All posts by Diane Solomon

Books, Diane Solomon author, homeschool, homeschooling, Mark Carey, Mark Carey Author, Middle grade books, Uncategorized

Are you a homeschooler looking for quality middle-grade books?

October 26, 2016 Diane Solomon Leave a comment

The Ravenstone:
The Secret of Ninham Mountain

Only $2.99 Also in paperback

Many of the books, written for kids, feature main characters whose behavior is… well, appalling. Diane and I set out to create characters with heart and honor. We put the twins, Nadia and Aidan, in situations where they have to decide for themselves to do the right thing. They take risks for their family and they succeed in spite of their fears and flaws. Our kids don’t have to be snarky to be cool. As your kids read they accompany Aidan and Nadia on their adventure and are intrigued by the mystery they try to unravel. Plus, they learn, along with the twins, about; history, Native Americans, Celts, folk-lore, extinct plants and other environmental science, and more than just a little about morality.

The action is fast-paced. Our younger beta readers couldn’t put the book down. One Skyped us from Oregon to tell us how much he loved it. He even honored us with the comment, “This book is better than Harry Potter!”

We understand why you, as a parent, choose to teach your children at home. You may feel a level of concern about the academic quality of local public schools, quite justifiably! And you may feel that teaching them at home provide a higher level of moral instruction. Teaching them academic facts alone does not make them good people and we all want our kids to grow into people we can be proud of. Those kinds of lessons are difficult to get across to kids without seeming preachy. Here is where a book like The Ravenstone can entertain and teach at the same time.

A fun, suspenseful, entertaining book helps to teach those lessons! And a classic quality book becomes part of your child’s heart and mind, something she will remember her entire life.

The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain

REVIEW:

EXCERPT: “It’s a magical, hopeful story full of loyalty, courage and heart.” “I appreciate this honor, this depth of character, in an age where so much of our media, books, TV, and movies are full of violence, darkness and a kind of “attitude” or “snarkiness.” I am tired of that! This is a family-oriented book, wholesome even, and very heartwarming.”

FULL REVIEW:
By Dr. David Baltimore on October 5, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

What a fun, suspenseful adventure! I got it for my niece, but read it myself first. I got hooked in and couldn’t put it down… It’s a magical, hopeful story full of loyalty, courage and heart.

The characters are well-drawn; the protagonists, Aidan and Nadia, are 13-year-old twins who are sent on a mission to help save their dad’s life work. But, they are also driven by the desire to achieve something great for mankind. They must take great risk, overcome fear, and survive great danger from a magic stronger than theirs.

I appreciate this honor, this depth of character, in an age where so much of our media, books, TV, and movies are full of violence, darkness and a kind of “attitude” or “snarkiness.” I am tired of that! This is a family-oriented book, wholesome even, and very heartwarming.

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Books, Diane Solomon author, Mark Carey, Mark Carey Author, Middle grade books, Uncategorized

Diane Solomon’s Author interview on BookGoodies

October 19, 2016 Diane Solomon Leave a comment

EXCERPT:

What inspires you to write?
The joy of creativity, of being creative, drives me. It always has! As a singer/songwriter, I learned to trust the creative process and dive deeply into it. You have to dare to be criticized, dare to be silly, to be crazy, to be wild. There are moments during writing where you forget yourself entirely. You lose track of time. The writing seems to have taken over. Sometimes you look down and are surprised by what you read, as if you didn’t, in fact, write it! I can only describe this experience as somehow verging on transcendent, in that it feels beyond the limits of experience, or independent of this world. It is exciting, inspiring, and rewarding.

As for ideas for books, they stem from my life (and I have had a very strange but interesting life), and from my imagination. And from the “What if?” game!

READ MORE ON BOOKGOODIES

Book Reviews, Books, Uncategorized

Book Review: “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah

October 15, 2016 Diane Solomon 2 Comments

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Having read quite a few of Kristin Hannah’s books, I looked forward to “The Nightingale.” Although it held my attention, throughout the book I could not quite put my finger on why I wasn’t moved by the distressful events of this World War Two story.

Two sisters struggle to survive in Nazi-occupied France; one maintains her home and resists any idea of resistance. The other sister, impulsive and passionate, launches herself into the resistance movement, and becomes The Nightingale, leading British and American pilots through the mountains to Spain, to return them to their countries to fight another day.

The book delivers a potentially powerful story of suspense, courage, honor, love, and loyalty. My reservations are with regard to the level of exaggeration I felt was in play. And the tendency to cliche. Granted, these devastating events occurred, I just don’t believe they all happened to so few people. It is as if all the horror stories of the war were funneled into this one book, and it seemed a wee bit unrealistic and unbelievable to me.

As bizarre as this sounds, I became somewhat desensitized to the travesties. I am a sentimental, soft soul, and fully expected to be brought to tears by this tale. Especially having loved other books of Kristin Hannah’s. But I have come to the conclusion that this book, in its leaning toward melodrama, turned me off at some level, and I was left with a feeling of disappointment that truly surprised me.

So 3 stars for “The Nightingale,” which I hate to say is not one of Hannah’s best. I feel almost guilty saying this as I love so much of Hannah’s work.

~ ~ ~
View all my reviews

Check out Diane’s new middle-grade fantasy novel, written with her husband Mark Carey:
The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain

Books, Diane Solomon author, Mark Carey, Mark Carey Author, Uncategorized

Our book is on the front page of The Kindle Book Review! Yay!

October 15, 2016 Diane Solomon Leave a comment

Kindle Book Review website

“Readers are raving about today’s fantasy adventure, “The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain” by Diane Solomon and Mark Carey. Your kids will love this unique mystery fantasy!”

“This book is better than Harry Potter!” -Reviewer

“Hated to put it down, didn’t want it to end”-READER

“I read it as an adult, thoroughly enjoyed it-full of intrigue, mystery & fun.”-Reviewer

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Books, Diane Solomon author, Mark Carey Author, Middle grade books, Uncategorized

More great reviews pouring in! The Ravenstone

October 9, 2016 Diane Solomon Leave a comment

ravenstone-subtitle-raven-fb-1200-x-authors

Fifteen 5-STAR reviews on Amazon – we are thrilled!

Intro price, $2.99 expires on the 15th. Grab your copy now! 🙂

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SMASHWORDS eBook
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Top Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars fun and fascinating mystery-fantasy
By Wayne A. Lovett on September 26, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

With time-travelling twins, Native Americans, Celtic princes, Shamans, a shape-shifting raven – this book is an imaginative, fun and fascinating mystery-fantasy. The main characters, 13-year-old twins, are honorable and courageous, and the reader really cares about them and roots for them. My grandson, who is 12, loved it, and asked it there will be another book with Nadia and Aidan.

5.0 out of 5 stars Such a work of love and wisdom!
By Laurie Seymour on September 27, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

Such a work of love and wisdom! I’m imagining the fun you must have had together in writing it.

Simply put, I loved this book. Hated to put it down and didn’t want it to end. I loved the main characters—both of them.They were fully fleshed out and worthy of caring. I hope you are planning on a sequel! I most definitely want another adventure. Please?

5.0 out of 5 stars Great adventure
By Hagit R. Oron on September 30, 2016
Hagit Oron’s website
Format: Kindle Edition

Nadia and Aiden are 13-years-old twins living with their parents and 17-years old sister Heather in Cold Spring NY. Nadia and Aiden have a special bond, They understand each other without words, and as their grandmother Liz says, together they show that 1+1 equals more than two.

One day, while cleaning the attic, an old wizard, and a crow appear in the mirror and talks to the twins. The wizard points them to a magical artifact – the ravenstone, which enables the twins to travel in time.They are scared but also intrigued, and when the wizard sends them on an important mission, they accept the challenge and go back in time.
All adventure lovers would certainly enjoy this high-paced plot.

5.0 out of 5 stars As an adult reading this I loved it. I let a friend’s son read it …
By C salt on September 28, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

Extremely well thought out story to capture the imagination of your child. As an adult reading this I loved it. I let a friend’s son read it and he’s still talking about it and different adventures they should go on. Highly recommend this book and look forward to seeing more.

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific, imaginative plot and characters you really care about
By H.L. JOHNSON on October 4, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

I bought this for my nephew and niece (10 and 12) for us to read together on a weekend they are staying with me. I had scanned it online and read some of the reviews, checking it was appropriate. Well, I got hooked. Terrific, imaginative plot and characters you really care about! Suspenseful and engrossing, with a heartwarming family-oriented story.

It’s a mystery, in that you try to work out all the details with the two main characters, who are brave and honorable 13-year-old twins. They set off on a dangerous mission to help their dad, but also potentially all of mankind. Very cool! I couldn’t put it down, and I know the kids will love it. They’ll probably figure out the ending before I did!

5.0 out of 5 stars The beginning of a great series! This story is sure to please all who read it!
By Dr. David Baltimore on October 5, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition

What a fun, suspenseful adventure! I got it for my niece, but read it myself first. I got hooked in and couldn’t put it down… It’s a magical, hopeful story full of loyalty, courage and heart.

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book
By ck on September 27, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

I loved this book! Although it’s written for middle school aged children, I read it as an adult and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s full of intrigue, mystery and fun. The kids in the story are taken on an adventure that solves a family problem and they learn a lot along the way. I will be reading this to my grandchildren and I know they will love it as much as I did. Can’t wait for the next volume.

5.0 out of 5 stars Twists and turns keep the reader interested and wondering what will happen next!
By Amazon Customer on September 26, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition

I have never enjoyed reading because my mind tends to wander, but this story kept my attention right from the start. It was so easy to picture the characters and the settings. I couldn’t put the book down, even though it was late in the night, because I wanted to find out what was going to happen next.

I love how the authors wrapped up all of my questions about the characters in the conclusion of the book. The story kept my attention from beginning to end!

I gave the book to my 12-year-old grandson. When he finished reading, he proclaimed that “This book is better than Harry Potter!”. He thought it was clever that we had to hold the book up to a mirror in order to read the words that the twins saw in the old mirror.

We both hope Nadia and Aidan have another adventure!

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!
By L. Zimmermann on September 26, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Solomon and Carey’s imaginative storytelling sweeps you into a fascinating tale of mystery and adventure. Young twins Nadia and Aidan stumble upon an ancient power that could help their family in the future, or trap them in the past forever. Highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific, imaginative plot and characters you really care about
By H.L. JOHNSONon October 4, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting time travel adventure!
By Laura C.on October 2, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Fantastic! I couldn’t stop reading, I was on the edge of my seat, almost breathless- at times brought to tears. Even between reads, I found myself wondering what was happening with the twins. I found the book deliciously suspenseful and loved the ending-all wrapped up with no loose ends and still wonderful opportunities for a sequel. I sure hope another adventure is coming along-I’d love to spend more time with Nadia and Aiden.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
By Valerie Torphy on October 1, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

What a great read! Carried me along on a wonderful journey, and left me wanting more. I would highly recommend it for tweens, teens, and parents of all ages. Even aunts, uncles and grandparents!

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great young adult novel
By Chris Moulton on September 29, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

What a great young adult novel!! I so very much enjoyed the “story”! And, it was easy to read with lots of great “action scenes” that kept the story moving in all the right ways!. A fun read for all ages.
Can see so many opportunities for great sequels! Hint, hint….

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, excitement and mystery!
By Kathleen on October 9, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

I originally ordered this book for my niece, but ended up also reading it myself. What a fun filled adventure these characters embark on. This story is so full of mystery, excitement and knowledge! The authors keep you on the edge of your seat and constantly wondering what will happen next. My niece loved the book as well and finished it in only a couple of days. She told me that she just could not put it down and is hoping that there will be more books to come continuing the story of Nadia and Aiden and their magical life.