Archive by Author | Meredith

Item: Royals
Rating: 3
Author: Meredith

Bookish Delight #6: Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

Bookish Delight of the Month (Bookish Delight for short) is a monthly feature in which I’ll spotlight the number one book I’m most anticipating at the beginning of the month it releases. This could be a book I don’t have yet, or have an ARC of already – even a book I’m already reading, because it doesn’t matter whether I have it or not, or have read it or not – this is just all about me spotlighting the book I’m most excited for in a given month.

So, without further adieu, let’s get started!

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The book I’m most highly anticipating in July is… Sea Witch by Sarah Henning! This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who follows me on Twitter! This book has been my number one most anticipated release since I first learned about it roughly 3 years ago. I’ve been DYING to get my hands on it AND NOW IT’S ALMOST HERE AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again, anyone who follows me on here or on social media knows I LOVE retellings, especially dark retellings and ESPECIALLY villain origin stories/retellings. And The Little Mermaid has ALWAYS been my favorite Disney story. So.. yeah… *Freaks out some more*

*Clears throat* Anyway… Here’s the cover and synopsis:

Everyone knows what happens in the end.
A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss.
But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends.
One feared, one royal, and one already dead.

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Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.

A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.

But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.

The rise of Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic villainess is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and a girl pushed beyond her limits—to become a monster.

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So, what is your most anticipated book of July? Share it in the comments!

Blog Tour: Bright We Burn by Kiersten White (Excerpt)

Jun26

Hey everyone! I’m incredibly excited to be a part of the Bright We Burn (July 10, 2018 – Delacorte) blog tour! I’m a HUGE Kiersten White fan, and ABSOLUTELY LOVED And I Darken (book one), so I’m beyond excited to be on this blog tour!! Today I’m sharing an excerpt of Bright We Burn with you! First, here’s more about the book:

Haunted by the sacrifices he made in Constantinople, Radu is called back to the new capital. Mehmed is building an empire, becoming the sultan his people need. But Mehmed has a secret: as emperor, he is more powerful than ever . . . and desperately lonely. Does this mean Radu can finally have more with Mehmed . . . and would he even want it?

Lada’s rule of absolute justice has created a Wallachia free of crime. But Lada won’t rest until everyone knows that her country’s borders are inviolable. Determined to send a message of defiance, she has the bodies of Mehmed’s peace envoy delivered to him, leaving Radu and Mehmed with no choice. If Lada is allowed to continue, only death will prosper. They must go to war against the girl prince.

But Mehmed knows that he loves her. He understands her. She must lose to him so he can keep her safe. Radu alone fears that they are underestimating his sister’s indomitable will. Only by destroying everything that came before–including her relationships–can Lada truly build the country she wants.

Claim the throne. Demand the crown. Rule the world.

Goodreads | Amazon | Audible
Barnes & Noble | iBooks | The Book Depository

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And now for the excerpt! Enjoy!!

“If she continues to push on this, she will be killed.” Kumal lifted his hands as though weighing two choices. “I do not mean that as a threat. I mean it as truth. You have said yourself that she will never back down. Her actions threaten everyone in our empire. Instability creates cracks through which death seeps in. Our responsibility is to keep our people safe, and to address threats to their well-being. Radu, I know she is your sister, but if she will not compromise, this necessarily ends in her death.”

Radu felt a pressure behind his eyes like tears he would not release. Kumal was right. Lada was courting death, and would drag untold numbers down with her on her bloody journey. He had failed her before. He would not fail her this time. But to protect her, he would have to betray her. Betrayal was quickly becoming the only skill he had to offer anyone.

Radu nodded. “She will not compromise. When she comes to meet me—as she must, because I amher brother and it aggravates her that I have belonged to someone else these last years—I will bring her back here.”

“She will never come back,” Mara said.

“Not willingly.” Radu waited as his meaning sank in. “No,” Mehmed said. “I cannot make her a prisoner. Not like my father did. It would . . .” His voice broke as he trailed off.

“It would kill whatever love she has left for both of us.” Radu crossed the room and took Mehmed by the shoulders. He saw his own sadness and exhaustion reflected in his friend’s eyes. He hated this decision, even as he felt it was the right one. The only one. “Maybe, someday, we can fix it. But right now, people are dying because of her. Your people. Our people. Can we let them die because of our history with her?”

Mehmed’s eyes tracked back and forth, as though tracing potential futures. Doubtless he searched for one in which he might have Lada the way he wanted her. The future he was seeing did not revolve around Radu. “Bring her back,” Mehmed said. “Bring her home.”

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Text copyright © 2018 by Kiersten Brazier. Published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.

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And now for the giveaway! Three lucky winners will receive a finished copy of BRIGHT WE BURN! US Only. To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author:

Kiersten White is the NYT bestselling author of the Paranormalcy trilogy, the Mind Games series, Illusions of Fate, The Chaos of Stars, In the Shadows with artist Jim Di Bartolo, and the upcoming historical reimagining, And I Darken. She has one tall husband and three small children and lives near the ocean, where her life is perfectly normal.

Website | Twitter
Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

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Bright We Burn Blog Tour Schedule

Tour Schedule:

Week One:
6/25/2018 – Here’s to Happy Endings
6/26/2018 – Pandora’s Books
6/27/2018 – Two Chicks on Books
6/28/2018 – Jena Brown Writes
6/29/2018 – The Hermit Librarian

Week Two:
7/2/2018 – The Desert Bibliophile
7/3/2018 – PaperTrailYA
7/4/2018 – Wonder Struck
7/5/2018 – The Pages In-Between
7/6/2018 – Beware Of The Reader

Week Three:
7/9/2018 – Lisa Loves Literature
7/10/2018 – Omg Books and More Books
7/11/2018 – Rhythmicbooktrovert
7/12/2018 – Wishful Endings
7/13/2018 – A Dream Within A Dream

Week Four:
7/16/2018 – The Clever Reader
7/17/2018 – Under the Book Cover
7/18/2018 – mall3tg1rl
7/19/2018 – The Book Nut
7/20/2018 – Lori’s Little House of Reviews

Blogoversary: Pandora’s Books is 5-Years-Old!

Jun24

I never, ever thought I’d be posting this. I never imaged, all these years later, I’d be celebrating my 5th blogging anniversary. Normally, this is a very celebratory post for me, full of GIFs, discussing all the amazing things about blogging: my accomplishments, fun things I did within the last year, new features I implemented, etc. This blog birthday, however, brings with it a lot of contemplation and I find myself reflecting on the last five years in a bittersweet and nostalgic way.

I don’t often talk about personal matters on here – the struggles and battles and such. I keep it light and fun and bookish. But the truth is, my family and I have had a lot going on in the last few years. I could go all the way back to the very beginning with this conversation. But really, the worst of it started in 2015 – just a few years into my blogging journey. If I look back at the blogging I did in 2013 and 2014, there’s a BIG difference in the content and number of posts, versus the blogging I did in 2015-2018. And that’s because I’ve had a LOT going on, and haven’t had the energy or desire to blog/read like I used to.

I’m not going to go into all the details. But I’ll share this. In 2015, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and we lost my godmother to cancer. In 2016, my beloved chocolate lab passed away. In 2017, my parents and I moved and my mom was diagnosed with cancer, among other things. I didn’t even do a blogoversary post last June because we had JUST moved days before, and I couldn’t focus to do one.

And, amidst all that, I was struggling with depression and anxiety – something I’ve hinted about on social media but never really openly discussed. It’s not something I LIKE to discuss, but I also know there’s a HUGE movement to destigmatize mental illness, and I feel this is relevant to discussing my blogging journey.

The final piece of the puzzle is this: I started a new job in August 2017 as a full-time Children’s Lead Bookseller for my local B&N.

So, you see my lovelies, I’ve had a a LOT going on in the last 3 years and blogging often took a backseat. All of this also accounts for the MASSIVE book slump I’ve been in and out of since February 2016. I had SO much going on, it all just became too much and I became overwhelmed, stressed, depressed, and disengaged.

My biggest regret in the last few years is that I feel like I’ve let everyone down. I’ve let down those of you who visit my blog, because I haven’t been posting as much. I’ve let down my blogger friends by not being as active on their blogs, or on social media. And I’ve let publicists/publishers/authors down by being behind on my ARC/Review TBR. This hurts more than anything, because I love my blogging family and the idea that I’ve disappointed you guys breaks my heart. I am so, so, SO sorry for letting you guys down.

Going forward, I’m going to try to focus on my mental, physical and emotional health. I’m going to do the best I can, at least. Those of you who deal with mental health issues know, it’s not always easy. It’s day by day, and one step at a time. Certain things I’m dealing with might not ever go away or get better, but – at least for right now – they seem to be settling down. And I try to remain hopeful that, one day, they WILL get better. I’m finally reading a little bit more than I did last year, and I’m finally itching to blog again. And I have SO MANY post ideas, it’s not even funny. So I’m eager to get back in the swing of things, and make blogging fun again.

So, to those of you who HAVE stuck by me all these years, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know it’s been a rollercoaster of a ride, but I appreciate every single one of you. I wouldn’t still be blogging if it weren’t for you guys. And I’m not ready to give up blogging just yet! Blogging has brought so many good things into my life – so many amazing people and amazing opportunities – and I don’t think I would have survived the last 5 years without you guys.

via GIPHY

Soooo…. *Clears Throat.* Sorry, that was WAY more personal and sappy than I planned. But I wanted to be honest with you guys. Hopefully you’ll all stick around for another year, and give me another chance to get back on the Blogging Bandwagon. I can’t predict how this next year will go, but I’m excited for whatever it will bring with it – both the good and the bad.

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So, now, it’s giveaway time! There are TWO giveaways – one for US only, one for International only! There will be ONE winner for each giveaway.

US giveaway: ARCs of Wilder by Andrew Simonet and Unclaimed Baggage by Jen Doll

International Giveaway: A pre-order of Wilder by Andrew Simonet OR Unclaimed Baggage by Jen Doll

To enter, fill out the appropriate Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bookish Delight #4 and #5: May/June Mash-Up

Jun21

So, without further adieu, let’s get started!

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Sooooo…… I kinda messed up. I had a crazy May and June, and I COMPLETELY forgot to post my Bookish Delight picks. Sooooo…… Even though May is WAY over and June is ALMOST over, I’m still gonna share both! I read my May pick, but I haven’t read my June pick, so I still think it will be fun to share them and discuss them. Okay.. Ready? Ready!!

May Pick:

So the book I was most highly anticipating in May was… Royals by Rachel Hawkins! I’ve been a fan of Rachel Hawkins ever since I read her Hex Hall trilogy, and I’ve been on a “books with royalty” kick ever since Harry and Meghan announced their engagement in November. So, of course, I was beyond excited for this book! Sadly, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped I would. You can click here to read my review and see my thoughts. But it has a sequel coming in 2019 ( I think – there’s nothing official yet, unfortunately), and I’m still really excited for it! And here’s more info about the book:

Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

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June Pick:

Like I said, I haven’t read my June pick yet, which means this is still really exciting to share, despite forgetting to post it earlier this month! So… The book I’m most highly anticipating in June is… My Plain Jane (The Lady Janies #2) by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows and Brodi Ashton! I LOVED LOVED LOVED My Lady Jane, and My Plain Jane looks like an EPIC sequel! I’m also still desperately hoping Cynthia, Brodi and Jodi will write a book about Mary Queen of Scots (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!! NEED NEED NEED!!!!!!!)

*Clears Throat* Anyway.. Here’s more info on My Plain Jane!

You may think you know the story. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre embarks on a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester. Despite their significant age gap (!) and his uneven temper (!!), they fall in love—and, Reader, she marries him. (!!!)

Or does she?

Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Brontë, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.

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So, there you have it! My (belated) May and June picks for Bookish Delight! Now, tell me: What was your most anticipated book in May? June? Have you read it/them? Did you enjoy it/them? Share it in the comments!

Cover Reveal: Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye

Jun20

Hey everyone! I’m SUPER SUPER excited to share with you the cover for Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye! I absolutely adored The Crown’s Game, and I’m BEYOND excited for Circle of Shadows!!!

So, are you ready to see the cover??

Are you sure?

It’s gorgeous!

Okay, ready?

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Here it is!

Isn’t it gorgeous?!?!?!?! I LOVE it!!! And now here’s the official synopsis!

Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye
January 22nd 2019
Balzer + Bray
Add it on Goodreads!

Sora can move as silently as a ghost and hurl throwing stars with lethal accuracy. Her gemina, Daemon, can win any physical fight blindfolded and with an arm tied behind his back. They are apprentice warriors of the Society of Taigas—marked by the gods to be trained in magic and the fighting arts to protect the kingdom of Kichona.

As their graduation approaches, Sora and Daemon look forward to proving themselves worthy of belonging to the elite group—but in a kingdom free of violence since the Blood Rift Rebellion many years ago, it’s been difficult to make their mark. So when Sora and Daemon encounter a strange camp of mysterious soldiers while on a standard scouting mission, they decide the only thing to do to help their kingdom is to infiltrate the group.Taking this risk will change Sora’s life forever—and lead her on a mission of deception that may fool everyone she’s ever loved.

Love, spies, and adventure abound as Sora and Daemon unravel a complex web of magic and secrets that might tear them—and the entire kingdom—apart.

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Praise for Circle of Shadows:

“Heart-stopping action and breath-stealing twists kept me up late into the night, but the fierce camaraderie between the characters is what cemented my love for Circle of Shadows. Work hard, mischief harder—and read this book as soon as you can!” (Sara Raasch, New York Times bestselling author of the Snow Like Ashes series and These Rebel Waves)

“I was captivated by this lush and beautifully written story of courage, treachery, and deceit.” (Jennifer A. Nielsen, New York Times bestselling author of The False Prince series and The Traitor’s Game)

“Epic in scale, immersive and imaginative, Circle of Shadows will reel you in and refuse to let you go. Evelyn Skye weaves extraordinary worlds, with a magic any taiga would envy–I never wanted to leave Kichona.” (Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling co-author of the Illuminae series)

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About the Author:

Evelyn Skye was once offered a job by the C.I.A., she not-so-secretly wishes she was on “So You Think You Can Dance,” and if you challenge her to a pizza-eating contest, she guarantees she will win. When she isn’t writing, Evelyn can be found chasing her daughter on the playground or sitting on the couch, immersed in a good book and eating way too many cookies. THE CROWN’S GAME is her first novel.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Tumblr | Instagram | Facebook

Spotlight Post: Milla Takes Charge (Daring Dreamers Club #1) by Erin Soderberg

Jun16

Hey everyone! Milla Takes Charge, the first book in the new diverse middle grade series, Daring Dreamers Club – inspired by Disney’s “Dream Big, Princess” Campaign – released on June 5th! Have you checked it out yet???

When you follow your dreams, the possibilities are endless!

Milla loves nothing more than imagining grand adventures in the great wide somewhere, just like Belle. She dreams of traveling the world and writing about her incredible discoveries. Unfortunately, there is nothing pretend about the fifth-grade overnight and Milla’s fear that her moms won’t let her go.

Enter Piper, Mariana, Zahra, and Ruby. Together with Milla, they form the Daring Dreamers Club and become best friends. But can they help Milla believe she’s ready for this real grand adventure?

Diverse, talented, and smart–these five girls found each other because they all had one thing in common: big dreams. Touching on everyday dramas and the ups and downs of friendship, this series will enchant all readers who are princesses at heart.

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Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Book Depository | IndieBound | Indigo

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Praise for MILLA TAKES CHARGE:

“Though core issues of identity, independence, and teamwork ground the novel, Disney Princess devotees will likely be the most charmed.” — Publishers Weekly

“I cannot wait to “hear” the stories of all the other girls! Brava Erin SD for kicking off a new series for the younger MG set! Positive messages for kids!” — Goodreads Praise

“Young readers will be able to relate to the story, there is a positive message, and the characters provide a model of friendship, showing how friends work together and support on another. Loved meeting these girls!” — Goodreads Praise

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About the Author:

ERIN SODERBERG has written many books for kids, tweens, and young adults, including THE QUIRKS and PUPPY PIRATES series.

Before turning to writing full time, Erin worked as a children’s book editor and marketer, spent a few months as a cookie inventor, and also worked for Nickelodeon. She lives, writes, and eats out in Minneapolis with her husband, three hilarious kids, and a mischievous goldendoodle named Wally.

Erin Soderberg also writes as Erin Downing. More information about her books can be found on her website.

Twitter | Facebook

BookExpo 2018 Recap

Jun15

I’ve attended BookExpo several times now – four, to be exact. It never gets old. It’s amazing getting to see all my friends and colleagues, learn about awesome books, and meet authors. Every BookExpo brings with it something new and exciting. Plus, this year, I got to go as not only a blogger, but also a bookseller, which added a whole new element to it for me (for those who don’t know, I’m now a Children’s Lead Bookseller at my local Barnes & Noble). I also spent some time with my Spencer Hill Press Family, so with everything going on, it was a busy schedule!

I’m going to break this down into my favorite moments and advice for those who wish to attend BEA in the future:

My Favorite Moments

-Seeing fellow book bloggers and publishing peeps who I really only get to see once a year. Blogging has brought with it some of the best friendships I’ve ever had, and I love seeing my fellow bloggers in person. Also as a blogger, I work closely with publicists, so it’s nice getting to see them in person once a year to discuss new books and fangirl over ones we’re both excited for.

-I’ve been working with one particular publicist since the beginning of my blogging days (back in 2013). And I FINALLY got to meet her. Not only was it incredible to finally meet her, but she introduced me to one of her top authors as a “superstar.” That was a pretty incredible moment for me, not gonna lie.

-I’m a publicist for Spencer Hill Press, but I work from home, so I rarely see my fellow coworkers. Seeing them at BEA is alway exciting.

-It was amazing attending BEA as a new(ish) bookseller. Like I mentioned above, it gave me a new perspective on the show. As a blogger, I was looking for mostly teen books, since that’s the main audience of my blog. But as a Children’s Bookseller, I noticed picture books, chapter books, and middle grade books, as well. I made note of several books that I wanted to bring into my department so I could recommend them to customers, and create new and exciting displays.

-I was invited to a publishing event for Macmillan/Fierce Reads. This was DEFINITELY highlight, as I was able to meet the amazing Leigh Bardugo (top) and the awesome Tomi Adeyemi (bottom), author of Children of Blood and Bone. Not only was it amazing getting to speak one-on-one with these (and other) authors, but it was a nice chance to relax and have fun after a long day on the exhibit floor.

-There was this amazing giant whiteboard wall at one of the publisher booths that asked attendees to “Share the book that changed your life.” Can you guys guess which one I picked?

It wasn’t Harry Potter, believe it or not. That one is kind of a giant DUH! The book I picked was one that changed my life because it was one of the first teen books I read, and really shaped me as a reader: The Mediator series by Meg Cabot!

-Another really cool moment? Seeing this epic poster for Sarah J. Maa’s Throne of Glass series:

-Finally, I had some epic celebrity sightings at this year’s BEA: Sally Fields and Bruce the Bear!

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My goal this year was to only grab the books I was truly dying for. My number one most desired book was Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco – which I snagged! Everything else was a happy bonus, and most of what I got came from the Fierce Reads Party.

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Advice to new Bloggers who want to attend BEA

BEA can be so overwhelming the first time you attend. Just keep the following in mind, and you’ll be good:

1. Dress professionally, but wear comfortable shoes – even if that means sneakers (just make sure they’re clean and new looking!). BEA is a professional trade show. That means you are representing your company and/or your blog/vlog/bookstagram/etc. You want to make a good impression! You’re going to be meeting many, many people and you never know who you might network with. You want people to remember you for the RIGHT reasons.

2. Be Polite and Respectful (!!). Going back to rule number one – You’re going to be meeting agents, publicists, editors, authors, etc. Are you a blogger who wants to work in publishing one day? Then you may very well meet your future co-workers at BEA, if not your future boss.

3. Business Cards! This ties in with rules one and two – you never know who you’ll meet and network with. Trading business cards allows you to stay in touch with those you make connections with.

4. Bring an external battery charger. The Javits Center is a black hole that sucks out all your phone’s battery within an hour or less – especially if you’re taking pictures or sharing things on social media – and doesn’t have a lot (if any) outlets for you to use. Plus, since your phone is your lifeline for meeting up with friends, you’ll be in trouble if it dies on you.

5. Don’t be an ARC Hog. Bloggers have gotten a terrible reputation at conventions because of this. There are only so many copies available. What if you grab an ARC you’re only mildly interested in and, because of that, someone who was dying for it can’t get a copy? Better yet, what if YOU desperately want something and every copy is gone by the time you try to get it because every person who was mildly interested in it just grabbed it? Plus, is it really necessary to leave BEA with 100+ books, half of which you may never read? And, another thing? Don’t be greedy… Don’t grab multiple copies! Same logic – it deprives others who might desperately want it.

6. Bring Food or Starve. Okay, not really. But you’re going to be waiting in a lot of long signing lines and might have to rush from one signing to another, with no time for food in between. Bring granola bars, dried fruit, trail mix, candy bars – whatever will be yummy and satisfying. Personally, I like granola bars that have peanut butter and lots of protein because they’re filling. Also, while water is your absolute best option, some drinks like Gatorade and Vitamin Water have electrolytes, which help keep you from becoming dehydrated.

7. Authors are People, Too. They are going to be signing hundreds of books for people. Some signings are only half an hour long. Don’t get upset if an author looks/sounds tired or isn’t up for chatting or taking pictures. Be kind and respectful to them and thank them for their time. They’ll remember that kindness and appreciate it!

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BookExpo 2019

Looking forward to next year, I’m just really excited to see my fellow bloggers and booksellers, to network with the awesome publishing peeps I work with every day while blogging, and to discover even more awesome books!

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So, have you attended BEA? Do you want to? Leave your comments or questions in the comments section below!

Author Spotlight: Burning Bright by Chris Cannon (Interview)

Jun1

Hey everyone! I’m really excited to have Chris Cannon, author of Burning Bright (June 4, 2018 – Entangled Publishing, LLC [Teen]), here for an interview. First, here’s more about the book:

Bryn is back for her senior year at the Institute for Excellence, also known as shape-shifting dragon school. She isn’t sure which is scarier, the life-force sucking dragons stalking campus or the fact that she’s officially betrothed to Jaxon, a guy who will never love her. Not that she could ever love him, either… That’s just ridiculous.

Senior year should be fun. Her parents are alive, she’s finally fitting in, and she’s learning how to be a Medic. But what’s with Jaxon giving her strange looks? He runs hot and cold, and he doesn’t even have the excuse of being a hybrid fire-and-ice-breathing dragon like her. One minute they’re having a great time and the next, she wants to blast a fireball at his head. The marriage contract of doom looms over them–unless this match not made in heaven kindles a flame…

Goodreads | Amazon | Kobo

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And now here’s the interview! Enjoy!

Describe your book in ten words or less. Go!
Shape-shifting dragon fights off dragon-pires while falling for her frenemy.

How does it feel, knowing this is the last book in the series? Are you sad to say goodbye to these characters? Any plans for more books in this world?
Saying goodbye to these characters was hard. I honestly wasn’t ready to let go, which is why I plan to write more books set in this world. I want to write a prequel involving Bryn’s parent’s. It would be the story of how they ran away from the secret society of shape shifting dragons to escape arranged marriages, giving up everything they’d ever known…facing banishment or death for true love.

How was working on book one different from working on book five? Most important thing you’ve learned along the way?
When I wrote Going Down In Flames I let my imagination run free. I was creating the world and the rules as I went along. For the rest of the series I had to make sure to abide by those rules which wasn’t always easy.

If you could go back to book one, and give ONE character a piece of advice, who would you give advice to and what would the advice be?
I’d tell Bryn that her grandparents aren’t as bad as they seem. If she gives them time they will warm up to her.

Who would win in a fight: Daenerys Targaryen, Mother of Dragons, or Bryn?
While I have the utmost respect for Daenerys, Bryn is a dragon. She doesn’t have to give a “Dracarys” command, she can blast fire whenever she wants in both human and dragon form. Although I think Bryn and Daenerys would probably be friends. They could hang out and bond over how fragile male egos can be.

Favorite fictional dragon (besides Bryn, of course!)?
I love Smaug from The Hobbit. Of course, that may just be because of my crush on Benedict Cumberbatch.

Craziest thing you’ve had to Google for a work in progress?
When I came up with the idea of dragonsbane, a play on wolfsbane, I researched poisons online and probably ended up on a watch list somewhere.

What are three must-have items when you sit down to write?
Whenever I sit down to write I need a giant cup of coffee, a snack involving some sort of chocolate, and my shitzu Pete.

What books would you recommend to a reader who loved yours, and wants to read something similar?
I’m a huge Cassandra Clare fan. I love her character’s snarky sense of humor and her imaginative worlds. I’d like to think that my series would appeal to her readers.

Are you working on anything new? Now that you’ve done a series about dragons, what’s next (Vampires? Werewolves? Etc)?
Here’s the idea I’m currently working on. I think the characters will either be shape-shifting dragons or some sort of shape-shifting magical creatures:

Zara is a Finder. She helps humans find the things they’ve lost. It’s her job to restore order to the human world while remaining undetected. Finders live by one rule. They are not allowed to keep anything. Everything must be returned to its rightful owner. Sometimes it’s hard to give back the shiny pretty things. At least Zara thinks it is. None of the other Finders seem to have a problem with following the rules so she has to hide the fact that she suffers from temptation. Would it really be so bad if she kept just one ring, or made herself known to the young man she saved from drowning?

If she gave into temptation, turned into a Keeper her family would never forgive her. When her best friend Kane chose chaos over order…chose to become a Keeper she was shocked, but she misses him. Finders and Keepers aren’t supposed to be friends, but she finds herself drawn to Kane almost as much as she’s drawn to the human Jack.

Kane is a Keeper. If the humans really appreciated their place in the world they’d be more careful with their things. It’s his job to relieve them of jewels and gold and anything else they aren’t smart enough to hold onto. If a few humans are hurt in the process then so be it. He’s had his eye on Zara. If he can tempt her into keeping something then she’ll have to switch sides and they can be together again. What Zara doesn’t realize is she already kept something…Kane’s heart.

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About the Author:

Award winning author Chris Cannon lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and her three dogs, Pete the shih tzu who sleeps on her desk while she writes, Molly the ever-shedding yellow lab, and Tyson the sandwich-stealing German Shepherd Beagle. She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures and snarky contemporary romance.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: Royals by Rachel Hawkins

May30

Royals by Rachel Hawkins
Series: Royals #1
Published by GP Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on May 1, 2018
Pages: 296
Format: Hardcover
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
three-stars

Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

I was a HUGE fan of Rachel’s Hex Hall series, and am DYING to read her Rebel Belle series. So, of course, from the moment I heard about this book, I HAD to have it. Not only will I read basically anything Rachel writes, but (as you all know) I’m OBSESSED with books about royalty. Sadly, I was a bit disappointed with it. It had some really adorable moments, but overall, it was just… meh.

My biggest issue with this book is that I wanted MORE: More of the story (296 pages wasn’t enough); more of Daisy in Scotland; more of Daisy and Miles; more of… everything. I was temporarily excited when I saw that there IS a Royals book two listed on Goodreads, but it kind of sounds like it’s a different main character, so… temporary excitement tempered.

I really liked Daisy in all her nerdy, sassy glory. I love how relatable she was, and the way she wanted NOTHING to do with the royal life. In most books, the main character glamorizes the idea of being royalty. And let’s be honest, as much as we all want to be royalty, it does come with some drawbacks. So this was a refreshing attitude to see. But once she was drawn into royal life and Scotland, I LOVED it and wanted her to embrace it more. Unfortunately, she didn’t.

Miles was… I loved the “hate to love” trope and I loved the “fake dating” trope. But I’m really torn on how I felt about Miles in general. By the end of the book, he had me swooning and shipping him with Daisy. But still… I wanted more (as I keep saying).

Alexander and Sebastian felt like caricatures of William and Harry. Alexander was the absolute perfect golden boy, and Sebastian was the bad boy who got into fights, etc. Sebastian was completely unlikeable – what he did to Daisy in the beginning… Are you serious?? And I despised his confession near the end, and what it meant for everyone involved. I’m trying really hard to find a redeeming characteristic for him, but I just can’t think of any…

I couldn’t keep track of half the characters in this book, even if my life depended on it. It was just such a huge “friend” group. I really don’t feel like we even learned enough about any of them to make me care about them.

The end was really cute and romantic, but I really wanted Daisy to STAY in Scotland, not the other way around. So that was kinda weird.. Sorry for the confusing vagueness, I’m trying to avoid major spoilers as best I can.

Overall, I’m still excited for book two, I just hope we get more Daisy and Miles. I still loved the overall plot, and Rachel Hawkins is an epic writer, so I’m still excited to read her Rebel Belle series, and everything that comes after. I’ll admit, some of what happened in this book went AGAINST the typical tropes, and that was a bit refreshing, but it just needed MORE. So, with book two, I hope we get that MORE that this book lacked.

I highly recommend this for those who love books about royalty, and the “love to hate” and “fake dating” tropes. Also, those who loved Rachel’s other books will likely enjoy this one.

Guest Review: Girls Can’t Hit by T.S. Easton

May20

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Guest Review: Girls Can’t Hit by T.S. Easton

Girls Can't Hit by T.S. Easton
Series: Boys Don't Knit #3
Published by Feiwel & Friends on April 18, 2017
Pages: 288
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
three-stars

A funny, feminist teen story about knowing when to train . . . and when to fight.

Fleur Waters never takes anything seriously - until she turns up at her local boxing club one day, just to prove a point. She's the only girl there, and the warm-up alone is exhausting . . . but the workout gives her an escape from home and school, and when she lands her first uppercut on a punching bag she feels a rare glow of satisfaction. So she goes back the next week, determined to improve.

Fleur's overprotective mum can't abide the idea of her entering a boxing ring, why won't she join her pilates class instead? Her friends don't get it either and even her boyfriend, 'Prince' George, seems concerned by her growing muscles and appetite - but it's Fleur's body, Fleur's life, so she digs her heels in and carries on with her training. When she finally makes it into the ring, her friends and family show their support and Fleur realises that sometimes in life it's better to drop your guard and take a wild swing!

A message from Meredith: Hey everyone! Today, I have Jessica here with a guest review for Girls Can’t Hit by T.S. Easton

You can find Jessica on Books 4 Jessica and on Twitter!

Without further adieu, here’s Jessica’s review! Enjoy!

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I am usually a fan of YA sport books, especially when it involves women in sports. Or at the very least the sports YA books I have read have been pretty good for the most part. However, I have to say Girls Can’t Hit did not exactly pack the punch (you see what I did there) I was expecting. This isn’t to say the book is completely bad, but maybe it just wasn’t as interesting as I was hoping it’d be.

T.S. Easton’s Girls Can’t Hit is the story of Fleur Waters, a young woman living in the UK who is tired of her parents fighting, her mother’s overprotectiveness, and so many other things in her life. So when she visits a boxing club in her area and decides to take it up, despite her mom and traditional boyfriend’s protest, she stars to enjoy herself. Not only that, this new sport may be exactly what Fleur never knew she needed.

Let me begin with the good. I did like when the author delved into Fleur’s backstory and some of her life outside of boxing. While I didn’t enjoy all of it, I really especially enjoyed Fleur’s complicated relationship with her parents. How we get to see the struggles inside her family and how boxing makes that more complicated is a treat to read. I also really enjoyed Fluer’s friends and seeing her relationship with them. Both Pip and Blossom are interesting characters that really shined in their personalities, especially Blossom as she is a very feminist character.

The second thing I really liked in this book were the messages. There is a strong feminist theme throughout the book regarding women and boxing. However, there are also discussions of feminism and what it means to be a feminist all sprinkled throughout the book. Something I really appreciated was the discussion of how being a feminist can be different for different people and there isn’t just one way to do it. Blossom is a character who goes to marches and is very passionate in her activism through debating, petitioning, and fighting on a larger and wider scale with traditional activism tactics. Fluer is also a feminist, but contributes to her activism by researching about female boxers and trying to make boxing a more inclusive places for women. It may be a more niche approach, but it is still a feminist movement and cause either way you look at it. Both girls are feminist and both do what they can to help spread a message of equality & anti-patriarchy.

Finally, I really liked seeing Fleur’s passion and effort involving boxing. While some of the boxing scenes were parts that I feel are better seen than read about, the parts involving seeing Fleur train in a variety of ways and work hard to get better were what I really enjoyed. We get to see Fleur train more and more as the book goes on and learn more about boxing, especially when it comes to women in boxing. I really appreciated seeing the character development of Fleur and even learning more about a sport I don’t know too much about along with our main character.

Now onto some things that got me discouraged. There were only two, but they did cause me to rate this book a few stars lower than I wanted to.

The first is the battle scenes. The battle reenactment scenes were not very interesting or intriguing in the slightest. I really did not care for them and the character arc with Pip involving the battles was pretty dull and not something I really cared for.

The second thing was the actual boxing scenes. While I have enjoyed the sports books I read in the past, I don’t recall many of them going into so much detail about the actual games or practices. Or at least not in so much dry detail. I do like sports YA books & wish there were more female lead sports books. However, the actual scenes involving any fights and some of the technicalities involving the training were just not grabbing me as much as I hoped they would. It is similar to watching a comic book show and wanting to like the fight scenes, but finding the more emotional and character driven parts more epic. This isn’t to say that I don’t think any kind of action scenes are bad or not intriguing, it just may be that in this case with this book it wasn’t my cup of tea. Which I do find sad because I should really enjoy the actual fight scenes in a book involving boxing, but just could not get into them. There may be another reader out here who can, but just not this reader.

Overall, this was a decent story with a unique premise, interesting characters, and good development/arcs. I sadly couldn’t get into some of the story involving the battle scenes and physical fight scenes, but I don’t think that makes this a bad book. I think this book is one that would especially entertain YA sports fans, boxing lovers, and feminist alike. I still recommend this story to readers and even though it wasn’t as good as I was hoping it would be, that doesn’t make it a bad book or something not worth checking out.