Fantasy
December 5, 2013 posted by Nichole

DNF: Witches of East End (The Beauchamp Family #1) – Melissa de la Cruz

 

8113940From the author of the highly addictive and bestselling Blue Bloods series, with almost 3 million copies sold, comes a new novel, Melissa de la Cruz’s first for adults, featuring a family of formidable and beguiling witches.

The three Beauchamp women–Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid–live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret–they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there’s Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache.

For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it’s time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.

With a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites, this is a page-turning, deliciously fun, magical summer read fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.

 

The first time I heard of Witches of East End, it was when I saw the trailer on TV. I was so excited that another witch TV series was gonna be on, and I fell instantly in love with the show. I went out and bought the first book in the series. I wanted to know all the differences, and I thought that it was going to be a super cool paranormal book. Instead, it was really flat and boring. Not that much actually happens in it. I actually ended up getting so bored that I just set it down around halfway through it.

My biggest complaint with Witches of East End is that there were too many perspectives and too short of chapters. Focusing on all of the characters works in the movie, but I don’t wall all three women’s perspectives in the book. That’s just too much for my personal taste. Also, the chapters were about 2-3 pages long. That made it really choppy and didn’t give me enough time to really focus and latch on to any of the characters.

Another complaint I had with Witches of East End was that it was just really boring. I made it halfway through it and there were no action scenes or any fun magic stuff happening. The characters had old lady like qualities to them and were very bland. It seemed more like reading words than really getting invested in the story and seeing the visuals in my head. It’s very old style writing that I think my grandmother would enjoy. It’s not something that I would recommend to any young readers.

One intriguing aspect of Witches of East End was that it was really fascinating to see all the differences between the TV show and the book. The TV show does stay true to some parts of the book, but they are two different things entirely. I don’t want to go into all the details in case any of you read the book, but that in itself was really interested for me.

Witches of East End is the second Melissa de la Cruz book that I have read and haven’t liked. I read the first book in the Blue Bloods series several years ago and never finished out the series. I’m starting to wonder if maybe I’m just not a fan. I’m not finding the writing very interesting or engaging. I’ve pretty much been bored in both of the books that I have read. So, I think that I might just be done with this particular author. I own Frozen…so maybe I’ll try to give that one a shot before I make that decision.

Overall, I would not recommend Witches of East End. I thought that it was very boring and just flat. I don’t know why Goodreads has it listed as YA because it’s not. This is something that I think will appeal to an older age group.

 

Pages: 272

Publication Date: June 21st, 2011

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Rating: DNF

Waiting on Wednesday
December 4, 2013 posted by Nichole

Waiting on Wednesday #64

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

 

13412377With the Prime Destinations body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to rent herself out to creepy Enders. But Enders can still get inside her mind and make her do things she doesn’t want to do. Like hurt someone she loves. Having the chip removed could save Callie’s life – but it could also silence the voice in her head that might belong to her father. Callie has flashes of her ex-renter Helena’s memories, too …and the Old Man is back, filling her with fear. Who is real and who is masquerading in a teen body? This is the thrilling sequel to “Starters”

 

Enders by Lissa Price

To be released January 7th, 2014

Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Blog Things
December 3, 2013 posted by Nichole

My Secret Valentine Sign Ups

Hi everyone! Welcome back!

 

be_my_secret_valentine_teddy_bear

 

This coming February we’re going to do something a little bit different. It’s something that I like to call My Secret Valentine. It’s pretty much the same thing as My Secret Santa in December, but it’s for Valentines Day. And what better way for bloggers and readers alike to celebrate Valentines Day, or just February in general, with books and goodies from other readers.

Ideally, your package should have 1-2 books (you can include more!) and a little goody thrown in there. What I like to do is put in about 3 books and then get a few $1 goodies to throw in (you’d be surprised what Walmart has!) You will receive a wishlist containing books that your Secret Valentine wants. You do not have to go out and buy the books. Pick out some books from your bookshelf if you want! Their list is just to give you an idea of what they want. You are more than welcome to completely surprise them. Please don’t only ask for Arcs. You may ask for some Arcs or indicate that you’re open to ARCS. But please keep in mind that not everyone receive Arcs. That being said, feel free to include any Arcs in your package. That decision is completely up to you.

My Secret Valentine is open internationally. However, not everyone is going to be willing to ship international. So if you’re international, I will do my best to make it so you can participate in this event. Also, if you are international, please let me know where you can ship books. I’m not very familiar with shipping and everything outside of the U.S….so just let me know when you sign up.

 

Please only sign up for this if you’re truly interested in giving and receiving Valentines Day gifts. This is our first time doing this, and I really hope that everyone has a great time.

 

Sign Ups will last until January 3rd. You will be emailed by the 5th with your Secret Valentine. Packages need to be sent out by January 25th. If you do not receive your package by February 20th, please email us and let us know and we will try our very best to contact your Secret Valentine.

 

*Tracking is mandatory for your package!*

 

Please email the following information to american (dot) yareaders2 (at) gmail (dot) com

1) Name

2) Address

3) Link to your website (you do not have to be a blogger, but you do have to send me some sort of link so I know you’re not just trying to scam books.)

4) 5-10 books on your wish list. (you can include a Goodreads link)

5) Is there anything you would like your Secret Valentine to know? (i.e: types of genres you like, things you don’t like, the types of goodies you like (ex: nail polish, caffeine, Harry Potter, chocolate)

6) Are you willing to ship International?

Blog Tour
December 2, 2013 posted by Nichole

L.L. Akers Holiday Traditions + Giveaway

unnamed (4)

 

unnamed (5)
Let Me Go by L.L. Akers
(Let Me Go #1)
Publication date: July 5th 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

A scarlet dragonfly tattoo—meant to be a beautiful, family mark of freedom, but instead becomes a prophetic brand for those who wear it, to forever be suffering. Wounded and broken, they find themselves flittering back into the cycle of abuse that relentlessly clings to their family, a reality they can never seem to escape.

One mother and her daughters, bound by blood—torn apart by abuse. They begin their lives intertwined but are forced to fight for their survivals separately, struggling to hide their fear and undeserved shame from each other and the world. One of these women finds herself trapped—alone—and she battles to survive the terrifying darkness. With long hours of nothing to do but wait in fear, she grapples through her obscure dreams and memories of the past, sorting which memory belongs to whom: physically harmed, mentally damaged, raped, sexually abused, an unwanted pregnancy… and even the vivid memory of a dangerous dance with death in a last attempt to escape the shambles and horrors of a seemingly unchangeable situation.

Twin sisters, Gabriella and Olivia, dive blindly—and much too early—into adulthood. They are soon followed by their younger sister, Emma, all running from a not-so-idyllic past; chasing the happiness they believe they will find, by abandoning their childhoods to be “grown-up” and start their own lives.

Deeply evocative, Let Me Go is a coming-of-age story: the struggles of one mother and her daughters trying to survive life—marred by abuse and misplaced blame—and their need to reach peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Purchase: 
AUTHOR BIO
unnamed (6)L.L. Akers is originally from the Midwest where she grew up climbing trees, haystacks, and haylofts—escaping into other worlds with a good book. She enjoyed playing cow-pattie hopscotch and outrun-the-bull with her siblings.
She now lives in the South, the silly wife of a serious man, and mother of: one very gifted and fetching male-tween, a chubby beagle that looks astonishingly like a mini-cow, a deranged terrier as well as five Koi fish, a herd of tiny but boastful lizards, and dozens of obnoxiously loud serenading frogs.
After a career in human resources, she now pursues life as a recluse writer; hanging out at home in her PJ’s with her iPad, Burt’s Bees lip balm and her posse of creatures. Regardless of her self-isolation, she can still be lured outside for brief moments by the scent of freshly mowed grass and a bowl full of cherries.
Let Me Go is her first novel, and book 1 of the Let Me Go Series – each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhangers.
Links:

 

L.L Akers Holiday Traditions:

This year I’ll be making new holiday traditions because it will be the first time my eldest son has ever shared the holidays with us. Within the pages of Let Me Go is another small tale of the main character, Gabby—and unwed pregnant teenager. She decides to give the baby up for adoption. That story is based on myself. I’ve reached out for my baby every year since he’s turned eighteen, but he’d not yet contacted the adoption attorney… so I’ve been waiting. I waited patiently long enough! I turned to Facebook for help in October 2013, and my post went around the world with 984 shares in eight hours to start with. Over 80,000 people had seen it when six short weeks later, on 11-12-13, I finally had my baby boy in my arms again, although much bigger at six foot two inches tall! My youngest and only other child is eleven and is ecstatic to have a big brother—his exact words were, “I got a big brother for Christmas this year!” The holidays will be extra special and I’m digging up all sorts of ideas from Pinterest to make new traditions for my boys on our first Christmas together, the first of many, many more.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Site Updates
December 1, 2013 posted by Nichole

What’s Up, Chicken Butt? (December 2013)

That’s right! What’s Up, Chicken Butt is back! And…this is my very first WUCB post ever. So, it’s probably not going to be as great as what Ivy used to do. Bear with me.

 

What’s Up, Chicken Butt is our new-ish feature – meme – whatchamacallit, where every first day of the month we give you a heads up on what to expect that month.

 

A couple exciting things happening this month:

My Secret Valentine Sign Ups – December 3rd

2014 debut author intros – Every Saturday and Sunday this month

Top Ten Best of 2013: December 23rd through 27th

End of the Year Giveaway: December 31st

 

December Book Release Highlights

December 1st:

17455811Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Harlequin Teen)

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series THE DARK ELEMENTS, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.

Dez wasn’t just Jasmine’s crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn’t help that Jas’s father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he’s back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn’t taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again…

December 3rd:

15851928Deadly by Sara Shepard (Harper Teen)

Deadly, the fourteenth volume in Sara Shepard’s YA Pretty Little Liars series, delivers more juicy scandals, dark secrets, and shocking plot twists. This #1 New York Times bestselling series is also a hit ABC Family original TV show.

High school seniors Aria, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer have all done horrible things—things that would put them behind bars if anyone ever found out. And their stalker “A” knows everything.

So far A has kept their secrets, using them to torture the girls. But now A’s changed the game. Suddenly the girls are hauled in for questioning, and all their worlds begin to unravel. If A’s plan succeeds, Rosewood’s pretty little liars will be locked away for good. . .

 

16045296Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally (Sourcebooks Fire)

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…

 

16000044Rebel Springs by Morgan Rhodes and Michelle Rowan (Razorbill)

Love, power, and magic collide with war in the second book of the Falling Kingdoms series

Auranos has fallen and the three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now united as one country called Mytica. But still, magic beckons, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the world…

When the evil King Gaius announces that a road is to be built into the Forbidden Mountains, formally linking all of Mytica together, he sets off a chain of events that will forever change the face of this land, forcing Cleo the dethroned princess, Magnus the reluctant heir, Lucia the haunted sorceress, and Jonas the desperate rebel to take steps they never could have imagined

 

17343437Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spalding (Entangled Teen)

For Kellie Brooks, family has always been a tough word to define. Combine her hippie mom and tattooist stepdad, her adopted overachieving sister, her younger half brother, and her tough-love dad, and average Kellie’s the one stuck in the middle, overlooked and impermanent. When Kellie’s sister finally meets her birth mother and her best friend starts hanging with a cooler crowd, the feeling only grows stronger.

But then she reconnects with Oliver, the sweet and sensitive college guy she had a near hookup with last year. Oliver is intense and attractive, and she’s sure he’s totally out of her league. But as she discovers that maybe intensity isn’t always a good thing, it’s yet another relationship she feels is spiraling out of her control.

It’ll take a new role on the school newspaper and a new job at her mom’s tattoo shop for Kellie to realize that defining herself both outside and within her family is what can finally allow her to feel permanent, just like a tattoo.

 

F18269649orged by Jennifer Rush (Little Brown Books for Young Readers)

Before Anna and Sam, there was Dani and Sam.

There’s one rule that all Branch operatives must live by: No attachments. When Dani O’Brien entered the Branch, she planned to trade her freedom so that her family could have a better life. But joining up with the mysterious organization is more than she bargained for. Branch head Connor watches over her closely–too closely. The training is brutal, the experiments are secret, and the missions promise to be anything but ordinary. The only thing getting Dani through each day is the hope that she’ll run into Sam–a young man, about her age, who wears the world on his shoulders.

Find out how it all began in this short-story prequel to Jennifer Rush’s thrilling and suspenseful Altered series

 

December 10th:

13138635These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman (Disney Hyperion)

It’s a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

 

17372472Snakeroot by Andrea Cremer (Philomel)

Fans asked for it, and now they’ve got it! Andrea Cremer is continuing the story she began in in her internationally bestselling trilogy: Nightshade, Wolfsbane and Bloodrose. In this new installment, Bosque Mar haunts the dreams of both Adne and Logan, trying to escape for the Nether, where Calla, Shay and the other Guardians trapped him in the final battle in the War of All Against All. Will he turn Adne to the dark side? Will Logan reclaim his birthright? And will darkness take over our world? In a novel filled with magic, romance and breakneck action, master storytelling Andrea Cremer’s newest installment will not disappoint!

 

 

December 17th:

17331518Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi (Harper)

In this electrifying sixty-page companion novella to the New York Timesbestselling Shatter Me series, discover the fate of the Omega Point rebels as they go up against The Reestablishment. Set during and soon after the final moments of Unravel Me, Fracture Me is told from Adam’s perspective.

As Omega Point prepares to launch an all-out assault on The Reestablishment soldiers stationed in Sector 45, Adam’s focus couldn’t be further from the upcoming battle. He’s reeling from his breakup with Juliette, scared for his best friend’s life, and as concerned as ever for his brother James’s safety. And just as Adam begins to wonder if this life is really for him, the alarms sound. It’s time for war.

On the battlefield, it seems like the odds are in their favor—but taking down Warner, Adam’s newly discovered half brother, won’t be that easy. The Reestablishment can’t tolerate a rebellion, and they’ll do anything to crush the resistance . . . including killing everyone Adam has ever cared about.

Fracture Me sets the stage for Ignite Me, the explosive finale in Tahereh Mafi’s epic dystopian series. It’s a novella not to be missed by fans who crave action-packed stories with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu.

 

18478956Dangerous Dream by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

We’ve got some magical news for all you caster kids: “Beautiful Creatures” authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl are going back to Gatlin for an all-new spin-off series called “Dangerous Creatures”!

The series follows fan favorite characters (and on-again-off-again couple) Link and Ridley as they embark on fresh (and sure to be epic!) adventures. The series kicks off with the enovella “Dangerous Dream,” available for download on December 17, followed by the release of the first book, “Dangerous Creatures,” on May 6, 2014.

 

December 23rd:

18052849Ashes to Ashes by Melissa C. Walker (Katherine Tegen Books)

If I Stay meets the movie Ghost in this first book in a teen duology about a teenage-girl-turned-ghost who must cling to the echoes of her former life to save the people she left behind.

Ashes to Ashes is author Melissa Walker’s sweeping, romantic, and emotionally rich story about the things that torment and tempt us, even from the Great Beyond. This book is perfect for fans of Die for Me andImaginary Girls, and its breathtaking ending will leave readers anxiously awaiting the series conclusion, Dust to Dust.

When Callie’s life is cut short by a tragic accident, she expects to find nothingness, or maybe some version of heaven.

Instead, her spirit travels to the Prism, an ethereal plane populated by the ghosts she thought were fictional. Here she meets a striking and mysterious ghost named Thatcher, who is meant to guide her as she learns to haunt and bring peace to the loved ones she left behind.

However, Callie uncovers a dark secret about the spirit world: The angry souls who always populate ghost stories are real, dangerous, and willing to do whatever it takes to stay on Earth, threatening the existence of everyone she ever cared about.

As she fights to save them, Callie will learn that while it may no longer beat, her heart can still love-and break.

 

15897244Echo In Time by C.J. Hill and Janette Rallison (Katherine Tegen Books)

Echo in Time delivers on “the possibility of an equally thrilling sequel” (Kirkus Reviews) to Erasing Time.

After being pulled 400 years into the future, twins Taylor and Sheridan have found some refuge from the government of Traventon, which used the dangerous Time Strainer to yank the girls from the past. Yet the threat of the dangerous technology still looms. Taylor and an ally, Joseph, are selected to go on a mission to destroy the time machine and weapon. But their actions before they do may have major consequences for the future and the past.

Action-packed and romantic, this futuristic sequel to Erasing Time is perfect for fans of dystopian and sci-fi novels such as The Maze Runner by James Dashner, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, and Matched by Ally Condie

 

December 24th:

17571671The Spider by Jennifer Estep (Pocket Books)

The tenth book in the bestselling and “outstanding” (Romantic Times) Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series finally reveals for the first time the origins of Gin Blanco’s career as the deadliest of assassins.

For the first time, the origins of Gin Blanco’s career as the deadly assassin “the Spider” are revealed in full. In a story that pre-dates the other nine books in the series, Gin Blanco goes through her paces to become the most feared assassin in the Ashland.

 

December 26th:

16718816Control by Lydia Kang (Dial)

An un-putdownable thriller for fans of Uglies

When a crash kills their father and leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. But before Zel has a plan, Dyl is taken by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons, and Zel finds herself in a safe house for teens who aren’t like any she’s ever seen before—teens who shouldn’t even exist. Using broken-down technology, her new friends’ peculiar gifts, and her own grit, Zel must find a way to get her sister back from the kidnappers who think a powerful secret is encoded in Dyl’s DNA.

A spiraling, intense, romantic story set in 2150—in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms—this is about the human genetic “mistakes” that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes.

 

December 31st:

17844678The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine (Balzer & Bray)

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who’s always done what she’s supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.

Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how.

One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.

 

13628527Warrior by Ellen Oh (Harper)

First an outcast, now a hero.

But her fight rages on.

Kira, the yellow-eyed demon slayer who fiercely protected her kingdom—and the crown prince—has been proclaimed the Dragon Musado of the prophecy. With the defeated the evil shaman.

But it wasn’t enough.

Hansong is in chaos. The Demon Lord’s minions have infiltrated the city, treason is brewing among the military ranks, and Kira is buried by the overwhelming loss of her parents. She’s also plagued by the annoying feelings that blossom whenever she’s around Jaewon. But she is determined that nothing will stop her from finding the second treasure needed to fulfill the Dragon King’s prophecy. Not even the army of half-breed demons hot on their trail. If only she could learn to trust others…

Her father always said one person can change the world. Will it be Kira?

 

D17376132eadshifted by Cassie Alexander (St. Martin’s Paperbacks)

Edie Spence just wanted a vacation. A nice, relaxing, stress free, non-adventure away from the craziness that’s dominated her life since becoming a nurse for paranormal creatures. But from the start, her trip on the Maraschino, a cruise ship bound for Hawaii, has been anything but stress free, especially when Edie’s boyfriend Asher recognizes someone he used to know. Someone from his not-so-nice past. With their lives in the balance, will Edie and Asher be able to save their growing family or will this adventure be their end?

View More Book Releases here.

Follow us @yareads on twitter for daily updates. Friend us and follow our reviews on Goodreads. Check out ourBookshelf to see what we are currently reading.

Blog Tour
November 30, 2013 posted by Nichole

Stim by Kevin Berry Book Blitz

unnamed

unnamed (4)
Stim by Kevin Berry
Publication date: October 16th 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

 

Synopsis:

Robert is different. He has Asperger’s Syndrome. He experiences the world differently to 99% of the population. Follow his entertaining and highly empathetic story as he struggles to realise and accept who he really is, try to understand other people—which he cannot—and find a girlfriend. Especially find a girlfriend—he’s decided it’s his special project for the year. Accompanied on this transformative journey by his quirky flatmates, Chloe (who also has Asperger’s, amongst other things), Stef (who hasn’t, but doesn’t mind) and their oddly-named kitten, Robert endures a myriad of awkward moments in his quest to meet a nice, normal girl…and not even a major earthquake will stop him.
This absorbing and humorous story is starkly told from Robert’s point of view, through the kaleidoscope of autistic experience.
Purchase:
AUTHOR BIO:
unnamed (5)Kevin Berry is an indie author. His particular niche is writing Aspie New Adult contemporary novels set in an earthquake zone. The first of these is STIM, published in October 2013.
His first novels, co-written with Diane Berry, are Dragons Away!, Growing Disenchantments and Fountain of Forever (humorous fantasy). These are available as paperbacks and ebooks at Amazon and elsewhere.
Author Links: Website: http://www.kevinberrybooks.com/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kevinberryxxx Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1104822.Kevin_Berry

Excerpt from Stim, Chapter 3, Diary entry (591 words)

Meeting Chloe in the café became comfortingly familiar and as regular as clockwork. On Mondays, Tuesdays (twice), Thursdays and Fridays, we convened in the café—nearly always at the same corner table, whenever we could occupy it, and with the same drinks—like déjà vu stuck in some kind of unstoppable time loop. On a few occasions, the time passed without either of us saying anything, but somehow comforted by the other’s presence. Sometimes we talked about our studies or assignments, but mostly we talked about ourselves. Or more accurately, I should say Chloe talked about herself. She had been entirely truthful about the verbal diarrhoea. Words spilled out of her mouth with a rapid staccato, machine-gun-like rhythm.

But I did not mind this. When I was in the café by myself, I could only observe people interacting socially, try to work out what was going on in their minds and what it was they were doing, to try to unravel the mystery of their behaviour. I never actually knew what was going on with them, could never properly interpret what I observed, because I could only imagine. Invariably, people behaved inconsistently and did not do what I expected or wanted them to do, and I could not discern any patterns underlying their actions. This was confusing, sometimes bewildering.

With Chloe, it was all very easy. She just poured herself out to me, wholly and honestly and clearly, and I lapped it all up like a thirsty kitten drinking cream from the saucer of knowledge. For the first time, I had a friend I could understand, and who could understand me, because we seemed to communicate on the same wavelength. I think she felt the same, but she never said exactly.

Chloe told me all about herself, how she had been first diagnosed when young, and passed from doctor to doctor and psychiatrist to psychiatrist, collecting the acronyms of different diagnoses like alphabet soup until finally she was evaluated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Once she knew that, she sped-read numerous books on the subject, assimilating their collective wisdom. The very best, she told me, were those written by fellow Aspies who had struggled to fit into the NS world but ultimately prevailed to establish their own place within it somehow, and yet remain true to themselves. Chloe said she could identify with their early lives, and that everything in her own life, past and present, made sense to her after reading those books. She had always known she was different, and now she understood why. And I agreed with her. I borrowed the books and read them too. I felt the same.

Chloe explained that her father travelled a lot on business and tried to make up for his frequent absences by ensuring that she always had the best care possible. Evaluations. Psych tests. Personality tests. Private mental hospital whenever she felt especially distressed. A seemingly interminable tweaking of her medications (eleven different combinations so far) in an attempt to find the right mix and dosage, a kind of educated guessing on the part of her doctors. There is so little known about the human mind in general and the Aspie mind in particular. It is so complex that all the doctors can do is just try one thing at a time, pick up the pieces if it does not work out as planned, and try something else, trying to solve the incomplete jigsaw of a fractured human mind.

One day when she met me in the café, my life changed forever.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour
November 29, 2013 posted by Nichole

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard Book Blitz Excerpt + Giveaway

forgotten ones laura howard
TheForgottenOnes_zpsde3d75ceThe Forgotten Ones (The Danaan Trilogy #1) by Laura Howard
Published April 28th, 2013
Published by Amazon Digital Services
Allison O’Malley’s plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she’s been in love with for as long as she can remember.
What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison’s mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn’t trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother’s sanity.
6653788About the Author:
Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.
Twitter: laurahoward78
The Forgotten Ones Excerpt:

I caught a glimpse of my mother staring out the den window. She held her violin loosely under her chin, and the bow dangled from her fingertips. Her jaw was slack, her eyes locked on something in the trees beyond me. I knew that haunted expression. I froze.

I swallowed hard as her eyes shifted to me. The violin fell from her chin, and I could see her bottom lip trembling.

I should have been used to that reaction from her when she saw me during an episode. It happened every time. But I wasn’t.

I flew into the house as fast as my feet would carry me. The screen door crashed behind me as I came to a halt outside the den. My mother clutched fistfuls of her blonde hair, garbled words spilling from her lips.

“I have to. I have to go out there,” she said. “He’s waiting for me.”

She stood in the semi-darkness, mumbling, the only other sound the hum of the ceiling fan. I clung to the doorjamb as I watched my grandmother approach carefully. She placed her hands on my mother’s shoulders, and on contact my mother’s body stopped quaking. Gram crooned, rocking her back and forth, as she pulled her into her arms and led her away from the window.

My stomach tightened, and I backed away to leave them alone. If she saw me again, who knew what would happen.

I cringed as the floor creaked beneath me, and she jerked her head in my direction. Her eyes widened when she saw me, and the shaking began again. Breaking away from my grandmother, she stumbled backward toward the window. She raked her fingers down her face and hair as she moaned. “Liam…” Tears streamed down her cheeks, causing thick strands of hair to stick to her face.

I entered the room slowly, desperate not to step on another squeaky floorboard. Her green eyes burned into mine, and I locked my eyes on hers. No matter how many times she fought my attempts to soothe her, I had to keep trying. She was my mom.

The Giveaway:
Laura is offering a $10 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner

*contest only accounts will be disqualified*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Reviews
November 29, 2013 posted by Nichole

Arson (Arson #1) – Estevan Vega

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000037_00029]ARSON is the first book in a Young Adult Paranormal series. Book two, ASHES, is also available now. 

ARSON GABLE FEELS LIKE A FREAK. HE CAN CREATE FIRE. HE NEVER ASKED FOR IT. HE NEVER WANTED IT. BUT HE CAN’T SHUT IT OFF.

Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl–who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin–moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he’s never had: purpose. After years of living in fear, he will be forced to confront his haunting past and embrace the unknown as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Edgy, realistic, and breathtaking, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated teenager with unimaginable ability, is set to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

 

 

I was originally drawn to Arson because of the cover. It’s spooky and kind of hard, which really appealed to me. The book itself kind of followed that pattern. I wouldn’t call it light and fluffy by any means. It was definitely a paranormal read with a lot more deeper, meaningful issues included. It almost felt that it had a realistic contemporary feel to it.

The characters were spot on. I thought that everyone had their own individual personalities and they all added to the story. I didn’t overly love Arson. Sometimes I liked him better than others. I thought that the real star of the show was Emery. She was a really intriguing character. I will say that I thought that there were too many characters thrown in the mix. Sometimes when that happens it gets a little bit confusing for me.

There was a big chunk of Arson that felt really drawn out. I didn’t see a lot happen until closer to the ending of the book. I would have liked more suspense and more action moments thrown in the mix. I like a lot to be happening in my books. This one seemed a little too mellow for my personal taste.

Estevan Vega’s writing is beautiful and haunting. Oh  my goodness, there were times that I thought I was going to cry just from how pretty the writing was. Vega almost seems to have a lyrical and poetic aspect to his words. That’s not going to appeal to everyone, but I think that contemporary lovers are going to adore Vega’s writing style. While there were parts of Arson that I liked better than others, I always found it peaceful and enjoyable to read.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I think that Vega has huge potential in the YA field. Readers of all ages are going to enjoy this one!

 

Pages: 318

Publication Date: 2011

Publisher: Stonehouse Ink

Rating: : ★★★☆☆

yaFlicks
November 28, 2013 posted by Nichole

YA Movie Review: Catching Fire

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Every Thanksgiving is very simple at my house. This year it’s just me and my mom…and then later with my dad and grandpa. We usually celebrate with tons of food, and (of course!) football. Lots and lots of football. But one thing that has always been a tradition for both Thanksgiving and Christmas is that my mom and I will always go see a movie. I actually know what both of those movies are already, too. This weekend we are going to go watch Black Nativity with Jennifer Hudson, and on Christmas we are going to go watch Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas. I’m the biggest Tyler Perry fan.

Last weekend we went and watched Catching Fire. And since my family celebrates holidays with a movie, I thought that I would share my thoughts of Catching Fire with all of you. And who knows? Maybe you’ll make a new tradition this Thanksgiving and go watch it. Or…you can go watch Black Nativity and tell me all your thoughts!

 

CF1I was nervous about Catching Fire. I really was. Hunger Games was good…but not great. It left a lot out from the book. I thought that this one would be pretty similar. And then I started to hear the reviews. And I did not hear one bad thing. In fact, I had two people tell me that Catching Fire was ten times better than the first movie. One person who didn’t even like the first movie loved Catching Fire. And when I reached the theaters, the ticket holder went on for about 10 minutes telling me how awesome this movie was.

And my thoughts? They were 100% correct.

 

What I liked:

1: Finnick. Oh. My. Goodness. HE WAS PERFECT.

2. The beginning. I hated the first half of Catching Fire (book.) I thought that they did a fabulous job in the movie.

3. Johanna. Holy smokes. She was probably the best character in the whole damn movie.

4. Every single cast member. My only complaint is that some of the districts had really small roles. It’s been a long time since I’ve read the books, but I thought that the scarier tributes had a slightly bigger role than they played in the movie.

5. The action. If you’ve read the book recently, then you might be able to pinpoint things that weren’t accurate. It’s been at least 2 years since I’ve read Catching Fire. I wasn’t even blogging when I read the series. So, I wasn’t able to pinpoint those moments. That being said, I loved all the action. There was one scene where I jumped like 5 feet high. Scared the shit out of me.

6. The emotion. The first movie pissed me off, because I should have cried. Especially during Rue’s scene. I was having to lock up my throat to keep from bawling like a baby. There were a few scenes that really got to me.

 

What I didn’t like:

The ONLY thing that bugged me was the final scene with Cinna. I do not remember that happening in book 2. I thought that it was vaguely mentioned in book 3. Now, my mom remembered that happening in book 2…so I don’t know. I’m really confused over that scene.

I also didn’t like how Finnick’s girlfriend (I forgot her name) had a very brief role. Maybe that’s because I’m mixing book 2 and 3 together? I wish that they would have shown her for more than 5 seconds. She was only in one brief scene.

My final complaint really isn’t a complaint. I just kind of wish that we would have seen more of District 13 at the end. But I really did like the ending.

 

Overall? 10 out of 5 stars. I LOVED IT. Best movie adaptation I have ever seen. Not counting Lord of the Rings…I haven’t read those books!

 

What did you think of Catching Fire? Let me know in the comments section!

Waiting on Wednesday
November 27, 2013 posted by Nichole

Waiting on Wednesday #63

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

 

8709524

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

 

Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) by Richelle Mead

To be released on July 29th, 2014

Published by Razorbill