#Review of It Takes One (Audrey Harte #1) by @AlterKates

    They say there are no secrets in a small town...

Criminal psychologist Audrey Harte is returning home after seven years. She'll have to face the whispers and the rumors that have haunted her family since she left. Because when Audrey was thirteen, she and her best friend Maggie killed Maggie's abusive father. 

Her first night back in town ends in a fight with a drunken Maggie, with her old crush Jake to witness it all. Audrey can't believe it can get worse. 

Then Maggie turns up dead. 

Now, Audrey has to find out who the murderer is - before everyone decides that she is to blame. And before the murderer can set their sights on her. 

It Takes One is the first in a brand new thriller series where a criminal psychologist uses her own dark past to help law enforcement catch dangerous killers.

#Giveaway #Review of Sticks & Stones by @_ACoops_ @FierceReads via @The_FFBC

Sticks & Stones
by Abby Cooper
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Release Date: July 12th 2016

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, School
Rate: 5

Synopsis:

Ever since she was a baby, the words people use to describe Elyse have instantly appeared on her arms and legs. At first it was just "cute" and "adorable," but as she's gotten older and kids have gotten meaner, words like "loser" and "pathetic" appear, and those words bubble up and itch. And then there are words like "interesting," which she's not really sure how to feel about. Now, at age twelve, she's starting middle school, and just when her friends who used to accept and protect her are drifting away, she receives an anonymous note saying "I know who you are, and I know what you're dealing with. I want to help." As Elyse works to solve the mystery of who is sending her these notes, she also finds new ways to accept who she is and to become her best self.

#Review #Giveaway of Tell Me Something Real by @calladevlin

    Three sisters struggle with the bonds that hold their family together as they face a darkness settling over their lives in this masterfully written debut novel.

There are three beautiful blond Babcock sisters: gorgeous and foul-mouthed Adrienne, observant and shy Vanessa, and the youngest and best-loved, Marie. Their mother is ill with leukemia and the girls spend a lot of time with her at a Mexican clinic across the border from their San Diego home so she can receive alternative treatments.

Vanessa is the middle child, a talented pianist who is trying to hold her family together despite the painful loss that they all know is inevitable. As she and her sisters navigate first loves and college dreams, they are completely unaware that an illness far more insidious than cancer poisons their home. Their world is about to shatter under the weight of an incomprehensible betrayal…

#Review of A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2) by @sabaatahir @RazorbillBooks

    A Torch Against the Night takes readers into the heart of the Empire as Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts.

In the city of Serra, Helene Aquilla finds herself bound to the will of the Empire’s twisted new leader, Marcus. When her loyalty is questioned, Helene finds herself taking on a mission to prove herself—a mission that might destroy her, instead

#Review of The Gilded Cage by Lucinda Gray

    After growing up on a farm in Virginia, Walthingham Hall in England seems like another world to sixteen-year-old Katherine Randolph. Her new life, filled with the splendor of upper-class England in the 1820s, is shattered when her brother mysteriously drowns. Katherine is expected to observe the mourning customs and get on with her life, but she can't accept that her brother's death was an accident. 

A bitter poacher prowls the estate, and strange visitors threaten the occupants of the house. There's a rumor, too, that a wild animal stalks the woods of Walthingham. Can Katherine retain her sanity long enough to find out the truth? Or will her brother's killer claim her life, too?

#Review #Giveaway of Cherry by @lindseyrosin @SimonTeen

    In this honest, frank, and funny debut novel, four best friends make a pact during their senior year of high school to lose their virginities—and end up finding friendship, love, and self-discovery along the way.

To be honest, the sex pact wasn’t always part of the plan.

Layla started it. She announced it super casually to the rest of the girls between bites of frozen yogurt, as if it was just simply another addition to her massive, ever-evolving To Do List. She is determined to have sex for the first time before the end of high school. Initially, the rest of the crew is scandalized, but, once they all admit to wanting to lose their v-cards too, they embark on a quest to do the deed together... separately.

Layla’s got it in the bag. Her serious boyfriend, Logan, has been asking for months.

Alex has already done it. Or so she says.

Emma doesn’t know what the fuss is all about, but sure, she’ll give it a shot.

And Zoe, well, Zoe can’t even say the o word without bursting into giggles.

Will everything go according to plan? Probably not. But at least the girls have each other every hilarious, heart-warming, cringe-inducing step of the way.

From debut author Lindsey Rosin, Cherry is a coming-of-age, laugh-out-loud tale of first times, last chances, and the enduring friendships that make it all worthwhile.

#Giveaway of Tales of the Peculiar by @ransomriggs (Signed Sampler) @DuttonYR

    Before Miss Peregrine gave them a home, the story of peculiars was written in the Tales. 

Wealthy cannibals who dine on the discarded limbs of peculiars. A fork-tongued princess. These are but a few of the truly brilliant stories in Tales of the Peculiar—the collection of fairy tales known to hide information about the peculiar world, including clues to the locations of time loops—first introduced by Ransom Riggs in his #1 bestselling Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series.

Riggs now invites you to share his secrets of peculiar history, with a collection of original stories in this deluxe volume of Tales of the Peculiar. Featuring stunning illustrations from world-renowned artist Andrew Davidson, this compelling, rich, and truly peculiar anthology is the perfect gift for not only fans, but for all lovers of great storytelling.

#Review #Giveaway of Forever Doon (Doon #4) by @LorieLangdon @careycorp @BlinkYABooks

    With the witch of Doon on the throne, Jamie believed dead, and Duncan and Mackenna trapped in Alloway, Veronica has no choice but to put her grief aside and prepare her remaining followers for the impending battle against the false queen and her forces. But while on a covert mission to steal a powerful elixir from the castle, Veronica discovers her true love may actually be alive, and fighting a battle of his own.


With the Brig o’ Doon destroyed and the portal fragmented, Doon’s forces are not only divided, but also isolated in different dimensions. With the help of a storyteller as ancient as the witch herself, Kenna and Duncan learn they must rebuild the bridge to have any chance of crossing back into Doon with their ragtag army. But when Mackenna insists on fighting as well, Duncan soon realizes the only way he can ensure her safety is to turn her into a cold-hearted killer.


For Vee, Jamie, Kenna, and Duncan, saving their kingdom while keeping their lives intact will take a miracle.

#Giveaway of Someone I Wanted to Be by Aurelia Wills

    When an insecure teen starts impersonating someone else, her life spirals dangerously out of control in a realistic, relatable novel about finding yourself—and discovering your true friends.

Leah Lobermier dreams of becoming a doctor, but it’s hard to stay focused on getting good grades when boys make oinking sounds at her in school and her mother spends every night on the couch with a bottle of wine. Leah’s skinny and popular "friends," Kristy and Corinne, aren’t much better and can hardly be counted on for support. When the girls convince a handsome older man to buy them beer, Leah takes his phone number and calls him, pretending to be Kristy—coy and confident—and they develop a relationship, talking and texting day after day. But as the lie she created grows beyond her control, can Leah put a stop to things before she—or Kristy—is seriously hurt?

#Review & #Giveaway of A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by @AuthorABouchet

Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.

Ruined (Ruined #1) by Amy Tintera via @CBookAddicts July Picks

    A revenge that will consume her. A love that will ruin her.

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake. 

#Review of The Mysterious Abductions (The Nocturnals) by Tracey Hecht with #Giveaway @fabled_films

    A flabbergastifying adventure under the stars!

"The characters are delightful and the nighttime landscape is captivating. It was just as I expected—because the best stories always take place in the dark!—R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps

The Nocturnals features three unlikely friends: Dawn, a serious fox, Tobin, a sweet pangolin and Bismark, the loud mouthed, pint sized sugar glider. The stories all play out in their nighttime world with teamwork, friendship and humor in every adventure.

In The Mysterious Abductions, the animals form a brigade of the night after a random encounter with a blood-thirsty snake, and just in time because something is threatening their night realm. Animals are disappearing without a trace. Together with the help of a wombat, a band of coyotes and many others, Dawn, Tobin and Bismark journey to the depths of the earth in a wacky, high stakes game that will determine all of their survival.

Open letter to the #Blogging #Publisher Community at large

I have been going back and forth if I should post this or not.  But after seeing a post about someone saying that my grams really didn't die and that we used stole the money that was raised to go to disney I knew something had to be done.


Before you read the following please note its been a very long three days and well there are more than likely spelling mistakes etc.  Please ignore them.

1. Grams Death and Go Fund Me

My grandma died over Easter Weekend in 2014.   It was very unexpected and we thought she was just going into the hospital to deal with her stomach pains.  I was at an author event here in my town when I received the call that she had passed.  When it came to covering the cost to have her cremated and then sent back to Ohio so she could be buried we found that there was no way we could afford it.  Were not rich, we make no money from this site, and we pay out hundreds of dollars a year in shipping and giveaway costs.  As well as site fees etc.  So I turned to Go Fund Me to see if we could get some help.  Even before doing that we called many churches to see if they could help instead but no one could.  Reaching out to our followers on social media was the last chance before she was going to become a ward of the state.  

Having to prove that my grams died is disgusting and hurtful.  Having to think about her death after all this time.......

I still can't believe that people would post about this.  And if you need proof I will scrounge up the death certificate if I have to.

as for disney for those who wish to know.  We get an annual pass to a new park every year. It is our family time.  That year we had passes to Disney. So yes we were there but they had been paid for at the beginning of the year. out of out Tax return.

2. Selling ARCs 

For the past 5 years at the end of the year we always had tons of books left. From giveaways where no one entered, to giveaways that were returned because people's addresses were wrong, to giveaways where we had won things that we didn't want, etc.  Every year during the months of Nov. and Dec. we would make up boxes and sell them for shipping only.  This is the first year that anyone has ever said anything about.  Before we did it for all those years we had tired to give them to the schools and libraries and well both didn't even know what an ARC even was.  I had to explain it to them.  So the mystery boxes were born.  We NEVER made anything from them.

3. Mulit Copies of Books 

So how did we get all the copies.
1. friends sent us books they didn't want and well we already had most of them.
2. during BEA and Bookcon some things we didn't even realize we had already grabbed. Trust me drive around 1300 miles to spend three days getting up at 3am and then walking around all day (when I was supposed to be in my wheel chair) then driving an hour back to the hotel to just fall in to bed and do it again.  Your brain is so dead that by the end all the covers blend and you have no idea what you have already gotten.  I ended up doing the same thing by day two at ALA but it wasnt as bad I think we ended up with maybe three or four books that were duplicated.
3. for two titles the publisher gave us extra copies for our online bookclub (which consist mainly of bloggers)  So those books went to other people and we didn't keep the extra copies.
4. Also during BEA/Bookcon when in line for titles if it was something we all wanted to read we would each grab a copy.  There were many times when I said no because a title was to old for my youngest whom is only 5 years old.  She didn't need a teen book.  So there were many things we didn't get multiples of at all.




4. Photo floating around social media 

The picture that is floating around social media is incomplete.  It is a splice of two photos that were unrelated. The photo with the books is via this years BEA/Bookcon and is a collection of 4 people's books.  It is not just one persons.  We should have all taken separate photos we know that now.  As for the second photo for this years Mystery boxes.  That was cut off so information that was at the bottom is missing.  The bottom stated that each box was slightly above the normal flat rate cost (which is $10 for padded, $15 for med, $20 for large)

Because it also included items that I was purchasing to put in the boxes.  Because in the past these books only contained books but I thought that people would like to get some extra things as well.

5. Updated for what were doing with left over ARCs

Today a teacher contacted us on Twitter saying that she would be more than happy to cover the cost of shipping.  So from now on she is on speed dial for all left over ARCs.  Were happy that the mystery boxes are no longer going to be going on because it was a lot of hassle to do them anyway.  So this solved that issue for everyone.

6. Sorry 

We are sorry that this was all blown out of proportion.  This entire situation was been a drain on twitter and the page as well as on us personally.  And we hope that this letter will stop all the drama, bulling, and hate.



7. Unfollowers, Publishers, Going Forward.  

We know that this letter is going to reach a lot of people.  And well thats what were hoping for.  We know that a lot of publishers have already removed us from their lists.  And we don't hold any animosity toward you or the authors who have chosen to unfollow us.  We understand that all this drama is not good for anyone out there.   We just hope that going forward we can gain back your trust  . We know that we let you down, but we hope that in time you will give us a second chance. As we love reviewing books, doing giveaways, and meeting authors.

"All opinions are 100% honest and my own." 

Comments have been disabled because of more drama, hate, and bulling.  Were done with it and thats that.  If you can't post something nice or constructive then please don't post.  There is more important things going on in the world than nasty comments.  Thank you. 

 Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information. Buying via these above links allows my site to get a % of the sale at no cost to you. This money gets used to buy items for giveaways. 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. I am in no way compensated for any reviews on this site. All donations are to help keep this site running via costs from shipping, .com charges, and other giveaways.

Comments are DELICIOUS! and now that were using this new format for comments the TOP 3 Commenters will all win bookish goodies each month! So that is just one more reason to comment!  This is open to everyone!  So get commenting!  

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