Friday, August 31, 2018

*Book Blogger Hop* 31 August 2018



We are on to a new week for the Book Blogger Hop hosted by the lovely folks over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. This weeks questions is:
Do you have a YouTube channel? If so, do you post book review vlogs? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
Technically yes, I do have a YouTube channel. I have posted on it all of six times, and the last time was in 2016. Four of the videos posted were reading the first chapter of books (a feature I switched to doing on my Facebook page live for a while, but then stopped), and the other two videos were judging books by their covers, where I picked a book at random and without reading the blurb on the back tried to figure out what the story would be about based on the cover alone, to include genre and possible age range for readers.

I have not posted book review vlogs, although that is something I have been thinking about doing recently, I'm just not sure if I could get my thoughts in order without blurting out spoilers during videos (and I'm so not good at video editing).

So what about you, do you have a YouTube channel? - Katie

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to leave a link to your post below so I can stop by and check out your answer.*

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

*Top Ten Tuesday* Scholastic Book Order Books I Want


Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Joood - Hooligan of Platypire reviews bossed me into doing this, so I guess this is a thing I do now. 

This weeks theme is back to school freebie. Jana has offered some possible suggestions like books that take place in school, or favorite text books, but I'm not taking any of her suggestions. This is the first year that my kids have been in public school (we homeschooled while we were living in Germany for a few reasons), and that means this is the first year that my kids are coming home with Scholastic book orders, and I think I'm more excited about them than my kids are (although we still managed to spend $93 between the two of them on the first round). But for those of you that do not have kids in school yet, book orders are way cooler now, because you can place the order online and the book selection is not limited to what's in the fliers that are sent home. This means that I can absolutely start shopping from the YA flyer and making my kids bring books home to me (I think), and some of the money I spend on them will help my kids' teachers improve their classroom libraries. It's like a win-win-win situation (okay, my kids might feel like they're on the losing end of that deal having to haul my books home).

I just can't help it though, because Scholastic book orders bring with them a feeling of nostalgia. I always loved getting the flyers at school, and I'd get home and ask my mom how much I could spend (it was usually $20 unless I had multiple flyers at once, and then it'd be like $30 for 2 or $40 for 3, but with Scholastic book orders, that money would stretch pretty far). Then I'd comb through my flyers, prioritizing the books that appealed to me (any book about ghosts always went straight to the top of the list), narrowing down my selection to fit within my budget. Then I'd have to wait a couple weeks for the books to arrive, but those days were always a little bit like Christmas for me. Other kids in the class would have maybe 1 or 2 books, and I'd be taking home a whole stack, sometimes enough to fill my backpack. Thank goodness I only lived two blocks from school and was allowed to cut through Gene and Roberta's yard (they were an elderly couple that I'd hang out with in the evening just because; I was oddly outgoing as a child).

So because this week's topic is a back to school freebie, and I was so ridiculously excited when my kids brought home Scholastic order forms, I'm going to run down books I want to order from their order forms (for them, I swear!) And because I have two kids, I'm going to pick five selections from each flyer (and I'm even going to add a bonus five books from the YA flyer I can access online).

2nd Grade

My Weird School Value Pack by Dan Gutman - First of all, I could not find an equivalent pack on Amazon for what is in the flyer, so I went with the closest thing. Through the flyer, I can get the first 8 books in the series for just $21 where the first 12 books on Amazon would cost a little over $31. I imagine these books are kind of like The Bailey School kids series that I loved growing up, so I like to think my kids would like them. (My son's flyer has the 12 book set for $34, so apparently books 9-12 are more expensive.) 

Waking the Rainbow Dragon by Tracey West - What is not to love about a rainbow dragon? And for $4 (which is 31 cents cheaper than Amazon before tax) the price is absolutely right. 

The Princess in Black Pack  by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale - This is another selection where I couldn't find an exact match on Amazon, but this one is only off by one book. Through the flyer, I can get the first three books in this series for just $14, whereas the four book set on Amazon would run me $46 (although that is through a third party seller). 

Trolls: Poppy and the Mane Mania by David Lewman - This is a rare instance where the price on Amazon is lower than in the flyer, but the book from Amazon probably doesn't come with a bookmark. 

Eerie Elementary: The Hall Monitors are Fired! by Jack Chabert - So this may not be a ghost book exactly, but it's definitely the kind of book that would have been high on my list when I was in school with a title like that. I'd probably collect Eerie Elementary books just like I collected Goosebumps books. 

4th Grade

The Spirit of Cattail County by Victoria Piontek - This is another book that would have absolutely shot to the top of my list when I was in school because it features a ghost! I could order the paperback copy from the flyer for just $4 and Amazon doesn't even have paperbacks for sale yet. 

Pokemon Super Deluxe Essential Handbook by Scholastic - This is another book that is actually cheaper through Amazon at $11.99 as opposed to the $14 advertised in the flyer (but my kid's teacher wouldn't get Scholastic points if I ordered from Amazon). 

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Edition Box Set by J.K. Rowling - I absolutely love the new covers for the 20th Anniversary Edition of the Harry Potter series, and I can order it through the flyer for just $50 as opposed to Amazon's $61.20. (You have no idea how hard I had to talk myself out of adding this to the order already.) 

The Collector by K.R. Alexander - This is listed under "Spooky Stuff" so it would absolutely made it on my list when I was a kid (and I'm seriously considering adding it to a wish list for future ordering because I can get it from the flyer for $4 as opposed to the $6.99 Amazon is charging). 

The Haunting of Hounds Hollow by Jeffrey Salane - This is another book found under "Spooky Stuff" that I would absolutely have wanted to buy (and still kind of do). 

YA Flyer

Geekerella by Ashley Poston - I can get this in paperback from Scholastic for just $5, whereas it would cost me $7.56 on Amazon. 

Timekeeper by Tara Sim - This book looks fabulous, and through Scholastic the paperback is just $5, whereas I'd spend $10.08 buying it from Amazon. 

A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge - This cover! And it's another instance where through Scholastic I'd pay just $5 but Amazon is asking for more than $10 (and in this case, I'd probably even get the book sooner ordering it through Scholastic because it doesn't release on Amazon until October!)

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon - Scholastic has the paperback of this for just $5, and I'd pay over $10 on Amazon. I feel like YA bloggers who can't get on publisher's lists for ARCs of books should hook up with parents of school kids to order books straight through Scholastic. But maybe that would come across as a little creepy. 

William Shakespeare's Star Wars by Ian Doescher - I have already read Doescher's The Empire Striketh Back, and it was awesome, so I absolutely want to get the rest of the books in this series. And while the $14 Scholastic is charging is more than what I can get it for on Amazon, I'd still prefer to help the teacher out. 

So there you have it, ten (fifteen) books that I would choose to order from my kids Scholastic order forms. Someone please tell me that I'm not the only parent around here that's ridiculously excited by my kids book order forms. - Katie 

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to leave a link to your post below so I can stop by and check out your Back to School Freebie lists.*

Saturday, August 25, 2018

*Stacking the Shelves* 25 August 2018


(Titles link to Amazon via Amazon Affiliate links)

Stacking The Shelves is a feature/weekly meme created by Tynga’s Reviews in which you share the books you are adding to your shelves, both physical and virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Now, I already have a monthly post I do featuring the books I get in the mail (and it's a lot because I have a serious Goodreads First Reads giveaway addiction), and I'm posting my monthly Read-A-Thon posts again too, which covers the books I receive through Netgalley. So my STS post will feature all the books I've been one-clicking on Amazon. 

On that note, here are the books I picked up the past two weeks (because I missed posting last week). All Goodreads First Reads ebook wins unless otherwise specified.

First Crush, Last Love by Elizabeth McKenna
The Rabbit Skinners by John Eidswick
Counseling Insights: Practical Strategies for Helping Others with Anxiety, Trauma, Grief, and More by Vicki Enns
A Ghostly Gathering by Mary Downing Hahn - I snagged this book on sale for just $2.99 (no longer on sale). I'm a fan of horror novels, so I hope this collection is good. 
The Princess Bride by William Goldman - I snagged this on sale for just $2.99 (no longer on sale). My parents actually gave a copy of this book to my daughter for Christmas, but the little punk keeps hiding it so I can't read it, so I was excited to catch the ebook on sale. 
Azrael by M.T. Ellis
The Art of Negotiation: How to Get What You Want (Every Time) by Tim Castle
Acquired: Now What? by Keno Vigil
The Point of the Spear by John J. McKeon
Crowley's Cult by Merchak - I snagged this book on sale for just 99 cents (no longer on sale). I don't even remember why at this point. 
Proms & Balls by various authors - I snagged this baby for free (still free) after seeing it shared on Facebook by one of the contributing authors. 
A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas - I snagged this baby on sale for just $1.99 (still on sale) because I'd guaranteed a copy through Penguin's First to Read program but ran out of time on my loan before I got to read it. 
The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster by Scott Wilbanks - I snagged this on sale for just $2.99 (no longer on sale) because I really like the title. 
Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms by Debora M. Coty
Dreadmarsh Fey by Melika Dannese Lux
Love and Ruin by Paula McLain - I snagged this audiobook as part of a buy one get one free deal on Audible. 
Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funk - This was my second audiobook for the buy one get one free deal on Audible. I picked this one because I hope my kids would enjoy listening to it too. 
Honor Among SEALs by Dixie Lee Brown
Dead Legend by D.Z. Church
Beneath the Same Stars: A Novel of the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War by Phyllis Cole-Dai
Once Upon a Curse by various authors - I snagged this book for free (still free) because I love fairytale retellings, especially when they're dark. 
Ella the Slayer by A.W. Exley - I snagged this beauty for free (still free) just because. 
Common Financial Sense by Harris Nydick and Greg Makowski
Fields of Rust by Robert Gryn
Witness Betrayed by Linda Ladd
I AM the I AM: Know that you and God are One by P.L. Hogan
In the Dark Corner, I Stood Alone by Petra Pavlikova
The Middle Class Comeback: Women, Millennials, and Technology Leading the Way by Munir Moon
Jeremiah's Revenge by Sandra Brannan
Forge Identity by Ayoola Ajayi
The Three Rooms: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Kevin Murphy
Eris At Home by Bruce Post
The Good Hour by Doron Erez
ACT Prep by Magoosh
Growing Influence: A Story of How to Lead with Character, Expertise, and Impact by Ron Price and Stacy Ennis
Tardy Bells and Witches' Spells by Sarina Dorie
Casanova's by Janet Scaife
Takin' It Back by Ash Krafton
Dueling Eagles by Chad Clabo
Becoming the Light by Vivianne Nantel
Strictly Business by Siena Noble
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult - I snagged this on sale for just $3.99 (maybe still on sale). It's been on my radar pretty much since it released.
Renegades by Marissa Meyer - I snagged this on sale for just $2.99 (maybe still on sale). I just love the cover of this book and have seen it all over the blogosphere, so I just had to have it.
Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer - I got this on sale for just $1.99 (maybe still on sale). I'm really intrigued by this Sleeping Beauty inspired story.
The Plastic Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg - I snagged this on sale for just $2.99 (maybe still on sale). I already own the first three books in this series, so it just made sense to buy this one too.

So that's it. That's all the books I got over the past two weeks. I bought way more books than I remember buying, but that's pretty much par for the course with me I think.

What new books have you added to your shelves recently? - Katie

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to drop a link to your post below so I can stop by and see all your new pretties.*


Friday, August 24, 2018

*Deja Revu* 19 August 2018

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Déjà Revu is a weekly review round-up that is open to all book review blogs.
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Meme
 
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Fantasy
Horror
Romance
 
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Contemporary
Romance
 
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Romance
 

*Book Blogger Hop* 24 August 2018



We are on to a new week for the Book Blogger Hop hosted by the lovely folks over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. This weeks questions is:
Where do you post your reviews besides your blog? Please list them all so perhaps we can find some new sites. (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)
 I do not go crazy with posting my reviews to other sites, especially lately as I barely manage to find the time to post reviews at all. I do make sure to always post my reviews on Goodreads, every single one because I need that credit for my reading challenge (although I mark books as read when I finish them and just say that the review will be posted later. That at least helps me to remember what my star rating was if it takes me a few months to get to writing the review.)

Then I also try to post all of the reviews that I can post to Amazon. Unfortunately I cannot post reviews for the books that I've proofread on Amazon because that would violate their ToS as they would view it as me being paid for the review even though that's not actually what I was being paid for.

I share the links to my reviews on my Facebook page (although I'm not sure that does any good whatsoever, but it takes all of five seconds to do).

Beyond that, on very rare occasions I may also post reviews to Kobo and iTunes (but I don't take the time to search out books on those platforms in order to leave reviews because again, I barely have the time to post reviews in the first place.)

And that's pretty much it. I'm pretty boring and predictable. Where all do you post reviews at? - Katie

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to drop a link to your post below so I can maybe find some new sites to ignore when I'm sharing reviews.*

Monday, August 20, 2018

*Top Ten Tuesday* Books to Pull You Out of a Reading Slump


Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Joood - Hooligan of Platypire reviews bossed me into doing this, so I guess this is a thing I do now. 

This weeks theme is books to pull you out of a reading slump. This is a tricky subject for me because I'm not sure I've ever really been in a reading slump. I mean, there have been times in my life when I didn't read much because I was prioritizing other things over reading (like binge watching Jersey Shore and Rock of Love when I wasn't working, or sleeping when my infant did in an attempt to maintain some semblance of my sanity), but if I had wanted to read, I'm sure I could have found a book to keep my attention. Beyond that, I've never had a problem with putting a book down if it's not holding my attention to pick something else up (and I've always got a couple dozen books started in various genres to nibble on whenever the mood strikes).

So instead of doing a list this week, I'm just going to give some pointers for specific situations that I have found myself in in the past where reading is concerned and what I did to help myself.

New Mothers

A few days ago, I saw a post on Facebook of a woman bemoaning the fact that she hasn't been able to find a book to hold her attention since her baby was born, and she posited that part of the problem may be that she could no longer just stay up all night reading until the book is done. I've been there. When my oldest was born, my husband was in another state for training for the first four months, came home for two, then got sent to play in the big sandbox for nine months. I wasn't working at the time because over half of my paycheck would've gone straight to daycare and with separation and hazard pay, we were financially comfortable. After the first few weeks of being home with the baby, reality tv just wasn't cutting it anymore (because I'd already caught up on all the shows I was interested in), and I decided I wanted to start reading again. But I knew that I didn't have the brain power to tackle anything even the least bit heavy when my son was waking my ass up every two-three hours to eat. Even with co-sleeping, I was constantly exhausted. So I read the Twilight series. It was light, fluffy, didn't require a whole lot of brain power, and it had been out long enough that I already had a pretty good idea of how it ended, so I didn't feel anxious for the characters when I had to put the books down.

So my advice to the new moms out there that may be having trouble getting into any books you're trying to read, find the lightest, fluffiest, cheesiest book you can and give it a go. Pick a book that you basically know how it will end from the beginning, so that when your baby finally falls asleep and you can too (or do the dishes or other housework that may be being neglected because you're really freakin' busy keeping a tiny human alive), you can put the book down knowing that the characters will be safe until you can return. You may want to try cheesy Christmas stories or YA romance because they'll be engaging, but the conflict will likely seem trivial compared to your current circumstances (like you know once the H and h just TALK to each other everything will be fine again).

Book Hangover

As a reader you've probably encountered your fair share of books that once you finished, you just couldn't imagine how anything else could possibly compare because the book was just that good. But let's face it, immediately is a little bit too soon for a re-read most of the time. So you want to read something, but just know that nothing is going to hold your interest like Book X did. What you need is a palate cleanse. There are two ways you can do a reading palate cleanse. 

The first is to pick a book in a completely different genre. So if you just finished reading a romance, pick up a horror novel. Just finished a cozy mystery? Try a YA paranormal. Basically you need to pick a genre where all of your expectations for the storyline will be different. You're not going to be looking for a meet cute to rival the one in the historical romance you just finished while reading about an astronaut trying to survive alone on Mars. 

But maybe you never like books outside your preferred genre, so you're not really interested in wasting your time trying to read one. That's fair, I suppose (I can't really relate, but I accept that it applies to some people). For you, my advice is to read absurd erotica like dino porn or anything by Chuck Tingle. These stories tend to be short and available through KU (although you can sometimes find one on Amazon for free), so you won't be spending a whole lot of time on them, but the imagery is descriptive enough to help you move on from whatever else you just finished reading, and you'll likely be anxious to get the image of the unicorn sodomizing an enthusiastic man out of your head with something a little bit more in your comfort zone. I'm serious when I say that absurd erotica is the perfect reading palate cleanser. 

Okay, so my list this week only consists of two things, but it's way more talking and almost no pictures. But I just don't have specific book suggestions for breaking out of a slump, but rather general hints for helping to get past a couple reader roadblocks. 

So what books would you suggest if I should ever find myself in a legitimate, honest-to-goodness, reading slump? - Katie 

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to drop a link to your post below so I can check out your suggestions.*


Friday, August 17, 2018

*Book Blogger Hop* 17 August 2018



We are on to a new week for the Book Blogger Hop hosted by the lovely folks over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. This weeks questions is:
Do you follow other book blogs and if so, who are your top 3 bloggers? (submitted by Amber @ The Literary Phoenix)
I kind of follow other book blogs, although I do it mostly on Facebook not in the actual blogosphere (except for my weekly memes where I always at least try to return comments if I don't have time to hop around the linkup posts themselves). Some of my favorite book blogs are:

Platypire Reviews (website) - These folks are all about the shenanigans and I feel like I have the closest relationship with them, in spite of the fact that Joood - Hooligan is my arch-nemesis, but if I learned anything from the Lego Batman movie, it's that arch-nemesis relationships need to be nurtured or they will die out. Another thing I love about the Platypire's is that they are not afraid to take a solid stand on issues in the book community. They have also helped me to be more aware of how much my typical reading lacks diversity.

Celebrity Readers (website) - Carla and Lenoreo are probably two of the sweetest women I've met through the indie book community on Facebook, and I'm ecstatic that I finally got to meet them at Book Bonanza in July. They post fun would you rather questions on Wednesdays on Facebook and often have very thoughtful reviews.

Booker T's Farm - Books and Nails and Puppy Dog Tales - Barb is probably the only blogger I could say that I strictly follow on the blogoverse (I'm not even sure if she has a Facebook page to be quite honest with you). This lovely lady is the most consistent visitor from the weekly memes I participate in, and I feel like I'm really starting to get to know her through her posts. I can tell you, any time I see a book with a dog on the cover, I immediately think of her.

So those are my top three bloggers that I like to follow. Do you follow other blogs? - Katie

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to drop a link to your post below so I can stop by and see your answer and maybe check out some of the blogs you follow.*
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Monday, August 13, 2018

*Top Ten Tuesday* Favorite Book Blogs/Bookish Websites


Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Joood - Hooligan of Platypire reviews bossed me into doing this, so I guess this is a thing I do now. 

This weeks theme is favorite book blogs or bookish websites. I currently feel like I'm a horrible book blogger because I haven't felt like I have the time to spread the love around the blogosphere like I should (I've even neglected to return comments left on my weekly memes posts lately because I'm a garbage human being). This means that I haven't been seeing other people's blogs lately, so trying to come up with ten favorite bloggers may be a bit difficult for me. But I'll see what I can do.

1: That Artsy Reader Girl - This one is easy because she is the current sponsor of Top Ten Tuesday, which is one of my favorite weekly memes (even thought I often leave it until the last minute and then just throw something together real quick).

2: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer - This was another easy choice for me because she is the host of another one of my favorite memes, the weekly Book Blogger Hop. I'd have to be truly awful to not send a shout out to the people that have kept me posting at least somewhat regularly even when I'm too busy with other stuff.

3: Tynga's Reviews - And my final weekly meme host is present and accounted for. I try to make sure I post a Stacking the Shelves post every Saturday because I just love bragging about the new books I get (and if I let it go for more than a week, it takes forever to build the post and I hate that).

4: Booker T's Farm - Books and Nails and Puppy Dog Tales - Barb has been one of the most consistent commenters on my blog, which means in the past I've spent a fair amount of time on hers. I know that she's a big horror fan so if I'm ever looking for a good recommendation for a book that will scare me, I know exactly where to head to for.

5: Silver's Reviews - I believe Elizabeth participates in all three of my usual weekly memes, and she consistently returns comments at the very least, so if I'm crunched for time and see her name while linkup hopping, I definitely stop by her site. Also, she reads and reviews historical romances, so she's kind of my go-to blogger for those recommendations.

6: Read All the Things - AJ always makes these awesome graphics with the covers for her memes (like Stacking the Shelves), so her blog stands out in my mind because I envy her skills.

7: Avalinah's Books - Evelina is the mastermind behind the State of the ARC monthly meme that I have been participating in. It hasn't resulted in me making significant headway on my ARC backlog yet, but I'm still pretending that I think it will eventually at the moment.

8: Celebrity Readers - Curly Carla and Lenoreo are absolute sweethearts (and I got to meet them in actual person at Book Bonanza in July and it was magical for me). They tend to post reviews for lots of abtastic books, and they don't shy away from reviewing even when a book just doesn't do it for them.

9: Caroline Andrus - Blogger - I would be a horrible Facebook wife if I didn't include the lovely Caroline in this list. I think she's been focusing more on her own writing lately than on her blogging, but her blog is still one of my favorites.

10: Platypire Reviews - I am grudgingly including Platypire Reviews on my list because while I absolutely adore most of the Platypires and their posts, my arch-nemesis is their leader, so I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with that blog.

Would you look at that. I managed to come up with ten! Even if I did have to "cheat" a little by including all my meme hosts.

What are some of your favorite book blogs or bookish websites? Do I even come close to your top 10? - Katie

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to drop a link to your post below so I can stop by and check out some of the pages that made your list.*

Saturday, August 11, 2018

*Stacking the Shelves* 11 August 2018


(Titles link to Amazon via Amazon Affiliate links)

Stacking The Shelves is a feature/weekly meme created by Tynga’s Reviews in which you share the books you are adding to your shelves, both physical and virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Now, I already have a monthly post I do featuring the books I get in the mail (and it's a lot because I have a serious Goodreads First Reads giveaway addiction), and I'm posting my monthly Read-A-Thon posts again too, which covers the books I receive through Netgalley. So my STS post will feature all the books I've been one-clicking on Amazon. 

On that note, here are the books I picked up this week. All Goodreads First Reads ebook wins unless otherwise specified.

Beach Body by Jennifer Soosar
Unconquered Warrior by J.L. Nicely
Now I Rise by Kiersten White - I snagged this on sale for just $1.99 (no longer on sale). I figured since I'd bought the first book in the series, I should probably go ahead and get the second too. 
Chasing the Music by Jolene Perry - I snagged this beauty for free (no longer free) because the Celebrity Readers told me to, and I trust their judgement. 
Blurring the Lines by Jolene Perry - I snagged this on sale for just 99 cents (no longer on sale), again because the Celebrity Readers told me to. 
Love & Music by Jolene Perry - This is yet another book I bought on sale for just 99 cents (no longer on sale) because the Celebrity Readers told me to. 
A Mother's Heart by Carolyne Aarsen
Twisted Threads by Kaylin McFarren
White Fang by Jack London - I got the audiobook of this free from Audible as part of some promotion they were running this past week. 
Born Resilient by Allan Kehler
13 Days in Ferguson by Ron Johnson
The Crescent Stone by Matt Mikalatos
Kill With Kindness by Ed James
The Crystilleries of Echoland by Dew Pellucid
Graceling by Kristin Cashore - I snagged this on sale for just $1.99 (no longer on sale) because I just love the cover. 
Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire - I snagged this for free (still free) because it was free so why not. 
All Those Things Revealed by M. Maureen O'Callaghan
Death in Shangri-La by Yigal Zur
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear - I got the audiobook of this for free from Audible as part of their promotion this past week. 
Barely Breathing by Pamela Clare - I snagged this for free (still free) after seeing it shared by the author on Facebook. 
How Did I Get Here by Jane Marlow
Relentless: How a Massive Stroke Changed My Life for the Better by Ted W. Baxter
Be a Better You by Inte and Chiara Alfonso
Yeast of Eden by Sarah Fox
Armstrong by H.W. Crocker
Fortnite: The Essential Guide to Battle Royale and Other Survival Games by Triumph Books - I snagged this on sale for just 99 cents (maybe still on sale) because my son really likes playing Fortnite and tends to enjoy reading strategy guides for the games he likes to play. And if it will get him reading, I will buy him anything he wants. 
Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park - I snagged this on sale for just $1.99 (still on sale) because I absolutely loved 180 Seconds (even though it melted my face off), so I know that this is a bargain price for this book. 

And that's all the new books I've added to my virtual shelves this past week. What new books have you gotten? - Katie 

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to drop a link to your post below so I can stop by and see all your new pretties.*


Thursday, August 9, 2018

*Book Blogger Hop* 10 August 2018



We are on to a new week for the Book Blogger Hop hosted by the lovely folks over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. This weeks questions is:
Can you say this about yourself? Nothing makes me happier than sitting down with a good book. (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)
No. While I absolutely love sitting down with a good book, I can't honestly say that absolutely NOTHING makes me happier than that. My homemade New York style chocolate raspberry cheesecake makes me pretty darn happy, and there are days when eating a slice of it makes everything right with the world (I'm an emotional eater). Seeing/hearing my kids playing nicely with each other or helping each other out makes me ridiculously happy (and allows me the opportunity to sit down with a good book, so it's kind of a bigger factor in that happiness than the book itself). And buying office supplies makes me weirdly happy (I'd been eying a set of gel pens at Costco for like a month and then one day my husband came home with them for me and it totally made my entire week).

So no, I can't say that nothing makes me happier than sitting down with a good book. But I also can't exactly pinpoint the thing that consistently makes me happier than anything else possibly could.

What about you? Can you say it? - Katie

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to drop a link to your post below so I can stop by and see your answer too.*

*Book Bonanza Book Haul*

Even though I did not get nearly as many books as some (many?) of the attendees, I decided to do my Book Bonanza '18 Book Haul post separate from my experience post, in part because I just like creating book haul posts in general because it's a fun way for me to kind of catalogue all the books I own. I have separated my haul into three categories: Bookworm Box Books (which includes books received in my swag bag), Preordered Books, and Purchased Books.

Bookworm Box Books

Each swag bag came with two books inside, and on the second day of the event, they were selling the extra swag bags in the Bookworm Box shop on site, so I decided to buy a second one. And I got the chance to meet Dylan Allen in the Bookworm Box shop on the first day, so my copy of Release is personalized but the proceeds all went to the Bookworm Box (I believe). 


If You Leave by Courtney Cole

Synopsis

Ex-Army Ranger Gabriel Vincent is a badass hero. Or he used to be. Home from Afghanistan, Gabe can't stop thinking about that one horrible night on the battlefield, a night that changed his life forever. He knows he's messed up, but with the help of a little beer and a lot more women, he's keeping it together. Until he meets Madison Hill.

Madison is happily single-or so she thinks. After the tragic death of her parents, she took on the responsibility of running the family restaurant, and that's just about all she has time to worry about. Until she meets Gabriel Vincent.

Though they don't realize it at first, Gabe and Maddy will soon develop a weakness: each other. But Gabe has a secret, a hidden monster that he's afraid Maddy could never overcome. And Maddy is dealing with issues she fears Gabe won't understand. They quickly realize they need each other to be whole, but they have demons to fight-and the problem with demons is that they never die quietly. Can they find a way to heal the past . . . before they lose each other?


See Through Heart by Amie Knight



Synopsis

Ainsley came into my life in a flurry of vibrant colors, lighting my world up when all seemed lost.
It wasn’t our quiet nights by the creek or stolen kisses surrounded by a sea of cotton that saved me.  
It was her. 

She was my comfort when life threw one ugly tragedy after another at me. 
Until she dealt me the greatest blow. 
Now, abandonment, betrayal, and death darken every corner of my life. Anger and hurt burn bright where love and trust once lived.  

But, now, she’s back. Sure, she’s changed, but I see through it—straight to her heart.




Untouched Perfection by Kristen Mayer

Synopsis

They say a soulmate only comes along once. I believe it, too. I had my chance, but it slipped away. Each day a little more of myself dies, but I pretend I’m fine. 

That is until I see him—the man who makes me feel alive—Garrick Shaw. 

Something within me changes. It’s unavoidable and unlike anything I’ve ever known. And it scares me, terrifies me. 

But there’s another danger lurking around the corner. Someone is conspiring to take it all away. 

Who are they? 
What do they want? 
Why are they after me? 

Only time will reveal what’s really going on. Hopefully, Garrick and I survive the fallout.


Release by Dylan Allen

Synopsis


I’m here for pleasure. 

And in paradise, I don’t have a past. 
I don’t have pain, my secrets don't haunt me and I can be anyone I want.

He’s here for business.

Harry's intoxicatingly handsome, rich, and also the biggest jerk I've ever met.
So, it's inconvenient that sparks fly every time our eyes meet.

Indulging in an affair wasn't on my agenda.

But fate isn't a mistress to our intentions; 
And what starts as a strike of lightning on a moonlit beach ignites a fire between us that will span continents.
Meeting again in the unlikeliest of circumstances feels written in the heavens.


And I'll need the courage of the gods to tell him the truth.
They say the truth will set you free... 
But what if it destroys you first?


Worth Fighting For by Kirsty Moseley

Synopsis

Sometimes in life you have to walk away . . .

Leaving Jamie Cole was the hardest thing Ellie Pearce ever had to do. Somehow, she moved on. She made a new life in a new city with a new man. So when a family tragedy calls Ellie back home, she believes all her old feelings for Jamie-the hunger, the heat, the heartbreak-are safely behind her. But the second she lays eyes on him, the intensity of their connection is as strong as ever.

Sometimes you stay and fight . . .

Jamie knows pain. He's felt it fighting in the streets, and he felt it fighting to survive in prison. Yet nothing he's experienced has been as painful as the day Ellie left-until the moment she came back. This time Jamie is determined to hold on to Ellie forever. But as much as she still loves him, she can't ignore the dark world he's now a part of. Jamie has enemies. Dangerous ones. And after seeing Jamie with Ellie, they know exactly how to take him out . . .


Preordered Books

Because I had a goal to get mine and Bekah the Awesome's copies of the Cocktales Anthology signed by all of the attending authors, I did not place very many preorders. I was worried I wouldn't be able to make it to all the authors I may have wanted to preorder from, but I did have a couple I just needed to hit up. 


Roar by Cora Carmack

Synopsis


In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.

Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora's been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.
To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.
Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.
She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough. 
Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.


Hades by Elda Lore (L.B. Dunbar)

Synopsis

“Welcome to Hell.”

Persephone Fields is just an average girl: beloved daughter and loyal friend. One night decides her Fate, when the prince of The Underworld becomes her savior and her kidnapper. 

Hades has lived centuries in darkness and sin. When he decides to save the blonde goddess, he doesn’t consider the ramifications of his decision to bring her into his realm.

Two worlds divided struggle to find friendship in a history of family discord beyond their control. When attraction blurs the line, questions result in choices of love or loyalty.

A modern twist of the classic myth: Hades and Persephone, this version incorporates the sensual tension of opposites divided by contemporary humanity and mythical underworlds. Also reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, this is a love story ripe with desire.

+++++++++++++++++
Author’s note: This book contains scenes of sexual intimacy.
Mature YA/NA Paranormal Romance


Solis by Elda Lore (L.B. Dunbar)

Synopsis

Veva Matron is a feisty girl raging with suppressed anger and distrust of men.
Solis Cronus is a blindingly beautiful, Greek god of a guy, who likes to play women.

An electric hatred thunders through each of them about the other until one night, lightning strikes. A world of secrets reveals the destiny of two at odds with one another, and clouds the line between love and hate. Can a lively girl find calm in the stormy tension of a boy made of sunshine and sin?

The mythical tale of Zeus and Hera reignites in this modern interpretation of enemies to lovers. Full of flirty sexual angst and teasing temptation, Solis might be the one man who can extinguish Veva’s angry fire and ignite a different sort of flame: desire.





Heph by Elda Lore (L.B. Dunbar)

Synopsis

Phyre has a haunting past. The girl without a last name and fire in her hands burns with a history of destruction to save herself. Solace is finally found in the cozy comfort of Hestia’s Home, a place for women who need hiding. Just like her five surrogate sisters-in-solitude, Phyre yearns to extinguish memories and rekindle her spirit. Her plan blazes forward until he arrives. 

Hephaestus Cronus considers himself an ugly man. A near-death accident left him disabled but not without heart. His gratitude lies with the protection of his foster mother, Hestia. Running from a failed relationship, Heph only desires the familiar fires of the hearth at her home. Burned from the heartache, Heph never expected to spark a new flame in the rose-bud-cherry-haired girl missing a name. 

This modern tale of Hephaestus, the metal working god, rights the wrong of a crippled man failed at love. Here the flaming passion he deserved as an under-recognized god is written in a new fashion with the fiery spirit of a woman who ignites true love between these twin flames.


Purchased Books

Then there was one author who I had intended to preorder from, I was just waiting to have the money available in my PayPal account, and then life happened and the preorder form closed while I was out of town unexpectedly. Which meant he was one of my first stops so I could ensure that I got the books I wanted from him. 


Outlier: Rebellion

Synopsis

"Join the Rebellion."


The world is destroyed, save for the Last City Of Atlas where every citizen is born with a unique, special ability and, for some unknown reason, humans no longer sleep or dream. Poor, starved, and armed with only their lowly powers, an unlikely crew of slum-born form a secret rebel group with the sole purpose of assassinating the Banshee King, who rules from the Lifted City above where those born rich - and with great powers - live in luxury. When all seems hopeless, the rebellion discovers that their newest member, a boy who CAN sleep and dream, just might be the key to their victory.






Outlier: Legacy

Synopsis

"You don't need ALL the power in the world. You only need ENOUGH."


In the second installment of the OUTLIER series, rebels armed with unique and fantastic abilities called Legacies continue to shake the Last City of Atlas from below, rising against the majestic, high-tech Lifted City and its cruel Banshee King, who can annihilate an army with just one scream. Friendships are made and broken as loyalties change. Love is ignited ... and savagely avenged. Can peace ever hope to be found? Will lost loved ones reunite? Unlikely alliances form and incredible new powers are discovered in the wake of the coming war between slum and sky. Weapons find your hand ... It is time to discover your Legacy.





Outlier: Reign of Madness

Synopsis

"I am the Madness."


It has been two months since the Madness took over.

In the third installment of the OUTLIER series, our band of unlikely heroes — both slum-born and sky — survive in a very changed, volatile world. The slums ignite with chaos. Ancient powers awaken. Doomsday is on everyone’s heels as the Mad King entertains himself, casting his red “Finger Of Madness” down upon the slums below, destroying any in its fiery path.

But the slum-born are not silent. Alliances are forged even as the fires rain down upon them, and dire actions are taken to preserve their future — no matter the cost. Our brave heroes will fight to survive the Madness one sleepless day at a time.

Be the ghost ... Stop the thing ... Let it rain ... Make it fly, Shye.


The Slum Queen


Synopsis

In the Last City Of Atlas, there lived a girl from the slums named Atricia Sunsong who became Queen with one little lie. 

Underneath the selfishness and riches and countless young men who shared her bed was a lonely woman desperately trying to fill the hole in her heart left by a certain slum boy from her childhood. When an uprising threatens to take away her throne and all that she has gained, she must do the unthinkable to save her Queenship before it is too late. 

* This is a companion novella to the OUTLIER series * 






The Twice King

Synopsis

Before the Last City of Atlas existed, there was born a curious boy named Aardgar who could see the history of things with just a single touch.

He never realized his simple gift would take him on a perilous adventure spanning over a thousand years.

In his fateful quest to save the only world he knows, young King Aardgar - a boy no longer - must contend with an onslaught of savage rebels, a jealous Goddess, and even Time itself.

Take the journey with the Twice King and discover the hidden secrets and origins of the vast world of OUTLIER.

* This is a companion novella to the OUTLIER series *



So there you have it. My not so massive Book Bonanza book haul. I have a feeling next time I attend a book signing, I will leave with far more books. Granted next time I should have more than just a few months to budget and prepare too. - Katie