Mabel and the Queen of Dreams by Henry, Joshua, and Harrison Herz

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today. we're featuring one of the latest titles from an author team you may recognize and with GOOD REASON!  First off, I've featured their work here before, and secondly, each one has been rather memorable.  The title we've selected today is in the same genre as their previous releases, Picture Books, and still tinged with the fantastical flare we've come to love.  It's a great way to introduce little ones to the Fantasy genre without over-inundating them, as well as a perfect means to jump start their dreams.  Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice...

Mabel and the Queen of Dreams
by
Henry, Joshua, and Harrison Herz
Illustrated by
Lisa Woods
9780764351372 

Schiffer Publishing

About the book...
Little Mabel is an expert at not going to sleep. She knows all the best bedtime-avoiding excuses. "I'm thirsty." "I need to use the bathroom." "Will you tell me a story?" Luckily, Mom's quiver of bedtime tales includes the story of the Fae Queen, who paints children's dreams and can only visit when their eyes are closed. Inspired by Mercutio's soliloquy in Romeo & Juliet, in which he details how the tiny fairy queen influences people's dreams as she passes by in her flying chariot, the soothing story evokes images of an ant in a worn gray coat and a hazelnut-shell chariot with a roof of grasshopper wings. Told in lyrical language that adults will also appreciate, the story helps parents get their kids to sleep.



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This is the perfect addition to any child's bedtime story rotation.  It features the title character, little Miss Mabel, in all her glory...in other words, doing everything she can to avoid going to bed as she's been told to do.  Sound like anyone you know?  Yeah...there's one in every bunch.  ^-^  In Mabel's case though, there is an "easy" fix.  Once dear sweet Mom mentions that the fae won't visit her until she's fallen asleep, this little imp's attention has been snagged and the rest is history.  Isn't it amazing what a little imagination and creative energy can achieve?  I think any tired and haggard parent would agree toot suite. 

The story is simple yet beautiful as it tells how the fae's chosen path of travel in her little beetle made chariot determines the dreamers dreams.  Across the knees?  Dancing and running in celebration.  Across the fingers?  Dreams of holding your father's hand.  Hovering over the nose?  Better hide your pillow because you'll be smelling the tantalizing aroma of fresh baked cookies and you wouldn't want to mistake one for the other.  These pathways and more are open for the Fae Queen's travels but the magic isn't simply in the fantasy or what if, but the illustrations as well. 

Seeing sweet Mabel's face as she takes all the wonder in, watching her grow more and more sleepy as the tale continues on, even those final moments before true slumber where she's wearing the sweetest smile, all bring to mind those moments from childhood that we all truly cherish.  The fantastical critter cast is well represented as we feast our eyes on an aviator hat wearing dragonfly, a vehicle building beetle, and a chariot driving ant...not to mention the Queen herself in all her splendor.   One of my favorite scenes is when the chariot is being built.  I liked the details included in the text and as well as that revealed in the illustrations.  It's truly a magical read fit for the tall to the small.

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About the authors...

Henry Herz authored the picture books Monster Goose Nursery Rhymes, When You Give an Imp a Penny, Little Red Cuttlefish, and Dinosaur Pirates. Lisa Woods is an illustrator in Orange County, California

Like their father, both boys are big fans of fantasy, science fiction, and San Diego Comic-Con. They have an entrepreneurial bent too. They’ve started three web-based businesses selling LEGO party favors, custom cast bases for Warhammer, and painted concrete yard sculptures.

SITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  PINTEREST

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Special thanks to author Henry Herz and the Schiffer Publishing team for the digital copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!



Courage and Other Demons by Jill Daugherty

Hi there!

Welcome back to another exciting week here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Here's hoping the weekend treated you well.  As for me, I did a little shopping, a LOT of reading, and of course a full day of working, but hey...we do what we have to do, right?  Right!  Now on to something I don't have to do but ADORE doing just the same...

Today, we're shining the review spotlight on a Young Adult Dystopian novel that is the first in a trilogy, more on that later.  In it we find an interesting mix of the here and now with an overlay of lore that will have your paranormal meters reading off the charts.  I'm not talking a whole slew of critters running here and there; here we focus on just one....FAERIES.  Think you know them now do you?  Think again.  Especially when they come in a package as nice as....I mean, *ahem*.  So, who's ready for today's feature?  Without further adieu, today's ebook of choice is...

Courage and Other Demons

by

Jill Daugherty

9780988728400

Open Mike Publishing

About the book...

The end of the world will start in the suburbs of Denver with a faery transfer student from Ireland. If you think that’s totally ridiculous, then you understand how Maggie O’Neill feels. In all of her sixteen years, faeries were something you read about in children’s books. They didn’t actually show up on your doorstep. They didn’t kiss you and make your knees go weak and whisper sweet nothings in your ear. Until Simon Brady, that is. Simon changed everything. He makes her heart race and her skin burn with excitement, but he has also changed her core beliefs about the world and made her see it as a dark and dangerous place filled with monsters that belong only in the lines of faery tales. There is no doubt in Maggie’s mind that she loves Simon, but can she see past who he is and find a place for him in her heart?

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I've had a slew of titles recently that although I was interested when I signed up, I wasn't so certain when it came time to start the read.  The good news?  Thus far, I've been PLEASANTLY surprised by them ALL.  This one is definitely among them...

Maggie is a great leading lady even if she doesn't think so.  She's easy to relate to, knows how to choose her friends (her besties is tops!) even though her boyfriend radar (Luke...*grr*) is DEFINITELY off kilter, and will do anything for those close to her heart.  When things get tough, Maggie...well, she shuts down a bit but in the end, she's one on which you can depend.  Good thing too considering what her future holds.  No, we're not talking about Senior year in High School either.  Speaking of which, that brings us to her counterpart in all of this, Simon.  A great leading man?  Um, YEAH...of course, that is in spite of him not actually being JUST a man.  Hey, if Bella can have her sparkly vamp, Maggie should be able to have her faery.  Getting her to believe that he is one though may be a bit harder than you think (one of many funny scenes as she thinks he's trying to "come out" to her not explain his less than usual heritage) but after its made crystal clear, there'll be no turning back.  

Is that for better or worse though?  Ah, now that I can't reveal for it spoils the fun!  I did make the 'Twilight' analogy, I know....but that doesn't mean everything works out for this potential couple despite what a wizened old woman predicted once upon a time.  Back on target though, Simon is one of a kind and I'm not just talking about his abilities.  He's caring and protective, a true gentleman that knows how to treat a lady who's not afraid to give her a book as a present.  (Are you swooning?  You should be...)  Of course, some of those very things should have tipped Maggie off that he was more than he seemed and the fact that he was hiding something was no big surprise, but the what and the why are valid in my book.  Though I could talk about these two all day, allow me to press forward with the story...

As I already said, I was impressed at first glance but not certain at first read...and then, I became an addict with my addiction being FINISHING THIS BOOK!  For those of you that have followed me for any length of time, you know my love/hate relationship with ebooks.  This one?  Once I started it, I couldn't stop.  I HAD to know what would happen next.  The combination of family, new love, world-ending baddies, and Irish lore kept me flicking pages as fast as my eyes could interpret the characters in front of me.  

As action packed and earthshaking (literally with the earthquakes and tidal waves going on) as the story was, it wasn't without its humor.  One of many such parts occurs approximately 45% through the eBook between Maggie and Simon just after he reveals himself to be what he is and she is trying to reconcile that with her reality....

"Are you human? "

“I’m basically human.”

“Basically?”

“Mostly.”

“Mostly? What are we talking about here, Simon? 

Do I have more chromosomes in common with you 

or with a chimp?” 

...see what I mean?  Then there's the other most notable one being the recurring knocks-on-the-door that seem to plague them (inside joke...those that have read it, will get it)...but the carry away from this conversation is that although the stakes are dire, it doesn't mean you can't tickle your funny bone.

In conclusion, a highly enjoyable read that will leave you gasping, crying, laughing, and at times angrier than a mother bear disturbed during hibernation.  One surprise I must say is the story line the Luke was given.  Grant it, he was a BUTT with a capital "A" (yes, I know how to spell, but I think you see where I'm going with this), but I just had this feeling he would turn up again as being a part of one particular UBER baddy's crony crew.  I still have my suspicions, but they also shadow our leading man's previous alliances, or maybe even bloodlines.  *ponders*  I suppose we will have to see, but in the mean time, I would HIGHLY recommend this read to Young Adult and Dystopian fans of all ages.  If you like magic, legends and lore, family relations, and potential relations of a closer variety, this is definitely one for you.

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About the author Jill Daughtery....

By day, I work with gifted children and their teachers. By night, I write. A lot. Then I write some more. Then I write again. When I try to stop, fictional characters start pestering me, screaming in my head until I write down their stories. Would it be really pathetic to say that my characters are my best friends? Yeah. You’re right. That’s pathetic. I was just kidding. They’re not my friends. No, really. I absolutely understand they’re not real. I promise. But every once in a while, I forget.

SITE   |   TWITTER   |   FACEBOOK

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Special thanks to Samantha at Roger Charlie for the eBook for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or future promotions on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Open Mike Publishing, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  Oh and for those interested, there are TWO other books that round out this trilogy ALSO available now!  (Both of which are currently residing on my wish list for a future read... ^-^)

Until next time...happy reading!