Dreamstone by Mikey Brooks

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour of:

THE DREAMSTONE,

Book Two in The Dream Keeper Chronicles

A thrilling fantasy-adventure series for middle-grade readers!

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Don't forget to check out the GIVEAWAY

at the bottom of this page for a chance

to win one of over 30 prizes! 

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DREAMS: 

Dorothy called it Oz, 

Alice called it Wonderland, 

but Nightmares call it HOME. 

When Parker’s mom is dreamnapped by the wicked Mab, it is up to him and Kaelyn to save her. When they return to Dreams, they discover Mab isn’t their only problem. Gladamyr has lost his powers and the only way to get them back is to become what he fears the most—a nightmare.

SYNOPSIS:

In Book 1, The Dream Keeper, Parker and Kaelyn discovered that Dreams was a real place that everyone visits while they sleep. An evil nightmare named Fyren took control of the gateway to that world. Parker and Kaelyn teamed up with Gladamyr, the only dream keeper to escape capture by Fyren, and together they save Dreams from Fyren’s rule. After the defeat of Fyren the children return to Awake to find Mab, Fyren’s next in command, has dreamnapped Parker’s mom. 

The story continues in Book 2, The Dreamstone, as the children return to Dreams to save Parker’s mom. Finding her, however, is not their only problem. Mab has waged a war on the Crossing and has sent an army of dragons to bring it down, nightmares have been released from prison, and Gladamyr has lost his powers to shape-shift. Parker, Kaelyn, and Gladamyr must once again defy all odds to set things right and save Parker’s mom before it’s too late.    

My Review: I loved the first two books in this series. They're fun, fast-paced, and take you into the world of dreams. I love the uniqueness of the dream world. While the Mares are something I could do without, I would love to have the power to dream anything I wanted. The second book is intense from start to finish as Parker must fight to save his mom. He has great friends to help him out. I would recommend this to any middle-grade child but I think anyone would enjoy it, regardless of age. I can't wait for book three!!

AUTHOR BIO:

Mikey Brooks is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll catch him dancing the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is the author/illustrator of several books including the best-selling ABC ADVENTURES: MAGICAL CREATURES and BEAN’S DRAGONS as well as the middle-grade fantasy-adventure series THE DREAM KEEPER CHRONICLES. His art can be seen in many forms from picture books to full room murals. He loves to daydream with his three daughters and explore the worlds that only the imagination of children can create. Mikey has a BS degree in English from Utah State University and works full-time as a freelance illustrator and cover designer. As a member of the Emblazoners, he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the hearts of children’. He is also one of the hosts of the Authors’ Think Tank Podcast. You can find more about him and his books at: www.insidemikeysworld.com

Now Available in Audiobook!

BOOK LINKS:

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1939993237 

Hardback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1939993229

eBook: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP33YZO

ISBN:

Hardback: 978-1-939993-22-9, Paperback: 978-1-939993-23-6, eBook: 978-1-939993-24-3

PRICE:

Hardback: $19.95, Paperback: $12.99, EBook: $2.99.

 

10 winners will receive a gift bag with numerous signed books marks, 

collector cards, wrists bands, and a handmade dream key necklace.

Paperback Books:

Can You Survive? Treasure Island, by Blake Hoena

The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer, by Lisa Cole Orchard

Color of Freedom, by Michelle Athearn Isenhoff

Explorer X-Alpha, by Lm Preston

Gangsterland, by Ansha Kotyk

Cycles, by Lois Brown

Andy Smithson: Blast of the Dragon’s Fury, by L.R.W Lee

Princess Kandake, by Stephanie Jefferson

Weight of the Crown, by Stephanie Jefferson

Arrow of the Mist, by Christina Mercer

Cassidy Jones, by Elise Stokes

The Seventh Attendant, by Elise Stokes

Curse at Zala Manor, by BBH McChiller

The Curse of the Double Digits, by Lynn Kelley

Into the Forest and Down the Tower, by Ann T. Bugg

Off to Camp and Discovering Art, by Ann T. Bugg

Agency, by Shantal Hiatt

Psyched, by Juli Caldwell

Ragesong, by J.R. Simmons

EBooks:

Secret Sisters Club, by Monique Bucheger

Trouble Blows West, by Monique Bucheger

The Alien Mind, by Virginia Jennings

The Last Time Keepers, by Sharon Ledwith

Frogs & Toads, by Stacy Lynn Carroll

Nexus Point, by Jaleta Clegg

Warrior Beautiful, by Wendy Knight

Shahira and the Flying Elfs, by Anna del C Dye (PDF)

 


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December Book Giveaways!

This month we wanted to do some awesome giveaways for our readers. Make sure you enter so you can have a chance to win gift certificates, books, and more!! 

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Delayed Book Launch and Other News

This week has been a crazy week, trying to figure out what to do with my books. The copies weren't getting sent because of troubles at the printer. I knew that there was a small chance that I wouldn't have my books and I was willing to go with it. That was until I found out that the books had been delayed yet again.

My fellow authors that were going to be signing with me suggested that we delay the launch until January. It was with relief that I called the library and moved it to January. We have it tentatively set for January 18th but we're waiting to hear from the printer.

After discussing everything with my publisher, we decided to go with a new cover. It wasn't working with the formatting of the book and it wasn't how Louie the leprechaun was depicted in my book. The cover gave the feeling that my book was scary, but it's actually a fun, light book. 

So here we are, the day after my launch would have been held. I'm happy we delayed it for a few reasons. I had no copies, it was dumping snow throughout the entire state, and I was able to get a few things done at home.

On top of all the excitement of publishing a book, we decided to buy a new home. That home will be done at the end of this month, and yet our house we're in currently hasn't sold. We've tried everything to get it sold. It's a beautiful home and has treated our family well for 9 1/2 years. 

One of the questions asked at my online book launch was: Were there any repercussions from the leprechaun world for your portrayal of them?

My answer is a resounding YES. 

My publisher joked that it was rather ironic that with the title of my book, we're having so many problems getting it published. No kidding. We have struggled getting it out!

The house has been crazy to try and sell. Cars have broken down several times. I'd go on but it doesn't matter. The point was that bad luck has followed me since I wrote this book. 

But guess what. Awesome luck has also followed me. I finally feel better after a couple of years. I have a great house I'll hopefully get by the end of the month. My kids are healthy and happy. Steve has a great job. I have my very first book out, and people like it! Book two of this series will be out in March, and I'm ready to submit book three. We have small blessings happen to us, just as we're ready to give up.

And yes, I believe in Christmas miracles.

For those interested in my book, you can get it on kindle here

For those with a Nook, you can purchase it here

Stolen Luck Blog Tour

It's hard to believe it's actually here, but my book officially releases on December 1st! To celebrate, we'll be doing a blog tour throughout this week. The calendar is below. You can enter to win an ecopy of my book, read reviews, and check out the interviews. 

I'm excited to share this book with  everyone. I also want to remind you that there's an online book launch on Tuesday, December, 3rd. There will be awesome prizes! 

Also, December 7th is my book launch at the American Fork Library from 2-4 pm. I'm super excited for it! I will be joined by Wendy Knight, Andrea Pearson, Holly Kelly, Christy Dorrity, C Michelle Jefferies, and Jaleta Clegg.

Blog Schedule: 

Dec 1st: 

Wendy Knight  www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com

Juli Caldwell  http://julicaldwell.blogspot.com/

Stacy Lynn Carroll www.stacylynncarroll.com

Britney Gulbrandson   http://www.britneygulbrandsen.com

Dec 2nd: 

Jaleta Clegg  http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com/

Shelli Howells http://shelliproffitthowells.com/amusings/

Livia Peterson www.leaveittolivia.blogspot.com

December 3rd:

Jennifer Bennett   jjbennett.com

Alison Woods  http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/

December 4th:

Angie Lofthouse  www.notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com

Tristi Pinkston  http://www.tristipinkston.blogspot.com

Brenda Gallagher: Www.brendabirchgallaher@blogspot.com

December 5th:

Tamara Bordon http://cerebrationsofawriter.blogspot.com/

Merita King www.meritaking.com

Laura Bastian  lauradbastian.blogspot.com

December 6th:

Donna Weaver  Donnakweaver.com

Lindzee Armstrong  http://www.lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com

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It's Poll Time!

For each of my leprechaun books I have had a fun title that contains the word "luck." Well, book three has been written and I have yet to come up with a  great title for it.

That's where you come in! To the right is a poll with four options for a title. Let me know what you would like. If you don't like those four, comment below and give me another idea.

Here is a little about the book (without giving anything away):

Megan, Beth, and Jared have discovered that the fairies and other creatures that have helped them in the past are being taken by a strange darkness. They must fight to set those creatures free. Along the way, Megan learns more about her family and where her luck comes from.

Twist of Luck

I'm so excited!

Book 2 in my leprechaun series, Twist of Luck, will come out on March 1st, 2014. The contract has been signed, and edits will begin in January.

Megan and her friends have been a big part of my life for the last two years. I finished the third and last book last week. I'm starting the edits so that I can submit it. I hope that everyone enjoys the series as much as I have.

More Good News!

I have had so much happen since my last post. Perhaps I should post more often. Maybe.  My book publication was moved from June 2014 to March 2014, when I requested having my book release close to St. Patrick's Day.  I was thrilled to death. What a great way to celebrate a book about a leprechaun!

But then things got even more exciting. A few days after deciding on the March date, I got an email letting me know what Whiskey Creek Press was going to be starting a new imprint called Wee Creek Press. This would focus more on Children's, Middle grade, and Young Adult books. I was told they hoped to move my book over to this new imprint. I was thrilled, because I knew my books would fit in better there.

That wasn't all. Because Wee Creek is new, they could release my book in December of 2013. That's right. This year. I agreed to do it, hoping they'd like book 2 and possibly let me release that one in March of 2014.

The edits are now done, and my book is being formatted and ready to go. I'm now just waiting for my book cover. I'm so excited!

The blog tour will be from December 1st to the 6th. If you're wondering what a blog tour is, it's where readers can go to different blogs to read interviews and reviews of my book. There will be a few giveaways and it will be just plain awesome.

My book launch will be December 7th from 2:00-4:00 pm at the American Fork Library. I'm excited to be signing with Wendy Knight, Andrea Pearson, Christy Dorrity, Holly Kelly, J Michelle Jefferies, and Jaleta Clegg. Come and join us to get some amazing books for Christmas.

I'm getting more excited and nervous as the time draws closer!!

A Change of Plans Audio Book Tour

I'm so excited for this book to come out on Audio. It's fantastic! Grab your copy today and enjoy the adventures of pirates, deserted islands, and a new love. It is the perfect combination of awesomeness. The synopsis is below. And don't forget to enter for a chance to win!

Donna K. Weaver is so excited about the release of the audio book of her adventure romance A Change of Plans that she and her publisher, Rhemalda, are hosting a giveaway. 

And there can be two winners!

When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old, Colorado high school teacher wants to do is forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. Lyn plans a vacation diversion; fate provides Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship's make-believe world and temporary friendships, her emotions come alive. 

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he's navigating, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship--on the very anniversary Lyn is on the cruise to forget. Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs from Braedon and what he has to offer.

It’s hard to avoid someone when stuck on the same ship, and the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise's snorkeling excursions in American Samoa. Paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped and Lyn's fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.

AUDIBLE | AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE

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New Contract!

I have looked forward to the day I could start my own author website/blog. I have spent years networking, practicing writing, enjoying writing, and finally popping out two novels.

 One novel was a memoir of my family's nightmarish move to Australia. It was a tough write. I'd saved blog posts, emails and Facebook posts so that one day I could write the book. I did not expect it would be only four and a half months worth of writings. But then, I also didn't expect to go through the mess we did while we were there.Writing the memoir brought back memories that put me through an emotional wringer. Anger, tears, happiness. I hope to share this story with the world someday.

The second one came from a writing prompt from my writing group back in 2010. Our pitch assignment was "The Worst Day Ever." I sat at my computer deciding what to write and it came to me. What if someone had never had a bad day? What if they had always been lucky and then suddenly had it taken away? 

I didn't know where it would go from there but I sure had fun writing it. I made it as a short story and when it was done, my group started protesting. They wanted to know what else happened. They wanted to know what havoc had been wreaked at school the next day.

While I was in Australia, blogging about messes, this other story idea kept spinning around in my head. What problems did that leprechaun cause? Could I possibly put out a whole novel? It was intoxicating.

After the Australia book was out of my system, I started to write. It amazed me how easy the luck story flowed from my fingers. I heard people say that their characters would talk to them and I thought they were crazy—until this book. Suddenly my characters came alive and did what they wanted. The story went how it was supposed to—not how I'd thought it would be. It was magic! And again I was hooked. I couldn't wait to write another book with other characters who wanted their stories told.

I shared my book with a few people and got pretty good feedback. It's been a work in progress since and in November of 2012 I was able to join a great critique group. I thought I'd had my book polished until I went there.

It was tough. I had to learn to take feedback on my baby. I wanted to give up on writing ever again after the first meeting or two. Then I decided to take a picture book I'd worked on for years. The feedback was positive and suddenly I was ready to write again.

I began to look forward to having my manuscript ripped to shreds so that I could fix it. I was learning things about dialogue and how to go from being a "travel log" to an actual story. I got to the point where I could do it myself and I was thrilled.

Fast forward a few months and I felt I was ready to pitch my book. I pitched it to Whiskey Creek Press and they liked the pitch so I sent them my manuscript. It was a tough wait (all of three and a half weeks) and I received the beloved "Congratulations! We want to offer you a contract" email.

I was in shock. I was there enough to type out a few texts with shaking hands and to tell my family. Otherwise I just stared at the email. My friend called screaming and shrieking for me and I had another friend do happy dance for me because I could do nothing but sit there, staring.

So here I am, waiting happily for the next part of my contract. Giggling when I hear about how I'll need to help plan my title and cover image. Cheering when I see a bookmark for someone's book, knowing I'll get to do it soon.

I've had this dream to publish a book since I was in high school. If there's one thing I can say from this experience, it's that dreams DO come true. I got my bookstore, I visited Australia, and now—and best of all—I got a book contract. It's hard work to make your dream come true. But it's possible.