M9B Friday Reveal: Horror/Halloween – YA Edition (Giveaway)

Oct23

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Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!

This week, we present to you the

Horror/Halloween – YA Edition

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

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Armed with a passion for classic B-grade horror movies, a script co-written by his twin brother, and a wicked crush on his death-obsessed neighbor; hardcore horror fan Jason Nightshade must finish his student film.

But his plans are derailed when the children of suburban Silver Creek start disappearing – his twin brother among them. Battling a possessed video camera, a crazy zombie dog, a monstrous bully, and a frighteningly broken down family life, Jason embarks on a mission to find his lost brother so the two can write an ending for his story.

As any horror fan knows, saving the day won’t be easy, as Jason finds himself forced to face the real world where death isn’t just a splash of fake blood on a camera lens.

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Ryan grew up in Park City, Utah. His fiction has appeared in Quarterly West, Paper Darts, Vice, Monkeybicycle and [PANK]. He currently lives in San Diego where he acts as Creative Director for the nonprofit literary arts organization So Say We All. He’s the co-editor of the anthology Last Night on Earth and founder of the literary horror journal, Black Candies.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram| YouTube

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Bianca St. Germain works at a Night House, a place where vampires like the aristocratic Jeremiah Archer, pay to feed on humans, and she doesn’t much care what others think of her. The money is good, and at least there, she’s safe. Bianca also doesn’t care that the Night House is killing her. All she cares about is: nauth, the highly addictive poison in vampire bites that brings a euphoria like no drug ever could.

But when Bianca meets James, a reclusive empath who feels everything she does, for the first time, she considers a life outside of the Night House and a someone worth living for. But Jeremiah has decided to keep Bianca for himself; he won’t allow her to walk away.

As she allows her feelings for James to grow, she struggles to contain nauth’s strong hold on her life. If they are to have a future, James must make her see what she’s worth, what she means to him, before Jeremiah and nauth claim her for good.

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Rachel Tafoya studied creative writing while at Solebury School and was published in their student run literary magazine, SLAM. She attended a writing program for teens at both Susquehanna University and Denison University, and the Experimental Writing for Teens class and Novels for Young Writers program, both run by NY Times bestselling author, Jonathan Maberry. Rachel is the daughter crime author Dennis Tafoya.

Connect with the Author: Tumbler | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Winter in Black Orchard, Wisconsin, is long and dark, and sixteen-year-old Vayda Silver prays the snow will keep the truth and secrecy of the last two years buried. Hiding from the past with her father and twin brother, Vayda knows the rules: never return to the town of her mother’s murder, and never work a Mind Game where someone might see.

No one can know the toll emotions take on Vayda, how emotion becomes energy in her hands, or how she can’t control the destruction she causes. But it’s not long before her powers can no longer be contained. The truth is dangerously close to being exposed, placing Vayda and her family at risk.
Until someone quiets the chaos inside her.

Unwanted. That’s all Ward Ravenscroft has ever been. To cope, he numbs the pain of rejection by denying himself emotions of any kind. Yet Vayda stirs something in him. He can’t explain the hold she has on him–inspiring him with both hope and fear. He claims not to scare easily, except he doesn’t know what her powers can do. Yet.

Just as Vadya and Ward draw closer, she finds the past isn’t so easily buried. And when it follows the Silvers to Black Orchard, it has murder in mind.

Sarah Bromley

Sarah Bromley lives near St. Louis with her husband, three children, and two dogs. She likes the quiet hours of morning when she can drink coffee in peace, stare into the woods behind her house, and wonder what monsters live there. When she’s not writing or wrangling small children, she can be found volunteering at a stable for disabled riders.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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The truck should have turned Libbi Piper into a Libbi Pancake—and it would have, too, if Aaron hadn’t shown up and saved her life. The problem? Aaron’s the local Grim Reaper . . . and he only saved Libbi’s life because he needs someone to take over his job. Now, Libbi has two days to choose between dying like she was supposed to, or living a lonely life as Death Incarnate. Talk about a rock and a hard place. And the choice goes from hard to sucktastic when her best friend shows up marked: condemned as a future murderer. Libbi could have an extra week to stop the murder and fix the mark . . . but only if she accepts Aaron’s job as Reaper, trapping herself in her crappy town forever, invisible and inaudible to everyone except the newly dead. But, if she refuses? Her best friend is headed straight for Hell.

Elizabeth Holloway

Elizabeth Holloway is a writer of young adult fiction living in Southern Pennsylvania with her two teen children and their growing number of pets.

In addition to writing, she is a registered nurse, an avid reader, an out-of-practice artist, a karaoke singer, and music lover. She is still trying to decide what she wants to be when she grows up.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Sixteen-year-old Caitlyn Foster never believed in the legend of the Redeemers. That was before the trees started to whisper her name. Before a murder of crows attacked the town. Before she and her family came home to find a bloody handprint on their front door, marking one of them as a sacrifice. As Caitlyn’s friends are ripped from their homes, she knows it’s only a matter of time before the Redeemers come for her. Caitlyn has the power to stop the terror, but she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to sacrifice herself to save those she loves.

O’Dell Hutchison

O’Dell was born in a small rural town in Idaho. There were no Redeemers living there (that he knows of). After attending college in the Pacific Northwest, he found his way to the Houston area. By day, he is a Business Systems Analyst and at night you can either find him sitting at home, dreaming of random super powers he wishes he had, or directing plays and musicals at various theaters around Houston.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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When Claire Mallory’s father leaves, her mom moves them to a new town and into a dilapidated Victorian house.

The old house creaks and whistles, and smells well — like it’s been abandoned for years. But as the nights grow longer and the shadows take on substance, Claire wonders if the strange sounds and occurrences might be more than the house showing its age.

Just as things start to pick up in Claire’s love life, her mother becomes possessed. In an attempt to save her mother and their new home, Claire enlists the help of two boys, each of whom is interested in Claire for different reasons. As she chooses one boy over the other, something dangerous is unleashed, and the spirits make their move.

They aren’t content to moan and scream inside Claire’s house, or even control her mom. They want a taste of freedom, and she’s their key to getting it. But is Claire strong enough to fight off the evil spirits, or will they claim her and her mom before it’s all over?

Vanessa Barger was born in West Virginia, and through several moves ended up spending the majority of her life in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a graduate of George Mason University and Old Dominion University, and has degrees in Graphic Design, a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, and a Masters in Technology Education. She has had articles published in Altered Arts Magazine, has had some artwork displayed in galleries in Ohio and online, and currently teaches engineering, practical physics, drafting and other technological things to high school students in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and the Virginia Writer’s Club. When not writing or teaching, she’s a bookaholic, movie fanatic, and loves to travel. She has one cat, who believes Vanessa lives only to open cat food cans, and can often be found baking when she should be editing.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Mark Stewart is one incident away from becoming a juvenile delinquent, and his parents have had enough. They ship Mark off to London, England, to stay with his eccentric aunt Agatha who is obsessed with all things Jack the Ripper. After a strange twist of luck, Mark is struck by lightning, and he wakes to find himself in 1888 Victorian London. His interest in a string of murders Scotland Yard has yet to solve make him a likely suspect. After all, why would a young boy like Mark know so much about the murders?

Could he be the ripper they’ve been searching for? Convinced the only way to get back home is to solve the murders, Mark dives headfirst into uncovering the truth. Mark’s only distraction comes in the form of the beautiful Genie Trembly, a girl who is totally out of his league and who may have already caught the attention of the infamous ripper. To save her, he’ll endanger both their lives, and risk being trapped in the past forever.

Kit Forbes

Kit Forbes has been a lover of books, history, and all things paranormal for as long as she can remember. She lives in Western Pennsylvania with her youngest daughter and an assortment of cats who give new meaning to the world bizarre.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest

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The hunt is on! Sixteen-year-old Bree Sunderland must inject herself with an untested version of her father’s gene therapy to become a werewolf in order to stop a corrupt group of mercenaries from creating a team of unstoppable lycanthrope soldiers.

When Bree went with her scientist father to Ireland, she thought it would be a vacation to study bog bodies. She never expected to fall in love with a mysterious young Irishman and certainly never expected to become the kind of monster her father said only existed in nightmares. Dr. Sunderland discovers that lycanthropy was not a supernatural curse but rather a genetic mutation. When they return home, her dad continues his research, but the military wants to turn that research into a bio weapons program and rogue soldiers want to steal the research to turn themselves into unstoppable killing machines.

Bree’s boyfriend Liam surprises her with a visit to the United States, but there are darker surprises in store for both of them. As evil forces hunt those she loves, Bree must become an even more dangerous hunter to save them all.

Bree will become the thing she hates, to protect those she loves!

‘Predator’ gives the werewolf legend a couple of new spins by introducing the Benandanti (an actual folkloric belief that certain families of Italy and Livonia were werewolves who fought against evil), as well as a modern scientific approach to mutation and the science of transgenics.

Janice Gable Bashman

Janice Gable Bashman is the Bram Stoker nominated author of Wanted Undead or Alive and Predator. She is managing editor of the The Big Thrill (International Thriller Writers’ ezine). Janice lives with her family in the Philadelphia area, where she at work on her next novel. Visit her at janicegablebashman.com.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Seventeen-year-old Grace Ann Miller is no ordinary runaway…

After having been missing for weeks, Grace is found on the estate of international rock star Gavin Vault, half-dressed and yelling for help. Over the course of twenty-four hours Grace holds an entire police force captive with incredulous tales of angels, demons, and war; intent on saving Gavin from lockup and her family from worry over her safety.

Authorities believe that Grace is ill, suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, the victim of assault and a severely fractured mind. Undeterred, Grace reveals the secret existence of dark angels on earth, an ancient prophecy and a wretched curse steeped in Biblical myth. Grace’s claims set into motion an ages-old war, resulting in blood, death and the loss of everything that matters. But are these the delusions of an immensely sick girl, or could Grace’s story actually be true?

Praefatio is Grace’s account of weeks on the run, falling in love and losing everything but her faith. When it’s sister against brother, light versus darkness, corrupt police officers, eager doctors and accusing journalists, against one girl with nothing but her word as proof: who do you believe?

Georgia McBride

Georgia loves a good story. Whether it’s writing her own, or publishing someone else’s, story is at the heart of everything Georgia does. Founder of Month9Books, YALITCHAT.ORG and the weekly #yalitchat on Twitter, Georgia spends most of her days writing, editing, or talking about books. That is, of course, when she is not blasting really loud music or reading. She lives in North Carolina with four dogs, a frog, a parrot, 2 kids, parents and a husband. PRAEFATIO is her first novel.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

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Release Day Launch: The Collectors’ Society Encyclopedia by Heather Lyons (Giveaway)

Oct19

We are so excited to share Heather Lyons’ THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY ENCYCLOPEDIA with you today! THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY ENCYCLOPEDIA is a compendium to the Collectors’ Society Series and includes a wide range of character stories, facts and little known tidbits. It’s a must for the true collector in all of us. The books in The Collectors’ Society Series are Adult Romantic Fairy Tales, full of adventure and fantasy.

CLASSIFIED MATERIAL

If you are reading this dossier, you have been granted Level Three clearance within the Collectors’ Society. Included in these pages are snippets from multiple key agent files as well as those on persons of interest. Please keep in mind that this compendium is considered highly sensitive and is illegal to share with anyone outside of your clearance. It is not to be removed from the Institute.

Happy reading!

—The Librarian

For those previously introduced to the mysterious Collectors’ Society and its mission, eager to discover more, The Collectors’ Society Encyclopedia is the perfect full-color companion piece to the series. Within are detailed entries elaborating upon various agents and employees as well as key villains suspected of targeting and destroying Timelines. Backstories, relationships, secrets, and clues are revealed alongside a thorough bibliography of important Timelines and their designations. Profiles are also included of the Institute in New York City as well as Wonderland. Society fans and lovers of classic literature will undoubtedly delight in unraveling the secrets that lay within these pages.

Goodreads
Amazon (Link Coming Soon!) | iBooks | Kobo

Don’t miss the first three books in this The Collectors’ Society Series!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

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Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

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Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

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About Heather Lyons:

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Heather’s website | Heather on Goodreads

Heather’s Twitter | Heather’s Facebook

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Spotlight Post: The Sleepwalker Tonic by Jason Segel & Kirsten Miller (Giveaway)

Oct19

Happy Early Halloween! I’m so excited to share this #NightmaresNovels Goodie Bag Giveaway with you! (Big thanks to Random House Children’s Books for providing the prize!). Before we discuss the giveaway, here’s more info about The Sleepwalker Tonic (Nightmares! book #2) and the authors, Jason Segel & Kirsten Miller!

Nightmares! The Sleepwalker Tonic is the sequel to the hilariously scary New York Times bestselling novel Nightmares! by multitalented actor Jason Segel and bestselling author Kirsten Miller. You thought the nightmares were over? You better keep the lights on!

Charlie Laird has a dream life.

1) He has a weirdo stepmom who runs an herbarium.
2) He lives in a purple mansion with a portal to the Netherworld.
3) Since they escaped from the Netherworld, he and his best friends have been sleeping like babies.

But Charlie can’t shake the feeling that something strange is afoot. Charlotte’s herbarium used to be one of the busiest stores in Cypress Creek. Now her loyal following is heading to Orville Falls for their herbal potions.

Weirder, though, Orville Falls is suddenly filled with . . . zombies? At least, they sure look like the walking dead. Rumor has it that no one’s sleeping in Orville Falls. And Charlie knows what that means.

Things are getting freaky again.

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Inspiration: Nightmares! was inspired by Segel’s own childhood experience with night terrors. Originally conceived of as a motion picture screenplay, the story has evolved into an entirely engaging novel for middle-grade readers, populated with young characters grappling with relatable struggles and fears alongside uniquely comical yet terrifying villains (brought to life in the captivating black-and-white illustrations by Karl Kwasny). Readers can further delve into the world of Nightmares! with the audiobooks from Listening Library, narrated by Segel himself.

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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

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About Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Among the many successful films Jason Segel has written, starred in, produced, or written and performed songs for are The Muppets; Jeff Who Lives at Home; The Five-Year Engagement; I Love You, Man; and Forgetting Sarah Marshall. He has also starred in the hit television series How I Met Your Mother and the classic Freaks and Geeks.

Jason on Goodreads

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Kirsten Miller is the author of the acclaimed Kiki Strike trilogy, as well as the New York Times bestselling The Eternal Ones.

Kirsten on Goodreads

Learn more on the Penguin Random House website!

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And now for the giveaway! The prize includes:

-A hardcover copy of The Sleepwalker Tonic (Nightmares! book #2)
-Candy!!!
-Nightmares Goodie Bag

To enter, leave a Halloween-related comment on this blog post. The comment can be about anything! Your favorite Halloween candy (and why it’s your favorite), your favorite Halloween costume (and what made it so special), your favorite scary movie (and what makes it so epic and scary) – Literally, just comment with ANYTHING Halloween related!

-Giveaway is US only

-Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on October 31, 2015

-Winner has 48 hours to respond. If winner does not respond, a new winner will be selected.

-You must be 13 or older to enter OR have your parents’ permission.

-I am not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

-I reserve the right to change any rules as I see fit for each individual giveaway

*The above giveaway rules were borrowed and modified from Jessica @ Just a Book Lover.

With that being said, I wish you luck! May the odds be ever in your favor!

M9B Two for Thursday Book Blitz: Red Magic series by Jen McConnel (Giveaway)

Oct15

Welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday Book Blitz #T4T
presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!

Today, we will be showcasing two titles that may tickle your fancy,
and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!

You just might find your next read!

This week, #T4T presents to you:

The Red Magic series by Jen McConnel!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

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Witches must choose the path they will follow, and Darlena Agara is no exception. She’s been putting it off long enough, and in her case, ignoring it has not made it go away. In a moment of frustration, Darlena chooses to follow Red Magic, figuring she had outsmarted the powers that be, since there’s no such thing as Red Magic. But alas, Darlena’s wrong (again) and she becomes a newly declared Red Witch.

Her friends are shocked and her parents horrified by the choice Darlena has made. As a Red Witch, she now governs one third of the world’s chaos. She is the walking personification of pandemonium, turmoil, and bedlam, just as the patrons of Red Magic would have it to be.

But Darlena believes there must be more to Red Magic than chaos and destruction, and she sets out on a journey to achieve balance. Only doing so puts her at odds with the dark goddess Hecate, who simply will not allow Darlena to quit. She encourages Darlena to embrace who and what she is and to leave good magic to the good witches. If only Darlena could, life would be simple, and she would not be the Daughter of Chaos.

DAUGHTER OF CHAOS is the first in a YA paranormal trilogy.

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“At the beginning, this novel is reminiscent of other popular fantasy novels like the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling and the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, but it quickly takes on a life of its own that will appeal to science fiction, fantasy, and young adult fans alike. Darlena’s struggles mirror issues that many teens face, making her a relate-able and likable main character. This is a title with wide appeal that will fly off the shelves.” – Voya Magazine

“Daughter of Chaos by Jen McConnel is a refreshing twist to the YA paranormal genre!” – Dianne, Tome Tender

“Witches and Greek gods! This seriously couldn’t get any better.” – Kelly Hashway, Author

Gods of Chaos

The gods of chaos cannot be trusted.

Since battling her best friend, Darlena’s grip on Red Magic has been shaky. She heads to Scotland after the Winter Solstice in search of another Red Witch.

On a sightseeing excursion with girls from her hostel, Darlena arrives at The Vaults, a mysterious underground city beneath Edinburgh. But there is something there that make Darlena’s instincts go haywire, as she lets loose a defensive burst of Red Magic, putting everyone around her in danger.

If there was ever a time when Darlena needed the help of another Red witch, it was now. But beware the witch who wields Red Magic.

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“I think I’m in love. This book had a totally different ending than what i thought it was. I was honestly surprised.” – Goodreads Reviewer

“’Gods of Chaos’ is the phenomenal second installment in a young adult paranormal series.” – Stephanie, A Dream Within A Dream

“There are many twists and turns in this book. The ending was totally unexpected and completely epic.” – Intellectual Vixens

about-the-author

Jen McConnel

Jen McConnel now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. When she isn’t crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches writing composition at a community college. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

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Blog Tour: If You Wrong Us by Dawn Klehr (Excerpt + Giveaway)

Oct14

Hey everyone! Today I’ve got a spotlight post, plus an awesome excerpt, for If You Wrong Us by Dawn Klehr to share with you for the blog tour! Plus, don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post for the chance to win some awesome prizes!

Title: If You Wrong Us
Author: Dawn Klehr
Publisher: Flux
Release Date: October 8, 2015
Length: 240 Pages
ISBN: 9780738745992

If You Wrong Us is “an intricate psychological page-turner that explores the darker side of vengeance and reads like *Gone Girl* through a teen lens.” – Kirkus Reviews.

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Becca and Johnny become entangled after a car crash steals the lives of two people they love. Officially, the crash is an accident. But Becca and Johnny are convinced: someone did this.

As they plot revenge against the person responsible, a bond—intense, unyielding, and manic—takes hold of them. And in an unexpected turn of events, they fall for each other.

Or so they think.

In an upside-down world where decay is beautiful and love and hate become one, Becca and Johnny find themselves grappling with reality. Nothing is exactly what it seems, including what they’ve come to believe about the crash. Question is: will they learn the truth before it’s too late?

No. The question is: when they learn the truth, will they care?

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Add to your TBR List: Goodreads

Buy If You Wrong Us on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

And now here’s the excerpt! Enjoy!

I left the room first. I couldn’t stand to be in there any longer. The florescent lights; the stale ammonia scent; the look on my parents’ faces.

Down the hall and around the corner, the special waiting room was empty and the refrigerator was full of juice boxes. They’d become a comfort for me in here—something sweet to coat all the bitterness rotting my insides. I closed my eyes and tried to block out everything. I tried to forget, until light footsteps caught my attention. I kept my eyes closed because I didn’t want anyone to bother me.

Please, please just go away.

“Becca?” a small soft voice called out. It was a voice in between—deep and crackling, yet still high enough to sound feminine.

Ethan Kent.

He walked over to me carrying a bouquet of daisies. It was like a scene out of a Disney movie: a just-pubescent boy with short sandy hair and proper manners making a kind gesture to set everything right.

“I brought these for your sister,” he said.

He handed the flowers to me; I didn’t take them. They were bundled together in that cheap plastic wrap, devoid of all smell. They reminded me of Travis. Appealing on the outside, but nothing of value on the inside.

“I’ll just set them here,” he said, putting them on the seat next to mine.

“Is this some kind of joke?” I asked him. “Did your perverse brother put you up to this?”

Ethan didn’t need to answer. I knew Travis had sent him here to show me he was in control, that he could do whatever he wanted. But this time, he’d messed with the wrong person. I’d been under my sister’s thumb for as long as I could remember, and I wasn’t about to be controlled again. Never again.

That day, a fire ignited in me. Heat that had been there under the surface, waiting. This move by Travis was the match that set it ablaze.

“What do you mean?” he asked, taking a step backward.

“She’s dead. She’s dead! ” I jabbed his chest with my finger.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “We didn’t know. Travis didn’t think you’d see him, so he sent me.

He’s worried about you.”

“He should be worried about me.” I stood up, physically unable to be still. “He should be very worried.” Ethan’s face twisted into something less Disney and more Stephen King. He trembled as his eyes cast down.

“Don’t say that,” he said.

I smiled. Ethan was scared of me. I stood a little taller, taking up more space in the room. He took another step back. I put on this new role like a welcome down jacket in a frigid Detroit winter. It was warmth and safety. I was finally the person on the offense rather than defense. I was in control and it was a heady feeling. One I’d eventually become hooked on.

And now for the giveaway! Dawn is offering up some fabulous prizes during her If You Wrong Us Virtual Tour event. One (1) lucky grand prize winner will receive a $25 Gift Card for Amazon or B&N (winner’s choice) and two (2) runner-ups will win an eBook copy of Dawn’s young adult psychological thriller The Cutting Room Floor! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

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About the Author:

Dawn Klehr is the author of the young adult thrillers: The Cutting Room Floor and If You Wrong Us.

She began her career in TV news and though she’s been on both sides of the camera, she prefers to lurk behind the lens. Mostly, she loves to get lost in stories – in film, the theater, or on the page – and is a sucker for both the sinister and the sappy. She’s currently channeling her dark side as she works on her next book.

Dawn lives in the Twin Cities with her funny husband, adorable son, and naughty dog. You can find her at: www.dawnklehrbooks.com, @dawnklehr, or www.facebook.com/dawnklehrauthor.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Review: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Oct12

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Series: Snow Like Ashes #1
Published by Balzer + Bray on October 14th 2014
Pages: 416
Format: Hardcover
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
three-stars

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

I basically read Snow Like Ashes in one day. I couldn’t put it down. I was so absorbed in this world that when I DID put it down, it felt like I was being yanked back to reality. I credit Sara Raasch’s epic world-building skills for this! The characters were a bit iffy for me, but the plot was intriguing and I really enjoyed it.

Meira was kind of frustrating. In the beginning, she was incredibly bad-ass – She did what no one else had managed to do for 16 years. But later on in the book, she acted like a toddler having a tantrum. She whined and complained a LOT. She was so focused on the idea of doing something to make her important to Winter, to make her belong and feel needed. Yet when she was presented with something that she could do to help the kingdom, she balked at the idea and the way her life would change. I understand why she was upset, but she was also getting what she wanted. I grudgingly admit that, by the end of the book, she came into her own. The revelation, though, was something I guessed at VERY early on, so I wasn’t surprised, but it was awesome getting that confirmation that I was right.

I both liked and disliked Mather. Weird, I know, but it’s basically the Meira situation all over again. He had moments where he was epic and awesome and he had moments where he tried so hard to be gallant, but came off all moody and tortured – like he was making this big sacrifice. When I finished the book, I really shipped him and Meira, but the more I think about it, the more I’m not sure. His behavior at the end of the book was… I’m not even sure what the word is, honestly. But I didn’t like it.

I REALLY liked Theron. I think he’s the only character that I really liked for the majority of the book, to be honest. He was funny and sarcastic, he stood up to his father and he owned his leadership role. I don’t really ship him and Meira, but I loved their chemistry.

Sir really ticked me off, especially in the beginning. I hated the way he treated Meira and the way he was so cold and distant. His actions made a little more sense once some of the revelations came to light. I was SHOCKED when one thing happened to him, but I’m satisfied with where his story ended. I will say, though, that Sir’s attitude was what first tipped me off to the revelation with Meira.

There were a LOT of secondary and tertiary characters in this book, between Meira’s group and the eight kingdoms, so it’s hard to talk about everyone. I’ll just say this: many of them lacked enough character development/growth to satisfy me, but I’d still love to learn more about them.

Despite how quickly I read this book, the pacing was definitely a little slow. I think that’s mostly because, as I mentioned earlier, Raasch does a LOT of world-building and she has a lot of description and background information mixed in. But I kind of liked that – It really made me feel like I was a part of the story. With eight kingdoms and all the history we were given, there was a lot of information to keep track of, which was a bit difficult at times. And as I mentioned previously, I wish there had been a little more character development to balance the world-building – not that there wasn’t some, but I would have liked to see more.

There were a LOT of parallels with this book and the Throne of Glass series. I think that, more than anything, kept me intrigued. I found myself saying, “Oh, that reminds me of this from ToG!” every few pages. The major parallels were with King Angra and the king of Adarlan, as well as the work camps and Endovier.

Overall, I definitely recommend Snow Like Ashes to fans of high fantasy, especially to fans of the Throne of Glass series. Though the pacing is slow, due to all the world-building (which was actually epic and worth the slow pacing) and the characters needed way more character development/growth, this was still an awesome book with an intriguing plot.

Review: A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis

Oct9

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.

Review: A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis

A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on October 6, 2015
Pages: 384
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

Grace Mae knows madness.

She keeps it locked away, along with her voice, trapped deep inside a brilliant mind that cannot forget horrific family secrets. Those secrets, along with the bulge in her belly, land her in a Boston insane asylum.

When her voice returns in a burst of violence, Grace is banished to the dark cellars, where her mind is discovered by a visiting doctor who dabbles in the new study of criminal psychology. With her keen eyes and sharp memory, Grace will make the perfect assistant at crime scenes. Escaping from Boston to the safety of an ethical Ohio asylum, Grace finds friendship and hope, hints of a life she should have had. But gruesome nights bring Grace and the doctor into the circle of a killer who stalks young women. Grace, continuing to operate under the cloak of madness, must hunt a murderer while she confronts the demons in her own past.

In this beautifully twisted historical thriller, Mindy McGinnis, acclaimed author of Not a Drop to Drink and In a Handful of Dust, explores the fine line between sanity and insanity, good and evil—and the madness that exists in all of us.

A Madness So Discreet was nothing like I expected it to be. It was my first Mindy McGinnis book and I really enjoyed it! The beginning was a bit odd (though not necessarily in a bad way), but after that, it got super intriguing. McGinnis’ writing style takes some getting used to but she really dives into the world she creates and you can’t help but dive in right along with her!

The first 90 pages were very blunt, in-your-face and completely unapologetic. Honestly, the whole book was like that, but it was especially apparent in the beginning, when we saw the way Grace was treated in a less-than upstanding insane asylum. The way women used to be thrown in asylums simply because their husband or father (or any male in their life) said, “yep, she’s crazy. Lock her up!” was completely horrifying, sick and twisted.

Grace was a pretty amazing character. She faced a LOT of hard times – and that’s an understatement. One thing that happened to Grace – the thing that got her sent to the asylum in the first place – was truly heinous. I don’t want to spoil it and, to be honest, it’s not something I’ve dealt with very much and I don’t think I could discuss it properly/do it justice, so I’m just going to say that it was horrifying and no one ever deserves to go through what she experienced, never mind the fact that she was deemed “crazy” to hide the heinous act of another. Though I won’t elaborate (because spoilers) and I don’t know much about the subject, I will say that it felt like McGinnis handled it very well in the context of this book.

With everything Grace went through, I feel like she was a very strong, fierce character. She didn’t let what she experienced harden her. She didn’t lose herself in the asylum – though there was that one moment…. But in the end, she faced the things that haunted her and saw justice served. She found a place for herself and made her own happiness.

Thornhollow was an interesting but frustrating character. It was hard to get a good read on him. He rescued Grace from a very bad situation, but he did it more for himself than for her. He had a bit of a one track mind when it came to his work. Sometimes that was a good thing, but sometimes it made him very stubborn and he refused to listen to Grace or accept alternate theories on a certain subject. I also didn’t see much character growth in him. He stayed pretty much the same throughout, though he had a few moments where he learned important lessons and seemed to embrace those lessons.

Adelaide was an epic character. She said whatever was on her mind, never holding anything back. I thought she was hilarious and sarcastic and loved the way she sided so quickly with Grace, rather than Thornhollow. Their bond was awesome.

There were a lot of secondary characters that I really came to like – and some I strongly disliked. I appreciated the way McGinnis showed that there were good and bad people in this world and not everyone was who they seemed. At the first asylum, you had Croomes and Mr. Heedson, who were evil and horrible. But then you had Mrs. Clay, who was a kind old lady. And then there’s Falsteed, who was super creepy and weird and who seemed to be straddling that line of good versus evil. But there was still something likable about him.

At the second asylum, Grace met Nell and Lizzie, both of whom I really liked. Despite their circumstances, they still managed to hold their heads high. Nell was fierce and spoke her mind, while Lizzie was more perceptive that people gave her credit for, as well as fiercely loyal.

This book’s pacing was a bit odd. Sometimes, it slowed down and I had to push to get through certain sections. Other times, I sped through 50 pages without even realizing it. The beginning was hard to get through because of the conditions of the first asylum and the things that Grace was subjected to. But once I got through that, the pace picked up and stayed up for awhile before it began slowing a little bit. The ending, though, will have you flipping pages as fast as you can!

Overall, this book was Criminal Minds in the form of YA historical fiction. If you like criminology and criminal psychology, you’re going to love this book! The characters are complex, flawed and wonderful. McGinnis is an amazing author and her writing will pull you in and refuse to let go. Trigger warning for sexual assault – If books with that topic bother you, you may want to avoid this book or read with caution. I highly recommend this book for fans of psychological thrillers and historicals!

Review: Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics

Oct7

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.

Review: Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics

Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics
Published by Harlequin Teen on September 29, 2015
Pages: 304
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
three-stars

When sixteen-year-old Amanda Verner's family decides to move from their small mountain cabin to the vast prairie, she hopes it is her chance for a fresh start. She can leave behind the memory of the past winter; of her sickly Ma giving birth to a baby sister who cries endlessly; of the terrifying visions she saw as her sanity began to slip, the victim of cabin fever; and most of all, the memories of the boy she has been secretly meeting with as a distraction from her pain. The boy whose baby she now carries.

When the Verners arrive at their new home, a large cabin abandoned by its previous owners, they discover the inside covered in blood. And as the days pass, it is obvious to Amanda that something isn't right on the prairie. She's heard stories of lands being tainted by evil, of men losing their minds and killing their families, and there is something strange about the doctor and his son who live in the woods on the edge of the prairie. But with the guilt and shame of her sins weighing on her, Amanda can't be sure if the true evil lies in the land, or deep within her soul.

Lately, I’ve really been in the mood for a creepy, scary, “keep the lights on” book – Something that scares me as much as my favorite horror movies, maybe more. Which is why I’ve been desperately anticipating Daughters Unto Devils for over a year now. But as a horror buff, not much scares me. So, sadly, neither did this. But beyond that, the entire book fell kind of flat for me.

I didn’t connect with any of the characters, nor did I particularly like them. They were very flat and had very little character growth or development throughout the book. Not to mention the fact that they were all pretty nasty and mean to each other. Pa was such a cold man. Ma seemed broken. Amanda was bland. Henry was completely using Amanda. And though Emily had reason to be angry with Amanda, she also didn’t have to stay so angry. Wasn’t Amanda punished enough with everything that happened to her? I just didn’t see any love at all between these characters. Also, I didn’t trust Zeke or Doctor Jacobson at all.

Though the majority of the book didn’t scare me, the last page did gave me a small chill, but it was nothing near what I’d hoped to feel with this book. Rather, it was like watching a horror movie that you’ve already seen – you know what’s coming, yet you still anticipate that moment when you’re going to be scared and jumpy, but you’re never actually scared, just jumpy. It’s unfortunate that this book wasn’t creepy because the setting – the isolated prairie in the 1800s – had such creep-factor potential.

Despite all that, I will say the plot was intriguing! With the right music and special effects, I could completely see it being a successful movie or TV mini-series. Also, the pacing was pretty spot-on. I finished this book in a matter of hours – mostly because I was desperate to get to the creepy part (which didn’t happen), but also because the writing flowed very nicely and it was an easy read.

If you love horror, give this one a shot! And if you’re easily scared, you might want to read this during the day.. With all the lights on.. Just in case..!

So.. Short review is short. But I honestly don’t have anything else to say about this one. I’m very sad panda that I didn’t enjoy it more; however, this book had all kinds of potential and I’m still excited to see what Amy Lukavics comes up with next.

Review: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Oct6

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.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Dregs #1
Published by Henry Holt and Co. on September 29, 2015
Pages: 480
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

After binge reading the entire Grisha trilogy, I was super pumped to dive right into Six of Crows. I had extremely high expectations for this book, since I loved the Grisha trilogy so much – and Six of Crows more than delivered! With incredible world-building, epic characters and Leigh Bardugo’s gorgeous writing, this book was everything I hoped it would be and more!

First of all, I love this world. I love that we (those who read the Grisha trilogy) know this world – it’s established and we know the rules and laws, but it’s also a different side of the world we know and love. It’s darker and heavier, yet it still has moments that make you laugh out loud. Bardugo’s world-building and writing skills have gotten even better since she did the Grisha trilogy and since that trilogy was insanely amazing, it’s hard to believe she could get even better than she already was!

I also loved these characters. They have so much depth and richness – I was immediately and completely invested in them and their story. They were insanely awesome and had such great chemistry, I just shipped everyone with everyone!

Kaz is incredibly cocky, sarcastic and bad-ass. He had nothing and no one and he had to build himself up and, essentially, start from scratch. He needed a roof over his head, a source of income, a way to ensure his safety and reputation – and he did all of that and more. He’s fiercely loyal to the Dregs and his friends, yet driven by revenge

I had a major girl crush on Inej. I loved everything about her – her background, who she was to the Dregs and Kaz, her attitude and personality, how badass and loyal she was – absolutely everything. She’s a trained fighter and capable of holding her own. In those regards, she reminded me of Alina and Celaena.

I 100% shipped Kaz and Inej. They were just perfect together. They were both loyal and bad-ass and they could both hold their own in a sticky situation, yet they still watched each other’s backs, kept each other’s secrets and were concerned beyond words for each other’s safety when things looked grim. Yet they still butted heads over a number of things and the tension between them was insane. My heart completely broke for them at the end of this book and I’m anxious to see what happens next for them.

I wasn’t really crazy about Jesper in the beginning, but then he grew on me. He and Wylan (one of my favorite characters) were hilarious and perfect together. It’s hard to pick who my OTP was, between them and Kaj & Inej, but I can definitely say that they were one of my absolute favorite ships in this book!

For the most part, I liked Nina. She was hilarious and I loved the role she played in the group, but I never fully trusted her – She had her own agenda and I was always waiting for her to stab them all in the back, to do what she had to in order to fix the messes she found herself in.

Matthias was an okay character, but he wasn’t stand-out for me. What he did was brave and it showed that he DOES know right from wrong and he CAN learn to do the right thing. But I wasn’t crazy about his background or his personality. And I definitely did NOT ship him and Nina, which made me very sad because I had heard a LOT about this ship prior to reading the book and everyone loved them. I wanted to like Matthias and I wanted to ship him and Nina but I just couldn’t. Not after the things he did and how many times he betrayed her or hurt her. He reminded me of the Darkling – I wanted to like him, but I could’t forgive the things he did.

Normally, this many POVs in one novel would annoy me – Unfortunately, too many multiple POV’s (greater than three) are almost always done because it’s the only way to kept the story moving and without them, there would be less plot and a shorter novel. But Bardugo made it work and I loved seeing inside everyone’s heads! I also felt the pacing was pretty spot on. Some people found it slow to get going, but I think that’s because Bardugo really took the time to develop this world and these characters and, as a very character-driven reader, I really appreciated and enjoyed that. For me, nothing felt like filler – it all felt relevant and important to the overall story. Others might disagree and that’s okay! But I do suggest pushing through the potentially slow beginning – it’s so worth it for the epic cliffhanger ending!

And, my goodness, was that cliffhanger epic, intense and insane! This book JUST came out a week ago and I’m already dying for the sequel! So many revelations, so many plot twists, so many crazy character developments… My poor heart couldn’t take it!!! I really don’t want to say more for fear of spoilers, but trust me, it was ridiculously good!

Overall, if you couldn’t tell from my rambling-filled fangirl review, I LOVED this book, I LOVE Leigh Bardugo and I CAN’T wait for her next book (both in this series and in general). I can’t get enough of this world, these characters or Bardugo’s crazy-good writing! I HIGHLY recommend this book, whether you read the Grisha trilogy or not (Side note: You DON’T have to read the Grisha trilogy before you read Six of Crows – they’re companion novels and can be read together or separately; however, I HIGHLY recommend you read both the Grisha trilogy AND Six of Crows because both are amazing beyond words), give this one a chance! It’s filled with amazing characters, an epic plot and a rich, well-developed world – So, basically, it has everything that makes an amazing book!

Review: Spinning Starlight by R.C. Lewis (Blog Tour + Giveaway)

Oct5

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.

Spinning Starlight by R.C. Lewis
Published by Disney Hyperion on October 6th 2015
Pages: 336
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

Sixteen-year-old heiress and paparazzi darling Liddi Jantzen hates the spotlight. But as the only daughter in the most powerful tech family in the galaxy, it's hard to escape it. So when a group of men show up at her house uninvited, she assumes it's just the usual media-grubs. That is, until shots are fired.

Liddi escapes, only to be pulled into an interplanetary conspiracy more complex than she ever could have imagined. Her older brothers have been caught as well, trapped in the conduits between the planets. And when their captor implants a device in Liddi's vocal cords to monitor her speech, their lives are in her hands: One word and her brothers are dead.

Desperate to save her family from a desolate future, Liddi travels to another world, where she meets the one person who might have the skills to help her bring her eight brothers home-a handsome dignitary named Tiav. But without her voice, Liddi must use every bit of her strength and wit to convince Tiav that her mission is true. With the tenuous balance of the planets deeply intertwined with her brothers' survival, just how much is Liddi willing to sacrifice to bring them back?

Haunting and mesmerizing, this retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Wild Swans strings the heart of the classic with a stunning, imaginative world as a star-crossed family fights for survival in this companion to Stitching Snow.

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Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Spinning Starlight by R.C. Lewis! I’m very excited to be a part of this blog tour! I absolutely loved this book and I hope you enjoy my review!

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According to the synopsis, Spinning Starlight is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Wild Swans. I’ll admit, I haven’t read that one and have no idea what it’s about. But I’ll say this: In my opinion, Spinning Starlight was The Little Mermaid meets These Broken Stars and full of awesome. With intriguing characters, epic world-building and Lewis’ signature writing, this companion to Stitching Snow (one of my top reads of 2014) will take you on a wild ride!

I really liked Liddi. She’s burdened with a heavy responsibility from a young age, yet it never really goes to her head. In fact, it has the opposite effect and she actually doubts herself and her abilities. She puts a lot of pressure on herself to live up to other people’s expectations. She’s incredibly loyal to family and the love she has for her brothers – and the love they had for her – was amazing. Often, you see siblings fighting in YA and not getting along, so this was a very refreshing change of pace. I would have loved to get to know her brothers more, though. We definitely didn’t get to see enough of them and their interactions with Liddi!

In the journey to save her brothers, Liddi ends up being in a constant state of danger. She was almost always in an unknown place or situation and, without an easy means of communication, she had to fight to be understood and to survive. In my mind, that makes her brave, loyal and fierce.

The only thing that annoyed me, in regard to Liddi, was the process by which she and Tiav communicated in the beginning. Deciphering the weird syllables of Liddi’s robotic/computerized voice was a bit annoying and it often slowed down my reading pace.

I liked Tiav for the most part, especially in the beginning and end – though he lost some brownie points in the middle for some of his behavior! But in the beginning, when he first met Liddi, he was very level-headed and open-minded. He was quick to trust Liddi, though he remained cautious, but he was kind and very protective and accepting of her. Like I said, his behavior in the middle portion of the book kind of ticked me off, but from his perspective, I get why he acted the way he did, so I won’t come down too hard on him for it. And he definitely redeemed himself in the end.

There were a LOT of secondary characters in this book. As with Stitching Snow, I admired Lewis’ ability to make us care for characters that we didn’t really have a lot of time to get to know. Some note-worthy characters (for both good and bad reasons) are Garrin, Quain (who I liked but didn’t always trust), Shiin (again, liked her but didn’t trust her), Minali (don’t even get me started), Dom and Kalkig. But they are/were all wonderful characters that I loved reading about and, in some cases, would have liked to read about more and get to know better.

The Spinning Starlight world was WAY more elaborate than the Stitching Snow world – which is weird to say because I know it’s supposed to be the same world, since this was a companion novel. But Lewis definitely upped the world-building in this book and I love how detailed it was. At the same time, there was more action in Stitching Snow versus this book and the pacing of Stitching Snow felt faster, though I still read this book pretty quickly. The ending for both books felt slightly rushed, but I noticed it more so in Spinning Starlight. I really would have loved an epilogue, something to make the ending feel more complete.

The only two complaints I really have are with the flashbacks at the end of each chapter and some of the tech talk. The flashbacks were a bit confusing because they felt very random and I couldn’t figure out what they had to do with the chapter they proceeded. The formatting of this eARC was a bit off, though, so I’m wondering if they make more sense in the finished copy of the book. As for the tech talk, I really felt very lost and confused with a lot of the technology and the explanations for the Khua, conduits, etc. And not understanding a lot of that meant I was confused for a good portion of the book, so that took a bit of enjoyment away from reading.

But overall, this book was epic and a fun read. I love Lewis’ writing. I love the worlds she creates. I love the characters she develops. I just really love her books and can’t wait to see what she does next! And, of course, I highly recommend this book!

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And now for the giveaway! 1 winner will receive a signed finished copies of STITCHING SNOW & SPINNING STARLIGHT. US Only. To enter, complete the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author:

R.C. Lewis teaches math to teenagers—sometimes in sign language, sometimes not—so whether she’s a science geek or a bookworm depends on when you look. That may explain why her characters don’t like to be pigeonholed. Coincidentally, R.C. enjoys reading about quantum physics and the identity issues of photons.

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:
9/28/2015 – Fangirlish – Interview
9/29/2015 – A Backwards Story – Review
9/30/2015 – Supernatural Snark – Guest Post
10/1/2015 – YaReads – Review
10/2/2015 – Two Chicks on Books – Interview

Week Two:
10/5/2015 – Pandora’s Book’s– Review
10/6/2015 – Bookhounds ya – Guest Post
10/7/2015 – Just Commonly – Review
10/8/2015 – Mundie Moms – Interview
10/9/2015 – Please Feed The Bookworm – Review