A Review of Nate Rocks the Boat

A little something about the book: With fourth grade finally winding down, 10-year-old Nathan Rockledge is looking forward to a fun and relaxing summer at home with his friends. That is, until his mom decides he has to go to overnight camp with his annoying older sister. When his best friend Tommy decides to tag along, Nathan thinks maybe his summer won’t actually be so bad. After all, he does get to be away from his mom's awful cooking for an entire six weeks. Amongst Color War competitions, a flaky counselor, and a bully named "No-Neck,” Nathan turns to his trusty sketchpad, transforming himself into Nate Rocks: 10-year-old extraordinaire. His speedboat ready for action, Nate saves the day time and again from the perils of floods, snakes, ghosts, and even the most wanted criminals. Join Nathan, Tommy, Abby, and a whole new cast of characters as Nate Rocks once again proves nothing can hold him back in this second book of the Nate Rocks series.

 MY REVIEW: Nate Rocks is back and better than ever! Author Karen Pokras Toz sticks with a formula that works in her sequel Nate Rocks the Boat. With her flare for description Toz gives us the heebie jeebies at a slithering rattle snake about to strike, makes us laugh out loud at an over zealous camp counselor, and snicker behind our hand when Nate takes a horse shoe to the face in a backyard game gone wrong. But in the end we learn that thanks to his active imagination and clever thinking Nate truly does rock! This is a must have for the young readers in your life!

 EXCERPT: “Welcome, Hawks. I’m Matt, your counselor. I’ve been coming to Camp Spring Ridge every summer since I was your age. This is a great place, and it’s my job to make sure you boys have the best summer ever.” Matt looks up at the sky as the wind rustles through the papers on his clipboard. “Now, before it starts raining, let’s see if we can get through some of the camp rules.” “Rules? We don’t need any dumb rules! It’s summer!” I look over toward the sound of the husky voice to see a boy who looks more like he’s Abby’s age than my age. He also appears to have arms as big as my thighs and no-neck. I’ve never seen anyone without a neck before. I’m sure it’s there somewhere. It’s just that this kid’s head is enormous. I am in the right bunk aren’t I? Matt doesn’t seem disturbed by the outburst as he continues right along. “The rules are only there to make sure you have the most fun possible while staying safe. We wouldn’t want anyone getting hurt...or worse.” Worse?! Tommy and I look at each other. I turn around to scan the dirt road. Dad must still be at Abby’s bunk. If I left right now and ran, I could probably get there before he and Mom leave. I’m sure Mom would take me with her to see Grandma once I explained about how dangerous it is here at camp. She’s always saying we don’t get to visit with Grandma enough. Or I could just stay at Tommy’s house. I’m certain Tommy would follow me if I took off running. But what if they were already gone? Then I would have to return to my bunk. I could already hear the other kids laughing at me as the camp director returned me to the Hawks. “Okay,” Matt starts, holding down the paper on his clipboard. “Rule #1: Always listen to your counselor—he’s the coolest guy here.” Matt starts laughing, but quickly notices no one else joins in. He clears his throat and continues. “Rule #2: Stay with your bunk at all times unless you have specific permission to go somewhere. Rule #3: Lights out at 10:00pm. Rule #4: When it’s our turn to have kitchen duty, everyone must participate, and the most important rule—Rule #5: Stay out of the forest! Look, you guys are old enough to hear this, so I’m just going to tell it to you straight. The forest may look cool, but it’s big and dangerous. Every summer, one or two campers decide to wander in there, and the same thing always happens. They get lost. The camp has to call in a search party with dogs and the whole bit. If you wander too far in, you might run across snakes or even coyotes and wolves. So do yourselves a favor and stay out!” I look around the table to see everyone staring at Matt... Even No-Neck. 

ABOUT KAREN POKRAS TOZ Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife, and mom. Karen grew up in Orange, Connecticut and currently lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. In June 2011, Karen published her first middle grade children’s novel for 7-12 year olds called Nate Rocks the World, followed in 2012 by the second book in the Nate Rocks series, Nate Rocks the Boat. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). TO LEARN MORE

ABOUT THE NATE ROCKS SERIES: Website: www.karentoz.com Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptoz Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentoz Amazon: http://amzn.to/NateRockstheBoat http://amzn.to/NateRockstheWorld Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/NateRockstheBoat-BN http://bit.ly/NateRockstheWorld-BN Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.Karen_Pokras_Toz Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kN35Yf9px4 Go pick up this wonderful book today!

Playing Tag! Oh yeah!

Playing Tag! Oh yeah!
So the lovely: http://christysloat.blogspot.com/2012/02/playing-tag-oh-yeah.html?spref=fb is playing tag with me! I will now tag a few blogs, if you have been tagged please answer the questions and link your post back to me :)

What kind of books do you like to read? I tend to lean toward books with fantasy elements or a great deal of humor, but I'll give most anything a try if it has a compelling story
If I came to your home and looked under your bed, what would I find? Nothing but my husband's plastic Guitar Rock guitar
Grab the book nearest you, turn to page 20, find line 5 and write in. What book is it? Kirova stared at me, her face blank. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Use 3 words to describe yourself...Goofy, driven and honest
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream and why? Not a fan of ice cream. Hurts my teeth
What would you do if you had $1 million dollars? Knowing me? Probably go on a crazy shoe shopping spree then save the rest
If you could eat lunch with 1 famous person who would it be? Joss Whedon. Hands down. I just want to pick his brain and learn about his creative process.
Do you ever get Writer’s block?I have moments when the words don't flow as easily. I just make myself write. If it sucks and I have to delete it all, then I will but at least I'm unblocking the mental constipation.
What kind of books do you like to write? I enjoy fantasy elements, but won't restrict myself to that. The story that comes to me--that's what I'll tell.
Pen, pencil or tapping the keyboard~ which one do you prefer? Keyboard. I like the clicky-click noise

An Idea Spawned by My Spawn

From the time I announced the impending release of The Conduit the most common question I've been asked after "when's it coming out" (answer: it's out!) is "where did you get the idea for it?" The answer is; it started because of my Mommy brain.



As any woman that has been blessed with title of Mommy can tell you, your whole outlook on life changes when you become a Mom. Case in point--when I was big, huge pregnant with my first child there was a reality show on that had a bunch of scantily clad young women vying for a chance to be the next Pussycat Doll. At the time I remember turning green with envy at the mere sight of them because none of them looked like they had unhinged their jaw and swallowed a Thanksgiving turkey whole. And that was the look I was rockin' right then. Then my daughter was born. I watched another episode of that same show with her nestled in my arms, looked down at her sweet face and muttered, "If I ever catch you doing any of the things those girls are doing I will ground you for life. I don't care how old you are." Yes, it's a double standard, but it goes with the territory of being a mother to a little girl.



After that I saw TV shows, movies and books completely different. Before, the tales of the damsil in distress getting saved by the knight in shining armor were romantic and even swoon worthy. As a Mom, I find that arcaic notion--that is still very much evident in our entertainment mediums--infuriating. I don't want my girls to sit around waiting for some big strong man to rescue them! If they find themselves in a hard place I want them to know that they can dig down deep to the inner strength their faith and upbringing has bestowed on them and fight their way out of it. But what role models do they have for that? Sure, there was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But even the Buffster has grown up, gotten married, and taken her place in TV syndication history. It was time for a strong new heroine. It was with that in mind, along with a vivid dream that set the stage, that spawned the creation of The Gryphon series.



The main character, Celeste, is the girl-next-door. Awkward, often overlooked, and easy to relate to. And that is very deliberate. My reason being that I want each and every young girl that picks up this series to be able to see something of herself in Celeste. I want each of them to realize that they, too, could rise to the challenge in the face of adversity and become the hero of their own story.

And We Have Lift Off!!

Last night I went to bed an aspiring writer. This morning I awoke a published author! My publisher emailed me in the wee hours of the morning to notify me that we were go for launch. This morning has been a flurry of marketing, shouting from the rooftops, and attempting to Riverdance out my happiness! (FYI-I can stomp and kick all I want, there is no stopping these happy feet!)
The Conduit is available on Kindle and Smashwords with Nook, iBooks, Kobo, Fire, and Diesel ebook stores soon to follow! Pick up your copy today and post your feedback here!!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-CONDUIT-ebook/dp/B0062FO8KA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320242315&sr=8-1
Smashwords: www.smashwords.com/books/view/101208

High Noon

Boots crunch over dirt and rocks, kicking up small puffs of dust. The two men stop and eye each other, daring the other to act first. Their hands hover over their holstered weapons, fingers twitching for the trigger. The music strums as the tension builds. Bum-bum-bum-ch-ch.

A showdown is coming, friends. Between a thieving villain, aka the jerk that keeps hacking into my web site, and the hero of our story, a computer whiz and Star Wars fanatic named Steve. (I’m not stereotyping him just because he’s into computers. He really is a Star Wars nut. He confessed this to me. Sup, Steve?!) Steve is fighting to maintain the virtue of my innocent little web site that our villain seeks to corrupt with stupid celebrity gossip sites. (I won’t judge you if you gave in and clicked on their link to naked pictures of Scarlett Johansen, but know that I died a little inside at your betrayal.)

Their weapons of choice are their keyboards as they attempt to outsmart and out-think each other. Meanwhile this damsel in distress watches from the sidelines and fans herself as she begins to feel faint. (It’s my blog I can be the damsel if I want to.) Perhaps it’s from my overly tightened corset. More likely it’s the nagging dread of what this is all going to end up costing me. Oye.

Hey Steve, when you’re done with him can I kick him once or twice?

What Are You Meant For?

Today I was asked by a dear friend, "Have you always wanted to be a writer?" (Shout out Dannett! I'll holla!)

The answer there is a big, fat nope. Don't get me wrong, I've always written. It's been a constant in my life since I first put crayon to paper. I loved creating stories to escape into where anything was possible and the unimaginable mingled with reality. But when elementary school Stacey was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up the answer wasn't an author. Actually back then I think I still wanted to be Jessica Rabbit. (I won't lie, if that was viable career choice I'd sign up for it today.)

The way I see it God has a plan for all of us, and he's just waiting for us to quit banging our heads against the wall and give His idea a try. In my head I visualize him as Chevy Chase for some reason. Hands behind his back, rocking back and forth from the balls of his feet to his toes.

"You about done there? No? Oh, you're gonna do that now." Raises his eyebrows and looks away. "Yeah, that's gonna end well. Give that a try. But when you're done, I'll be here...waiting...still."

I didn't plan to be a writer. But when story ideas came that I couldn't ignore--that I felt passionate enough about to risk the rejections, and see them through the long road to publication--then I knew. I may not have planned to be a writer. But I am one.

The passionate flame that is instilled in us all is there to guide us. To show us what road we're meant to travel. Sure we steal the map from time to time and try to find an alternate route, but sooner or later we'll get where we're supposed to be. The plan we're meant for will be there when we're ready for it. Unlike the real Chevy Chase who'd look at his wrist and exclaim, "Oh! I gotta thing!"

Can Barely Work My DVR, but Sure I Can Create a Web Site

It sounded so simple. Create a web site. Doesn't sound scary or intimidating in the slightest. Then I stepped foot in the waters of site creation and was swept away in the crushing current of web hosting, templates, security features, and other words that quite frankly seemed like pure gibberish.

The hubby and I thought we were handling it in the best possible way; let grandma and grandpa take the kids so we could focus all our attention on creating this most wondrous of web sites. In reality not being there prevented them from hearing their mother curse in a way that would've made the gruffest of truck drivers blush. I had ideas of how I wanted the site to look. It's not my fault the computer can't read my mind! Hasn't Stark Industries created some sort of electrodes I can attach to my head that allow the computer to extract the needed information? Get on that RDJ!

My husband is more capable in these matters than I am, however my Type A personality kept snapping at him every time he reached for the keyboard or tried to interject a suggestion. "DON'T TOUCH IT! I CAN FIGURE IT OUT!!" In hind sight I realize I benched my best player because of my idiotic need to do it myself.

But the site is up, and it looks pretty good. Sure, there are little flaws, but let's all pretend we don't see those. Like the fact that if you click on the featured images they will pop up large enough for you to see every pore, freckle, or blemish I may have. FYI, comments like, "dang girl! Ever heard of exfoliating?" will not be considered helpful, 'kay? Now that the initial creation is up, it's only going to get better. I'll work out all the bugs and will eventually figure out how to post pictures in a way that doesn't make me look like a 50ft amazonian woman.

And if you're wondering why I'm posting here now that the sites up, well that's because there's a link to my blog on the site. See? I have a trick or two up my sleeve! If you haven't viewed it yet, check it out at www.staceyrourke.com!