My friend and fellow JLB Creatives team member, Jean E. Lane, has a delightful book called Lill and Mewe and the Secrets of Mars. Well, I got a chance to read it after a rave review from my 12 year old daughter - she said it was a must read. I wanted to share my thoughts with my own short review.
Charming in its simplicity, yet surprisingly complex. There is a lot going on with this fun little story. The author has some big ideas and writes for her target audience. The secrets of Mars are revealed with a civilization hidden beneath the surface of the red planet. The focus of the story is on Lill, her younger brother and their insatiable curiosity. The story ends piquing my curiosity and leaves me ready for the sequel. Like a good series should, this first book comes to a satisfying end, but leaves the reader with a few questions. This story is perfect for middle grade and some young readers, especially if they are interested in fun and science!
About the book: When Lill, a young Martian girl, receives a telescope for her birthday and locates planet Earth, she and her water cat, Mewe, "borrow" a new space craft called the Whisper 5 and travel to Earth, where they meet a girl named Lily. Back on Mars, Lill looks for her brother Merak, who, also on a mission, has lost contact when his warp drive safety failed and may have left the galaxy. Lill later learns Merak was rescued, but by whom? As Lill watches Mewe's swim race at Frogscry River, where she competes with the other water cats, Lill discovers a glowing orb in the wall of a cave. The orb holds the thoughts of Martians who have died hundreds of years ago, along with ancient wisdom. What will she learn from the orb? Will she find Merak? What are the secrets of the history of Mars? Follow the exciting adventures of Lill and Mewe as they seek answers in a world of advanced computers, androids and artificial intelligence.
About the author: Jean E. Lane is originally from Youngstown, Ohio. She now lives in Orlando, FL with her husband Kenneth, their energetic dog Prancer, and two curious cats: Muffy and Abby.
She has worked most of her life in logistics, financial accounting, and purchasing. Her true interest lies in the almost believable aliens of the classic science fiction stories she enjoyed growing up.
Skygazing is a hobby which led her write her first children's novel, Lill and Mewe and the Secrets of Mars, the first of the Lill and Mewe series.
She uses math, science, discovery, learning, humor, and adventure in her books. But don't be scared...the math and science are great for kids ages 8 -12. Adults appreciate the content being that her writing style is highly entertaining while delivering facts so their children so they can learn while having fun.
You can get the paperback here:
Authors in the Park returns to picturesque Mount Dora on Saturday, March 30th for the “Spring Into Art” event featuring twelve authors from the Central Florida area. The event will feature a casual author meet and greet from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and an exclusive gallery walk from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring the artwork of Amy Sellers. The event will be held rain or shine inside the Renaissance Building at 411 North Donnelly Street in downtown Mount Dora.
Mark Miller, co-founder of Authors in the Park, said, “We are excited to be back in Mount Dora. It’s my adopted home town. The people are great and the downtown is unique with fabulous dining and delightful shops.” His website is
www.MillerWords.com.
In addition to Amy Sellers artwork, she will have her children’s picture books available. The other participating authors include: Janet Beasley, president of JLB Creatives (The Hidden Earth Series); Valerie Hart, a member of the Association of Food Journalist and weekly food writer for the Leesburg Daily Commercial (The Bounty of Central Florida); Jean E. Lane, young adult science fiction (Lill and Mewe and the Secrets of Mars); Gary Larson, local businessman (HighFive Your Life); De Miller, local Christian filmmaker (Murder in Mount Dora); Jeanne Selander Miller, London International Book Festival award winner for Best Spiritual Book of 2012 (A Breath Away); Mark Miller, young adult fantasy and inspirational (The Empyrical Tales); Theresa Oliver, writer and independent publisher (Angels Among Us); Keith Rommel, psychological thriller (The Cursed Man); C. Kevin Thompson, Christian suspense (The Serpent’s Grasp); and Elise VanCise, photojournalist and award-winning author (Don’t Touch).
“Since our debut event last December, Authors in the Park has grown beyond our wildest dreams,” Janet Beasley, one of the three co-founders of the event along with Mark Miller and Jean E. Lane, said. “Our long term goal is to help promote and support the many talented authors we have in Lake County, and throughout Central Florida.”
During the meet-and-greet, readers and fans are encouraged to come speak to the authors, get autographs and discover some incredible new books, which will be for sale during both the afternoon and evening sessions. For the gallery walk, expect to hear live entertainment and taste complimentary appetizers provided by event sponsor One Flight Up Café (
www.oneflightupmtdora.com). Amy Sellers art will be presented at each of the authors’ tables and she may even have a few surprises, Miller said.
Authors in the Park can be found on Facebook at
www.FB.com/AuthorsInThePark and on Twitter (
@AuthorsPark, #AIP). Follow them for upcoming events and special announcements. According to JLB Creatives executive Jean E. Lane, “Authors in the Park plans to have at least four author events each year and plenty of opportunities to showcase local and independent authors.”
The March 30th event starts at 2:30 p.m. and after a brief intermission, the gallery walk begins at 6 p.m. It all happens in downtown Mount Dora at the Renaissance Building, 411 North Donnelly St.
Hope all is well,Looking Forward to Mt. Dora...Can I get some Kudo's for my book on your web-site ?
I believe SILVER and HAWKINS to be a truly extraordinary and unrivaled follow-up to the most fascinating pirate and adventure story ever written by the author Robert Louis Stevenson’s, Treasure Island. The Pirate Adventure Continues, Is Fun & Easy Reading, with a Simple Plot & a Surprise Ending that will be heartily relished by younger as well as mature adults. Will Good Conquer Evil or Will the Infamous Prevail? Find out matey’s by reading my book SILVER and HAWKINS. For the die-hard fans the original characters that remained alive from Skeleton Island, are described in my book with the same persona and similar idiosyncrasies, just about a dozen years older. The new characters that I fictionalized, are introduced throughout the story bringing with them humor, romance, excitement, danger, murder, lies and deceit. Behaviors found in Men of Fortune are abounding in my story, “those who read it will be the lucky one!”
Great post! Looking so forward to networking with other local talent, meeting new fans, saying hello to those already familiar with Maycly, and best of all...helping worthy authors to be discovered! See you there ;-)