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Preview and Giveaway: Guinevere Dawn of Legend delivers MG tale behind Arthurian Legend

7/23/2017

When I was in middle school, my world was filled with tales about Knights of the Round Table. Their fantasy and escape to an ideal world of kindness and chivalry grabbed me. I was wild about their 20th-century adapations, too. Over the moon with Disney’s cartoon portrayal of Arthur as Wart in “The Sword and the Stone.” Adored the silver screen’s adaptation of "Camelot." But growing up in the Nutmeg state, my fave read was Mark Twain’s version in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.

M’lords and M’ladies: The legend continues with a new back story for children that highlights Arthur’s Queen, Guinevere. I’m pleased to partner with BeachBoundBooks in a Blog Tour for the children's historical fiction book written by Cheryl Carpinello, Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend.

Pray, Gentle Folk, read on:

Learn more about the book
Catch excerpts from the tale
Meet the author (a very-cool former history teacher I met in cyberspace).
Scroll down to the end of this post and enter for YOUR chance to win a $25.00US Gift Card or PayPal Cash

about the book

“Think before acting,” her father always warned.
But Princess Guinevere is ruled by her heart.
Her betrothal to King Arthur has not changed this.

Title: Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend Book Two
Author: Cheryl Carpinello
Publisher: Beyond Today Educator
Publication Date: June 21, 2017
Number of Pages: 121
Genre: Children's Historical Fiction
Summary:
When Guinevere and Cedwyn’s latest adventure takes a dangerous turn, they find themselves embroiled in a life-or-death struggle as foretold by Merlyn’s Goddess of the Stones.

Renegades—foiled in their attempt to kidnap the princess—steal the children of Cadbury Castle to sell as slaves. Guinevere and Cedwyn vow to rescue the children, but a miscalculation puts them all in more danger. The plan quickly unravels, and Guinevere’s impassioned decisions come crashing down as Cedwyn chooses to turn his dream of becoming a knight into reality. Will their courage be strong enough to survive, or will one make the ultimate sacrifice?

Photo: Pixabay

Excerpts

1. The Goddess Speaks:
Many trials await the two of you. Perhaps the hardest are the ones you will have to endure alone.

You, Guinevere, will find yourself lost. You—who are destined to be a great queen—will have to traverse a journey of immense pain and self-doubt. You must let your inner feelings guide you. The journey will be hard and painful. You must summon the courage of your soul to sustain you.

You, Cedwyn, faithful friend of the princess and the queen. Your journey may be the hardest of all. You will be sent far from those you serve and love. Your duty will demand that you see this most difficult journey to its end. Whether it be death or life for you will depend upon many things. Your courage must also come from deep within your soul for one so young. Your love of family and friends must be great. But greater still must be your loyalty to the knight’s duty. For your knight’s vow comes soon. You must embrace it. You must defeat the temptations to turn aside for your own safety.

Photo: Pexels

2. Fathers and Daughters:
His finger on her lips stopped her rebuttal.

“Not now. Other issues demand the attention of the knights and kings.”…

“But Father…I promised.”

“So you did, daughter mine, but kings must rule with their heads not their hearts. This discussion is over. You are dismissed to go to your room. I have a knight there who will make sure your rest tonight isn’t disturbed.”

Her legs refused to move. She opened her mouth, but no words came.

“Go now, Guinevere. Before I forget you’re my own flesh and have you flogged for the dangers you’ve brought upon us. Go!”

Guinevere ran from the room, fists clenched, tears streaming down her face.

About the Author

Cheryl Carpinello

Cheryl Carpinello is a retired high school English teacher. A devourer of books growing up, her profession introduced her to writings and authors from times long past. Through studies and teaching, she fell in love with the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Now, she hopes to inspire young readers and those Young-at-Heart to read more through Tales and Legends for Reluctant Readers set in these worlds.

Blog Tour Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: August 7, 11:59 pm, 2017 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Cheryl Carpinello and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Showing Gratitude to My Readers with Free Chapter Download and Taste of the South Video

7/16/2017

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Thanks and free chapters

Wow! Can’t believe I started dreaming about Sweet T and the Turtle Team two years ago.

I’m over the moon to bring this tale, with its warm, funny characters and themes of perseverance, friendship, and environmental stewardship, to you and your young readers.

<Jumping up and down here with a crazy, happy grin that won’t go away!!!!!> Find details, order your copy: http://www.catmichaelswriter.com/sweet-t-and-the-turtle-team.html

Showing Gratitude to My Readers with FREE Chapter Downloads and Taste of the South - catmichaelswriter.com

Many thanks for supporting Sweet T and me!

To show my gratitude, I'm offering Cat's Corner readers FREE chapter sample downloads (available through 21 August).

Here’s what you’ll find in your choice of formats for pdf (desktop) .mobi (Kindle) or ePub (most tablets

Boiled peanuts: a taste of the south from sample chapters (Illustration: Irene A. Jahns)

* New characters, Billy and Aunt Mae, and hints about Billy’s secret

* Fuzzy, who gets lost AGAIN!

* Mama’s blog sample with real hatch photo supplied by readers

* Text-messaging plot device

Download your FREE Catly Chapter Samples

Taste of the south writing inspirations

My inspiration for this tale came from living in the American South and my love affair with the sea since girlhood days on the Connecticut Coast.

Hey, experience a taste of the south for yourself. Come along with me on a virtual jaunt video to find inspiration, fun and food Down East in the old port cities of New Bern and Bath, North Carolina. (Can you spot me hiding behind one of the New Bern Bears sprinkled all around the historic downtown?!?!? I do a mean Blackbeard the Pirate, too – LOL!).

early buzz about the book

Yippy!
My Awesome Advance Readers
say they like what they see ...

Early review from Rhonda Paglia, author/illustrator

... and they confirm
your beginning and reluctant readers
will sink their teeth into adventure and learning.

Early review from PJ La Rue, author

Please stop by my Facebook page this week for more goodies and giveaways as we count down to the Turtle Team's 21 July debut.

And don't forget to enter my BeachBoundBooks Sweet T Tour $75 Giveaway ending 9 August.

Hope y’all enjoy your taste of the south and free chapters -:D
Feel free to share this post with your friends.

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Tips, Tricks to Stay Happy, Keep Going on the Rocky Writing Road

7/9/2017

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Do you know what goes into creating that favorite book your young one reads over and over? Or what it takes to persevere with a career in the competitive writing market?

Intrepid reporter Sass Bloom turns her journalistic eye to giving you answers to this and more in an exclusive interview with, er, um, ME!

Illustration: Cat Blount

I learned tons as an educator and communications professional, but nothing prepared me for the hurdles I faced since starting in 2013 to bring you worthy children’s tales.

Don’t get me wrong. I love connecting with YOU and young readers, and it's satisfying work. But I don't think of writing as "F-U-N."

I see you raising your eyebrow, thinking:
"WHAT?!??!?! HOW CAN IT BE?!?!?!?
It's a downright sacrilege for a kid lit writer to say her work isn't F-U-N!"

Mercy, writing and marketing books in the digital age is way too difficult to be pet-a-puppy
F-U-N! It’s more like the reward you get from pushing your limits in a triathlon. You're determined to tackle it. You’re satisfied just to be in the race and ecstatic when you cross the finish line.

Writing is not a walk-in-the-park, skipping-along kind of tra-la F-U-N. It's really hard, hard, hard work. Quite addictive, too -:D!

Sass Bloom and Blountville Fans * Illustration by Cat Blount

Sass and her young fans from Blountville, home of my writer pal, Cat Blount, delve into other issues and ask the tough questions --- everything from advice for aspiring authors to an insightful elementary grader asking why I don't write about pancakes. (Ok, ok, I admit getting brilliant ideas from young readers is lovely and f-u-n!)

We also discuss the Sweet T Tales and my newest chapter book for early and reluctant readers, Sweet T and the Turtle Team. (Ok again: I’m beyond-psyched to share Turtle Team in its print and digital debut with y'all on 21 July, so I guess that’s me having f-u-n again.)

I’d be over the moon if you’ll click below to pop by Sass Bloom's blog to read our interview (And talking with Sass and the kids was def F-U-N!).

Meet Sass Bloom and her Young Blountville Fans
* Interview with Cat Michaels & Book Giveaway*

OOOOOOOoooooo Almost forgot! Sass is giving away a free Sweet T and the Turtle Team e-book to one lucky reader.

What are you waiting for? Please give us a like here and click on over to Blountville with Sass! Appreciate YOU!

Thanks for stopping by. Like what you see?
Don’t miss a post!
Send this blog to your RSS feed or email.

Join the fun * Join my tribe!
Updates - Special Offers - Fun Stuff
Receive Cat's What's Up e-newsletter

Just for new tribe members....
Kids: have a grown-up download your FREE coloring printables from Cat’s books
Young at Heart: download your FREE copy of a special Catly short story
Driving Down to Dillon: A Tale of Love & New Beginnings

Join Cat’s Tribe of Readers!

Twitter Facebook Pinterest Goodreads Amazon Instagram

9 Comments

Cat's Corner

Preview and Giveaway: Guinevere Dawn of Legend delivers MG tale behind Arthurian Legend

about the book

​Excerpts ​

About the Author ​

Blog Tour Giveaway

Join cat's tribe of readers

Showing Gratitude to My Readers with Free Chapter Download and Taste of the South Video

Thanks and free chapters ​

Taste of the south writing inspirations

early buzz about the book

join cat's tribe of readers

Tips, Tricks to Stay Happy, Keep Going on the Rocky Writing Road

Join Cat’s Tribe of Readers!

﻿Cat Michaels﻿

Meet Cat ​INSIDE the pages

Archives

Excerpts

About the Author

Thanks and free chapters

join cat's tribe of reade rs

Cat Michaels

Meet Cat
INSIDE the pages