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Thursday, January 31, 2013

*[Book Blast] Silver-White by Shawn Underhill


Silver-White by Shawn Underhill

“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
~ Robert Frost

*Evie’s family has been holding out on her …

Big time.

On an unexpected visit to her grandparents’ house in New Hampshire’s secluded North Woods, the sixteen-year-old literally runs into the truth of the long-hidden family secrets, and finds herself thrust without warning into the clandestine world of the Great North Pack—a wild and exhilarating world of rugged beauty, heart-pounding adventures, and long nights running under a sea of stars … but as she’s set to discover, a world also fraught with potential dangers lurking in the shadows.


Praise
 "Simply put, this book was amazing. I've read more fantasy novels than than I can count, but this one is certainly one of the best. The heroine isn't some wishy-washy pansy that screams at everything, and the focus of the story isn't on some unbelievably beautiful teenage girl who suddenly becomes the biggest, baddest member of her species falling in love with some big, bad, sexy member of her newfound species. It's about a girl becoming something she never knew existed, finding her place within the pack family she values more than ever before, and an age-old feud that threatens everything she loves." ~Morgan


Purchase ~ just .99 cents



Author Shawn Underhill

Shawn is a part-time writer from New Hampshire, where he spends his free time hiking in the mountains, camping, racing dirt bikes, or anything else that keeps him outdoors. Dogs are his very favorite people. He is also the author of the novel All Things Different.









BookBlast $100 Giveaway
 
$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 2/13/13

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 http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Review Copy Cleanup 3.0 – Sign Up


Guidelines:
  • Review Copy Cleanup 3.0 runs from 1 to 28 February
  • It starts and ends at midnight in your local timezone to avoid confusion
  • To sign up, just fill in the linky here.
  • The Linky will close on the 15th, so make you sign up before then.
  • When you post your sign up post on your blog, either include the challenge button with your post or link it back to this article so that people know where to sign up.
  • Every book you received for review counts towards the challenge, both e-books and hard copies (even audio books for review if you have those), including all genres and lengths.
  • Feel free to use the #RCCleanup hashtag on Twitter for your RCC related tweets or join the Twitter party at http://tweetchat.com/room/RCCleanup and meet lots of awesome bloggers (:
  • At the end of every week we will post our personal updates, and we’ll include a linky for you to add yours!
I loved participating in the Review Copy Cleanups last year and I met a ton of fantastic bloggers this way so of course I had to sign up again! I hope you'll sign up too because they always turn out to be terrific!
 

Waiting on Wednesday #48

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!
 

Here are my picks for the week



Lady of Ashes
 
Summary:
 
In 1861 London, Violet Morgan is struggling to establish a good reputation for the undertaking business that her husband has largely abandoned. She provides comfort for the grieving, advises them on funeral fashion and etiquette, and arranges funerals.

Unbeknownst to his wife, Graham, who has nursed a hatred of America since his grandfather soldiered for Great Britain in the War of 1812, becomes involved in a scheme to sell arms to the South. Meanwhile, Violet receives the commission of a lifetime: undertaking the funeral for a friend of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. But her position remains precarious, especially when Graham disappears and she begins investigating a series of deaths among the poor. And the closer she gets to the truth, the greater the danger for them both…
Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 404 pages
Expected Publication Date: February 26th 2013 by Kensington
 
Why I'm Waiting:
 
I love that this has such a dark cover, and am intrigued by the summary. I've been hearing amazing things about the author's other historical fiction novels for a couple of years now and while I haven't had the chance to read her books I can't wait to give this one a try!
 
The Duchess of Drury Lane
 
Summary:
 
Passion, jealousy, scandal and betrayal – a true-life Regency Romance of the rise and fall of an extraordinary woman born into extraordinary times. Growing up in a poverty-stricken, fatherless household, Dorothy Jordan overcame her humble beginnings to become the most famous comic actress of her day. It was while performing on Drury Lane that Dorothy caught the eye of the Duke of Clarence, later to become King William IV. Her twenty-year relationship with the Duke was one of great happiness and domesticity, producing ten children. But ultimately, Dorothy’s generous nature was her undoing and she was to be cruelly betrayed by the man she loved.
Summary taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 256 pages
Expected Publication Date: March 1st 2013 by Severn House Publishers
 
Why I'm Waiting:
 
The cover is stunning, I'm always a sucker for a pretty dress on the cover and the summary of the book is really interesting. Thank goodness March isn't that far off!
 
Now, what are YOU waiting for this Wednesday?

 

Sphinx's Queen (Sphinx's Princess #2) by Esther M. Friesner


Sphinx's Queen (Sphinx's Princess, #2)
 
Summary:
 
Ancient Egypt springs to life in this enthralling sequel to Sphinx’s Princess. As she did in Nobody’s Princess and Nobody’s Prize, author Esther Friesner offers readers a fresh look at an iconic figure, blending historical fiction and mythology in a heady concoction.

Hunted . . . Overnight, every aspect of Nefertiti’s life has changed. She is no longer living at the royal palace as the intended bride of the crown prince. Instead, she is being chased by the prince and his soldiers for a crime she did not commit.

Hidden . . . Traveling with two of her dearest friends, including the crown prince’s brother, who helped her escape, Nefertiti takes shelter in the wild hills along the Nile’s west bank. She must rely on her own resourcefulness and skills (all those secret archery lessons prove very useful) as the fugitives fight to survive.

Haunted . . . But the need for justice gnaws at Nefertiti. She is determined to plead her case to the Pharaoh and set things right. As she begins to question long-held sacred beliefs—a questioning that could alter the fabric of Egyptian society—her extraordinary journey from commoner to royalty brings adventure, intrigue, and romance.
Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 368 pages (Hardcover)
Available Formats: Print & E-book
Publication Date: September 28th 2010 by Random House Books for Young Readers
 
I am so glad that I finally gave this series a try. Back in December I finally got around to reading and reviewing the first novel and this one turned out to be my second read of 2013 and it really kicked off  the year for me.
 
This book continues exactly where the first book Sphinx's Princess left off, and I mean exactly, the two novels flowed seamlessly from the first book to the second which I really appreciated because it sucks to have to pick a story back up again when the author has lost the flow.
 
Anyway, in book two we find Nefertiti still running for her life and battling the feelings she has for her fiance's brother as well as the responsibilities to a young slave girl who depends on the two of them for her very survival. Ancient Egypt was no place for a nine year old to be running around lost and alone so Nefertiti and Amenophis try to hide their feelings for each other for her sake.
 
The journey that they're on proves to be hazardous and fraught with danger, deception, betrayal, love and adventure. I loved that there was so much happening in the book and that the whole novel was a delight to read. I really enjoyed the historical aspect of it since I've always enjoyed Ancient Egyptian history.
 
Sphinx's Queen was an exotic, entertaining and extremely well developed piece of young adult historical fiction. I thought the characters had a lot more dimension to them than they did in the first book. Nefertiti and Amenophis' relationship evolves dramatically in this book and both of them mature rather quickly in terms of their characters.
 
What I think I liked most about the book though was the fact that Nefertiti was represented as a strong willed, independent and intelligent young woman who would risk anything for justice to be upheld. I don't see that very often in books but it is wonderful when I come across a book where the author shows that young women can stand on their own two feet.
 
The characters, plot and writing were fantastic and I loved Sphinx's Queen even more than I loved Sphinx's Princess which I wasn't expecting at all. I really enjoyed how the events in this one turned out and the ending was just perfect for me. It left me feeling the the two books came full circle and left me feeling satisfied with the outcome.
 
I would highly recommend this novel to those who really enjoy young adult historical fiction but remember this is the second book and you have to read the first book to really follow along the story. I think this author will go on my favourites list and I can't wait to read her other works.
 

 
Loved it!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

To visit Esther's Website CLICK HERE
To purchase the book via Chapters Indigo CLICK HERE
To purchase the book via Kobo CLICK HERE
To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE
To purchase the book via The Book Depository CLICK HERE
To purchase the book via Barnes & Noble CLICK HERE
 
 

 

Monday, January 28, 2013

*[Book Blast] Jack Templar Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhus


Jack Templar: Monster Hunter

Orphan Jack Templar has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. The day before Jack's fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits...until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him.

As if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.



Author Jeff Gunhus

Jeff Gunhus grew up in Cyprus, Greece, and Saudi Arabia where there was a distinct lack of television. He quickly found books were the gateway to incredible adventures, fascinating characters and unbelievable discoveries. Now, with five children of his own (all who watch too much television, in his opinion), he has enjoyed revisiting his old books and reliving those adventures all over again.





Kirkus Reviews

"Gunhus brings young readers a monster-filled romp to read at their own risk. In the first few pages, Jack, the storyteller and main character, warns readers not to read about these real-world monsters that would seem to only exist in fiction. The tone is set--sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek and likable; rooting for Jack is easy...Gunhus masterfully introduces fully realized characters with whom readers can connect almost instantly. The pacing is quick but not rushed, and events seamlessly progress, complete with action, cliff-hangers and surprise reveals. "

Amazon Reviews

Watch out Percy Jackson here comes Jack Templar
Move over Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, there's a new kid in town - Jack Templar, and he will take you on a wonderful adventure of good vs evil, with friends and enemies at every turn. The twists and turns keep the reader on a roller coaster of entertainment in the way of JK Rowling and Rick Riordan. ~ Penny Brein

Fast paced adventure through and through
Written for middle school aged students, this book is action-packed from the beginning and will hold the attention of young readers. Not only that, as an adult reader, it was hard to put down, so parents will enjoy it as an easy read. ~ bluejellybean

Kids will love it!
Not only will kids love it, adults will too! I don't want to give the plot away but this is a book worth reading. This book is creatively written drawing in the reader to be a participant in the story. There is lots of action with enough blood and guts to be interesting without being gross. Girls will like it too with the strong female role models and the hint of romance. Even though this is a children's book, I couldn't put it down. I will definitely be adding this to my classroom library. I am looking forward to reading the book in this series and sharing it with my students. Awesome book! ~ pixiep


Purchase
 


Book Trailer



WARNING

Yeah, you read it right. I’m a monster hunter. Back before I actually became one, I would have thought that sounded totally awesome. And don’t get me wrong, in a lot of ways it is. But most of the time, I’m either running for my life or hiding in the shadows, praying the monster chasing me doesn’t pick up my scent. And I’m almost always scared to death. In a few pages, I think you’ll see why.
     But there are a few things I need to warn you about before I tell you my story.
     First, this isn’t a cartoon. These are bloodthirsty creatures who will stop at nothing to kill. They are scary. Very scary. Second, the only way to stop them is to kill them first…and that gets gross and messy. Third, this is all real.
     You think I’m kidding, don’t you? I can almost see you smirking as you read this. But this isn’t a joke. Monsters are real and the story I’m about to tell you really happened. If you’d rather walk through life believing that monsters are only found in books or on the movie screen, then you should shut this book right now and go do something else.
     I give you these warnings because the story I’m about to tell you isn’t for everyone. Not everyone can handle it. The blood. The gore. The monsters.
     This life was thrust onto me. I had no choice but to take up a sword and fight. But you can still walk away and pretend this dark world doesn’t exist. Or you can walk through the door that I’m about to open and find out the truth about the world around you.
     But I warn you (and this is a big warning), if you read this book, if you learn about the monsters that roam among us and the hunters who fight them, if you decide to learn the truth, then you will become fair game for the monsters to chase.
     Make sure you understand what I’m saying.
     If you read this book, you will be part of this world and the monsters will come after you too. You will start to see things that no other humans can see. The shadows will move when you walk near them. The creatures of the night will seek you out, testing the doors and windows of your house, looking for a way in.
     And, at some point, they will find you, just like they found me, and you will be forced to defend yourself.
     So, think carefully before you turn the page, because once you do, there’s no turning back.
     Ever.
     Once a monster hunter, always a monster hunter.
     See you on the other side.
     If you’re brave enough.







Book Blast $50 Giveaway
 
Ends 2/15/13
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 http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Sunday Post 13th Edition



The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

 
Hey Folks-

Nothing exciting happened to me this week but I do have 8 new blog posts from last week and I'm just hoping for a more productive week next week so I'm aiming to do two reviews per day next week so keep an eye out!

-Kimberly

Last week on the Turning the Pages:
 
Blog Tour Interview & Review: Rally Round the Corpse by Hy Conrad
Trailer Reveal: Senshi Trailer Reveal
Meme: IMM #29

Next On Turning The Pages
 
Meme: It's Monday! What Are You Reading #40
Meme: Top Ten Tuesday #21
Meme: Waiting on Wednesday #48
Review: The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart by Leanna Renee Hieber
 Review: What's a Witch to Do by Jennifer Harlow
Review: Sphinx's Queen by Esther M. Friesner
Review: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber
Review: Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara
Meme: IMM #30
 
The Book Haul:
 
From Authors/Publishers:
 
Changeling (Order of Darkness, #1)The Bruges Tapestry
 
 
From the Library:
 
Life Laughs: The Naked Truth About Motherhood, Marriage, and Moving OnLove, Lust & Faking It: The Naked Truth About Sex, Lies, and True RomanceMommywoodUncharted TerriTORIStolen: A Letter to My CaptorRandom Violence (Jade de Jong, #1)The Song of AchillesA Certain Wolfish Charm (Westfield Wolves, #1)
 
 
Kindle Freebies:
 
Redwall (Redwall, #1)Shadows & Secrets (Annals of Wynnewood, #1)Talisman of El (Talisman of El, #1)DaynightExclusively YoursAt LargeThe Navy Seal's PromiseChasing the Witch (Boston Witches, #2)The Virtuous Ward (Sweet Deception Regency #5)Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story (Gallagher Girls, #5.5; Heist Society, #2.5)Party Crashers (Body Movers, #0.5)UndertowSongs for Perri (Sisters of Spirit #5)A Tale of the Other Kind (Therian, #1)NEVERLOVE (Shadow Jumpers, #1)Sing: A Novel of Colorado (The Homeward Trilogy, #2)

I got a whole bunch more but I am way to lazy to even think about listing them all but I thought these were the best looking ones I've gotten.

 

IMM # 29


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme from The Story Siren where you can share your new acquisitions. They can come from anywhere: through the mail, via the library, purchased from a store, or downloaded as ebooks.

The Book Haul:
From Authors/Publishers:
Changeling (Order of Darkness, #1)The Bruges Tapestry
From the Library:
Life Laughs: The Naked Truth About Motherhood, Marriage, and Moving OnLove, Lust & Faking It: The Naked Truth About Sex, Lies, and True RomanceMommywoodUncharted TerriTORIStolen: A Letter to My CaptorRandom Violence (Jade de Jong, #1)The Song of AchillesA Certain Wolfish Charm (Westfield Wolves, #1)
Kindle Freebies:
Redwall (Redwall, #1)Shadows & Secrets (Annals of Wynnewood, #1)Talisman of El (Talisman of El, #1)DaynightExclusively YoursAt LargeThe Navy Seal's PromiseChasing the Witch (Boston Witches, #2)The Virtuous Ward (Sweet Deception Regency #5)Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story (Gallagher Girls, #5.5; Heist Society, #2.5)Party Crashers (Body Movers, #0.5)UndertowSongs for Perri (Sisters of Spirit #5)A Tale of the Other Kind (Therian, #1)NEVERLOVE (Shadow Jumpers, #1)Sing: A Novel of Colorado (The Homeward Trilogy, #2)

I got a whole bunch more but I am way to lazy to even think about listing them all but I thought these were the best looking ones I've gotten.