Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Book Review: The Shadow of the Minotaur
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Blog Tour: Return to Cardamom Q and A with Julie Anne Grasso
I’m back with Julie Anne Grasso, author of the fabulous Cardamom books. It is my privilege to dig into the whys and wherefores of the Cardamom mysteries and also reveal the secrets behind the recipes. (It is also my birthday today, 29 July, so this is a doubly special treat!) When I reviewed Julie’s books, the whole concept behind them intrigued me, as I am sure it did many readers. Hopefully this Q&A will answer all your questions! Don’t forget to check out the fabulous cash/gift card and book giveaway here! OK, down to the nitty-gritty!
Where did the whole idea of another planet come from? Why isn’t the story here on Earth?
I wanted my story to be unique, fantastical, and full
of nerdy gadgetry, so I think Earth would have been an unbelievable setting,
hence I decided to create my own planets.
Why the name Cardamom for the planet? Why not Cinnamon, Allspice, Vanilla etc?
Initially I began with the character Caramel Cardamom. I thought it
sounded quirky enough for an elvin princess. However, as I started to develop
the world around Caramel, I realised I needed a planet with a rich aroma, that
wasn't too well known. Cardamom does actually grow in cleared rainforest so
there you have it, the perfect setting for an elvin world.
Tell me more about how Caramel’s character developed?
When I began researching how to write a kid’s
book, all the literature said write about what you know. Pssst… Can you
keep a secret, Caramel is loosely based on me. Well, apart from the elvin princess
part, of course, hee hee. I actually broke my leg as a child. Of course, it
wasn’t as dramatic or exaggerated as Caramel’s injury, but that is when I
became interested in the medical profession. During my time as a paediatric
nurse, I witnessed firsthand that children can succeed in life, regardless of
their disability. Caramel is therefore a combination of my own experience and
the inspiration I gained from watching these tiny people overcome adversity.
Will her mom finally heal her leg? (it’s worrying me!)
Oh Fiona, you are such a marshmallow. The simple
answer is no. We are all a little bit like Humpty Dumpty, I guess, and we can’t
always be put back together again. Caramel’s leg is permanently damaged and she
will always struggle with it, but the moral of the story is that she must not
allow it to define her or determine her path.
Are you working on a Caramel Fine Dining Cookbook? Now
this is a burning question for many readers who were so disappointed there was
no recipe section at the end of the books.
Follow your intuition and question things if they seem
wrong, be loyal to your friends and family, persevere in adversity and never
ever ever ever give up on your dreams, only you can make them reality.
Tell me something readers don’t know about you but
would love to find out?
LOL my sister said something similar when I first
wrote book 1. She was envisioning Caramel merchandise, including of course,
caramel cupcakes….
What do you want young readers to learn from the
book/s?
Follow your intuition and question things if they seem
wrong, be loyal to your friends and family, persevere in adversity and never
ever ever ever give up on your dreams, only you can make them reality.
Given the name of your blog, when did you decide you
wanted to write a kids’ book?
Well, I guess you could say now that I have written a
kid’s book I must have grown up, but that is clearly not the case. I will
always be a kid at heart. The dream of writing for kids first came when I
worked with them; however it wasn’t until I left nursing and became a mom that
I found the time, energy, and inspiration to write.
How many people from your friends and family appear in
the books?
Micah is actually my best friend's little boy, Sass was
my neighbour's kid, Jorde was a kid I went to school with, Arianna was a mum I
met when I cared for her very sick little boy: she was an inspiration to me and
Jacob is my friend's little boy.
The planet’s inhabitants love food–do you love
cooking?
Yes I do love cooking but not as much as eating it. I
have made sticky date and chocolate cake with caramel syrup many times for
family functions, and Julianna sauce is what we use on our home made pizza
bases.
After Cardamom Book 3, what are your plans—something
new? Another planet?
Cardamom Book 3 first draft is written, hurrah. This
time the story will be on board a space ship, but don’t worry, all the Cardamom
elves and Earth kids will reunite for this one. As for plans for my next
book/series, I have a middle grade mystery being illustrated as we speak. I hope
to have it released in late November. Stay tuned for Frankie Dupont And The
Mystery Of Enderby Manor.
Did you ever want to be an astronaut?
Funnily enough, no, but I do want to travel with “The
Doctor.” I even own a TARDIS LOL
Tell me something readers don’t know about you but
would love to find out?
I can actually sing. If you would have asked me what I
wanted to do as a teenager, I would have said a Jazz singer. I also like to do
cartwheels … especially when a new book comes out. Hurrah!
Thanks for appearing on my blog, Julie. If any
readers missed my reviews of Escape From the Forbidden Planet, find the review
here. Catch up on Return to Cardamom here.
Thanks so much
for having me on your blog Fiona, it’s been a hoot.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Blog Tour: Return to Cardamom by Julie Anne Grasso
About Return to Cardamom
Author: Julie Anne Grasso
Publisher: Independent
Publication Date: July 17, 2013 Pages: 136 (Paperback) Recommended Age: 9+
Summary: Life is sweet for Caramel and things are finally getting back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be for a telepathic elf who can train trees and control computers, but she soon finds life on Cardamom is not all cupcakes and apple cider. A saboteur is hiding in the rainforest canopy, and the elves’ precious cardamom export has been wiped out. Caramel is certain it’s another trick of Alexander222 and her Aunt Isabel, but no one will believe her, and the clock is ticking. She must expose the saboteur in time to save the crop or the Elves of Cardamom will lose their livelihood. Caramel won’t rest until her theory is proven. While she is on the hunt, she makes a shocking discovery, one that will change everything.
Purchase
Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (Canada)
The Buzz About Book 1: Escape From the Forbidden Planet
"Julie Anne Grasso has created an action-packed story featuring a range of interesting and imaginative characters (i.e., elves, the Alexanders, and other creatures), intergalactic travel, advanced medical and scientific technology, and complex environmental and conservation issues. Escape From the Forbidden Planet contains an intricate plot which slowly unfolds until you're hooked and you are left on the edge of your proverbial seat wondering what will happen next." ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews, 5 Stars
"It's part geeky, part science, and part fun, all brought together to become this awesome book called Escape From The Forbidden Planet. I would recommend this book to reading age kids and adults who like sci-fi kids books. Definitely something different. I really enjoyed reading it!" ~ Michael S., Amazon, 5 Stars
"I loved this book. Super great series for middle graders. I loved Caramel. She has a great attitude and determination. I really admired how she was focused on getting home, saving her family but also made the best of being stuck on an alien planet. Definitely a book with great role models for kids. I really hope there is more to come where this came from. Kids need books like this with catchy stories, solid characters who have good values that they can relate to." ~ Unorthodox Mama, Goodreads, 5 Stars.
*** Get your FREE COPY of Escape From the Forbidden Planet by Julie Anne Grasso July 17 to 21, 2013. Available for 99 cents after July 21, 2013. ***
Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (Canada)
About the Author
Julie Anne Grasso is an Australian author with a background in paediatric nursing. She spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories about a little girl elf just like them. Add in some very funky technology, her love of science fiction and desire to impart great values through her little girl elf named Caramel and there you have it, the Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy was the result.
Julie lives in Melbourne with her husband Danny and their little elf Giselle. Most days she can be found sipping chai lattes, chasing a toddler, and dreaming up wonderful worlds that often involve consumption of cupcakes.
Book Website: http://www.julieannegrassobooks.com/
Blog: http://www.whenigrowupiwannawriteakidsbook.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook page: Julie Anne Grasso Books
Twitter: @Jujuberry37
Goodreads Author: Julie Anne Grasso
Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
July 17
July 18July 19
July 20
July 21
July 22
July 23
July 24
July 25
July 26
July 27
July 28
July 29
July 30
July 31
*** Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Giveaway ***
My review:
And the
adventure continues! Instead of life returning to sleepy normal on Cardamom,
the planet is now experiencing loads of activity. Cardamom Crystal is in huge
demand as a power source for intergalactic technology. Caramel develops her
skills in tree tending and healer classes and is keen to get better at computer
control. The dangers of Alexander222 are over … or are they? Disaster strikes
when the entire cardamom crop drops before due time, the plants are traumatized,
and Caramel has to accompany her mother to the tree canopy to find out what is
going on. If Cardamom does not meet its quota, Alexander222 and his sidekick Lex
will put forward the new biosynthetic hybrid, Cardocryst, to the Intergalactic
Council. This is something the inhabitants of Cardamom cannot afford to see happen
because they will lose their livelihood.
Once at the tree
canopy, Caramel discovers she has the ability to understand the plants and also
to soothe them. She manages to encourage them to start producing a new crop.
The planet might just make the quota after all, if the elves can keep the
plants safe. Amazingly, the plants give her a clue: they were unable to smell
the identity of the saboteur, meaning he or she is an elf! Caramel’s ideas on what happened to the
plants—Alexander 222 and her Aunt Isabel are at the bottom of this—are
dismissed as conspiracy theories, but once her mom, Arianna, is kidnapped, it’s
up to Caramel and her friends to save the day … again!
Author Julie
Anne Grasso knows how to keep the action and the energy going as Caramel and
her mates plot and then execute a rescue plan. In between all the Cardamom-based
science and techno talk, are the real themes of life that readers are beginning
to understand. Doing the right thing, being loyal to friends and family, trying
even when you might not succeed, believing in yourself, and consciousness of
environmental issues are themes that should be instilled in kids at an early
age. Caramel’s courage and principles help young readers to understand what it
means to jump into the fray and do your very best. Wonderful revelations at the
end of the book restore Caramel’s (and readers) faith in justice and make for a
beautiful ending. I loved the first two books and can’t wait to read what the
author and Caramel have in store in the final installment of this captivating
trilogy. Totally elvo!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Review: Brave. A Book About Courage
There
are as many definitions of poetry as there are poets. Poetry is an artistic
expression unlike any other. Some research suggests that poetry predates
literature, starting out as songs and oral traditions of storytelling. Why
poetry? The art of a few simple, well-chosen words teaches us to look at the
smallest moments and details of life and learn from them. Alas, for many people
the last time they read a poem was at school or university. It’s wonderful to
find a book like Brave. A Book About Courage geared specifically for kids.
Readers of all ages will delight in a variety of themes in this compilation of
constructive acrostic, witty alliteration, haiku, alphabet, and free verse
poetry. The book offers an endearing perspective about the various interests
and feelings of a child in relation to hopes and aspirations, family
relationships and friendships, the five senses, self and a sense of identity, animals,
and life in general.
A
book of poems is a gem, something to be savored and relished for each word of
wisdom and awakening it offers the reader, regardless of age. In this book,
many poems explore the fun, boisterous, sunny side of life, and others plunge
deeper into the fearful aspects of being small in a big world. Bravery is
having the courage to go out every day and tackle what comes, no matter what
comes. These creatively structured poems explore what it means to cultivate
respect for self and others, the meaning of good qualities, and to hold fast to
the maxim that ‘anything is possible.’
Because
Brave. A Book about Courage is authored by a 12-year-old child, other children
will more thoroughly comprehend the content at hand and develop a better
appreciation for literature. For children to read a child-authored book not
only encourages more kids to get involved with reading books, but will possibly
inspire them to write one of their own. This is a fabulous little book for
parents and teachers to introduce children to the enchantment and magicality found
in words. Highly recommended. 5 Stars. First reviewed for Readers Favorite.
by Fiona Ingram
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Reviewing David Litwack
I’m a fan of David Litwack’s
writing and I first met David when I reviewed his book There Comes a Prophet. I
recently reviewed David’s second book, Along the Watchtower, and was not
disappointed.
An IED explosion in Iraq ends the war for
Lieutenant Freddie Williams, leaving his mind and body shattered. Once a
skilled gamer and expert in virtual and real warfare, he emerges from a
medically induced coma to discover he’s inhabiting two separate realities. The
first is his waking world of pain, family trials, and remorse for living when
his friends are dead. The second is a dark fantasy realm of quests, demons, and
magic that Freddie enters when he sleeps. In his dreams, he is Frederick,
Prince of Stormwind, who (after his father’s death) must survive horrific
visions in order to save his embattled kingdom from the monstrous Horde. While
in the conscious world, the severely wounded vet faces a strangely similar and
equally perilous mission—a journey along a dark road haunted by demons of guilt
and family ghosts that must be put to rest.
This is a trial by ordeal that readers will
appreciate on several levels. The outer physical journey to recovery and the
inner spiritual road to victory play out with the two worlds merging perfectly.
Items from Freddie’s reality become hauntingly evocative icons in his dream
world. Author David Litwack has an almost poetic approach to the fantasy level
that contrasts sharply with the gritty, real world Freddie struggles (and
almost gives up) within. I like this interesting contrast and in a way, the two
levels are part of the great game of life that Freddie must win. But will he
win, one wonders? His
mind is haunted by demons; his body is struggling from
the extent of his injuries. In his reality, he undergoes slow rehabilitation
with Becky, his physical therapist. In the dream kingdom, he finds comfort in
the royal gardens, where the gentle words of the beautiful gardener, Rebecca,
calm the storms in his soul. Can he retrieve his original purpose in life? Will
the demons of both worlds win?
The title is part of a poem by Bob Dylan and captures the essence of the story. This is a great read and the author’s skill in building both worlds with gifted imagery becomes apparent as the story draws the reader in. I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.
The title is part of a poem by Bob Dylan and captures the essence of the story. This is a great read and the author’s skill in building both worlds with gifted imagery becomes apparent as the story draws the reader in. I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.
The books are so
different that I had to delve deeper and find out where David was going with
his writing.
Along the Watchtower combines the dark magic of a fantasy world with the grim reality of war trauma. Where did the idea for come from?
I’ve always been
fascinated by how we perceive reality. Think of the film Rashomon, the classic exploration
of multiple realities, where several witnesses to a crime describe events completely
differently, each bringing their own experiences and biases into play. But it’s
when we’re ripped from our normal life and placed in extreme circumstances that
our reality becomes totally fragmented. Such is the case with hospitals and
war. At the same time, I had
become engrossed in playing the online fantasy game, World of Warcraft, with my son, an avid player. With me on the east
coast on him on the west, he suggested we meet weekly in the fantasy world of
Azeroth—an invitation I could hardly resist. For several months, we had a
Wednesday evening appointment, where we our avatars would meet in this virtual
world and go on quests together. I was struck by how totally immersed I could
get into the game, how quickly time passed and the surreal mood of wandering
around in strange places, solving riddles and following quests, all to gain
magic powers, more powerful weapons, and experience points so I could
“level-up”. The fantasy gaming experience
has a dream-like quality to it. And I began to wonder: how would this
experience affect the dreams of someone whose reality has been fragmented by
war, PTSD and traumatic brain injury. These concepts—war,
hospitals, and the fantasy world of online gaming—came together in Along the Watchtower.
These are two such
different worlds that your main character, Lt. Freddie Williams (or Prince
Frederick of Stormwind) inhabit. What kind of research did you do to make both
come to life so vividly.
In addition to playing World
of Warcraft myself (I only managed to get to level 63) I read several academic
books written about the sociology and psychology of role-playing games, where
people assume an alternate identity, go places and do things they would never
attempt in “normal life.” But it was when I researched the effects of the Iraq
and Afghan wars on veterans that the two worlds began to converge. I learned that 30% of
our returning veterans are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress. That means
that after six months they’re still dealing with flashbacks, dreams, depression
and difficulty re-assimilating into their former lives. And that doesn’t
account for the many others who were able to adjust on their own, but continued
to go through inner turmoil. The war experience changes all of them forever. Many
have suicidal thoughts (the suicide rate among war veterans is triple that of
the general population. More soldiers have died by their own hand than in the
war itself). The unemployment rate of released veterans is triple the national
average for that age group. Many struggle with dark thoughts and have
difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. They also develop an
inability to “turn off” the normal flight or fight syndrome, leaving them uncomfortable
in crowds, always suspicious and on alert.
But it’s worse than
that. One of the ironic successes of these recent wars is the advance in
battlefield medical treatment. The result is that far fewer die of serious
injuries than in prior wars. The ratio of wounded to dead in WWII was 1.1/1, in
Vietnam 1.7/1. In Iraq, it was 7/1. Many more lives are saved, but many more veterans
are coming home with debilitating, lifelong injuries. And 68% of all the wounded
have some form or brain trauma, penetrating injuries from shrapnel or
non-penetrating concussions from the blasts of IEDs.
The book describes his
recovery and recounts how fragile our brains can be. At one point, the erudite
Woodruff could rattle off the names of all prior U.S. presidents, but couldn’t remember
the names of his own children.
And I read about post
traumatic stress. One of the best books is Achilles in Vietnam. Written by Jonathan Shay, a Vietnam war era PTSD counselor, it
compares his clinical notes from actual patients to the text from Homer’s Odyssey,
showing the parallels of how we as human beings deal with the trauma of war. The
result is an amazing insight into how war fragments our sense of reality and
disrupts our moral compass, leaving re-entry into normal life as a brutal and
agonizing experience. I picked up this book to learn and ended up both
enlightened and deeply moved.
Your prior book, There Comes a Prophet, was a dystopian
fantasy. Along the Watchtower seems
to cross genres. It’s part fantasy adventure, part love story, part family
drama and a chronicle of recovery and personal growth. Was that your intent?
I didn’t write Along the Watchtower to be a polemic on the state of our returning veterans. But the more I found about their situation, the more I discovered the universality of how people are affected in extremis. War, injury, illness, and personal tragedy touch all of us deeply and reveal much about who we are and how we cope with the human condition.
You’ve delved into very different topics in your first two books. What else do you have planned?
I’m in late stage edits with an alternate world story called The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky. It’s about a world divided between the Blessed Lands, a place of the spirit, and the Republic, whose people worship at the altar of reason. A mysterious nine-year-old girl from the Blessed Lands sails into the lives of a troubled couple in the Republic and seems to heal everyone she meets. She reveals nothing about herself, other than to say she’s the daughter of the sea and the sky. But she harbors a secret wound she herself cannot heal. I’m also currently planning what will be a sequel to There Comes a Prophet. I’ve always wondered what happened to Orah and Nathaniel after their world changing heroics and what became of the contemporaries of the keepmasters who had crossed the ocean. Stay tuned.
by Fiona Ingram
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Book Review: Escape From the Forbidden Planet
Meet Caramel Cinnamon, an elf who lives in
Cardeville on the planet Cardamom. Caramel’s bad accident when she was little
has left her with a gammy leg, but that doesn’t stop her doing all kinds of
things an elf of her age would do—such as spending two weeks visiting her
The villainous Alexander222, an off-world explorer, along with his
sidekick clone, Lex, arrive from the planet Isqwartz. His planet resource is
crystal, but supplies are dwindling. They need a renewable resource to trade
with other members of the Intergalactic Council. Cardamom is just perfect,
especially when the properties of this amazing plant become evident.
Alexander222
is desperate to impress the Clone Council and get back into favor. The elves
are betrayed by someone close to them, and things turn ugly. Caramel’s
grandparents (the King and Queen of Cardamom) are kidnapped and Caramel recognizes
their attacker. Before she can make trouble for him, Alexander222 dumps Caramel
and her parents on the forbidden planet (Earth) that the Alexanders desperately
try to avoid after a bad incident there (Roswell!). Although Earth isn’t as
technologically advanced as Cardamom, Caramel and her parents make plans to
rescue the King and Queen … until things go horribly awry! Now it’s up to
Caramel to do it all on her own, with some help from her new Earth friends.
This is an enchanting fantasy tale to
delight readers of all ages. Cardamom’s elves are not your ordinary fairy-tale
elves. Science and technology rub shoulders comfortably with a twist of fantasy
in this magical world. These elves have telepathic skills as well as healing
talents. Caramel is not just an elf, she’s a princess, and she rises to meet
the responsibilities thrust upon her with new-found inner strength and
determination. Author Julie Anne Grasso has woven a wonderful story with all
the elements to intrigue young readers and keep them turning those pages.
There’s danger, a test of our heroine’s courage and resourcefulness,
intergalactic travel, super-science, geek talk, and a mission to accomplish.
Caramel is a lovely, real character, and touches such as her limp emphasize the
importance of believing in yourself and being … well, yourself! Family
relationships and friendships are also precious to the elves. There are some
humorous touches parents will enjoy such as references to modern culture. Mentions
of delicious food abound and one wonders why the author did NOT include the
recipe for sticky date and chocolate cake with caramel cardamom syrup. (Pass
the pudding please!) 5 Stars. Ages: 9+
Julie Anne Grasso is an Australian author with a background in paediatric nursing.
She spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she
witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for,
which inspired her to write stories about a little girl elf just like them. Add
in some very funky technology, her love of science fiction and desire to impart
great values through her little girl elf named Caramel and there
you have it,
the Adventures of Caramel
Cardamom Trilogy was the result. Julie lives in Melbourne with
her husband Danny and their little elf Giselle. Most days she can be found
sipping chai lattes, chasing a toddler, and dreaming up wonderful worlds that
often involve consumption of cupcakes. Visit her blog and book site for details
of upcoming books.
Watch out for my book review on the next in the trilogy: Return to Cardamom (20 July) and Julie's Q and A (29 July).
Monday, July 1, 2013
Book Review: The Shadow of Atlantis
Ten-year-old
twins Joe and Jemima Lancelot get the shock of their lives when their parents disappear
without a trace and with no explanation. The only clues are a mysterious old
book that had belonged to their father and a piece of jewellery belonging to
their mother … something she always wore. The only witness to part of their disappearance
is Max, their unusually talented Tonkinese cat. Months pass with no further information,
and so the twins begin a new life with their Uncle Richard, a professor of archaeology.
Although he hasn’t any kids of his own and isn’t very good at parenting,
luckily his wonderful housekeeper, Mrs. Garland, makes the twins feel at home. Uncle
Richard said Max (short for Maximus) could stay too, so, apart from deep
sadness about their parents, the twins settle into a new routine. Charlie Green,
the shy boy next door, soon becomes their best friend.
One rainy day,
the twins decide to look at their father’s old book. In an amazing magical
moment, they manage to open the book and, accompanied by Charlie and Max, are
transported to the lost city of Atlantis. They befriend a kind family but the disaster
facing the city soon becomes their problem. The trouble is, only a few people
believe their warnings. Can they escape dangerous enemies, save the city, and get
back to their own world before it’s too late? And where are their parents?
by Fiona Ingram
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