Stocking Up for Summer Reading?

I know it's still "sweater weather," but I'm ready for summer and the relaxing time it should bring. I'm also ready to read some fun books.

When you start thinking about your summer reading list, I hope you'll keep some of my books in mind. Here's a trailer for The Pirate's Bastard, a perfect sea adventure for summer. But reader beware: just like quests for pirate treasure, pirate tales rarely end in a predictable, or peaceful, manner.

Copy of The Pirate's Bastard

Make a Wish Foundation Mermaid Dream Come True

I love this story: a young boy who dreamed of meeting a mermaid really did!

He turned into a mer-man for a day, too, and at the end of his special day, he received a gift from the mermaid - a copy of our newest Jock Avery Adventure, The Mermaid's Tale. If you haven't read the book yet, I will only tell you this was the most perfect setting for such a gift to be given.

Here's a video of Marcus' special day. Please share with your friends!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFGZqg7-GrM&list=UUNDVFsOY1HMSXDhcxuEfGoA&feature=c4-overview

Thanks to the Make A Wish Foundation and my friend, Mermaid Linden of Mermaids in Motion, for making these special dreams come true for children. And thank you, Linden, for allowing us to model our mermaid in the story after you!

It's Official: The Mermaid's Tale is Released!

I'm pleased to say we had a good "soft" release last month. Now we're getting serious: Here's a full release about the book's release. I have lots of fun signings planned for this one! I'll keep you posted!

Book Donation to Vets at Fort Bragg's Fisher House

Two of my author friends, Mary Flinn and Jane Tesh, teamed up with me to spread a little holiday cheer to the vets and their families at Fort Bragg's Fisher House. The Fisher House is a home-away-from-home for the families of vets who are receiving treatments. While there are Fisher Houses all over the country, I chose the one closest to Ft. Bragg because Mary, Jane, and I are North Carolina writers, and our books are all set in North Carolina.

On Saturday, Dec. 21, I delivered a box containing all of our novels to Fisher House representative Becky Kerr. That's her on the left - she's a Gold Star recipient, as is her husband. She volunteers at the Fisher House, which otherwise has a staff of one.

We met in Southern Pines, which was convenient to both of us that day. I was in the area for a family get-together, and she was finishing holiday shopping in nearby Pinehurst. You can read more about it, if you like.

It was a small gesture of thanks to our vets. I wish we could do more for them, but perhaps next year's donation will be bigger.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Good Reads Giveaway Link

Here's a link to the promotional giveaway of my new children's book, The Mermaid's Tale. It's on Good Reads, and there are only three copies, so head over there quick before the giveaway ends Tuesday evening!

Good luck, and Merry Christmas!

Book Giveaway on Good Reads!

Enter to win a free copy of Mystery of the Lake House #2: The Mermaid's Tale, going on right now at Good Reads!

I've got more promotions lined up, so stay tuned!

Thanks!

Mermaids are real, says first book review for The Mermaid's Tale

The reviewer from BlogCritics.org is convinced mermaids are real after reading the second book in the Mystery at the Lake Houses series, The Mermaid's Tale, that I co-wrote with my young son, Will: 

Jock Avery and his neighbors at Long Leaf Lake, Chip and Lynna, are back in this second fun adventure in the Mystery at the Lake House series by Laura Wharton and her 11-year-old son, William.

Regardless of whether or not you read the first book in the series, Monsters Below, this book is a real treat not to be missed. The story begins when seven-year-old Chip is watching his 10-year-old sister, Lynna, and friend, Jock, racing sailboats. Imagine Chip’s surprise when he sees a mermaid in the lake and Lynna almost runs over it!

Jock is skeptical when Chip says he saw a mermaid, but Lynna thinks they should believe her brother. The three friends immediately begin trying to figure out how they can discover whether or not there is a mermaid in the lake — or as Jock believes, something else that made Chip think he saw a mermaid.

But Jock also has other things to think about besides mermaids. He’s deeply engrossed in reading the latest Sam Justice adventure book — which provides a story within the book’s story. And while he’s enjoying his summer visit with his grandparents at the lake, he’s frustrated when his parents come to visit and his father spends all his time on the phone talking about work. Will his dad ever find time to spend with Jock? And then there’s the summer swim team competition….

But those concerns soon take second place when one night Jock also sees the mermaid. Is she real? How is it possible that a mermaid could be inside Long Leaf Lake?

Young readers will enjoy discovering the answers to these questions. And parents will appreciate that along the way, children will learn about fish, how to prevent water pollution, and the importance of believing in our friends.

I promise that everyone, young and old, will be surprised by how this story ends. Explaining a mermaid is no easy feat, but authors Wharton and Wharton are not only up to the task, but they’ve had help from a real-life mermaid to carry off this story with grace and ease.

And that’s not all — besides the story itself, the book includes an interview with William about how he and his mother collaborate in writing their books. Additional “treats” include recipes for actual delicious treats enjoyed in the story by the main characters, a sneak preview at the next book in the series, Secret of the Compass, and best of all, an interview with the real-life mermaid who provided the Whartons with information for this book! Yes, mermaids are real. Don’t believe me? Then read this book. Whether you’re a kid, a parent, or a lover of mermaids, you’re sure to enjoy The Mermaid’s Tale.

For more information about The Mermaid’s Tale and the other Mystery at the Lake House books, visit the author’s page at Amazon.com.