Monday, January 18, 2016

Book Review with Giveaway: Kings or Pawns: The Kings (Book 1) by J.J. Sherwood

Kings or Pawns: The Kings (Book I) 
by J.J. Sherwood
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Silver Helm Publishing
Release date: October 2015

Book Description:

J.J. Sherwood’s debut novel KINGS OR PAWNS: THE KINGS, BOOK 1 is the first in a high fantasy epic series sure to please fans of both the science fiction and fantasy genres.

The year is 8994 P.E., and the city of Elvorium is corrupted—rotted to the core by the machinations of depraved politicians. With his father dead and the country facing a rebellion, Price Hairem becomes the king of the elven world of Sevrigel in one of its most turbulent points in history.

Young and daring, Hairem is determined to eradicate the corruption festering in Elvorium’s self-serving and all-powerful council, which thwarts his best intentions at every turn. But Hairem’s problems are far more sinister¬—and deadly—than merely political. The loyal members of the council are being savagely murdered by an assassin loosed within the city—an assassin whose brutality knows no bounds. Outside of the city, the Lord Saebellus wages a vicious rebellion against the capital. He has been thwarted thus far by the brilliant General Jikun, and Hairem is certain that the general can crush Saebellus.

But instead of continuing the campaign against the warlord, the council orders Jikun’s army to be split, sending him on a mission that furthers only their own wealth and power. Jikun knows that the council’s demands will leave Elvorium vulnerable to an attack from the formidable warlord. Although Saebellus has been recently defeated, he is far from vanquished. As corruption and death threaten to tear the city apart from within, the rebel Saebellus seizes the opportunity to lay siege to Sevrigel’s eastern capital and unleash his most powerful weapon yet: a demonic beast that neither weapon nor magic can kill. With the elven world crumbling around him, Hairem is grasping for his own power to fight against the forces that threaten Sevrigel.

Will Hairem overcome the council’s scheming and duplicity? Can General Jikun defeat the warlord Saebellus? Will this be the war that finally brings Sevrigel to its knees? KINGS OR PAWNS offers action, intrigue, mystery, and suspense—a thrilling story that will leave readers hungry for the sequel, Heroes or Thieves, to be published in February 2016.

Buy the book:  Amazon   Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts:
I would really like to see this book made into a movie. I think fans of The Lord of The Rings and Hunger Games would enjoy this book (and the movie if it ever happened.) Even though there isn't very much action in the first half of Kings or Pawns the second half makes up for it. I liked this book but the story was a little predictable though. It was so easy for me to figure out the reason why the assassin was killing and pretty much all the end of the book. None if it surprised me because I had already figured it all out it my head. I also have a pretty good idea who Sellemar really is but I will have to wait for book 2 to see if I'm right about that too. 

I have mixed feelings about this book. Like I said it was pretty predictable but I really enjoyed the action especially when General Jikun was a part of it.  The first half of the book I would give 3.5 stars and the second half I would give 4.5 stars. I guess overall this would be a 4 stars book for me. 

I received a free copy of this book to review.

Author's Bio:

J.J. Sherwood lives in Ohio with her husband and four near-identical cats. KINGS OR PAWNS is J.J.’s widely anticipated debut novel, and is the first book of The Kings quartet. The series is set in the high fantasy world of Aersadore, home to hundreds of characters who all clamor for J.J.’s attention. To learn more about the trials and tribulations of General Jikun and King Hairem, visit StepsofPower.com. J.J. Sherwood will be at the tenth Fandom Fest Comic Con in Louisville, Kentucky this coming August 7th-9th.


Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Facebook






Prizes: ​ 


Win 1 of 20 copies of Kings or Pawns
- print or ebook (mobi or ePub) (USA & Canada)






Friday, January 15, 2016

Book Blast with Giveaway + Short Review: This Little President by Joan Holub

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the newly-released board book, "This Little President: A Presidential Primer" by Joan Holub and Daniel Roode.

this-little-president-9781481458504_hr

About the Book

Title: This Little President: A Presidential Primer
Author: Joan Holub 
Illustrator: Daniel Roode 
Publication Date: January 12, 2016
Publisher: Little Simon
Pages: 26
Recommended Ages: 2 to 6

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Goodreads | Indiebound | iBook | Kobo

Book Description:

A board book primer on presidents

Learn about the US presidents with this bright and playful board book! Highlighting ten of the most memorable presidents—and featuring all forty-four on the last page—parents and little leaders-in-training alike will love sharing this fun primer full of age-appropriate facts, leadership skills, and White House history.
Leading our country.
Helping you and me.
Keeping all fifty states
safe, happy, and free.


Little presidents have a great big job.
See more at Little Simon


Sneak Peek

This Little President Joan Holub - Inside Page AThis Little President Joan Holub - Inside Page B


My Thoughts:
I am in love with this book because my two year is obsessed with it. It is a great introduction to presidents and is short enough for kids that can't sit still for very long. This is the first book I have seen my two year old really into and he tries to read along with me. He already memorized the title and before I even started this review he saw the pictures and said "mommy my president book, where is it?" (President sounds more like prett when he says it though). Any book that gets my children wanting to read deserves 5 stars!

I received this book from the author to review.



About the Author: Joan Holub

Joan-Holub-GG-264x300Joan Holub is the author of 140+ books for children including the Mini Myths series of 8 board books: Be Careful, Icarus!, Brush Your Hair, Medusa!, Make A Wish Midas! Joan also authored the acclaimed picture books Little Red Writing, The Knights Before Christmas, and Mighty Dads, a New York Times bestseller. Joan also co-authors (with Suzanne Williams) three series: Goddess Girls (ages 8-12, Greek mythology with a middle school twist), Grimmtastic Girls (for ages 8-12, fairy tale adventure with a middle school twist), and Heroes in Training (ages 6-11, Greek mythology adventure chapter books).

Author Blog | Twitter | Pinterest

Goodreads | Facebook



** Book Blast Giveaway **

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice
Giveaway ends: January 26, 11:59 pm, 2016
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 Joan Holub and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.



MDBR Book Promotion Services