Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Blogging Today at Christian Children's Authors

I'm talking about anxiety, the Sandy Hook Massacre, and the Mayan calendar prediction today at Christian Children's Authors. Hope you'll stop by at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2012/12/21/do-not-be-anxious/

Guest Blogging Today at GAP Family Blog

I'm guest blogging today at the Guardian Angel Family Blog. I share a sad, but sweet holiday memory from 1982. Hope you'll stop by: http://guardianangelfamily.blogspot.com/2012/12/holiday-memories-with-author-cheryl.html

Blogging at Christian Children's Authors

I belong to Christian Children's Authors, a blog of Christian children's authors that talk about faith and writing. My scheduled dates to post are the first and third Fridays of the month. You can read my post on the heavenly inspiration for Little Shepherd at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2012/12/07/heavenly-inspiration/ 

Guest Blogging & Giveaway

I am guest blogging today at Darlene's Book Nook and offering a free copy of Little Shepherd to one lucky winner. The giveaway ends on the 7th. You can enter for your chance to win at http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.ca/2012/12/christmas-spotlight-saturday-guest-post.html

Bring Little Shepherd Home This Christmas

I hope you'll consider bringing Little Shepherd home for your children this Christmas season.


Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem on the night of Christ’s birth. Can he trust the miracle of Christmas to keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?

Available at:

Guardian Angel Publishing

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Indiebound.org


Many blessings to your and yours!

Book Review: Enchanted Tree by Davy Liu

Artist, illustrator, and former Disney feature animator Davy Liu, has released the next book in his Invisible Tails series. Founder of Kendu Films, Liu has once again brought to life a well-known Bible story that will captivate young readers with its stunning artwork and moving Bible-inspired plot.

Enchanted Tree takes place at the time of Creation, with the animals living together in harmony. The proud Phoenix boasts of a special fruit that gave her beauty and a special ability. The animals begin to crave this fruit, but none more than Octavia who doesn't feel quite as pretty as the others.

Once a two-footed stranger and his helpmate arrive, the Phoenix changes her plans. Soon the Paradise Garden is no longer a paradise and the animals and the two-footers must wait for everything to be new again.

This is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. The animals display traits we all know as humans; traits youngsters will relate to: self-consciousness, jealousy, doubt. The reader sees the story of Creation and the fall of man through these animals' eyes. He is witness to the immense beauty of the Garden of Eden and the deep tragedy that occurred when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden fruit--even though those names don't appear in the story.

I've read every one of Liu's Invisible Tails books to my girls, and though they are more involved storylines than typical picture books, the girls were still able to tell me without prompting which Bible story the book is based upon. The book's unusal size (12 x 6.7 x 0.5 inches) allows it to stand out on the bookshelf, but it will never be there long.

Highly recommended!

Hardcover: 64 pages

Publisher: Kendu Films, LLC (May 8, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0982505086

ISBN-13: 978-0982505083

SRP: $19.95

I received a free copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinion, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Interviewed at One Writer's Journey

Hope you'll stop by and visit me today at Penny Ehrenkranz's blog, One Writer's Journey. Not only will you learn more about me, you'll get a chance to win one of two copies of Little Shepherd. You can find me at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/2012/07/cheryl-c-malandrinos-little-shepard.html

Good luck!

Interviewed at Nancy Stewart Books

My fellow author, Nancy Stewart, interviewed me today at her blog, Nancy Stewart Books. Hope you'll stop by and leave a comment at http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com/2012/07/cheryl-malandrinos.html

Thanks for your support!

Book Review: Out and About at the Zoo by Jo Linsdell

Enjoy a rhyming story of a young child's trip to the zoo in Out and About at the Zoo by Jo Linsdell. A young boy is on a trip with his Mum where this is a lot to see and do. Talking parrots, long-necked giraffes, crazy climbing monkeys and more fill this day out at the zoo with tons of fun.

This simple, delightful book for youngsters is a perfect way to prepare children for their first trip to the zoo or to remember a recent zoo visit. Kids will be able to memorize the simple, lyrical prose while the bold colors will captivate them. What I think is so wonderful about this book is how it teaches children to cherish those times with their mother.

Out and About at the Zoo is an adorable story for your little ones.

Paperback:32 pages
Publisher:CreateSpace (May 18, 2012)
Language:English
ISBN-10:1477446591
ISBN-13: 978-1477446591
SRP: $8.99

I received a free electronic copy of this book. This review contains my honest opinion, for which I have not received any monetary compensation.

Jo Linsdell is a freelance writer, author and illustrator. Originally from the UK, she now lives in Rome, Italy with her husband and their two young sons.

Author website: www.JoLinsdell.com

Purchasing links:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.it
CreateSpace.com

Book Review: Icky, Sticky, Hairy Scary Bible Stories by Jonathan Schkade

The fact is: not all the stories in the Bible are nice. Some are scary. Some are messy. Some involve hairy guys or guys without any hair. In this zany and fun poetry collection, children learn all about God’s love and how He is willing to do anything to “lift us up and set us free.”

I’ve probably been teaching Sunday school for close to twenty years. I can’t say I’m always the most entertaining or inventive teacher, but I know the kids are learning. The group I have at church now runs from ages five to thirteen. The challenge is in putting together lessons that span these ages. And honestly, teaching the same stories the same way over and again isn’t that fun. Icky, Sticky, Hairy Scary Bible Stories by Jonathan Schkade has helped me share more of the Bible with my students than ever before. From Jonah and the whale to demon pigs falling off cliffs, from the healing of Naaman to Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, from Hezekiah’s plea for God to stop the attack of Sennacherib’s army to the truth in the Book of Revelation and more, these simple and funny rhymes not only engage youngsters, they help kids remember what they learned. Complemented by the wacky artwork of Tuesday Mourning, I find myself using this book time and again to share God’s Word.

Why do I know this works? Because months after reading, “Baldy, the Boys and the Bears,” my students can still tell me the details of Elisha cursing the forty-two boys for mocking him. They can still tell me the story of Esau and Jacob, because “A Hairy Scary Man” made it fun to learn. They also recall the death of John the Baptist, as told in, “Head on A Plate.” Starting off Sunday school lessons with fun allows us to have more meaningful discussions that all the children can participate in.

PURCHASE AT AMAZON!

Reading level: Ages 8 and up

Paperback: 125 pages

Publisher: Concordia Pub House (January 5, 2011)

ISBN-10: 0758626711

ISBN-13: 978-0758626714 

Promo Day is Coming This Saturday!

THE event for the writing industry is back!

Promo Day is an annual event for people in the writing industry dedicated to promoting, networking and learning. This years event will take place on Saturday 19th May 2012 at the brand new website www.PromoDay.info.

This online event organized by Jo Linsdell has evolved since its humble beginnings on the writer's personal website and grown into a world recognized event attracting thousands of visitors from around the globe.

The 2012 event promises to be the best yet with the launch of the new website and internationally renowned workshop presenters. The program is filled with fabulous and knowledgeable presenters and workshop topics are ones you can sink your teeth into. You'll be sure to come away with valuable connections via the networking areas and have opportunities to promote your own work and services throughout the day.

I'll be giving a workshop on coordinating virtual book tours. It will be filled with tons of advice from my years worth of experience working with Pump Up Your Book.

This unique event is completely free to attend and registration is now open via the website homepage. Once you're signed up you will be emailed the password to gain access to the forums where the conference takes place.

Since its inception in 2007, Promo Day has been incredibly successful and is a 'must-attend' for everyone in the writing industry.

Little Shephed PDF Winner!

Congratulations goes out to MarthaE. She won the PDF copy of Little Shepherd during Pump Up Your Book's 5th Anniversary Hoedown.

Thanks for all your comments and participation.

Promo Day is Coming May 19th!

-For immediate release-

THE event for the writing industry is back!

Promo day is an annual event for people in the writing industry dedicated to promoting, networking and learning. This years event will take place on Saturday 19th May 2012 at the brand new website www.PromoDay.info.

The online event organized by Jo Linsdell has evolved since its humble begins on the writers personal website and grown into a world recognized event attracting thousands of visitors from around the globe.

The 2012 event promises to be the best yet with the launch of the new website and internationally renowned workshop presenters. The program is filled with fabulous and knowledgeable presenters and workshop topics are ones you can sink your teeth into. You'll be sure to come away with valuable connections via the networking areas and have opportunities to promote your own work and services throughout the day.

This unique event is completely free to attend and registration is now open via the website homepage. Once you're signed up you will be emailed the password to gain access to the forums where the conference takes place.

Since its inception in 2007, Promo Day has been incredibly successful and is a 'must-attend' for everyone in the writing industry.

###

Contact:
Jo Linsdell
Founder and Organizer of Promo Day
email: promoday@ymail.com
www.PromoDay.info

Pump Up Your Book's 5th Anniversary Hoedown Giveaway!

Pump Up Your Book is celebrating 5 years and you get all the presents!

It's hard to believe Pump Up Your Book opened its virtual doors 5 years ago. I swear I just started working with our founder, Dorothy. But the calendar doesn't lie. My first clients--I'll never forget them--were authors Darrell Bain and Maureen Fisher. I still receive Darrell's newsletter, and Maureen's latest release, Fur Ball Fever, is on my Kindle waiting for me.

There's something special about first clients. You remember them. You follow their careers. You think how you might have run their tours differently now that you have all this experience. In 2007, virtual book tours were a new vehicle of book promotion. That's changed now. Blogging has exploded. We've gone from a handful of clients to touring 30 - 40 authors a month. Big publishing houses make virtual book tours part of their marketing plans, and independent authors know they have to attract an online audience to be successful.

Another change on the virtual book tour scene? E-books. For the first four years, we explained to authors that they needed to make printed copies of their books available for reviewers. Now, I have almost as many bloggers requesting digital versions of books as I do printed ones. Darrell Bain had e-books out for years before the Kindle Fire and color Nook came along. Maureen Fisher's first book, The Jaguar Legacy, was released last year in a Kindle version with a new cover. Both of her books are also available for Nook.

In the spirit of firsts, I am giving away a PDF copy of my first book, Little Shepherd. Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem when the angels appear to announce the Savior's birth. Can he trust that the miracle of the first Christmas will keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?

Please leave a comment with your email address for your chance to win. This is an international giveaway. Winner will be selected by Random.org. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM Eastern on Sunday, April 22, 2012. You must be 18 years or older to win.

For a complete list of tour stops and giveaways for the Pump Up Your Book's 5th Anniversary Hoedown, please visit us at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/04/01/pump-up-your-book-5th-year-anniversary-celebration/.

Thanks for the last five years. We hope we'll see you again in another five.

Final Edits Done for A Christmas Kindness

I just finished the final edits to A Christmas Kindness, which will be released by 4RV Publishing this fall under my pen name, C.C. Gevry. I'm so excited about this one. It tells the story of Robert, who learns how thinking of others is the greatest gift of all.

I'll keep you posted on the latest developments.

Contributor to Christian Children's Authors

I am now blogging every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month at Christian Children's Authors. This is a group of Christian authors with a shared enthusiasm for reaching children and their families with our messages of faith, love, and fun. We will address many topics of interest to parents, teachers, caregivers, grandparents, relatives and neighbors who care about children. Please come back to see our progress.

Here are a few categories we plan to include:

• Devotions relevant to family life or Christian children’s leaders
• Family activities and fun
• Family health
• Grand-parenting
• Book reviews

Please visit us online at  http://christianchildrensauthors.com/

Guest Blogging at Strands of Thought Today!

I'm guest blogging today over at Strands of Thought, a blog run by talented children's author, Kai Strand. For the month of love, I am honoring those who have helped my writing career through the years. You can find my post at http://kaistrand.blogspot.com/2012/02/where-would-i-be-without-you-industry.html  I hope you'll stop by to learn of all the great people I've been blessed with.

Guest Blogging at The Steady Hand

April from The Steady Hand was kind enough to ask me to be a guest blogger this month. You can find my post that includes three quick and easy recipes for busy moms at http://thesteadyhandblog.com/guest-post-quick-easy-recipes-for-busy-moms/

Little Shepherd Giveaway at Books, Products and More!

I'm running a giveaway over at Books, Products and More! for three printed copies of my book, Little Shepherd. You can find the details at http://booktoursandmore.blogspot.com/2012/01/free-for-all-fridays-little-shepherd.html

Guest Blogging at Cafe of Dreams

Today I am guest blogging at Cafe of Dreams. I'm talking about my fun and serious goals for 2012. You can find me at http://www.cafeofdreamsbookreviews.com/2012/01/here-i-come-by-cheryl-c-malandrinos.html 

April is also running a wonderful feature this year titled, 365 Days of Great Authors and Giveaways. She plans to feature a new author every day of 2012 and there will be a giveaway each day. Don't forget to stop by her blog at http://www.cafeofdreamsbookreviews.com/ to see who she is interviewing.