Will in Scarlet -- Review and Giveaway

Thought for the Day:

“Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer.”  ~ Ray Bradbury~

Some Gifts for My Writer Friends: 

Barbara Krasner of The Whole Megillah is possibly the best author interviewer I've ever run across. Seriously. She recently did a fantastic interview with author Neal Bascomb that can be found HERE. This is really worth your time. 

Click HERE to find a list and links to the 62 top writing articles from 2013 in Writer’s Digest. 

A great post on character flaws can be found by clicking HERE.This is the blog of Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman who have written The Emotion Thesaurus and other great resources for writers. If you aren't following their blog yet, I do recommend it.

Last week, I offered a copy of The Ghost in the Glass House to one of my readers who left a comment. Cue the spotlight! Our winner is Morgan Mussell! WooHoo! Morgan is a writer and publishes a most incredible blog. Click HERE and hop on over to The First Gates. There is always something interesting on his blog. Morgan, I will get your book to you this week. If you didn't win, read to the end. I have another fabulous book to give away.

Sometimes I run across a book for middle-schoolers that is so smart and fun that it is a true joy to read. Recently I read Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody, and it is just that kind of book. I LOVED it. Here is the review I wrote for the San Francisco Book Review.

Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood, but until now, no one was aware how badly his unrequited love for Maid Marion affected him. This is really the story of Will Shackley, age thirteen, whose father went off to the Crusades with Richard the Lion-Hearted and was captured and held, with Richard, for ransom. Will has to grow up in a hurry. Prince John is intent on usurping the throne and sends Sir Guy to take over the castle of Shackley with the help of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Will escapes and finds himself with a bunch of Merry Men in the Nottingham Forest, who would like to ransom him. He convinces them he can lead them to a great treasure, but he really plans revenge on Sir Guy.

“Prince John’s since given the stewardship of Shackley Castle over to Sir Guy. But the truth of the matter is, I don’t care. John, Richard, or King Fart the Great, they’re all the same to us out here in the wild.”

The surprises come one after another in this terrific page-turner for middle-grade boys, but since there is a little romance hinted at and such amazing action, girls and, heck, everyone will want to read this.

Matthew Cody started creating comics for Marvel and DC Comics, but has made a seamless move to middle-grade author. This could be the beginning of a series, and, if so, it will be a blockbuster.

One of you will be lucky enough to win a nice gently-read hardback copy of this wonderful book. Please leave a comment. If you want more than one chance to win, spread the word by posting this link on your blog or on Facebook or some other social media or tweet out the word and let me know. I will put your name in the hat for every place you post this. This drawing is for U.S. addresses only. 

To find other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday books, stop by Shannon Messenger's wonderful blog which you can find by clicking HERE. She always has a great list of blogs posting MMGM reviews and giveaways.