Wednesday, December 16, 2015

BLOODCRAFT by Amalie Howard - Review + Giveaway!



Bloodcraft by Amalie Howard
Series: Bloodspell #2 
Genre: Upper YA/NA (mature content), Fantasy
Publication: December 15th, 2015


All magic has its price, and no one knows that better than Victoria Warrick. Gifted with a centuries-old blood curse, Tori has finally learned to master her blood’s demands and has emerged triumphant with Christian Devereux, a vampire overlord, at her side.

But the worst is yet to come …

In the infamous City of Lights, home to both the Witch Clans and the Vampire Council, Tori enrolls at the exclusive Belles Fontaines school in Paris, where she is faced with a devastating choice: choose Christian and be an outcast, or choose the coven and secure her place with the witches.

When the fate of the supernatural world is targeted by a sinister new threat, Christian and Victoria must unite their two warring species to defeat it. Their bond will be tested, twisted, and sorely weakened, and Tori will find herself in uncharted territory—a dangerous place to be when her blood’s magic has its own dark agenda.

But to save them all, she may have no choice but to invoke its deadly power.

PURCHASE
Amazon | Kobo | B&N

----------------------------------------------------

**REVIEW**

After nearly 4 years of waiting, we finally get the much-anticipated sequel to Bloodspell! And Amalie Howard does not disappoint!! At first, I found it a bit hard hard to get into as I didn't re-read or skim Bloodspell, but after 20-30 pages, it all started coming back.

One thing that I noticed was Amalie's ability to write a great fight scene has always been incredible - but now is impeccable. Main character Victoria (Tori), and her boyfriend Christian are not only the perfect couple couple but make a perfect fighting team.

The curse surrounding Tori deepens and war break out. This creates a story arc that  keeps you flipping pages! Christian's brother, Lucien, also returns as a  most delightful villain - one that you just love/hate.

Amalie's writing is fast, clear, and pulls the reader in quickly. The entire book is satisfying, just like the ending. Unlike Bloodspell, Bloodcraft doesn't has no cliffhanger, which makes it pretty much the perfect story! Bravo to Amalie on another nearly flawless novel!!
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Book #1, Bloodspell



AVAILABLE ON

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for 99¢!


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About the Author



AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island (Trinidad & Tobago) where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 25 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.

An aspiring writer from a young age, Amalie’s poem “The Candle,” written at age twelve, was published in a University of Warwick journal. At fifteen, she was  a recipient of a Royal Commonwealth Society Essay Award (a global youth writing competition). A Colby College graduate, she completed simultaneous Honors Theses in both French and International Studies, and graduated Summa Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa. At Colby, she was cited for research and criticism in Raffael Scheck’s article, “German Conservatism and Female Political Activism in the Early Weimar Republic,” and his subsequent book, Mothers of the Nation. She also received a distinction in English Literature from the University of Cambridge (A-levels) as well as a certificate in French Literature from the Ecole Normale SupĂ©rieure in Paris, France. Traveling the globe, she has worked as a research assistant, marketing representative, teen speaker and global sales executive.

agold-authorShe is the author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was a #1 Amazon bestseller and a Seventeen Magazine Summer Read. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children. She is represented by the Liza Royce Agency and is a member of SCBWI.



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Giveaway
  • Kindle Fire giveaway is open to US residents due to shipping restrictions. 
  • Paperback copies of BLOODSPELL & BLOODCRAFT are open to US and INT readers.
  • This giveaway is sponsored by Amalie Howard. 
  • Leading up to the release of BLOODCRAFT, more entries/options will be added to the rafflecopter to double your chances! 

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Thursday, November 12, 2015

Michelle Madow's Virtual Blog Tour, Giveaway, and Author Guest Post!!!



What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas … but that doesn’t matter when you live there.
Sisterhood, first crushes and scandalous secrets explode as Savannah, Courtney, Peyton, and
Madison return in DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, Michelle Madow's exciting conclusion to The
Secret Diamond Sister series, releasing October 27th from Harlequin Teen.

Giveaway:

Michelle is offering up a fabulous prize during her Diamonds are Forever Virtual Tour event.
One (1) lucky winner will receive a signed paperback set of The Secret Diamond Sisters, along
with a swag pack that includes lipgloss, bookmark, sister postcards, pin! To enter, simply fill out
the Rafflecopter below:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/YjA1MGVmMjkwYTE2NWQzYWI3ODNiODExNGJiNGU0OjE0Mg==/?

About Diamonds are Forever:

Title: Diamonds are Forever
Author: Michelle Madow
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Series: The Secret Diamond Sisters #3
Genre: Young Adult
Length: 368 Pages
ISBN: 9780373211524

It's cold outside, but the drama is hot!

The Diamond sisters jet to the mountains for spring break, and Savannah's flirt-mance with an
international pop star heats up as her pursuit of stardom succeeds. But is this romance meant to
be, or has the right guy been in front of her all along? Meanwhile, Courtney takes the next step
with her secret boyfriend—and future stepbrother—and as their parents' wedding approaches, the
pressure's on to reveal their relationship.
Peyton's figuring out a plan for her future, but she still feels guilty about getting her former
bodyguard fired and wonders if she can get over him in the arms of someone else. But the
biggest bombshell will change everything once again, because Madison's ready to tell the huge
secret she's uncovered. And with the boy who betrayed her but who could be the love of her life
fighting for his own life, she might need the Diamond sisters more than ever.

About Michelle Madow:

Michelle Madow wrote her first novel, Remembrance, in her junior year of college.
Remembrance is the first book in The Transcend Time Saga, a three part series about
reincarnation and true love that Michelle successfully self-published. The series was inspired by
Taylor Swift's "Love Story" music video. Michelle's latest YA series, The Secret Diamond
Sisters, about three sisters who discover they are the secret heirs to a Las Vegas billionaire
casino owner, was published in March 2014 by Harlequin Teen. The second book in the series,
Diamonds in the Rough, released in November 2014, and the third book, Diamonds are Forever,
will be coming out in November 2015. Michelle is active on social media networks and has
toured across America to promote her books and encourage high school students to embrace
reading and writing.

Michelle lives in Boca Raton, Florida, where she is writing more novels for young adults. She
loves reading, spending time with family and friends, traveling the world, shopping, Disney fairy
tales, Broadway musicals, and loves talking with fans on Facebook (/MichelleMadow), Twitter
(@MichelleMadow), and Instagram (@MichelleMadow).
To chat with Michelle and other fans about her books, join Michelle Madow's Street Team on
Facebook!



GUEST POST WITH MICHELLE MADOW!!!!!

Similarities between author and her characters.

The four main characters in The Secret Diamond Sisters are all very different, but each
of them does have something about them that’s similar to me!

Savannah: Big Dreams
Savannah reaches for the stars with her goal to become a popular YouTube singer. I
might not be a singer, but my goal of writing novels is similar to Savannah’s goal of
singing.

Courtney: Being a Bookworm
Courtney’s love of reading is 100% based on my own love of reading! There’s even a
part in Diamonds in the Rough where Courtney mentions reading my first book,
Remembrance.

Peyton: Style
While Peyton’s style is edgier than my own, we both share the same favorite color
(black) and love doing dark smoky eye makeup.

Madison: General Personality
One of my friends once said, “If Madison were nice, she’s basically you.” So, remove
the mean stuff that Madison does, and she’s definitely the character who’s the most
similar to myself. Although instead of her love for science, I have Courtney’s love of
reading!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Tour: HIS TOUCH / NOTHING LEFT TO BURN by Patty Blount - Top Ten + Giveaway




HIS TOUCH
By: Patty Blount
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Release date: June 29, 2015
Pages: 168
When a surly paramedic finds Kara Larsen's lost toddler, only to berate her for failing to mind her child, Kara is embarrassed and relieved she'll never have to deal with that jerk again. Doesn't he know being a single mom is a lot harder than it looks?! But when baby Nadia has trouble breathing one night, Kara's frantic 911 call brings that same jerk right to her door...

 FDNY paramedic Reid Bennett has a compulsion to help frantic parents. But after the way he over-reacted to the beautiful woman in the department store that day, she wants nothing to do with him. But it's not his fault he keeps running into her all over the city...

 When Kara bumps into Reid for the third time in a week, she can't help but wonder if the mom she lost in 2001 is playing matchmaker. As Kara and Reid form a cautious friendship, he quickly becomes baby Nadia's favorite person. But Reid has no interest in long-term commitment, or so he thought. So when Nadia's father calls out of the blue and Kara agrees to see him, Reid realizes he has some triage to do if he hopes to keep his girls...


NOTHING LEFT TO BURN
By: Patty Blount
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release date: August 4, 2015
Pages: 336

Reece’s father hasn’t spoken to him since the car wreck that killed Reece’s brother. Desperate for forgiveness, Reece joins the Junior Cadet program at his dad’s firehouse. But the program is grueling, and Reece isn’t sure he can make it through. Then he meets Amanda.

Amanda understands wanting to belong. As a foster kid, the firehouse is the only place that feels like home. She agrees to help Reece, but falling for him wasn’t part of the deal. And when a string of arsons suddenly point to Amanda, their relationship could go up in flames.


 B&N | Amazon | Goodreads | Indiebound | Google Play | Powell's | Book Depository |Kobo 




Powered by chocolate, Patty Blount is the award-winning author of novels for teens including Some Boys (2015 Firecracker Award winner, 2015 Rita Award Finalist, 2015 Bookseller's Best Award Finalist), TMI, and SEND, as well as contemporary holiday romances, A Match Made at Christmas and its sequel, His Touch.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blog 

1.     I wrote HIS TOUCH in about a month after I lost my job. It was nice having nothing to do except write. I got lost in the story, in the problems these characters had and I think it saved me.
2.     I'm a huge Neil Diamond fan and love how Sweet Caroline has become an anthem to so many sports fans. Because Nadia's not entirely verbal yet, I thought the Bop, bop bop part would be something she could handle and love the cuteness factor.
3.     I actually did lose my toddler twice in the same day. First, he escaped at a department store in the time it took me to sign my name on a credit card slip. Found him at the back of the store, playing at the water fountain. Then I lost him inside a smaller store. Both times, I felt like my heart stopped. When I found him safe, part of me wanted to wrap him in bubble wrap ( another reference I used in this story) and the other part wanted to kill him for making me worry.
4.     The cell phone distraction is something else that happened to me in real life. I was walking across a busy parking lot and saw a baby run into the path of an SUV whose driver could not see her. I ran, full out, slammed a hand on the vehicle to make the driver stop, and then scooped up the baby, mere feet away from a rear tire. The baby's mother had no clue she was gone because she was on the phone.
5.     The 'triplets' in the CPR class were inspired by my Facebook friends, who go insane over pictures of firefighters.
6.     My youngest son suffered through repeated bouts of croup and there is no sound on earth more frightening than that seal-bark cough. It can indeed be dangerous and the year he finally made it through a winter without it, I wanted to throw a party.
7.     The "Circle of Friends" were introduced in another story (A Match Made at Christmas) and reappear in this story. I love the closeness of that circle. "When one of us is hurt, we all bleed."
8.     The reference to Aunt Enza's wooden spoon is also inspired by real life. I suspect it's an Italian Mom thing... my mother used to have a wooden spoon just for spankings.
9.     Nadia learning to nod was based on my first baby. He'd mastered that by the age of ten months and it was so cute. A single head nod when you asked him if he wanted something and a head shake if he didn't. Too cute!
10. There's a scene where Nadia steps between Reid and Kara and says, "Mine!" This was also something my first baby did often. Whenever he spotted my husband and me hugging, he'd muscle in on the action :) 




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Thursday, October 8, 2015

Blog Tour: BRUTAL YOUTH by Anthony Breznican

About The Book:


Brutal Youth
By: Anthony Breznican
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Genres: Fiction
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Three freshmen must join forces to survive at a troubled, working-class Catholic high school with a student body full of bullies and zealots, and a faculty that's even worse in Anthony Breznican's Brutal Youth.
With a plunging reputation and enrollment rate, Saint Michael’s has become a crumbling dumping ground for expelled delinquents and a haven for the stridently religious when incoming freshman Peter Davidek signs up. On his first day, tensions are clearly on the rise as a picked-upon upperclassmen finally snaps, unleashing a violent attack on both the students who tormented him for so long, and the corrupt, petty faculty that let it happen. But within this desperate place, Peter befriends fellow freshmen Noah Stein, a volatile classmate whose face bears the scars of a hard-fighting past, and the beautiful but lonely Lorelei Paskal —so eager to become popular, she makes only enemies. 
To even stand a chance at surviving their freshmen year, the trio must join forces as they navigate a bullying culture dominated by administrators like the once popular Ms. Bromine, their embittered guidance counselor, and Father Mercedes, the parish priest who plans to scapegoat the students as he makes off with church finances. A coming-of-age tale reversed, Brutal Youth follows these students as they discover that instead of growing older and wiser, going bad may be the only way to survive.
Book Links:


If you thought high school was hell, has Anthony Breznican got a story for you…Every bully who stalked you, every sadistic teacher who ever terrified you, every stupid prank, every hopeless crush and false friend: they’re all here, along with a few kids who hang together and try to do the right thing in a brutal environment? By turns funny and terrifying, Brutal Youth is an unputdownable tour-de-force, a Rebel Without a Cause for the 21st century.— Stephen King 
Review

First off, this is not your typical story about bullying. This is hardcore real life. Anthony Breznican does not candy coat anything in Brutal Youth-and it is just that: Brutal.

The novel focuses mainly on three freshman students and the misguided faculty at their Catholic High School. It is not a read for the faint of heart. It is dark and disturbingly real.

Breznican writes with an edge that is original and compelling. The characters and plot are both complex enough to draw you in and make you feel one with the book, which in this case can be quite frightening at times. The honesty he writes with is almost cruel, but that is what makes Brutal Youth so heartbreakingly real.
About The Author:



Anthony Breznican was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1998. He has worked as a reporter for The Arizona Republic, Associated Press, and USA Today. Anthony is currently a senior staff writer for Entertainment Weekly, covering Star Wars, Marvel, the Oscars, and whatnot. Brutal Youth is his first novel.
Website | Twitter | Facebook |BY Website |Goodreads
Follow The Tour:


October 5th Christine Abee – Review
 October 5th Ramblings of a Perpetual New Girl – Review / Interview
October 5th Reads All the Books – Review
October 6th Marla Miller – Author Interview
October 6th Heather Ann's Book Reviews – Review
October 6th Baps Book Blog – Guest Post
October 7thPixie Vixen Book Reviews – Review
October 7th A Universe in Words – Review 
October 8th Bookish Babes – Review
October 8th Karin Baker – Review
October 8thThe Pirate Tree – Review
October 8th Bookish Lifestyle – Review
October 9th Melissa Martin's Reading List – Review / Interview
October 9th A Diary Of A Book Addict – Review 
October 9thTriple T Tots Tweens and Teens – Review
October 9thDizneeee's World of Books – Review
October 9thFangirlish – Review

 “Surprise, surprise—the good guys don’t always win. Sometimes, they’re lucky if they just get to keep on being the good guys.”
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Saturday, October 3, 2015

Blog Tour: STENIBELLE by Ren Garcia

About The Book:

STENIBELLE 
    by Ren Garcia    
    Pages: 184    
      Date published: July 18, 2015    
      Publisher: Loconeal      
   THE 3rd TURN OF THE SHADOW TECH GODDESS The quest of Paymaster Stenstrom spans the planes, taking a bizarre turn in the 3rd universe, as there he is not an affluent man but a woman in desperate circumstances. Lady Stenibelle is imprisoned for her role in the Seeker Affair, is penniless, and her House of Belmont-South Tyrol is on the verge of extinction. Her spirit broken, Stenibelle is resigned to perform her sentence without fuss, do as she is told, and fade away in obscurity.     However, fate is not yet finished with her. Stenibelle is in the gaze of hidden benefactors with ulterior motives. People claiming to be her dear friends come forward, yet she does not know them. The Quests of the Shadow tech Goddess proceed, and she must discover the hero that lies within or face total oblivion. The disgraced 30th daughter of the House of Belmont will either be the final stake driven into its dying heart, or the ray of light that comes to save it and all else that follows.
B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

REVIEW
Stenibelle, Lady of Belmont, is quite a dazzling main character. The novel can be a bit confusing at first, but soon the reader can see that it delves into alternate realities and Stenibelle can exist on every plane.
Stenibelle is a bit of a of a bad ass, as you can see from the beginning of the book. She is a very strong person and that drives her complexity.
Her friends add to the story immensely as they support her in her hijinks. They aren't initially the most likeable but by the end of the book, they become quite likeable.
Further, Hannah-Ben, the evil professor, is probably my favorite. In fantasy genre stories, I tens to love the villains and she does not disappoint!
Ren Garcia's writing is spot on for those who love fantasy - especially steampunk. It is crisp, clear, and detailed, and the building of worlds is truly epic. 
About The Author:
Ren Garcia is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author and Texas native who grew up in western Ohio. He has been writing since before he could write, often scribbling alien lingo on any available wall or floor with assorted crayons. He attended The Ohio State University and majored in English Literature. Ren has been an avid lover of anything surreal since childhood; he also has a passion for caving, urban archaeology and architecture. His books are published by Loconeal. He currently lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, and their three dogs.
Website | Twitter | Facebook |Blog

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Monday, September 14, 2015

Blog Tour: INTO THE DANGEROUS WORLD by Julie Chibbaro #intothedangerousworld



About The Book:




Into The Dangerous World by: Julie Chibbaro
Artwork By: JM Superville Sovak 
Release Date: August 18, 2015
Publisher: Viking/Penguin 
Pages: 352
 Ror lives to draw—to her, it’s like breathing; it’s how she understands life. Raised on a Staten Island commune, she’s never attended a day of school, and knows little of the outside world. When her paranoid father burns down the commune with himself inside, Ror, her mother, and sister end up in a homeless residence in Manhattan. There, she runs into trouble—and love—with Trey, the leader of Noise Ink, a graffiti crew.  

On the city’s streets, and in its museums and galleries, Ror finds herself pulled in different directions. Her father wanted her to make classic art. Noise Ink insists she stay within their lines. Her art teacher urges her to go to college. But what does she want? Ror’s soul-searching—expressed in remarkable drawings and sharp-edged prose, set in the gritty Manhattan of 1984—is cinematic in its scope, and its seamless blend of text and art makes Into the Dangerous World a groundbreaking event in young adult fiction.
 Amazon | Goodreads | B&N | IndieBound
Review:
Into the Dangerous World is a gritty, gripping, novel, written by the talented Julie Chibbaro. Told in the hard-knock setting of 1984 Manhattan, readers are introduced to Aurora, more commonly known as "Ror". She has been raised in a commune and suddenly a tragedy has brought her to the city and has dropped her right into public school. Still reeling from the accident, she is astounded by the city. The artist in her is entranced by the graffiti and art museums, but when she meets Trey, the leader of a graffiti crew, she begins to wonder if she's found her escape or need to escape.

Julie Chibbaro nails the gritty life of 1980s poverty-level New York and the reader is able to envision each scene in the book. Her writing is detailed, clear, and raw, leaving room for Ror to look at herself and grow throughout the novel.

The art, courtesy of Julie's husband, Jean-Marc Superville Sovak, adds to the story tremendously. The art is edgy and resonates with readers, regardless of how it is interpreted. It really added depth to this story and pulled it together into a more cohesive piece.
 
 I would highly recommend this book to lovers of the arts, good stories, and those wanting to get lost in a gritty, realistic fiction novel. This story has something for everyone and in my opinion, will appeal to adults and young adults, alike.
About The Authors:



Julie Chibbaro and Jean-Marc Superville Sovak are the husband and wife duo behind Into the Dangerous World (Viking 2015). 

Julie Chibbaro was born into a family of artists, and also married one. She grew up in NYC during the explosion of graffiti art. She has written two historical novels, Redemption, which won the American Book Award, and Deadly, which won the National Jewish Book Award. JM Superville Sovak is half-Trini, half-Czech, half-Canadian. His fourth half is spent making art, for which he earned his M.F.A. from Bard College in NY.
They both live in Beacon, NY.
Bonus:


For those of you that purchase a copy of INTO THE DANGEROUS WORLD any time during the official book tour (August 18-September 30) will receive a one of a kind #IntoTheDangerousWorld pack filled with lots of goodies.
(While supplies last)

To qualify you must send proof of purchase to amydelrosso(at)gmail(dot)com.

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Read An Excerpt:




Follow The Tour:


August 20th Handbags, Books...Whatever – Guest Post
August 24th Bookish – Review
August 25th Heather Ann's Book Reviews – Review
August 26thFangirlishReview/Author Interview
August 27thRamblings of a Perpetual New GirlReview
September 3rd Bookish Lifestyle – Review / Character Interview
September 7thChristine Abee – Review
September 9th– A Diary Of A Book Addict – Review 
September 14thTriple T Tots tweens and teensReview
September 15thMelissa Martin's Reading List – Review / Interview 
September 16thJourneys & LifeReview
September 17thThe Power of Three ReadersReview / Guest Post
September 18thMy Reading RealityReview / Top Ten
September 18thMiranda's Book Blog – Guest Post
September 19thActin' Up with BooksReview
September 19thA Life Bound By Books – Guest Post
September 21st Cabin Goddess – Review & Recipe
September 22ndActin' Up with BooksGuest Post  
September 25thPixie Vixen Book Reviews – Review
September 26thKarin Baker – Review
September 26thRitesh Kala – Review 
Date TBA The Reader and the Chef – Guest Post 
Join The Tour


Want to be part of the tour? Fill out this form.. http://goo.gl/forms/lrNSkPc6m0

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