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Hamelin Stoop by Robert D. Sloan Blitz and Giveaway

January 15, 2021 By Heather Leave a Comment

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We’re celebrating the release of the third book in the Hamelin Stoop series, The Ring of Truth! Today, the author is sharing an excerpt from book three. If you missed his post about the inspiration for the series, you can check that out HERE, and he shared about the storybook world for the series HERE. There’s also a giveaway to enter below, if you haven’t already. Enjoy!

The Eagle, the Cave, and the Footbridge (Hamelin Stoop #1) By Robert B. Sloan Young Adult Fantasy, Christian Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 332 Pages November 15, 2016 by 12 Gates Publishing

Afraid of being caught by trackers from another world, a young mother abandons her baby boy in a tomato box inside the screened porch of a children’s home. The staff at the orphanage name him Hamelin Stoop, but he grows up longing to learn his real name, find his parents, and thus discover his true identity.

Life is not easy for Hamelin. He belongs to everyone, though in some ways to no one fully. And the people he is closest to leave him one by one. A letter from an older friend advises Hamelin to “keep waiting and keep hoping.” Bitter experiences force Hamelin to wait, but he has to learn how to hope.

When the children’s home forgets his eighth birthday, he sneaks away at night. He soon discovers that he isn’t just running away — he is being summoned by the Ancient One. Guided by the Great Eagle through a mysterious cave, Hamelin must pass a dangerous test of courage before he can find his parents.

Hamelin’s failures, fears, and hopes become part of a larger story, a story of a great struggle between worlds and kingdoms where the old myths of magic, evil contracts, and enslaved children turn out to be real.

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | BAM | Apple | Kobo | 12 Gates Publishing

The Lost Princess and the Jewel of Periluna (Hamelin Stoop #2) By Robert B. Sloan Young Adult Fantasy, Christian Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 304 Pages February 7, 2017 by 12 Gates Publishing

Hamelin finally makes it across the footbridge only to learn that his quest to find his parents and learn his true identity will not be quickly done or easy to fulfill. The Great Eagle leads him through the dangerous Waters of Death and Life and into the Land of Gloaming, where Hamelin is thrown into the midst of a war already being waged between the evil Chimera and the mysterious Ancient One. He must help two new friends find a kidnapped princess and recover a stolen jewel, tasks for which they have special gifts that must not be misused: a scarf of sight, shoes of speed, and a sword of death. But these quests are only part of the larger story, a story including Chimera’s plan to use Hamelin—a child of two realms—to seize the kingdoms on both sides of the Atrium of the Worlds.

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Bookshop | BAM Book Depository | Apple | Kobo | 12 Gates Publishing

The Ring of Truth (Hamelin Stoop #3) By Robert B. Sloan Young Adult Fantasy, Christian Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 580 Pages December 29, 2020 by 12 Gates Publishing

Will Hamelin be summoned again?

Hamelin suspects that his friend Layla is the lost princess from the Land of Gloaming. As he describes his daring adventures to trusted friends at the children’s home, an intricate tapestry of stories emerges. Layla admits that she has had dreams – or are they memories? – of another world with faded light. The orphan boy is not alone in his struggle to learn the truth, search for family, and question the Ancient One’s purposes.

Meanwhile, dangerous forces continue to pursue the boy of both worlds, but the evil Chimera gives his agents an additional task: find the fourth princess, the missing daughter of Carr, and stop her. She must never return home.

(Affiliate links included.) Amazon Print | Kindle | B&N | Apple

Excerpt from Hamelin Stoop: The Ring of Truth, Chapter 7

The snake wasn’t still either. Its head, initially facing mostly toward Mr. Kaley and Bryan, stretched up and shook side to side, clearly taking in Layla as well. Then about two feet below the head, its upper body somehow divided into several neck-like cords, and from behind its big head, six smaller heads spread out like a fan, each of them with a two-foot neck that could extend its head in different directions.

Bryan shook his head in disbelief as he saw the new heads emerge, but he continued to move slowly into a crouch, his right foot almost imperceptibly shifting back a little.

“No!” said a strong female voice suddenly and with authority. Hamelin looked straight at Layla, who had also taken another step toward the snake! “No!” she said again, louder than the first time, her eyes fixed on the large central head. The snake then twisted its upper body, and all seven heads focused fully on her.

What is she doing? Hamelin thought to himself. He wasn’t sure whether it was the glare of the sun or something he had just never seen before in her, but her skin, always fair, took on a faint glow. Hamelin glanced back to his left, and the sun was almost midway in the sky. He looked back at Layla. Her lips moved faintly.

Is she talking to the snake?

The low hiss from the snake grew, but Layla in her head heard more. She understood the creature’s words: Are you speaking to me?

Her mind answered sharply: Leave my friends alone.

You dare to tell me no? I have heard of you. The stories of your grandmother and your impudent commands have been passed down. Your family—you’ll never see them again.

Layla laughed inwardly. Your prediction is not only wrong but confused! I’ve never known a grandmother, and my parents are already gone, killed by evil men. And I won’t let you hurt my brother and friends.

The snake’s eyes narrowed, and the edges of its mouth widened slightly, its oval face hinting at a sneer.

Layla raised her right arm to about chest high, her elbow slightly bent and the palm of her hand facing outward toward the snake.

Once I filled out a larger narrative for the world and backstory of The Pied Piper, the Hamelin Stoop series was born.

About the Author

Robert is married to his college sweetheart, Sue. With seven married children and over twenty grandchildren, they enjoy large family gatherings with good food and lively conversation around the table. Favorite family activities include role-playing games, writing and reading stories, and, of course, storytelling. Robert is also a University president and scholar.

Photo Credit: Joannah Buffington

Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Facebook 12 Gates Publishing: Website | Instagram

Blitz Giveaway

One winner will receive print copies of The Eagle, the Cave, and the Footbridge and The Lost Princess and the Jewel of Periluna plus bookmarks and a $15 Amazon Gift Card (US only)

Ends January 18, 2021

ENTER HERE

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You Matter by Christian Robinson

January 14, 2021 By Heather Leave a Comment

You Matter by Christian RobinsonYou Matter on June 2, 2020
Pages: 40
Format: Hardcover
Goodreads
four-stars
They All Saw a Cat meets The Important Book in this sensitive and impactful picture book about seeing the world from different points of view by Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honoree Christian Robinson.

In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored—from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they’re feeding. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected, and that everyone matters

Review

You Matter is a book my daughter chose on her own out of our to be read pile of books. We enjoyed the illustrations which remind me of Eric Carle or Leo Leonni. The message is hopeful and repetitive to remind us all that we have a place in this world, no matter how diverse. We matter, we are not alone and we are loved. Highly recommend! We found this book to be timely for children. Thanks Simon and Schuster for sending us this beautiful book.

About the Author

Christian Robinson is a 2016 Caldecott Honoree and also received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for his art in Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña (Putnam, 2015); de la Peña himself took home the 2016 Newbery Medal, awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children for the “most distinguished book for children”. Robinson, based in San Francisco, is also an animator and has worked with The Sesame Street Workshop and Pixar Animation Studios.

Hamelin Stoop Series, The Ring of Truth Book Blitz and Giveaway

January 13, 2021 By Heather Leave a Comment

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We’re celebrating the release of the third book in the Hamelin Stoop series, The Ring of Truth! Today, the author talks about the storybook world for the series. If you missed his post about the inspiration for the series, you can check that out HERE. Come back HERE on Friday, January 15th, to read an excerpt from book three. Plus, there’s a giveaway to enter below. Enjoy!

The Eagle, the Cave, and the Footbridge (Hamelin Stoop #1) By Robert B. Sloan Young Adult Fantasy, Christian Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 332 Pages November 15, 2016 by 12 Gates Publishing

Afraid of being caught by trackers from another world, a young mother abandons her baby boy in a tomato box inside the screened porch of a children’s home. The staff at the orphanage name him Hamelin Stoop, but he grows up longing to learn his real name, find his parents, and thus discover his true identity.

Life is not easy for Hamelin. He belongs to everyone, though in some ways to no one fully. And the people he is closest to leave him one by one. A letter from an older friend advises Hamelin to “keep waiting and keep hoping.” Bitter experiences force Hamelin to wait, but he has to learn how to hope.

When the children’s home forgets his eighth birthday, he sneaks away at night. He soon discovers that he isn’t just running away — he is being summoned by the Ancient One. Guided by the Great Eagle through a mysterious cave, Hamelin must pass a dangerous test of courage before he can find his parents.

Hamelin’s failures, fears, and hopes become part of a larger story, a story of a great struggle between worlds and kingdoms where the old myths of magic, evil contracts, and enslaved children turn out to be real.

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | BAM | Apple | Kobo | 12 Gates Publishing

The Lost Princess and the Jewel of Periluna (Hamelin Stoop #2) By Robert B. Sloan Young Adult Fantasy, Christian Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 304 Pages February 7, 2017 by 12 Gates Publishing

Hamelin finally makes it across the footbridge only to learn that his quest to find his parents and learn his true identity will not be quickly done or easy to fulfill. The Great Eagle leads him through the dangerous Waters of Death and Life and into the Land of Gloaming, where Hamelin is thrown into the midst of a war already being waged between the evil Chimera and the mysterious Ancient One. He must help two new friends find a kidnapped princess and recover a stolen jewel, tasks for which they have special gifts that must not be misused: a scarf of sight, shoes of speed, and a sword of death. But these quests are only part of the larger story, a story including Chimera’s plan to use Hamelin—a child of two realms—to seize the kingdoms on both sides of the Atrium of the Worlds.

(Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Bookshop | BAM Book Depository | Apple | Kobo | 12 Gates Publishing

The Eagle, the Cave, and the Footbridge (Hamelin Stoop #3) By Robert B. Sloan Young Adult Fantasy, Christian Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 580 Pages December 29, 2020 by 12 Gates Publishing

Will Hamelin be summoned again?

Hamelin suspects that his friend Layla is the lost princess from the Land of Gloaming. As he describes his daring adventures to trusted friends at the children’s home, an intricate tapestry of stories emerges. Layla admits that she has had dreams – or are they memories? – of another world with faded light. The orphan boy is not alone in his struggle to learn the truth, search for family, and question the Ancient One’s purposes.

Meanwhile, dangerous forces continue to pursue the boy of both worlds, but the evil Chimera gives his agents an additional task: find the fourth princess, the missing daughter of Carr, and stop her. She must never return home.

(Affiliate links included.) Amazon Print | Kindle | B&N | Apple

Guest Post: The Storybook World of Hamelin Stoop

A strange portal connects the two worlds of the Hamelin Stoop series. On one side, the portal touches the world at the mouth of a cave outside of Middleton, Texas. The cave is one of many in West Texas, surrounded by small trees and shrubs, at the top of a small hill. Just a few miles away, 8-year-old Hamelin Stoop lives at Upton County Children’s Home, where he was abandoned by his parents as an infant in 1951. The children’s home is tended to by house parents, a cook, and an old farmer named Mr. Moore. Hamelin attends an elementary school in Middleton. He likes some of his teachers, especially Mrs. Eastland, but other people at school, like Mr. Litchie and Patton McBoggerson, make the orphan’s life miserable. The winters blow cold, and the summers are hot with the occasional fast and hard storm. It is one such night, when the rain isn’t expected, when Hamelin decides to run away.

On the other side of the portal, an Atrium with beautiful flowers and light abundant awaits, but it also hides an enchanting darkness beneath healing waters. Beyond the Atrium, there is a medieval world waiting. This world has many kingdoms, including Parthogen, which has been overthrown by an evil commander; Osmethan, where waters of unending life entice the weak-minded; and Periluna, an underground kingdom dependent on a precious jewel for light. These two worlds are connected, and a great evil is attempting to grasp for more power. Nevertheless, the servants of the Ancient One on both sides of the portal have hope.

About the Author

Robert is married to his college sweetheart, Sue. With seven married children and over twenty grandchildren, they enjoy large family gatherings with good food and lively conversation around the table. Favorite family activities include role-playing games, writing and reading stories, and, of course, storytelling. Robert is also a University president and scholar.

Photo Credit: Joannah Buffington

Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Facebook 12 Gates Publishing: Website | Instagram

Blitz Giveaway

One winner will receive print copies of The Eagle, the Cave, and the Footbridge and The Lost Princess and the Jewel of Periluna plus bookmarks and a $15 Amazon Gift Card (US only)

Ends January 18, 2021

ENTER HERE

Grab Our Button!

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We are the children's division of Fire and Ice. We review baby board books to middle-grade titles. We also review products and toys for the family. For inquiries on reviews, blog tours, and author interviews contact FireandIce.Heather@gmail.com
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