I am very happy today to be taking part in the official Blog Tour to celebrate the launch of Julie Anne Grasso’s second book, Return to Cardamom. Julie is one of the hostesses of the Kid Lit Blog Hop which I often participate in, and a regular and very sweet visitor here. Be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom for the link to the Rafflecopter giveaway for this book!
Return to Cardamom. Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Book 2. by Julie Anne Grasso.
Caramel Cardamom is the twelve-year-old pizza-delivering, scooter-riding, amateur sleuth, princess and elf for whom this series is named. Having saved the day and stopped the evil Alexander222 and her aunt Isabel in the first book, Caramel thought she would be free to resume her healer training and regular consumption of sticky caramel date cake. But when she hears that something has frightened the cardamom trees so much that they drop all of the precious cardamom pods upon which the economy of the entire planet is based, Caramel immediately suspects that they’ve come back. Unfortunately, none of the adults believe her, even when Cardamom’s position in the Interplanetary Council is threatened. Once again, it’s up to Caramel to save the day – with help from her best friends Jemm and Jorde. And once Cardamom and the cardamom crop have been saved, the villain pulls out his revenge, which puts the people of Earth in danger.
Caramel’s character is an interesting blend of super abilities and shortcomings. On the one hand, she’s the only one who can figure out many of the problems in the book, figuring out how to reassure the frightened trees, tracking down the villains, and figuring out how to stop them. On the other, she’s a special needs child, with a leg that so badly injured in childhood that it is still painful and restricts her movement. As the mother of a special-needs child, I very much appreciated having a heroine with physical restrictions who still finds a way to do everything she wants. Grasso’s elves, with their love for sweet, sticky treats, seem in general to be more closely related to the branded treat-baking variety than Tolkien, and use variations on the word “elf” in their general speech much as Strawberry Shortcake uses “berry”. Their world is a mix of modern-seeming technology and magic, with wrist comm units and detectors on buildings that identify elves by scent on the modern side, and trees that will re-grow fruit or grow buildings in response to the prompting of tree-tenders. The very cute comes together with the serious in a story that involves sabotage, chronic diseases and kidnapping, as well as a touch of gentle pre-teen romance. The chapters often end with dire foreboding of things to come, lending a classic pulp feeling to the book. Return to Cardamom is an enthusiastic tale of an impulsive and gifted child who saves the day in spite of restrictions from her own body as well as villainy.
About Return to Cardamom
Title: Return to Cardamom (Caramel Cardamom Trilogy, Book #2)
Author: Julie Anne Grasso
Publisher: Independent
Publication Date: July 17, 2013
Pages: 136 (Paperback)
Recommended Age: 9+
Summary: Life is sweet for Caramel and things are finally getting back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be for a telepathic elf who can train trees and control computers, but she soon finds life on Cardamom is not all cupcakes and apple cider. A saboteur is hiding in the rainforest canopy, and the elves’ precious cardamom export has been wiped out. Caramel is certain it’s another trick of Alexander222 and her Aunt Isabel, but no one will believe her, and the clock is ticking. She must expose the saboteur in time to save the crop or the Elves of Cardamom will lose their livelihood. Caramel won’t rest until her theory is proven. While she is on the hunt, she makes a shocking discovery, one that will change everything.
Purchase
Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (Canada)
The Buzz About Book 1: Escape From the Forbidden Planet
“Julie Anne Grasso has created an action-packed story featuring a range of interesting and imaginative characters (i.e., elves, the Alexanders, and other creatures), intergalactic travel, advanced medical and scientific technology, and complex environmental and conservation issues. Escape From the Forbidden Planet contains an intricate plot which slowly unfolds until you’re hooked and you are left on the edge of your proverbial seat wondering what will happen next.” ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews, 5 Stars
“It’s part geeky, part science, and part fun, all brought together to become this awesome book called Escape From The Forbidden Planet. I would recommend this book to reading age kids and adults who like sci-fi kids books. Definitely something different. I really enjoyed reading it!” ~ Michael S., Amazon, 5 Stars
“I loved this book. Super great series for middle graders. I loved Caramel. She has a great attitude and determination. I really admired how she was focused on getting home, saving her family but also made the best of being stuck on an alien planet. Definitely a book with great role models for kids. I really hope there is more to come where this came from. Kids need books like this with catchy stories, solid characters who have good values that they can relate to.” ~ Unorthodox Mama, Goodreads, 5 Stars.
*** Get your FREE COPY of Escape From the Forbidden Planet by Julie Anne Grasso July 17 to 21, 2013. Available for 99 cents after July 21, 2013. ***
Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (Canada)
About the Author
Julie Anne Grasso is an Australian author with a background in paediatric nursing. She spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories about a little girl elf just like them. Add in some very funky technology, her love of science fiction and desire to impart great values through her little girl elf named Caramel and there you have it, the Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy was the result.
Julie lives in Melbourne with her husband Danny and their little elf Giselle. Most days she can be found sipping chai lattes, chasing a toddler, and dreaming up wonderful worlds that often involve consumption of cupcakes.
Book Website: http://www.julieannegrassobooks.com/
Author Blog: WhenIgrowupIwannawriteakidsbook
Facebook page: Julie Anne Grasso Books
Twitter: @Jujuberry37
Goodreads Author: Julie Anne Grasso
Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
July 17
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)
The Wise Owl Factory Book a Day (Review)
July 18
Amanda’s Books and More (Review)
July 19
This Kid Reviews Books (Review)
July 20
July 21
Imagineer – ing (Book Spotlight)
July 22
Published Bestsellers (Author Interview)
July 23
Stitch Says (Author Interview)
July 24
Nik’s Picks Book Reviews (Review)
R.K. Grow- reading.writing.blogging. (Author Interview)
Diane Estrella @That’s What I’m Here For… (Review)
July 25
July 26
July 27
Learning and Growing the Piwi Way (Review)
July 28
My Devotional Thoughts (Author Interview)
July 29
Fiona Ingram (Author Interview)
Published Bestsellers (Review)
July 30
Nayu’s Reading Corner (Guest Post)
July 31
Cheryl Carpinello’s Writing Pages (Guest Post)
Nayu’s Reading Corner (Review)
Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog (Review)
*** Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Giveaway ***
Prize: One winner will receive a copy (print in U.S./Canada & e-copy interntionally) + a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash
Contest runs: July 17th to August 7th, 11:59 pm, 2013
Open: WW
How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send us an email!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
alibrarymama 
Thank you so much Katie for a lovely review and for taking the time to join my blog tour. It makes my heart so glad when readers identify with Caramel and her disability. It’s difficult to portray a flawed character that also has incredible potential to unlock, so thank you for highlighting that in your review. Best wishes. Julie
Thank you for your kind words, Julie, and best wishes to you as well.
A perfect review for a great book. I love the way you end your review:
“Return to Cardamom is an enthusiastic tale of an impulsive and gifted child who saves the day in spite of restrictions from her own body as well as villainy.”
Thank you so much!
Oh Katy! I just loved your review and I love your description of Caramel. I agree that she is a one-of-kind main character who has so much potential to be a great role model for pre-teen girls. Thank you so much taking part in the tour.
Thank you so much, Renee! And thank you for including me in the tour.
I really liked your comment about the ending of the chapters. It isn’t something I consciously thought of, but now that you mention it, I found myself thinking, “just one more chapter to see what happens.” Great review and a wonderful book.
Paul R. Hewlett
Thank you for visiting, and I’m glad you enjoyed the review!
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