Friday, December 15, 2017

Where I Found You Blog Tour

Hey guys, it's me. I know it's been awhile but these past weeks my stress level has been at a 12. Hopefully I can start posting a little more frequently but it still wont be as much as I normally post. (Right now this is missing pictures because my computer wont let me add any. When I get to school I will be able to add them.)

About the Book:

Where I Found You (Sea #1) by Heidi R. KlingGenre: YA Contemporary
Published by Entangled Teen
Published on December 4th, 2017
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36430174-where-i-found-you
https://entangledpublishing.com/where-i-found-you.html
After her mother’s plane went missing over the Indian Ocean, seventeen-year-old Sienna Jones gave up everything she loved about living in California. No more surfing. No more swimming. No more ocean, period. Playing it safe, hiding from the world, is the best call.
Until her dad throws down the challenge of a lifetime: spend the summer with his humanitarian team in Indonesia, working with orphans who lost everything in a massive tsunami.
The day they arrive, Sienna meets a mysterious boy named Deni, whose dark, intense eyes make her heart race. Their stolen nights force her to open up and live in a way she thought she couldn’t anymore. When she’s with Deni, she remembers the girl she used to be…and starts to feel like the woman he sees in her.
A woman he wants for his own.
Gulp.
But when Deni’s past comes looking for him, Sienna’s faced with losing another person she loves. She can’t do it. Not again.
Fortunately, this time, she has a plan.

Review: 4 out of 5
I loved this book. I've always felt drawn to the ocean so the fact that the ocean plays a huge role in the book made my heart soar.
I love the characters in this book. Especially the leading character, Sienna. She's a character that makes you feel her emotion along with her. I could feel the pain of her loosing her Mom. The fear of flying and of the ocean. The author uses her character to make you feel like a part of the story as well. Like you're experiencing everything as well. I also love her character development.
I also really enjoyed how the story takes place in Indonesia and how the characters go there to help children who lost their families in the Tsunami. I felt this was a great idea especially since Sienna knows how it feels to loose someone you love in a tragedy.
Overall I think this is a great book for lovers of realistic fiction. I defiantly enjoyed it.

About the Author:
Heidi R. Kling writes about normal girls in fantastic situations. PAINT MY BODY RED, a romantic thriller about a girl fleeing secrets from home launches November 2 with EntangledTeen, followed by several more novels on various Entangled imprints. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the New School, but has been writing books, plays and screenplays since she could practically hold a pencil.
Her first novel, SEA (Putnam), was a Gateway Readers Award Finalist & Northern California Book of the Year nominee, was a Summer 2010 Indie Next Pick and a Goodreads “Mover and Shaker”.


Thursday, November 16, 2017

Blog Tour: Ignited by A.M Deese Review



Ignited by A.M Deese
Genre:YA
Release Date: March 2018
RadiantTeen
Rating: 4/5

A NOBLE DAUGHTER.

A FORMER SLAVE.

SCORCHED EARTH AND DANGEROUS GAMES.

“Jura imagined it sounded like rain.”


Juggling death is nothing new for seventeen-year-old Jura, daughter of the First of the Thirteen, successive rulers of the Republic of the Sand Sea. However, when a blood chain ensnares her father, she is thrust into the seat of power and forced to rule her elders.

“To Tylak, water had never tasted sweeter.”

Jura must track down her father’s assassin and balance a country on the verge of collapse. To find the Prince of Shadows and uncover the truth, Jura puts her trust in Tylak, a former slave accused of stealing from the Everflame—a man she once condemned to death.

In a world where water is currency and enemies lurk around every corner, Jura will use her wits or risk igniting a world war.


Review:

I loved this book so much! What first caught my eye was the cover. I know they say you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but it doesn't hurt to have a stunning cover. The other thing that made me want to read this book is the summary. It's so intriguing. I've always loved stories of the high-class girl and the peasant boy. Especially when they start off absolutely hating each other.
The format of the book is a little interesting. The point of view switches between five characters. At first it was slightly confusing but it was amazing to see these five, seemingly unconnected, stories come together. It's not something I personally would have done but Deese pulls it off without a hitch.
I love the characters in this story. The main character is Jura, who is mentioned in the summary. Defiantly a strong female character who knows how to get what she wants. 
Next, there's Tylak, also mentioned above. Not to choose favorites or anything...but Tylaks my favorite. He's smart, clever, and brave. He also knows how to get what he wants but he goes about it differently then Jura. 
Thirdly, we have Ash, a retired gladiator. I have to be honest I hated him at first. He grew on me throughout the book. 
Then we have Beshar. Have to admit, he's my least favorite character. He's cunning and deceitful. He like's to hold his power over others. 
Last but defiantly not least, a little girl named Kay. She's seven years old and the daughter of a Dragon Breeder. Yes there are dragons in this book and yes it is awesome.  She's strong willed and strong tempered, but adorable as well. She is very obedient to her parents but only when it suits her. 
Overall this is an amazing book and I can't wait for the next one. Defiantly recommend for anyone who loves fantasy. And if you read The Winner's Curse trilogy and loved it (I did too) then you will love this book.


Pre-Orderlinks: Radiant Crown Pub.  and Google Play

About the author:  Alexis Marrero Deese is an avid reader of young adult and fantasy. Her favorite authors include Brandon Sanderson, Jaqueline Carey, and Orson Scott Card. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and a sun tan she misses dearly since her move to northern Georgia. She has a passion for cooking, spends entirely too much time on Pinterest, and is a self-proclaimed dog training expert to her family’s legion of dogs.

Author Links: WebsiteGoodreadsTwitterFacebook







This Tour Put on By YA Bound Book Tours















  

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Winter's Siren Book Blitz


Winter’s Siren
Krystal Jane Ruin
Publication date: November 1st 2017
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
For the last five years, Fawn has been the star soprano of a secluded opera house, forced to sing for her kidnapper.
His daughter, Devi, waits patiently in the shadows, hiding a face so horrible that no one who’s seen it will look at it again.
As Fawn plots her escape, whispers spread through the shaded corridors of dark sorcery, warning her that she must flee by the next opening night.
But when Fawn draws close to the exit, it’s Devi who’s standing in her way, leading Fawn to suspect that Devi has something to gain if she fails.
(a dark reimagining of Swan Lake)
EXCERPT:
Frosty air nips at my nose. I stand almost knee deep in fresh fallen snow, letting the diffused sunlight hit my face. There is no sound. Peace settles over me. In this moment, I truly feel like I’m in the middle of nowhere.
Something cold and wet explodes on the back of my neck. For a moment, I fear the worst. A boil. Pus. My father’s description of my mother’s face plays out in my mind.
But then I hear Andrew laughing behind me. I touch the rough skin on my neck and bring a shaky and damp glove to my face. Snow. It’s just snow.
It’s the middle of the day, and my face is uncovered. To make everything worse, it’s bright outside. Freezing and overcast, but bright.
My hands fly to my face automatically.
“Are you going to let me get away with that?” Andrew laughs again.
I twist around and peek at him through my fingers.
He stands before me, his arms spread wide. A thick coat covers his arms, and in his gloved hands, he holds another snowball. “You have two seconds to stop me!”
I flip my hood over my head and drop down to gather snow in my hands.
Another snowball bursts against my head. The wetness plasters my hair to my face. I hurl my deformed ball in his direction. It misses him completely.
Another wad of snow lands on my neck while I gather a larger, rounder ball of snow. “Cheating!” I throw my handful at him. It lands weakly by his knees.
“Here, let me help you.” He climbs towards me and gathers a nice, solid ball in his fist. He hands this to me, and then stands back and spreads his arms wide again. “Try again.”
I throw it square at his nose.
“Ow!” He covers his face and cries out dramatically. “It’s in my eyes!”
“Stop it! Are you serious?” I navigate closer to him, and he falls back into the snow. I run to his side and hear laughter bubbling out from behind his hands. “Jerk!” I shovel snow over his body, and he laughs all the while.
Then he goes still. I stop.
“Andrew?” I lean in close. “Andrew?”
He lunges out of his shallow grave and tackles me to the ground.
A panicked scream leaves my body as he lands on top of me, heavy and warm. Then a strange sound comes out of my mouth. Something that’s never come out of it before. Laughter.
His braid hangs down, inches from my sunken cheek. Suddenly aware of how close his head is to mine, the laughter dies in my throat, and I slap my gloves to my cheeks.
“You have such beautiful eyes,” he says.
My breath is trapped in my chest. It hurts. I don’t know how much he can see of my face—my hood is pulled low and my hair and hands cover everything else—but I fear it’s too much.
“Andrew . . .”


Author Bio:
Krystal is the author of supernatural and paranormal fiction, living in the Tennessee Valley with a collection of swords and daggers. When she's not hoarding stuffed pandas, hourglasses, and Hello Kitty replicas, she can be found in YouTube hole or blogging about books, writing, and random things at KrystalSquared.net.

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Sunday, November 5, 2017

Pen & Zander Book Blitz


Pen & Xander
Laekan Zea Kemp
Publication date: October 31st 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Pen Prado has a passion for cooking. Specifically, cooking her father’s food in her father’s restaurant. It’s the heart of their immigrant neighborhood, a place where everyone belongs, and second chances are always on the menu. Except for Pen. Despite the fact that there’s something almost magic about her food, her father can’t imagine anything worse than her following in his footsteps. And when Pen confesses to keeping a secret from her family, he fires her, ensuring she never will.
Xander Amaro is undocumented but that doesn’t stop Ignacio Prado from offering him a job at his restaurant. For Xander, it’s a chance to make amends and to sever his toxic relationship with the druglord, El Cantil–a man whose been like a father to him since his own disappeared. Soon after, his mother abandoned him too, leaving behind a void that not even his abuelo can fill. Until he meets Pen.
Both seeking a place where they feel like they truly belong, they end up finding each other, and in the face of tremendous fear and self-doubt, they end up finding themselves.
Are you a book reviewer?
Request a copy of Pen & Xander here!
EXCERPT:
The parking lot hasn’t changed; the science building looks the same as that first day of school five months ago. But as I sit in my car, watching girls I met during orientation skip up the steps, hugging their bags, excited to play nurse, I try to convince myself that something inside me has. That today I’ll actually be able to go inside. That today I will stop lying and be the person they want me to be.
Class starts in approximately seven minutes—the class I should have taken and passed last semester, moving me one step closer to a degree in nursing.
Six minutes.
I sit in the parking lot, watching the clock tick down. The car is in park but I can’t bring myself to turn off the engine.
Walk inside.
I turn off the car, reminding myself how much I’ve already wasted on tuition and books.
You can do this. You can.
I reach for my bag.
Get. Out. Of. The. Car.
And then I can’t breathe.
My mother’s shoes.
All I can think about are my mother’s shoes.
How they’ve sat in the same spot by the door for almost twenty years. Scuffed and cracked, the shadow of her foot pressed to the leather even when the laces are loose. I imagine every hallway they’ve ever walked down, every door they’ve propped open, every mess they’ve ever stepped in, every second they’ve held her up when all she wanted was to collapse. Because one of her patients couldn’t remember her face or their daughter’s name or how to speak.
When she lost one I’d wake to the knock of the rolling pin and the smell of dough warming on the hot plate. Sometimes I’d try to take the pin from her but there was something about the force, about the rhythm that reminded her how to breathe. We’d work in silence and three-dozen tortillas later she’d wrap them in foil and drive them to the family. The family that only visited once a month. That would accept my mother’s food without acknowledging that she was more family to the deceased than they were.
And then the next day she would go back to work.
For almost twenty years. She went back.
And if I step out of this car, if I walk up those steps, if I sit at that desk and pretend…how long will I be sitting there before I realize I’m trapped?
I take a deep breath, the scent of a thousand shifts at the restaurant tucked into the fabric of the front seat. Mango and cilantro and epazote, tomatillos and roasted pepitas and tortillas. I can’t sleep without those smells tangled in my hair, without those flavors still on my tongue.
So I have to decide what’s scarier: living a life that doesn’t belong to me or losing the one I love. If the truth breaks my father’s heart, I know he’ll take it from me. But if it doesn’t, if he understands, if I can make him understand, I can be free.
I weigh each option, simmering in the anxiety they provoke, in the hope. Because I have to do what scares me. It’s the only way to ward off the helplessness. To stay in control. I always have to be in control.
Which means that today is not the day I go inside.
My stomach drops, my hand reaching to put the car in drive again.
Today is the day I tell them the truth.


Author Bio:
Laekan is a writer and explorer extraordinaire who grew up in the flatlands of West Texas. She graduated from Texas Tech with a BA in Creative Writing and is the author of the multi-cultural New Adult novels The Things They Didn't Bury, Orphans of Paradise, Breathing Ghosts, and the Young Adult Paranormal series The Girl In Between. Her upcoming contemporary romance is slated for release during the summer of 2017!

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Friday, November 3, 2017

Piper Blog Tour: Review

Hey guys! Welcome to the last stop in the Piper Blog Tour! Enjoy!

Authors: Jay Asher and Jessica Freeburg
Illustrator: Jeff Stokely
Genre: Graphic Novel
Rating: 4

BOOK DESCRIPTION
One girl's fairy-tale prince becomes her worst nightmare in this eerie graphic-novel retelling of the Pied Piper legend from Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why.
Bestselling author Jay Asher and co-author Jessica Freeburg brilliantly reimagine the classic Pied Piper legend as a powerful story about loneliness, love, and vengeance.

Long ago, in a small village in the middle of a deep, dark forest, there lived a lonely young girl named Maggie. Maggie is deaf and is shunned by her village because of this. Her only comfort comes from inventing stories and dreaming of one day finding her fairy-tale love.

When Maggie meets the mysterious Piper, it seems that all her wishes are coming true. Spellbound, Maggie falls for him and plunges headfirst into his magical world. But as she grows closer to the Piper, Maggie discovers that he has a dark side ... and an even darker past. Will the boy of Maggie's dreams end up being her worst nightmare? 

Review: I'll have to admit I've never been one for graphic novels. You'll find that this is the first review I've done for one. Despite the fact that I don't like them I was intrigued by this story. I've actually never heard the story of the Pied Piper so I don't have much to go on for comparing and contrasting the original to this retelling but I defiantly enjoyed it.
What I loved even more then the story however, was the art work. It has absolutely incredible art. It's very important that if a book has pictures that they are clear and carry the story, especially since most of the plot comes from the pictures and not the words. As they say, a picture tells a thousand words. This book doesn't fail in that area. There were times I was confused because I'm not necessarily used to reading graphic novels but the pictures helped me figure out what was happening and get back on track. 
The main character in this story is named Maggie and she's deaf. I absolutely love this aspect of the story. I watch(ed) Switched at Birth and I've always been super into deaf characters and culture, I'm also taking sign language right now. The villagers treat her terribly (kinda like Belle, she's beautiful but odd) but she still is kind and nice, She doesn't believe even the worst of people are worth nothing. Truly a character to look up to.
The piper is a very interesting character. He's kind to only those he thinks deserve it. He also steals children... So yeah. I honestly wish there had been a redemption ending for him, but that's just me longing for more fluff. I do however, understand where the authors were going with this "real world" type ending instead of your everyday fantasy-fairytale.
I overall really enjoyed it. It had great plot and characters. if you're into graphic novels (Or even if your not) you should defiantly give this book a shot.
AUTHORS BIO
Jay Asher's debut novel, Thirteen Reasons Why, has regularly appeared on the New York Times bestsellers list during its first decade in print, selling over 2.5 million copies in the United States alone. The Future of Us, his second novel, was co-authored with Printz Honor winner Carolyn Mackler. His third novel, What Light, will be released in October 2016. His novels have been translated into thirty-seven languages. He lives with his family in a California. Follow him @jayasherguy
Jessica Freeburg is the author of paranormal fiction (Living in Shadows) and narrative nonfiction works focused on creepy legends and dark moments in history including Monsters of the MidwestFight for Survival, and Collapse and Chaos. To blend her love of writing with her passion for history and the paranormal, Jessica founded Ghost Stories Ink, a group of authors, illustrators, and filmmakers who visit historic locations and perform paranormal investigations for creative inspiration. She also serves as the assistant regional advisor for the Minnesota Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Follow her @JessicaFreeburg.
ILLUSTRATOR BIO
Jeff Stokely is the co-creator and artist of Eisner-nominated comic series The Spire. He is the artist of acclaimed series Six-Gun Gorilla and Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Witches, The Reason For Dragons.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Mick & Michelle Book Blitz


Mick & Michelle
Nina Rossing
Published by: Harmony Ink Press
Publication date: October 31st 2017
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Young Adult
Fifteen-year-old Mick Mullins has a great life: his parents are sweet, his sister is tolerable, and his friendships are solid. But as summer descends on Queens, he prepares to turn his carefree existence upside down by disclosing a secret he has kept long enough. It’s time to work up the courage to reveal that he is not a boy, but a girl—and that her name is Michelle. Having always been the perfect, good boy, Michelle is terrified that the complicated truth will disappoint, hurt, or push away the people closest to her. She can’t continue hiding for much longer, though, because her body is turning into that of a man’s, and she is desperate to stop the development—desperate enough to consider self-medicating with hormones.
Most of all, Michelle fears that Grandpa, who is in a nursing home after a near fatal stroke, won’t survive the shock if he finds out that his favorite grandchild, and the only boy, is a girl. If she kills her beloved Grandpa by leaving Mick behind, she isn’t sure embracing her real identity will be worth the loss.
EXCERPT:
As we walk down the street next to each other, it strikes me that the nagging feeling I’ve been having lately is also down to him, because I look too much like my father. I’m the same height as him but skinnier. I adjust my walk so I don’t mirror his familiar swagger. I wish I didn’t have his hair, down to the identical whorl slightly to the right at the back of our heads. His hair is darker than mine, so dark auburn it looks black when wet, but thin and limp, always flyaway, so no good for keeping long. Buzz cut material, and that looks fine enough on him. My hair is quite short by convenience only. I would have liked to have my mother’s hair, which is thick and robust, a haystack in the mornings, and she uses a straightening iron to control it. If I tried that iron on my hair, I think it’d just melt away and disappear.
“How does summer feel so far?” Dad says and waves at Mrs. McAtee, who used to babysit him when he was little. I don’t think Dad has fond memories of her, because she never babysat me or Ash. No one outside the family was ever allowed to babysit us. “Any plans?” he adds after I fail to reply in the three seconds it takes him to grow impatient.
“Deliver papers and go busking,” I say. I was supposed to wait tables at Pepito’s Italian, but they went bust two weeks ago. I haven’t found anything else. The paper route job stopped last week, because I foolishly resigned when I got the gig with Pepito’s. As for busking… well, that’s more of a wild idea than a realistic plan.
“Busking? You only know three songs.”
“Five songs, and people move around, so they won’t catch on to my limited repertoire. Besides, I can always learn a couple more songs.”
“And what will you do if I, or your ma, come and catch you soliciting funds?”
“I can outrun you easily, Dad. The both of you. Rookie Ryan too.”
“Yeah, yeah. Smart-mouth. We have an alternative plan for you this summer. Busking is not a part of it. Tell you over dinner.”
“What? Why not right away? Are you finally paying for Wizarding Summer School now that I’ve grown out of it?”
“Wait and see.”


Author Bio:
Nina Rossing lives in Norway, where the winters are long and the summers short. Despite the brilliant nature surrounding her, she spends more time in front of her computer, or with a book in her hands, than in the great outdoors (though you may find her out on her mountain bike if the weather is good). She works as a high school teacher, which in her opinion is probably the best job in the world.

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Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Beneath the Lighthouse Cover Reveal


Beneath the Lighthouse
Julieanne Lynch
Publication date: TBA
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
SOME SECRETS ARE MADE TO BE UNCOVERED.
Sixteen-year-old Jamie McGuiness’s sister is dead. Sinking into a deep depression, he frequents the lighthouse where her body was discovered, unaware of the sinister forces surrounding him.
When an angry spirit latches onto Jamie, he’s led down a dark and twisted path, one that uncovers old family secrets, destroying everything Jamie ever believed in.
Caught between the world of the living and the vengeful dead, Jamie fights the pull of the other side. It’s up to Jamie to settle old scores or no one will rest in peace—but, first, he has to survive.


Author Bio:
Julieanne Lynch is an author of urban fantasy and contemporary fiction for both adults and teens. Julieanne lives in Northern Ireland, with her husband and five children, where she works on novels full-time. Before becoming a writer, she considered a few different career paths, a rock star being one of them. She studied English Literature and Creative Writing at The Open University and considered journalism as a career path. However, she decided writing was the way for her and is thankful for each day she lives her dream.
Julieanne is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management, and is both traditionally and independently published.

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Cover Reveal for The Life and Death Parade


Today Eliza Wass and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the cover for THE LIFE AND DEATH PARADE, which releases June 26, 2018! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to win an ARC!

On to the reveal! 



Title: THE LIFE AND DEATH PARADE
Author: Eliza Wass
Pub. Date: June 26, 2018
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 256
Find it: AmazonB&NTBDGoodreads

One year ago, Kitty's boyfriend Nikki Bramley visited a psychic who told him he had no future. Now, he's dead.

With the Bramley family grieving in separate corners of their home, Kitty sets out to find the psychic who read Nikki his fate. Instead she finds Roan, an enigmatic boy posing as a medium who belongs to the Life and Death Parade--a group of supposed charlatans that explore, and exploit, the thin veil between this world and the next. A group whose members include the psychic... and Kitty's late mother.

Desperate to learn more about the group and their connection to Nikki, Kitty convinces Roan to return to the Bramley house with her and secures a position for him within the household. Roan quickly ingratiates himself with the Bramleys, and soon enough it seems like everyone is ready to move on. Kitty, however, increasingly suspects Roan knows more about Nikki than he's letting on. And when they finally locate the Life and Death Parade, and the psychic who made that fateful prophecy to Nikki, Kitty uncovers a secret about Roan that changes everything.

From rising star Eliza Wass comes a sophisticated, mesmerizing meditation on the depths of grief and the magic of faith. After all, it only works if you believe it.


About Eliza:

Eliza Wass is an author, journalist and the wife of the late musician Alan Wass. Her debut novel, The Cresswell Plot, was published in 2016 to critical acclaim by Disney-Hyperion. She has contributed articles to The Guardian, Grazia, NME, Shortlist and THE FALL.
Her second book with Disney-Hyperion, The Life and Death Parade, will be published in June 2018.










Giveaway Details:


2 winners will receive a finished copy of THE LIFE AND DEATH PARADE (when they become available), US Only.

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Thursday, October 26, 2017

Book Blitz+Giveaway- Posse Legends by T. Hammond


Posse: Legends
T. Hammond
(Posse, #1)
Publication date: October 26th 2017
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
It should have been an easy job.
Track the jackal. Locate the girl. Rescue said girl. Return bad puppy to the Council for questioning.
As leader of the Posse, a paranormal alliance, shapeshifter Lexa O’Clare thought she’d seen everything over the past millennia. Neither she, nor her vampire partner, Etienne, expected this case to be different.
A fugitive werejackal leads them to a secret lab where supernaturals are unwilling subjects in genetic experimentation. The Posse uncovers a conspiracy implicating high-ranking members of the Inter-species Council.
Can anyone’s motives be trusted?
Lexa: a shapeshifter sheriff who also proxies for humans killed before their destinies are fulfilled.
Etienne: a Knight Templar, turned master vampire.
Yasmin: a dragon who walked among the gods.
Jade: an historian & Fox-familiar to a cranky dragon.
Sentinel: a gargoyle who mourns the fall of Atlantis.
Richard: a witch with a target on his back.
Tris: a rare polyshifter with an eye for a sexy male.
Rhys: four months ago he was human…
EXCERPT:
I rocked forward on my arms so I could lean closer and hear more clearly. My attic bedroom was directly above the coven leader’s desk, and from this angle, I had a clear line-of-sight to the witches gathered below. It’s surprising how, after all this time, they still hadn’t caught on to the fact I was spying. I could see and hear everything they discussed. Note to self: when creating a sound-dampening spell, it’s not sufficient to muffle the walls, windows, and door—the floor and ceiling should also be considered.
The peephole had been a fortuitous mishap. I’d been practicing my air-moving skills when I accidentally created a small tornado. Hey now, it was a little one, only a couple feet tall—it’s not like I created a whirlwind of epic proportions. Did you know, if you got air spinning fast enough over a single focal point, it’s possible to drill a hole in a wood floor? It was easy enough to make a plug to conceal the damage, and my room’s simple privacy spell was always active, so there were no worries of discovery. Even if they’d looked up—and they never looked up—my magic was flawless enough they’d see an unblemished ceiling. Cocky witches.
Each coven contained a main circle of twelve witches, plus a priestess. The strongest groups consist of extended families who could pick and choose the most promising amongst themselves, but most covens are formed from a collection of individuals with varying degrees of power and skill. Mother Nan’s coven was moderately talented, with a core group of six sycophants, err…I mean, mature practitioners, all of which were crowded around her desk—standing, of course. The seventh witch was Lea, a semi-strong practitioner who still lacked emotional control over her mouth and her magic, but was her mother’s favorite daughter.
“He’s an abomination.” Mara spat the words as if they left a foul residue in her mouth.
“Too true,” Betti agreed, as was her nature.
“It’s a miracle we haven’t been killed in our beds,” Ella said, lips pursed in sour disapproval.
“Oh, definitely, in our beds.” Betti nodded in quick little jerks, like a bobble-head doll.
Coral sniffed. “It was touch-and-go while he went through his let’s-set-everything-on-fire phase.”
Oh, come on now, I’d been sick, running a high fever. I was seven! You’d think, after all this time, they could let it go.


Author Bio:
T, a paranormal romance and urban fantasy author, feels writing is not a calling so much as it is a compulsion. No one is more surprised than she is when characters take over the plot and dialog, (re)directing stories in directions she had not (consciously) intended. Although T starts out each novel with a basic outline, she finds one or two chapters into the novels, not only have the characters shredded her outline into tiny unidentifiable pieces, they use the resulting confetti in a nose-thumbing parade.
T is fully convinced the writer is the tool a story uses to tell its tale.


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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Blog Tour- Review and Giveaway: Daughter 4254





About The Book
Title: DAUGHTER 4254
Author: Leigh Statham
Pub. Date: December 5, 2017
Publisher: Owl Hollow Press
Pages: 286
Formats: Paperback, eBook

Daughter4254 used to think life in a community where art, music and names are outlawed would suffocate her creative spirit. Now that she’s rotting in a prison cell, she’s not sure her dying mother made the right choice when she entrusted her with the secrets of rebellion. Prison has given her plenty of time to relive every mistake and lose all hope.

Then she meets Thomas, a fellow inmate, who tells her stories of the mythical mountain colonies where people have names and the arts thrive. Together they plot an escape, knowing if they fail, they will die. Or worse, their consciousness will be taken by the MindWipe, leaving their bodies free for the government to use. When nothing goes as planned, Daughter4254 must choose between using her mother’s secret to better the world she hates, or following Thomas to the quiet life of freedom she has always craved.

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Review:
My rating (out of 5 stars): 5 stars
The only way to describe this book is intriguing dystopian. The first thing that popped into my head while reading this book is The Giver. The Giver is an amazing remarkable dystopian novel and this book is very similar to it. However, despite their similarities the author manages to make it unique. To make it truly her own. That's not a super easy thing to do; yet the author pulls it off perfectly. I might even go as far to say that this book is just as, if not more so, amazing as The Giver.
One thing that I felt made this book unique, not just from The Giver but every other book I've read, is the relationships. Specifically between the main character, Daughter4254, and her older brother. I'll be the first to admit, I'm a sucker for overprotective older brother characters, they're cliche but I love them. The brother in this book was the complete opposite, a total jerk. I hated him, and I LOVE that I hated him. I'm sure they're out there but I personally have never read a book where the older brother surpasses being a jerk and is the literal worst (probably over exaggerating a little).
Another I absolutely LOVE is the format of the book. It's told in alternating pattern of before and after's. The after chapters take place with Daughter4254 in prison and the before starts at her mothers death and continues to her getting arrested. And the author has a perfect transition when the before catches up to where the after started. It's absolutely incredible and, again, I've never seen anything like it.
Besides the two character's I've talked about there is a few more. Like Thomas. The only person she has to talk to in prison. He has this accent that, who knows why. my brain couldn't stop making super weird. He's as old as Daughter4254 but for some reason whenever he talked all I could imagine was a guy in his late thirties and sounded a lot like Enzo from The Vampire Diaries, if you have ever seen it. That, however, is entirely my fault considering I've been watching that show for the past two weeks. Once I'm done with the show, hopefully I can return to reading like a normal person. Thomas has to be one of my favorite characters in the book. He came from a small village in the mountains that tried to retain as much art and music as possible without the government finding out. He's sweat and funny and I've fallen in love with this character.
Sadly, the romance was severely lacking. Surprisingly, I didn't even notice until I was sitting here and writing the review. I have very rarely found myself enjoying a book without romance. It just doesn't happen because I love romantic fluff. For me to not even notice the little to no romance shows just how captivated I was with this book. I applaud this author a thousand times over for doing the impossible. Not to say that I don't have an OTP that I wouldn't mind seeing in book 2...
Overall this is a fantastic book and I'm thrilled I got the chance to read it.
*********************

About Leigh: 
Leigh Statham was raised in the wilds of rural Idaho but found her heart in New York City. She worked at many interesting jobs before settling in as a mother and writer.

She now resides in North Carolina with her husband, four children, eight chickens, a fluffy dog, and two suspected serial killer cats.

Leigh is currently working on an MFA, has written countless short stories, and is the author of lots of mediocre poetry. She is also the winner of the 2016 Southeast Review Narrative Nonfiction Prize for her short story “The Ditch Bank and the Fenceline.”


Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card, US Only.
2 winners will receive a finished copy of DAUGHTER 4254, US only.


Tour Schedule:
Week One:
10/25/2017- BookHounds YAInterview
10/25/2017- Fan-Girl-TabulousReview

10/26/2017- Reese's ReviewsExcerpt
10/26/2017- Caffeine and CompositionReview

10/27/2017- Hooked To BooksGuest Post
10/27/2017- YA ObsessedReview

Week Two: 
10/30/2017- Maddie.TVInterview
10/30/2017- The Desert BibliophileReview

10/31/2017- Wandering Bark BooksExcerpt
10/31/2017- Kindle and MeReview

11/1/2017- Wishful EndingsInterview
11/1/2017- Jena Brown WritesReview

11/2/2017- Stuffed ShelvesReview
11/2/2017- Life of A Simple ReaderReview

11/3/2017- Books, Vertigo and TeaExcerpt
11/3/2017- Savings in SecondsReview

Week Three:
11/6/2017- Two Chicks on BooksInterview
11/6/2017- Cindy's Love of BooksReview

11/7/2017- Captivated ReadingReview

11/7/2017- BookaliciousReview

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Marked by Fate Book Blitz+Court of Thorns and Roses (Box Set) Giveaway


Marked by Fate: A Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction Collection
Publication date: October 24th 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Marked by Fate is now enhanced with Augmented Reality! Read, Watch, Listen. The new ultimate reading experience!
Step into adventure with Marked By Fate; the ultimate reading experience. Be immersed in twenty-six fantasy & science fiction worlds with state of the art Augmented Reality technology. Read, listen, and watch bonus content inside to bring the characters and story to life around you.
Enjoy the added features of this special edition, which allow you to enjoy bonus content right from your reading device. See character artwork. Listen to your story’s soundtrack. Watch book trailers and bonus videos. Experience behind the scenes like never before, thanks to Augmented Reality technology. Immersive Fantasy™; bringing fantasy worlds to life.
25 COMPLETE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY NOVELS BY 26 BESTSELLING AUTHORS. PLUS, A SPECIAL BONUS NOVELLA.
Embark on fantastic journeys through magical realms, dystopian lands, and faraway galaxies in this exciting collection of fantasy & science fiction novels brought to you by some of today’s hottest authors. Encounter werewolves, robots, angels, time travelers, shifters, and more in this action-packed box set that will leave you breathless.
Authors:
Kristin D. Van Risseghem
Rhonda Sermon
Kelly St. Clare
Raye Wagner
Ednah Walters
Erin Hayes
Siobhan Davis
Jamie Thornton
Debra Kristi
Sarah K. L. Wilson
Hilary Thompson
Ingrid Seymour
Jeanne Bannon
Melle Amade
Lena Mae Hill
C.J. Anaya
Jackson Dean Chase
D. L. Armillei
Emily Martha Sorensen
Amalie Jahn
Dionne Lister
J.L. Weil
Alisha Klapheke
Angela Fristoe
Meg Cowley
Brandon Barr
99¢ for a limited time only!
Welcome to Marked By Fate:
An interactive Immersive Fantasy™reading experience!

The authors of Marked By Fate are thrilled to share this ground-breaking novel with you!
Think Harry Potter and Kindle in Motion. Moving, singing books,and all the excitement of a truly enriched reading experience.
We call it Immersive Fantasy™, because that’s what it does. It draws you into our stories and brings our worlds to life!
The titles in Marked By Fate use this revolutionary technology to bring you the best reading experience of your life.
How does Immersive Fantasy™ work?
Immersive Fantasy™ utilizes what’s known as Augmented Reality (AR). Using a smart phone/device, you can scan secret cues in the stories, and extra AR content will pop up on your device, streamed direct from the cloud (internet connection required).
See amazing, exclusive character artwork. Watch video content.Listen to the soundtrack whilst you read. Discover behind the scenes with the authors in bonus content.
Would you like to try it?
Then keep reading! You have already downloaded the Immersive Fantasy edition of Marked By Fate, and you just need to bring the magic to life.
The simple instructions overleaf will help you easily access this astonishing new world of fantasy that will delight your every sense.
Start your Immersive Fantasy™ adventure today!
Immersive Fantasy™ Instructions
Getting set up
These three steps are crucial to ensure you can access the AR content.
1.On your smart phone or tablet, download the Aurasma app from your app store.
2.Login to the app, and register your account.
3.Search for the user ‘MarkedByFate’, and click follow.
Accessing the Immersive Fantasy™ Augmented Reality content
Follow these steps carefully to access the AR content. Additional help can be found on the Aurasma help desk.
1.Read and enjoy the story, and watch for clues to the AR content. These will appear in the form of images with a symbol next to them, denoting the type of AR content. Content viewable includes images (camera icon), videos (movie clip icon), or music (music icon).
2.You will need one device/format to read on, and a smart device to access the AR content.
3.When you spot an Immersive Fantasy™ clue, open the Aurasma app on your smart device.(Navigate to the viewfinder screen if the app does not automatically do this.)
4.Centre your viewfinder on the trigger image. Make sure to include all of the trigger image in the screen. You can view the content vertically/in portrait or horizontally/in landscape.
5.The app will display the AR content in the form of an image overlay, video overlay,or music overlay, as denoted by the symbol next to the image.
6.Enjoy!You can zoom in and out and tilt your camera to fully explore each piece of content. Make sure you have your sound turned on so you can listen to the video and audio content! You will have to continue focusing on the content to keep listening to music/watching videos/viewing images.
7.It might take a little practice – don’t worry if you struggle on your first try.
Troubleshooting
What to try if it won’t work.
1.No AR content is popping up: have you registered an Aurasma account,and followed ‘MarkedByFate’? You must do this to access the content.
2.No AR content is popping up: have you made sure all of the trigger image is in your viewfinder?
3.No AR content is popping up on my kindle/e-ink device: please adjust your device screen brightness. If the screen is too bright or too dim, the image cannot be recognised by the app.
4.I can’t hear any sound: check the icon. Only video/music AR content has sound.
5.I can’t hear any sound, and it should be playing some: please ensure your volume is not muted,and turned up.
6.The content keeps disappearing: ensure you keep the viewfinder focused on the trigger image so that the AR content will remain overlaid on your screen.If you move too far away from the trigger image, the AR content will disappear.Activate it again by re-scanning the trigger image.
7.Can I access the eBook and the AR content on the same device? No. Aurasma uses your device camera, so you will have to read the book on a difference device to the device you are using Aurasma with.
8.It’s just not working – I’ve tried everything: Please refer to the Aurasma help files,and contact their help desk if you are still having issues. Whilst extensive testing has been performed to ensure maximum device compatibility, regrettably not all devices may be compatible. Best compatibility will be found on pixel based screens with good brightness levels.

GIVEAWAY! (A Court of Thorns and Roses Box Set by Sarah J. Maas)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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