Summer is finally here and so is The Beantown Tales final chapter of the “Green” segment, “The Candy Roses of Cape Care”!  With an official release date of July 1, 2012, this beach read tells the tale of a group of children who are determined to save their sandy cove’s enchanted candy producing roses from falling victim to water pollution.  Written and illustrated to reproduce the beauty of Massachusett’s cherished coastline, “The Candy Roses of Cape Care” is expected to successfully close the environmental chapter of the children’s series with fun but educational messages meant to empower young readers to make key changes within their own society.

As many writers, illustrators, publishers, agents and book lovers know, launching a new title takes a little planning and strategy.  Common marketing techniques include book signings, mass emailing, website design and immediate product placement.  While these “have to” marketing tactics are absolutely necessary for every author to tackle, there are other helpful incentives to encourage book-buying to begin.  Over the last two weeks, “The Candy Roses of Cape Care” was extremely fortunate to experience two favorable factors instrumental in generating interest towards The Beantown Tales…

The 2012 New York Book Festival

“The Candy Roses of Cape Care” has officially won its first award of an Honorable Mention in the children’s division of the 2012 New York Book Festival!  With an award ceremony, which took place on June 22 at the Grolier Club in Manhattan, literary figures from across the industry joined together to enjoy the recants from honorees discussing the background to their literary publications.   Winners received plaques, Internet observance and a multitude of other helpful merchandising prizes to further the success of their books not to mention the pleasure of networking within one of New York’s most beautiful historical venues.

Release Party at The Union Oyster House

Although there is no doubt that a Manhattan awards ceremony would have been thrilling, I found myself elsewhere with the coincidence of throwing my first ever Beantown Tales book party at the Union Oyster House also on June 22nd.  Reflecting the charm and tradition of Boston, no other place could have been better to celebrate “The Candy Roses of Cape Care’s” release.   Having a catered menu of New England’s finest clam chowder, a raw oyster bar and favors of chocolate, popcorn and antique swirly lollipops, it was a fantastic night to remember surrounded with family and friends.

The Beantown Tales is set to release the third and final chapter of the series "Green" segment this May 2012 featuring all new magical flowers and a predicament that only our earth friendly heroes and heroines can solve!  "The Candy Roses of Cape Care" is the whimsical story about a beautiful sandy cove which grows enchanted roses capable of sprouting sweet treats for all summer visitors.  Danger strikes when tourists begin to leave candy wrappers on the beach causing the potion-making ocean to become polluted.  When the coast becomes consumed with trash, threatening the existence of the roses, six cousins decide to devise a plan to clean up there beloved home.  

Themed after the environmental holiday, "Earth Day", readers will once again learn about the importance of "Going Green" while being entertained by mouth watering flowers sprouting lollipops, M&M's, licorice and more!

1.  The location of the story was intentionally written and illustrated after Suzie's love of beach's, namely Long Beach of Gloucester, MA.   Having spent years of her childhood playing, swimming and dreaming on the rose bordered cove, she now brings her two sons to enjoy the very same gifts that the cherished beach possesses.

2.  "Candy Roses" are an actual flower (as all of the previous books have featured) which commonly grows along the sea, flourishing off of the well drained soil and salt air.  

3. "The Candy Roses of Cape Care" is the first book in the Beantown Tales to introduce a second flower into the same story.  Readers will be surprised to find yet another bewitched bloom to add extra fun to the adventure.

4.  Many of the treats found bursting from the roses are the author's favorite candies, particularly Gummy Bears and Reese's Pieces.  Other treats which are mentioned in the tale that hold special meaning are the Candy Ring Pops, her son, Ryan's, preferred indulgence.

5.  Similar to "The Land of Chocolate Cosmos" and "The Popcorn Hydrangea of Poppingtom", the main charters featured in the final piece of the environmental puzzle are molded after the children who have inspired her the most in her life.  "The Candy Roses of Cape Care" will be dedicated to her six nieces and nephews; Amanda, Kristina, Johnny, Michael, Maria and Briana.  Once again, the talent of the illustrator, Kevin Coffey, was able to sketch the charters similar to the their actual appearances.

Hope you all enjoy 
"The Candy Roses of Cape Care"!  
Reviews are welcome to be sent to beantowntales@aol.com