Monday, December 29, 2014

FORBIDDEN BY KIMBERLEY GRIFFITHS LITTLE - BLOG TOUR / EXCERPT

Forbidden



Forbidden Kimberley 

Forbidden 
by 
Kimberley Griffiths Little 

     In the unforgiving Mesopotamian desert where Jayden’s tribe lives, betrothal celebrations abound, and tonight it is Jayden’s turn to be honored. But while this union with Horeb, the son of her tribe’s leader, will bring a life of riches and restore her family’s position within the tribe, it will come at the price of Jayden’s heart. 

     Then a shadowy boy from the Southern Lands appears. Handsome and mysterious, Kadesh fills Jayden’s heart with a passion she never knew possible. But with Horeb’s increasingly violent threats haunting Jayden’s every move, she knows she must find a way to escape—or die trying. 

     With a forbidden romance blossoming in her heart and her family’s survival on the line, Jayden must embark on a deadly journey to save the ones she loves—and find a true love for herself. 

     Set against the brilliant backdrop of the sprawling desert, the story of Jayden and Kadesh will leave readers absolutely breathless as they defy the odds and risk it all to be together.

WHERE TO BUY:

AMAZON * Barnes & Noble

TRAILER FOR FORBIDDEN

  Praise for Forbidden

*STARRED* Review, ALA BOOKLIST
 ". . . At its core, this is a romance, with all the push and pull that goes along with impossible love, and Little elevates the story by creating a perilous landscape, both outward and inward, as Jayden must deal with the hardship of desert life as well as her own desires." 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL 

 "This is a fast-paced, entertaining choice which will appeal to fans of historical fiction and romance." 

 "Lush, lyrical, romantic. Forbidden transports readers into a vividly imagined place and time." --Claudia Gray, New York Times bestselling author 

 "The harsh beauty of the deserts of ancient Mesopotamia come to life in Forbidden, with beautiful descriptions that will make you crave water and check for sand in your clothes. Your heart will break as you root for Jayden to triumph over the many struggles that threaten to tear her world apart, and the ending will leave you thirsting for more!" --Sara B. Larson, author of Defy

EXCERPT: 

The night was starkly beautiful under a canopy of jeweled stars. I savored my moments of freedom, which were marred by the realization that it was dripping away day by day. 

The sizzle of coffee beans roasting in the skillet floated across the still air. Cups clinked on a tray as my father passed them around the circle. The aroma of roasted brew spiced with cardamom seeped into the night. 

As I tried to slip past, Horeb’s eyes caught mine. Firelight flickered over his face, outlining his jaw and wind-tangled black hair. He was devastatingly handsome just as all the girls said, but his lips curled into a smile that sent shudders down my spine.

Horeb’s glance lingered on my body, settling not on my face, but lower, as if he was undressing me right there on the dirt path. 

His eyes locking onto mine, Horeb rose from the circle of men. I jerked around, breaking off his stare. Walking faster, I turned the corner of the tent just as his arm reached out to stop me.

“So, little cousin,” Horeb said. “Have you been enjoying the betrothal ceremony? Tell me, are the women telling stories of marital relations?” 

My breath caught like a thorn in my throat. The women’s ceremonies were not discussed with any male—only inside the privacy of a marriage bed.

“You shouldn’t be saying these things to me,” I said. 

Running his fingers down my arm, Horeb continued to study me. “There are many things I’d like to say to you, Jayden. Do to you.” 

There used to be a time when my throat pounded every time Horeb turned my direction. A time when he was growing into those big, dark eyes and that hard, muscular body. Moments when I wanted to touch his thick, black hair, or run my finger along his jaw to discover what a boy’s skin felt like with a newly growing beard. But now that I was sixteen, and he twenty, his stares made me uneasy. My heart still pounded, but not from love. And I wasn’t sure what it was or what to call it.  



Author Kimberley Griffiths Little


Award-winning author Kimberley Griffiths Little was born in San Francisco, but now lives in New Mexico on the banks of the Rio Grande with her husband and their three sons. Her middle-grade novels, When the Butterflies Came, The Last Snake Runner, The Healing Spell, and Circle of Secrets, have been praised as “fast-paced and dramatic,” with “beautifully realized settings.” Kimberley adores anything old and musty with a secret story to tell. She’s stayed in the haunted tower room at Borthwick Castle in Scotland; sailed the Seine in Paris; ridden a camel in Petra, Jordan; shopped the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul; and spent the night in an old Communist hotel in Bulgaria.



25_Amazon_Paypal

Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/4/15 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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, December 18, 2014

GATHERING DARKNESS - BY MORGAN RHODES - REVIEW

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pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:
In GATHERING DARKNESS, book three of the New York Times bestselling Falling Kingdoms series, the stakes have never been higher as three teams push forward on a race to find the Kindred, the four elemental crystals possessing ancient all-powerful magic, first:

Prince Magnus has just witnessed torture, death, and miracles during the bloody confrontation that decimated the rebel forces. Now he must choose between family and justice as his father, the cruel King Gaius, sets out to conquer all of Mytica. All Gaius needs now are the Kindred - the four elemental crystals that give godlike powers to their owner. But the King of Blood is not the only one hunting for this ancient, storied magic...

• THE KRAESHIANS join the hunt. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the wealthy kingdom across the Silver Sea, charm and manipulate their way to the Kindred, proving to be more ruthless than perhaps even the King of Blood himself.

• THE REBELS forge ahead. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia's overpowering magic - all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.

• THE WATCHERS follow Melenia out of the Sanctuary. They ally in the flesh with King Gaius, who vows to use Lucia's powers to unveil the Kindred.

The only certainty in the dark times is that whoever finds the magic first will control the fate of Mytica... but fate can be fickle when magic is involved.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

OH MY G.O.S.H (lego movie voice in there ;) ).  This series just keeps getting better.  Really...EACH one is better than the last.  I just don't know what to tell you.  

There really is nothing I can say about the book that won't give part of the plot away.  There are so many fabulous characters, and so many things going on, but DANG...this book was FAB FREAKING TABULOUS!

I have said before in my reviews no on is safe in these books.  It makes me quite scared.  I am already DYING for the next book.  Why oh why can't they just all come out now.  I cannot wait.  It may just kill me ;).

The writing in this book is amazing.  The story is even more amazing.  I love the characters.  I keep praying that the ones I truly love stay for the long run.  Although some of them have already moved on.  UGH........

How do I review this?  I don't know.  I am being series when I say I cannot say anything without giving anything away.  So I am just telling you now that this series is AMAZING...You will not regret if if you start it (which you should do...like now...add it to your Christmas list).  Okay maybe you will, but if you do I am sad for you because it's FREAKING AWESOME!

Rhodes, well done...WELL. DONE!

Source:  I bought this book for myself because I LOVE this series.  I was not compensated in anyway for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

OTHER BOOKS FROM THE SERIES:
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MY RATING:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Morgan Rhodes
pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Morgan Rhodes lives in Ontario, Canada. As a child, she always wanted to be a princess -- the kind that knows how to wield a sharp sword to help save both kingdoms and princes from fire-breathing dragons and dark wizards. Instead, she became a writer, which is just as good and much less dangerous. Along with writing, Morgan enjoys photography, travel, reality TV, and is an extremely picky, yet voracious reader of all kinds of books. Under another pen name, she’s a national bestselling author of many paranormal novels. Falling Kingdoms is her first high fantasy.




THE LETTING BY CATHRINE GOLDSTEIN - BLOG TOUR / REVIEW






The Letting
Release Date: 12/15/14
335 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

What if the Devil doesn’t know he’s the Devil?
This is the question Veronica “Ronnie” Billings poses to Phoenix, her sworn enemy, the leader
of the Peaceful Revolution, and the one she loves.
Kidnapped by Phoenix’s rebels, Ronnie learns how wrong she has been. She had no idea that her
patriotism was wasted on a corrupt government. Ronnie was proud to be a Leader; taking
hundreds of harvested girls to the Letting facility. After all, she was saving them from future
Couplings and bringing them to the safety of the New World. Or so she thought…
Confused, Ronnie realizes the only way to discover the truth is to trust her heart. Together,
Phoenix and Ronnie devise a plan to stop their corrupt government and preempt the dangerous
rebel coup which is approaching. But when their plan goes awry, will Ronnie be strong enough
to save Phoenix, her country, and herself?




MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

This book was so FAN FREAKING TASTIC!.

Ronnie Girls for the "letting".  She is so proud of her job and has earned some rewards for being so good at her job.  She has prepared the most girls for the "letting" and  considers herself a patriot.  She loves and cares for every girl that comes under her charge.  She works at a camp where girls are sent to prepare for their turn for the "letting".

Ronnie has always wanted to be part of the "letting" but has never been chosen.  Now that she is considered a "woman" she doesn't think she will ever be able to go to the letting and be part of the "new world".  So she takes her job as preparing her young girls very seriously.

Ronnie soon finds out that the "letting" may not be all it's cracked up to be.  One night while out walking in the forest she comes upon a rebel by the name of Phoenix.  Ronnie is Phoenix's sworn enemy, but Ronnie doesn't understand never having met him.

When Phoenix tries to convince her that the letting is killing the girls Ronnie refuses to believe.  That is until things start to unravel.

Her best friend at the camp turns on her.  Ronnie starts to believe what Phoenix is telling her, and begins to wonder how she is going to save her girls, yet not scare them.

Dang...When the description says "what if the Devil doesn't know he's the Devil"...it couldn't be more accurate.  It's awesome.  I honestly believed that Ronnie was the good guy, and so did she.  When truths are revealed Ronnie's life will never be the same.  Those who are rebels seem to be the good guys.  It's so fabulously written.

This book was such a fun ride.  I felt like I was Ronnie through the whole book.  I could feel her compassion for her girls, and could feel her fear.  I love, love, love it when an author completely draws me in.  I love it when I am "IN" the book right with the characters.  It makes my reading experience so much better...and lets me know I am reading a great book.  In my opinion.

If you like suspense, intrigue, rebellions, and an unexpected romance, then you will enjoy this book.  I certainly did!

Source:  I received this book as part of a blog tour in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:



Buy Links:


About the Author
Given my love for cities and all that is gritty, my new obsession with trees really has me
stumped. (Sorry.) Maybe it's because trees are the inspiration behind my new YA/NA
novel, theLETTING.
Whatever the reason for my new infatuation, some things remain constant -- like my love for:
coffee (although sadly, it's now decaf); yoga; Luna bars (I am petitioning for them to bring back
Chocolate Raspberry!); running in my neighborhood; Hemingway; Bukowski... and, above all,
my husband and my girls.
I am the author of the bestselling novel, Sleeping With Mortals: The Story of a New York
Mistress, and I'm also a playwright. I have my B.A. in English and my M.A. in Theatre.
WebsiteGoodreadsTwitterFacebook
Book Tour Organized by:
YA Bound Book Tours

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

JONNY LUCK & THE TRAVELING CIRCUS - BY TRINA LORRAINE - CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW

pic and description taken from Amazon

DESCRIPTION:

Jonny Luck, more often than not, falls on the fortunate side of things. How does he fare when his mischievous pet toad gets tangled in a traveling circus act? To find out, turn the pages and become a spectator in the show!


MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

First a little back story about how I obtained this book.  My dear friends took me on a trip to Coeur d'Alene Idaho.  It was a beautiful and majestic place.  While staying in the home of my friends Aunt, I discovered that her daughter was an author.  Of course I was immediately interested.  I LOVE books.  Knowing the author is so much more fun.  Well, knowing who the Mother of the author was is so much fun :).  I happily purchased the book.  I am glad I did.

First off the illustrations are BEA U TI FUL!  The story is catchy.  I read it to my 10 yr old son, and he got a kick out of the frog.  He giggled in all the right places, and I laughed along with him.  Watching a child enjoy a book is pure bliss to me.

The story is funny, and very entertaining for children.  I think what they will enjoy most about this book is that it rhymes.  Which in my opinion makes it even funnier.  The pictures will draw you in with there vibrant colors.  

It's a fun story about a boy and his toad.  Pick this one up, you wont regret it.  It's so beautiful and fun to read :).

Source:  I bought this book for myself from the Authors mother!  I just wish I could have met the author myself also :).  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Trina Lorraine

pic and bio taken from Amazon

Trina Lorraine was born in Lake Havasu City, AZ. As a young girl, she remembers hiding beneath her covers with a flashlight and a book, reading through all hours of the night. Trina believes her love for reading helped spark her passion for writing.

One of her first completed stories was Mr. Jingles, with which she distributed a few paper bound copies to family and friends. Today, Mr. Jingles sits on the shelves of many children. It was published in 2010 and is an almost exact version of her original manuscript.

Trina is currently working on the second book in the Jonny Luck series, Jonny Luck & the Wacky World of Toys, and a new book, Tiny Flake.

Trina lives is Idaho with her husband and two children. When she isn't writing, she still curls up in bed through all hours of the night with a good book.

CAPTIAN NO BEARD - BY CAROLE P. ROMAN - CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW

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pic and descriptions taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:
A child's imaginative journey on his pirate ship with his four trusty companions.

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DESCRIPTION:
When the Flying Dragon gets a new crew member, Captain No Beard soon discovers that every person is valuable in his or her own way.Responsible for his new crew member and baby sister, the Captain becomes unhappy with his situation and begins to think that being a captain is hard work.

However, when the dreaded Barnabas the Scurvey Dog begins to chase the Flying Dragon, the fearless Captain has to put aside his problems and keep everyone safe. In their race to escape, the Captain, his loyal First Mate Hallie, Mongo the Monkey, Linus the Lion, Fribbet the Frog, and Polly Parrot soon find out that help can come from the most unlikely of places. 

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DESCRIPTION:

Captain No Beard and his crew of loyal pirates heave anchor for another adventure, this time in the icy waters of the Arctic. Captain No Beard's steering a course due north, sailing by the light of the North Star. Everyone on the crew wonders what the captain's up to, especially as he gets embarrassed when they ask. When the captain finally admits his plan, the crew discovers he plans to steal the aurora borealis, the beautiful northern lights that brighten the arctic sky. They're all shocked. They may be pirates, but even they know stealing is bad. Besides, how can anyone steal the lights from the sky? A charming, engaging tale about doing what's right, Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis is the latest installment in Carole P. Roman's award-winning pirate series. The first book, Captain No Beard-an Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life, received the Kirkus Reviews Best of 2012 award and the Star of Remarkable Achievement. The series presents real-life problems in an imaginary setting and encourages discussion with both parents and educators

20727932

DESCRIPTION:

After a fierce battle with a storm, the crew goes in search of treasure. Alexander, that is, Captain No Beard uses a map to locate it on the ominous sounding Snake Island. Bravely they dig until they find the best treasure ever!

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DESCRIPTION:

When the wind stops blowing, Captain No Beard and his crew, including First Mate Hallie, Linus the Lion, Fribbet the Frog, Mongo the Monkey and Polly the Parrot, are stuck on a desert
island. Maroon with nothing to do, they begin to play and enjoy themselves. However, Captain No Beard has other ideas, bossing his crew around and making playtime cheerless for everyone. Soon, Captain No Beard decides he has had enough and storms off. When his ship is attacked by a giant squid, he realizes he needs his crew more than ever.

Captain No Beard and his crew show young readers that's it's important to cooperate and share your belongings. The crew teaches us that if you want to have friends, then you must be a friend too.
 


MY REVIEW  / THOUGHTS OVER ALL:

These books are so fantastic.  They illustrations are beautiful, and the messages are wonderful.  I love the mind of a child.  I love how they can bring ordinary things to life.  This books shows the adventures of Captain No Beard and his trusted friends.  

A child in his room imagining the adventures of the high seas.  These books teach children about sharing, not stealing and other things that they need to learn all in a fun and adventurous way.  Such a great idea.  

Each story has it's own adventure, and they are so fun to follow.  I enjoy reading children's books.  I am sad that mine are no longer little and I cannot read them with them.  BUT, I have lots of nieces and nephews and it's time to share with them.  

I love the pirate theme.  It's so much fun.  If your child likes adventures, and pirates, they will surely enjoy this series, along with learning some valuable lessons.  

Source:  I received these books from the author in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the books.

MY RATING OVERALL:


BUY LINKS


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carole P. Roman
pic and bio taken from caroleproman.com

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born. It has followed with four more books to the series.
Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be.
She has just finished the first of six books in a groundbreaking new nonfiction series about culture around the world. "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us.

Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.


IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN.... - BY CAROLE P. ROMAN - CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW

I am going to do this review a little different because there are a lot of books in this series that the Author sent to me.  They are cute books about different countries and cultures, but I will probably just do a quick blip about it and put the pictures up of the covers!  These are fun books for kids :).

pics taken from Amazon











MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

These books are so fantastic for kids.  I really wish my kids were still little, but I read them to my 10 yr old and he really enjoyed them as well.  Each book tells you about where you can find each place.  It tells about what kind of food they eat, what sports they like.  It is fun to see the similarities in so many different cultures.  AND the differences.  What a great idea to write these books.  Each book tells about an important day to each place, and what they would use for money.  It's very insightful, for a children's book.  

The illustrations are wonderful in the books.  They are a quick and easy way to share with your children the difference and beauty of each culture in our world.  Such a beautiful display of culture.  

I enjoyed each book.  They each had fun facts, and were interesting to read.  If you have kids with friends from other countries this would be a fabulous way to introduce them to their culture.  For me, I just wanted my son to see all the amazing people, and cultures that there are in our fabulous world.  Each one is beautiful, and wonderful.  I love this world we live in, and all the different people and cultures that add to that beauty.  

Such a great idea!  

Thanks to Carole P. Roman for your insight on each of these wonderful parts of our world.

Source:  I was given these books by the author in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the books.

My Rating Over All:



WHERE TO BUY:






About the Author:
Carole P. Roman

pic and bio taken from caroleproman.com

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born. It has followed with four more books to the series.
Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be.
She has just finished the first of six books in a groundbreaking new nonfiction series about culture around the world. "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us.

Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.