Imagine For A Moment Your Life As A Children's Book...

Have you ever wondered if your life was a Children's Book, what would it be?
Victor Hugo said: "To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark."

I heartily agree with the author as once I learned my letters and could put them together to read a book, my enthusiasm knew no bounds. As a child sharing my room with my sibling meant every precious spot was coveted for my books. Reading was an escape form the ordinary and fuel for my imagination.
Later as an adult I discovered its therapeutic effect when stress was likely to overwhelm me. No need
for Prozac/Zentax or such chemicals, a page here and there relaxed me and I soon became even a 
more adept reader as I started reading in another language.

Books have a delicious way to help you to escape without any physical demand other than a comfortable place to read. I will admit my thirst for the written word is perhaps greater than for others but I have observed time and time again that most people find reading relaxing, a little like brewing a cuppa and sipping it in a favourite corner. 

Best of all, Robertson Davies' observes that "A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight". 

Personally I found 'picture' books vastly irksome when I was growing up and quickly veered towards
adventure stories written by French, Russian and Nordic writers. I have revealed in the past my penchant for such material as Marco Polo's Aventures, Rudyard Kipling's Kim, Dumas, Tolstoy, J.F. Cooper, H. Beecher Stowe, Jean de la Fontaine, Hans Christian Andersen and the likes.

The only children's books I seem to have treasured are The Little Prince by Antoine de St Exupery followed by those written by la Comtesse de Segur. I never seemed to get tired of the first and the others were an opportunity to just dream like any other little girl.

I found myself wondering my life as a children's book and realized many of the classics children read on this side of the pond never featured amongst the many tomes I read. For all the stark insights in Victorian life with such as Dickens, Gaskell, Hardy and so on, I had to first mature as an adult to appreciate the messages behind the lines.

So to conclude, I think I'll have to ponder on it, my imagination often surpassed by events I had little control over. None the less, living on 2 continents and traveling around the world, brings a lot of material to screen for an interesting formula as you can imagine.

So what about you? Just imagine for a moment your life as a Children's book...What adventures would be featured in such a book?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember Ice dogs by Terry Lynn Johnson?

• Age Range: 10 and up 
• Grade Level: 4 and up
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers (February 4, 2014)
• ISBN-13: 978-0547899268
• Also available in KINDLE format

Remember this beautiful book cover? Those incredible eyes?

For those who missed the post about this popular YA novel, here is an excerpt:

Terry Lynn Johnson's vivid writing reflects a passion born out of her sled dog knowledge and as such brings readers of all ages a thrilling adventure!  

The suspense builds up from the onset when fourteen year old Victoria, unbeknownst to her mother, treks across the countryside to secure new lead dogs in hopes of winning the White Wolf race. 
Remembering her father's recommendations, she packs a sleeping bag and a few snacks at the last moment, a last minute decision which will prove vital.

Readers of ICE DOGS will find themselves turning page after page to find out what happens next to Victoria and her dogs when per chance they happen on young Chris and his wrecked snowmobile on the trail. 
Chris recently moved from Toronto to Alaska and is ill equipped for any outing in the wild. When a sudden storm moves in, the two young people must team up to survive and find their way home or die in the wilderness.

More (HERE)

If you would like to meet Terry Lynn Johnson  in person (sorry, I don't believe the dogs will be there) she is inviting all those living in Washington State to join her!

7 August 2014 

2-6 pm

Barnes and Noble 

Pacific Place Seattle

8 August 2014

12-4 pm

Barnes and Noble

Lakewood

Books by the Bay Festival

6-8 pm

Port of Olympia

9 August 2014

12-2 pm Barnes and Noble

Kitsap Mall - Silverdale 

Barnes and Noble 

4-6pm

Northgate Way

10 August 2014

12-2 pm

Andover Park, Tukwila

Here is Terry's message to her readers:

"I hope to see you!

...Seriously, please come and smile at me: I'll be the one dressed as a musher and looking enthusiastic but big city terrified!"

Visit her website (HERE)

Note to readers: I usually shy away from crowds but this is one time I will brave it to meet this keen musher (and ask her to sign my copy of her book!)

Hitler's Secret by William Osborne, Book review

• Age Range: 12 and up 
• Grade Level: 7 and up
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Chicken House (September 24, 2013)
• ISBN-13: 978-0545496469
• Available also in KINDLE format
• Published in the U.K. under the title 'Hitler's Angel'

SYNOPSIS:


Otto and Leni thought they were safe: They escaped -- barely -- from war-torn Europe and are living as refugees in England. But now the Crown has recruited them: Great Britain wants them to go back. As spies!

Dropped behind enemy lines, Otto and Leni embark on a top-secret operation. Code name: Wolfsangel. Their mission? Capture the one person who can defeat the ultimate evil of Nazism! Der Fuhrer has destroyed Otto's and Leni's families, but what if the tables were turned? What if Hitler's ultimate legacy was in their hands?

Breathless pacing, nonstop action: By the screenwriter of Goldeneye, HITLER'S SECRET is a cinematic tale of revenge with an unexpected twist. 
A note by the author explains the truth behind the fiction and lets readers know what really became of history's greatest villains.


My thoughts:


Albeit a debut novel for author William Osborne, HITLER"S SECRET reflects his extensive screenwriter skills as proven in films such as The Mummy and Goldeneye. Action packed, this Young Adult novel is certain to be appreciated by youngsters. 

Featuring key figures of WW 2 it is non the less a work of fiction as the author explains in his historical notes.
The story centers on two young people recruited by British Intelligence to undertake special operative training for the purpose of retrieving a very special package at the heart of Nazi Germany. 
Otto, a German refugee and Leni an Austrian Jew pledge to execute the daring operation behind enemy lines despite the many dangers they are certain to face.
Following orders both young operatives pursue steadfastly their goal only to realize right and wrong are not always as it seems in times of war.

All in all the novel offers a great plot line depicted against authentic wartime locales with engaging protagonists. However far fetched such endeavours might seems to some, let it be remembered the many young people who courageously undertook countless missions in hope to overthrow the occupiers. The cost was very great for many and their sacrifice should not be discounted because of their youth.

William Osborne does an excellent job in bringing in his debut novel all the items which are bound to grasp young people's interest. In a time of war you had to grow up very fast if you wished to survive. 

The only skeptic moment for me occur almost at the end when the parcel's identity is questioned. I found the alternative to be perplexing but perhaps Osborne hinted at another novel's theme?

To be noted: A certain amount of violence was necessary to represent the exact nature of the times.

HITLER"S SECRET was longlisted for the prestigious Carnegie Medal in the United Kingdom.

Well worth checking out and earning 4 stars.

Meet the Author:

After graduating from Cambridge University, WILLIAM OSBORNE became a lawyer, but his career took a sharp turn when he switched to screenwriting in Hollywood. He has worked on more than sixty movies, including THE MUMMY and GOLDENEYE.

(Interview courtesy of CHICKEN HOUSE)

Look for his next novel: Winter's Bullet

Note: This was a library loan and all opinions are mine only!

Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent by Robin Parrish, Book review and GIVEAWAY

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (May 6, 2014)
• ISBN-13: 978-0764212666
• Also available in KINDLE format

SYNOPSIS:

    From the Back Cover

"The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion." --Reverend Billy Graham


The Question Is Not If Attempts Will Be Made 
to Limit Religious Freedoms, But When.

And When That Day Comes, Will You Stay Silent?

A storm is coming. 

The most popular evangelist of his day, John Luther, simply wants to share the Gospel and enjoy a quiet life with his family. He never asked to be at the center of a political controversy, but an ill wind has been blowing through the halls of Congress, and supporters of a new religious-equality bill see Luther's endorsement as critical. 

But when Luther refuses to lend his support, he unknowingly sets in motion an explosive plan bent on destroying his reputation and undermining everything for which he stands. 
His once-normal life is turned upside down as he becomes a fugitive left with only one dangerous option--putting everything he holds most dear at risk while he fights to expose the truth. 
It is a mission that brings him face-to-face with the coming storm of persecution that could threaten the very fabric of our nation's freedoms.

My thoughts:

PERSECUTED is a work of fiction speaking of Christians persecution in a most unlikely place, the US or is it really so?

Written by Robin Parrish and based on a movie by Daniel Lusko it features John Luther as the main protagonist and the object of a political controversy fueled by supporters of a religious equality bill which if passed, would prevent anyone from enjoying the right to worship as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Falsely accused, John Luther desperately tries to find out who engineered the destruction of his reputation as a well known evangelist and why they wish to destroy him. 

Intolerance is obviously the subject of this interesting plot and a stiff reminder that we often take for granted what we see as our rights. It also brings the suggestion of not 'if' but 'when' this will happen, a concern for anyone who calls himself a believer.

A part of me however sees this potential persecution well removed from the actual oppression countless of faithfuls, Christians, Jews, Muslims and others face daily around the world! 

It seems that in this age of electronic communication we have taken to profiling, forgetting that one malevolent individual does not constitute the whole of a religion or a country. 

I am also saddened that this sort of view would be used in the context of entertainment. I have nothing against speaking of past and present actualities for they are only too real (i.e. the Holocaust, the Armenian or Bosnian genocides), but I would rather not portray the future in such a bleak picture. The Arabs perhaps say it the best way: Insha'Allah, God willing...


On a final note, the plot is none the less worth checking out but sensitive readers should be aware it is most graphic and contains violence and sexual explicit scenes making this novel best suited to a mature audience.

3 stars!



Meet the Author:

Robin Parrish has written for over a decade as a journalist on the cutting edge of Christian culture, from books and music to film. He is the author of the Dominion Trilogy, Nightmare, Offworld, and Vigilante.

More on his website (HERE)

WANT TO CHECK THIS BOOK OUT FOR YOURSELF?


Here is your opportunity! Thanks to the generosity of FLYBY PROMOTIONS one of LIVE AND DREAM A LITTLE DREAM readers will win this novel!

To enter simply place a comment on this post and be sure to include a way to contact you should you be the winner!

You have until Midnight, Monday 21 July 2014!
Giveaway open to US and Canada!

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Guess Who Won A Copy Of Cathy Bryant's A Bridge Unbroken?

Elizabeth Dent

May 21, 2014 at 2:31 PM

 Hey Cathy , love you interview . I would love to win a copy of your A Bridge Unbroken . Thank you fie  the chance . 

Congratulations Elizabeth! 

I will confirm your winning by email and let Cathy Bryant know how to contact you (She will be happy to send you the Ebook and hear how you like it!)

Many thanks to all those who entered and be sure to sure to follow Cathy's latest news on her website (HERE).

Didn't have an opportunity yet to read the review? Find the link (HERE)

A heartfelt thank you to Christian author Cathy Bryant for this generous giveaway and all the best to each of you!