martedì 12 luglio 2016

Review & Giveaway: The Ghosts of Pebble Brook Lodge by Linda Covella


The Ghosts of Pebble Brook Lodge
by Linda Covella

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GENRE:  Middle grade mystery

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BLURB:


In the rainy forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the small town of Brookdale, in the long-uninhabited Pebble Brook Lodge...exist four ghosts who stand in the way of Pepper’s search for the truth.

In this sequel to the award-winning book The Castle Blues Quake, Pepper Connelly’s chef parents have taken Pepper and her little sister Sage on another restaurant venture to renovate the Pebble Brook Lodge.



One of the unique features of the lodge is a creek running through the large dining room. Pepper learns that, in 1966, a thirteen-year-old girl, Karen, drowned in the creek. Her ten-year-old brother, Willie Hullett, was accused of causing her death. , and his mother and townspeople still believe he was responsible. Willie, now middle-aged, lives with his mother in a cabin in the woods. Mrs. Hullett has never forgiven Willie for her beloved daughter’s death.



As Pepper secretly becomes acquainted with Willie and sees his gentle nature and his beautiful life-like carvings, she’s convinced he was not responsible for his sister’s death.



With the help of her friend Ally Cressman, Pepper sets out to prove Willie’s innocence. With Ouija board sessions, hauntings by four different ghosts, and time travel to 1939 and 1966, Pepper discovers there’s more to Karen’s death than she—or anyone in Brookdale—would have ever guessed.

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My Review:


I really enjoyed reading this paranormal mystery, is really perfect to read at the sea. This was an awesome book. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down.
Pepper Connelly has to spend the Christmas holidays in an abandoned house instead of having fun with her friends. But she doesn't get bored. She meets some ghosts and discovers a mysterious death occurred many years earlier. A girl of thirteen died and her brother was accused of her homicide. Pepper believes in the innocence of the boy and with her new friend Ally tries to solve the mystery.
The characters are really bizarre and extravagant, especially the parents of Pepper, a couple of chefs who called their daughter with the name of a spice. Pepper is an amazing little girl, very intelligent and determined. The story is very well written and well woven, full of suspense and twists.
It's the second book in the series, but can be read as a standalone, I had no difficulty but I can't wait to read also the first one.
A fun and enjoyable reading suitable for all ages. Highly recommend!




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EXCERPT:


I followed the path to the cabin then ducked below a window on the back wall. No light or movement showed through the torn, lace curtain, so I grabbed my bag. I checked to make sure my pinecones were inside. Lying on top was a carving of a girl. I glanced again at the window then pulled out the carving. It was about eight inches tall. The details were amazing. The girl was laughing, her cheeks rolled up beneath her eyes, which were crinkled at the corners; her smiling mouth was open and revealed one front tooth slightly shorter than the other. She had a “ski-jump” nose and twines of hair that flowed down to her shoulders. The long-sleeved dress had a large collar, wide cuffs, and a bow in front.

I looked at the other carvings. All of them had the same intricate detail: birds with soft-looking feathers, tiny feet, and partially opened beaks; plants I’d seen in the woods—ferns with fronds I wanted to run my finger down, bushes with twisted branches, small rounded leaves with veins, delicate flowers, some with their petals just beginning to open; and animals: a deer with its fawn, so lifelike, I imagined them flicking their tails or twitching their noses. I picked up a carving of a squirrel. It was as if I held the real thing in my hands. I could almost feel its warmth, its beating heart, hear its chirping voice.
 
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Linda Covella’s varied background and education (an AA degree in art, an AS degree in mechanical drafting & design, and a BS degree in Manufacturing Management) have led her down many paths and enriched her life experiences. But one thing she never strayed from is her love of writing.

Her first official publication was a restaurant review column for a local newspaper. But when she published articles for various children’s magazines, she realized she’d found her niche: writing for children. She hopes to bring to children the feelings books gave her when she was a child: the worlds they opened, the things they taught, the feelings they expressed.

She is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She lives in Santa Cruz with her husband, Charlie, and dog, Ginger.

No matter what new paths Linda may travel down, she sees her writing as a lifelong joy and commitment.

Learn more about Linda and her writing at http://lindacovella.com/

http://lindacovella.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindacovella @lindacovella

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Linda Covella will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 commenti:

  1. Thank you for hosting and for your wonderful review! I'm glad you enjoyed the story. :-) I'm camping this week with limited Internet, but I'll try to stop by later to check on any reader comments.

    RispondiElimina
  2. Thank you for your open and honest review! This book looks really good! I wish you continued luck on your tour! :)

    RispondiElimina
  3. Thank you for offering us this giveaway, have an enjoyable Wednesday!

    RispondiElimina
  4. Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Thanks for your question, Becky! I work at home (my husband and I own a small tech business), so I fit in writing whenever I can. I try to write some each day, but it doesn't always work out that way. :-)

      Elimina
  5. What a great review and wonderful excerpt. I love the sound of this story.

    RispondiElimina
  6. I live in the Santa Cruz area so this has really caught my attentions! Thank you.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. How cool, Ree Dee! Have you seen the "real" lodge--the Brookdale Lodge? The first book in the series takes place in Santa Cruz. You'll probably recognize many of the scene settings: downtown, the beach, the Boardwalk, etc. It was fun writing a book that takes place in my own city!

      Elimina
  7. I really enjoyed reading the excerpt, thank you!

    RispondiElimina
  8. Congrats on the tour, and I enjoyed the excerpt.

    RispondiElimina
  9. Have an awesome weekend and thanks for the opportunity to win your great giveaway

    RispondiElimina
  10. Thank you for the opportunity to win and have a blessed Sunday

    RispondiElimina
  11. Thank you, Kim! I love the cover, too. :-)

    RispondiElimina
  12. Shared on my Facebook page too, have a great day! :)

    RispondiElimina
  13. Good morning and thank you once again for the chance to win

    RispondiElimina

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