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Thursday, January 14, 2016

Oldenglen by Robin Mason and Michael Mason Review Tour and Giveaway



Oldenglen

by Robin Mason and Michael Mason



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GENRE: Middle Grade Fantasy



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BLURB:



The last thing twelve-year-old Jax wanted was to leave his city life in England for a remote and rugged corner of Oregon―but he hasn’t had any say in the matter.




Although Jax hates it there, he is drawn by the deep woods, as if something or someone is pulling him in. The more he explores, the more he senses the presence of a hidden magic. Joined by Sarah, the granddaughter of the land’s owner, he begins to unravel the secrets of the glen.




But when invaders threaten the wildwood and its inhabitants, Jax and Sarah―and a most unusual army―must prepare for war.




Great peril has come to Oldenglen, but who and what must Jax and Sarah confront in the battle to save it?







EXCERPT;

All woodfolk, be still!” called a voice. Even Acorn was now seated and, unusually for her, quiet.



That’s old Gaffer Grayowl, Keeper of the Green Glade,” Squiffle explained to Jackson in a whisper. “Dear me, he says the same thing every time, but sometimes he forgets bits and has to go back. Hooter will take his place one day soon.” Jackson spied the round-faced owl off to one side.



The tradition of the Gathering of the Woodfolk is a long one, going back for countless ages,” boomed Gaffer. “Our broodfathers and broodmothers, and theirs before them, and theirs before them, and still more before them, have gathered in this place in times of great peril. I bid you remember that the Green Glade and the way here and home are the only places where, by agreement from long ago, a creature is safe from any other. Some of you represent your own kindred, but any woodfolk are welcome.” Jackson looked around. This night the glade was full. The glen would be unnaturally quiet tonight. Sarah squeezed his hand.



Who calls this Gathering?” asked Gaffer.



I, Pondlefoot Badger, cub of Grey-Muzzle Badger and Growler Badger of Badger Tree, and Friend of all Woodfolk, call this Gathering,” said Pondlefoot, standing up.



Take the Gladestone,” commanded the Keeper. “And say what you have come to say.”



Pondlefoot emerged from the press of woodfolk, moving heavily to the center to stand by the Gladestone. He turned slowly, looking carefully at the assembly.



Fellow woodfolk,” the old badger began, “the glen is in grave peril, a danger greater than any faced by those who came before us.”





AUTHOR Bio and Links:



Robin Mason

Robin is the younger son of Michael Mason, co-author of OLDENGLEN. He was born in England and has lived in Zimbabwe (which was called Rhodesia then) and Canada.



The story behind OLDENGLEN came from the time the family was renting a large estate in British Columbia, Canada, many years ago. As a young boy, Robin grew up with the written word. Michael, a professor of English, would read to him every night, including such works as the Narnia books, the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.



OLDENGLEN is the result of that beginning, and the first book in the series known as "The Oldenglen Chronicles". LONE WOLF will be published in early 2016.



Robin is an attorney. He has been married to his wife, Angelina, for nearly twenty-five years and they are blessed with three children. The glen dwells deep in Robin; their home is in a twelve-acre forest, which they share with many four-legged and winged inhabitants.





Michael Mason

Michael was born in 1924 in England, which makes him 91-years-old. The son of an employee of a grand estate in England, as a boy Michael had room to roam.



Graduating from the University of London, and after completing a stint in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, he began his lifelong career of teaching, in schools and universities in England, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Canada. He holds an MA and PhD in English Literature.



Oldenglen is Michael’s first novel. He is also a published poet and playwright and contributor of articles to quarterly publications.


Michael is married to Muriel and they will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in March, 2016. He is blessed with two sons, four granddaughters, three grandsons and one newly-arrived great granddaughter.




Authors and Book Website: http://www.oldenglen.com




My review;

"Oldenglen" by authors Robin Mason and Michael Mason is  really interesting story for young adults. Jax is only twelve years old and he did not want to go to a remote corner of Oregon but he was forced to. He wanted to stay in England. Jax  is not happy in Oregon but, after awhile,  he starts to feel like the woods are talking to him. He loves to explore and search for new things. Sarah is the person who owns the lands granddaughter. They search together and realize that there is something happening. Jax and Sarah have to fight when wildwood is under threat of attack. Who are they going to fight? What secrets are hiding in the woods. I give this book a 4/5. I was given this book for a review and these are my opinions.

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60 comments:

  1. It's interesting that a transplant from England finds these creatures in Oregon...one might expect it the other way around.

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  2. What (or who) inspired you to write this book?

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the question, Jen.

      When I was five, we emigrated from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and rented a forested, five-acre property on the west coast of Canada. It was a very old estate, perfect for exploring. We moved after three years, but not before the owner of the property (our landlord) had begun to parcel off pieces of the property for others to build homes. The loss of my 'magical' playground clearly had a profound effect on me, enough that I in effect fought that battle (with words) nearly fifty years later. That story forms the core of the book.

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  3. thank you for the chance to win :)

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  4. What made them want to work together on the book? Is it hard working with your son or fun?
    Sherry Compton
    savewish@yahoo.com

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    1. I am the son (Dad, being 91, is not much of a blogger). I wanted to work with my father because that is what, other than closeness of family, we have most in common. It was a great way to connect and to communicate, particularly between two people in very different stages of life. Amusingly, some of the writing represented a kind of negotiation or compromise between my father and me. As you can imagine, our difference in ages (nearly 40 years) made for very different perspectives, language, sensibilities etc. For example, I had to defend Jax using the expression "Bloody hell!", which is the most colorful language in the book. My father was aghast at the idea. Winnie the Pooh never said such things, after all. There were a number of generational and other clashes (mild ones), but in some respects that helped the story evolve. We each brought something different to the mix, with a happy result.

      Cheers.

      Robin

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  5. Enjoyed the blurb and excerpt.
    Jennifer Rote

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  6. Thank you for informing me about this book

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  7. Why did you choose Oregon? The Oregon Coast is my favorite place!

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    1. Hi Renee.

      I chose Oregon for its wildlife, trees(particularly redwoods) low population density and mountainous setting, and for its young wolf population (and wolf history), which fits into the story. That latter aspect is more evident in the second book of the series, Lone Wolf, which will be out in or around March 1st. A preview of the illustration for that book can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/1469617586681163/photos/a.1472469876395934.1073741829.1469617586681163/1492243841085204/?type=3&theater

      Cheers.

      Robin

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  8. I heard Oregon is a beautiful place and I want to visit there some day. Would love to read your books.

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    1. Thanks, Rita. My father is a bit of a marvel at 91.

      Robin

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  10. I loved the bio and way to go at age 91!
    I would love to visit Oregon some day.

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    1. Thanks, Silvia.

      I will pass that on to my father.

      Robin

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  11. I appreciate you giving us the opportunity to win, thank you

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  12. Awesome giveaway, thanks for the opportunity

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  13. This looks like an awesome book! I'd love to check it out!

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    1. Thanks, RF! More reviews and news on www.oldenglen.com.

      Robin

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  14. I need to read this to find out what is going on! Oh, and I live in Oregon so I will be envisioning it nearby.

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  15. I like reading and sharing books I know my sisters would enjoy. Thanks!

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  16. I love that one of the authors is publishing his first novel at 91!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Meredith. I had my father push the button "Publish My Book" on CreateSpace. It was a nice moment.

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  17. My sister would really enjoy this, thank you

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    1. The girl in the book is Sarah. She also appears in the second book, Lone Wolf. You can see the illustration for that here: https://www.facebook.com/1469617586681163/photos/a.1472469876395934.1073741829.1469617586681163/1492243841085204/?type=3&theater

      Robin

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  18. Thank you for hosting us, Nana, Mommy and Sissy!

    And thank you everyone for stopping by.

    Oldenglen is the first book in the series known as The Oldenglen Chronicles. The second book, Lone Wolf, will be published around March 1st.

    The best of 2016,

    Robin and Michael (Mason)

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  19. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. Great review. I loved the excerpt.

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  21. Is there anyone in this book named Glen, and is he olden?

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  22. Thinking of what I might buy for my kids if I won, thanks again for the chance

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  23. Thanks for the review!

    --Trix

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  24. Hi Robin, I have really enjoyed reading your answers! Great post, thank you for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Betty. There is definitely a story behind every book!

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  25. Great excerpt! I'm looking forward to reading this one, thanks for sharing :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Victoria. I hope you enjoy our books.

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  27. I have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.

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  28. Enjoyed reading your review, thank you!

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  29. I have let my sisters who read every minute they can about this book, thanks!

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  30. Sounds like a great book for my granddaughter, thanks for sharing!

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  31. Nice excerpt, and thanks for the giveaway.

    ~ KateS

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  32. Great giveaway and I am having fun with this

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  33. Hope you're not getting tired of hearing from me but thanks again for the awesome giveaway.

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  34. This is one terrific giveaway, thank you again

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  35. I enjoyed your review on this book, sounds terrific!

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  36. I love that you and your father collaborated on this book. I enjoyed the entire post but I admit that I enjoyed reading the BIOS the most! Thank you for sharing.

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  37. Starting off a new week and thanking you again for this giveaway

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  38. This is great and I appreciate this opportunity

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  39. My daughter said if I win she needs a pair of shoes for gym class so I appreciate the opportunity.Thank You!

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  40. Week is going by quick and with 6 days to go on your giveaway. Thanks again for the chance

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  41. Happy to be a part of this tour, thank you for sharing!

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  42. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE CHANCE AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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  43. Have a great Saturday and thanks again for this opportunity

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  44. Have a blessed Sunday and thank you for the giveaway

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  45. Pleased to have the opportunity to win this giveaway. Have an awesome Monday!

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  46. Last day and thank you so much for this chance at winning

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