Review ~ Winter Fairy by Lola Karns

Title: Winter Fairy
Author: Lola Karns
Genre: Romance
Pages: 125
Published: September 17, 2012
My Copy: Kindle edition
Average Rating: 4.24  /  5
My Rating: 3.75  /  5

Goodreads Synopsis:

Recuperating ballerina Penelope Glazier can enchant the young girls in her Fairy Dreams class, but will her magic work on Carson Langley, the sexy but straight-laced single father of her most talented student?

Widowed doctor Carson Langley didn’t know what surprises him more at his six-year-old’s dance recital, that his reticent daughter is the star of the show or that the attractive teacher, Penelope Glazier, seems to have gotten through to his girl. Too bad she considers teaching a temporary job before she returns to her professional touring company. Even if he were willing to take a risk with his heart, he has to protect his daughter, Eloise.

Free-spirited Penelope Glazier doesn’t believe the stories she heard about Eloise. All she sees is a creative girl who needs some direction and she’s the perfect person to provide it while she recovers from a near catastrophic injury. After spending time with Eloise and her by-the-book father, she recognizes that despite their differences, they have a connection.

When Penelope lands a plum part will she dance out of Carson and Eloise’s life forever? Or will she take on her riskiest part ever?


My Thoughts

I was looking for a book to read that was Christmas romance themed for one of the groups I'm a member of on Goodreads. I actually came across this book on Goodreads and saw how many positive reviews there were for it. While I'm not known for reading romances very often, I decided to make an exception for this one. And I'm so glad I did!

It was a very cute, heartwarming story. It took me no time at all to read, and I immediately liked the main characters, Carson, his daughter Eloise, and Eloise's dance instructor, Penny. I rooted throughout the entire book for Carson and Penny to find their way to each other. I just felt like they needed to find their way together--they seemed to be really good for one another. They complemented each other in ways that were so sweet and romantic. Right before Christmas was a perfect time of year to read a cozy feel good book like this one.

The only problem I had and the reason I didn't give a rating of four or five stars was the way in which the deceased wife was villainized, in my opinion, especially by Penny. I lost my mom when I was young, and so I felt this aspect of the book hit close to home for me. Carson's wife died three years ago, and Penny couldn't understand why Carson still had pictures of her up in his house. It seemed appropriate to me, especially because Eloise is only four years old, and she needs to remember that she had a mom who loved her and to know what her mom looked like since she was so young at the time of her mother's death.

Penny worried that Carson still loved his wife and was stuck in the past, not wanting to move on with his life. Penny had never been married or had any kids, plus she is pretty young, so she wouldn't understand what it's like to grieve over a spouse. I get that Penny was wondering if she had a chance with Carson and didn't want to fall for him if he wasn't ready to begin dating, but I disagree with the way the author went about this. Carson's daughter didn't even get to know her mother, and Carson, to me, was honoring her mother's memory. I actually felt hurt at times--it just hit a little too close to my own life.

I still really enjoyed this read, and I agree with the positive reviews. This was a really sweet book with characters I liked and cared about, and I'm glad I decided to see what all the fuss was about. :)

Find the Author: Goodreads  Website  Twitter  Facebook

Buy the Book: Amazon  Barnes & Noble 

Cover Reveal ~ Fire Country (Country Saga #1) by David Estes

Hey you guys! I'm excited to be a part of the cover reveal for David Estes's upcoming novel, Fire Country, the first book in his sister series for The Dweller Saga. I've read The Moon Dwellers (The Dwellers #1), and it was so awesome! You can find my review here. Read on and get pumped! It's absolutely stunning! :D

We're excited to announce that the Cover for Fire Country the sister series for The Dweller Saga by David Estes is ready to be revealed.



Title: Fire Country (Country Saga #1)

Author: David Estes

Publisher: ShareAread

Release Date: February 1st, 2013

Formats: E-book

Goodreads TBR: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16160701-fire-country

Cover Artist: Regina Wamba

Fire Country

In a changed world where the sky bleeds red, winter is hotter than hell and full of sandstorms, and summer's even hotter with raging fires that roam the desert-like country, the Heaters manage to survive, barely.
Due to toxic air, life expectancies are so low the only way the tribe can survive is by forcing women to procreate when they turn sixteen and every three years thereafter. It is their duty as Bearers.
Fifteen-year-old Siena is a Youngling, soon to be a Bearer, when she starts hearing rumors of another tribe of all women, called the Wild Ones. They are known to kidnap Youngling girls before the Call, the ceremony in which Bearers are given a husband with whom to bear children with.
As the desert sands run out on her life's hourglass, Siena must uncover the truth about the Wild Ones while untangling the web of lies and deceit her father has masterfully spun. 

Early praise for the author

“David created a world I was excited to learn about and characters I cared about. I'll remember this story for a very long time!”

Alexandria Nicole ~Goodreads

“Estes delivers a winner with confident writing that truly draws you into the story. “

Think ~ Goodreads

“The author, David Estes, has forged his name into writers to be watched and read.”

Marni ~Goodreads

“David is such a fantastic author and he really knows how to pull at the heartstrings.”

Kay ~K-Books

About the Author

David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. He grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife. A reader all his life, he began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010. He´s a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table.

You can follow David at:

Blog

Author Facebook Page

Twitter

Goodreads

Goodreads fan page

If you'd like more information on this title or any other title by David Estes, feel free to contact me at karla@sharearead.com a reply will be sent as soon as possible.

Karla Calzada

Director of Public Relations /Publicist

ShareAread, Connecting Authors with the readers who love them.http://sharearead.com/
karla@shareAread.com

Content/Giveaway Manager & Co-Founderhttp://passionatebookdivas.com
karla@passionatebookdivas.com

Founder

http://karlacc-bookaddict.blogspot.mx/

happy birthday morgan!

I want to wish my bestie, Morgan, a Happy Birthday!! <3 Love ya girlie!!!

Calling All Bloggers! Entangled Publishing Is Looking for You!

Entangled Publishing is calling all bloggers! One of Kate Evangelista's publicists is compiling a list of bloggers. Be part of "The List"!

Requirements:

Do you have a blog?

Do you love to review books?

Do you want access to books before they release?

If your answers to these questions are yes, then read on! :D

Here's what you have to do:

1. Add Til Death to your Goodreads TBR list: Add to Goodreads

2. Go to Kate's Blog and leave the following in the comments section:

a. Your Name

b. Your Blog URL

c. Your Goodreads Name

d. Your Email Address

Additional Option:

Make your own blog post about this opportunity and add the URL to your post along with the above information. Priority will be given to those who help spread the word by creating a post on this call for bloggers on their blog! :D If you have any questions, ask Kate in her comments section, and she can answer them for you. :) 

Don't miss out!! Be part of The List today!!

review pile update #4

Time for another update on my review pile! This really helps me stay organized and prevents me from feeling overwhelmed. :)

My Crazy Long List of Reviews to Write:
Eek! This is too long of a list; I never should have allowed myself to get this behind! My thinking was that if I read several books, then wrote the reviews, that might help me get caught up. An important lesson I learned in trying this: not a good idea for me. Unless I take down some notes on what I'm thinking about as I read, I have to go back through the book to remember, which isn't saving me any time. I need to get these reviews out pronto! So from now on, I'm going to at least hand write my reviews immediately after finishing my books. Lesson learned. :/

Books I Need to Review:
Links will take you to Goodreads :D
The Twenty (The Barronlands Trilogy #1) by Claudia Carozza
Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir 
by Jenny Lawson
The Soul's Mark: FOUND (The Soul's Mark #1) by Ashley Stoyanoff
Fire in the Blood by Dale Ibitz
Breed of Innocence (The Breed Chronicles #1) by Lanie Jordan
Collateral by Ellen Hopkins
Star Bright by Christina OW
Hotblood (House of Slide #1) by Juliann Whicker
The New Haven Project: Anomaly (The New Haven Project #1)
by Jessica Marie Gilliland and Kimberly Gourgon
Winter Fairy by Lola Karns
Indomitable (Intangible 0.75) by J. Meyers
Phoenix Feather by Angela Wallace

Books I Need to Read for Review:
Delusions (The Affinity #2) by Christina Smith
Snowflake Obsidian: Memoir of a Cutter by The Hippie
Whom the Gods Destroy (The Divine Masquerade #2) by D.C. Belton
Fresh Flesh (Fresh #1) by Todd Russell
Turner by Karl Drinkwater
Life of the Party by Christine Anderson
What Kills Me by Wynne Channing
Flicker by Kaye Thornbrugh
Penthouse Man by Kea Noli

I also have reviewed several books I received for review. I've posted all of these reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords and have been recently posting them here on the blog as well. :) I have tons more reviews coming up for you guys, and I hope you find some new books to add to your tbr lists! :D

New Cover Reveal ~ AWAKEN (Patronus #1) by Sarah M. Ross

Hey everyone! Today I'm participating in the re-reveal for the new cover of AWAKEN (Patronus, #1) by Sarah M. Ross through AToMR Tours. Enjoy! :D

Title: Awaken (Patronus, #1)

Author: Sarah M. Ross

Original release date: January 27, 2012

Age Group and Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy/Paranormal

Cover Designer: Donna Dull of Sharp Cover Designs; http://www.sharpcoverdesign.com/

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Links to find the book:

* * * * AWAKEN is on sale for .99! * * * *

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008GWEQ9U

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/awaken-sarah-m-ross/1108350008?ean=2940014655125

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/178786

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Awaken/book-i_znZKZpJEuvRRfUXfYuoA/page1.html

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/awaken/id567923651?mt=11

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13416711-awaken



Book Description:
Lucy Donovan was supposed to have a weekend of fun in the sun, celebrating her upcoming graduation from college. In a split second, everything changed. A drunk driver ended Lucy’s mortal life. Lucy opens her eyes to a world she never imagined possible and a new destiny: as a Patronus, a guardian of spirits. Adjusting to her new role and abilities while negotiating this confusing realm will test her limits and push her further than she ever dreamed she would go. From wayward spirits who don’t want her help to soul stealing vampires, and even a stuck-up British royal, Lucy must brave them all to save one spirit she can’t bear to lose. Further complicating her confusing life is an inexplicable yet growing connection she feels to a member of her team, Max, whose mysterious behavior leaves her both confused and intrigued. Waking up dead was just the beginning of her problems. Lucy’s death is about to become the greatest adventure of her life.
 
About the Author:

I started my obsession with reading at an early age, getting in trouble for sneaking BabySitter Club and Nancy Drew books into math class in elementary school. I would read any fiction book I could get my hands on. I knew it was an addiction when instead of grounding me from TV or music, my mom would take away my books as punishment (The Horror!). My love of all things paranormal was inspired by my good friend Laurie, who convinced me that books with vampires, witches, and all things shifter were amazing. After a little reluctance, I gave it a shot with the Sookie Stackhouse books, realized she was right, and the rest was history.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with my degree in English, and taught 8th graders to love reading as much as I do for several years. I will always be a proud member of the Steelers Nation, but I couldn't take the cold and moved my frozen tush to Florida where I now live with my family and two cats. You will find me now with my trusty Kindle in hand and toes in the sand!

Sarah M. Ross | Facebook | Twitter

Provex City by Michael Pierce Blog Tour ~ Review & Giveaway

 I'm thrilled to be a part of the Provex City Blog Tour hosted by Candace's Book Blog & CBB Book Promotions! Today at my stop, I have a review of the novel for you. :)

Title: Provex City (The Lorne Family Vault #1)
Author: Michael Pierce
# of Pages: 326
Publication Date: March 5, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
My copy: Kindle edition I purchased on Amazon
Average Rating: 4.45 / 5.00
My Rating: 5 / 5

Goodreads Synopsis
Fifteen-year-old Oliver Grain begins his school year fighting off bullies, learning about the boy who committed suicide in his room, and trying to understand why his history teacher, Mr. Gordon, has taken such a personal interest in him.

Do you believe in ghosts? Do you believe you can make bullies simply disappear? Do you believe you can walk through walls?

Mr. Gordon tells Oliver: "When you truly believe anything is possible, you will be able to open doors where there were only walls." And one of those doors leads Oliver to Provex City, which puts him in far greater danger than he can possibly fathom.

My Thoughts
I bought my own copy of this book a couple of months before signing up for the blog tour. :)

Provex City doesn't fall into just one genre for me--it transcends any labels I can think of. It was written so differently and creatively that I loved how it wasn't anything like what I expected. It's filled with creepy moments, teenage angst, heartwrenching situations, and mysterious characters. The characters seemed like people I could know in real life with each having his or her own distinct personality and voice. Reading this book, I was completely enthralled and hated any time I had to put it down. I wanted to forget about all of my obligations, even sleep, and I love to sleep!

I really loved Oliver; he's a character you can't help but love. The story is told from his point of view. He goes through some painfully awkward situations that many adolescents experience. He's bullied, gets kind of thrown together romantically with a girl named Anna (a friend of Oliver's friend, Desiree), is dealing with his dad's death, is attending a new school, living in a new house with a tragic history, and wondering if he's being haunted. That's a lot for anyone to have to deal with! But he does the best he can do and is stronger than he credits himself.

Oliver feels he's outshined by his brother, Jeremy, who has no problem fitting in at their new school--they're both in high school. They don't seem to be close at all. While Oliver is introverted, Jeremy is extroverted and seemed to rub it in Oliver's face that he became popular instantly and easily. I was so angry when Oliver was being bullied and his brother wasn't really there for him--it brought back a lot of memories for me when I was in high school and was physically threatened almost everyday by a group of girls who had it out for me for no reason. Jeremy seemed like a shady character, and I know there has to more to him that I hope will be explored in the next book. 

Jeremy was gone so often that I couldn't believe his mom and stepdad weren't that concerned about where he was and whether he was home at a decent hour or not. Though they never questioned Jeremy about his life, they gave Oliver a hard time about whether Desiree is his girlfriend, why he spends so much time with her if she isn't his girlfriend, and then about Anna when she met them for the first time. I guess I felt protective of Oliver!

Oliver dresses up as a specific character from a specific movie for Halloween though it was never spelled out exactly who he dressed up as. I thought it was incredibly clever and totally enjoyed the reference! I wonder how many readers have or will pick up on that. :) It was one of my favorite surprises in the book.

Oliver's history teacher, Mr. Gordon, was one of my favorite characters. He's like a father figure to Oliver, and I really liked that. I love the way Mr. Gordon thinks, too. There are so many possibilities of what is going on in Oliver's life that I'm still trying to figure it out, trying to put all the pieces together, and I really enjoy a book that has my imagination going into hyperdrive. :)

There are so many questions I had along the way, I can't wait to find out answers to some of those questions in the next book of the series. I want to know the backstories of Oliver's friends Desiree, Anna, and Eli--they're all mysterious characters, and I know there has to be more to them there than what I saw in this first book. I'm recommending Provex City to everyone I know. You'll fall in love with this story just like I have!

About the Author:

Michael Pierce lives in Southern California with his wife, daughter, and two ultra-protective Chiweenies. Provex City is his debut novel and the first book in the young adult fantasy Lorne Family Vault Series.

Find the author: 

Blog ~ http://www.michaelpiercebooks.blogspot.com

Twitter ~ http://www.twitter.com/MrPierceBooks

Facebook ~ http://www.facebook.com/lornefamilyvault

Goodreads ~  http://www.goodreads.com/michaelpiercebooks

Website ~ http://www.michaelpiercebooks.com

Book Trailer ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dVoKoIGY2E 

Giveaway

• Three winners will receive a paperback of Provex City and a $15 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
• Five additional winners will win paperback copies of Provex City. (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

1/3 Candace's Book Blog ~ Tour Kick Off with Interview
1/3 Reading and Rising with the Sun ~ Review

1/4 The Bookie Nook ~ Review

1/4 ReaWrite ~ Interview

1/7 Nazish Reads ~ Review & Giveaway

1/7 Becky's Barmy Book Blog ~ Top Ten or Guest Post

1/8 A Diary of a Book Addict ~ Review

1/9 I Am a Reader, Not a Writer ~ Interview

1/10 Pages of Forbidden Love ~ Review

1/10 Tabitha's Book Blog ~ Excerpt

1/11 Donnie Darko Girl ~ Review

1/11 Ivy Book Bindings ~ Excerpt

 1/14 Lizzy's Dark Fiction ~ Review

1/14 Mr. Book Wonder ~ Guest Post
1/15 Mr. Book Wonder ~ Review
1/15 Get Lost in Fiction ~ Guest Post
1/16 Oh, the Book You'll Read! ~ Review
1/17 Book Labyrinth ~ Excerpt
1/17 Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile ~ Review
1/18 The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia ~ Review
1/19 Reader Girls ~ Review & Top Ten
1/20 Jean BookNerd ~ Review & Interview

1/21 Forever 17 Books ~ Review
1/21 Vy's Blog ~ Top Ten
1/22 Howling Turtle ~ Cover Reveal!
1/22 Supernatural Snark ~ Interview
1/23 Literary Rambles ~ Interview
1/23 Amethyst Daydreams ~ Review
1/24 Escaping... One Book at a Time ~ Review
1/24 Anatea's Bookshelf ~ Review
1/25 My Guilty Obsession ~ Review
1/25 Insane About Books ~ Review

Review ~ Jezri's Halloween Nightmares

Title: Jezri's Halloween Nightmares
Author: Lisa McCourt Hollar
# of Pages: 31992 words
Publication Date: October 1, 2012
Genre: Short Stories, Paranormal
My Copy: Kindle edition from Smashwords
Average Rating: 4 / 5
My Rating: 5 / 5

Synopsis from Smashwords
A collection of 14 stories, perfect for the Holiday, along with bonus material. Collection includes, The Bainbridge Witch, The Vampire Bureau, Ol’ Jack, Witch’s Brew, The Dress’s Curse, Retribution, Trapped, The Dragon’s Claw, Hide and Seek, A Prank Gone Too Far, Temptations, Dare, Ageless and Reverie, A Graystone Manor Short.

Bonus Material gives you free sample reads of Progeny, The Second Wave: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale, Blood Lust and Undead Ahead, a collaboration of stories by Lisa McCourt Hollar and Jeffrey Hollar. 

My Thoughts
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

One of the previews of the author's bonus material contained in this book is from "The Second Wave: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale," which is a story I read and reviewed last October. You can read my review here. After reading that story last fall, I will read anything and everything by this author--she is an amazing writer with an imagination I wish I had. :) She will take you to that dark place inside yourself where your fears run wild, and sometimes those fears are ones you didn't even know you had.

This collection of horror stories was completely satisfying and scary, and the very first one took place in Bainbridge, Ohio, not too far from where my mom's side of the family comes from! It's really freaky reading these stories with some of them set in places where I've been myself. Despite the inclusion of Halloween in the title, this is a book you can read any time of the year--I know I'm personally in the mood for horror stories no matter the season! I loved every story in this collection, but there were a couple that stood out for me and became my favorites, one of which being "A Prank Gone Too Far." I'm excited and in anticipation of more scares from this author!

Find the author:
Goodreads Website Twitter Facebook

Buy the book:
Smashwords Amazon Barnes & Noble

review ~ pearl lover

Title: Pearl Lover
Author: Kea Noli
# of Pages: 220
Publication Date: July 4, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
My Copy: Kindle edition provided by the author for review
Average Rating: 3.60 / 5.00
My Rating: 4.00 / 5.00

Goodreads Synopsis 
A spoilt debutante. A manipulating mother. And a love triangle with a twist.

Nixie Veidt is forced to choose between money and love. She must stay faithful to the bureaucrat she marries to save her inheritance, but her love belongs to a Russian dancer. When she hires him for her company, she risks everything.

Is it moral to love two men? Be prepared for an unconventional ending.

Nixie's mother, a wealthy socialite, hires a private detective and spies on her daughter. A debutante's conflicting love for two men, and the struggling rebirth of Ballets Russes, a ballet company. 


My Thoughts
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I received no compensation for my review whatsoever.

First of all, I have to say I adore the cover; it's exactly how I would picture Nixie, the main character. This book was so different from anything I've read, and that was my favorite aspect in trying out a genre I might not otherwise have noticed. The story itself is definitely interesting, but in the beginning there wasn't quite enough setting and character description for me. As the story developed, however, I did become invested in the characters, especially Nixie. I really grew to love her!

Maria, Nixie's mother, was never much of a mother and seemed selfish. I truly believe she only married Nixie's father for his money, and she never questioned where it came from; she just wanted to spend it and live in luxury. Maria is just horrible in my opinion!

I found it really strange that Nixie's father told her to take her money and run so her mother wouldn't get it. Wouldn't the mother get control of it anyway since Nixie was only 17 and a minor? And Nixie does not seem like she's 17--she's probably the most mature character in the book (except for Morten). She's more like a 30 year old. Nixie's "boyfriend" Kolya, is the opposite of her in maturity. He's childish, throws tantrums, and overall doesn't care about anyone but himself. I never believed for a second that he loved Nixie--once again, it was about her money that he wanted to start up a Russian ballet company. I really don't know what she saw in him. Their common interest in ballet? They're both dancers. I became really protective of Nixie as you can see. :)

Nixie, though seemingly mature in character, is frustratingly naive and cannot see that Kolya is using her. She gave up her dreams for him. The marriage of convenience to Morten seems like more of a real relationship than the one with Kolya, although I have a problem with Morten falling in love with her at first sight when he didn't even know her. He's allowing Nixie to use him, and so I felt for him, too. I didn't believe Morten was in love with Nixie because he said it happened at first sight, and that really isn't realistic. I think it's more like lust at first sight, not love. I did believe, however, that he fell in love with her over time.

As the story unfolded, I was desperate to find out how it would end and was definitely not disappointed. This novel has an ending I never saw coming and was completely satisfied with! I'd reread this book and will be highly recommending it to others. :)

Find the Author: Goodreads

Purchase the Book: Amazon

review ~ furthermore

Title: Furthermore: An Anthology
Authors: Rebekah Campbell, David Estes, Amber Garr, Karen
   Amanda Hooper, Stephanie Judice, and Leigh Michael
Genre: Short Stories
Pages: 274
Published: December 11, 2012
My Copy: Kindle edition
Average Rating: 4.62 / 5 stars
My rating: 4 / 5 stars


Synopsis from Goodreads  :
A first date, a lottery, treachery and deceit. Sometimes fate has other plans. Sometimes there’s more to tell.

In Furthermore: An Anthology, eighteen original stories take you on a journey through worlds here and beyond. From the depths of the earth to the embrace of the sea, your favorite series continue. Prequels, alternative views, and new scenes give readers a chance to experience more than originally told.

Including stories from Rebekah Campbell, Amber Garr, David Estes, Leigh Michael, Karen Amanda Hooper, Stephanie Judice, and Mayandree Michael. And most importantly, in honor of those who lost the battle and those who continue to fight, all proceeds from this anthology will be donated to cancer research and support.

My Thoughts:
I signed up to be a part of this blog tour and spread the word about this book. I wanted to read it as soon as I heard of it, and when I found out the proceeds go to cancer research and support, I knew this was definitely something I wanted to be a part of. I took part in the cover reveal and release day .

I received an ARC for review, but I decided to purchase it because I wanted to donate to the cause, too. There are so many people out there who have been touched by cancer in one way or another--either facing it themselves or a loved one. I am no different. Two very close, very loved family members of mine were both diagnosed with the same type of brain cancer and succumbed to the illness a little over a year after diagnosis. I was eleven when my maternal grandpa died fourteen when my mom died. My life and the lives of my family members have been irrevocably changed forever--there is no going back.

I also follow  Rockstar Ronan , a mother's blog about her little boy, who died from stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer. There are many days I can't bring myself to read her posts, and having children myself,  I can't imagine the kind of pain she and her family have been in since the time he had been diagnosed. If you haven't visited this blog, I highly recommend that you do. The mother, Maya, has a strength and fire you rarely find in someone who has experienced a trauma such as she has, and she expresses herself so beautifully and eloquently, you feel every single day the family has endured.

As for the book itself, I really loved it. Every story, every author made me want to read all of their works. As was expressed in the release day post, Furthermore consists of seventeen stories that include prequels, alternative views, and new scenes to each author's series. I own at least one book by every author who wrote for this anthology and am excited to read the novels the characters in these stories are in.

The stories from The Darkness Through the Light Series penned by Rebekah Campbell made me wonder why in the world haven't I read this series already. :) I liked the characters right away and was drawn into the story quickly. If you plan on reading this anthology but haven't yet read the books in these different series, but never fear--you won't be lost nor is anything given away. I don't know how the authors did it, but they did!

I read The Moon Dwellers by David Estes and will be reading The Star Dwellers soon, so I was excited to read more about Tawni and events that occurred before the start of the first book. Reading the two stories was like an answer to my wish to find out more about one of my favorite characters, Tawni, and to know what happened the day of the lottery, which was how people were chosen to live underground and escape the coming destruction to Earth, something I would never want to see come to fruition in "real" life. Eep!

The Syrenka Series by Amber Garr is a must read on my tbr list with the wedding day drama and the different characters' perspectives...wow! It was a lot to take in, and I'm ready to plunge into this series head first. Eviana is intriguing, and I'm torn between feeling sadness for her and feeling sadness for the people she has hurt with her choices. Amber Garr's Leila Marx novels is also a series that I am planning on reading. I'm very interested in Leila's gift and want to learn more about her world.

Karen Amanda Hooper's story, "The Sound of Love," was emotional, and in the short time I had to get to know the characters, I was so sad for them when tragedy struck. I'm happy to know this is a series, and there's more opportunity to get to know these characters and their life together.

I read the stories by Stephanie Judice that are companions to her Saga of the Setti series and was taken from 1352 A.D. to the present day to the near future. I thought the story telling was clever, and it was interesting to read about the three different time periods. I thought about Game of Thrones in the beginning due to Muirne living as Torvald's slave, and teh lust he felt for her. It reminded me of the girl who was forced to marry a man she didn't love, who looked at women as property rather than as human beings. I'm ready to follow these characters into whatever situations they might find themselves in!

Leigh Michael's "Fate" is divided into sections, each from a different character's point-of-view, and it was nothing short of fabulous. Reading the events that happened from different perspectives really enriched the story and gave me a deeper understanding of what was happening and the motivations of the characters. I'm looking forward to reading Annabelle's Story.

To every author who contributed their time and work to this anthology, to everyone who has purchased the book, to everyone who has taken steps towards fighting this atrocity that's called cancer, and to Amber Garr, who dreamed up this idea and made it reality, I just want to say a heartfelt thank you. The existence of this disease in all its forms is absolutely unacceptable, and with everything in me I believe the proceeds from this book will definitively make a difference. Thank you.

review ~ dash & lily's book of dares

Title: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Authors: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
# of Pages: 260
Publication date: October 26, 2010
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
My copy: Paperback purchased by me
Average Rating: 3.92 / 5.00
My Rating: 5.00 / 5.00


Goodreads Synopsis:
"I've left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don't, put the book back on the shelf, please."

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a cosmic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

My Review:
This is the first book I've read by either author, and it was definitely a good one to start out with. I had heard about it on a few bookish blogs I follow and thought it sounded super cute, which it totally was. As the holidays approached, I really really wanted to read this book plus I loved the cover, so I bought myself a copy.

Dash and Lily seemed to be opposites in the beginning. They view the world in different ways partially due to the different familial environments in which they grew up. Lily has lived a very sheltered life with a large extended family who are all very involved in her life. She's upbeat and happy-go-lucky, looking out for the positive in even the most negative situations. She's entranced by the holidays--she absolutely adores Christmas. 

I found her to be funny and cute--one of my favorite quotes was when she was talking about the Christmas spirit: "...(special shout-out to my Ariel mermaid, who presides over the shabby chic flower power pillow on my bed--love you, girl!)."  I couldn't help but laugh, and Ariel was my favorite Disney princess growing up, so I could relate. Lily is super girly, and I was charmed by her sweet innocence. She should be my youngest sister!

I felt bad for her since her parents decided to spend the holidays away from home on a honeymoon. I wouldn't want my parents spending Christmas away from me--I'd be upset, too. She's only sixteen--as a parent myself, I'd want to spend the holidays all together as a family. I wouldn't choose that time to go on a honeymoon.

Dash, on the hand, hates Christmas and everything it represents. He went through a lot of pain and turmoil when his parents divorced and instead of spending the holidays with them, he decided to tell them he was spending time with the other. He didn't seem to have a close relationship with either parent, and though he had friends, he also seemed to be a bit of a loner; however, he was very comfortable spending time alone. He also went out with his friends, so he wasn't a total hermit.

I liked that he decided to take on the red notebook's challenges, and Lily had him do Christmas themed dares, which were hilarious when he completed them! I had to stop myself from laughing out loud for fear of waking my husband up! The Santa situation was hilarious!! I won't say anything else about it so I don't give anything away.

Though Dash and Lily have their differences, they share a love for books and end up finding some other commonalities as well, which you'll just have to read this book to find out what those are. I loved both of them as well as Dash's friends and Lily's family. I really cared about both of them. Besides Dash and Lily, Boomer, Dash's friend, was one of my favorite characters as well as Lily's great aunt, whom she nicknamed Mrs. Basil E. Boomer is a sweet goofball, and "Mrs. Basil E" is a wise and awesome great aunt to have.

Maybe it's because I grew up in a small town in Ohio as well as being a mother, but I couldn't imagine letting my teenage son or daughter run around NYC by him or herself. I guess if you grow up in NYC, then you're used to being in such a large city. Several years ago I went there with my husband, and I was super cautious and wary for both of us. I was surprised Lily's family, who are so overprotective of her, allowed her to travel around NYC by herself.

I loved this book--it's one of my favorite reads of 2012 though it's been out for a couple of years. I want to read it again already, and it would be really cool if it was made into a movie!!

giveaway ~ win a paperback copy of creatura by nely cab!

Hey everyone! Happy 2013! My first post of the new year, woo hoo! How was your New Year's Eve? I know mine was pretty fun...just nursing a bit of a hangover today, lol!

Nely Cab, the author of Creatura, is holding a giveaway on her blog, She Writes Again, and it's international! You have the chance to win a paperback copy of Creatura, but you have to hurry--I am late in posting this, and the giveaway ends in less than an hour! *I'm sorry for my lateness!*

 

 

Click on this link to be taken to the giveaway: Creatura giveaway on She Writes Again

 

May the odds be ever in your favor! :D