Best of Summer Kid Lit Giveaway Hop

By Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73

It's finally happened. Summer is over and the kids are back in school. Depending on whether you are a kid or a parent, this could be good or bad.

For me, summer always meant two things: time at the pool, and time to read - not just books my teachers told me to read, but anything I wanted to read! Of course, many of those paperbacks went to the pool with me (I mean, a kid has to do something during periods of "adult only swim," right?). But I spent just as many hours hiding from those pesky younger siblings, up a tree or in the woods of the house across the street, losing myself in the adventures of Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, or journeying along with Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.

Of course, back to school means getting back into the reading habit. Or maybe you're lucky, and your kids never got out of it. In any event, there will be opportunities for "what did you do this summer" essays and "pick a book" free reading book reports. So hopefully you got some good reads in over the last few months.

And if you didn't, no worries! The bloggers below, assembled by Mother Daughter Book Reviews and Youth Literature Reviews, are more than willing to share their summer reading expertise.





Tell me: What's the best kid's book you've read (or your kids have read) this summer? One lucky commenter can win $25 Paypal case (open to US and international residents.

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Story Cartel Campaign for POWER PLAY

by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73

I recently read a post by K.M. Weiland on her experiment with Story Cartel. If you aren't familiar with Story Cartel, it is a site where authors offer free books. In exchanged, readers are encouraged to leave reviews (because what better way to support an author you like than by giving them a boost through "word of mouth," which is really what reviews are). To sweeten the pot, authors run a little giveaway for those who leave reviews.

Now, this may sound bad. "But aren't you buying reviews?" Not really. First, giving free copies of a book in exchange for a review is an old, well-established tradition. Do you think The New York Times buys all of those books it reviews? No. Publishing houses send out review copies (advance reader copies, or ARCs) to major book reviewers. In return, the publication runs a review. Naturally, publishers hope that the reviews are favorable. Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren't.

What Story Cartel appears to be doing (at least to my eyes), is opening this field up to small press/indie authors and ordinary readers. Because we all don't work for The New York Times, but if you're a reader, you are certainly capable of giving a review. And don't we all have opinions? Of course we do.

So for the next twenty (20) days, Power Play: Hero's Sword Vol. 1 will be available to download, for free, from Story Cartel by using this link. If you've already purchased the book, thank you. You can help by sending a friend or family member the link and with a recommendation. If you've been on the fence about trying the Hero's Sword series, here's your opportunity to try it, risk free (the only thing you are risking is your time).

You are, of course, under no obligation to leave a review - good or bad. And I really do want your honest review.

Numerous polls and surveys show that the vast majority of the book-buying public discovers books through "word of mouth." In other words, they read a review or get a recommendation from a friend/family member. So if you're a regular reader of this blog, I humbly ask for your assistance. Go grab a copy of Power Play and leave a review. And if middle-grade fantasy isn't your thing, get a copy for a child (or child of a friend) and get them to write a review. Their opinions count too, you know.

And, as added incentive, three (3) lucky reviewers will win a $10 Amazon gift card (winner selected at random by Story Cartel).

STORM CLOUDS Blog Tour Winner

by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73

Yes, the blog tour is over. Thanks so much to all of the hosts and those of you who followed along. Now it's time for the big winner announcement - the winner of the Kindle Paperwhite or Nook Simple Touch. Drum roll please.....

Congratulations Mary Preston! You've won! Expect an email from me to claim your prize.

Once again, thanks to everybody for following the tour. I hope it sparked your interest in the world of Hero's Sword. Books 1 and 2, Power Play and Storm Clouds are available now from all major e-tailers. Publication details for book 3, Wedding Bells, will be released as I know them.

Of course, if you want to get information about Jaycee, Stu, and the rest of my writing delivered right to your inbox, sign up for my monthly newsletter (no spam, I promise).

See you in Mallory!