Category: Middle Grade

The Kindling by Braden Bell

Posted on by writermike in Braden Bell, Fantasy, fiction, Middle Grade, the Kindling



My friend Braden Bell just came out with a great new contemporary fantasy called The Kindling. It’s highly-imaginative and enjoyable from beginning to end. Here you can read all about it: 
Homework? Of course. Crushes? Sure. But who knew seventh grade included superpowers?
 Loud shrieks sliced the air, followed by the smell of burning cloth. Conner looked over in time to see Geoffrey jumping up and down, yelling and shrieking. Smoke poured from the seat of his shorts while blue and yellow sparks snap-crackle-and-popped all around the heater.
All thirteen-year-old Connor Dell wants to do is pass pre-algebra, play lacrosse, and possibly kiss Melanie Stephens. He didn’t mean to set anyone’s gym shorts on fire or make school lunches explode. But now that the strange powers inside him have been ignited, Connor’s normal teenage life is about to go up in flames!
 This fast-paced novel is non-stop fun for kids and parents alike. With characters you can’t help but root for, a plot that keeps you guessing, and plenty of humor, it’s a guaranteed thrill ride from cover to cover!
Here are some links to learn more about Braden and his book: 
www.thekindlingbook.com
 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13640908-the-kindling
And here’s a link to buy it: 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Middle-School-Magic-The-Kindling/dp/1462110274/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337270199&sr=8-1

Blog Tour: Time Gangsters

Posted on by writermike in 1920, Berin Stephens, Gangsters, Middle Grade, Time Gangsters, young adult

Separately, I think that either gangsters or time travel make for an interesting read. Together they’re more powerful than a Tommy gun with a full clip. You might think that the mash up is complete, but wait…there’s more. You also need to throw in ancient Egyptian coins with magical powers.

Though this sounds like the stuff of a strange Monty Python sketch, it all works out. That is the genius of Berin’s writing: he takes off-the-wall scenarios and turns them into entertaining reads. Instead of following the trends, he creates his own. (The book is blissfully free of anything resembling a werewolf or vampire.)

Berin did an excellent job of capturing the atmosphere and language of the gangsters are the characters move back and forth in time. It was also interesting to see his magic system at play with the various coins and their powers, especially how those powers often backfired on the kids and gangsters who tried to harness them.

“Time Gangsters” is a quick and entertaining read that I’d highly recommend. The author’s vivid imagination and quirky humor shine throughout. You’ll also want to find Berin to have him sign a copy for you. The last time I saw him promoting this book, he came equipped with the pinstriped suit and fedora, though I’m guessing the bookstore frowned on him sporting anything resembling a tommy gun.

 This one’s the cat’s meow, the bee’s knees, you hear?

Order here: http://amzn.com/1599559668

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