Cornerstonia Book Reviews

Today, purchasing a book on line is as easy as turning on your computer or smartphone. If you enjoy buying and reading books, the one way to help you decide is to read the reviews. We always feel more comfortable making decisions when someone recommends it to us. Well, Cornerstonia is no different. In this blog I have taken all the reviews from Amazon.com and have placed them here for your review. Please, if you have read Cornerstonia, support me by writing a review. It only takes a few minutes. Here they are:

This book was an amazing book to read. I could not put it down. The way the book is described and the way the author put the words together made you feel as if you were in the book with them. I cant wait to read the next book. They story line is a story that every family should read because it tackles an issue a lot of families deal with. If you like fantasy you will love this book. By Matthew Gotay

 I really, really enjoyed the book. It's very well written, very entertaining, and teaches a great lesson. It is easy to read and understand. It also has a very creative and original story line. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. By Kim Mascarenhas

What awaits the reader in Cornerstonia is a exciting roller coaster ride from beginning to end. My son read the whole book in less than a week as he used his free time to find out what was going to occur next as he traveled in the fantasy world of Cornerstonia. As a parent I knew I made the right decision in purchasing this book that emphasized the Christian values that I grew up with. At a reasonable price the book didn't cost me and arm and a leg. Overall I gave the book a five star rating for ease of reading, value for your money, and most importantly providing a moral story that reflects Christian beliefs in today's world. By Marc HSC

An awesome storybook with the reality of issues families go through today. Definitely an excellent read for any age. Each chapter left a yearning to find out what would happen next. Also a few "loose" ends to leave an anticipation for future adventures(books)which made it all the better...Cornerstonia: The Rose River Journey By J.Reyes

The book is very entertaining and an easy read for children and adults. Has a great message throughout the book. It was hard to put this book down. By Leila N. Cuevas

Working on the new Illustrations for Cornerstonia

I have been working on creating the visual side of Cornerstonia. Team Cornerstonia has recently added a new member to help bring it too life, an illustrator. He is working hand and hand with me to design the characters. He has the talent to listen and draw. I have asked him to design some of the characters for which, he has and has done  a great job. I have plans to expand the website and to have a cool visual presence when we do our presentations. I wanted to share one of the characters sketches with you. This character is Keeto: he is a warrior monkey who ends up pledging his loyalty to the children and who offer to accompany them on their quest. He is a stealthy, agile and a master of throwing projectiles. Buy a book  today:  http://amzn.to/dMVnQK
 

Cornerstonia 2011

After an emotionally draining end of year for my family and I, I have been searching and sneaking in some thinking time related to Cornerstonia. I have sold many books, I have set my mind on the next many steps, and time is our mortal enemy. But, I have a plan and it includes many of you. First of all, I make a personal request to all who have read Cornerstonia to rate and write a review on Amazon.com/Cornerstonia. Or send me an email, so I can post it on the website cornerstonia

One of the next steps is getting the novel into bookstores, I have my sights on local Christian and church Bookstores, if anyone has any connections let me know. The Spanish  version has taken much longer than expected, but coming. Also, I want to give the website a makeover and make it more interactive. Then in the next few months, I will start writing the next book in the Cornerstonia Series. Become a follower on this blog and keep spreading the word, I really appreciate it and with your help this series will be a success in 2011. I leave you with some words from Cornerstonia: The Rose River Journey...

Many people were gathering at the entrance of the castle and Princess Vitzeli addressed the large crowd, “We are of the Rosarion Kingdom and by the grace of God and our friend Keeto here, we were able to destroy the works of the enemy in this castle. The owners of this castle were evil people, who were willing to enslave anyone who came near it, for their own selfish reasons. But now you are free and free indeed, so go and live free lives, and don’t forget it was the sacrifice of one who made us all free. Get provisions and take back what belongs to you and leave this horrible place and don’t look back. Long live King Victorious and Queen Elise, and may the God that they serve, bless you all.”

I have already sold some books to people around me and the response has been favorable. One of the exciting things of having a book published is the opportunity to talk to readers about the novel; the story and the characters. To see the excitement of an adult who enjoys reading creative fiction, to a twelve year old, who names the characters as if they existed. Wow, what a wonderful feeling. Here I am in NY, seeing family, about to celebrate Thanksgiving, but also my first book signing and presentation. Then the next one is in my hometown, Orlando, Florida, December 5. Exactly one week after, I will open up the Cornerstonia Book Readers Club. It will be through Facebook Groups and it is open for anyone who has read the book and wants to join me on discussions about Cornerstonia. I will be announcing through Facebook Cornerstonia Fan Club all the details. Make sure you're signed up with the Cornerstonia Page. Talk to you soon.

Finally, The Official Cover

Things are moving very fast and it is exciting. The Book is published, placed my first order of books and the E- Book version is almost ready. I had two covers to choose from and I thought this one was more in tune with my vision for Cornerstonia. The three children on the cover is proportional to my children. I love the archway and entrance into the fantasy land and I really like the castle in the background. The colors are attractive and the back cover also looks great.

Well, I am planning the first Book signing event in New York, around the Thanksgiving Holiday, for many reasons. One of them is the fact that a lot of the places mentioned in the story are in New York. The place that the event is going to take place is at the church where I grew up and assisted for many years. The original church building was located on Dubois Street, in Newburgh, N.Y. In the story, one of the neighboring and friendly kingdoms, is the Kingdom of Dubois. They are very important to the story. And they are also hosting the event. While in New York, I am planning on taking pictures of all the places that have served as inspiration for Cornerstonia and will be mentioned in one of the blog posts, with their corresponding photos, for an inside look. Well, the book will be for sale on line very soon, ahead of the official birthday of Cornerstonia, Thanksgiving Day. In December I will be having the Orlando book release and book signing event and there will be books for sale there and you can save on shipping or feel free to purchase on-line soon. Thank you for your support and please spread the word. Long live Cornerstonia. V.M.R.

Cornerstonia On Sale Thanksgiving Day

     Greetings from Cornerstonia: The Rose River Journey. After much deliberation and prayer, it is official. The Book becomes available Thanksgiving Day, November 25th. Why this day? Well, let me start by saying Thanksgiving is an awesome family holiday, but more than that, my birthday this year falls on Thanksgiving Day. It happens every so many years.

     Amazingly, the first idea for Cornerstonia came to me when I was 13 years old in the hallways of my Jr. High School in New York. And, 25 years later on my 38th Birthday, the book goes on sale. It is historical for me and twenty five years in the making. So, get ready, as the world of Cornerstonia comes to life on Thanksgiving Day. There will be a link on the website to purchase it and once the order is placed, it is shipped right away. 

     In December, the Florida Book release will happen in Orlando. Also, I am getting it ready to  release it as an E-Book the beginning of November, date to be announced. Exciting, I am thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to accomplish one of my dreams and I hope you can continue to journey with me. Don't give up on your dreams, with God everything is possible. For me it took 25 years, for you hopefully much less. Spread the word and mark your calendars. Long live Cornerstonia.

V.M. Rosario

Cover, which didn't make it

With just a couple of weeks before finalizing Cornerstonia: The Rose River Journey, I wanted to explain that this cover design was one of two. This particular cover was great, but I chose the other design, which will be the official cover. Once things get rolling I will reveal the real cover. Thanks for your support.

The title of Cornerstonia and its contents

 As I had been announcing.... I will be discussing the origins of the book's title and reveal the table of contents. So, here it is:

THE TITLE

      It all started with my last name. "Well, what's so significant about your last name?" you might ask. Rosario, which would be translated from Spanish as Rosa (rose) and rio (river). Thus producing the part "ROSE RIVER" in CORNERSTONIA: THE ROSE RIVER JOURNEY. It is also used with the royal family's last name "Rosarion". 
     So then...where did the "CORNERSTONIA" bit come from? First, the inspiration came from the Bible, as Jesus Christ is described as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-21)

Also, the Random House Dictionary defines cornerstone as:

(1) a stone uniting two masonry walls at an intersection.

(2) something that is essential, indispensable, or basic

(3) the chief [most important] foundation on which something is constructed or developed

     The book revolves around such a point. Uniting two things. Saving something essential that has been lost. You should check out the website (cornerstonia.com under Story) to understand  what I am speaking about. I wouldn't want to reveal TOO TOO much on this blog alone. But here is a short excerpt from the book:

     ...Facing the inevitable announcement of her parents separation, Vitzeli [ a main character] is deeply saddened. A cold winter morning becomes tragic, when a car accidentally  smashes into her door leaving her in a coma...but her imagination is wide awake...it opens the doors to an imaginary world, an alternate reality—a land called—Cornerstonia...

     The story is about saving the unity lost between the parents in their actual reality and finding the cure for the parents' deadly sickness in the fantasy world.The most important and essential cornerstone for any family is their togetherness; producing the title, which includes the book message: 

"CORNERSTONIA: THE ROSE RIVER JOURNEY."

     

     And so, for your visual delight, here is the table of contents. 

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Loud whispers
2. Separation
3. The Rosarion Kingdom
4. Sweet Revenge 
5. The Dark Delivery  
6. Legend of The Rose River
7. The Journey Begins 
8. Welcome to The Yuck hotel 
9. The Prince and the Rock 
10.  Phunkey Monkeys 
11. The New Mightee Seven
12. An Oasis of Death 
13. The Twin Towers 
14. The Rose River Cave 
15. Welcome Back
16. The Final Battle 
17. Togetherness    

     

     As the production of this book progresses, I will continue to announce and reveal snippets of the story. Thank you for your support. Please, don't hesitate to invite others to follow along on this journey by signing up on this blog and on cornerstonia on facebook. God bless.