Saturday, October 31, 2015

[Yummy #Review] Treat by Stephanie Banyas

Treat
by 
With creative mix-ins, homemade marshmallows in 10 fun flavors, and toppings galore, Crispy Treats takes this tried-and-true, easy-peasy snack-time favorite to the next level. Without fancy equipment—or even an oven—you can mix and match candies, chocolates, and more to make 40 irresistible goodies, including such flavors as: 

   • Salted Caramel & Pretzel 
   • Chocolate-Hazelnut 
   • Key Lime Pie 
   • Peanut Butter Cup 
   • Cookies & Cream



All I can say is YUMMMM. And I typically use my other blog to post about all of the non-fiction reads but I just had to share this cookbook. With gorgeous graphics and super easy recipes to follow, this is exactly what every "sweet tooth" person has to have in their kitchen! 



Book is divided into several sections which is useful since if you're not interested in one type of dessert, you can skip that one and check out another one. I do wish that the book had step by step direction but I still enjoyed it. 



I received this book free from the publisher through the Blogging For Books book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

Friday, October 30, 2015

[Author Interview + Series Spotlight] The Cobbogoth Series by Hannah L. Clark


Title: Uncovering Cobbogoth - Amazon
Author: Hannah L. Clark
Published:  May 13th 2014 by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media
Synopsis:
Norah Lukens needs to uncover the truth about the fabled lost city of Cobbogoth. After her archaeologist uncle’s murder, Norah is asked to translate his old research journal for evidence and discovers that his murder was a cover-up for something far more sinister.

When she turns to neighbor and only friend James Riley for help, she realizes that not only is their bitter-sweet past haunting her every step, but James is keeping dangerous secrets. Can Norah discover what they are before its too late to share her own?


Title: The Lemorian Crest (Book 2 in The Cobbogoth Series) - Amazaon
Published: August 23rd 2015 by KinStone Publishing, LLC

We are SUPER excited to be kicking of The Cobbogoth Series Blog Tour today. We thought it'd be fun to have Norah give a little glimpse into her world in a fun way, through the legends and fairytales she was told as a child. So we hope that this little foray into the Cobbogothian civilization gets you excited to check out this series.  

Hello, my name is Norah Lukens. Thanks for having me on Page Turners today. As you know from my story, Uncle Jack told me a ridiculous amount of myths and legends growing up. He was pretty much relentless, so if you’ve heard of a legend, then chances are excellent that I’ve probably had to memorize it. As a kid, I was convinced telling these stories to me was my uncle’s own special brand of torture, but it turns out he was actually trying to prepare me for something extraordinary in the best way he knew how.

While you and I have probably heard most of the same myths, legends, and fairytales as bedtime stories and such, there are a set of legends Uncle Jack told me in secret that you probably don’t know—legends about the lost civilization of the Cobbogothians.  I’m excited to share with you my most favorite of the bunch, especially since I’ve just discovered that Uncle Jack’s theories about myth and history being intertwined is actually true.

Author Interview

• What are three things that as a writer you absolutely cannot live without?


Bottled water, my space heater, and SweetMint Orbit gum.


• Did you have any mind blocks while writing these books and what were they?


Um. . . yes. They included pretty much all of Uncoveirng Cobbogoth. J But thankfully, by the time I started The Lemorian Crest, a wise writer friend told me his secret to working through blocks. He said that when he was stuck on something, he would make sure it was the last thing he thought about before he went to bed. Nine times out of ten, his subconcious would have it all work out for him by the time he woke the next morning.

This actually works, by the way. No joke.


• Friendship in The Cobbogoth Series - Talk a little about how important friendship will be for Norah in The Lemorian Crest.


Without spoiling anything for those who haven’t read Uncovering Cobbogoth, I will say that friendship has pretty much evaded Norah her whole life. She’s a pretty lonely soul, and has been an outcast for as long as she can remember. This is because of the way she looks and the things she can do. When she finally begins to understand why she is the way she is toward the end of Book 1, a whole new world of possibilities opens up for her, and friendship happens to be one of them.

GIVEAWAY TIME

Hannah is generously offering a $120 gift card (Amazon, B&N or iTunes) to one lucky winner! This giveaway is being hosted by the blog tour and is NOT a PTB hosted giveaway. Please enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Giveaway is open internationally. Also be sure to read all terms and conditions on the widget below before entering.
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Thursday, October 29, 2015

[$50 Amazon Giveaway Blast] My Book Cave

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Have you ever started reading a book, only to be shocked at the content? Or have you ever read a book that bored you to tears with its lack of heat or action? Well, someone has finally created a site for you, taking the guesswork out of finding a good read that hits your comfort level. The best thing is that the books are always discounted and there is no cost to subscribe.
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Just sign up for the genres and ratings you want to see, choose your heat, violence, and swearing comfort level, then My Book Cave delivers ebook deals to your inbox. Rating include All Audiences, Mild, Mild+, Moderate, Moderate+, and Adult.
And right now, My Book Cave is having a huge giveaway with two ereaders and three cash gift cards. Just for signing up, you’re entered to win one of the ereaders. Visit My Book Cave to sign up or check out their blog for the rest of the prizes.
Happy reading!
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P.S. If you’re an author and have a fantastic book you’d like to feature for free on My Book Cave, come on over. They’re always looking for great books.
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Ends 11/18/15
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

[$50 Amazon Book Blast Giveaway] The One Who Sees Me by Kandi J. Wyatt

The One Who Sees Me Cover
The One Who Sees Me by Kandi J. Wyatt
Teenage slave girl Faru’s life has been turned upside down when she discovers she’s been traded to a new master, forcing her to leave all she‘s ever known. Upon her arrival, Faru meets a friend, Cailean, who helps her adjust to life in the strange location. Life settles into a new pattern, and romance blossoms between the young friends. But as soon as they plan to get married, another proposal comes about – one that cannot be ignored. Being a slave means not always marrying who you love.
On a daring journey to heal her heart, Faru encounters the Existing One. Will she trust Him and do His bidding even if what He requests is so hard?
Follow Faru’s tale in author Kandi J Wyatt’s retelling of a Biblical story found in the Old Testament book of Genesis, showing that when things don’t make sense, God will guide the way.
Praise for the book
“Kandi Wyatt has taken historical fiction and elevated it to a higher level. Her world building pulls you in and puts you right in the middle of the adventure. This is why I love her books.” – Sandra Stiles
“Well worth the read. Kandi has done an wonderful job bringing this captivating story to life!” – Christianonfire2 on Goodreads
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Excerpt
My most recent book is The One Who Sees Me. It is about a slave girl, Faru, who is exchanged for a wife for the king. She finds herself in a new home with a new master and life is always going up and down. We’ll join her in chapter 2 when she is leaving her home for the new one:
The carriage pulled to a halt, and Lord Cegrol looked up from where he sat. The ride had lasted close to half a glass, Faru estimated, and in that whole time, the lord had not said a single word to her, nor had he looked up from his folded hands. Now he graced Faru with a smile. It was a sad smile, but a smile nonetheless.
“What is your name, child?” his musical voice inquired.
“Faru, milord.”
He seemed to see her for the first time. His eyes took her in, and Faru felt the heat rush to her face.
“Well, Faru, welcome to our home away from home.” He paused as he looked out the window. “It is nothing like my Castle Fearann, but it is comfortable.”
They descended from the coach onto a cobblestone drive surrounded by blooming rhododendron plants. The whites and pinks softened the harshness of the reds. Beyond the bushes, Faru noticed the house that loomed up above her. The dark bricks were a stark contrast to the stone she was accustomed to. Lord Cegrol led the way up wide, winding stairs to the front door. Torches on either side flickered against the brickwork, which seemed to trap the light instead of sending it out to welcome the master home. As Cegrol opened the door, he was greeted by a portly, elderly lady.
“Lord Cegrol, welcome home. You must be exhausted. Let me get your cloak. You just go up to your den. I’ll have Trystan bring you your evening meal.”
“Thank you, Kadi,” Lord Cegrol replied. “I would appreciate that. First, though, we need to help Faru get settled.”
“Don’t you worry at all about that. I’ll take care of everything.”
Lord Cegrol nodded and slowly plodded up another wide staircase. The motherly woman turned to Faru.
“And you are?”
“My name is Faru, ma’am,” the young slave girl replied, trying not to fidget with her long curly hair.
“Lord Cegrol told me your name. What I want to know is, why are you here?”
Faru shivered, not just from the draft that flickered the candles in their sconces, but also from the internal cold.
“Ma’am, a glass ago, I was preparing my mistress’s evening meal as I have done since I was old enough to help my mother. The queen came and brought me to a parlor where King Cyning and Lord Cegrol and Lady Cwen sat. King Cyning walked off with Lady Cwen, and my mistress showed Lord Cegrol and me to the door where the carriage was waiting. Lord Cegrol brought me here. I do not have anything with me. I am at your disposal.”
“You are right about that,” the woman said. “I am Kadi, the housekeeper. Anything that happens in this house, I direct. That includes you.”
Kadi paused, sizing up the new servant before she continued. “What besides serving meals are you good at?”
This was territory that Faru understood.
“I clean rooms. I’ve done some cooking, but more so, just helping the cook prepare food. I’ve taken care of little ones so others can do their work, and I’ve been taught to weave.”
“I see,” Kadi stated, pursing her lips. “You won’t have much opportunity to take care of children in this household unless it is servants’ children.” She stood, looking Faru up and down before she continued. “I suppose for tonight, you can just get settled in. Tomorrow is early enough to start. Follow me.”
KandiAuthor Kandi J. Wyatt
Kandi J Wyatt is a wife, mother of five, teacher, artist, and author. In her free time, she enjoys writing fantasy stories and Christmas programs, and drawing with graphite and colored pencils. Portraits are her specialty. Kandi also enjoys photography, thanks to her photographer husband who has let her join his journey as both his model and apprentice, and she occasionally serves as his assistant when he needs a “light stand with feet.”
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$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 11/18/15
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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[Waiting On Wednesday] #31 - Blackhearts

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming books that we eagerly anticipate and cannot wait to get here!

"Blackhearts" - Nicole Castroman

BlackheartsBlackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything. This is their story.

Edward "Teach" Drummond, son of one of Bristol's richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There's just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.

Following her parents' deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she's stuck in England? 

From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.

WHY AM I WAITING ON IT?

One word - PIRATES! Who doesn't love a good pirate story that's also a retelling? I feel like there's not that many books that have this theme so this should be interesting!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON THIS WEEK?

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

[Book Review + Giveaway] Underneath Everything by Marcy Beller Paul



Underneath Everything
by Marcy Beller Paul
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: October 27th 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, GLBT, Realistic Fiction

Mattie shouldn’t be at the bonfire. She should be finding new maps for her collection, hanging out with Kris, and steering clear of almost everyone else, especially Jolene. After all, Mattie and Kris dropped off the social scene the summer after sophomore year for a reason.

But now Mattie is a senior, and she’s sick of missing things. So here she is.

And there’s Jolene: Beautiful. Captivating. Just like the stories she wove. Mattie would know; she used to star in them. She and Jolene were best friends. Mattie has the scar on her palm to prove it, and Jolene has everything else, including Hudson.

But when Mattie runs into Hudson and gets a glimpse of what could have been, she decides to take it all back: the boyfriend, the friends, the life she was supposed to live. Problem is, Mattie can’t figure out where Jolene ends and she begins.

Because there’s something Mattie hasn’t told anyone—she walked away from Jolene over a year ago, but she never really left.

Poignant and provocative, Marcy Beller Paul’s debut novel tells the story of an intoxicating—and toxic—relationship that blurs the boundary between reality and fantasy, love and loyalty, friendship and obsession.
 

 photo addtogoodreadssmall_zpsa2a6cf28.png photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg

“What if we’re both not real?”“We’re not,” I said. “We’re better than real. We’re the two little girls.” 
Underneath Everything is the perfect indication of the type of toxic relationships that can look harmless on the outside but are actually way more bad than good. It is incredible how far the manipulation can go and push a person without him realizing it. The story involves couple of people, the main characters seeming to be Mattie, Kris, Jolene, and Hudson. Mattie starts dating Hudson who is also Jolene's ex but the girl really is the trouble for everything that happens in the book. The way author represents her really makes me want to justify her actions but at the end, it is pretty disturbing of what a person could be capable of. 

I really liked Mattie in this book. She was loyal, smart, and really down to earth when it came to life itself. I am glad that she took the actions that were needed to be taken but overall, it is still shocking what she had to go through. Underneath Everything was a really exciting read and although the pace could have been more stable, I really enjoyed reading it :)



Marcy Beller Paul is a young adult author, former editor, and full-time mom who still has all the notes she passed in seventh grade (and knows how to fold them).

She graduated from Harvard University and lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. Underneath Everything will be published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins, in Fall 2015. It is her first novel.
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Wednesday, October 21, 2015

[Book Blitz + Giveaway] Glittering Shadows by Jaclyn Dolamore


Check out the promo event for the second book in Jaclyn Dolamore's young adult fantasy series.


Series: Dark Metropolis #2
Release date: June 16th 2015
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

The revolution is here. 
Bodies line the streets of Urobrun; a great pyre burns in Republic Square. The rebels grow anxious behind closed doors while Marlis watches as the politicians search for answers—and excuses—inside the Chancellery. 

Thea, Freddy, Nan, and Sigi are caught in the crossfire, taking refuge with a vibrant, young revolutionary and a mysterious healer from Irminau. As the battle lines are drawn, a greater threat casts a dark shadow over the land. Magic might be lost—forever. 

This action-packed sequel to Dark Metropolis weaves political intrigue, haunting magic, and heartbreaking romance into an unforgettable narrative. Dolamore's lyrical writing and masterfully crafted plot deliver a powerful conclusion.

behind the story

Originally, the antagonist of this book, Ingrid, was Freddy’s long lost sister! And Sebastian, the revolutionary leader, was originally the spoiled son of a wealthy man whom Ingrid fell in love with, and the true antagonist was a creepy traveling sorcerer. It was an utterly different story. And also a story that was not working at all! It took me some months to figure out what the real story was. Thank goodness for revisions. And time.

The key to figuring out this book? Marlis. Once the character of the Chancellor’s daughter walked into my head, the rest fell into place.

“Dark Metropolis” was inspired by Metropolis, the German silent film by Fritz Lang. As an homage to Lang, in the opening scene of “Glittering Shadows”, Marlis is watching an opera that is basically Fritz Lang’s “Die Niebelugen”, the silent film he made before Metropolis that is a retelling of Wagner's Ring Cycle and Norse mythology. 

The battle scenes in this book were so hard for me! I knew I had to write them, and I wanted them to be good and realistic. But I simply can’t conceive of how a battle ought to go, despite all the time I’ve spent playing Dynasty Warriors games... Luckily my guy is a military history buff. I made him draw me detailed maps and write very involved battle plans!

One of my favorite things about this book is that Freddy gets a new kitten. I want to put that out there, for everyone who was traumatized by the cat death in book one. I would never write an EXCESSIVELY sad pet death, but I still really, really wanted to fit a new kitten in there. At one point I wasn’t sure it was going to work, and I was like, “NOOOO, MUST HAVE KITTEN.”

Many of the names of minor characters and places in this book come from the anime “Legend of Galactic Heroes”, and there are two airships in the book named after Final Fantasy airships. 

—Jackie

excerpt

Sigi messed with the camera for a little while, her lips pressed together thoughtfully. She looked up and caught Nan’s eyes.
“Stay like that,” she said softly. “Just like that.” She took one picture, told Nan to look toward the dining table for a profile shot, and took another. “Maybe put an arm up over your head. Lean back?”
After a few more shots, Sigi stopped and regarded Nan for a moment. “I don’t usually take photographs like this. I’m a street photographer. I like to look for the beauty in ugly things, but you’re just. . .beautiful. I don’t know if I can do you justice.”
“You can certainly flatter.”
“I mean it,” Sigi said. “You don’t seem real. A photograph might ruin you, might turn you into an ordinary girl.” Then she suddenly looked pained. “I’m sorry. That’s actually what you wanted, isn’t it?”
“If you see that in me. . .I don’t mind. I don’t see it. I see that I’m different, but not the beauty.”
Nan didn’t know how to describe the way Sigi looked at her. The word “hungry” sounded too crude. Closer to awe, but also more than that. She felt as though in giving Sigi permission to look at her so closely and capture her on film, she had offered Sigi some of her power.
“You know,” Sigi said, “the thing about art is that it’s like a quest that never ends. You always have something in your head that is so beautiful, and you never manage to create it. Sometimes you come close. And that moment. . .is madness. It’s so fleeting. If you’ve tasted it once, you have to keep searching. You look like that moment.”
“Like madness?”
Sigi just looked at her.
Nan stood up from the couch and kissed her hard. She kept her eyes open. Colors flashed in her vision—gold and brown furniture and the blue sky out the window. Her heart hammered. Just let me hold onto this. . .let me feel.
Sigi’s mouth was yielding and tasted like tears. Her eyes were closed and Nan heard a little catch in her throat. She touched Nan’s back, lightly, like she didn’t want to trap her. Nan ran her fingers through Sigi’s wild hair.
Nan was afraid to stop because she didn’t want to lose the colors. Or this feeling.
Sigi was the one who pulled away. “Nan. . .” She looked like she knew it was about more than her.
“I don’t ever want to go back,” Nan whispered. The colors in the room had muted, but they weren’t gone, and Nan couldn’t stop staring. The room was so different now. There was the gold upholstery and a blue vase and a green houseplant. Everything was brighter. “I don’t want to see Ingrid again.”
“I understand,” Sigi said. She didn’t need to say but. It was already in the room with them.
Nan walked over to the crumpled dress, picked it up and slipped it back on. When she poked her head through the collar, the room was gray again.

***

About the Author
Jaclyn Dolamore was homeschooled in a hippie sort of way and spent her childhood reading as many books as her skinny nerd-body could lug from the library and playing elaborate pretend games with her sister Kate. She skipped college and spent eight years drudging through retail jobs, developing her thrifty cooking skills and pursuing a lifelong writing dream. She has a passion for history, thrift stores, vintage dresses, David Bowie, drawing, and organic food. She lives with her partner and plot-sounding-board, Dade, and two black tabbies who have ruined her carpeting.
www.jaclyndolamore.com | twitter.com/jackiedolamore

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[Waiting On Wednesday] #30 - A Study in Charlotte

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming books that we eagerly anticipate and cannot wait to get here!

"A study in charlotte" - brittany cavallaro

A Study in Charlotte
The last thing sixteen-year-old Jamie Watson–writer and great-great-grandson of the John Watson–wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s enigmatic, fiercely independent great-great-granddaughter, who’s inherited not just his genius but also his vices, volatile temperament, and expertly hidden vulnerability. Charlotte has been the object of his fascination for as long as he can remember–but from the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything else.

Then a Sherringford student dies under suspicious circumstances ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Holmes stories, and Jamie and Charlotte become the prime suspects. Convinced they’re being framed, they must race against the police to conduct their own investigation. As danger mounts, it becomes clear that nowhere is safe and the only people they can trust are each other.

Equal parts tender, thrilling, and hilarious, A Study in Charlotte is the first in a trilogy brimming with wit and edge-of-the-seat suspense.

WHY AM I WAITING ON IT?

Sports are not really a popular subject in YA but I'm actually curious about this one. I think the mix of mystery and sports and colleges is going to be amazing! 

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON THIS WEEK?