The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Anna Forster, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease at only thirty-eight years old, knows that her family is doing what they believe to be best when they take her to Rosalind House, an assisted living facility. She also knows there's just one another resident her age, Luke. What she does not expect is the love that blossoms between her and Luke even as she resists her new life at Rosalind House. As her disease steals more and more of her memory, Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.
When Eve Bennett is suddenly thrust into the role of single mother she finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind house. When she meets Anna and Luke she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Anna's and Luke's families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them.

My thoughts-

It isn't often that I find a book so compelling that I read it in one or two sittings, but I could not put down The Things We Keep. Sally Hepworth did a tremendous job of really getting inside the head of a woman with early onset Alzheimer's. This story was heartbreaking in so many ways, but you want to know what happens next both in Anna's life and Eve's. I enjoy books that offer several different perspectives and I thought Hepworth went effortlessly from voice to voice. It addded a new depth to the book that could not have been accomplished if it had been told from only Anna or only Eve's point of view. While there is a great deal of heavy subject matter in this drama, there are also some happy and romantic moments that I really loved. I believe The Things We Keep will be one of the most talked about novels in 2016! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written novel and doesn't mind reading about tough subject matters.

The Things We Keep will be available January 19, 2016. You can pre-order your copy on Amazon.com

More Than Just the Talk by Jonathan McKee (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

The old ways of having "the talk" just won't cut it anymore. Sadly the number one place today's young peoplego to for answers about sex is Google. Meanwhile kids view nearly 14,000 seual references a year on television and 70 percent teenagers have enountered pornography on the Internet. If we want our children to know the truth about healthy sexuality, we need to cfreate a comfortable climate of continual conversations.

JonathanMcKee will show you how to move beyond the initial awkwardness of this subject into an ongoing communication with your kids about God's amazing gift of sex. He equips you wiht what you need to talk openly about dating, temptation, porn, and purity, and you will find the answers to tough questions and relevant Scripture on sexual issues.

It's normal for kids to be curious about sexuality, and they need to know that their parents are the most reliable source of information. Be the one your kids turn to on this crucial topic.

My thoughts-

I grew up in a house where sex was never spoken of and was treated as a forbidden thing. It led to really confused feelings as I was growing up because I was not well equipped to deal with anything at all relating to it. I made myself a promise that I would always be open with my kids and make sure that they know that they can always come to me regardless of the subject, I want them to feel comfortable in their own skin and with their own feelings. My oldest is currently only 7, but I know it will only be a few short years before the questions start. I think I am ready to handle some of them, but I know it never hurts to seek out other opinions and gain ideas. I found More Than Just the Talk a helpful book and I am glad to see a book saying yes DO talk to your kids about sex. Not just the one "big talk" but make it an ongoing conversation. I could not agree more. Kids need to know there is an open line of communication with their parents, if they don't they will seek to find their information elsewhere. I don't want that. I really liked the sections that talk specifically about sons and specifically about daughters. It is a good reminder that we should make our children feel valued and help boost their self esteem and the best way to do that is to spend time with them and make sure they know they are valued. Another section I found particularly helpful was chapter 12 which lists some of the questions that might be posed and reiterated where they might have been answered throughout the book. I do not think it would hurt any parent (or potential parent) to have this book on their bookshelf.


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My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp (Book Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

An Appalachian summer walks the line between toxic and intoxicating in this debut novel about first loves, broken hearts, and moonshine.
Luisa "Lulu" Mendez has just finished her final year of high school in a small Virginia town, determined to move on and leave her job at the local junkyard behind. So when her father loses her college tuition money, Lulu needs a new ticket out.
Desperate for funds, she cooks up the (illegal) plan to make and sell moonshine with her friends. Quickly realizing they're out of their depth, they turn to Mason, a local boy who's always seemed like a dead end. As Mason guides Lulu through the secret world of moonshine, it looks like her plan might actually work. But can she leave town before she loses everything?
My Best Everything is Lulu's letter to Mason--but it a love letter, an apology, or a good-bye?

My thoughts-

The premise of this book sounded so interesting to me. Just from the plot synopsis I felt so bad for this girl having to desperately think of a way to earn money for college because the money her father had set aside, he loses. I wondered why she didn't just get a traditional job, but as I read the book I learned she already had a job and the reason she needed to do what she decides to do is because she does not have much time until it is time to pay for and start college. It was interesting to see this good girl get desperate and turn into a bad girl of sorts, or at least a girl she never saw herself becoming. I do still wonder why she wouldn't have thought to maybe check into student loans, but that wouldn't have made for a good book. Lulu turns to Mason to learn the ropes of making moonshine and, of course, falls head over heels. He is the brooding bad guy, but secretly sensitive good guy that I usually like in a novel.  Mason helps Lulu and her two best friends in their business venture. There are times when things are not going well and times when things a get a little scary. The whole book has a somber tone (not a bad thing) and the writing is good. I think the ending is left a little vague, but I am sure that is the author's intent. I have never been one to want to imagine what the story ended like, I want to be flat out told so I know for sure, so I wasn't a fan of the open ended conclusion.  This was an interesting young adult novel that I think most YA fans will enjoy. It is definitely a different storyline than what one might be used to seeing and for that alone I think it is a worth a read.

My Best Everything will be available on March 3. You can pre-order it on Amazon.com.

A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas Book Review + Giveaway

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Flyby Promotions. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

You believe your marriage has eternal purposes. You long for it to reach beyond your home and encourage others. But what does it look like to have spiritually intentional relationship in the midst of dirty dishes, work deadlines, and car pools.

In Sacred Marriage, Gary Thomas showed us that God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy. Now, in A Lifelong Love, Thomas gives us the practical tools to craft our marriaes into inspiring relationships that breathe spiritual life to others.

Whatever season of marriage you are in, A Lifelong Love  gives you the practical help you need to infuse your marriage with a spiritual passion that will not only change you but will change the world around you.

My thoughts-

I try to read books about relationships and marriage whenever I can. I definitely believe that marriage is a learning process through each season of our relationship. A good marriage is a constant work in progress and A Lifelong Love is a great resource. This book can be applied to a newlywed couple or a more seasoned couple, so it is a great one to have in your home library. The pages are full of sage advice and examples of living your life and treating your marriage beyond the bare minimum. It teaches you not to just go through the motions, but really work at making it into something lovely, something sacred, There are even examples of things that are common occurrences in marriages or things that are different between women and men to help us understand why our husbands might act one way or to explain to our husbands why we might react a certain way to a situation. At the end of each chapter there are wonderful questions designed to really get you thinking, as well as prayers for your marriage. A Lifelong Love is the kind of book that you can revisit and get something out of each time. I know I will be reading this again and I am sure that I will gain something new with each time I read it!

A Lifelong Love is available on Amazon.com and other retailers nationwide.
About the author-

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All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant Blog Tour & Book Review + Win a Kindle!

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse Group. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Kat inspected rows of the same old cupcakes. They seemed to blink back at her, as if they knew she was capable of so much more.

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie's bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat's best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.


As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself her is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat's senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

My thoughts-

I love cupcakes and love stories, so I knew this would be a cute book that I would like. I loved the premise- Kat's best friend Lucas, in an effort to show his true feelings for her, wants to make a grand gesture, so he signs her up for a reality baking show. He hopes that the gesture will show her his true feelings and how much he believes in her. I always enjoy a good romance between to best friends who don't realize the other feels the exact same way, but these two almost drove me to the point of insanity. It took forever for them to figure it out, these two who are supposed to be such good friends they tell each other everything, how could they not see how the other felt sooner? Not only that, each of their efforts just has the opposite effect on how the other *thinks* they feel about them. I just wanted to smack the both upside the head! It took way longer than it should have for them to figure out their feelings. I did enjoy the reality show competition and the tension created by judge Thad. I liked reading about how it might be to be on a cooking competition and I love those kind of shows so it was a lot of fun for me to read. I also really loved that there was a recipe included at the end of the book for Kat's secret weapon cupcake recipe. I do wish that several others would have been included though. I think anyone who enjoys a lighthearted modern romance will enjoy this book.

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes is available at Amazon.com and christian retail stores.

About the author-

Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana with her young daughter and has a heart for sharing the amazing news of God’s grace through her novels. A freelance journalist, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to a Disney soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing.

Find out more about Betsy at http://www.betsystamant.com/.

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Don't miss Betsy St. Amant's latest fiction release, All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes. A "sweet" tale of two best friends and the choices they make between dreams and a possible "sure thing," St. Amant's novel is sure to satisfy your romantic-fiction craving.

Betsy is celebrating with a fun Kindle giveaway and a Love & Cupcakes Facebook party! One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle
• All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Love & Cupcakes" Author Chat Party on 9/18. Betsy will be hosting a "sweet" book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at her next book project!

So grab your copy of All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes and join Betsy on the evening of September 18th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

Had To Be You by Juliet Chatham Blog Tour & Book Review + Win the Book and a Amazon.com Gift Card!

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

After college, Rory Finn left behind the familiarity of her quiet, picturesque hometown to pursue a professional career in the city. With her sights firmly on the future, Rory pressed on in hopes of forgetting the past until a jarring bit of unwelcome news forces her to confront it. 

Her first love, the one she'd tried so hard to forget, is about to marry someone else. That pang Rory feels isn't envy, it's not even regret. It's love. But Rory can't be that girl. She won't. But if she doesn't, she'll never know what could have been. She'll never have another chance to tell him how she feels. 

As she embarks on an impulsive, desperate bid to win him back, her mission turns into an unexpected and emotional journey of rediscovery. Had To be You explores a history of love from its tentative beginnings to what may just turn out to be its final bittersweet end, as Rory ignores her head and follows her heart. 

About the book-

I think anyone who hasn't married the first person they fell in love with, which is probably the majority of people, have given a thought or two to their first love. I think it is why stories like this are so swoon worthy and easy to read. It is fun to root for unrequited love. The further on in this story I got, the more I wanted to scream at Rory that she didn't deserve Matt. There were so many chances he gave her and she broke his heart over and over and here she is showing up at his wedding because she can't let him go. Why couldn't she figure that out before he is about to get married? The further on I read, I did begin to feel a little sympathetic toward Rory, as we find out some of the reasons she is the way she is, but still! Her constantly sabotaging the relationship she has with Matt drives me batty. This book is in kind of the same vein as one of my favorite books of all time Love, Rosie by Cecilia Ahern. The story in both of these books begins in childhood and grows into adulthood. It is really cool to watch a relationship, even if it is fictional, grow over so many years and through so many different stages of life. I will warn some of my more conservative readers that there is some explicit language and dialogue, but I would recommend Had To Be You to anyone who enjoys a romance or loves reminiscing about first loves.

Had To Be You is available on Amazon.com.

About the Juliet Chatham-

Juliet Chatham is a life long New Englander who divides her time between the North Shore and Cape Cod. Her favorite things are beaches, boats, books, bars, the Boston Red Sox and boys, but not necessarily in that order.

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Treasury Of Bible Stories Review & Giveaway

About the book-

If you are looking for a way to encourage your children to get into God's word, this is the book for your family. Treasury of Bible Stories is beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written in a way that kids will love to hear.

My thoughts-

I think it is important for little ones to have a Bible that is not only engaging, but easy to understand. The Treasury of Bible Stories by Kelly Pulley has beautiful, vibrant pictures and includes all of the big stories and parables from both the old and new testament. The stories are written in rhyming form which will help kids better remember the stories and makes them more fun to read. I have a little man named Noah so that is the first story we read out the Treasury of Bible Stories because he loves hearing stories about Noah and his ark. All 3 of my kids (ages 5-7) listened intently and loved the vivid illustrations. My oldest enjoyed the rhyming and all 3 of the kids fought over who got to look through the book that night after we were finished reading it. We have read several more of the stories and the kids are always eager to hear them. This is also a book that is great for young kids like mine who have learned to read. There are not that many big words and the rhyming lines also help them in their efforts to read on their own. This Treasury of Bible Stories would make a great addition to any children's home library and would also make a fantastic gift. I know we will be reading it often and for years to come.

Treasury of Bible Stories is available now on Amazon.com.

My little bookworm Noah reading about Joseph
and his coat of many colors. :)

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Revolutionary (Anomaly #3) by Krista McGee Blog Tour & Book Review + Enter to Win All 3 Books in the Series!

Disclosure- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book- 

All her life Thalli thought she was an anomaly. Now she must use her gifts to fulfill the role she was called to play: Revolutionary. Back in the underground State against her will, Thalli is no longer the anomaly she was before. She has proven herself to be a powerful leader aboveground and returns with information that Dr. Loudin needs to complete his plan of uniting the world under one leader: himself. But he, too, has information. A secret he has kept from Thalli her entire life. A secret that, once revealed, changes everything about the person Thalli thought she was. Hoping to help Thalli rise up against the Scientists, both Berk and Alex join her underground, but their presence only brings more trouble for her. Now Dr. Loudin knows just the leverage to use on his captive, and she is forced to choose between the two of them. Is her first love her true love? Or does Alex ultimately claim her heart? Unsure of everything around her, including her own identity, Thalli doesn't know where to turn. She knows she needs the Designer, but he seems further away than ever. What she does know, though, is that if she doesn't do something to stop Loudin, the fragile world above ground will be lost once and for all.

Revolutionary is the 3rd book in the Anomaly trilogy. Check out my review for the first two books by clicking on the titles- Anomaly #1, Luminary #2. You will want to read the first two books before you set out to read Revolutionary.

My thoughts-

Revolutionary picks up right where Luminary left off. We found out what has become of Thalli and her friends and some intense action scenes take place throughout this book. Thalli is still trying to figure out how she feels about both Alex and Berk in the midst of trying to figure out what she can do to fix the dystopian world that she lives in. There is a great plot twist involving Dr. Loudin and Thalli and Thalli also gets to know James better. Throughout the book I wonder which side James is on, Mcgee definitely keeps us guessing where his heart lies. As it's two predecessors, this novel is centered around faith in God. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel and thought it was a different take on a dystopian trilogy. It was done well. I was just as into this novel as I was the first two books in the trilogy. Revolutionary was definitely edge of your seat reading. I was left wondering many times who might get out alive and if Thalli and company would be able to stop the evil Dr. Loudin. As far as this book ending the trilogy, I was left somehow feeling a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, this was a great book and everything was concluded and wrapped up nicely, but I felt like something was missing. I guess I expected the book to go out with a bigger bang since it was the end to a series, but I would absolutely still recommend the Anomaly trilogy to anyone who is interested in dystopian fiction, christian fiction or ya fiction.


About the author-

Krista writes for teens, teaches teens, and more often than not, acts like a teen. She and her family have lived and ministered in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain. Her current hometown is Tampa, FL.

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Revolutionary is now available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Kobo Books & The Book Depository

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Happy to be Alive, Because by Chelsea Jacobs Blog Tour + Book Review

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book: 

Avery is a seventeen-year-old girl whose reality has just been shattered by the death of her mother. Feeling a desperate need to flee from what has become her life, she follows a travel plan meant for her mom and her that leads her to the little beach town where her mom grew up. It's there that she meets a group of three adventurous friends who adopt her into their circle, allowing her to experience a summer she never thought would be possible after suffering such a great loss. Unfortunately, her summer full of experiences threatens to end abruptly when she realizes that one of the three has a secret that causes her to question everything about the new life she has been building.

Avery must learn to balance her grief and her desire for a future in order to achieve her mother's final wish for her: That she would be happy to be alive.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xlD3V

My thoughts-

There are some books you pick up that you just don't put down until you finish reading them. For me, this was one of those books. Happy to be Alive, Because arrived on my doorstep just days before I was going to take a road trip with my 3 kids and my husband and I knew it would be the perfect book to keep me company on our journey. While I am blessed to still have my mother, I did lose my grandmother while I was still in high school and I know how Earth shattering and all-consuming losing one of the closest relationships you have abruptly at a time when things can already be so difficult is, so I could relate to Avery in some ways. I loved every page turning minute of the book. The moment that Chelsea goes to the town her mom is from and meets her new friends and a new love, I was hooked. I love the interactions between the group of friends and getting to know each of them. This is the type of book that by the end, you are sad to be leaving these people you just got to know because you want to get to know them even more, but the greatest part of this book was the journal she discovered from her mother. The journal entries really tied together the whole story. Finally, the quaint beach town that Happy to be Alive, Because was set in cements this for me as a to-read book for this summer. If you are a fan of books like Cecilia Ahern's P.S. I Love you, you will love Happy to be Alive, Because. 

About the author: 

Chelsea grew up with an immense love for words---both reading them and writing them. She obtained her degree in English and has spent the time since then getting married to her high school sweetheart and chasing adventure so she'll have something to write about. When she's not drinking copious amounts of coffee while writing, she spends her time reading, playing with her puppy named Gatsby, and dreaming, always dreaming.

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Daisies Are Forever by Liz Tolsma Blog Tour & Book Review + Kindle HDX

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Gisela must hold on to hope and love despite all odds in the midst of a war-torn country.

Gisela Cramer is an American living in eastern Germany with her cousin Ella Reinhardt. When the Red Army invades, they must leave their home to escape to safety in Berlin.

However, Ella is a nurse and refuses to leave, sending her young daughters with Gisela. During their journey, Gisela meets Mitch Edwards, an escaped British POW. She pretends she is his wife in order to preserve his safety among other Germans, especially one wounded German soldier, Kurt, who has suspicions about Mitch's identity. Kurt also has feelings for Gisela and tries to uncover the truth about her "marriage."

Their journey to Gisela's mother in Berlin is riddled with tragedy and hardship, but they strive to keep Ella's daughters safe so they can reunite with their mother. During the journey Gisela and Mitch begin to develop feelings for one another beyond friendship. They reach Berlin, but their struggles are far from over. Gisela and Mitch must learn to live for the day and find hope in the darkest of circumstances.

In this moving, historically accurate portrayal of WWII Germany, the characters learn that, even with destruction all around them, some things last forever.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/wAD3T 

My thoughts

Since the very first time I picked up Number the Stars by Lois Lowery when I was 8 years old, I have always been drawn to works of fiction that are set in the WWII era. There is just something so fascinating to me about this heartbreaking time in history. I think it is because I can not possibly fathom how anyone made it through such an awful war. I reviewed Liz Tolsma's first book Snow on the Tulips last year and I thought it was a very interesting look into both sides of what innocent people would be going through during the war...the Jewish people who were being targeted and the German people who made the significant risk to hide them away. I knew that when she wrote another novel about WWII I would have to read it. Daisies Are Forever didn't disappoint. It was certainly a page turner. The story is of a group of people trying to head out of the danger zone and into Berlin for safety. Gisela is the main character and she has a lot on her shoulders feeling like she is responsible for other people's safety and well being. She is thoughtful and scared out of her mind. On her way to fleeing to safety, she meets Mitch Edwards, who is a British soldier that escaped from a POW. This leads to her having to lie about his identity to make sure he stays safe as well. I found Gisela and Mitch both very likeable and my heart broke for both of them and everyone with them for what they were going through. I found Kurt to be kind of a creep and I could have done without him, but he was definitely an obstacle for Gisela and Mitch, or at least he was trying to be. The description used in the novel is vivid and really brings the story to life. You can almost feel the pain and fear that the characters feel. I read Daisies Are Forever in just a few short days and I could even see myself reading it a second time (I am not usually a repeat reader). I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or has a specific interest in WWII.

About the author-

New York Times best-selling author Liz Tolsma is the author of Daisies areForever, Snow on the Tulips, and the contributing author of A Log Cabin Christmas. When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children, all adopted internationally.

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Liz Tolsma's latest WWII historical fiction novel, Daisies are Forever, is getting rave reviews. 

". . . compelling and fast-paced tale about the atrocities and tremendous losses. . . ." —Library Journal

"Excellent storytelling, accurate historical reporting and gritty, persevering characters make this WWII-era novel a must-read." —CBA Retailers + Resources

Liz celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX giveaway!
One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 31st. Winner will be announced June 2nd on Liz's website.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Liz's website on June 2nd to see if you won.

Don't Even Think About it by Sarah Mlynowski (Book Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received an e-arc of the book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-
Secrets. Scandals. ESP. A terrific and sexy new novel about a group of Tribeca teens from Sarah Mlynowski that will immediately appeal to fans of realistic fiction as well as readers who enjoy a little magic.

"We weren't always like this. We used to be average New York City high school sophomores. Until our homeroom went for flu shots. We were prepared for some side effects. Maybe a headache. Maybe a sore arm. We definitely didn't expect to get telepathic powers. But suddenly we could hear what everyone was thinking. Our friends. Our parents. Our crushes. Now we all know that Tess is in love with her best friend, Teddy. That Mackenzie cheated on Cooper. That, um, Nurse Carmichael used to be a stripper.

Since we've kept our freakish skill a secret, we can sit next to the class brainiac and ace our tests. We can dump our boyfriends right before they dump us. We know what our friends really think of our jeans, our breath, our new bangs. We always know what's coming. Some of us will thrive. Some of us will crack. None of us will ever be the same.

So stop obsessing about your ex. We're always listening."
My thoughts-

When I read the plot synopsis of this novel my thoughts drifted to whether or not I would want to know what all of my peers in high school were thinking. I definitely think there are some things I wouldn't want to know, but I think when it all boils down to it, it would be nice to know that all teens have the same kinds of fears and insecurities regardless of how they portray themselves on the outside. I wouldn't want them listening into *my* thoughts though, what a horrifying thought! I was intrigued with this fresh take on young adult fiction and definitely wanted to see how the story panned out. I liked that there was a little touch of "magic" if you will, with the bad batches of flu shots causing telepathy in the teen recipients. Mlynowski definitely hit the nail on the head being able to get into the psyche of several different teen minds in a very believable way. There were times I felt bad for some of the characters and others being able to read their minds or everyone knowing their business before them. There were other times I was super annoyed with some of the characters, but to me that is the sign of a good author. As long as I have strong feelings one way or another about the characters, there is good writing involved. I liked that the ending left room for this to possibly be a series. I am always more likely to read a book if I continue further on the journey with the characters. For some of my more conservative readers, I will warn that there is a bit of language that may be off putting, but if that sort of thing doesn't bother you or you can ignore, this was a fun, fast little read. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy young adult or fantasy novels.

About the author-

Sarah Mlynowski is the author of the Magic in Manhattan and Whatever After series, as well as Gimme a Call, Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have), Milkrun, and more. Her books have been translated into twenty-two languages and Bras & Broomsticks was optioned to Hollywood. Sarah was born in Montreal but lives and writes in New York City.

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Don't Even Think About it will be available on March 11, 2014. You can pre-order it on Amazon.com.

A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron Blog Tour & Book Review + Win a $200 Visa Cash Card

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse Group. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

About the book:

Elizabeth is at a crossroad. She's been given the chance to experience life outside of her community, away from the responsibility to care for her eight younger siblings, but Elizabeth Bontrager can't decide which road to take. Goshen has its charms and pressures, but Paradise, Pennsylvania, sounds . . . well, like paradise. And it's also home to her Englisch friend, Paula. Decision made. Elizabeth is Paradise bound.

But will the small town live up to its name? When Elizabeth meets Paula's friend, Bruce, she quickly learns he wants more than a friendship. And the same might be true of Saul Miller, her new boss at the country story that sells Amish products to the Englisch community. As the two compete for her attention, Elizabeth is surprised to realize she misses her family and becomes even more uncertain about where she belongs. She has a choice to make: return home or embrace this new life and possibly a new love?

My thoughts:

A Road Unknown is the first book in the Amish Roads series by Barbara Cameron. I love to read novels about the Amish because I find them and their lifestyle fascinating, so starting a new series where I might get to know several characters well when it's all said and done is always something I am willing to do. I liked that Elizabeth wanted to step out of her comfort zone and go live with her Englisch friend somewhere entirely different from her family, and the second she meets Saul on the bus, I know immediately that I will like him as the story goes on. As Elizabeth's story unfolds, it is clear that the responsibilities of her home life and helping take care of her brothers and sisters has taken a toll on her and she just wanted to step out of that life and find herself. I love that through her new job and her new place that she is living she might find out she is meant to do something she never imagined. Moving to Paradise seems to be exactly what Elizabeth needed. I feel so bad for her in several situations when it seems like she is being judged harshly or being told what to do when she is an adult and wants to make her own decisions independently. My blood boiled for her when she received a letter from her grandmother. Grandmothers should be loving and encouraging and Elizabeth's  is neither. I enjoyed following her journey, getting to know the new people in her community with her and seeing her have the opportunity to chose between two men, when in the past she hadn't had the time to have any options at all. Because she has had basically no life outside of her family, I found myself happy that she had a few big decisions to make! I look forward to seeing what characters will be in the second book in the Amish Roads series! I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in faith based romance novels or anyone interested in the Amish.

You can buy a copy of the A Road Unknown at Amazon.com or at Christian retail stores nationwide.

About the author:

 Barbara Cameron is a best-selling author who has a heart for writing about the spiritual values and simple joys of the Amish. She is the author of more than 38 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies, and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Barbara is a former newspaper reporter. Some of her non-fiction titles include the Everything Weddings on a Budget Book and Her Restless Heart: A Woman's Longing for Love and Acceptance. Cameron currently resides in Edgewater, Florida.


*********************Enter to win a $200 Visa Cash Card Below!*********************

Barbara Cameron is celebrating the release of A Road Unknown with a $200 Visa cash card giveaway and a fun "Amish Roads" Facebook party.

One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa cash card
• A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 27th. Winner will be announced at Barbara's "Amish Roads" Facebook Party on February 27th. Connect with Barbara for an evening of book chat, Amish trivia, laughter, prizes, and more!

So grab your copy of A Road Unknown and join Barbara and friends on the evening of February 27th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Nightmare City by Andrew Klavan Blog Tour & Book Review + Win a Copy of the Book

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson Publishers via YA Bound Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.


About the book- 
  
Tom Harding only wants the truth. But the truth is becoming more dangerous with every passing minute.

As a reporter for his high school newspaper, Tom Harding was tracking the best story of his life when, suddenly, his life turned very, very weird. He woke up one morning to find his house empty . . . his street empty . . . his whole town empty . ..empty except for an eerie, creeping fog and whatever creatures were slowly moving toward him through the fog.

Now Tom s once-ordinary world has become something out of a horror movie. How did it happen? Is it real? Is he dreaming? Has there been a zombie apocalypse? Has he died and gone to hell?

Tom is a good reporter he knows how to look for answers but no one has ever covered a story like this before. With the fog closing in and the hungry creatures of the fog surrounding him, he has only a few hours to find out how he lost the world he knew. In this bizarre universe nothing is what it seems and everything including Tom s life hangs in the balance.

My thoughts:
 
I thought that this book started off in an interesting way, but after a while it kind of drug out in the beginning about getting down to what was really going on. Once I got to the middle of the story though, I was definitely invested in finding out what was going on all around Tom and interested in finding out what exactly it was that had happened to him. I did feel that the book dragged out a little in a few places, but overall I really liked the plot line and felt that the story was woven together very nicely. There were a couple of plot twists that I didn't see coming, which I always count as a big win. I love being surprised and caught off guard and it doesn't often happen, so a few times in one book was pretty cool. Nightmare City was a pretty quick read, a thriller that demands your attention and makes you think as you try to think of the possible reasons of why Tom is going through what he is going through. There are several characters throughout the book that you think might be involved with what has happened to Tom, so it was fun trying to think of all the possible scenarios. I thought the story flowed well throughout and that the ending worked rather nicely. I would recommend this book to a reader who enjoys YA fiction or suspense novels.

About the author:

Andrew Klavan is a best-selling, award-winning thriller novelist whose books have been made into major motion pictures. He broke into the YA scene with the bestselling Homelanders series, starting with The Last Thing I Remember. He is also a screenwriter and scripted the innovative movie-in-an-app Haunting Melissa.

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Nightmare City is now available at BarnesandNoble.com & Amazon.com.

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