Loving The Book Presents: Guinevere: At The Dawn Of Legend by Cheryl Carpinello; #BookTour, #OutNow, #Review, #Giveaway

Rating:  4 Stars

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for review from Loving The Book and the author.  I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:  "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".

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

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?"

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The author writes a personal message to readers.  Please take a moment to read.

This book is a nice alternative to the older or adult edition.  Especially when trying to get younger readers to understand the Arthurian era.  It gives the younger reader a different perspective.  But it’s also a story that both young and old can enjoy.  The author keeps her story short which is good for those with short attention spans.  It also lets them read the full story in parts.

As I started this book, I found wanting to sit where I might have nature around me.  It would have to be somewhere quiet or has sounds that are muted so that I don’t get distracted.  I want to enhance the reading experience not detract from it.  I don’t know that you could do that in a classroom but teachers are very creative and I’m sure that they could come up with something.

It’s a great story to show the differences in our lives.  How our beliefs have changed.  You tend to forget how old Cedwyn and Guinevere are in this tale.  They are wise and do things beyond their years but every once-in-a-while their youth seeps in.  If the “audience” loves to learn about times long ago than they will enjoy this.  The author has included discussion questions that a teacher or parent could use to test their understanding.  It will also let you know if they have retained any part of what they read.

I’m a retired high school English teacher. A devourer of books growing up, my profession introduced me to writings and authors from times long
past. Through my studies and teaching, I fell in love with the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Now, I hope to inspire young readers and those Young-at-Heart to read more through my Tales and Legends for Reluctant Readers set in these worlds—Ancient Egypt, Medieval Wales, and coming soon, a hair-raising adventure through ancient worlds in search of 5 rare Phoenix Feathers.

All of my books come with Free study guides and/or extensive Back-of-the-Book materials.

My husband and I love to travel. In 2008, we spent three weeks in Egypt traveling by local train from one end of the country to the other; in 2014, we spent three weeks in the UK driving over 1700 miles through England, Wales, and Scotland; and in 2016, we spent a week in Iceland. We’ve also traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, and Aruba. Our next big adventure will be to Greece and Italy.

When I’m not writing or traveling, our 4 grandkids keep us busy.

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Book Sound Track for Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend, book 2.

Stand By Me by Ben E. King

Fight Song by Rachel Platten

I’ll Be There For You by The Rembrands

B.B.B.F.F. (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Float On by Modest Mouse

Learning to Fly (Brave) by Tom Petty

Learn Me Right (Brave) by Mumford & Sons, Feat Birdy

Touch The Sky (Brave) by Julie Fowlis

Author Interview with Cheryl Carpinello

1. When did you start writing and was there a specific event or person who influenced you to become as author?

I’ve been writing for a long time; I wrote my first poem in eighth grade. My college years and my teaching career solidified my love of the ancient world and the times of King Arthur. It wasn’t until I retired from teaching literature and writing that I had the time to devote to my own tales which had roamed around in my head for years.

2. Are you currently working on a project, and if so, can you tell us about it?

Yes and yes! I have started a new five book series Feathers of the Phoenix, and the first book The Atlantean Horse. Rose from Sons of the Sphinx will share the spotlight in this series with her cousin Jerome. Both of them have special abilities that they are struggling to live with and still be teenagers. The adventure revolves around an old prophecy that says one day when the five feathers of the Phoenix bird are reunited with a white stallion and one-who-survived—both of which were saved from destruction by Poseidon when he destroyed Atlantis—the lost island will rise again long enough for all three to return to their home. It will then disappear forever. Naturally there are those who want to be at the rising in order to steal the treasures rumored to be in that lost city.

3. What is your favorite writing snack?

Red licorice.

4. If you could have dinner with any of your characters, which ones would you choose and why? What food would you serve?

I would love to sit with young Guinevere from my Guinevere trilogy, but I’m a picky eater. There’s very little food from Medieval times that I would eat.

5. How do you relax, or what do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?

I love spending time with our grandkids. We two boys, ages 9 & 4, and two girls, ages 2 & 1. They are a lively bunch and keep us running.

6. What’s your largest unfulfilled dream, and what are you doing to reach it?

Traveling. I want to visit those places in the ancient and medieval worlds—whose literature I taught--that I’ve read and written about. We’ve done Egypt, Wales, England, Iceland, but have a lot more to explore. Every other year we pick a destination and plan a 3-week trip. Due for the next one in 2018. Wonder where we’ll go?

7. What do you fear most?

Losing those I care for most. We’ve had a lot of loses in our family in the past, and just in the last nine months, we have said goodbye to three.

8. What advice would you give someone who wants to write a book some day?

Ask yourself these questions:

What type of story do you want to write?

Who are you writing for?

How will your characters/plot appeal to readers?

Why do you want to write?

  

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

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Loving the Book Presents: Guinevere by Cheryl Carpinello; #SummerCountdown & #Giveaway

I am retired high school English teacher. A devourer of books growing up, my profession introduced me to writings and authors from times long past. Through my studies and teaching, I fell in love with the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Now, I hope to inspire young readers and those Young-at-Heart to read more through my Quest Books set in these worlds.

I also conduct Medieval/Short Story Writing Workshops in Elementary/Middle School classes. Contact me if you are interested in holding a workshop for students: ccarpinello@mac.com.


Q&A With the Author:

3.  What is the thing you struggle with the most while writing? And how do you defeat it?

My biggest struggle is figuring out how to get my characters to the next pivot point in my stories. That’s when I put down pen and paper and spend time going over different scenarios in my head. Sometimes that takes a few hours, but usually it’s a few days.

4.   What kind of music do you listen to while you write?

My favorites are Mumford and Sons and Of Monsters and Men.

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At the dawn of Camelot, one young girl is about to take her place beside the greatest king in England’s history…. 

She is a mere child of twelve. But in these medieval days, this is the age when childish things must be put away and greater responsibilities accepted—all in preparation for a betrothal of marriage. 

For young Lady Guinevere, on the advent of her thirteenth Birth Day, the whole idea is quite unbearable. After all, what could be better than spending her youth playing with her best friend Cedwyn, roaming the grounds around the castle looking for mythical creatures or hunting rabbits? 

However, the wizard Merlyn—her teacher and friend—knows that destiny has a way of catching up with a person. His arrival sets in motion a series of events that will lead Guinevere to her destiny whether she is ready for it or not. 

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Snippet:

At the bottom of the stairs, Guinevere paused and peeked out the door.  Seeing no one she stepped out into the bailey, thankful for the clouds that hid the moon.  Focused on the outer door across the courtyard, she missed seeing the figure that slid out of the shadows and followed her.

            Guinevere glanced once more around the bailey as she reached the outer door.  The shadow following her hugged the building as the moon drifted out from the clouds.  She crept through the door and turned to the right.  Keeping in the shadows and close to the stable wall, she managed to work her way to about twenty yards from the edge of the forest.  Taking a furtive look around, she stole across the open grass and slipped into the trees.

            As she disappeared from view, the figure following her moved through the outer door.  As Guinevere had done, this figure kept close to the stable wall, staying within the shadows and watching the tree line for any movement.  Seeing nothing, the shadowy figure moved out into the moonlight, revealing himself to any who happened to be watching, but there were none.  Those not in bed stayed in the hall enjoying themselves too much to venture out into the late night.  The moonlight bounced off his grey gown and illuminated his white hair, making it appear ghostly.  Merlyn quickened his pace, not wanting to fall too far behind.

            Guinevere crept along the forest path.  The fragrance of wet pine filled her senses.  Suddenly, the faint sound of a voice off to her right reached her ears.  She turned and moved cautiously through the trees and brush.  The  calming quality of the voice dispelled her fears.  As she moved closer, the voice’s volume increased very little.  Whoever it belonged to continued to whisper to someone, although Guinevere heard only the one voice.

            Through the leafy oak branches, Guinevere made out the shape of a tall, slender woman
dressed in a white hooded robe.  Edging closer she saw that the woman stood in a small clearing.  Moonlight filtered down, descending almost like a halo around her.  With the woman’s hood up, Guinevere was unable to discern any other physical features.  The woman continued to talk to someone concealed by her body.  Intrigued, Guinevere moved closer, careful not to make any noise.  While the woman did not move, from time to time her arms reached out in front of her, for some reason unknown to Guinevere.

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Once Upon An Alpha Presents: From Titans by Mary Ting; #CoverReveal

Everyone is searching for Mason.

Zeus sent Hermes, and the Oracles have used their magic, with no success. A sparkle of hope arises when Eris, the goddess of Chaos, sends an invitation to her wedding engagement party. She’s holding Mason hostage, and Skylar and her friends only need permission to enter Eris’s world to rescue him.

At the party, Eris gives them one condition: In exchange for Mason, they must travel to the Land of Reverse and bring back the bottle of gold water King Midas used to wash himself free of his gift. Further chaos follows when Eris not only sets up a hunt in the Labyrinth of Crete, but makes a bargain with the Titans she rescued.

The Titans possess power more than anyone anticipated, and Cronus is hungry for revenge after his own children locked him up in Tartarus. No one is safe. Not even the humans.

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International Bestselling Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.