Cover2CoverBlog

Jul 19, 2013

Recent Reads: Far Far Away by Tom McNeal

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
Publisher: Random House Audio
Available: NOW!!

My rating:

Format: Audiobook
Source: Random House Audio for Review

Background: Jeremy Johnson Johnson has lived in Never Better all his life and he has an interesting ability, he can hear ghosts. Ginger is just a girl from the same town who has taken an interest in Jeremy and they begin to hang out over summer break. Far Far Away is a modern adaptation of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and who best to tell the story than Jacob Grimm himself? Jacob is Jeremy’s ghost, they have been together for many years Jacob working with Jeremy to help him study to leave the town of Never Better for university some day, and Jeremy listens to Jacob and they are friends. The some strange events occur and Jeremy, Jacob, and Ginger are thrown into one of Grimm’s tales and not all have happily ever after endings.

Review: I listened to this book as an audiobook I received from the publisher and I was so excited to have gotten it in the mail. I have been hearing wonderful things about this book AND the audiobook reader, W. Morgan Sheppard… and it all lived up to the expectations I had for it. The plot is hauntingly twisted and macabre and the characters are interesting and have a depth that is rare in young adult novels. Tom McNeal brings out the best in these teens and the fact that the story is told from the point of view of the ghost adds a sort of mysteriousness to the characters. I really enjoyed that aspect.

The plot was entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat. The first few discs are a bit of a struggle there is a good amount of build up and climax to the plot, but the last four discs flew by as the reader learns about maniacal plots and goings-on from the eyes of the ghost.

I really recommend this as an audiobook, granted I did not read the book, so I cannot say for sure that it is a better option; however the production is great and the reader is perfect for the story. And that can make or break an audiobook.

I recommend this for those interested in the Brother Grimm, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and also young readers and adults who enjoy a good teenage based suspense story. This book has it, it kept me interested, questioning, and shocked the whole way through…

Tom McNeal is also known for his work with his co-author and wife Laura McNeal. They have written multiple young adult novels and you can visit them at http://mcnealbooks.com/home.aspx

View all my reviews

Jul 18, 2013

Cover Reveal: Creatura by Nely Cab

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Creatura by Nely Cab

Publication date: August 6th, 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal

About the Book

Isis can control her dreams. Or she could-until recently. The creature in her nightmares has been haunting her for months. As if being dumped wasn’t bad enough, now she dreads going to sleep. She decides to confront the creature and win back some of her peace; only, she finds that he’s not a monster and he’s not a dream.

A sacrifice for love, a shocking discovery and a jealous ex-boyfriend blur the lines between reality and dreams, making it hard to tell who the real monsters are.

Who would’ve known…that sometimes love is lethal?

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18002733-creatura?ac=1

About the Author

Nely Cab was born on December 9, 1974, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She has lived and

resided in a small, quiet South Texas town most of her life. Putting her Computer Accounting skills to use, Nely worked in banking for several years. In 2001, the author relocated to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, where she dedicated time to the study of culinary arts and the art of oil painting. After her return to the U.S., Nely resumed her employment in banking and later transitioned to the field of Social Work.

Today, Nely Cab writes from the comfort of her home, where she lives with her husband and son. Her life goal is to check-off Bucket List Item No. 95,623,351: To conquer the world. While she aspires world domination, Nely continues to work on her debut series Creatura.

Find the Author

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Jul 17, 2013

Blog Tour + Giveaway!-- Barbie World by Heidi Acosta

BOOK ONE:

Barbie Girl by Heidi Acosta (Baby Doll #1)
Publication date: November 1st 2012
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:
The only thing that 17 year old Barbie Starr wants to do is graduate high school so she and her little brother, Everett, can get out of Alabama. She doesn’t care about the rumors that are spread around about her like wild fire. Rumors are nothing new to her. Sure, maybe she could change her reputation, but why bother. She is leaving Alabama as soon as she can. That is, if she can pass algebra and graduate.

The only thing Dylan Knight would like to do is go through high school unnoticed; he has had enough of the drama that is high school. He took the whole of last summer to bulk-up: finally he is not being called names or being shoved into lockers. He wants to remain on the outside of the circle of constant rumors that surround the so-called popular kids who get all the attention. He would not, however, mind if his long time crush Katie took notice of him.

But it is Barbie who notices Dylan and she offers him a deal he can’t pass up: if he helps her pass algebra, she’ll help him get the girl of his dreams. Dylan agrees, but, as it turns out, nothing is simple when it comes to Barbie. Somehow, she can’t help but draw attention to herself — and to him. Soon Dylan finds himself tossed into the whirlwind of rumors that seem to follow Barbie everywhere. Can he save his reputation and still get the girl of his dreams? Or will Barbie be the one to break through his carefully-built facade?

See the Cover2CoverBlog Review Here!

Barbie Girl Goodreads Page

Purchase:

Buy it on Amazon!

Buy it at Barnes & Noble!

Buy it on Smashwords

Book Trailer

BOOK TWO:

Barbie World by Heidi Acosta
Series: Barbie Girl, #2
Publication date: Summer 2013
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

“One Night is all it took to change everything between Barbie and me. One night to potentially lose the girl of my dreams forever. How do I prove to her that she can trust me? That all I want to do is protect her carefully guarded heart. I need to prove to her that I want to be a part of her world. But How? ”

Dylan lost Barbie once before, now he is determined more than ever to win her heart and trust back. Easier said than done, especially with the new hot guy in town who is in a rock band and is the complete opposite of Dylan.

Barbie has been hurt beyond repair or so she thinks. It would be easier for heart to decide if she didn’t have to protect her little brother. And if Dylan would just put on a shirt! Dylan is not making this easy on her. It helps to have the distraction of the new guy in town cute bad boy Kai. But even though her heart is damaged it still knows what it wants.

When Barbie learns she has a family and with the help of Roxie and Kai, oh and Third and Dylan. They embark on a journey to help bring Barbie closer to a past she never knew existed.

Heidi Acosta brings you the heart felt story of friendship, love and heartbreak in the second book in of the Baby doll series Barbie World.

Barbie World Goodreads Page

25$ Amazon GC, a signed copy of Barbie Girl (Book 1) + some swag (US/Canada)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Heidi Acosta was born on Long Island, New York. Moving around a lot when she was younger, she has lived in New York, Arizona, New York (again), Washington, Georgia, and Florida, in that order.
Each place offered her something special, but she will always consider New York her home.

Heidi started writing as soon as she could spell. When she was three, Heidi’s mother gave her a copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods; thus beginning her lifelong love affair with literature.

Writing soon also became a form of therapy for Heidi, when she realized that no matter what was happening in her life, she could find emotional escape while writing. Some of her earliest stories featured her as a princess who explored new worlds with her horse Buttercup. If it sounds romantic, it wasn’t, there was no prince charming in those fairy lands (boys where yucky).

Heidi now resides in Florida with her husband, very active daughter, one hyper Chihuahua, two sweet cats, and one very fat moody cat.

Find the Author

Website

Author Goodreads Page

Twitter

Facebook

Jul 16, 2013

Release Day Launch + Giveaway!: Found by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Found by Alyssa Rose Ivy

The Crescent Chronicles #3

Available: Today!!!

About the Book

Levi might be hot, strong, and have a cool set of wings, but it's not enough to make up for keeping Allie in the dark.

Allie's tired of being left with more questions than answers. She's tired of loving a guy who refuses to level with her. Most of all, she's tired of her life spinning out of control.

Desperate to save Jess no matter the personal cost, Allie has to face the possibility that the only one she can trust is herself.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

Find the Author

Twitter

Jul 15, 2013

Kindle Fire Giveaway!

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HD 7".

Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors

Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire. Sponsor a future Kindle Fire Giveaway by signing up HERE. Ends 8/15/13 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 participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jul 13, 2013

Recent Reads: Hit the Road, Helen! by Kate McMullan

Hit the Road, Helen! By Kate McMullan

Publisher: Capstone and Myth-o-mania

Available: Now, July 1st

Format: Paperback ARC

Source: Publisher from BEA 2013

My Rating:

Background: Hit the Road, Helen! Is the story of the Trojan war and how it “really” went down. Narrated by none other than the famous god Hades, it retells the evens leading up to and during the epic battle of the Greeks and Trojans over what seemed to be a woman, Helen. Little did we know, that is not the story at all, but instead a story of the gods getting too wrapped up in the lives of humans.

Review: The Myth-o-Mania series is a group of books that parody the mythology of centuries ago in a way for young readers (ages 9-13 is what my ARC tells me) to learn as well as enjoy themselves. Hades is a very funny narrator for this tale and it also shows him in a different light. Normally Hades is represents as a hot head, angry all the time, shepherding the dead in the underworld. Here in this tale, he is trying to stop the war with all of his ideas, even though they are not working well. He is just a normal character.

The book is a very complete picture of the events leading up to the war and then the war itself with all the big pieces of history included. Hades spins it as if the war is all Zeus fault and also includes snippets about a good number of the gods who participated.

This is the ninth book in the series and I have not read any before this one, however I may just go to the library and grab them. It was a good thing that these seem to be stand alones as well. You can read them in any order really and it seems the next one is already in the works, per the epilogue. I learned a good amount of information I had forgotten and it was delivered in a fun and lighthearted way for young readers. I recommend this book to young readers and parents for their children to learn/enjoy at the same time.

Jul 12, 2013

Book 'Em Danno Giveaway Hop: Prize is a Surprise... (YA or MG)

Welcome to the Book'em Danno Book Hop

This event is hosted by The Review Wire and is dedicated to book lovers everywhere. Whether it's hardback, paperback, eBooks or gift cards to buy a book each blog participating is offering you some kind of reading adventure!
After you enter my giveaway make sure to hop on down the list to see what each blogger has to offer. Also, you can enter The Grand Prize over at The Review Wire. Two prize packs will be offered to two winners that include all children's titles and both valued at over $110 dollars!
Disclaimer: This giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on July 26, 2013.
The Book'em Danno Event Bloggers are not responsible for shipment of prize or sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.
Companies and bloggers, if you would like to participate in group giveaway events like this one, sign up to be emailed about future events hosted by The Review Wire.

What's in it for you?

Prize is one surprise book of the YA or MG genre

When?

You have from today through the 26th to enter via the Rafflecopter below

Rules for this Giveaway?

You must be 13 or older or have a parents permission to enter.

A US Resident and respond to the winners email within 48 hours to claim your prize if you win (since it is summer many of you may be vacationing...makes sure to check those emails or you might miss out on your goodies)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jul 11, 2013

Blog Blitz: Giveaway + Excerpt -- Lost by M. Lathan

Lost by M. Lathan
Series: Hidden, #2
Publication date: June 20th 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal

About the Book:

Three months ago, Christine Grant found herself, her love, and impossible friends, while losing the memories of the biggest piece of her past.

Now, her powers are spinning out of control and must be tamed by the woman who saved the world, the same woman Christine is predicted to kill in less than a month.

Wanting to punish catty girls was just the beginning. It’s only a matter of time before she discovers that the world is not as safe from her as she hoped it was.

Lost on Goodreads!

Hidden on Goodreads

Purchase (Book 1 is currently 0.99c!):

Amazon

B&N

Prologue

Fear stole my breath as I plummeted into frigid water. I flailed my arms and legs, uselessly trying to swim against the current. The haunting voice of a child sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” as I sank deeper.

I fought my way to the surface only to be taken again. The little girl droned, “And the rockets’ red glare,” as water rushed into my lungs.

I wasn’t alone. A blurry figure struggled near me, both of us sinking, drowning in red tinted water. Blood. It swirled with the suffocating blue, an inescapable villain dragging us deeper and deeper.

We were two helpless bodies adrift in a world with no air or hope, no chance of survival. The white lights glowing beneath us looked welcoming and safe. The figure gave in. Its lifeless body sank towards the lights as the little girl sang, “And the home of the brave.”

Chapter One

I woke up, pouring sweat, in Nathan’s bed.

With his eyes closed and mouth open, he rolled away and yanked the blanket off of me, attending to my needs in his sleep. I shrugged off the creepy dream of me drowning. Over the last three months, I’d dreamed plenty of things that hadn’t happened. Nate had held me underwater in the pool earlier. I was sure that moment had just followed me to sleep. The odds of it being a vision were low.

It had been almost two months since I stopped letting myself have them or use any of my powers. They were getting worse as I used them openly for little things. I would try to move something, and it wouldn’t just lift. It would slam into the wall before I felt it moving. I didn’t know mental powers could grow, develop even more than they already were. They were getting faster, stronger, and wilder, so I was back to suppressing them like I had at St. Catalina. Life was simpler that way, normal. Or as normal as living with three magical beings that should be extinct could get.

I closed my eyes to force myself back to sleep, and an angry snore rattled Nate’s throat. I reached on his nightstand for my phone. He wouldn’t be able to deny this one. Another series of snores ripped through the silent pool house just as I pressed record. I laughed, and he opened his eyes.

“Smile, baby,” I said. He groaned and reached for the phone.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, nothing. Just collecting evidence.”

He wrestled my new phone from my hands and held it out of my reach. “How do I stop the video?”

“Like I’d tell you.”

He grunted and threw the phone to the foot of his bed. “That thing is too expensive to be so complicated,” he said.

“It’s not complicated. It’s probably just made for humans and you’re-”

He grabbed me and wedged his fingers under my arms before I could tease him about the side of him that barks. “I’m what? What am I, Chris?” I squealed, flopping around in his arms like a dying fish.

“Handsome!” I offered, to end the tickle attack.

“Liar.”

“Smart. Kind. Loving. Sexy!” He relaxed his fingers and slid them from my armpits to my back. “Which one did it?” I asked.

“Sexy,” he whispered and kissed me. And that was really all it ever took to kick things off between us. Steamy kisses, roaming hands.

That was how we’d spent most of our time during our three-month-old relationship – in my bed, in his bed, in the common areas when we had the house to ourselves. I kept waiting for this to get old, his lips on mine, but every kiss felt like the first, and like I’d die if it were the last.

Giveaway is International for 1 Ebook of Lost.

Prize will be awarded by the Tour and Author after the Blitz.

Please enter on the Rafflecopter Below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

M. Lathan lives in San Antonio with her husband and mini-schnauzer. She enjoys writing and has a B.S. in Psych and a Masters in Counseling. Her passion is a blend of her two interests – creating new worlds and stocking them with crazy people. She enjoys reading anything with interesting characters and writing in front of a window while asking rhetorical questions … like her idol Carrie Bradshaw.

Find the Author

Website / Goodreads

Jul 9, 2013

Book Blast: Giveaway -- Over the Rainbow by Brian Rowe

Over the Rainbow by Brian Rowe

Zippy Green never meant to fall in love with a girl, but when she does, her ultra-conservative father tries to send her to anti-gay camp. At the Kansas City airport, however, she hides inside a giant suitcase and sneaks onto an airplane headed not to the camp, but to Seattle, where her online love Mira lives. Halfway through the flight, the plane barrels out of control and crashes into the ground, knocking her unconscious.

When Zippy awakens, she finds that most of the passengers have vanished. She doesn’t know what’s happened, but she’s determined to find out. She begins a quest on foot toward Seattle, and along the way, she meets a teenager with a concussion a homeless man with a heart condition, a child without a shred of bravery, and a terrier named Judy. Together the group discovers that more than two-thirds of the world’s population has mysteriously disappeared. But that’s only the beginning…

All Zippy wants is to find her Mira, but before she can she has to contend with two outside forces. The first is her homophobic father, who does everything in his power to keep her from the girl she loves. And the second is extinct creatures of all shapes and sizes, including living, breathing dinosaurs, which have replaced the missing population.

5 Winners will receive a Signed Copy of Over the Rainbow by Brian Rowe.

12 Winners will receive an E-Copy of Over the Rainbow by Brian Rowe.

1 Winner will receive a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card by Brian Rowe.

Must be 13+ to Enter

International Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Brian Rowe:
Website

Brian Rowe is a writing fiend, book devotee, film fanatic, and constant dreamer. He’s written nine novels, dozens of short stories, five feature-length screenplays, and hundreds of film articles and essays. He is one half of the blog Story Carnivores, where he reviews the latest in books and film. He is currently pursuing his MA in English at the University of Nevada, Reno, and is hard at work on his next novel.

Jul 8, 2013

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Updates Post!

Hello Read-a-Thon-ers! The Hosts are awesome go say hello to them, Candace, Lori, Angela & Loretta, and join the Thon!

2013 Plans!

Cover2CoverBlog Day 1 Mini Challenge- Enter Here!

Monday, July 8

Progress: Things always seem to go crazy around my read-a-thon days :/ Oh well. Today I have read about 50 pages more of Hit the Road, Helen! (it's 6:30pm)

Mini Challenges: I have replied/ commented to most of the Mini Challenge Entries.

Participated in the Book BFF Mini Challenge: Commented on the video. Here is my comment: My Book BFF is Michelle at playingjokers we were friends before book blogging and we met at a job at GMU, we worked together for a few years and then both left but stayed friends. We exchange great reads all the time!

Tuesday, July 9

Progress: Today I am at work so there won't be too much reading, but I did listen to a disc of Far Far Away on the ride into work this morning.

Mini Challenges: Mini Challenge from Better Read than Dead

You're in a bookstore and you've just purchased 5 books you've been dying to read, when the apocalypse hits. (Zombie, Demons, Vampires, Dean Winchester vs. Sam Winchester (yes, I'm watching Supernatural reruns) I don't care what apocalypse). You've got one chance at survival, what 2 books do you take and what 3 other items do you take?

Hm this is so hard.. items -- matches, a water bottle with a filtration system, and food i guess, normally I would like to have a weapon but come on I am pretty sure I would be a chicken and run away anyway to I will keep to supplies versus killing instruments...or I could use a heavy book... lol

http://www.wildbackpacker.com/wp-content/uploads/freezedried_foods.jpg

Matches / Water Bottle / Food Image Sources

The two books part is even more difficult: but if i had to choose I think it would be Lullaby by Chuck Palahnuiuk and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)

Covers link to Goodreads.

Wednesday, July 10

Progress: I finished another disc of Far Far Away this morning and am hoping for another on the way home today :), I finished Hit the Road, Helen! finally...and am readying Wacko Academy while on break for lunch today :)

I will post again tomorrow morning with my full Recap , Good luck finishing the Read-a-Thon everyone!

Mini Challenges:
Completed the Rainy Day Ramblings challenge (I love Puzzles!)

Dizneeee's World of Books Challenge asked us to tell her: Favorite genre, favorite book within that genre, and your favorite character from the same genre.

Favorite genre is Young Adult
Favorite book is probably Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Favorite character is... hm... Yukiko from Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff -- she is awesome and has a cool pet/ mount! woot!

What is a Readathon?

A Readathon is where you set a goal for yourself to read more books that is beyond your average number of books you read. There is no minimum, it’s all up to you, and you can read any book that suits your fancy! Push yourself to get some of those books read that have been sitting on your shelves for awhile!

Follow OUReadathon on Twitter!
If you have any questions please email: onceuponareadathon(at)gmail.com

Pages

Jul 19, 2013

Jul 18, 2013

Creatura by Nely Cab

About the Book

About the Author

Find the Author

Jul 17, 2013

Book Trailer

About the Author

Find the Author

Jul 16, 2013

About the Author

Find the Author

Jul 15, 2013

Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors

Jul 13, 2013

Jul 12, 2013

Welcome to the Book'em Danno Book Hop

What's in it for you?

When?

Rules for this Giveaway?

Jul 11, 2013

Jul 9, 2013

5 Winners will receive a Signed Copy of Over the Rainbow by Brian Rowe.

12 Winners will receive an E-Copy of Over the Rainbow by Brian Rowe.

1 Winner will receive a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card by Brian Rowe.

Must be 13+ to Enter

International Giveaway

Jul 8, 2013

What is a Readathon?