Susan Chodakiewitz

Susan Chodakiewitz

About

I am a writer, composer and founder of Booksicals - Encouraging a Love of Reading Through the Arts.  The Booksicals Repertory Company performs Too Many Visitors for One Little House in schools, libraries, and at children's literacy events. Booksicals has also released the Too Many Visitors For One Little House Musical DVD and the Snoozle Dance Video for kids.  Using the music, theater, dance and crafts to inspire a love of books is our goal. Preview the musical DVDs, Dance Video and CRAFT ideas at www.booksicals.com.  About me: I live in Angeles with my husband. I am the proud mom of 3 wonderful sons and love my finicky Dalmatian. My family is a big source of inspiration for my children's books.  

Dark Pursuit (Emily Stone Series Book 5)

Dark Pursuit (Emily Stone Series Book 5)

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Description

<p>AWARD WINNER for ACTION - 2015 International Book Awards Readers' Favorite<br />SECOND PLACE AWARD WINNER - 2015 East Texas Writers Guild First Chapter Book Awards<br /><br />Vigilante detective Emily Stone has covertly hunted down killers and closed more serial cases than most seasoned homicide cops combined. Her exceptional profiling skills and forensic techniques, along with deductive crime scene investigations, have made her a compelling force that cannot be beat.<br />She has reached her ultimate breaking point and now must face her toughest opponent yet – her biggest fears.<br /><br />With preciseness, the Tick-Tock Killer has taken his next child victim and promised to dump the body precisely four days later, mocking police and the community. Stone struggles to balance her inner demons and ghosts from the past, against the wits of a brutal and cunning serial killer in an all-out battle of psychological warfare.<br /><br />Can Stone save the next child in time? Dark Pursuit is an action-packed cat and mouse game that will take you to dark places rarely explored.<br /><br /><br />From the Award-winning Emily Stone Thriller Series:<br /><br />“… a highly recommended pick!” The Midwest Book Review<br /><br />“Intriguing alpha female character… impressive action scenes.” Kirkus Reviews<br /><br />“The writing is impeccable and the story is fresh and tight.” Best Selling Author Gary Ponzo<br /> </p>

Story Behind The Book

<b><i>Too Many Visitors for One Little House</i></b> is based on the wild and crazy summer that my family moved into our new house in Beverly Hills and all these visitors came to stay. First my sister drove in from Miami in a GIANT camper with her husband, four kids, and housekeeper. For a surprise they brought my parents and uncle from Russia. Then I got a call from my sister-in-law in Houston. She was getting a divorce and was moving to LA. She and the 3 kids needed a place to stay until she found a new house. She arrived with 3 children and a housekeeper. Soon after that my mother-in-law got out of the hospital. She moved in -- together with her nurse. All together 23 people lived in our house that summer. Every evening the invaders oops, sorry visitors -- would congregate on the front lawn. On occasion my uncle from Russia led the group in a Russian folk song. On some nights my dad joined in with Klezmer on the clarinet. Our formerly quiet little neighborhood buzzed with music, noise from children at play, and the barking of a scraggly dog -- who adopted our family that summer too. Our not-so-quiet little house began to bust at the seams. On various occasions the neighbors summoned the police to check out the suspicious activity at the house of the new family on the block! I always thought I would write this story as a screen play or musical yet sixteen years later it finally manifested itself as the childrens picture book.

Reviews

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" align="right" width="0"></td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="100%"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span><span style="vertical-align:middle;"><strong>Great fun!</strong>, May 3, 2009</span> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top">By </td> <td>Librarian <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/AFVIJD03AKNNA/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><font color="#003399">Elise <span style="white-space:nowrap;">Daniel<img class="custPopRight" style="border-right:medium none;border-top:medium none;border-left:medium none;border-bottom:medium none;" alt="" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/carrot._V47081519_.gif" /></span></font></span></a> (Durham, NH United States)     </td></tr></tbody></table></div>As a librarian, this book has all the elements for a good read! The tone is fun and upbeat, the characters varied, and the connection with childrens' busy and hectic lives real. The lively illustrations perfectly complement the &quot;Too many visitors for one little house&quot; refrain, which is a line I expect young children will be repeating as they read or listen to the book. Bravo to the author and illustrator for this whimsical, charming book! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" align="right" width="0"></td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="100%"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span><span style="vertical-align:middle;"><strong>Too Much Fun!</strong>, April 28, 2009</span> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top">By </td> <td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1V7I67MI5RUFV/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><font color="#003399">Nancy I. <span style="white-space:nowrap;">Sanders<img class="custPopRight" style="border-right:medium none;border-top:medium none;border-left:medium none;border-bottom:medium none;" alt="" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/carrot._V47081519_.gif" /></span></font></span></a> (CA USA)     </td></tr></tbody></table></div>This beautiful picture book tells a delightful tale of grumpy neighbors being won over by too many delightful visitors in one small house. Veronica Walsh's engaging illustrations bring to life the personalities and quirks of each visitor who arrives in this rollicking story about family, fun, and neighborhoods. (I can't decide whether my favorite is the tail-wagging dog or the ever-prepared grandparents!) <br />_____________________________________________________ <br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" align="right" width="0"></td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="100%"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span><span style="vertical-align:middle;"><strong>Brings a smile to your face!</strong>, May 6, 2009</span> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top">By </td> <td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2GNS2XTSGYO6I/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><font color="#003399">Steve <span style="white-space:nowrap;">Abramowitz<img class="custPopRight" style="border-right:medium none;border-top:medium none;border-left:medium none;border-bottom:medium none;" alt="" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/carrot._V47081519_.gif" /></span></font></span></a> (Morganville, NJ)</td></tr></tbody></table></div>This heartwarming story and colorful illustrations will make any reader, young and old, smile. We can all relate to family gatherings and sharing good food and good times together. The smell of the apple strudel and the sound of the dog barking jump of the pages and puts you into the house with all of the relatives and neighbors. My wife who is a kindergarten teacher can't wait to share this story with her class! </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>