Sunday, June 26, 2016

Review: Black River Falls by Jeff Hirsch

Happy Sunday! I've been taking time off online for a while now, and I realized I really needed to get back to it. So what better way to reemerge than with a good book?

Black River Falls
by Jeff Hirsch
Available: July 5th 2016
From Goodreads: Seventeen-year-old Cardinal has escaped the virus that ravaged his town, leaving its victims alive but without their memories. He chooses to remain in the quarantined zone, caring for a group of orphaned kids in a mountain camp with the help of the former brutal school bully, now transformed by the virus into his best friend. But then a strong-willed and mysterious young woman appears, and the closed-off world Cardinal has created begins to crumble. 

A thrilling, fast-paced work of speculative fiction for teens, from a bestselling author, Black River Falls in an unforgettable story about survival, identity, and family.

Review: As much as I enjoyed this novel, I wished the payout hadn't been all in one lump sum. There was so much build up to the arrival of the 'mysterious girl' too. I wish she had shown up on the first few pages instead of so far into the novel. I'd lost any investment in the characters when she finally did show up, and I was ready to put it down. Once she did arrive, the pace picked up and it was a fairly enjoyable novel. It reads more like a middle grade than young adult, despite the characters ages, and it may be better suited to the middle grade market. 

There is no doubt that Hirsch is a master wordsmith. His style is smooth and his descriptions are downright poetic. The novel borders more on the literary side than as a thriller in that regard. 

I would recommend this to anyone seeking an upper level middle grade novel and to teachers for the classroom. If you're looking for a novel that's more of a crossover YA, then this may not be the best fit. 

**Disclaimer: I received this novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Release Day Celebration: The Paladins (The Artisans #2) by Julie Reece with Giveaway

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Happy Release Day to
The Paladins (The Artisans #2) by Julie Reece!
Join us in celebrating this new release from Month9Books!
Enter the giveaway found at the end of the post.
Happy Book Birthday, Melanie!
 
The Paladins Cover
 
The Artisan curse is broken. Souls trapped in a mysterious otherworld called The Void are finally released. Now, Raven Weathersby, Gideon Maddox, and Cole Wynter can finally move on with their lives...or so they thought. If the ancient magic is truly dead, then why are mystical fires plaguing Gideon at every turn? What accounts for Raven’s frightening visions of her dead mother? And who is the beautiful, tortured girl haunting Cole’s dreams?
Last year, a group of lonely teens sacrificed secrets, battled the supernatural, and faced their own demons to set one another free. Yet six months later, the heart of evil still beats within The Void. And the trio is forced to face the horrific truth: that their only way out is to go back in.
The Paladins completes this eerie YA Southern Gothic where loyalties are tested, love is challenged, and evil seeks them on the ultimate battlegrounds—in their minds, their souls, and their hearts.
add to goodreads
The Paladins (The Artisans #2) by Julie Reece Publication Date: May 3, 2016 Publisher: Month9Books
excerpt
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OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
 
The Artisans
 
They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Raven Weathersby gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands.
To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day.
Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad's drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox.
But Raven's stepdad's drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she's ever known out of jail, or worse.
Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries' clothing line, signing over her creative rights.
Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the nth degree, and Raven can't imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes.
But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is?
add to goodreads
 
About-the-Author2
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Born in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.
I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won.
Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess… or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.
Then I thought I’d write one down…
Hooked, I’ve been writing ever since. I write historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!
 
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Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
 
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Support Got Your Six PTSD Support Dogs

My husband is a US Marine. While he's no longer active duty, he'll always be a Marine. But that's the way it is with the military. They may get out, but they will always be part of their branch.

My boss is a US Air Force vet.

My father was in the Army.

My oldest brother was in the Army and the Navy.

My older brother was in the Air Force.

To say I support our veterans would be an understatement. So I'm asking you to give a little money for a good cause. Professional Dog Trainer Nicole Lanahan wants to give back to those vets by training Support Dogs to help those who protected our freedom and save countless lives every day. We know their job isn't easy. The stress we face in every day life is NOTHING compared to what some of the Military and the First-Responders go through. 

Support Got Your Six PTSD Support Dogs and give back to those who gave so much for us. 




Monday, October 5, 2015

YA Coast to Coast Giveaway


From New Hampshire to California with a couple of stops along the way, young adult novels can take us anywhere.

From pizza parlors to stages to cornfields or prep schools, follow Penelope, Casey, Piper, and Talia as they navigate their lives and trials.  

Enter to win all of these books and get lost on a cross country journey! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway




Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Keeping up with the Bean

If you follow me on Twitter, then you already know who Bean is. For those who don't, she's my 7 year-old daughter with a heart of gold. Yes, I realize that I'm her mother and I'm biased. We are all about our children.

Recently we learned that she may not get taller than 4'11". Bean's already very sensitive about her size. She tends to get pushed around a bit simply because the other kids don't see her. Plus she's ridiculously polite. While she tries to hide it, I see how much it hurts her.




So, in order to help her out, I started listed short celebrities. That seemed to lift her spirits. Then she pointed out someone I missed. Someone from her favorite TV show.

Kacy Catanzaro from American Ninja Warrior is 4'11".



BEAN LOVES KACY! And all of the other women on American Ninja Warrior. 

In fact, she recently decided to start gymnastics in order to become an American Ninja Warrior. 

So we're in training. Yes, WE. It won't hurt me to be more active. And any time I can spend with my daughter is special. 

Who knows, maybe we'll be the first mother/daughter team on the show. ;)