Friday, December 13, 2013

{Review} The In-Between @StMartinsPress

The In-Between
When Elanor’s near-death experience opens a door to a world inhabited by bold, beautiful Madeline, she finds her life quickly spiraling out of control

Fourteen-year-old Elanor Moss has always been an outcast who fails at everything she tries—she's even got the fine, white scars to prove it. Moving was supposed to be a chance at a fresh start, a way to leave behind all the pain and ugliness of her old life. But, when a terrible car accident changes her life forever, her near-death experience opens a door to a world inhabited by Madeline Torus . . . Madeline is everything Elanor isn’t: beautiful, bold, brave. She is exactly what Elanor has always wanted in a best friend and more—their connection runs deeper than friendship. But Madeline is not like other girls, and Elanor has to keep her new friend a secret or risk being labeled “crazy.” Soon, though, even Elanor starts to doubt her own sanity. Madeline is her entire life, and that life is drastically spinning out of control. Elanor knows what happens when your best friend becomes your worst enemy. But what happens when your worst enemy is yourself?

With her debut novel, The In-Between, Barbara Stewart presents a bold new voice in teen fiction.

5 STARS
Haunting, Compelling Story of Lost, Love, and What It Means To Be Alive. 
The first thing I want to say about this book is that even through the main character Elanor is 14 the content of this book I would recommend to readers in Junior and Senior years.  

This will not be a book for everyone.  This book deals with suicide, the death of family, and the paranormal (ghosts). It was much darker than a lot of YA that I have read. But, that made the book very good.  It makes you think about the people in the world that have mental illnesses.  Are they really crazy or are they just perceiving something that we can't.  Elanor has this issue after her family is in a horrific car accident.  I can't explain to much without giving the story away.  But this is one dark and haunting read.  I loved the character of Elanor she was written wonderfully. And her mental stability through out the book goes from fine to disordered to again fine in such a way to make you want to keep reading.  She will make you second guess what is going on until the last few pages.  Now I can say that this book I read very fast. Although the story itself is on the slower side.  I was flipping pages to find out what was going on.  I would classify this one as mystery meets the paranormal with a little psycho added in. 

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."



Excerpt From the First Chapter  

I was pronouced dead at the scene of the accident. My lifeless body slumps over the cat carrier in the backseat of the twisted wreck. Bloodstains bloom through my T-shirt and jeans, and my hair sparkles with bits of broken glass. My parents sparkle and bloom too. They are in the front seat, pinned upright by the dashboard of our crappy little hatchback. The airbags slowly deflate, floating down over them like freshly washed sheets. My mother's cheek is pressed against the side window. My father's head droops, his chin on his chest. Even with all the blood we look peaceful, as if we're napping at a rest stop before continuing the long five to our new home. 
Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.

{Review} {Giveaway} The Impossible Knife of Memory @halseanderson @NightOwlReviews

The Impossible Knife of Memory
For the past five years, Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.

Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down.

Biography

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author who writes for kids of all ages. Known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity, her work has earned numerous American Library Association and state awards. Two of her books, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists. Chains also made the Carnegie Medal Shortlist in the United Kingdom.

Laurie was the proud recipient of the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award given by YALSA division of the American Library Association for her "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature...". She was also honored with the ALAN Award from the National Council of Teachers of English and the St. Katharine Drexel Award from the Catholic Librarian Association.

Mother of four and wife of one, Laurie lives in Northern New York, where she likes to watch the snow fall as she writes. She and her husband, Scot, plus dogs Kezzie and Thor, and assorted chickens and other critters enjoy country living and time in the woods. When not writing or hanging out with her family, you can find Laurie training for marathons or trying to coax tomatoes out of the rocky soil in her backyard. You can follow her adventures on Twitter, http://twitter.com/halseanderson, and on her blog, http://madwomanintheforest.com/blog/.





5 Stars
Having read Speak I love Laurie Halse Anderson's books.  And she didn't disappoint with new title.  This one focuses on many characters and has a lot more action than her previous book. The characters in this book are all over the place but that just makes them seem more real.  This one is also filled with moments where one minute you are panicking and the next you are laughing your butt off which is a great thing for this book about PTSD.  This book opens with Hayley talking about that there are only two kinds of people in the world.  Zombies and Freaks.  I love how that really plays out in the pages of this intriguing story.  It really shows you how Hayley views the world around her and the people she comes into contact with.  This is a deff. must read for those who want a book that they will be thinking about for years to come! This book really is compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down.

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."



Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, December 12, 2013

{Review} Shadowplay @LR_Lam

Shadowplay (Pantomime, #2)
The circus lies behind Micah Grey in dust and ashes.

He and the white clown, Drystan, take refuge with the once-great magician, Jasper Maske. When Maske agrees to teach them his trade, his embittered rival challenges them to a duel which could decide all of their fates. People also hunt both Micah and the person he was before the circus—the runaway daughter of a noble family. And Micah discovers there is magic and power in the world, far beyond the card tricks and illusions he's perfecting...

A tale of phantom wings, a clockwork hand, and the delicate unfurling of new love, Shadowplay continues Micah Grey’s extraordinary journey.

Biography

Laura Lam was raised near San Francisco, California, by two former Haight-Ashbury hippies. Both of them encouraged her to finger-paint to her heart's desire, colour outside of the lines, and consider the library a second home. This led to an overabundance of daydreams.

She relocated to Scotland to be with her husband, whom she met on the internet when he insulted her taste in books. She almost blocked him but is glad she didn't. At times she misses the sunshine.




5 Stars
Well I have to say that I loved Pantomime.  Had to track down a copy and just ate it up!  So to read this book two was such a great chance.  This one is a very easy read.  It picks up right where Pantomime leaves off and it was just a great book!  Micah grows so much in this story.  From creepy shadows to a blooming love story this one is a must read! 

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."
Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.

{Blitz} Holiday Heat @NoelleAdams3 @Giselleco



Holiday Heat is available exclusively in Love for the Holidays, a five book Christmas bundle that will be on sale for just $.99 from
 December 11 through December 24!



Available exclusively in Love for the Holidays (five book Christmas bundle)                                                         

Holiday Heat by Noelle Adams 
(Love for the Holidays) 
Publication date: November 6th 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
After being hit with heartbreaking tragedy, Carrie has thrown herself into a hot, secret relationship with Matt. With Christmas approaching, she realizes she might want even more from her sexy, damaged artist, but the boundaries around their relationship make anything deeper than sex impossible.
Matt was the rising star of the art world, but he hasn’t painted since a tragic accident two years ago. His passion for Carrie finally inspires him, but first he must convince her that the heat between them is far more than just sex.






Love for the Holidays (five book Christmas bundle)Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.





GIVEAWAYS

 (1) ebook copy of any of Noelle’s backlist titles (so any of her books except for Holiday Heat - find a list here)
. Open internationally. 

To enter comment with your book choice and email! 

{Giveaway} Crystal Fire @jordandane @harlequinteen @NereydaG1003






Crystal Fire (The Hunted #2)
by Jordan Dane
Release Date: 11/26/13
Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads: 
Because of what you are, the Believers will hunt you down.

A storm is brewing on the streets of LA, one that has intensified since a tragic and deadly confrontation claimed an innocent life.

While Gabriel Stewart trains his army of teen psychics to stop Alexander Reese--the obsessed leader of the Believers--the fanatical church becomes more bent on the annihilation of all Indigo and Crystal children. They're silencing the voices of the telepathic hive, one soul at a time, with frightening experiments cruelly executed on vulnerable minds.
When the Believers torture a mysterious homeless boy, Oliver Blue, they brainwash him into betraying his own. The boy becomes a deadly pawn to take Gabriel down. As the fires of chaos burn around him, Gabe is running out of time. He'll need to confront his past--and the man who made him--before the hope of peace for the future is silenced forever.



About the Author
Avon/HarperCollins launched Jordan Dane's debut suspense novels in a back to back publishing event in Spring 2008 after buying the 3-book series in auction. Pursuing publication since 2003, Jordan had received awards in 33 national writing competitions and was an energy sales manager in the oil and gas industry prior to selling. Now she is following her passion and writes full time.



Ripped from the headlines, Jordan's gritty plots weave a tapestry of vivid settings, intrigue, and dark humor. She loves challenging a reader's moral barometer with the borderline ethics of her characters and their flawed personalities—dark, angst-ridden antiheroes pitted against unforgettable villains. Publishers Weekly compared her intense pacing to Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner, and Tami Hoag—"romantic suspense that crosses over into plain thriller country with tight plotting and exceptional male characters, both bad guys and good."

Jordan and her husband share their residence with two cats of highborn lineage and the spirit of an intelligent canine who is impossible to forget. 




Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.

Blog Tour Schedule:
December 2:
Kelly P's Blog - Promo Post
Magic Of Words - Excerpt
Read it in Houston - Excerpt

December 3:
Dark Novella - The truth behind the character of Caila Ferrie
December 4:
V's Reads - http://vsreads.com – Review
Imagine a World - http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspot.com - Review
Mom With A Kindle - http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com - Film Casting
Teen Readers' Diary - http://teenreadersdiary.blogspot.com/ - Promo Post
BrigitteWhoa the Book-A-Holic - http://brigittewhoareviews.blogspot.com/ - Review*
The Cover Contessa - www.thecovercontessa.com - Swoon Scene: Kendra & Rafe*


Sweet treat reading reviews - http://strreviews.blogspot.com/ - Promo Post*

December 5:
A Dream Within A Dream - http://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com - Review
Addicted Readers - http://addictreaders.blogspot.com/ - Promo Post
Bookwyrming Thoughts - http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/ - Promo Post
Confessions of An Opinionated Book Geek – www.bookgeekconfessions.tumblr.com - Promo Post
Falling For YA - www.FallingForYA.com - Promo Post

December 6:
Le' Grande Codex - http://le-grande-codex.blogspot.in/ - Promo Post
Books and Bindings - http://booksandbindings.com/ - Promo Post
Fiction_TheNew Reality - http://fictionthenewreality.blogspot.com/ - Review

December 9:
Alwaysjoart - http://alwaysjoart.blogspot.com/ - Promo Post
BrigitteWhoa the Book-A-Holic - http://brigittewhoareviews.blogspot.com/ - Review
Ramblings of a Book Junkie - http://www.ramblingsofabookjunkie.com/ - Review
Fastidious Reader - http://fastidious-reader.blogspot.com/ - Review
Victoria Simcox's Blog - http://victoriasimcox.blogspot.com/ - Promo Post
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! - http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com - Promo Post

December 10:
Curse of the Bibliophile - http://curseofthebibliophile.blogspot.in/ - Review
Books I View - http://booksiview.com - Review
Pixie Dust Book Reviews - http://pixiedustreviews.blogspot.com – Review
TeamNerd Reviews - http://teamnerdreviews.blogspot.com/ - Promo Post
My Library in the Making - http://mylibraryinthemaking.blogspot.com/ - Review
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club - www.theunofficialaddictionbookfanclub.blogspot.com - Promo Post

December 11:
I Heart YA Books - http://iheartyabooks.blogspot.com/ - Review
Bookish - http://www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com - Swoon Scene: Gabe & Rafe
Bibliophile Mystery - http://bibliophilemystery.blogspot.ro/ - Promo Post
Howling Books and Design - http://howlingbooksanddesign.blogspot.ca/ - Promo Post

December 12:
Bookloving Hippo – www.booklovinghippo.wordpress.com - Review
Crossroad Reviews - Http://www.crossroadreviews.com - Promo Post
Bittersweet Enchantment - http://www.bittersweet-enchantment.com/ - Promo Post
Raizza's Book Blogging Adventure – www.rmcinque.wordpress.com – Review
lovely reads - http://serenityslovelyreads.blogspot.com/ - Review
Nicky Peacock Author - http://nickypeacockauthor.wordpress.com - Review

December 13:
In Between The Pages – www.pagesbetween.blogspot.com - Review
Ladybug Literature - http://www.ladybugliterature.blogspot.com - Review
JeanzBookReadNReview - http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.co.uk/ - The Believer's Mysterious Ward 8
Happy Indulgence - http://www.happyindulgencebooks.com – Review

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

{Blitz} {Giveaway} The Days Lost by @smccrimmon1 @NereydaG1003


The Days Lost
Release Date: 12/10/13

Summary from Goodreads:
On the heels of her high school graduation, Ellie Morales is spending her summer vacation in the mountains of Western North Carolina with her dad and brother, Jonah. Having lost their mother only months earlier, all of them are trying to cope with the loss in their own way.

Part routine, part escape, running is Ellie's way of dealing with her grief. Shortly after sunrise each morning, Ellie and her dog, Bosco, set out for a lengthy run on the path that passes by her house and leads deep into the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One fateful morning, Ellie is lead off of the trail and discovers a secret that will change her life, as well as the lives of the family she meets, forever. One member of this mysterious family is Sam Gantry, who seems unlike any guy she's ever known.

This meeting sparks a series of events, causing Ellie to question everything she's ever known and believed. The more she learns about Sam and his family, the more she wants to help him find the missing puzzle pieces.

Available from:

Advanced Praise for The Days Lost:
“I just loved the idea that McCrimmon has come up with. It is different and fun and before long you are so caught up in the story you feel as if you are really there. That is power of a talented author... This story is a must read!” - Mandy, I Read Indie

About the Author
I'm a Florida native who currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina with my husband and toy poodle. When I'm not writing, I can be found drinking Earl Grey tea with honey and cream, singing ineptly and butchering the lyrics to my favorite songs, and asking my friends ridiculous, hypothetical scenario-based questions. 

Author Links:
 photo iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png    photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png  photo iconpinterest_zps6fcf02a7.png


***GIVEAWAY***
Ebook (KINDLE only) copies of: The Summer I Learned to Dive, The Year I Almost Drowned, and The Days Lost and a $20 Amazon gift card to 1 lucky winner. Open to both International and US Residents.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by: