Enchanting Review: Nightmare: Too Scared Too Sleep

NIGHTTIME: TOO SCARED TO SLEEP
TODD STRASSER
Kid’s horror
Scholastic
ISBN #978-0-545-10463-0
80 pages
$4.99
Print Paperback- Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

NIGHTTIME: TOO SCARED TO SLEEPwas a fun collection of scary short stories. My kids really enjoyed these around Halloween. We would snuggle up and I would read it to them. The stories of course are not scary for me but have just enough spook for my kids. Some of the stories are longer than others but all of them are fun. From what I can tell there are two more books in this set, and I will be getting those soon. My kids really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more.

One of our favorite stories was THE NICEST BABYSITTER IN THE WORLD. This was a story of a babysitter who convinced the kids she was babysitting to tell her all about the boy who is being mean to them. They told her what they would like to do to him in a perfect world. I believe it was throw rocks at him while he is on his bike. The next day… he had rocks thrown at him. My kids loved it, and it taught them a lesson to not wish mean things on other people.

NIGHTTIME: TOO SCARED TO SLEEP was a fun collection of spooky stories perfect for children ages 5 to 10.

Todd Strasser is the author of children books from grade 2 and up. To find out more about his wonderful books please visit his website at http://www.toddstrasser.com/

Jennifer
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
November 2009

Enchanting Review: The Van Alen Legacy

THE VAN ALEN LEGACY
MELISSA DE LA CRUZ
Young Adult paranormal
ATOM
ISBN# 978-1905654796
400 Pages
$14.99
Hardback- Available now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

THE VAN ALEN LEGACY is the fourth book in the Blue Bloods series. The series follows the lives and actions of three girls, Schuyler, Mimi, and Bliss with the primary story line following Schuyler. This book starts following the catastrophic events of Book Three REVELATIONS.

Schuyler is a wanted girl and is on the run with her best friend Oliver for crimes she did not commit. She is on the trail of her family’s legacy and to find out the cold hard truth no matter what stands in her way. However there is a fork in her road. Her head tells her which way is safe but her heart leads her on a different path.

Bliss is facing her own battle. She wakes up in a body she is unable to control. Her mind is her only safe haven however she seems to have no control of that either. What happened to her? How did she get in this position? And if it is not her living her life then who is?

Mimi is reveling in her new found power. She is one of the Venators. She has changed her life and is no longer Miss Priss. She is something to be feared. With this new change comes new love. But will Mimi trade in her destiny for a chance at a new life?

I would like to say that this book was perfect but it wasn’t. It took forever for any action to happen. I also did not like how this book takes place one year after the end of REVELATIONS. I would like to have had it immediately following the end of book three that way we could have gotten to see what happened when the disaster at the conclave was found out. The book did pick up after a bit and I was please to see some new characters start to be more active. One part of this book and series that I love is it really does show that nothing is set in stone. These characters are acting completely opposite of the way their destiny is telling them. They are having new roles in life and new loves. The ending of THE VAN ALEN LEGACY was quite shocking and a complete cliff hanger but this is the style of Miss De La Cruz. I for one cannot wait for the nest book in the series MISGUIDED ANGEL which comes out October 2010.

Melissa De La Cruz is the author of the Ashleys series, the Au Pairs series and now the new Blue Bloods series. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://melissa-delacruz.com/index.php

Jennifer
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
February 2010

Enchanting Review: Lost In The Snow

LOST IN THE SNOW
LINDA JENNINGS
Children’s ages 3-6
Scholastic
ISBB# 978-1-84895-015-3
24 Pages
$4.99
Paperback- Available now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

LOST IN THE SNOW is a book about a puppy that gets lost while playing on a snowy winters day. Ollie is out frolicking with his brother and sister when a strange dog scares them. He takes off running and loses track of where he is at. It is up to Ollie to find his way home or face staying in the cold snowy woods all by himself.

This was a cute story about a dog that must brave the unknown and meet new creatures, nice and mean, for the first time. Ollie soon realizes that there really is nothing like being at home with those you love. This book can teach children that no matter what things are better at home and the world is a scary place to be when you are alone. This book has beautiful water color drawings by Miss Alison Edgson. I would recommend this book for children ages 3-6.

Linda Jennings is a children author. She has many books released. To find out more about her books please visit http://www.amazon.com/Linda-M.-Jennings/e/B001IYZHIW/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1265330982&sr=1-2-ent

Jennifer
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
January 2010

Enchanting Review: There Was A Coyote Who Swallowed A Flea

THERE WAS A COYOTE WHO SWALLOWED A FLEA
JENNIFER WARD
Children’s ages 4-8
Rising Moon
ISBN# 978-0873588980
32 pages
$15.95
Hardcover- Available Now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

THERE WAS A COYOTE WHO SWALLOWED A FLEA is a Tex-Mex version of the classic rhyme there was an old lady who swallowed a fly. In this story there was a coyote who swallowed a flea that was tickling his knee. He then swallows numerous other items to remedy the previous item he swallowed.

This was a fun tongue twisting story with colorful bright pictures. By the end of the book my kids could help me with each line, because they heard it so much. The way the story progressed you could see a little humor. This was such a fun story that will have you and your children laughing with the silliness of it. The ending was very cute and had all my little ones rolling of laughter. Yippe-o-ki-yee!

Jennifer Ward is an award winning children’s author. She not only writes stories for younger children but for older children as well. To find out more about her and her stories please visit her website at http://www.jenniferwardbooks.com/

Jennifer
Enchanting Reviews
October 2009

Enchanting Review: SkippyJon Jones In The Dog House

SKIPPYJON JONES IN THE DOG HOUSE
JUDY SCHACHNER
Children’s Adventure ages 4-9
PUFFIN
ISBN# 978-0142410417
15 pages
$9.99
Paperback- Available Now

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

SkippyJon Jones is back with a new adventure. Sent to his room because he drew on the walls, SkippyJon Jones decided to start jumping on his chair. On his way back down he misses and falls into a pile of stuffed animals. It is there that he gets a little bird stuck in his ear that tells him of the trouble in the dog house and of the big bobbleito. So once again SkippyJon Jones transforms into Skippito Friskito and he is off to help his friends Los Chimichangos.

This is a fun sequel to the first SkippyJon book. This story is a little shorter than the first but it is just as fun. SkippyJon’s friends are in trouble. The big Bobbleito has moved into the attic of their house and SkippyJon must make him leave. This book has all the Spanish and fun rhymes as the first one and will leave you and your little ones giggling and singing.

Judy Schachner is the author of the fantastic SkippyJon series as well as I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie, and several other children’s books. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://www.judithbyronschachner.com/ or you can go to SkippyJon’s own website at http://www.skippyjonjones.com/ where there is plenty of fun stuff for kids to do.

Jennifer
Enchanting Reviews
October 2009

Enchanting Review: SkippyJon Jones

SKIPPYJON JONES
JUDY SCHACHNER
Children’s Adventure ages 4-9
PUFFIN
ISBN# 978-0439836968
32 pages
$6.99
Paperback- Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

SkippyJon Jones is a hilarious cat who has such fantastic adventures as a dog. Not just any breed of dog, but a Chihuahua. He goes from Mischievous Siamese cat that is in his room being punished, to a Spanish speaking Chihuahua who helps his fellow Chihuahuas, Los Chimichangos, with their current dilemma. In this story SkippyJon Jones, who becomes Skippito Friskito, must face the big Bumbleito and rescue all the beans that he has stolen from the Chihuahuas.

This is such a fun cute story. It is an absolute favorite in my household and among my daycare children. It is full of Spanish words and accents and the kids just love it when I use my “Zorro” voice. SkippyJon teaches the kids the use of imagination and bravery. This is such a fun fantastic book. Even the pictures are so colorful and fun to look at. I can guarantee you will have his song in your head after reading his story. "I am Skippito Friskito, clap clap, I fear not a single bandito, clap clap."

Judy Schachner is the author of the fantastic SkippyJon series as well as I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie, and several other children’s books. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://www.judithbyronschachner.com/ or you can go to SkippyJon’s own website at http://www.skippyjonjones.com/ where there is plenty of fun stuff for kids to do.

Jennifer
Enchanting Reviews
October 2009

Enchanting Review: Revelations

REVELATIONS

MELISSA DE LA CRUZ

YA Vampire paranormal

Hyperion

ISBN# 978-142310228-1

264 pages

$15.99

Hardcover- Available now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Schuyler Van Alen is now living under the Force’s roof. This means she is forced to share a living space with her rival Mimi, and her love Jack. Her best friend is now her familiar and is completely in love with her. Schuyler must choose between the two of them or someone will get hurt, and it might be Schuyler if Mimi finds out that Jack and Schuyler are still seeing each other. Schuyler’s grandfather is now the Regis and he is spreading the word of how dangerous the Silver Bloods truly are. What no one can figure out is who exactly is harboring the silver bloods and what their plan is. When an accident in Rio forces everyone to fly down there, lines will be drawn. Secrets will be revealed. Evil will be unleashed. Will Schuyler’s friends be who she thought they are or will one of them betray them to the evil Lucifer?

REVELATIONS is the best story yet! Schuyler is torn between two men who both truly love her. Both men however are forbidden from being with her. One is forbidden by law and the other by destiny. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out who was behind the Silver Blood attacks. Every time I figure it out I am proven wrong. I was shocked, SHOCKED, at the ending. But that is what makes a story truly wonderful. I cannot wait for the fourth book, THE VAN ALEN LEGACY that is released in September 2009 when we see where we can pick up after tragedy strikes.

Melissa De La Cruz is the author of the Ashleys series, the Au Pairs series and now the new Blue Bloods series. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://melissa-delacruz.com/index.php

Jennifer

ENCHANTING REVIEWS

January 2009

Enchanting Review: The Seach For The Red Dragon

THE SEARCH FOR THE RED DRAGON

JAMES A OWEN

YA Fantasy

Simon Pulse

ISNB# 978-1416948513

400 Pages

$9.99

Paperback- Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

THE SEARCH FOR THE RED DRAGON is the second installment of the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica. John, Jack and Charles are back together again after 9 years. They have been very careful to avoid contact unless an emergency arose. Such emergency has arisen. Children are disappearing from all over the Archipelago, a magical world. A girl flies down into the garden where the boys are gathered, with a secret message for the previous caretaker. The message tells the boys that they must step up in their role as caretakers and travel to Archipelago and search for the Red Dragon, as all of the legendary Dragonships are going missing. The boys encounter several adventures on their quest. They come across old friends and meet new ones along the way. One of the boys will fully step into his role as caretaker and make the ultimate sacrifice.

THE SEARCH FOR THE RED DRAGON is an action packed fast paced story. This story has so many ties to Greek mythology, classic story tales, and even history as the mystery surrounding the lost colony of Roanoke is revealed. James A Owen deserves his place among C. S. Lewis, J. R. Tolkien, and J. K. Rowling. THE SEARCH FOR THE RED DRAGON can be fairly compared to the works of these authors because it is truly that great. There is so much action and hidden clues that you will find yourself going back to reread it just to make sure you got it all. My only qualm with this book is that it is geared towards the YA crowd yet there is a lot that this crowd would not get or understand. As an adult I can fully appreciate all this story offers. A must however, is to read the first book in the series, ‘Here, There be Dragons’, to understand the magical world and the boys. This book is a recommended read for all who love fantasy, young and old!

James A Owen is not only the author of THE SEARCH FOR THE RED DRAGON but he is also the illustrator. To find out more about his stories or to see some of his beautiful art please visit his website at http://www.heretherebedragons.net/

Jennifer

ENCHANTING REVIEWS

January 2009

Enchanting Review: Masquerade

MASQUERADE

MELISSA DE LA CRUZ

YA Vampire paranormal

Hyperion

ISBN# 978-1423101277

336 pages

$8.99

Paperback- Available now

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

Schuyler Van Alen is on a mission to find her grandfather, Lawrence Van Alen. Her grandmother’s last plea was that Schuyler find her grandfather so that he could save the blue bloods from the Croatan, or Silver Blood. He is the only one who truly believes that the Silver Bloods are alive. Schuyler and Oliver travel to Vienna to find the infamous Lawrence, but what they find is a man who does not want to come back to a group that shunned his ideas and cast him out. Schuyler decides that maybe the Silver Bloods are not back and it was all the delusional ideas of her grandmother after all. Schuyler attends a masquerade ball in the hopes of seeing her secret crush, Jack Force. What she finds is a mysterious masked man who takes her breath away.

Bliss Llewellyn has never given up hope that Dylan, her love is still alive. Everyone thinks that he was turned by a Silver Blood or was the Silver Blood but Bliss knows deep in her heart that it was not the truth. When Bliss attends the 400 Ball her father gives her a huge Emerald necklace. He tells her it was her mother’s and it is an emerald that fell from Lucifer him self’s crown. Bliss has a unique attraction to it but surely her mother could never own something so evil right? Who is her mother anyways? And how did she die?

MASQUERADE is the second installment in the Blue Bloods series. The story picks up a mere few weeks after the end of Blue Bloods and is just as action packed. Schuyler is coming into her character quite nicely. She is not afraid to dig a little deeper. The only part of Schuyler’s character I do not like is how distracted she gets from the big picture. She knows there is a serious problem and that the Silver Bloods are roaming free yet she seems to forget everything when she is around Jack. I loved the progress that the story made. The ending made me run out immediately to buy the third book, which I devoured in one sitting also. MASQUERADE is a book that is not to be missed, but Blue Bloods really should be read first for the story to be fully understood.

Melissa De La Cruz is the author of the Ashleys series, the Au Pairs series and now the new Blue Bloods series. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://melissa-delacruz.com/index.php

Jennifer

ENCHANTING REVIEWS

January 2009

Enchanting Review: Blue Bloods

BLUE BLOODS

MELISSA DE LA CRUZ

YA Vampire paranormal

Hyperion

ISBN# 978-1423101260

336 pages

$8.99

Paperback- Available now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Bliss Llewellyn is the new girl at New York’s Duchesne prep school. It doesn’t take long for her to realize where the cliques are. Mimi Force is definitely the big girl on campus, rich, powerful, and has a hot twin brother, Jack, that seems to be matching her social status. Schuyler Van Alen is the complete opposite of Mimi, she runs with only two friends Dylan and Oliver, she dresses quite frumpy, and her family is from less money than is the standard. Duchesne has an elite group of students that are the committee. Only the “blue bloods” can get in. Those seem to be the high class uppity kids. Imagine Bliss’s shock when she is invited to the club as well as Schuyler. What neither girl realized that the term blue bloods was quite literal as they are all vampires.

BLUE BLOODS is the story of three girls coming into their vampire puberty. Each vampire lives a life cycle over and over, and when the teenagers hit the age of 15 their bodies start to recognize their past lives. They also start to crave blood. This cycle happens to each of the blue bloods, named after their blue blood, except for Schuyler Van Alen. She is the last of her line but she is not a true blue blood. She is a half blood. Her mother is a blue blood but her father is known as a red blood, or a human. Schuyler has no past lives to recognize as she is a new spirit. But Schuyler is on a much deeper quest. She is trying to find out who keeps killing young blue bloods. Each death is surrounded by mysterious circumstances and all seem to point to the mythical Croatan as the killer. But The Croatan is just a myth right?

This was the first book in Melissa De La Cruz’s Blue Blood’s series. I was hooked from the first page. I could not believe this book was sitting in my TBR for so long. Blue Bloods is not the typical YA vampire paranormal. So many of these stories are the same old cookie cutter scenario but Blue Bloods had me on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what was going on. There were so many twists and turns there was no way I could have predicted what was going to happen. I highly recommend BLUE BLOODS to anyone who wants a fun, fast, and action packed story!

Melissa De La Cruz is the author of the Ashleys series, the Au Pairs series and now the new Blue Bloods series. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://melissa-delacruz.com/index.php

Jennifer

ENCHANTING REVIEWS

January 2009

Enchanting Review: In The Forests of the Night

IN THE FORESTS OF THE NIGHT

AMELIA ATWATER-RHODES

YA Paranormal

Laurel-leaf

ISBN# 978-0-440-22816-5

147 Pages

$6.99

Paperback- Available now

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

Risika has a past life that she has tried hard to forget. It is her life as a human known as Rachel. Risika has nothing in common with Rachel any more. Rachel was killed being a naïve nosey young girl. Risika is a strong vampire who will take no crap from anyone, least of all Aubrey, her rival vampire. When Risika makes the mistake of hunting on Aubrey’s territory she is sent several “messages” to let her know she overstepped her boundaries. However one of the messages is not from Aubrey but rather someone who is trying to make Risika bring back Rachel.

IN THE FORESTS OF THE NIGHT was a very fast fun read. When I say fun I should clarify that it is not fun in a sunny cheerful funny way but rather fun because it sucked you into a life of darkness and solitude of a lone vampire. Risika was a character I wanted to feel sorry for but she seemed to have little remorse for those she fed from. It wasn’t until one of her flashbacks that I could see she did indeed struggle with what she was. The ending was a total shock to me. I was not expecting that person to be behind the message. I really liked this story and am looking forward to the rest of the Den of Shadows books.

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is the author of several YA series including her Den of Shadows and Kiesha’ra series. She has a new book out called the Persistence of Memory that seems quite promising. To find out more about her and her books please visit her website at http://www.nyeusigrube.com/ or her MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/atwaterrhodes

Jennifer

ENCHANTING REVIEWS

January 2009

Enchanting Review: Shadow Kiss

SHADOW KISS

RICHELLE MEAD

YA Paranormal

Razorbill

ISBN# 978-1595141972

448 Pages

$8.99

Paperback- Available now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Rose Hathaway is in her final year at St. Vladimir’s academy for Dhampirs and Moroi. As soon as she and Lissa graduate she will be officially Lissa’s guardian. All she has to do is get through the trials. She thinks it is going to be a piece of cake considering she took care of Lissa while they were away from the Academy. But something goes wrong and she is given Christian as her trial charge. Oh well, at least she will be with Lissa a lot since Lissa is always with Christian. And it is not like she will not be assigned to Lissa once they graduate.

The only thing standing between Rose and graduation is her trials. If Rose can pass trials she will become Lissa’s guardian. The only problem is that once she is Lissa’s guardian that means Dimitri will be too. There is no way the two of them can be together if they are protecting Lissa. Rose knows that Dimitri care for her the same way that she cares for him but neither of them are willing to risk Lissa’s life. On top of this worry Rose has been seeing Mason’s ghost. Is it guilt eating at her or is she really being haunted by her ex-non boyfriend? When tragedy strikes St. Vladimirs Rose must jump into action and show that she is capable of doing her job. But when faced with the ultimate decision, who will Rose choose, Lissa or Dimitri?

I love and hate this book. The story progressed wonderfully. The characters were great. The romance was perfect. The only thing I hated was the ending. It left me openly crying. With that said I actually love the ending. It was the perfect ending to the perfect story. I love how Rose’s character matures quite a bit and she really wants to take responsibility for herself. The only thing I did not like was how she was unwilling to get help from other people when she really needed it. I love Dimitri. I think the way he handled his relationship with Rose was just beautiful! I absolutely cannot wait for the fourth Vampire academy story. I have to see what will happen. Thank you Richelle Mead for creating a truly wonderful read!

Richelle Mead writes three fantastic genres. Her paranormal romance series has started with Storm Born, her YA series is Vampire Academy and her Urban Fantasy is her Succubus series. To find out more about her very popular books please visit her website at http://www.richellemead.com/

Jennifer

Enchanting Reviews

December 2008