Tuesday, October 09, 2018

#BookReview of Blood and Magic by @fluidghost


Blood and Magic (Blood and Darkness Book 1)


About the Book: 

Meet Gray. Dhampir. Undead. Cursed. 
With supernatural powers and an insatiable need for blood, her existence is cursed. 

When Gray awakens from a three-year spell induced coma, she not only discovers her lover as the one responsible, but that he has joined with a dangerous organization known as the Consilium to help them create a new breed of hybrid demons. Humans and Witches are being taken against their will, and fear is growing throughout the covens.

Gray never had a choice—forced to become a monster, the Dhampir. Yet after four hundred years, she still yearns for her humanity, like a long-lost echo from another life. She cannot allow the Consilium to do this to anyone else. With a renewed lust for vengeance, and a target on her back, Gray must use the one thing she swore never to in order to stop them—blood magic.

Armed with a magical pirate ship, an immortal monk, and a flower plucked from the Underworld, Gray will stop at nothing to start a war. Yet in her quest to track down her enemies, she uncovers a dark family secret that threatens to destroy the last shred of humanity she has left.










#BookBlast: First Full Moon by @alsteadmichelle @XpressoTours #Giveaway


First Full Moon
Michelle Alstead
Publication date: August 28th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
More secrets. More lies. I’m going to die.
She wanted a car for her sixteenth birthday, not magical powers… Candy McGregor is a teenager living in Sequim Falls, a small East Coast town, where the McGregors own just about everything. While her grandmother grooms her to run the family business—a pharmaceutical empire—Candy dreams of a life where she’s known as more than just a last name. When the monthly family dinner turns into a horror show, Candy discovers the McGregors aren’t so much blessed as they are cursed. At midnight on her sixteenth birthday, Candy inherits both the ability to do magic and the destiny to become a wolf on the next full moon. There is hope of a life that doesn’t require being chained up once a month. If Candy can undo the original spell that created the curse, she can rid the world of werewolves and remain a witch. But there’s one really big problem. Not everyone hates being a wolf. With the next full moon looming, Candy must take on forces that will do anything to stop her. Will she break the curse or surrender to life as a monster?

#CoverReveal: Staying on Top by @ercorrigan @XpressoTours


Staying on Top
Elizabeth Corrigan
(Valeriel Investigations, #2)
Publication date: November 6th 2018
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Mystery
Kadin Stone should be over the moon—or at least one of the two moons that grace the sky of Valeriel City. She has a great job working as an aide for one of the best homicide detectives in the city, and her boyfriend is on the verge of proposing. Getting married means she’ll have to give up her day job, but wedding bells have been her life goal for as long as she can remember. But she’s not happy, and she can’t quite figure out why.
Until Duke Baurus DeValeriel walks back into her life.
Kadin cleared Baurus of a murder charge six months ago, and she thought that was the last she’d see of him. After all, they move in completely different circles. But Baurus has need of a homicide detective after a rising film star dies at one of his parties. He’s convinced Kadin is the only one who can solve the case. Kadin’s only too happy to lend her expertise, but as the case progresses, she gets the feeling that Baurus wants more from her, and she’s not sure what she has to offer.
As the case leads Kadin from one tawdry secret to another—secrets only she seems capable of uncovering—she questions whether marriage is what she wants out of life. But it’s not always easy to decide whether to follow your dreams or follow your heart.

#FirstPage with Broken Things by @OliverBooks


This week we have a new release from author Lauren Oliver. This book is stated to be an engrossing psychological thriller!  I can not wait to check it out! 

Monday, October 08, 2018

#BookReview of Even in Paradise by @ChelseyPhilpot


Even in Paradise


About the Book: 

When Julia Buchanan enrolls at St. Anne’s at the beginning of junior year, Charlotte Ryder already knows all about the former senator’s daughter. Most people do... or think they do.

Charlotte certainly never expects she’ll be Julia’s friend. But almost immediately, she is drawn into the larger than-life-new girl’s world—a world of midnight rendezvous, dazzling parties, palatial vacation homes, and fizzy champagne cocktails. And then Charlotte meets, and begins falling for, Julia’s handsome older brother, Sebastian.

But behind her self-assured smiles and toasts to the future, Charlotte soon realizes that Julia is still suffering from a tragedy. A tragedy that the Buchanan family has kept hidden... until now.










#BookReview of Strike by @DelilahSDawson


Strike (Hit, #2)


About the Book: 

THE HIT LIST WAS JUST THE BEGINNING.

TIME TO STRIKE BACK.

After faking her own death to escape her term as an indentured assassin for Valor Savings Bank, Patsy is on the run with her boyfriend, Wyatt. All she wants to do is go home, but that’s never going to happen—not as long as Valor’s out to get her and the people she loves.

Left with no good choices, Patsy’s only option is to meet with a mysterious group that calls itself the Citizens for Freedom. Led by the charismatic Leon Crane, the CFF seem like just what Patsy has been looking for. Leon promises that if she joins, she’ll finally get revenge on Valor for everything they’ve done to her—and for everything they’ve made her do.

But Patsy knows the CFF has a few secrets of their own. One thing is certain: they’ll do absolutely anything to complete their mission, no matter who’s standing in their way. Even if it’s Patsy herself.

Delilah S. Dawson brings anarchy and high-octane drama to the next explosive level in this sequel to the “practically movie-ready” (Kirkus Reviews) novel Hit. 










#BookstagramFeature with @YAWednesdays and Empowering Women and Girls!

With everything that has been going on in the world. I thought that a good woman empowering picture would do us all some good.  This one I found on instagram via YAWednesdays and I fell in love with it!  Wonder Woman has been an empowering icon for woman for ages and I do not think that that will be going away anytime soon!  Let us know who you find empowering in the comments below and make sure to follow this account! 

#BookBlitz: Kate’s Congressman by Carmela Goff @XpressoTours #Giveaway


Kate’s Congressman
Carmela Goff
(Bright Sisters, #1)
Publication date: October 5th 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Kate Bright lost the love of her life to tragedy. Now all she wants is to pick up the pieces and shelter herself from further pain. The last thing she needs is the attention of a handsome, arrogant politician who hungers for publicity. But Kate has a hunger of her own, whether she likes it or not. Being with Blake will require her to step into the limelight in spite of her private torment. Do his feelings for her extend beyond the public stage?
Kate’s Congressman is the first standalone novel in the Bright Sisters Romance series.
Watch for other volumes, including June’s Arresting Officer, coming soon.











#BookBlitz: Tie Me Down by @RayneCynthia @XpressoTours #Giveaway


Tie Me Down
Cynthia Rayne
(Kinky Security, #1)
Publication date: October 8th 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Know when you are beaten
Jacob “Flash” Franklin is a former Navy SEAL with many burdens. The women in his life have a way of ending up six feet under. First his sister, and then his client, the one he failed to protect. For once, Flash is sick of running. He longs to be punished for his misdeeds.
Taming the Dominatrix
Sage McQueen is a domme, working at a local Kentucky sex club.  Men pay for the privilege of bowing down before her and she doles out penance, not pleasure. Flash wants Sage to discipline him, too.  But she finds herself drawn to Flash. He’s holding on to a lot of pain and guilt, and she wants to set him free.
Pushing Boundaries
The fine line between personal and professional gets really blurry. Flash is an alpha male, the kind of man she usually avoids, and he’s pushing her boundaries, urging her to submit to him. But can she let go?
And what happens when a client becomes obsessed with her? Will Flash keep Sage alive, even though he’s failed before?

Sunday, October 07, 2018

#BookReview of The Doubt Factory by @paolobacigalupi


The Doubt Factory


About the Book: 

Everything Alix knows about her life is a lie--at least according to the mysterious young man who's been stalking her. But could her dad really be a bad guy at the helm of an organization that covers up the deadly wrongdoings of some of the country's most rich and powerful? Alix has to make an impossible choice between her father and the young man she's not only falling for, but who's asking her to blow the whistle on the man who raised her. Could someone you have loved and have known for your whole life actually have the heart of a killer?










#BookReview of My Best Everything by @swtomp


My Best Everything


About the Book: 

You say it was all meant to be. You and me. The way we met. Our secrets in the woods. Even the way it all exploded. It was simply a matter of fate.

Maybe if you were here to tell me again, to explain it one more time, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so uncertain. But I’m going back to the beginning on my own. To see what happened and why.

Luisa “Lulu” Mendez has just finished her final year of high school in a small Virginia town, determined to move on and leave her job at the local junkyard behind. So when her father loses her college tuition money, Lulu needs a new ticket out.

Desperate for funds, she cooks up the (definitely illegal) plan to make and sell moonshine with her friends, Roni and Bucky. Quickly realizing they’re out of their depth, Lulu turns to Mason: a local boy who’s always seemed like a dead end. As Mason guides Lulu through the secret world of moonshine, it looks like her plan might actually work. But can she leave town before she loses everything – including her heart?

The summer walks the line between toxic and intoxicating. My Best Everything is Lulu’s letter to Mason – though is it an apology, a good-bye, or a love letter?










#TheBookShare: The Shadowglass (The Bone Witch #3) by @rinchupeco


This week on The Book Share we have a book that isn't out for a while. This is a book three of a really good series called the Bone Witch and man if you haven't read these you should! This one comes out March of next year so make sure to pre-order it now! 

The Conveniences Of Text Therapy For Anxiety with @talkspace

Talkspace is a mental health-counseling platform that utilizes computers, smartphones, and technology. The company provides therapy from licensed professionals via an app. The advantages of this type of therapy is the client does not have to be on the therapist’s schedule nor do they have to take the time to travel and wait at an office. 

The clients must be over the age of 18. There is an initial application where basic information is collected, and from this data, a licensed psychotherapist is matched with the client. The match is based on specific algorithms. 

The treatment is provided through texting. Every client has the ability to send unlimited text messages via the app. Your matched therapist will text back one to two times daily. The amount of contact will depend on your contract selection. The communication works through iPhones, Android devices, tablets, and laptops. For security, privacy is protected with a bank-grade encryption service. Patient-doctor confidentiality rules still apply to this texting form of therapy. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one type of therapy the company offers. CBT identifies a person’s feelings and thought patterns, and with that information, the therapist and client can overcome problem thinking and unhelpful behaviors. Goals are established, and the two partners work together on dealing with daily challenges and strengthening mental health. 

Anxiety is another area that Talkspace therapists counsel in. They understand that today’s fast-paced society causes many new pressures and worries that were not faced just a few decades ago. 

Social media can become a cruel addiction. It can make many people feel inadequate or left out. Social media distorts physical appearances with apps. This distortion makes people compare themselves against unreal expectations. Many therapists would recommend quitting the social media platform that drains or drags you down. That can be easier said than done without help. 

Decoding modern communications is another new area of anxiety. The sentences are shortened and encrypted with emojis. If it is coming from your employer, it can mean something very different than if it is coming from a close friend. Before jumping to the worst possible outcome, it may not be a bad thing to talk it out or ask for a different point of view. 

Handling the new work-life balance is not easy either. Cell phones keep us always on duty and always available. We are afraid to unplug for fear we might miss an important call, lose a customer, or get fired. It feels like you are always on. 

With all of these unique anxiety triggers today, this therapy platform has brought a much needed new vehicle to therapy. Some Talkspace reviews commented on the value of having recorded messages from the therapist. These recordings are accessible anytime. Many Talkspace reviews shared how typing out the details gave them a calm feeling and how writing caused some anxiety relief just in the motion itself. 


Text therapy has the advantages of less travel, convenient hours, and easy access. In addition, writing maybe an easier way for some to start the healing of therapy.

 








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 Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."  Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information. Buying via these links allows my site to get a % of the sale at no cost to you. 

FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. If am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored. 




#BookBlitz: Who by @MeganMMMitcham @XpressoTours #Giveaway


Who
Megan Mitcham
Publication date: October 2nd 2018
Genres: Adult, Psychological Thriller, Romance
A billionaire in high heels. A relentless stalker. A chance rooftop meeting. Her choices could send everything crashing down.
Billionaire Larkin Ashford is fiercely independent, but even she has to admit her fashion empire was built on the backs of brides. When her company has the opportunity to go public, her board of directors won’t pull the trigger unless she settles down. A series of threatening messages aren’t making her decision any easier. As she retreats to her rooftop hideaway to clear her head, she finds herself imprisoned in the strong arms of a mysterious man who thinks she was about to jump.
Despite her friends’ warnings that her wannabe savior could be her stalker, she can’t get his body off her mind. Determined to find the truth, she searches the city for her mystery man and discovers a dark secret that could bring everything she’s worked for crashing down. With her empire in danger, she’ll have to uncover the truth before her fortune and her life zero out.
Who is the first standalone novel in a pulse-pounding psychological thriller series. If you like headstrong women, steamy chemistry, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Megan Mitcham’s high-rise romantic thriller.
Buy Who to live the high life with a sleek, sexy billionaire psychological thriller soon!

#BookBlitz: Cursed Rebel by @HGLynch @XpressoTours #Giveaway


Cursed Rebel
H.G. Lynch
Publication date: October 5th 2018
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
My grandma always warned me never to trust a Faery. I never believed they were real…until I was kidnapped by one.
Finn is an obnoxious, mercurial Fae whose job it is to bring me to the King. He’s gorgeous, but in this world, the prettiest things are the deadliest.
But if I want to survive the Fae realm and find a way home, I’ll have to trust him…for now.
















Saturday, October 06, 2018

#BookReview: The Chaos of Now by Erin Jade Lange

About the Book:


Is it real if it happens online?

Life at Eli’s high school hasn’t been the same since his classmate Jordan committed suicide after being tirelessly bullied. 

Schools now have access to students’ online activities and students have less privacy than ever. Eli just wants to graduate—so he can get out of town, get away from his father’s embarrassingly young fiancée, and get himself a prestigious coding job. 

But Eli’s hacking skills get him roped into a vigilante website that—while subverting the school’s cybersnoops— seeks justice for Jordan and everyone else being bullied. 

Suddenly Eli finds himself in way over his head as his keystrokes start to have devastating consequences in the real world . . . This timely story from the author of Butter is a thrilling tale about the power of the internet, the young people who wield it, and the fine lines between bully and victim, justice and vengeance.

Education Engages the Parents in the Learning Process with @rocketshiped

A group called Innovate Public Schools has recently issued a report in which they recognized the schools in the San Francisco Bay area that are achieving the best results in helping Latino and African-American students in low-income areas to achieve outstanding educational results. Rocketship Matteo Sheedy, a public charter school, was one of the schools that received the highest praise from Innovate Public Schools. 

Rocketship Education is an organization that operates public charter schools. Rocketship opened its first school in 2007, and now they have several public charter schools in several areas in the United States including Washington, DC and Nashville, Tennessee. 

One of the reasons that Rocketship Matteo Sheedy and other Rocketship schools have achieved such outstanding levels of success is due to the fact that the Rocketship educational model calls for a child's parents to be significantly involved in the child's educational program. Rocketship schools have several ways that they utilize to make sure that parents stay involved. 

Rocketship educators encourage parents to model for their children the educational outcomes that they desire. For instance, one parent came to a Rocketship teacher concerned that her child was not reading enough. She wanted her child to love reading and to learn through reading. The Rocketship teacher encouraged the parent to read in the child's presence. If the child saw that the parent was interested in reading and found reading to be a thing of value, the child would be more apt to want to read as well. 

Another way that Rocketship Education keeps parents involved in the educational process is by allowing the parents to be decision makers in the educational process. At Rocketship Matteo Sheedy, the principal of the school meets with parents once each month. In these group meetings, parents are able to discuss developments at the school, and they are able to share ideas that they might have as to how the school can improve the educational experience for the children. In one meeting, the parents expressed the concern that students didn't have enough time to eat lunch. Responding to the parent's concern, the school extended the lunch period thereby increasing the students' overall satisfaction. 

Rocketship also makes a connection with the family outside of the school. All teachers are expected to visit the home of their students at least once every school year. Too often, parents just come to the school for a parent and teacher meeting. These meetings can be stiff and formal. The teacher isn't really able to learn that much about the student's family. 

When the teacher is able to visit the family home, the teacher is able to learn more about what makes the child who he or she is. These visits also demonstrate that the teachers care about their students, and they want to see their students succeed both in and out of school. 

Another important way that Rocketship helps to get parents involved is through cultural encounters within the schools. Parents are often asked to come to the school and read stories to the students in their native language. Other parents come and help with projects, and some parents come to the school and tell students about their culture. 


Rocketship Education continues to be an innovator in the public charter school movement. Their educational outcomes demonstrate the importance of engaging the parents in the child's educational program.

 








Did you know that comments are DELICIOUS? Well they are and if you comment on any of these posts you could win some awesome goodies! 

Don't forget to check out our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and out other social media found on the side bar! 






 Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."  Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information. Buying via these links allows my site to get a % of the sale at no cost to you. 

FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. If am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored. 




#BookReview: To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo #NetGalley

About the Book:

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. 

With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. 

To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.

The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. 

Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?


#BookishChallenges #OctoberBloggerChallenge: October TBR via @crossroadreview

Heyo bookish peeps! This month we have a ton of great challeges going on so make sure to check out our Instagram! One challege we will be sharing with you is our first ever bookish challege! Each week we will share one promopt you can find the rest here! We hope that you join us! Even if you don't have a site you can still join! Just post the prompt and then come back and link it to where ever you posted! 

#GuestPost Greatest Villain in Literature with @JennaMorland and @crossroadreview @ya_bookaddicts





About the Book:

"A fast-paced, mystical adventure mixed with heartbreak and hope that will keep you turning the page well into the night." Brenda Drake, New York Times bestselling author

What if a magical touch meant leaving everything you loved behind?

I was supposed to die. The doctors told me I had only two months to live.
That was before I met him. Daylan.
He was the miracle cure I had been waiting for. With Daylan, I was no longer the small-town girl with that unexplained illness. I was something more. The fate of a magical world depended on my survival, and I longed to go with him. There was only one thing stopping me.
Tyler.