AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - WINTER - BY MARISSA MEYER - LUNAR CHRONICLES #4

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? 

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I don't even if I know where to start.  I cannot believe this has come to a close.  This series has been hands down my favorite retelling of ALL TIME.  I love Meyer's books so much I cannot even express it.

I know I cannot say much because too many people haven't finished it, but I can tell you that if you have started the series, this book will NOT disappoint.  I love everything about this series.  Meyer's writing is absolutely beautiful.  Her mind blows me away.  Her creativity with the places she takes us to, and the people she brings to life is just beautiful.

We get to meet with all of our favorites again in this book with so much more excitement and anticipation.  I do have to admit Wolf is by far my favorite character, and he really came to life in this book.  Well besides Cinder of course:).  I love them all deeply.  I never knew I could love something that wasn't "real" as much as I do.  These books rank up with Harry Potter for me.  I never thought I would read a series, that made me as happy as Harry Potter, but Meyer did just that for me.  

She made a cyborg girl, real.  She made a man who had been trained to be a killer, real.  She made a poor girl stuck in a satalie  blossom.  She made a girl from earth find our there is more to the world and helped her find more.  She found a thief who she taught how to rely on other people.   Every person Cinder came in contact with, that knew her loved her.  

I am heartbroken it has come to an end.  I wish I could elaborate, but there is nothing worse than someone ruining a book.  Just pick this series up.  You will NOT be disappointed.  Meyer is an amazing author.  Her mind, and world is so fantastic, and she draws you in completely.  I was fully invested in all these great characters.  I cried like a 12 year old girl in this book.  I have never wanted a series to keep going as much as this one.  Well other than Harry Potter :). 

So in my opinion, if you haven't picked up The Lunar Chronicles you are missing out on a fantastic adventure, that will open your heart to a whole new world.  Great characters, and AMAZING writing.

Source:  I bought this audio book for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

  

ABOUT THE AMAZING AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my fiancé and our two cats. In addition to my slight obsession with books and writing, I'm big on road-tripping, wine-tasting, and hunting for antiques. I'm represented by Jill Grinberg.

CINDER, my debut novel, is a futuristic re-envisioning of Cinderella in which Cinder is a cyborg mechanic. Release date: 3 Jan 2012.

TOUR / REVIEW FOR - THE SOUL SUMMONER - BY ELICIA HYDER

Welcome to my tour stop for for The Soul Summoner by Elicia Hyder. This is an adult contemporary fantasy. The tour runs November 9-20 with reviews, interviews, guest posts and excerpts. Check out the tour page for the full schedule.

Book Title – The Soul Summoner

Series – The Soul Summoner Series Book 1

Publisher – Forge Creek Press

Release Date – November 9th, 2015

Genre – Contemporary Fantasy

Rating – PG13

Length –  290 Pages

About the Book:

Blessed–or cursed–with a connection to the souls of others, Sloan Jordan can see the best in people… and the worst. For twenty-seven years, she's kept her ability to judge the innocent from the wicked a secret, but eleven young women have been murdered in the mountains of North Carolina, and Sloan may be the only hope of finding their killer.

She has just agreed to help Detective Nathan McNamara with the case, when a stranger--who is as alluring as he is terrifying--shows up at her doorstep with a dark past and another puzzling mystery: she can't see his soul at all.

Now, Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other would kill to keep her safe.

Book Trailer | Amazon 

Goodreads

***

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

Sloan has a very unique ability.  She seems to "know" everyone she meets.  She doesn't quite know what to do with her ability.  Sloan has tried her whole life to hide what she can do from everyone.  Her parents freaked out and when she had an "episode" and since then they seem to avoid any talk of her "ability".

When Sloan and her best friend are at dinner one night she seems to "summon" someone that her friend has a crush on.  When Sloan finally confided in her best friend she didn't freak out or give up on her friend.  Sloan still tried to keep her ability to herself.

That is until she meets Detective McNamara.  Nathan McNamara is just a whole lot of yummy.  Sloan seems to be drawn to him immediately.  Then, McNamara shows up at her office and shows her a picture and Sloan lets something slip about the man.  McNamara's interest in Sloan is piqued.

Detective McNamara enlists Sloan in his attempt to find some missing people.  From there their relationship gets more and more interesting.  Then walks in Warren.  Dark, and broody Warren.  He is also a whole lot of yummy.

There is something strange about Warren.  Sloan cannot "see" anything about him.  It's a mystery she has to solve.  When Sloan and Warren realize they are the same the story gets even more interesting.

This is such a great story.  I wish I could read people the way Sloan does.  It would make things so much easier.  Although I don't know if I would want to know the bad in people right off the bat though.

I thought this story was so interesting.  I loved the writing, and the voice of the author.  This was such a great mystery.  Again, I totally didn't see the bad guy.  I was positive it was someone else the whole time.  I just love it when that happens to me.  Of course, it probably happens to me more than most...hehehehe.  I really enjoyed this book.

Source:  I was given this book as part of a blog tour.  I was not compensated in anyway for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

About the Author:

 Elicia Hyder is the author of several contemporary fantasy novels such as The Soul Summoner, The Siren, The Angel of Death, and The Daughter of Zion as well as a few contemporary romances, The Bed She Made and To Be Her first. Elicia studied American Literature and Creative Writing at the American Military University. She lives with her husband and five children in central Florida.

Website: www.eliciahyder.com

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GIVEAWAY:

$50 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Ends November 25th

Prizing provided by the author, hosts are not responsible. Must be 13 or older to enter and have parental permission if under 17. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win. 

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - BY JEAN HOLBROOK MATHEWS

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Law student Theo Novak simply saw what no one else did: a suspicious link between an ongoing environmental lawsuit and the nomination of a new judge that would ensure a victory for the energy companies. He stumbled on a conspiracy that extended to the upper echelons of the US government—and wrote a legal brief to kill for… After a long and prestigious career, Congressman Max Southland is ready to retire, and as a member of his staff, Mattie Mathis is on hand to help her uncle wind down his career. When Mattie receives a cryptic call from her boyfriend and fellow staffer Craig, she’s left with more questions than answers: an interesting bit of research by a young law student has surfaced that could have national consequences. A copy is on its way to her. Before she can process this information, Craig is dead . . . and Mattie will be next. There is only one person who can help Mattie: Jack Summers, a cop whose sense of duty stems not only from his assignment but from his growing feelings for the woman he’s bound to protect. As the pair runs for their lives, it is clear that a violent cover-up has been plotted—and they must unravel the conspiracy if they hope to survive.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

Mattie's life isn't at all what she expected it to be.    She thought she had everything she ever wanted, and then it all changed in the blink of an eye.  

Mattie has suffered a lot of loss in her life time.  Now she is facing the loss of her boyfriend Craig.  Mattie doesn't quite know how she is going to move on, but doesn't even really have time to think about it.  All of the sudden she is running for her life, and she doesn't even know for sure why.  

Jack is a cop that is sent to investigate the killing of Mattie's boyfriend Craig.  While trying to interview Mattie he soon realizes that there is danger lurking and now is helping Mattie run for her life.  

This story reminded me of the movie The Pelican Brief.  There is a study out that will put a lot of influential people in a sticky place, and someone is determined to not let anyone see it.  People are dying and Mattie and Jack are finding that it may all be connected.

While they search for the connection, attempts to on Mattie's life make her life a little unbearable.

This is an exciting story.  I believe the narrator was the same as the one I previously listened to and I didn't particularly like her.  She was much better in this book, but the book itself was fantastic.  I had this on CD and I had it in my car, and it kept me flipping discs.  I kept finding ways to be in my car.  Although in my life that isn't hard.

This was a clean, intense, CD changing book :).  I really enjoyed it.  I loved Mattie, and I loved Jack.  They are such great characters.  I loved the setting since most of it takes place in Arizona...my home town :).  

If you enjoy mystery this is a great book to pick up, or listen to.

Source:  I bought this CD for myself from Deseret Book.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jean Holbrook Mathews has been a student of history and geography most of her life. She served as the administrative director for an international foundation headquartered in St. Louis with chapters in five countries, including the Philippines. She has traveled in Asia and Europe and lived in the Philippines for nearly two years while on a mission with her husband for the LDS Church. During that time she studied the culture, history, geography, government, and language of that nation, learning to love the people and those beautiful islands.

A HEARTWARMING THANKSGIVING TOUR / EXCERPT: WEDDING AT TURKEY RUN

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

TODAY'S FREE SHORT STORY:

Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty

Jenny and Zeke are united by their suspicions when her grandmother and his grandfather decide to get married at Turkey Run State Park over the Thanksgiving weekend. Before the weekend and the wedding are over, they are united by much more.

Read it HERE!

Excerpt:

          “Actually, Pap, do you still have my spare keys at your house?” Zeke scratched the back of his head.

          “Sure. You know where they are.”

          “Then if you don’t mind me using your car, I need to go get them. I seem to have locked mine inside the car.”

          “And I need to drive back up to Crockett, too, Nana.” Jenny spoke up before Emma could start herding everyone where she wanted them to go. “All I have with me is my beach suitcase.”

          “And rubber tubing,” Zeke inserted. “You have that. And Velcro.”

          “I teach special ed.” She tilted her nose in response to the derision she heard in his voice. “Those are necessities.”

          “Well, then, why don’t you drive Zeke up to Crawfordsville to get his keys?” Emma was going to herd them anyway—that was just the way she was. “That way, Travis and I will have his car to run the errands we need to. And maybe go parking. No time like the present to chase our lost youth.”

          “Absolutely.” Travis pulled her into his side and nuzzled her ear.

          Parking? Nuzzling? Youth? Was this really happening?          “Oh, well,” Jenny mumbled. If her students had used that tone, she would have told them to speak plainly. “Of course. All right with you?” She raised an eyebrow at Zeke.

          “Sure. I’ll get you some gas.” He reached for the back pocket of his shorts. “When we get back, that is. My wallet seems to be locked in the car, too. The combination still the same to get in the house, Pap?”

          “Yes. You kids drive safely and be careful. Your room keys will be at the desk when you get back.” Travis waved them off, Emma smiled brightly, and the older couple sauntered arm in arm toward the front doors of the inn.

          Zeke bumped his head getting into Jenny’s compact car, and his legs didn’t fit that well once he was inside.

          “Sorry.” Although she wasn’t. Even taking into account the gorgeousness of his eyes, hair and smile, there was something about Zeke McNeil that set her teeth on edge.

          “Not a problem. The Mustang isn’t exactly the last word in comfort.”

          She pulled onto the two-lane road that led out of the park.

          “So,” said Zeke. “Two questions. Why do you really carry Velcro and rubber tubing in your trunk and what does your grandmother really want with Pap?”

Liz Flaherty was a little nervous about retiring from her day job, but making quilts, more family time, traveling at the mere mention of “why don’t we go...” and becoming a Harlequin Heartwarming author have made the past years more fun and exciting than she could ever have imagined.

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Other Heartwarming Titles by this Author

Back to McGuffey's

The one that got away

Could Kate Rafael's day get any worse? First she lost her job, then her house burned down and now her ex is back in town. Apparently, Ben McGuffey's taking a break from being a big-city doctor to help at his family's tavern and reassess the choices he's made for his career.

Ben ends up giving Kate a hand...then giving her kisses...and finally, a second chance. But when a local teenager shows them both a glimpse of what it means to be a family, Ben wonders if having kids in small-town Vermont would clash with his ambitions. Or can he truly come home again...to Kate?

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin


All Heartwarming print titles are 30% OFF during November from Harlequin as well! Use code HEART1115.

TOUR SCHEDULE

We'll be highlighting 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors that will be available from Harlequin during November via their site.

Don't miss any of these FREE novellas! Stop by each of the tour stops each day:

11/2: Snow Day Baby by Amy Vastine
Singing Librarian Books, The Power of Words, & Katie's Clean Book Collection

11/4: Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty
My Love for Reading Keeps Growing, Babs Book Bistro, & Heidi Reads...

11/6: Her Thanksgiving Soldier by Leigh Riker
Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima, Mel's Shelves, & Brooke Blogs

11/9: Mr. Right All Along by Jen Snow
Katie's Clean Book Collection, Min Reads and Reviews, & Love thy Shelf

11/11: Falling for the Cowboy by Sophia Sasson
Kindle and Me, The Power of Words, & Colorimetry

11/13: The Marriage Gift by Tara Taylor Quinn
deal sharing aunt, Babs Book Bistro, & Brooke Blogs

11/16: Heart of a Hero by Pamela Tracy
Writing Pearls, Wishful Endings, & Waiting For Wentworth

11/18: Thankful for You by Karen Rock
Christian Chick's Thoughts, Getting Your Read On, & Love, Laughter, Friendship

11/20: Autumn at Jasper Lake by Carol Ross
Reading Is My SuperPower, I Am A Reader, & Colorimetry

11/23: The Firefighter’s Promise by Kate James
Canadian Book Addict, Mel's Shelves, & Beck Valley Books

11/24: Wedding of His Dreams by Cari Lynn Webb
Bookworm Lisa, Kindle and Me, & Zerina Blossom's Books

11/25: The Sweetheart Tree by Rula Sinara
The Written Adventure, Reading Is My SuperPower, & Writing Pearl

11/26: Married by Thanksgiving by Melinda Curtis
Heidi Reads..., Love, Laughter, Friendship, & Singing Librarian Books 

11/29: Grand Finale
11/30: Facebook Party

GIVEAWAYS

Goodreads Giveaway

13 Harlequin Heartwarming Books
Enter on Goodreads HERE.

Pinterest Giveaway

 

Pin one or both of these images to spread the word and enter to win this adorably festive Thanksgiving Table Set:

Pinterest Prize includes: four reversible, quilted placemats, four matching napkins, hand-painted matching napkin rings, matching table runner, matching quilted hot pad/trivet, floral centerpiece in pot, and hand-crafted pilgrim pair.

- Enter via the Rafflecopter below

- Open to US only

- Ends December 4th

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Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize: Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription (Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only)
$40 VISA card (US only)
13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy's, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
8-Book Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)

Ends December 4th

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AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR: MAID TO MATCH BY DEEANNE GIST

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled—by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in the ways of refined society, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid.

But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs...and their hearts. 

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

This is such a sweet story.  I love sappy, sweet, love stories.  They just make me happy.  When I am in a foul mood I know I can pick up a "love" story and just be happy.  This book did that for me.

Of course it has it's frustrating parts, but that's what keeps me listening :).  It's so aggravating listening too a book and knowing that the characters need to get together and they just don't see it.  UGH...hehe.

Tillie has dreamt about being a ladies maid for years.  Her mother has dreamed of it even longer than that.  Tillie's mother prepped her for being a ladies maid her whole life.  Tillie is a very determined young woman, and does all she can to take over for Mrs. Vanderbilt's foreign maid when she leaves.  What Tillie didn't expect is Mack.

Mmmm....Mack. Handsome, yummy, sweet Mack.  Tillie didn't expect Mack.  She didn't expect to be drawn to him.  She didn't expect Mack to be such a good man.  She didn't expect Mack to watch out for her even without her asking.  Mack is who all women wish for.  hehe.  Book boyfriends.  HEHE.  Mmmm.mmmm...Mack.

This story is so sweet.  I loved the setting, the writing, the narrator.  Everything.  It was just what I was looking for.  I love the LOVE story.  

If you are looking for a sweet, historical romance this book is just the right thing for you.   I loved reading about the house, the way things worked in the house.  I love reading about it, but I know I never would have been able to live back then!  Even if it gets a little aggravating at times.

Source:  I bought this audio book for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Deeanne Gist has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captivated readers everywhere with her original historical and contemporary romances. A favorite among readers and reviewers alike, her popular titles include It Happened at the Fair and Fair Play. Her latest book, Tiffany Girl, is available May 5, 2015.

A popular speaker, Gist’s presentations have been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal and in other publications. The Wall Street Journal’s accompanying online video was the most watched video on the FrontPageWSJ.com website for several days following their feature.

Gist has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel. She is also the creator of I Did It!®, a parenting line of products. Gist lives in Houston, Texas with her husband of thirty years. The couple has four grown children.

Gist’s fans enthusiastically interact with her at her popular online communities: IWantHerBook.com, as well as on Facebook (@DeesFriends) and Twitter (@DeeanneGist). 

THE WINNERS FOR MARY: THE SUMMONING .....ARE...

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AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - PLAYED FOR A FOOL - BY STEPHANIE BLACK

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Three years ago, the small town of Britteridge was rocked by the senseless murder of Gail Ludlum. Now the people most affected by the tragedy have returned to the place where it all began, and the scene is set for the perfect revenge . . .
Megan O’Connor’s life was shattered when she was unwittingly drawn into a kidnapping plot that ultimately led to the murder of an innocent woman. Though the road to redemption has been long, she’s finally found happiness with her recent engagement to a wonderful man, a pillar of the community. But amid the chaos of wedding planning, the return of Gail Ludlum’s son to Britteridge sets in motion a disturbing sequence of events. Soon Megan finds herself the victim of a series of cruel deceptions that indicate one thing: her past mistakes have not been forgiven or forgotten. As the mischief escalates to dangerous levels, it becomes clear that someone is determined to avenge Gail’s death. And he won’t rest until he’s taken a life for a life. 

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

Okay, let me start by stating yet again, I didn't know that this was book 2.  UGH.  Having said that I don't think I missed all that much from book one.  Okay, probably not true, but I didn't feel lost.  Does that make sense?

I bought this book on CD to listen to in my car.  Sometimes I have my ipod with me (well most times), but sometimes I just like to pop in a CD and listen.  My kids usually end up enjoying the books as well...so it's good for all.

I enjoyed this story.  I really did.  I did NOT like the narrator.  So, IF you decide to read this book take my advice and read it.  Don't listen to it.  A bad narrator for me can ruin a book.  Thankfully I liked this one enough, that I let the annoying voice slide.  It's not that she didn't read well, I just didn't think she conveyed the intensity of the book very well.  It seemed too "ehh" for me.

This was an exciting book.  I have always wanted to be a twin.  I never thought about having an evil twin.  Probably because I would have been the evil twin..hehehe.  Any way, to have a twin who tried to kill you.  Umm, no thank you.  

Megan's life is complicated, and seems to get more so when Bryce is let out of jail for his part in the kidnapping of her now fiance's sister Rachel. With Megan's sister in jail for life in her part of the kidnapping and murder, the Drakes, and Megan thought the worse was behind them.  Bryce may be out of jail, but he seems to be doing what he is suppose to.  Yet, Megan is getting threatening letters, and someone is out there trying to make her look bad.  

There are still plenty of people who probably don't want Megan to marry the most eligible bachelor of their small town Trevor Drake, but Megan had no idea the lengths people would to go to make sure it didn't happen.

The story has lots of twist and turns, and is exciting.  I was blow away at the lengths some people would go to jut to get back at someone they thought did wrong.  Granted Megan was not innocent at the beginning of this whole scheme, but had made up for it when she found out the depth of the deception.  Attempted murder, mayhem, kidnapping, you name it, it probably happens in this book.  It's so exciting.

I love how it came together and how well it was done.  I just wish I would have read it, and not listened.  Oh well, the book itself was still really good.  

I hope you take the chance to read it.  It's an exciting, clean, intense book.

Source:  I bought this CD for myself from Deseret Book.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own Personal thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic from Goodreads, bio from Deseret Book

STEPHANIE BLACK has loved books since she was old enough to grab the pages, and has enjoyed creating make-believe adventures since she and her sisters were inventing long Barbie games filled with intrigue and danger or running around pretending to be detectives. She is a three-time Whitney Award winner for Best Mystery/Suspense, most recently forCold as Ice (2010). Stephanie was born in Utah and has lived in various places, including Arizona, Massachusetts, New York, and Limerick, Ireland. She currently lives in northern California and enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and their five children. She is a fan of chocolate, cheesecake, and her husband’s homemade bread.

SOMETHING WICKED RISES - INTERVIEW WITH HILLARY MONAHAN AND GIVEAWAY

I am so excited that I get to be part of this, this year.  Welcome to my stop for Something Wicked Rises.  Today we have the awesome, and talented Author Hillary Monahan.  She is the author of the Bloody Mary series, that I have loved so much.  I am so excited that she was willing to take the time out of her busy schedule to do an interview with me, to share today.  I am not a Halloween Fan, but I love scary movies, and I love scary books, and they just so happen to coincide with Halloween.  It's exciting when all the "scary" books start to come out.  So without further ado, here is author, Hillary Monahan.

ME:   What made you decide to write about Bloody Mary?

MONAHAN:  When I was a kid, our town had a local spin on Bloody Mary called Mary Jane. It was said she was a student at our middle school who died during the school fire in the fifties. If you said Mary Jane three times in the mirror in the school bathrooms, she'd appear and scratch at your face. I remember various girls turning off the lights, in the school bathrooms and then freaking themselves out, screaming that Mary Jane had appeared to them and scratched them.  I never had the courage to do it myself. I'm pretty sure that means I win at Darwinism. 

ME:  Which character was your favorite to write about in both Mary books?

MONAHAN:  Mary herself.  I like villains who have a reason for being a villain and can be, when painted in a certain light, sympathetic.  Mary Worth let me flex those muscles. 

ME:   What are you working on right now?

MONAHAN:  My next Eva Darrows book called Dead Little Mean Girl.  It challenges the Mean Girl trope and how, dismissing a girl as a mean girl, makes her Not People.  It's a snarky black comedy. 

ME:  What is the hardest thing to write about for you?

MONAHAN:  Relationships and especially sex.  It's so different from person to person, the emotions that go along with it, and there's always that worry that you're either going to go too clinical and sound like an anatomy textbook or The Other Way (AKA Full Porno.)  It's finding the happy middle and staying there. 

ME:  What author (or if you are like me what authors) inspired you to become a writer?

MONAHAN:  E.B. White for a writer people would know.  I read Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little so many times as a kid, I can't even count.  Also: my grandmother.  She was a professional writer.  In her later years it was mostly greeting cards for Hallmark, but she was always in her writing room, tapping away at a typewriter that weighed as much as I did. 

ME:  Tell us how you came up with the covers (Which are FABULOUS by the way)?

MONAHAN:  I didn't!  Authors have very little to do with their covers.  (See: nothing which can be problematic when the author hates the cover and is told OH WELL.)  In traditional publishing, marketing and design come up with the covers and say TA DA.  I just won the cover lottery for horror books.  Hyperion did a great job. 

ME:   What are your top 5 favorite books that you like to read?

MONAHAN:  THE MISTS OF AVALON, LONESOME DOVE, THE SHINING, THE WITCHING HOUR, and The Black Jewels Trilogy though I know how uhhh.  I have issues with the books but every once in a while I go through a trilogy reread. It's like a junk food addiction. 

ME:  What do you love most about being an author?

MONAHAN:  Working from home surrounded by smelly basset hounds. 

ME:  How can our readers find out more about you?

MONAHAN:  Ask me!  I'm on Twitter under @HillaryMonahan and I pretty much answer everything lobbed at me. 

ME:  Do you write full time or part time?

MONAHAN:  Full for now.  We'll see if that sticks in the future. Girl's gotta eat.

FUN FACTS:

1.  Coffee, tea, or soda?  COFFEE.

2.  Ice Cream or Yogurt? Ice Cream!

3.  Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, or White chocolate? Yes?  Can I just say yes?

4.  Favorite Food?  My mother's homemade apple pie.

5.  Introvert or Extrovert?  I'm the most outgoing introvert you'll ever meet.  But I am an introvert. 

Thank you Hillary.  It was so much fun to get to know you better.

If you haven't read her Bloody Mary series, you should!  You can fine my reviews for the books by clicking on the covers shown below.

  

Description for MARY;  THE SUMMONING (Book 1)

There is a right way and a wrong way to summon her. 

Jess had done the research. Success requires precision: a dark room, a mirror, a candle, salt, and four teenage girls. Each of them--Jess, Shauna, Kitty, and Anna--must link hands, follow the rules . . . and never let go. 

A thrilling fear spins around the room the first time Jess calls her name: "Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. BLOODY MARY." A ripple of terror follows when a shadowy silhouette emerges through the fog, a specter trapped behind the mirror. 

Once is not enough, though--at least not for Jess. Mary is called again. And again. But when their summoning circle is broken, Bloody Mary slips through the glass with a taste for revenge on her lips. As the girls struggle to escape Mary's wrath, loyalties are questioned, friendships are torn apart, and lives are forever altered.

A haunting trail of clues leads Shauna on a desperate search to uncover the legacy of Mary Worth. What she finds will change everything, but will it be enough to stop Mary--and Jess--before it's too late? 

Description for MARY:  UNLEASHED  (Book 2):

Mary in the mirror.
Mary in the glass.
Mary in the water.

Mary lurks in the emptiness, in the darkness . . . in the reflection. That is, until Jess unleashes her into the world. Now Mary Worth is out and her haunting is deadlier than ever.

No one is safe.

Shauna, Kitty, and Jess must band together to unearth the truth about Mary's death to put her soul to rest for good. Their search leads them back to where it all began-to Solomon's Folly, a place as dangerous as the ghost who died there a century and a half ago. Quick sand, hidden traps and a phantom fog are the least of their worries. To stop Mary, they need to follow a dark string of clues and piece together a gruesome mystery that spans generations.

But time is running out.

As chilling facts come to light, Mary inches ever closer to her prey. Can Jess, Shauna, and Kitty break Mary's curse before it's too late? Or will history repeat itself until there is no one left to call her name . . . 

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I am also giving away a copy of MARY:  THE SUMMONING.  You have to have a valid mailing address for the book to be sent to you from Amazon.  You must live in the USA (sorry, I will do one for Kindle also that is only for INT).  You must respond to the email letting you know of your prize withing 48 hours.  If you don't respond a new winner will be chosen.  I will announce the winner on the blog and contact the winner as well within 48 hours of the giveaway ending.

I hope that you enjoy this as much as I did.  It was just what I was looking for in a scary book.  Monahan is such a wonderful author, and I have really enjoyed the chance to get to know her a little better.  I hope everyone else did as well.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

INTERNATIONAL ONLY:  I am giving away one kindle version of MARY:  THE SUMMONING.  You must have a valid email address, that can accept email from Amazon.com.  You must respond to the email informing you of your winnings within 48 hours.  If you do not a new winner will be chosen.  I will inform the winners withing 48 hours of the giveaway ending.

a Rafflecopter giveaway