*[Book Highlight & Giveaway] Mine to Spell (Mine #2) by Janeal Falor

 

 

Title: Mine to Spell
Author: Janeal Falor
Series: Mine #2
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publication: May 5th, 2014

Cynthia has always hidden from her father’s hexes behind her older sister. When her family gains independence unheard of for women, she’s relieved that her days of harsh punishments are over. But as her seventeenth birthday approaches—the typical age to be sold to a new master—death threats endanger her sisters. She now faces two options: run or meet society’s expectations.

For once, Cynthia isn’t going to let her older sister shield her from the problem. She’s going to prove to herself, her sisters, and society that her family isn’t a threat to their traditions. She willingly chooses to be purchased by a new master. A bold step that takes her somewhere she never thought she would go and to a man she might possibly fall in love with. With his help, she may just find a way to save her sisters while discovering how to stand up for herself. If she lives long enough.

Purchase:
 

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Book #1

You Are Mine

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“Have you made any progress?” Serena asks.

After giving my necklace a tug, I randomly pick one of the three choices of a future owner I’ve narrowed it down to. At this point, there’s nothing different about any of them. All are rich warlocks offering much for possession of me but say little else. Any warlock who said anything more always said something distasteful. “Contact this one. And make sure he pays for me before you sign anything.”

“You’re making the decision so soon?”

There’s no holding back my emotions any longer. This isn’t something I want any more than she does, but there’s a part to play. I focus all my negativity into cheer. It comes out in a squeak of giddiness. “Naturally I did, Serena. I can’t wait until I’m with my new owner. Excuse me while I go embroider a handkerchief with his name on it.”

The stunned look on her face makes an apology want to tumble from my lips, but there’s no saying the words. I spring from the room like I’m the happiest woman in Chardonia, not the one returning to a world full of hexes and beatings and warlocks. A world I despise.
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Amazon best selling author Janeal Falor lives in Utah with her husband and three children. In her non-writing time she teaches her kids to make silly faces, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and attempts to cultivate a garden even when half the things she plants die. When it's time for a break she can be found taking a scenic drive with her family, fencing, or drinking hot chocolate.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Tumblr

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*[Book Blast & Giveaway] Scents and Senses (Scents and Senses #1) by Loren Secretts

 
 
 

Scents and Senses: Supernatural Friends. What the fairy tales didn’t tell you Playing the role of a knight in shining armor is more complicated than it seems in the storybooks, as sixteen-year-old Joy discovers when she repeatedly comes to the rescue of a fifteen-year-old human. But when she meddles in the girl’s social life, Starra sends her packing. Starra is determined to completely dissociate herself from the subterranean creature that has manipulated her life and cast her into the limelight. However, her resolve is soon tested when she becomes involved in a critical situation where supernatural assistance can enable her to carry out a daring plot. Eventually, Starra’s involvement with her new other-wordly friends extracts a heavy price when she is beset by challenges that range from the down- to-earth struggles of a typical teenage student, to the realm of the fantastic. Nothing prepares her, however, for the ultimate challenge.  

Amazon * Smashwords

 

Excerpt

 

Joy Ever since I’ve been old enough to kick off on a condor with my own two chicken feet, I’ve been drilled to mind my own business. Mind your own business, the first of the American Ten Commandments. It’s not one I subscribe to, even though in our community, not minding my own business means more than social suicide; it’s a crime when we ascend above ground. For thousands of years we deeems have kept away from the creatures running over our heads with their five-toed feet. So if anyone in my community gets wind of the risky job I’m on these days, I’m practically a goner. But that doesn’t stop me from shadowing a certain teenage fivetoe. There’s also a totally different occupational hazard involved in this position I’ve created for myself, one I’m suffering from right now: this job occasionally makes school seem relatively stimulating. Yawn. I’ve played too many Angry Condor games to count since Starra got involved in some fantasy book a couple of hours ago and lost contact with the real world. Even if I knew how to become visible to the fivetoe eye and suddenly revealed myself, I bet she wouldn’t notice me, the cute teen perched on her windowsill. Time simply refuses to advance, and I have to resort to counting the spider eggs cocooned in their nest on a nearby tree branch. A sudden sigh interrupts my lame occupation. There’s a starry look in the big eyes, and I notice the novel is slipping out of Starra’s dreamy grip. This is my window of opportunity! I finger the starchy edge of the book jacket and coax the book forward. Thud. The book falls to the floor, and the movement seems to bring Starra back to her senses. At last she grabs a hoodie and sets out, probably for one of her night excursions on the Vista Del Mar Path. Are we running or biking tonight? Running it is. I jog behind her, finding the excursion by the shoreline an improvement to watching her read. At least we are moving. She runs for half an hour, at a speed faster than the sea turtle pace usual for fivetoes. Then she slows to a stop at a jagged rock, half-submerged in the ocean. I groan quietly and contemplate leaving. From experience, I know she’ll climb to the top of her rock and dream away. I start backing off, but when I’m some fifty feet away, I look back. Starra makes a pretty picture there, her silhouette perched high on the rock. Her long legs are tucked under her, and her head hangs back as she keeps her gaze on the stars above. If only she would let loose the heavy dark mane of hair she always twists up at the back of her neck, she would truly look like a mermaid risen from the sea. Something pulls me back to her. I can’t explain it, but I have a feeling trouble is lurking nearby, waiting to snatch her in its net. My chicken feet make an about face and follow Starra home as she takes the shorter route through town.

Tour Schedule

 

Author Bio:

 

Loren Secretts was raised in a book-filled home, in a sleepy east coast suburb of the US. These factors are undoubtedly responsible for her early design of a number of exciting imaginary worlds that she could escape to from time to time during her childhood. In her teen years, between schoolwork and lending an ear to her friends, Loren had less opportunity to go AWOL. Instead, her experience as a confidant to others inspired her to major in psychology in college and earn her M.A. in the field on the west coast. As an adult, Loren has found fulfillment in her work with children and families for more than a decade. Her passion for writing was revived when she discovered that she enjoyed delving into the human psyche to write psychological reports. But clients' reports are safe with Loren, who guards secrets fastidiously. Indeed, one of her aspirations is to work as a psychotherapist for the CIA, but since she now lives with her family in Canada, that dream will have to await its turn…

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest

 

     

Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/27/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 

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Saturday Snapshot #3

 

To participate in Saturday Snapshot: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Reads' Blog. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

 

Sleepy Annie

 

 

*[Blog Tour Review] Defy the Night by Heather Munn & Lydia Munn

Summary:

If no one will do anything, she’ll have to do it herself.

In 1941 France is still “free.” But fifteen-year-old Magali is frustrated by the cruel irony of pretending life is normal when food is rationed, new clothes are a rarity, and most of her friends are refugees. And now the government is actually helping the Nazis. Someone has got to do something, but it seems like no one has the guts—until Paquerette arrives.

Smuggling refugee children is Paquerette’s job. And she asks Magali to help.

Working with Paquerette is scary and exhausting, but Magali never doubts that it is the right thing to do. Until her brash actions put those she loves in danger.

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 311 pages (Paperback)

Source: Review Copy

Available Formats: Print/E-book

Publication Date: February 1st 2014 by Kregel Publications

If I had to describe Defy the Night in one word it would have to be addictive. I have a weird wariness for historical fiction set during WWI and WWII but the summary for this one really caught my eye when I got the tour invite, it just sounded like a book I shouldn't miss which I'm glad I didn't because it had me up reading until 5 a.m. yesterday morning. I couldn't put it down until I got to the end and, even then I was left wanting more. I just love that feeling when a book I'm curious but wary of turns out to be a fan-freaking-tastic good read.

I was completely captivated by Magli's story right from the get go. I thought it was wonderful to have such a young heroine be so determined in her quest to not become like the others she knows who are so compliant to the Nazi's even though she knows the risks to herself are high. She was such a strong young girl I was rooting for her the whole way through. While, I thought she was a fantastic character it isn't because she was perfect. She's a teenager and while there are extreme differences in being a 15 year old German girl now compared to then that teenage angst is prominent and the basic teenage growing pains are still there. She has whiny moments, selfish moments, but all of that for me made her even more likable because she was easier to connect with because of those faults which I can't exactly call faults, but have to for lack of a better word. She's just one of those characters you love and get attached to. Plus I loved how she looks up to Paquerette and how inspired she is by her, the reverence she feels for her really came through in the writing.

I also really enjoyed  Paquerette. She was saving lives and putting herself in harms way so that future generations of young Jewish children could survive and thrive. I love how while she was so young as well, she was so hopeful in her struggle.

This book definitely had me all over the place emotionally. The voices of mother-daughter writing duo Heather and Lydia were compelling and I love the way they told this powerful, emotion filled glimpse into a time not all that long ago when one of the most horrific occurrences in human history occurred. After reading Defy the Night, I was left emotionally crippled because the book was just that raw, I had to take a moment to really process it. I loved the plot, the characters and the fast paced story really packed a punch and I'm so glad I read it.

I would recommend Defy the Night to everyone, but I can see fans of historical fiction and WWII fiction really loving this novel featuring a strong young heroine who knows the difference between right and wrong and is willing to stick up and help those who are being victimized.

 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

Loved It!
★★★★★

 

To purchase the book via Chapters Indigo CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via AmazonUK CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via The Book Depository CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Barnes & Noble CLICK HERE

 

Feature & Follow #7

 

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

 

Share! Tell us about one of your hobbies that is NOT reading.

Cooking! I love to cook for my family and trying new recipes :)

 

 

Friday 56 #21

This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56 

 Rules:

 

 *Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it

 

 

Summary:

 

American archaeologist Nina Wilde and her husband, ex-SAS bodyguard Eddie Chase, are back for another heart-stopping, globe-spanning adventure in the latest New York Times bestselling series that “raises the bar to please adventure junkies who prefer to mainline their action” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

A MISSING SCRAP OF ANCIENT PARCHMENT.
THREE POLISHED PURPLE STONES.
AND FROM THE SUNKEN WORLD OF ATLANTIS:
THE GREATEST POWER ON EARTH.

Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase have stunned the world with their discoveries, from the legendary sword Excalibur to the golden city of El Dorado. Now, by bringing together three ancient statues from three different continents, Nina is about to tap into a colossal energy source—one not felt since the days of Atlantis.

But when the statues are stolen and Eddie is falsely accused of murder, forcing him to go on the run to hunt the man responsible, a violent struggle erupts among a secret, vastly powerful group that wants to control Nina and the earth energy. From a glittering, high-tech skyscraper in Japan to a harrowing chase beneath the Vatican and an underground military vault in Nevada, she and Eddie must piece together an astounding puzzle. For Nina Wilde is the key to a plot that will change the world forever. And Eddie is the key to keeping her alive.

Summary & cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 481 pages (Paperback)

Publication Date: August 28th 2012 by Bantam (first published November 8th 2011)

 

My 56:

(From Pg. 156)

 

Nina heard the clatter of metal on the floor. Run while Agnelli was down, or go for the gun and turn the tables?

 

What's you're Friday 56?

 

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge Kick Off

Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Angela’s Anxious Life

 

I know I'm a day late in posting but I am so stoked for this challenge and am so happy Kimba and Angela are hosting this!

 

I suck at making a list of books to read because usually I end up being such a mood reader none of the ones I list end up read, however I do have a few that I plan on reading this month.

 

 

I might not get to all of them but a few are must reads (blog tour commitments) or I might read all of these and more.

 

Waiting on Wednesday #110

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and is where we can talk about books we are looking forward to being released.

 

 

Summary:

 

Fallen by Lia Mills - a remarkable love story amidst the ruins of the First World War and the Easter Rising

Spring, 1915. Katie Crilly gets the news she dreaded: her beloved twin brother, Liam, has been killed on the Western Front.

A year later, when her home city of Dublin is suddenly engulfed in violence, Katie finds herself torn by conflicting emotions. Taking refuge in the home of a friend, she meets Hubie Wilson, a friend of Liam's from the Front. There unfolds a remarkable encounter between two young people, both wounded and both trying to imagine a new life. Lia Mills has written a novel that can stand alongside the works of Sebastian Faulks, Pat Barker and Louisa Young.Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 288 pages (Paperback)

Expected Publication Date: June 5th 2014 by Penguin Ireland 

 

Why I'm Waiting:

 

I don't read much historical fiction set in the early 1900s but the fact that this one is set in Dublin really caught my eye since I love fiction set in Ireland.



Summary:

From the author of Queen’s Gambit, which People magazine called, “A must-read for Philippa Gregory fans,” a gripping historical novel about two sisters who tread as dangerously close to the crown as their tragic sister, Lady Jane Grey, executed after just nine days on the throne.

Early in Mary Tudor’s turbulent reign, Lady Catherine and Lady Mary Grey are reeling after the brutal execution of their elder seventeen-year-old sister, Lady Jane Grey, and the succession is by no means stable. In Sisters of Treason, Elizabeth Freemantle brings these young women to life in a spellbinding Tudor tale of love and politics.

Neither sister is well suited to a dangerous life at court. Flirtatious Lady Catherine, thought to be the true heir, cannot control her compulsion to love and be loved. Her sister, clever Lady Mary, has a crooked spine and a tiny stature in an age when physical perfection equates to goodness—and both girls have inherited the Tudor blood that is more curse than blessing. For either girl to marry without royal permission would be a potentially fatal political act. It is the royal portrait painter, Levina Teerlinc, who helps the girls survive these troubled times. She becomes their mentor and confidante, but when the Queen’s sister, the hot-headed Elizabeth, inherits the crown, life at court becomes increasingly treacherous for the surviving Grey sisters. Ultimately each young woman must decide how far she will go to defy her Queen, risk her life, and find the safety and love she longs for.

From “a brilliant new player in the court of royal fiction,” (People) Sisters of Treason brings to vivid life the perilous and romantic lives of two little known young women who played a major role in the complex politics of their day.
Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 448 pages (Hardcover)
Expected Publication Date: July 8th 2014 by Simon & Schuster

Why I'm Waiting:

I love books set in this era of English history and I've heard some absolutely wonderful things about this author's writing.
 

What are you waiting on?

 

 

 

Library Loot #17

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

 

The Haul: