Apron Bramhall has come unmoored. It’s 1985 and her mom has passed away, her evil stepmother is pregnant, and her best friend has traded her in for a newer model. Fortunately, she’s about to be saved by Jesus. Not that Jesus—the actor who plays him in Jesus Christ, Superstar. Apron is desperate to avoid the look-alike Mike (no one should look that much like Jesus unless they can perform a miracle or two), but suddenly he’s everywhere. Until one day, she’s stuck in church with him—of all places. And then something happens; Apron’s broken teenage heart blinks on for the first time since she’s been adrift.

Mike and his grumpy boyfriend, Chad, offer her a summer job in their flower store, Apron’s world seems to calm. But when she uncovers Chad’s secret, coming of age becomes almost too much bear. She’s forced to see things the adults around her fail to—like what love really means and who is paying too much for it.

Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You, comments, “Love, loss, and the coming of age of one remarkable girl blaze through this haunting debut like a shooting star you’d wish upon. It’s tough and tender, funny and smart, and it frankly took my breath away. I loved it.”

2.  THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME on the Well Read Wife

Another good review for one of our clients – this time Allison Winn Scotch! Her new novel THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME is taking off with lots of book blogger buzz. Here is an excerpt of the review from Well Read Wife:

“Throughout The Song Remains The Same Allison Winn Scotch weaves a captivating mystery around the past of the novel’s protagonist, Nell Slattery. Nell, unable to remember her past, awakens from her tragic accident to find that she was in the midst of a life in transition before the accident. A transition to and from what she cannot be sure. Nell entrusts her sister Rory, her mother, and her friend Samantha to fill in the memory gaps. She also leans on her husband Peter for support. However, it turns out that not everyone is as forthcoming as they seem, and her childhood relationship with her reclusive father may be the key to remembering her past.”

More about THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME

Coming April 2012

From the New York Times-bestselling author comes a novel that asks the question, who are we without our memories?  And how much of our future is defined by our past?

One of only two survivors of a plane crash, Nell Slattery wakes in the hospital with no memory of the crash – or who she is, or was. Now she must piece together both body and mind — with the help of family and friends who have their own agendas.  She filters through photos, art, music and stories, hoping something will jog her memory, and soon – in tiny bits and pieces –Nell starts remembering…It isn’t long before she learns to question the stories presented by her mother, her sister and business partner, and her husband.  In the end she will learn that forgiving betrayals small and large will be the only true path to healing herself — and to finding happiness.

3. AURYN in School Library Journal

Digital children’s app publishers AURYN and their MIKO series were featured in the School Libary Journal – so much buzz for these innovative and pioneering storybook tellers! Here is a highlight:

“Resourceful and oh-so-charming Miko the mouse, and his faithful friend Mimiki, a stuffed animal, star in four tales. In Double Birthday! (2005), Miko receives a number of presents and finds a way to share them with Mimiki, while a game of ball in the house and a broken vase lead to a confession—of sorts—in It Was Me, Mom! (2005). When Miko Goes On Vacation (2006), he makes sure Mimiki is safe before venturing off to enjoy the beach. And after another wonderful day outdoors, the youngster worries that he will wash away all the traces of fun he had in No Bath! No Way! (2005, all Minedition). The stories are true to the original books and feature situations and sentiments familiar to young children.

The viewing/listening options are the standard “Read To Me,” “Read Myself,” and “Auto Play.” Children can also choose to narrate and personalize the stories. (Reverting to the original text requires a tap to the screen.) In all modes, the names of objects are labeled and voiced when they are touched. Movement through the book is achieved by a swipe to the screen or a tap on the mouse icon at the bottom of the page.”

More on AURYN

The future of storytelling is here!

Auryn is a premiere digital publisher focused on creating award-winning interactive children’s stories for the iPad and other tablet devices. We collaborate with authors, illustrators and publishers to turn their stories into educational, engaging and entertaining experiences. Auyrn’s patented technology (Aurynization) brings any illustration style to life through animation and interactivity. Kirkus Reviews, Fast Company, NPR, PadGadget and Animation Magazine all herald Auryn as a leader in creating sophisticated and immersive “app” experiences.

4. Dr. Mark McKee in Book Dealers World

Our most mindful client Dr. Mark McKee – author of RAISING A SUCCESSFUL CHILD THE MANUAL –  is featured in this month’s issue of Book Dealer’s World. Be sure to pick up a copy and find him on page 3 to find out more about this child-raising expert!

More about RAISING A SUCCESSFUL CHILD

The award-winning parenting book, Raising A Successful Child (The Manual), gets to the heart of what every parent needs to know to have a warm,loving relationship with their baby and raise a happy,healthy,secure child. Based on past successful parenting practices, and even more excitingly on recent research findings that point to new directions in parenting, this book provides in clear and simple language a roadmap and tools for raising successful children. “The Manual” introduces parents to the idea of a balanced life for a child–work and play are equally important at all stages of development.

Exploring all the things that can go wrong and what families should do to avoid these problems does little to build confidence in parents or children. Unlike other books which focus on specific diagnoses or “problems,” this book is centered around the theme of building a strong and healthy parent-child relationship.

Sharon:  What three important facts do you want readers to know about your books?