaves her morally bereft . . . . There’s a comparison to Ballard’s Empire of the Sun, but this unflinching look at a brutal era in a faraway place shares truth in its own way.”-Kirkus Reviews

“Gripping, convincing, and heartbreaking, Dreams of the Red Phoenix is powerfully evocative of the complexities of life in 1930’s China.  A real page-turner and thought-provoker — wonderful.”-Gish Jen

About Virginia Pye:Virginia Pye


Virginia Pye’s essays can be found in The New York Times Opinionator blog, The Rumpus, Brain, Child, and elsewhere. Her debut novel, River of Dust, was an Indie Next Pick and a Virginia Literary Awards Finalist in Fiction. Carolyn See in The Washington Post called it “intricate and fascinating;” Annie Dillard said it’s “a strong, beautiful, deep book;” Robert Olen Butler named it “a major work by a splendid writer;” and Caroline Leavitt described it as “a gemstone of a novel…a masterpiece.” Virginia has published award-winning short stories in literary magazines, including The North American Review, The Tampa Review, and The Baltimore Review. Her short e-book Her Mother’s Garden was published by SheBooks in January, 2014.

She holds an MFA from Sarah Lawrence and has taught writing at New York University and the University of Pennsylvania. Virginia currently divides her time between Richmond and Cambridge, MA. Her new novel, Dreams of the Red Phoenix, inspired by her grandmother, is due out in October 2015 from Unbridled Books.

Giveaway of Dreams Of the Red Phoenix by Virginia Pye:


Hurry, this giveaway ends at midnight, October 28th!  You can enter here: https://theteddyrosebookreviewsplusmore.com/2015/10/giveaway-dreams-of-the-red-phoenix-by-virginia-pye.html#.Vi3QprerS70

Constance Corcoran WilsonThe Christmas Cats Fear for the Deer by Constance Corcoran Wilson:


Publisher: Quad City Press; First edition (August 18, 2015)
Category: Children’s Books, Cats, Christmas Books
Tour Date: Oct & Nov, 2015
ISBN: 978-0982444887
ASIN: B0143ZBLSM
Available in: Print & ebook,  36 Pages

The Christmas Cats Fear for the Deer is a Seuss-ical tale for young children  (4th in the series) which builds upon the morals of the first three Christmas Cats books (The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats, The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats and The Christmas Cats Encounter Bats).

This year, the Christmas Cats in Silly Hats, who go about helping animals in distress, are trying to help save the lives of the deer who live in Scott County Park. Hunters are routinely sent to shoot the deer, and the cats want to warn the deer away, so that they will not fall victim to the town’s plans to “thin the herd.”

The Cop Cat, Cy, thinks up a particularly ingenious plan to save all the deer in Scott County Park by introducing them to a jolly old guy in a red suit who lives at the North Pole. Perhaps the deer can also help Santa on Christmas Eve, if they are outfitted with prosthetic (fake) antlers?

Illustrated with delightful drawings and written in rhyme, there are also interactive coloring book pages and mazes from the book’s website, which the author encourages children aged 3 to 10 to fill out and mail in for display. (www.TheXmasCats.com).

Constance CorcoranWilsonPraise for Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats by Constance Corcoran Wilson:


“The Christmas Cats in such a fun read I love the rhyming tale of being non judgemental, and the importance of helping others, and the reminder that when the work is done it’s time to play! This book is sure to become a favorite with youngsters, the colorful illustrations are sure to capture their eye as well as their imagination.  Perfect for gift giving, a great little book that teaches a few valuable life lessons while using simple enough language that will allow them to read along. A recommended Christmas read that put a smile on my face.”-Brenda C., VW Stitcher

“This is a very cute and entertaining Children’s story and far different than I am used to reading from Constance.I read this to my four year old son who was mesmerized by the beautiful illustration and entertained by the story of the Cats and Rats.I liked the fact it was a fun way to teach children not to judge others.A great addition to any child’s library and a fun adult read as well.”- Heather Belden, Saving for Six

“Author Constance Corcoran Wilson has created a fun story with THE CHRISTMAS CATS CHASE CHRISTMAS RATS that helps to not just entertain the reader but teach important lessons as well.
Just in time for the holidays we are able to see how a group of Christmas Rats are just misunderstood and judged prematurely, when they are really a big help to those who appreciate it.
The story also allows us to see that when it comes to where we can find friends and some of our greatest allies, the answer may not be too far away from us.
Witty and engaging, this book in the series is a guaranteed winner for readers of all ages.”- Cyrus Webb,TOP 500 Amazon Reviewer

Praise for The Christmas Cats Encounter Bats by Constance Corcoran Wilson:


“Wilson continues the theme of teaching a lesson with rhyming prose in her third book in the series, THE CHRISTMAS CATS ENCOUNTER BATS. Wilson has written these books with the help of her young granddaughters. Each of her stories model kindness and good behavior. They teach children the importance of helping others through the telling of a silly story. This time the Christmas Cats are called to the mall to investigate a funny sound. When they find the sound is coming from a group of bats, everyone at the mall is scared and wants them taken care of. The Christmas Cats teach them all a lesson that each one of us is a part of God’s creation and we all have a purpose here on Earth. The end of the book also includes a couple activity pages. This book is targeted towards the preschool – lower elementary age group. This series of books would make a great addition to your Christmas library of books.”- Stacie Gorkow, Sincerely Stacie

“I thought it was a very good book. It was also very funny, and teaches you to leave God’s creatures alone because they help the earth and ecosystem.
A great book for Young children to help learn morals, the Ecosystem, and our beautiful Earth. An excellent book for educators and librarians alike, as well, as parents, and grandparents. A great book! Vivid pictures that your little ones will enjoy!”-My Book Addiction and More

“Well, what can I say? Cats, rats, bats? Where does the fun stop?!
Seriously, this is a delightful book that any child will enjoy having read to them or reading themselves. The rhymes are constant and sharp. It’s the sort of book where children will love to shout out loud the words as they search along with the Christmas Cats for the bats.
The illustrations, once again, are brilliant. They are colourful and engaging and capture the pure zany fun this book offers.
I can highly recommend this one for the Christmas stocking. Your children will love it.”- Susan Day, Author/Illustrator Astro’s Adventures)

My Thoughts On Christmas Cats Fear For the Deer by Constance Corcoran Wilson:


If you haven’t been following Constance Corcoran Wilson’s ‘Christmas Cats’ series with your children, you are missing out.  It is such a fun series that teaches kids about compassion.  Who doesn’t love a fun Christmas story to share with kids?  I certainly do and I don’t even celebrate Christmas! LOL!

In this new book in the series, the Christmas cats are at it again!  This time they are rescuing deer from evil hunters and then from starvation.  Don’t worry, it’s not a scary book! Mr. and Mrs. Claus make an appearance in this book as well.

The artful and colorful illustrations of Gary McCluskey and the writing of Constance Corcoran Wilson is sure to please.  If your kids enjoy Dr. Seuss, your kids would enjoy the entire ‘Christmas Cats’ series! This would make a great gift for Christmas!

I received the ebook version for my honest opinion.

5/5

About Constance Corcoran Wilson:Constance Corcoran Wilson


Connie has published many works representing a variety of genres. Wilson’s first book (1989), published by Performance Learning Systems, Inc. of Emerson, New Jersey, Training the Teacher As A Champion, put forth the teaching techniques and principles taught by the nation’s largest teacher training firm. Written by Wilson in collaboration with PLS founder Joseph Hasenstaab, the book gives an insight into the effective teaching practices of successful teachers, those techniques included in that organization’s Project T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Effectiveness and Classroom Handling). Connie taught at the elementary level for 20 years, taught writing at 6 IA/IL colleges, and founded the second Sylvan Learning Center in the state of Iowa in 1986.

Since then, Connie has published 30 titles in a variety of genres, with the Christmas Cats series written with and for her now-six-year-old granddaughters, Ava and Elise. (Illustrations by Gary McCluskey) now entering its fourth installment.  The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats began the four-book series and the cats help other animals in distress while wearing a delightful series of silly hats.  The second book in the series, The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats, was a plea for all to remain unprejudiced (“Do not judge others without knowing, or prejudice you will be showing”) and the third book, The Christmas Cats Encounter Bats, stressed the need to honor all life as sacred. This year’s book , The Christmas Cats Fear for the Deer, encourages helping others and also strikes a blow for individuals who some might consider handicapped, but  who can succeed and excel if  simple accommodations are made for them.

Connie’s adult fare can be seen on Amazon or on her dedicated author site, www.ConnieCWilson.com.

The Christmas Cats Encounter Bats was one of 7 books singled out by the CWA (Chicago Writers’ Association) as one of the Best Books of the Year by a Chicago author in 2014 at its annual award ceremony. Connie’s adult fare has won “Shelf Unbound” Page-Turner of the Year awards, NABE (National Association of Book Entrepreneurs) Pinnacle Awards, E-lit awards, LuckyCinda awards, Silver Feather Awards as Writer of the Year from the IWPA (Illinois Women’s Press Association) in 2012 and 2014 and, Midwest Writing Center’s Writer of the Year Award in 2010 as well as   a Writer’s Digest awards (screenplay). She was also named the Yahoo Content Producer of the Year for Politics in 2008 after following the presidential election of 2008.

Connie maintains two short story series and a novel series as Connie Corcoran Wilson, but uses her full legal name, Constance Corcoran Wilson, on her children’s series, which she writes for and with her 6-year-old granddaughters.

Connies Website: www.WeeklyWilson.com
Christmas Cats Website: http://www.thexmascats.com/

Connie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Connie_C_Wilson
Connie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Connie-Corcoran-Wilson-275020829241869/
Connie on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/conniecwilson/


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Giveaway of Hardcover of Christmas Cats Fear For the Deer by Constance Corcoran Wilson:


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Giveaway of Paperback of Christmas Cats Fear For the Deer by Constance Corcoran Wilson:

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Constance Corcoran Wilson