Jun 142014
 

CD2S-2014_300

7 days until summer!

 

BradenBellBraden Bell was the least-stable, lowest-achieving middle school student in the history of civilization. He shocked every former teacher by eventually earning both a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in theatre. A middle school teacher by day and a parent by night, he is around middle-grade mayhem 24/7. He teaches choir and directs plays, but whether he fights evil evenings and weekends is something he cannot disclose. Braden lives with his wife and children on a quiet, tree-lined lot outside of Nashville, TN. He is the author of THE KINDLING, PENUMBRAS, LUMINESCENCE, and also wrote THE ROAD SHOW.

Visit Braden: WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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LDSWBR: What book or movie reminds you of summer?

BRADEN: This is cheating a bit since it’s TV shows. But, several years ago, my wife and I spent a very happy summer watching “All Creatures Great and Small.” That was pre-streaming, back when you had to have dvds mailed to your house via Netflix, so we’d watch a few episodes, send the disc in, get the next one and so on. Then, there was the summer we introduced our older children to quality 80s shows such as “The A-Team” and “MacGuyver.” They are gone on missions now, and so those are really cherished memories.

LDSWBR: Do you hike during the summer? If so, where is your favorite place to hike?

BRADEN: Goodness, no. I expend enormous amount of effort avoiding hiking or anything like it. I do like to work in my yard. Does that count?

LDSWBR: What is the best book you’ve read so far this year?

BRADEN: Mile 21 by Sarah Dunster. It won the Whitney (deservedly), so everyone knows about it now, but I read it way back in January.

LDSWBR: Thank you, Braden!

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SEAGULL BOOK | BARNES & NOBLE | AMAZON | GOODREADS

Luminscence 2x3

Determined to rescue their favorite teacher, Conner, Lexa, and Melanie confront their worst fears and use their powers in unexpected ways to defeat Lady Nightwing, the treacherous Darkhand leader. But when the trio makes a terrible choice to save Dr. Timberi, their powers may not be enough to keep everyone alive. A thrilling conclusion to the Middle School Magic series!

List your favorite “classic” TV shows. Ready? Go! (Gilligan’s Island, Mr. Ed, The Fall Guy…)

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**To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2014, leave a thoughtful comment below.**

This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. Because this is a raffle-style drawing, commenting on each Countdown to Summer 2014 post will give you more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions below.

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By leaving a comment and entering the Countdown to Summer 2014, 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 June 5, 2014 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight June 30, 2014 Mountain Time; to enter, complete the required entry on each post and any additional entries of your choice if listed; LDS Women’s Book Review reserves the right to determine what is considered a thoughtful comment as per each post’s required entry; giveaway prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and a variety of book prizes donated by featured authors; 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 July 3, 2014 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winner will have until July 10, 2014 to claim their prize; if any prize winner forfeits or does not claim prize, prize will be re-awarded to next winner in sequence; all prizes will be awarded; limit of two prizes per entrant; 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 and questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

**Book Prizes (as of 6/14/14 – more to be added to this list!)**

  • Unraveled by Julie Daines (signed paperback)
  • Any book by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or Kindle version)
  • An autographed copy of any one Sarah M. Eden book of the winner’s choice
  • Chances Are by Traci Hunter Abramson (signed/personalized paperback)
  • Choice of The Inventor’s Secret (hardback or paperback) or The Avatar Battle (hardback or audio CD) by Chad Morris (signed copy)
  • Missing Lily by Annette K. Larsen (ebook in .mobi or epub)
  • Glimmering Light by Margot Hovley (personalized paperback or Kindle)
  • Before the Clock Strikes Thirty by Aubrey Mace (personalized paperback)
  • Tulips and Treason by Tristi Pinkston (personalized paperback)
  • Luminescence by Braden Bell

 

Apr 082014
 

18653504Luminescence (Middle School Magic #3)

Author: Braden Bell

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: March 2014

Paperback: 308 pages

ISBN13: 978-1-4621-1405-4

Middle Grade fantasy

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

 

Goodreads Summary

Determined to rescue their favorite teacher, Conner, Lexa, and Melanie confront their worst fears and use their powers in unexpected ways to defeat Lady Nightwing, the treacherous Darkhand leader. But when the trio makes a terrible choice to save Dr. Timberi, their powers may not be enough to keep everyone alive. A thrilling conclusion to the Middle School Magic series!

My Review

Friendship, love, and sacrifice.  These three words came to my mind many times while I was reading this enjoyable book by Mr. Bell.  Conner, Lexa, and Melanie had a lot to overcome between each other before they were able to start to help to rescue Dr. Timberi.  I loved that part of it.  All three were harboring harsh feelings towards each other and once they were able to get over themselves, they were able to function more as a unit.  There are many secrets revealed, a wonderful back story, and many surprises along the way in this very enjoyable book.  The ending had me in tears, well, the tears came sooner at some points, but the last few chapters were my favorite.  So many exciting events take place through the whole book.  Once I got to a certain point while reading, I couldn’t stop until I was finished.  Not only will your kids enjoy this series, you will too.

5 out of 5 stars.  If you new to this series, I would suggest starting with book one, The Kindling.  Then with book two, Penumbras.  You will better familiar with the characters and terms.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

Luminescence-blog-toura Rafflecopter giveaway

Mar 202014
 

 

 

 

 

Product Details

 

  • Title: Luminescence
  • Author: Braden Bell
  • Series: Middle School Magic
  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (March 11, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1462114059
  • FTC FYI: Received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description
Determined to rescue their favorite teacher, Conner, Lexa, and Melanie confront their worst fears and use their powers in unexpected ways to defeat Lady Nightwing, the treacherous Darkhand leader. But when the trio makes a terrible choice to save Dr. Timberi, their powers may not be enough to keep everyone alive. A thrilling conclusion to the Middle School Magic series!

Summary:

“He’s alive!” she yelled. “He’s alive!”
As Lexa spoke the words, she knew they were true. She knew with total certainty.
“Dr. Timberi’s alive!”

 

When Lady Nightwing kidnapped Dr. Timberi, everyone assumed their teacher had been killed. So when Lexa discovers that he isn’t dead, Conner can’t believe his ears.

 

Determined to rescue their favorite teacher, Conner, Lexa, and Melanie confront their worst fears and use their powers in unexpected ways to defeat Lady Nightshade, the treacherous Darkhand leader. But when the trio makes a terrible choice to save Dr. Timberi, their powers may not be enough to keep everyone alive. A thrilling conclusion to the Middle School Magic series!

 

Your favorite characters return in this satisfying conclusion of the Middle School Magic series! Filled with plenty of twists, humor, and adventure, Luminescence will keep you guessing until the last page.

 

Study hall? Definitely. Substitute Teachers? Absolutely. Rescuing people from brutal villains? Bring it on!

 

My Review
This series has been such a fun one to read. I love the main characters and the relationships that they have. There have been some rocky roads between Connor, Lexa and Melanie, but they work through the many ups and downs.This third and final book in the trilogy is full of action and many exciting things. As I read it, I thought of many of my students that would love to read this book. 
It was great to see the ways the teen’s powers manifested in Luminescence. I also loved to see how they grew into their powers.I also liked the idea that their powers were even more effective when they combined them together. This was a strong message about working together.  The system of light and dark in this world is so creative! I like the way that Braden describes so easily for any reader to understand. 

Speaking of ages, this book/series is a wonderful one to read together as a family. I’m always looking for books that I can enjoy reading with my 16 year old and my almost 12 year old. I do recommend that you read the first two books in the series first.

The ending of this trilogy fills you with so much emotion.There are parts where you laugh, scream and cry. There is the lesson of making sacrifices for friends and family. This theme is one that will let you have a good talk with your kids. I recommend that you read through the discussion questions too. You always know you’ve read a good book when you feel fulfilled when finished. That’s exactly what happened at the end of Luminescence. I’m excited to read what will come next from this talented author.


About the AuthorBraden_Bell

 

During his middle school years, Braden Bell was the least-stable, lowest-achieving student in the history of the world. He shocked every former teacher by graduating from high school and college, and then going on to earn both a Master’s degree as well as a Ph.D. A teacher by day and a parent by night, he is around teenagers 24/7. He teaches music and directs plays at a private school, much like Marion Academy in The Middle School Magic series. Whether he fights evil after hours is something he cannot disclose.

 

Braden Bell holds degrees in theatre from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. from NYU. A committed educator, he has been directing plays and teaching school now for over twenty years. Braden lives with his family on a quiet, tree-lined lot outside of Nashville, TN, where he teaches theatre and choir at a middle school. The author of The Road Show, The Kindling, and Penumbras.

 

Lean More on his websitetwitterfacebook* goodreadspublisher

 

Giveaway $25 Amazon giftcard or Paypal cash.