Wednesday 9 April 2014

SPECIAL EDITION: ADULT REVIEW: WATSON MANOR EVENTUALLY



Hi, welcome back. 

* Adult book review 
WATSON MANOR EVENTUALLY BY DEBUT AUTHOR  RON CRAIG

I wanted to share with you a book written by a dear friend of mine, Ron Craig. Today’s blog is breaking away from my usual format of children's reviews to introduce a wonderful new title, Watson Manor Eventually. 
 
Watson Manor Eventually is an adult story, rich in characters and mystery. This fast-paced novel will grab a hold of you from the opening pages and keep you hooked until the last word. You will find yourself a part of the characters journey’s their challenges and wins.



RON CRAIG: AUTHOR































American author, Ron Craig, has written Watson Manor Eventually, the first in the continued series of adventures. His two main characters, Charlie and Jenny Watson, are loosely based on real people who affected his life. For more information on Ron Craig please visit his website.

  



WATSON MANOR EVENTUALLY















 




REVIEW: WATSON MANOR EVENTUALLY

Life places many obstacles in our way, forcing us to make choices of one direction or another.  

Watson Manor Eventually is the story of growth, new beginnings and self-discoveries. 

Charlie Watson, a long-haul driver, enjoys his freedom traveling across the United States. It has been eight years since his marriage has ended, he no longer the trophy his ex-wife expected. After his separation, Charlie has picked up the pieces and rebuilt his life, but not without being unscathed.  He now lives behind the protective guise of invisible armor, keeping people at arm’s length.    

What he doesn’t expect is to meet Jenny, a woman who is genuine, oozes warmth and compassion. Leaving Arkansas together, Charlie has no expectations as he leads her across the country to Palm Springs California. On the journey, they encounter obstacles and challenges that test their inner strength and courage. Charlie faces new emotions he’s suppressed for many years.  Jenny’s fun and open personality, seeps through his armor into his every thought.    
 
Arriving in Palm Springs their lives have forever changed as feelings for one another blossom into love. 

Watson Manor, a bed and breakfast, becomes the foundation of a new life for Charlie and Jenny. During the early stages of construction, Charlie and Jenny find themselves in a precarious position of amateur sleuths. With passion and conviction, they set out together to find answers, and in turn help others. 
 
Watson Manor Eventually is a story rich in character. Within the first pages, you’ll find yourself drawn to Charlie and Jenny and feel like they are lifetime friends. Ron Craig has shared with the reader’s real people in his characters, ones who have faced hardship in life, struggles and obstacles. Together Charlie and Jenny share a journey of exploration, self-discovery and finding the true meaning of unconditional love. 

Watson Manor Eventually is the story of love, challenges and mystery.  This is a novel rich in character, the driving force behind the story.  Let Charlie and Jenny pull you into their world of unconditional love.


Watson Manor Eventually by Ron Craig is available for purchase on all eReaders. 

Happy reading. 
Bye 
Rosalyne





Saturday 22 March 2014

SHEL SILVERSTEIN: AUTHOR, POET AND ILLUSTRATOR



Hi, Welcome back. 
I apologize for my long absence. I have spent the past several months completing my novel.  At a later date, I will be sharing my story, an upper-middle grade novel.

Today I wanted to share with you a favourite author of mine, Shel Silverstein. 





Shel Silverstein 1930-1999



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8f/Ssilverstein.jpg/220px-Ssilverstein.jpg

  
The multi talented Shel Silverstein, an American, is best known for his children’s book, The Giving Tree.

Shel Silverstein began drawing at the age of 12. Without any outside influences to shape his style, he created his own ideas that were whimsical and unique. His artwork, stories and poetry reflected his joy of life. He had a wonderful sense of humour that stands out in his writing. He also shared a tender side, one that reflected the importance of care, giving and love.

Enjoy with your children these timeless classics, stories and poems, rich in whimsy and joy. These are among my favourite children’s books I wanted to share with you.  


A GIRAFFE AND A HALF: 
  

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Review:

A Giraffe and a Half is a whimsical humorous story of a boy and his giraffe and their continued adventures. As their adventures continue, the giraffe collects more finds, from a suit, to a hat, inside of the hat, a rat. The style of writing is written in almost a sing-song style, fun and easy to follow. The illustrations, black-and-white, pen and ink are wonderful, detailed and full of whimsy. With each new, page comes an added collection until it becomes too much to balance. The story’s rhythm continues but in a reverse order. The ending comes full circle to where it began.

A Giraffe and a Half is a wonderful story suitable for young children. The language is simple and easy to phonetically sound out for beginner readers.

I would recommend this book for ages 4+



Illustrations from A Giraffe and A Half



http://images.addoway.com.s3.amazonaws.com/items/8862/1268340/8862_3_059ef0.jpg


http://turtleandrobot.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/dsc01729-001.jpg





http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/60/d7/94/60d79466cbdbcc0374bef09cfe481faa.jpg







WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS: Book of Poetry


http://jmstevens.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/wherethesidewalkends.jpg


Review:

Where the Sidewalk Ends is a perfect introduction to children’s poetry. Each poem is short in length and accompanied by exquisite pen and ink drawings. The poems are fun and humorous, and have that kid appeal with a wonderful imaginative creativity. His poems are for young children, capturing many of his or her life experiences.

I would recommend the poetry for ages 6+


 Illustrations from Where the Sidewalk Ends

 







http://i.imgur.com/lEGG0wV.jpg




 http://bedsidetablebooks.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pow_35_spaghetti.jpg



I have included a couple of Shel Siverstein’s poems to whet your appetite.    

AFRAID OF THE DARK

I’m Reginald Clark, I’m afraid of the dark
So I always insist on the light on,
And my teddy bear to hug,
And my thumby to suck or to bite on.
And three bedtime stories,
Two trips to the toilet,
Two prayers and five hugs from my mommy,
I’m Reginald Clark, I’m afraid of the dark
So please do not close this book on me.



IF I HAD A BRONTOSAURUS

If I had a brontosaurus,
I would name him Horace or Morris.
But if suddenly one day he had
A lot of little brontosauri—
I would change his name to Laurie



Thank you very much.
Happy Reading.
Bye
Rosalyne