Tag Archives: middle grade books

Diane Solomon author, Middle grade books

Creative Ideas: Do They Float in the Air? Diane Solomon on The Writing Greyhound

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Diane Solomon was recently invited to write a guest blog for Lorna of The Writing Greyhound.  Having recently read Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear?” it really got her thinking. 

Here is an excerpt, and you can read the rest at “The Writing Greyhound.”

“Maybe ideas float around our combined consciousness, as a species, to be received by those with the best antennae! We are radio stations, attuned to pick up the frequencies of ideas. When I was very young, as a singer-songwriter in the UK, I had the chance to work with Tommy Boyce, the songwriter who had some terrific hits with the Monkees in the seventies.  He nailed it for me. He said, “In the middle of the night, if I get a song idea or lyric, I better get my butt out of bed and write it down, or it will go back up the chimney and come down Paul McCartney’s chimney.”   READ MORE at THE WRITING GREYHOUND

 

Diane Solomon post: do creative ideas float in the air 

About Diane Solomon
EloquentRascals.com 

Book Links for The Ravenstone:

AMAZON:  Kindle or paperback
SMASHWORDS eBook
GOODREADS
TWITTER
NETGALLEY
BARNES AND NOBLE Nook & Paperback

About the book: Imagine a raven appearing out of thin air and guiding you to an exquisitely carved icon that glows with ancient light and pulses with shamanic power.  This is how the adventure begins for Nadia and Aidan Shaw, 13-year-old twins, who live in idyllic Cold Spring, New York. Armed with the power of the Ravenstone and their own special gifts, they embark on a harrowing quest across centuries, at the bidding of a mysterious old shaman. They must depend on their courage, their faith in their friends, and luck… or is it destiny?

If they succeed, what they bring back could change the course of human existence.


REVIEW:

Many thanks to Dii Bylo, a Top 1% Goodreads Reviewer for her 5-Star review, which you can read here : Goodreads Dianne Bylo 

Diane Solomon author, review of The Ravenstone on Goodreads

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The Ravenstone

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Creativity is its Own Reward!  Guest post for Linda’s Book Bag

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lindas-book-bag-icon         Diane Solomon’s guest post for Linda’s Book Bag

 

Here’s an excerpt:

Being creative is often a calling. Are you compelled to create, be it art, music, poetry, fiction? Then you must do it. You must do it to fulfill your passion in life.  Without it you may feel dead, unfulfilled, trudging through the three-foot mudslog of life, day by day, without experiencing the joy of your own heart.

But, I hear you ask:“Will someone else like my artistic endeavor?” My answer: Who cares? Seriously. WHO CARES?

A few tips for artists and writers everywhere:

1) Dare to Suck (or Dare to Fail, for those of you appalled by the vulgarity.) As a singer/songwriter, I learned early (after an ego struggle) to trust the creative process and dive deeply into it. You have to dare to be criticized, dare to be silly, dare to be crazy, to be wild. You have to Dare to Suck.

READ The entire guest blog at Linda’s Book Bag

 

Check out our middle-grade fantasy/mystery entitled, The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain.
   Raventsone Homeschooling Book Cover

About Diane Solomon
EloquentRascals.com 

 

Book Links for The Ravenstone

AMAZON:  Kindle or paperback
SMASHWORDS eBook
GOODREADS
TWITTER
NETGALLEY
BARNES AND NOBLE Nook & Paperback

About the book: Imagine a raven appearing out of thin air and guiding you to an exquisitely carved icon that glows with ancient light and pulses with shamanic power.  This is how the adventure begins for Nadia and Aidan Shaw, 13-year-old twins, who live in idyllic Cold Spring, New York. Armed with the power of the Ravenstone and their own special gifts, they embark on a harrowing quest across centuries, at the bidding of a mysterious old shaman. They must depend on their courage, their faith in their friends, and luck… or is it destiny?

If they succeed, what they bring back could change the course of human existence.


REVIEW:

Many thanks to Dii Bylo, a Top 1% Goodreads Reviewer for her 5-Star review

diannes-review-nov-4

NETGALLEY REVIEW INVITE

The Ravenstone

 

Books, Diane Solomon author, Mark Carey, Mark Carey Author, Middle grade books, Uncategorized

Diane Solomon’s Author interview on BookGoodies

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bookgoodies Diane Solomon interview

EXCERPT:

What inspires you to write?
The joy of creativity, of being creative, drives me. It always has! As a singer/songwriter, I learned to trust the creative process and dive deeply into it. You have to dare to be criticized, dare to be silly, to be crazy, to be wild. There are moments during writing where you forget yourself entirely. You lose track of time. The writing seems to have taken over. Sometimes you look down and are surprised by what you read, as if you didn’t, in fact, write it! I can only describe this experience as somehow verging on transcendent, in that it feels beyond the limits of experience, or independent of this world. It is exciting, inspiring, and rewarding.

As for ideas for books, they stem from my life (and I have had a very strange but interesting life), and from my imagination. And from the “What if?” game!

READ MORE ON BOOKGOODIES

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Book Review: “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah

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The NightingaleThe Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Having read quite a few of Kristin Hannah’s books, I looked forward to “The Nightingale.” Although it held my attention, throughout the book I could not quite put my finger on why I wasn’t moved by the distressful events of this World War Two story.

Two sisters struggle to survive in Nazi-occupied France; one maintains her home and resists any idea of resistance. The other sister, impulsive and passionate, launches herself into the resistance movement, and becomes The Nightingale, leading British and American pilots through the mountains to Spain, to return them to their countries to fight another day.

The book delivers a potentially powerful story of suspense, courage, honor, love, and loyalty. My reservations are with regard to the level of exaggeration I felt was in play. And the tendency to cliche. Granted, these devastating events occurred, I just don’t believe they all happened to so few people. It is as if all the horror stories of the war were funneled into this one book, and it seemed a wee bit unrealistic and unbelievable to me.

As bizarre as this sounds, I became somewhat desensitized to the travesties. I am a sentimental, soft soul, and fully expected to be brought to tears by this tale. Especially having loved other books of Kristin Hannah’s. But I have come to the conclusion that this book, in its leaning toward melodrama, turned me off at some level, and I was left with a feeling of disappointment that truly surprised me.

So 3 stars for “The Nightingale,” which I hate to say is not one of Hannah’s best. I feel almost guilty saying this as I love so much of Hannah’s work.

~        ~       ~
View all my reviews

 

The Ravenstone middle grade book coverCheck out Diane’s new middle-grade fantasy novel, written with her husband Mark Carey: 
The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain

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Great reviews pouring in on Amazon and Goodreads!

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Incredible reviews for The Ravenstone coming in on Amazon and Goodreads!

5 stars: “Simply put, I loved this book. Hated to put it down and didn’t want it to end. I loved the main characters—both of them. They were fully fleshed out and worthy of caring. I most definitely want another adventure. Please?”  ~ Laurie Seymour, Amazon review

5 stars: “I really, really enjoyed the book! Definitely one of the best fantasy/sci – fi books I’ve read by far. The authors have taken an amazing concept, and made it even better! I loved the characters, especially Conall, (his backstory and personality were great). It’s an amazing read, and I can see it being a massive hit in schools, and with children generally, particularly ages 9 – 12.

The descriptions and sketches throughout were very nice, and the amount of detail – not too much, not too little – make it a really enjoyable read.

I loved how I could relate to Nadia and Aidan, and I felt as though I connected with them, so I felt really engrossed in the book.”   ~ E Carroll Amazon review

 5 stars: “The Ravenstone is a beautiful, creative, well written story that swept me away to another place in time. I fell in love with the characters and my mind lingered on their journies. I loved that this light read still has the power to bring tears to my eyes, all the while engrossing me in the story and enriching my life. Simply put i loved The Ravenstone. It will satisfy and entertain you.” ~ Amazon customer

 5 stars: “Solomon and Carey’s imaginative storytelling sweeps you into a fascinating tale of mystery and adventure. Young twins stumble upon an ancient power that could help their family in the future, or trap them in the past forever.” ~ Linda Zimmermann, successful author of thirty books about the paranormal and mysterious stone sites.

 5 stars: “I gave the book to my 12-year-old grandson. When he finished reading, he proclaimed, “This book is better than Harry Potter!” We both hope Nadia and Aidan have another adventure!”  ~ Cheryl P, Amazon review

 5 stars: “The main characters, 13-year-old twins, are honorable and courageous, and the reader really cares about them and roots for them. My grandson, who is 12, loved it, and asked it there will be another book with Nadia and Aidan.”  ~ W. Lovett,  Amazon review

 5 stars: ” I loved this book! Although it’s written for middle-school aged children, I read it as an adult and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s full of intrigue, mystery and fun. I will be reading this to my grandchildren and I know they’ll love it as much as I did. Can’t wait for the next volume.”   ~ ck, Amazon review

AMAZON:  eBook or paperback

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