Saturday, September 21, 2013

Banned Book Giveaway Hop





Its time again for the Banned Books Giveaway Hop to bring attention to the growing trend of censoring books in schools and libraries. Censorship is an issue that is dear to me that I try to fight any way I can. As an adult I feel I should be able to make the choices as to what I read and as a parent I should be able to help my children make those choices. Books have been censored for many reasons: language, religion, ideas etc. But that means the ideas of a few are imposed on many. You can find more information about banned books at the American Library Association website.

 Up for grabs is my copy of His Dark Materials.  This is a large book that contains all three books of this series therefore it is a US only giveaway.  Its not a requirement that you follow my blog but its always appreciated.

 
 
 



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Friday, September 20, 2013

Through the Glass

Don't Eat The Food

 
 
 
 
 
 
ThroughGlass-BN-KoboTitle: Through Glass
Author: Rebecca Ethington
Genre: NA Dystopian
Everyone remembered the day the sky went black. The day the sun was wiped from the sky. They remember the wind as it brought in the darkness; the way the earth shook and everything changed.
Everyone remembered the screams as the darkness ate those who were out in the open, those who had surrounded themselves by light, and those who made noise.

Everyone remembered the voice from the sky and the way food disappeared.

At least, that’s what I hoped. I hoped that there was an ‘everyone’ that would remember because I am not sure how many are left, how many survived. Or if anyone did.

I hoped that I wasn’t alone.

I remembered that day.

I remembered because it was the day I became alone.

It was the day that everything was perfect until the monsters took it away. Then the house went silent and the birds stopped singing. It was the day when everyone disappeared, everyone except the boy, the only person I have seen in two years.
The boy I talk to through the glass.

Capture

Cryptid Tales Banner










13484455Title: Capture (Cryptid Tales #2)
Author: Brina Courtney
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
When you're being chased, one piece of advice... run.
Now that I'm learning the extent of my gifts I know how to defend myself so instead of running it's time to face my fears. I'm not going to let bullies ruin my summer.
I'm going to make some friends to help defend the keep. Friends like me. It's definitely time to expand my circle, so let's include a Mothman, a Harpy and some other fairy tale creatures. Because my life is a fairy tale, right? Not so much.
One thing is for sure, whether I'm running or fighting, I'm in for the battle of my life.
Popular Book Highlights

“I know you’re scared,” he whispers, “but I will protect you. Whatever comes for us, I promise to always keep you safe.”
“I love you so much. I will never lose you. No matter what happens tonight, or for the rest of our lives, we’re in this together.”
"Besides, if she can look that good after two hundred years, she can do whatever she wants."
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."



About Brina Courtney


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Brina Courtney is a young adult author obsessed with chocolate, crime shows, and fantasy movies. She's spent the last few years as an elementary teacher and a high school cheering coach. She lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two very loud, small dogs.

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Ivy Entwined






Blurb: When Ivy Callahan returns to her hometown as mayor, she doesn’t expect much to have changed. But now her ex-fiancĂ© is the town planner, the biggest business is closed, and the only store interested in Celebration, NY is a Megamart. On top of it all, the liaison for the big, bad, box store is Marcus Weaver, her childhood crush. And he’s still as dangerously delectable as ever.
Marcus unwillingly spent his teens in Celebration with his vindictive, drunken uncle. As far as Marcus is concerned, the town’s only use is to cement his rise up the corporate ladder. He needs that Megamart opened, and Ivy is his ticket. But the sexy, stubborn mayor could also be his downfall.
As the unemployed townspeople put on the pressure, Ivy needs to do something. With a fresh downtown-renewal project in the works, Ivy could stop Marcus and his Megamart before they kill the town’s spirit. But with sparks flying between Ivy and Marcus, they each need to decide what’s more important: their careers or their hearts.




Excerpt
He blinked at her. “Who are you?”
“I’m Ivy Callahan. Who are you?”
He froze. Callahan. The mayor’s daughter? The last time he’d seen Ivy, she was a freckly kid in braces, sitting with her friends in the corner of the drugstore and giggling behind her hand. But now? Gorgeous. And probably pissed at him, despite the fact that he’d just saved her from falling on her face. He stopped, glancing behind him. Where was Alberta Fields? He needed a buffer.
Like a beacon, she walked over to them. “That was a close call, but you didn’t fall, so all’s well that ends well. Ivy, this is Marcus Weaver. Can you believe it?”
Ivy’s mouth dropped open. She turned to Alberta and whispered something in her ear. Alberta nodded.
Ivy cocked her head to the side and looked at Marcus. “Oh. Well, I’d like to speak with you. Walk into city hall with me.”
He raised an eyebrow at Alberta, who shrugged and turned to the crowd. “Inside, everybody,” she snapped out in her practiced schoolteacher voice.
Marcus followed Ivy up the steps, letting his gaze bounce over her killer legs and snug suit. Ivy Callahan. Wow. She sure had grown up.
Ivy turned, a flash of annoyance crossing her face. “You are the investor Herman’s been talking about, right?”
“Yes, but what does that have to do with…” Marcus gave her an automatic smile. “Never mind. What was with the welcome wagon back there? Are you…” He searched for an appropriate word, but he couldn’t think of anything that didn’t sound ridiculous. “Famous?”
Ivy raised an eyebrow. “Depends on who you ask.”
“I see.” Marcus crossed his arms. “In any case, where’s your dad? I’d like to speak with him before the meeting starts.”
“You would? How come?”
“Because I wanted to say hello.”
She flicked a piece of imaginary lint from her spotless red suit. “Great. I’ll let him know. Anything else you need?”
Okay, so she was pissed. But she didn’t have to interrogate him. He had saved her from falling on her ass, after all. Marcus leaned forward, not even trying to keep the hint of condescension from his voice. “Look. It’s been fun chatting with you, but I’d really like to talk to the mayor. Okay, sweetheart?”
She went still for a brief second and then a slow grin spread over her face. “Sure, honey. Go ahead and talk to the mayor. You’re looking right at her.”



Author’s Bio:

After spending twenty years in professional theater as a costume designer, with a few of those years also spent as a college instructor, Laura abandoned the nomadic lifestyle to sit in a comfy pleather office chair at a beat up ginormous second hand oak desk and write. The result? Romance novels! Her favorite thing ever since she was, oh, about twelve. She writes contemporary, light novels and enjoys creating quirky characters and funny dialogue. Still, the love story is the focus and Laura has a huge soft spot for a sappy, happy ending. She lives in North Carolina with her husband (true love is real!) and her adorable, high energy four year old son who is currently obsessed with pirates. When not playing mamma pirate, she loves hearing from readers and you can find your favorite way to say hi via the social media buttons on her website.


Having a bad day? Read a romance novel.



Giveaway:

Grand Prize - ‘Celebration in a Basket’. (In keeping with the series theme - ‘Something to Celebrate’) Includes: fun party supplies for a girlfriends-type party (champagne glasses, napkins and plates, party food recipe cards written by the author), Mardis Gras style beads, candles, chocolate, hard candy, and a deck of ‘Ivy Entwined’ playing cards.

Three runner-up swag bags - Includes: Ivy Entwined bookmarks, magnets, pens and a purse charm-style keychain. Each bag will contain two sets…one for the winner and one for a friend who loves to read romance, too!


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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Stuck In A Good Book Hop




Its time once again for the Stuck In A Good Book Hop. Up for grabs is my copy of The Book Of Lost Things by John Connolly.



Blurb:High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imagination and soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a world that is a strange reflection of his own -- populated by heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.
Taking readers on a vivid journey through the loss of innocence into adulthood and beyond, New York Times bestselling author John Connolly tells a dark and compelling tale that reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.


I gave this book a 4 star rating out of five, sorry but I didn't write a review for this one.

As always this is open internationally and its not a requirement that you follow my blog but its always appreciated.

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Rocky Road Book Blast

rocky road




Rocky RoadRocky Road

It was supposed to be a girls’ weekend in scenic St. George, Utah that would include shopping, trying out the local cuisine, and participating in a breast cancer fundraiser. The fact that one of the organizers of the fundraising event, a local doctor, disappeared two months ago was not supposed to be Sadie’s problem. In fact, she refuses to participate in the grassroots investigation her friend Caro, and Caro’s cousin, Tess, have put together prior to her arrival. But then she meets the ex-wife of the missing doctor. How could she not ask a few questions . . . that lead to a few more questions . . . that lead to a small town and yet even more questions. Before she knows it, Sadie is in the middle of yet another murder investigation and trying to piece together a convoluted trail of good intentions, hidden motivations, and philanthropy turned big business.



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Silent Swan




Title: The Silent Swan
Author: Lex Keating
Published: August 26th, 2013
Publisher: AltWit Press
Word Count: 132,000
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Synopsis: Once upon a time – better known as “now” - Gabriel Pritz reigns as king of his high school. Easy grades, perfect baseball season, a pretty date for prom—he's coasting into a golden future. Until his parents demand he cook dinner once a week. Caught between kitchen fires and ballpark withdrawal, Gabe is thrown into Tam Swann's orbit. Hostile, friendless, and stubborn, she's exactly the sort of person he'd prefer to avoid.

Tam's sphere of influence expands beyond Gabe's sad domestic skills, rapidly invading everything from his favorite game to parts of his soul he didn't know existed. It's uncomfortable, it's hard work, it's...making him a better man. And that's just what she does to people she doesn't like. The better he gets to know her, the more he has to face the truth: this sharp, heart-breaking outcast is worth fighting for. How many families, fairy tales, and felons will he go through to ride to the rescue of the bravest person he's ever met?



Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Gallagher's Choice


gallaghersGallagher’s Choice Synopsis




He finally had a family to call his own.

She now knew what it meant to risk it all.

Together they had a chance to find peace at last.





Eliza Gallagher is tough, resilient, and rides a horse like she was born in the saddle. All necessary qualities for someone who runs a cattle ranch. She had more to avenge than any of them and she was counting on those skills to finally find the justice they all sought -- until she realized it could cost her everything and everyone she loved.




Ramsey Hunter finally knew what it was to have a family and what it took to keep that family together. He knew coming back wouldn’t be easy, but he never imagined what he would have to risk to keep it.




Eliza got him home; now Ramsey has to do whatever it takes to save her life and help bring peace to Hawk’s Peak.

 

Monday, September 16, 2013

Unpopular: An Unloved Ones Prequel

Unpopular: An Unloved Ones PrequelUnpopular: An Unloved Ones Prequel by Kevin Richey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sam is the most popular boy in school. He's great looking and the local sports star. His dad pushes him to be even better with no regard to Sam's personal feelings. His mother is mousy and just goes along with whatever his dad says.

After his birthday rolls around things begin to change for Sam. He has trouble staying awake and misses his games. As a result he has a fall from grace. He is no longer popular; no longer the star of the school. As kids at school begin to bully him he starts getting angry. His anger begins to boil over into a lust for blood and pain. Instead of his parents trying to find a medical reason for his sleeping disorder they simply punish him further.

Overall, this is a great introduction to Sam and a wonderful ending as only Kevin Richey can do it. If you have enjoyed the other Unloved Ones Prequels then this one will not disappoint.



View all my reviews

Unnatural

Unnatural
Release Date: April 7, 2014
Target Reader: Adult
 
Back of the Book
 
 
Unnatural. One word to sum up werewolf Kyle Larsen—his mood swings, abnormal body, and choice of female.
 
The first two, he blames on the vampire venom.

The third, though? No, feline shifter Brook Nicholls was all his doing—a female of whom the pack will never approve.
 
As part of the Coalition, an organisation with even stricter rules than the pack and a rigidly warped sense of responsibility, Brook comes with a whole lot of opposition of her own.
No wonder the two of them keep their relationship secret for as long as they can.
Now, distanced from his family by his own indiscretions, Kyle’s left to fight battles he’s unsure how to win—some of them even against his own pack.
Is one woman really so important that he’s willing to defy his Alpha for her?
If his heart has any say in the matter, the answer will be yes.
 
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