Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to take a moment to say ...

I am SO thankful to have you all as blog readers. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving (or day if you are not in the U.S.)

Gobble Gobble!

Waiting on Wednesday: Forbidden by Eve Bunting

Forbidden by Even Bunting 
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date:  December 1, 2015

Goodreads Synopsis: 

In early-nineteenth century Scotland, sixteen-year-old Josie, an orphan, is sent to live with an aunt and uncle on the rocky, stormy northwest coast. Everything and everyone in her new surroundings, including her relatives, is sinister, threatening, and mysterious. She's told that Eli, the young man she's attracted to, is forbidden to her, but not why. Spirited, curious, and determined, Josie sets out to learn the village's secrets and discovers evil, fueled by heartless greed, as well as a ghostly presence eager for revenge. An author's note gives the historical inspiration for this story.

Why I Am Waiting:
This book has not gotten the most wonderful reviews but I am still intrigued by the story premise and really want to give it a try. I love a strong female lead and this is promising one. I am waiting and hoping for the best.

Recent Reads: Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

 Source: From Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book in no way alters my opinion or review.

Etiquette & Espionage By Gail Carriger
Series: Finishing School #1
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 5, 2013  

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:
 


 


Goodreads Synopsis: 

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

Review: 
Etiquette and Espionage has been one of the books on my TBR pile for a long time. The synopsis is great and I have heard wonderful things about the series from bloggers and readers alike. I am happy to say that I really enjoyed this book and flew through it. The plot was mysterious but also full of action and adventure and at every turn of the page I was captivated by the characters, the language, and the details Carriger put into the storytelling. 

We follow Sophronia through her first experience with Finishing School. Not knowing what she has gotten herself into but little by little learning how to cope with the craziness that this particular school. Sophronia comes off as a strong female in a time when strong females aren't really allowed and uses it to her advantage. I really liked how her character was portrayed throughout the book, as able and bold. The other characters were just as engaging and spurred feelings  across the board.  

As for the plot, as I noted, it was a mystery, an adventure and a but of whimsy all rolled together to form this delightful package. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to young adult readers. I am already preparing to read book two.


 

Movie Monday: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Movie Monday is a new feature at Cover2CoverBlog where I talk about Book-Movie Adaptations. If you have any recommendations let me know in the comments. 

This feature may contain SPOILERS to both the books AND the movies so read carefully.

Today's comparison is...

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

 

THE BOOK Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling Publisher: Scholastic Publication Date: 1999

THE MOVIE Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Directed by Alfonso Cuaron/ Warner Bros Release Date: 2004

Another Warning: SPOILERS AHEAD

 

I re-watched this movie the other day and I have one HUGE pet-peeve about it that I wanted to share.

First of all, I loved these books - all of them. I love Sirius Black and his presence from here on out in the series was spectacular for so many reasons. I also really enjoyed the Harry Potter movies and I loved when Cuaron came on board to direct Prisoner of Azkaban. He made it darker and the series was getting darker and after this is when the movies even started becoming PG-13... a good move for lovers of the series, I think.

 Anywho, aside from the fact that this movie kind of skirts over Sirius Black's importance in the series, my biggest pet-peeve of this film adaptation is that they never explain the significance of the Marauder's Map and who came up with it.

If you have only seen the movies - here is the backstory.  Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are the nicknames of Lupin, Pettigrew, Black, and James Potter who created the map. The nicknames were given because of Animagus forms and in Lupin's case, his werewolf form.

My issue with the movie not explaining this information is that the map shows everyone- regardless of shifting abilities and if you knew that Peter Pettigrew had the Animagus form of a rat (Wormtail) you would know why this is SO important. Pettigrew shows up on the map to Harry.

The movie completely disregards all of this beautifully written book information and chalks it up to Black recognizing Wormtail. I can understand why you would need to cut some things out, but the map is SO cool... I think it should have been included.

End rant...

Building the Book Pile #162

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!  A Weekly meme inspired by Stacking the Shelves

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Another week closer to THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS... yay! This week has been a blast, I completed a readathon, I started putting up holiday lights on my house (I know it is early- hush now), I have almost finished my holiday shopping and we are planning to buy a snowblower soon for the house. I am old and get excited about crazy things, I know, I am ok with it. 

This weekend (probably while you are reading this) I am baking for a work potluck and am so excited about it. I love making goodies for events. 
 
What's Happening?! 

How was your week ? Let me know in the comments.

  Giveaways on Cover2CoverBlog!

    

Coming up on the Blog... 

Movie Monday: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Recent Reads: Etiquatte & Espionage by Gail Carriger (YA)

Waiting on Wednesday

Happy Thanksgiving

Early Reader Review: Drones by Chris Lewis (GN)  

      

    Books Received this Week

   

Sock Monster by Stacey R. Campbell - From the author for a blog tour

A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story by Jen York - From the author review

The Chess Queen Enigma (Stocker and Holmes #3) by Colleen Gleason - From Librarything Early Reviewers program and Chronicle Books  

Have you missed anything lately (last 2 weeks)? 

• Recent Reads: After Alice by Gregory Maguire (Adult) - 2 stars
• Early Reader Review: Kid Athletes True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends by David Stabler (MG) - 4 stars
• Waiting on Wednesday: Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania Del Rio
• Blog Blast: Excerpt from The Worlds Traveler by M.L. Roble (MG)
• Blogger Pet Profiles: Rolo (My Doggie)  

Comment and leave me a link to your Round-up/ STS/ Weekly...anything, post and I will happily stop by and say hello!

 Happy Reading!

Blogger Pet Profiles!! - ROLO

Hello lovely readers/ bloggers...

AND THEIR PETS! 

I have realized through my years of blogging that so many of us have pets and they are all adorable and should be shared with the internet world! My pets are my reading buddies and I love them like they are children. 

Here is your chance to share your lovely companions during this holiday time when we are sharing what we are oh so thankful for.

I have 4 pets and will be doing 3 posts to share them with you - there may even be a Linky too - if you are interested in posting and sharing your marvelous pets! 

So this is ROLO ...

Rolo is a French Bulldog/ Boston Terrier mix and his mother's name was Candy so all the puppies had candy-themed names. We did get him from a breeder but he was kind of the runt and when we were looking for a dog he was the last of his litter and no one wanted him. Frenchies and Bostons are known for there popped ears - they are naturally like that, but one of Rolo's had not popped and so he was not what most wanted. We didn't care and took him into our home and almost immediately his ears were fine. :) not that we would have cared :)

Frenchies were bred as companion dogs and Rolo is just that, he is like a shadow and will not settle until you do - no matter what. I adore him.  This year he will turn 7 in December.

Here is Puppy Rolo...

 

This was his ride home with us after picking him up...

...bringin home a baby bumble bee.... he hates this costume, although he LOVES shirts and sweaters.

Here are some of Rolo older...

He also loves his coats, he has a winter one and a raincoat. He hates being wet so we appease him :) - I know, I spoil him so much!

 

And here are just some other cutes...

 Do you want a linky? Let me know :)

Blog Blast: Excerpt from The Worlds Traveler by M.L. Roble

Morning Readers! 

This morning I have the pleasure of sharing a new Middle Grade book with you - The Worlds Traveler by M.L. Roble has recently been released as an ebook and the paperback comes out VERY soon.

 I hope you enjoy this excerpt and that you have a chance to check out the book!

The Worlds Traveler by M.L. Roble

Ebook released on November 11th, 2015

Paperback is available on December 1st, 2015! 

 

About the Book

Life on the run from madman Martin Reimer gets in the way of everything.

For fourteen-year-old Phillip, it has meant having to stay hidden, unable to use his gift of moving through maps to search for his missing father. But the arrival of a stranger named Delroy brings unexpected opportunity, for Delroy is a man with the ability to travel worlds hidden within our own and he was sent by Phillip's father. Now Phillip will do everything he can to find his dad, even if it means tricking Delroy into helping him or a quest through those hidden worlds.

Even if leaving home means Martin can now find him...

Follow in the adventures of Phillip Stone and Natalie Bristol in this sequel to the award-winning book The Magician's Doll!

The Worlds Traveler – Excerpt from Chapter 2

“Phillip!”

Once again Phillip pulled his mind from the past to look at Natalie.

“Your mom must have really laid into you,” she said. “You haven’t been this quiet in a long time.”
“Yeah, kind of.”

“Maybe you should give her less to worry about.”
Phillip threw his hands up. “How? Come on, Natalie, it’s not like I’m that terrible. Heck, I’d even say I’ve been pretty good considering I’d rather be somewhere out there looking for my dad. Instead, I’m here. I’m going to school. I’m doing all the things a good son should do. I’m not doing anything I want, not even using my gift, and sometimes I feel like I’m going to explode!”

Heads turned in their direction. Phillip slouched and picked at his spoon.

“You kids okay?” The waitress had arrived at their table with their floats. Her white cap, part of her uniform, hung slightly awry, and her red apron had a glob of ice cream falling down the front. Her expression was harried as she set their drinks in front of them, strawberry for Natalie and root beer for Phillip.

“Yes, ma’am,” Phillip mumbled. “Sorry.”

The waitress smiled. “I have tiffs with my boyfriend all the time, but trust me, things can always be worked out.” She pushed a stray hair behind her ear and scooted to the next table where some customers had just been seated. People’s heads turned back around.

Neither Phillip nor Natalie moved to drink their floats. Natalie looked stricken, her brown eyes sad and downcast. Phillip reached for the straws and rolled one over to her.
“Why do people always think we’re boyfriend and girlfriend?” he asked. He unwrapped his straw and took a big gulp of his float. He had to admit, the soda shop served great ice cream. The root beer was creamy and soothing as it slid past the knot in his throat.

“Probably because we’re always together,” Natalie said. She took the straw but made no move towards her float.
“Come on, Nat,” Phillip said softly. “Drink up. It’s tastes really good today.”

When Natalie looked up, her eyes were one step shy of watering and her lips trembled. “Phillip, are you really that miserable here?”

Phillip sighed and leaned back. He gave a shrug and looked out the window. Like the soda shop, the whole town with its medium shops and landscaped streets had an old-time feel. He didn’t think it was a coincidence that their mothers and Mrs. Blaine chose places that were set back from the rest of the world. “It’s nice enough here, I guess. It’s just that every time we’ve gone somewhere through the map, every time we’ve seen all these different places…I don’t know, I just wanna tell my dad about it.”

“Aren’t you worried how dangerous it is with the Reimers out there?” Natalie asked.

“It’s going to keep getting dangerous, Natalie. We’ve been through this.” Phillip’s hands balled into fists and then flexed as he tried to calm the frustration starting to burn in his chest. “It’s going to get worse. It doesn’t matter what we do to avoid trouble, it’s going to come to us sometime, somehow. If my dad’s alive, I’d rather face it with him.”

“What about your mom?” Natalie asked.

“Why do you think I’m still here?” Phillip shot back. “Why are you giving me such a hard time about this? You said when the time came you’d help me, you know,” he reminded her.
“I meant what I said! If you ask me to go, I’ll go. I’m just hoping that when we do, it’s because you’ve given this some good thought and planning.”

“All I do is think and plan!” Once again Phillip’s voice rose.
Only a few heads turned this time. The rest of the customers seemed content to let them be. Their waitress looked over and winked at Phillip. Work it out, she mouthed.

“Then why haven’t we gone yet?” Natalie asked.

“Because it’s complicated.” A slight bitterness salted Phillip’s answer. “Look, the point is, I’m here, it doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere, and I think you should cut me some slack for wanting a little adventure once in a while.”

He scowled and took another gulp of his float, watching the mini whirlpool form in the cream as he sipped through the straw. He was doing the best he could, he thought. Why wasn’t anyone giving him any credit for that? Times like these he felt like everyone was trying to scrunch him into shapes he couldn’t make.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Natalie’s fingers slacken. Her straw dropped and rolled across the table. He looked up in surprise.

Natalie sat as if invisible hands had pulled her shoulders back, straightening her spine. Her eyes were on his face, but their focus went through and far beyond him.

“Nat,” Phillip said softly. He reached for her wrist and grasped it, feeling the warmth of her skin and the steady beat of her pulse. Natalie’s posture was so rigid, so unmoving, he swept a surreptitious glance around the soda shop to make sure no one had noticed. The other patrons were engrossed with their own business, but their waitress caught his eye, and seeing his hand clasping Natalie’s wrist, she gave him a nod and a smile of approval. Phillip smiled back weakly and turned back to Natalie.

He had forgotten how unnerving Natalie’s gift was. It had been a long time since it had overtaken her. It had crept up on her several times when she had first come into it, but since then she had learned how to keep it at bay. Now it had her in its hold, and it felt like she had slipped away, leaving him holding an empty vessel.

“Nat,” he said again, giving her wrist a little shake. He waited, a helpless ball of uncertainty, until the emptiness in her eyes slowly filled with a reassuring solidity. A few seconds later, she was back, and when he looked into her face and saw a response in hers, relief flooded him. “What happened? Your gift?”

Natalie nodded, her eyebrows forming a confused squiggle. “Different this time, though. I don’t think it went as deep.” A part of her seemed to linger in whatever place her gift had taken her because her focus was scattered, and when her eyes met his, he felt the vastness of a galaxy behind them. “Someone has come, Phillip, come to our town. Whoever he is, he’s looking for you.”

copyright © 2015 M.L. Roble

About the Author

M.L. Roble is the author of the award-winning book, The Magician’s Doll, The Worlds Traveler, and Encounter Way: A Novella of Supernatural Suspense. She is a lover of great stories, whether they come to her through novels, movies, T.V. or plays, or through someone who just has a knack for telling a good story! 

 Find the Author