Jan 152013
 
***UPDATE: Giveaway has been extended until February 12, 2013.***

In conjunction with our podcast interview with author Jeff (J. Scott) Savage, we are giving away three books: two copies of Case File 13: Zombie Kid and one copy of Dark Memories. See below for details!

*****

You hold in your hands a very dangerous record.

I have collected every side of the story and every piece of evidence on case number 13. Now, in this file, you will find all you need to follow the dark adventures of Nick, Carter, and Angelo, three boys who possess an unhealthy obsession with monsters, in a town so grisly, so horrific—

Whoa, whoa, whoa. You’re telling it all wrong, dude. You make it sound like it’s a scary story.

Ahem. Well, Nick, it is a scary story. In this volume alone, there are voodoo queens, graveyards—even the dreaded Zombie King himself.

Yeah, but there’s also the part where Angie gets mashed potatoes all in her face, and the part where I use my cool zombie powers to—

All right, point taken. Now, if you don’t mind . . .

You hold in your hands a very dangerous, very funny record, detailing the hilarious adventures of three boys who have an awesome obsession with monsters. This is the first volume. Read on if you dare. . . .

*****

There are things in the darkness—things much worse than the tracks and abandoned pieces of equipment that trip the children up and gash at their feet and legs—things that brush silently past them, touching their faces before disappearing again.

1977—In the sleepy Town of Twin falls, Colorado, what starts as a carefree school picnic ends in tragedy when six children disappear into an abandoned gold mine. Six enter the dark void—and days later, only five emerge. After an arduous search, the hunt for the last child is called off and the mine entrance is blasted. Little Frankie is left behind, alone in the darkness.

He is coming.

2011—Police Chief Cal Hunt’s investigation into the recent string of bizarre murders in Twin Falls takes a chilling turn when he learns that each of the victims was a survivor of the Seven Stars mine incident. Cal realizes that they share a dark secret—the truth about what happened to Frankie.

To drag them deeper.

With time running out for the remaining survivors, Cal must face a killer that defies all logical explanation. Because no matter how Cal analyzes the facts, there is only one conclusion: A supernatural force is reaching out from the depths to reclaim those who escaped more than thirty years before. And it will not rest until it takes them all . . .

Into the darkness.

*****

Contest Details:

By commenting and entering the giveaway on this post, you agree to the contest rules below:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins January 15, 2013 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight February 12, 2013 Mountain Time; to enter- complete the required entry by leaving a thoughtful comment on the giveaway post and any bonus entries as outlined on the giveaway post; LDS Women’s Book Review reserves the right to determine what is considered a thoughtful comment; giveaway prizes include two (2) copies of Case File 13: Zombie Kid and one (1) copy of Dark Memories, both by Jeffery S. (J. Scott) Savage; the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning; LDS Women’s Book Review is not liable for technical problems which may affect entry into the giveaway; winner identity will be verified by email address; winner will be selected the week of February 13, 2013 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winner will have until February 22, 2013 to claim their prize; if prize winner forfeits or does not claim prize, prize will be re-awarded to next winner in sequence; all prizes will be awarded; this contest/giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified; by entering the giveaway you give LDS Women’s Book Review the right to publicize your name on the LDS Women’s Book Review blog; winner agrees to release LDS Women’s Book Review from any liability as a result of winning; email comments & questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

How to Enter:

  • REQUIRED ENTRY: Leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite book by Jeffrey S. (J. Scott) Savage. If you haven’t read any of his books yet, tell us which of his books you would read first. (Here are Goodreads book lists for J. Scott Savage and Jeffrey S. Savage.)
  • BONUS ENTRIES: Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of our interview with Jeff (J. Scott) Savage and answer the questions on the form below. Each correct answer is worth two additional entries. You MUST complete the required entry for the bonus entries to be included.

Jan 152013
 

Part 2 of our interview author Jeff (J. Scott) Savage. In this segment, Jeff reads a selection from his newly released novel, Dark Memories. We discuss the continuation of the Farworld series and how the Case File 13 series came to be published.  We had a great time podcasting with Jeff and his wife, Jennifer. We are giving away two copies of Case File 13: Zombie Kid (released December 2012) as well as a copy of Dark Memories (released January 2013). Visit the blog (www.ldswbr.com) for details on how to enter the giveaway. Music attribution: Seeing The Future (Dexter Britain) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

[podcast]http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/shows/2013-01-15/ldswbr_season7episode2part2_1-15-2013.mp3[/podcast]

Jan 152013
 

In this episode we interview author Jeff (J. Scott) Savage. We discuss his recently released and upcoming books as well as a number of other reading and publishing-related topics. As always there is plenty of laughter. We had a great time podcasting with Jeff and his wife, Jennifer. We are giving away two copies of Case File 13: Zombie Kid (released December 2012) as well as a copy of Dark Memories (released January 2013). Visit the blog (www.ldswbr.com) for details on how to enter the giveaway. Music attribution: Seeing The Future (Dexter Britain) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

[podcast]http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/shows/2013-01-15/ldswbr_season7episode2part1_1-15-2013.mp3[/podcast]

Oct 162012
 

Case File 13: Zombie Kid

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publish Date: December 26th, 2012

ISBN13: 9780062133250

Hardcover: 224 pages

Genre: Middle grade fantasy

FTC FYI: Received an ARC copy for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Partial from the book from Harper Collins Children’s Website:  You hold in your hands a very dangerous record.

I have collected every side of the story and every piece of evidence on case number 13. Now, in this file, you will find all you need to follow the dark adventures of Nick, Carter, and Angelo, three boys who possess an unhealthy obsession with monsters, in a town so grisly, so horrific—

Whoa, whoa, whoa. You’re telling it all wrong, dude. You make it sound like it’s a scary story.

Ahem. Well, Nick, it is a scary story. In this volume alone, there are voodoo queens, graveyards—even the dreaded Zombie King himself.

Yeah, but there’s also the part where Angie gets mashed potatoes all in her face, and the part where I use my cool zombie powers to—

All right, point taken. Now, if you don’t mind . . .

You hold in your hands a very dangerous, very funny record, detailing the hilarious adventures of three boys who have an awesome obsession with monsters. This is the first volume. Read on if you dare. . . .

My Review

This is the story of three friends. Nick, Carter, and Angelo. They are three friends who love Halloween.  They always dress the same and go Trick or Treating together.  After planning the best costume ever, Nick is supposed to go to his great-aunt’s funeral, and miss Halloween.  While he is there, Nick finds out the reason he has never met her, according to his dad, Lenora is a little strange.  Once he gets to the house, Nick understands why. He wanders to the basement where he finds many strange things.  Strangest of them all, is the black cat that keeps appearing and reappearing.

This is what Nick thought of the house when he first arrives.

Nick didn’t know exactly what he’d expected his aunt’s house to look like–maybe a two-story home with bricks and stucco, like where he lived.  But the house they pulled up in front of was nothing like that.  It was really old, and looked like it hadn’t been painted in a hundred years.  And it was big, too.  There were at least twenty windows on the front side alone.  With long strips of yellowing white paint peeling from the walls and faded green shutters, what it looked most like was a haunted house. page 31

I’m assuming from the title that I won’t be giving much away when I say that Nick turns into a zombie.  The funniest part about it is, he enjoys it.  And so does his friends.  Carter and Angelo are the perfect mix of humor and smarts.  Angelo always has his head in a book, trying to read his way out of problem, while Carter wants to eat his way out.

Angelo swallowed.  “If my book is right–and from all of your symptoms, I’m pretty sure it is–the moment you put on that amulet you invoked its ancient curse.”  The house was defintely still.  “You are … a zombie.”

For a second none of the boys said a word.  Then they all shouted the same thing at exactly the same time.

“Awesome!” page 103

5 out of 5 stars.  This is a book full of humor, gross zombie antics, and lots of fun.  This is a perfect book for your middle grade reader, your teen, and you.  Another favorite of mine was the chapter headings, make sure you don’t miss those.

J. Scott Savage, aka Jeff Savage, is also the author of the Farworld series.  I have been waiting for the 3rd book, Airkeep, for a long time.

Preorder Case File 13: Zombie Kid on AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE