Blitz + Teaser and Giveaway: Fire and Bone by Rachel A. Marks

Fire and Bone
by Rachel A. Marks
Genre: YA
Release Date: February 20th 2018

In Hollywood’s underworld of demigods, druids, and ancient bonds, one girl has a dangerous future.

Sage is eighteen, down on her luck, and struggling to survive on the streets of Los Angeles. Everything changes the night she’s invited to a party—one that turns out to be a trap.

Thrust into a magical world hidden within the City of Angels, Sage discovers that she’s the daughter of a Celtic goddess, with powers that are only in their infancy. Now that she is of age, she’s asked to pledge her service to one of the five deities, all keen on winning her favor by any means possible. She has to admit that she’s tempted—especially when this new life comes with spells, Hollywood glam, and a bodyguard with secrets of his own. Not to mention a prince whose proposal could boost her rank in the Otherworld.

As loyalties shift, and as the two men vie for her attention, Sage tries to figure out whom to trust in a realm she doesn’t understand. One thing is for sure: the trap she’s in has bigger claws than she thought. And it’s going to take a lot more than magic for this Celtic demigoddess to make it out alive.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

I'm an author and professional artist, cancer survivor, mother of four, and wife to the most amazing man in the world. In my free time I'm a beach bum and entertainment cheese junkie. If you don't like Superman I may wonder about you and suggest you seek professional help.

   

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Break 2018 TBR Challenge

So I am on Spring Break this next coming week from school, so my goal is to read and finish at least 5 books, and more if I can get to them. So I thought I would share with you guys what books I plan to finish over this coming week. I am officially starting today at 12:00am, which has already passed until Sunday, the 4th 11:59pm.

I have actually already started this book, but I plan to finish it this week. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, and so far I am loving the sequel - definitely more than the first book. Down Among the Sticks and Bones follows two sisters, Jack and Jill, as they discover a new world in the bottom of the grandmother's chest, and the adventure and new life that awaits them in that world.

Meet Cute is another book that I have already started, and hope to finish, but I am listening to it on audiobook so it isn't on the top of my list to finish before the end of this read-a-thon event. Meet Cute is an anthology of many short stories of meetings that are destined to be.

Kristen Simmons is one of my all-time favorite authors, and I received a copy of her newest book, Pacifica, to read for review. I am scheduled to post my review for the tour with Jean BookNerd on March 5th. I actually don't know much about this book, but Kristen Simmons' books that I will read without knowing anything about. This is the first book I will be starting for this Read-a-Thon, possibly right after I finish Down Among the Sticks and Bones, or even before I finish that book.

Twelve Steps to Normal is about a teenager who deals with life involving an alcoholic parent. I don't know much else about the book but that is enough to make me want to read the book. I received an ARC of Twelve Steps to Normal, which comes out March 13th. Another on my TBR pile.

I am really enjoyed reading Courtney Alameda's first book, Shutter,  and I am super excited that I received a copy of Pitch Dark from Rockstar Book Tours. It looks like a good horror novel that I cannot wait to tackle during my impromptu read-a-thon. It is set in the future and it involves marauding space scavengers and deadly aliens that are able to kill with sound. It sounds like such a thrilling read. The last on the top of my TBR pile.






I have been dying to read these books for awhile, but I keep on putting them off because they are so long, and I don't want to start a book that I won't be able to finish while I'm in school, so I'm hoping that I will be able to tackle both of them this week if I can.







Another book that I would love to get to if I have the time is Renegades by Marissa Meyer. I have not yet read her Lunar Chronicles, and have been wanting to read a book by her, and this one appeals to me more than her first series.








And finally, the last book that I would love to get to this coming week is Legendary by Stephanie Garber. I received an ARC on Netgalley, thanks to Flatiron Books. Caraval was one of my favorite books that I read last year, and I hope Legendary lives up to my expectations for this book.

I would be thrilled to complete all of the books listed above. And here is just a handful of other books that I am interested in reading for this challenge, but are not on the top of my list to complete or get to. They will most likely not be read unless I have somehow finished all of the above books. Some of the books I have already started, and some are books I haven't started. Obviously, I don't plan to finish all of these books within a week, but I could potentially finish a handful of these that I have already started after I have went through the above books listed.

Blitz + Excerpt: Control Freakz by Michael Evans

Control Freakz
by Michael Evans
Genre: YA Sci-fi
Release Date: October 3rd 2017

Alone. Abandoned. Threatened. Natalie has lost all hope for a better future. Everything she’s known and everyone she’s ever loved is gone, and it’s up to her to get her old life back. In Michael Evans’s first novel, Control Freakz, Natalie’s journey toward a better life begins. 

When Protocol 00 is enacted, Natalie’s family is taken by the government, along with the families of her two best friends, Ethan and Hunter. With nothing to lose, and the threat of government hitmen kidnapping them at any moment, the three must battle to survive in a horrid, post-apocalyptic world run by President Ash and his invasive government. They want answers. And they’re willing to jeopardize everything in desperate pursuit. 

Risking ruthless leaders, attempted mind control, and her very existence on the planet, Natalie, along with Hunter and Ethan, will stop at nothing in their quest to regain everything they’ve ever known. Her spirits crushed and her will to live destroyed, Natalie knows everything is dead and gone, and soon she will be, too. 

Memories connect us to the past, and can often cause us to long for a better future, but they can drive our minds into a state of hell if a better future is unattainable. Nevertheless, Natalie’s hope for a better a future remains.

ON SALE on Amazon this week for only $0.99!

Excerpt:

Hunter and I followed him into the oversized storm drain that served as the main runoff for most of the water on the golf course. The concrete surrounding us was ominously dark, and the air had a thick mustiness to it that instantly caused chills to run down my spine. We made it! I exhaled, releasing my fear and anxiety in the form of carbon dioxide. Finally, with my tongue devoid of all moisture and my legs absolutely exhausted, I let my body collapse against the concrete behind me. And in the same moment I felt the fleeting adrenaline from my system, it all hit me.

Holy shit. I grabbed onto Hunter as the true magnitude of our situation began to smack me. Everything is falling apart. We are screwed! I looked up at Hunter through the film of tears and tried to let his blue eyes and firm body comfort me. But it was no use.

I screamed, so viciously and so ferociously, that I swear it must have been the sound of my inner demons desperately crawling out of me. A tidal wave of emotions suddenly washed over me as I began to drown in despair, shock, anger, and pure terror. The tears soon followed, as they always did, and started to pour out of me uncontrollably, like water from a fire hydrant.

I could feel the blackness start to overcome me as I started to drown in my emotions. I buried my head in Hunter’s shirt and I felt his body start to shake while he hugged me tightly. And for the longest time we both just sat there, and I cried, and I cried, and I cried until my body could no longer produce anymore tears. And even after I had broken past that threshold, I still managed to cry again as my reality settled over me like a perpetual thunderstorm.

That day, my whole life was stolen from me. And I don’t know if I will ever get it back.

About the Author

Michael Evans is the author of the novel Control Freakz, a Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic Thriller, and the forthcoming novel entitled Delusional. He is currently attending high school in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, but he is originally from Long Island, New York. Some of his hobbies include hiking, running, camping, going to the beach, watching and taking artsy pictures of sunsets (it’s honestly a very enlightening activity to partake in), and walking his ginormous, fluffy golden doodle underneath the stars. He is also fascinated with the environment and neuroscience, and his true passion is learning about how the wonders of the human mind and the environment we live in will change with time. The future, specifically his goal of helping to impact the future of humanity positively is what drives him to tell stories. Writing is something that is instinctive to him, and he seeks to express his thoughts on his own life and the world to inspire others to use the power in the voice they have to advocate for positive changes in their own lives and the world we all live in.

   

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter

I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter

Ellie Frias disappeared long before she vanished.

Tormented throughout middle school, Ellie begins her freshman year with a new look: she doesn't need to be popular; she just needs to blend in with the wallpaper.

But when the unthinkable happens, Ellie finds herself trapped after a brutal assault. She wasn't the first victim, and now she watches it happen again and again. She tries to hold on to her happier memories in order to get past the cold days, waiting for someone to find her.

The problem is, no one searches for a girl they never noticed in the first place. 

Pages: 298

Format: Softcover

Published By: Feiwel and Friends

Genre: YA - Contemporary

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book free to read and review, thanks to FFBC, T.E. Carter, and Feiwel and Friends.

TRIGGER WARNING: Rape

Rating:
✮✮✮✮

Review:

I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter is something that I think many people should read because it challenges our ideas on rape culture and social media in regards to what we tell our children, women, and even men whats important regarding them as people, and individuals.

The story was amazing, and it tells the story of a girl who has fallen trap into the ideas the world has set forward, and what happens because of this. It was initially hard for me to relate with Ellie because of her perspective on the world, but as the book progressed I started to sympathize with and understand why she saw the world the way she did.

This book made me sad and angry, and it was a roller coaster ride of these emtions because of the focus on a tough, and taboo, subject that needs to be addressed. I loved how the book started, going back and forth between current events and past events that brought Ellie to where she was currently. Without giving anything away, I was halfway satisfied with how this book ended, but I feel that it reflected accurately how our society views rape culture, and for that, I did like the ending - although it made me angry and sad.

I would highly recommend this novel for older, mature teens and adults, and to younger teens with a word of caution because of the focal point of this story. I look forward to reading more by T.E. Carter. I would also recommend having a tissue box near or on hand when reading this book.

Blast + Giveaway: Tombs by Deborah Schaumberg

Tombs by Deborah Schaumberg

Gangs of New York meets Cassandra Clare in this debut YA fantasy set in 1882 Brooklyn

New York, 1882. A dark, forbidding city, and no place for a girl with unexplainable powers.

Sixteen-year-old Avery Kohl pines for the life she had before her mother was taken. She fears the mysterious men in crow masks who locked her mother in the Tombs asylum for being able to see what others couldn’t. Avery denies the signs in herself, focusing instead on her shifts at the ironworks factory and keeping her inventor father out of trouble. Other than secondhand tales of adventure from her best friend, Khan, an ex-slave, and caring for her falcon, Seraphine, Avery spends her days struggling to survive.

Like her mother’s, Avery’s powers refuse to be contained. When she causes a bizarre explosion at the factory, she has no choice but to run from her lies, straight into the darkest corners of the city. Avery must embrace her abilities and learn to wield their power—or join her mother in the cavernous horrors of the Tombs. And the Tombs has secrets of its own: strange experiments are being performed on “patients”…and no one knows why. 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deborah Schaumberg was born in Brooklyn, not far from where her novel The Tombs takes place. She grew up renovating dilapidated old houses with her family. She and her father would walk the rooms, floor by floor, making up stories about the inhabitants that were filled with dark secrets, monsters, and, of course, ghosts. Deborah is a writer and an artist whose work always has an element of fantasy to it, and since she also studied architecture, settings are equally important. It was on a trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal that she imagined a girl with the ability to see energy, and the seed of The Tombs was planted. She collects old bottles, and her favorite holiday is, you guessed it, Halloween. Deborah lives with her family and two dogs in Maryland, just outside DC. Visit her at deborahschaumberg.com.

Photo Content from Deborah Schaumberg

WEBSITE: http://deborahschaumberg.com/
TWITTER: @debschaumberg
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16048696.Deborah_Schaumberg
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/WriterDSchaumberg/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/debschaumberg/

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children
No Solicitations
No Visitors
No Quests

Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else.

But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.

Nancy tumbled once, but now she’s back. The things she’s experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West’s care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.

But Nancy’s arrival marks a change at the Home. There’s a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it’s up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of the matter.

No matter the cost.

Pages: 173

Format: E-Book

Published By: Tor

Genre: YA - Fantasy
Series: Wayward Children

Rating:
✮✮✮

Review:
I was really excited to pick up Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire. This book is about children traveling through doorways to other worlds, and then coming back to our world and going to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children; and then when Nancy arrives, danger also comes knocking. And by the end of the book it had lived up to my expectations, but there were a few problems with getting into the book.

First problem, the pacing. It just felt slow for a good portion of the beginning of the book, which made it difficult to hold my attention for long. It took me much longer to read through this book than I would have thought when I first picked it up, because I just wasn't drawn into the story. It did pick up a little before the book was halfway done, and at that point, I was hooked by the book - definitely why sometimes pushing through is good.

Another downfall regarding this book initially were the characters. Initially, I didn't like Nancy, or a majority of the other characters, but I didn't dislike them either. I was very indifferent towards them because I was unable to connect with them, which may be due to the fact that I wasn't able to get into the book meaning I never really got the chance to connect. The only characters that really stood out to me from the beginning, and that I really liked, was Jack (whose story I am really excited to read even though I didn't love this novel). Although, after I was able to get into the book, I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, and at times sympathesized with what they were going through during the novel.

I loved the idea of the novel, and being able to travel to different worlds, and I did enjoy Seanan McGuire's writing style. I also liked that Seanan took time to describe the worlds even though you don't get to experience them within the novel. I can't wait to discover those worlds within the coming novels. I also loved that this book was able to evoke so much emotion for being so short of a story. I thought the conclusion was fitting for the story, and it tied it all together really well... and I was happy that I had figured it out earlier in the story (I was suspicious for a while).

I would highly recommend this novel because it was unique and different, and it's a fairly quick read once you get into it. I cannot wait to start the sequel for this series, and look forward to the other books planned for this series.

Top Ten Tuesday: Popular Books/Authors I Have Still Yet to Read

So a few weeks prior to this post, I did a post about books that I need/want to read before the movies and tv show come out on the big screen. So because I have already mentioned that I haven't read those (some of which could apply to this post), I will not be mentioning those books again.

As I am writing this, I must say that there is apart of me that is somewhat ashamed that I have not read these books or anything by these authors. So without further ado, let's get to the books that I haven't read.

Since I actually had planned on posting a different topic this week, but I already had this one completed, and because I ended up having two exams today (due to an unfortunate event with one of my professors), I never got around to completing my planned topic. So instead, you get this topic instead, and next week I will plan what was initially planned for today.

#1: Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

This isn't the first time that I have mentioned that I haven't read the Harry Potter Series on my blog, and it's sad because I own the first three books in the series. My friend was disappointed that I hadn't read the books yet, so she actually got them for me as a Christmas gift.

And even though I haven't read this series, I have read the screenplay for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

 

#2: Hobbit/Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

This one personally upsets me more than not having read Harry Potter, because I am obsessed with the Lord of the Rings movies, and everything to do with Lord of the Rings. One of the reasons that I never read the books is because I was like 6 when the movies came out, and 7 or 8 when I watched the first movie. I didn't even know these were books at that time, and so I haven't yet picked them up - and I actually own two sets of the books. One set I bought for myself and the other was a gift from a friend.

#3: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Let me explain about this one - if it's even at all possible to really explain about it. So for this being a popular book that has been made into a movie, I didn't know anything at all regarding this book. Had no idea what it was about, and to be honest, I never really took the time to find out what it was about. I had seen the cover, and was it didn't catch my attention. I also knew it was contemporary, and until recently, I didn't really try to read contemporary. Not to mention, this was recommended to me on goodreads.

So funny story, last year, my friend invited me to see the movie Wonder, and I was like sure. Had no idea what the movie was about, but I knew she would recommend a movie to me that I wouldn't enjoy. I absolutely loved the movie - I probably sobbed the entire movie, my friend who does not cry, sobbed during the movie. It was a mess. I, after seeing the movie, still had no idea that the movie was based on this book by R.J. Palacio.

I apparently lived under a rock when it came to knowing anything at all about this book, so it's one that I haven't read, and definitely plan to get to soon because I know I will enjoy it. And this is a big part of why I am ashamed as a reader right now - and I should be.

#4: Stephanie Perkins

I have not read any book by Stephanie Perkins. Not that Stephanie Perkins has a ton of books out there that I could have read, but I haven't read the Anna and the French Kiss trilogy, nor have I read her latest YA horror novel (which will actually be the first Stephanie Perkins book that I do get around to reading because I love horror more than contemporary). I looked at the books and was like I'd read those, but then just never got around to picking any of her books up.

#5: Rainbow Rowell

Sticking with the theme going on right now of contemporary authors that I haven't picked up yet... which includes Rainbow Rowell. I have heard so about her as an author, and I am going to stick with the two contemporary books that she has written, because her YA fantasy, Carry On, didn't peak my attention as much as her two contemporary novels did. I do want to point out that I have borrowed Fangirl from my library, so hopefully, soon I can say that I have read a Rainbow Rowell novel.

#6: Katie McGarry

So I don't know how popular in the sense of the world these books are, but I am including her on my list because a lot of people I know have read books by her, so they are popular in my circle of readers that I know. And these are another set of contemporary novels that I have wanted to pick up but just never got around to.

#7: Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

This is a really popular series that I have heard a lot about from multiple people multiple times. I previously read Shiver, and at this point, I am probably never going to finish the series if I am honest with myself. And that was very influential in my decision to not read the Raven Cycle, but after hearing so much, I have decided that I will give this series a try.

#8: Marissa Meyer

When the Lunar Chronicles first came out, I had no desire to read them, and if I'm honest, I still have a hesitancy in whether I want to read them or not. But I do want to give them a shot after hearing some good things from some people that I know that absolutely love the series. I am also really excited about Renegades which I haven't yet picked up.

#9: Sarah J. Maas

There's really not much to say about this one. These two series are probably some of the most popular (in regards to what I personally hear about) out of all of the books on this list, of course with the exception of the first two which have been around forever. I have picked her books up before in the pst, but just never got around to actually reading it.

AND FINALLY...

#10: Leigh Bardugo

Again, another very popular series that I hear about a lot. But it's even worse because I actually own the Six of Crows duology, and haven't read it yet. The reason I haven't yet read these books is because I want to read the Grishaverse trilogy before I read the Six of Crows duology, but I'm not as excited about that series as I am the duology.

So what are some popular books or authors that you haven't yet read that you want to read? Are any of the books on my list on your list? I would love to hear more from you guys?