Blog Tour: Lost Among the Living by Simone St. James

Welcome to my stop on the Lost Among the Living blog tour. This is such an amazing read and I'm so glad that I get to tell you a little more about the author and the book and of course my thoughts on it. 

This is a must for all fans of historical reads and paranormal alike. 

Published By: NAL

Release Date: April 5, 2016

Book Description:

England, 1921. Three years after her husband, Alex, disappeared, shot down over Germany, Jo Manders still mourns his loss. Working as a paid companion to Alex's wealthy, condescending aunt, Dottie Forsyth, Jo travels to the family’s estate in the Sussex countryside. But there is much she never knew about her husband’s origins…and the revelation of a mysterious death in the Forsyths’ past is just the beginning…

All is not well at Wych Elm House. Dottie's husband is distant, and her son was grievously injured in the war. Footsteps follow Jo down empty halls, and items in her bedroom are eerily rearranged. The locals say the family is cursed, and that a ghost in the woods has never rested. And when Jo discovers her husband’s darkest secrets, she wonders if she ever really knew him. Isolated in a place of deception and grief, she must find the truth or lose herself forever.

And then a familiar stranger arrives at Wych Elm House…

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About the Author:

Simone St. James is the award-winning author of The Haunting of Maddy Clare, which won two RITA awards from Romance Writers of America and an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada. She wrote her first ghost story, about a haunted library, when she was in high school, and spent twenty years behind the scenes in the television business before leaving to write full-time. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband and a spoiled cat.

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I love it when a book can take me by surprise and before I know it, I'm completely immersed inside the pages. 

Lost Among the Living was the perfect blend of genres. Historic with a slight touch of the paranormal and a dash of swoon worthy romance, it truly was a winner in its category. 

With the right amount of mystery, creepiness, and a romance that left you longing for more, this book surprised me with how captivating it became as the story got darker and the lies and secrets thicker. 

One that all lovers of the blend of genres alike, will love and when it is over, be left wanting more. 

I'm so glad I took a chance on this one and tried it, I wasn't disappointed in the least with the beautiful writing and the story that slowly unfolded as the mystery was unraveled one secret at a time. 

A must read for everyone.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review. An ARC copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Spring Break, Break

(image courtesy of gloeviews.com)

I absolutely love this time of year. Everything is blooming, things are starting to look green again, and coming back to life, I even love the rain and how clean it smells outside.

And with that comes spring break for my darling little ones. In light of spring break, I thought I would take a much needed blogging break as well.

I have to be honest, I've been feeling very burnt out lately and not at all my blogging, reading self. In fact, I've read less books this year so far than I can ever remember reading and the worst part is that they have all (seriously how I'd get so lucky) been fabulous four and five star reads and yet, I have to almost force myself to pick up a book.

It makes no sense. My only conclusion, I'm a bit burnt out on it all. 

I think being super busy at home and with other things hasn't helped and more often than not, I'm too exhausted to read and so have been resorting to watching tv series I missed out on the first time around to relax and unwind instead (shakes fist at the allure of Netflix and all it has to offer) of picking up a book. I know, I know, gasp! The horror but, there you have it.

I'm current'y addicted to Person of Interest (stinking love this show!) and two new shows Lucifer (oh my gosh, so funny!) and Blindspot (can't get enough of it!) which is very unusual for me. I hardly ever watch "new" shows but I just love both of these shows and had no idea PoI even existed until I saw it on Netflix. 

So in light of everything, I thought a good long break would be in order so I'm starting spring break a bit early and hope to come back refreshed and with a better attitude about blogging and even reading and reviewing. 

I, however, am not sick of the all of you, how could I be, you guys are the best! So I will be stopping by periodically and saying hello so don't think you've gotten rid of me yet. ;) 

Thank you so much everyone for all the support and I hope you all have a fabulous spring break, a Happy St. Patrick's Day for those that celebrate it, and Easter!

(image courtesy of www.hdwallpapersfreedownload.com)

Review: Maybe by Amber Johnson

Title: Maybe
Author: Amber Johnson
Series: Stand Alone
Published: February 12, 2015
Source: Purchased
Genre: NA Contemporary
My Rating: 4 Stars


Book Description:
Letting go is hard. Admitting you need each other is harder.

Emily Portman loves her job. A writer for Breakout! Magazine, she shadows and showcases up-and-coming bands. When her next assignment takes her to Austin, Texas, she can’t wait to add the city to her map of places she’s visited. Places she’s left without looking back. Her plan is to keep moving on, and the last thing she needs is a man holding her back. She’s not going down that road again.

Tyler Macy is stuck in a rut. Despite his exceptional talent as a musician, he has chosen to take a back seat with his music and let others grab the limelight. Wounded and mistrustful, he doesn’t appreciate his friends’ efforts to bring him back to center stage. Emily comes onto the scene and sees his full potential, but he fights to stay in the shadows, shutting her out before she can add to the scars another woman gave him.

For Tyler to find his music again, he needs to accept the help that Emily and their friends offer. When he discovers that his muse lies underneath Emily’s skin, it is still not enough to keep her from walking away. Neither will admit what they really want until it is too late.

Emily is once again thrown in Tyler’s path when she is assigned to join them on tour. Despite the pain in his past, Tyler sees that she is worth it, even if she’s stolen both his heart and peace of mind. In order for them to be together, they both must discover whether the music and their passion are enough to overcome the obstacles that separate them.


Maybe finding love is worth the risk.

*Amazon*B&N*

After falling in love with Puddle Jumping last year and becoming one of my top YA reads, how could I not try another book by this author? In fact, if truth be told, after reading Puddle Jumping, I went out and bought multiple books by this author because I just knew she was going to become a favorite for me and I wasn't wrong. After reading Maybe, I can once again say, I just love her style, her characters and most of all, the love stories she creates.

While this was much spicier and steamier than I was anticipating, and definitely not for a younger crowd, I absolutely loved Tyler and Emily. Second chance romances are by far one of my top three tropes in any contemporary and the hate to love is another and this amazing novel had both.

Their story was a sweet one but it was also riddled with annoyances, witty one liners, lots of tension, lots of steam, insults, and sweet tender moments to make it all worth it. It truly had a little bit of it all. 

Throw in the journal entries from Tyler so we get that much needed glimpse into his thoughts, and this was a fantastic read that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. I love how music factored into their relationship and I adored how music came to Tyler, there was just something so endearing and almost magical about it. 

This was another well done novel by this author and I can't wait to read more from her. 

Review: Marrow by Tarryn Fischer

Title: Marrow
Author: Tarryn Fischer
Series: Stand Alone
Published: April 18, 2015
Source: Purchased
Genre: Psychological/Mystery
My Rating: 4 Stars


Book Description:
In the Bone there is a house.

In the house there is a girl.

In the girl there is a darkness.

Margo is not like other girls. She lives in a derelict neighborhood called the Bone, in a cursed house, with her cursed mother, who hasn’t spoken to her in over two years. She lives her days feeling invisible. It’s not until she develops a friendship with her wheelchair-bound neighbor, Judah Grant, that things begin to change. When a neighborhood girl, seven-year-old Neveah Anthony, goes missing, Judah sets out to help Margo uncover what happened to her.

What Margo finds changes her, and with a new perspective on life, she’s determined to find evil and punish it–targeting rapists and child molesters, one by one.

But hunting evil is dangerous, and Margo risks losing everything, including her own soul. 

*Amazon*B&N*

Tarryn Fisher has become a go to author for me when I want something emotional, original, and unlike anything I can possible describe nor ever be able to dream up.

With her ability to create something controversy and put new spins and shed new light on it until they are almost unrecognizable and before you know it, you are rooting for it, good or bad, right or wrong. 

That is exactly what she did with Marrow. She put the unthinkable and made it not only believable but someone heartbreaking in it's honesty. Before we know it, we are rooting for the anti-hero and all her revenge glory. 

Justifying her wrongs in the name of rights. 

Fisher once again gave us a psychological thriller with very little effort and a whole lot of emotion until we too are just as twisted up and sometimes even as confused and broken,  as the characters themselves.

Harper Summer Tour: A Season For Fireflies by Rebecca Maizel

Yep, it's that time again, time to celebrate all the wonderful Harper Teen releases with another fabulous blog tour. This season I have the pleasure of hosting  A Season For Fireflies! I'm so excited because you guys, this was such a cute and fun read and one that ended up being emotional too. It brought smiles, tears, laughs, and even frustration and I couldn't of been happier with it. 

Harper Teen really does have some of the best, most EPIC books and authors out there. 

You guys, you are going to fall in love with Wes, he is supreme book boyfriend material! Read this book!

Plus there are some amazing giveaways once again. Here are the rules for the giveaways, how to enter and down below at the bottom of the post will be a list of all the other blogs participating and of course the fabulous prizes. There is also going to be a fun FB chat on March 16th at 8pm EST so don't miss that either! Here is the link for that and the authors participating will be The authors this time participating are Julie Eshbaugh (IVORY & BONE), Lindsey Klingele (THE MARKED GIRL), Paula Stokes (GIRL AGAINST THE UNIVERSE), and Michelle Andreani & Mindi Scott (THE WAY BACK TO YOU).

There will also be tons of fun and prizes with this too so definitely don't miss it!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1681073622164713/

How to enter:

Collect the daily word from each blog stop during the Harper Summer 2016 Tour (a total of 50). Once you’ve collected them all, email the complete saying to: HarperTeenTour@gmail.com

Prize Rules:

1.) Winner must have a valid US mailing address to receive the prize

2.) Winner must be over 13

3.) Only one (1) entry per person for Prize #2 – duplicates will be deleted.


4.) Only a completed phrase will be accepted as an entry – do not email each word/phrase daily. Wait until you have the complete saying and then email in.

Published By: Harper Teen (June 28, 2016)

Book Description:

A story of second chances from the author of Between Us and the Moon, which Kirkus Reviews called “what first love is meant to be.”

A year ago, Penny Berne was the star of her high school’s theater department, surrounded by a group of misfit friends and falling in love for the first time. Now her old friends won’t talk to her, her new best friend is the most popular girl in school, and her first love, Wes, ignores her. Penny is revered and hated. Then, in a flash, a near-fatal lightning strike leaves Penny with no memory of the past year—or how she went from drama nerd to queen bee. 

As a record number of fireflies light up her town and her life, Penny realizes she may be able to make things right again—and that even if she can’t change the past, she can learn to see the magic where she never could before.

This captivating new novel about first love, second chances, and the power of memory is perfect for fans of Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall and Katie Cotugno’s How to Love.

*Amazon*B&N*Kobo*Indiebound*The Book Depository*

About the Author:

Rebecca Maizel is the author of the Vampire Queen novel series including the acclaimed Infinite Days, Stolen Nights and Eternal Dawn. She has a forthcoming novel, Between Us And The Moon coming out with Harper Collins in 2015!

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It takes a lot anymore to truly impress me when it comes to this genre. There are so many young adult contemporary reads and sadly, most of them are so much alike that it is hard to tell one from the other, so it's with pleasure that I tell you, this read was not only heartwarming, but it truly did stick out. 

The characters were just fun and memorable and yes, swoon worthy. Wes was someone that any person who keeps a list of book boyfriends, needs to add his name to the list because yes, he is that awesome. Kind, caring, romantic, and one heck of an inventor, he truly was the very best part of this novel. Well, that and the fabulous writing. 

This isn’t the same old story wrung out and retold but rather something that will touch you, make you teary eyed, make you smile, and most of all leave you with a warm feeling deep in your heart that will sit there hours after you are done. 

Fresh, fun, heartwarming and some pretty amazing characters, this is one novels fans of the genre will not want to miss out on. 

#1 – A Harper Teen Summer 2016 Catalog prizepack of 45 books*.

*Titles not included: The Crown by Kiera Cass, Escape from Asylum by Madeline Roux, Sing by Vivi Greene, The Countdown by Kimberly Derting, & United As One by Pittacus Lore

In addition to the one massive prize winner, we will also have 4 winners who will be able to select 3 titles they want from the Summer 2016 Catalog.

US Only

#2 – 5 Finished Copies from the Harper Teen Winter 2016 Catalog

5 books are: Front Lines by Michael Grant, Revenge & the Wild by Michelle Modesto, The Lifeboat Clique by Kathy Parks, Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin, & The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig


US Only

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Review: Magic Stars by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Stars
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Book One in the Grey Wolf Series, Set in the Kate Daniels World
Published By: NYLA (December 8, 2015)
Source: Purchased
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars


Book Description:
From award-winning author, Ilona Andrews, an original novella, set in the New York Times #1 bestselling Kate Daniels World and featuring fan-favorites, Derek, and Curran and Kate’s very independent ward, Julie. 

Scarred, solitary Derek Gaunt has separated from his Pack, and is truly a lone wolf. With no family he answers to no one; but is fiercely loyal to a chosen few. So, when several of those close to him are murdered, he’ll stop at nothing to hunt their killer through the magic-drenched streets of Atlanta. 

Never one to be left on the sidelines, equally determined—some might say stubborn—Julie Lennart-Olsen soon joins in his pursuit; and what began as revenge turns into a race to save the city. Their search pits them against powers they never imagined and magic so old, it predates history. It may cost Derek his life, but there are things for which even he would risk everything.

*Amazon*B&N*

Any fan of the Kate Daniels series is already familiar with Derek. His past, his struggles, his heartache and his losses. They are also quite aware of his good heart and the man that you know is now underneath all the pain and damage he has been through. 

How could anyone resist not only getting inside the famous lone wolves head but see him with Julie as well? I for one, could not.

I am so excited about this new series you guys! Not only does it flow right along with the Kate series but I suspect will be able hold it's own as a separate kick butt series of its own and that makes me so happy!

This truly has been a series favorite for so long and each book is just getting better and now this, this masterpiece of the tortured wolf and the apprentice and adopted daughter of Kate's, just wow. Julie is truly coming into her own. Growing up and learning new things, maybe not all of them good or safe, but either way, I can't wait to be there right along with these two as they learn it all, explore it all, and get it all figured out.

Review: No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista

Title: No Love Allowed
Author: Kate Evangelista
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Swoon Reads (April 19, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 3 Stars


Book Description:
It's all fun and parties until someone falls in love in this modern fairy tale from author Kate Evangelista.

Caleb desperately needs a fake girlfriend. Either he attends a series of parties for his father’s law firm with a pretty girl on his arm, or he gets shipped off to Yale to start a future he’s not ready for and isn’t sure he wants. And sadly, the last unattached girl in his social circle has just made the grievous mistake of falling in love with him. Fortunately, Didi, recently fired waitress and aspiring painter, is open to new experiences. As the summer ticks by in a whirl of lavish parties, there’s only one rule: They must not fall in love! 

*Amazon*B&N*

This is my first Evangelist story and I have to say I love what she did with the story even though it wasn't perfect by any means. 

I love that more and more authors are branching out and stepping into some very unfamiliar tropes and topics that are so important for young readers and old alike to have out there. With important information about mental illness and mental awareness of all kinds. I love that more and more people are talking about things that were once considered taboo and that they are approaching and handling them well. 

Add in a great plot line, lovable characters that are both feisty, damaged, and not perfect and you have one fun, emotional read that was every bit as enjoyable as it was hard to put down. 

It wasn't at all what I was expecting and in this case, it worked. I'm glad I took a chance and read this, imperfections and all. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

WoW Pick of the Week!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It is a chance to share those new releases were are super anxious to get our hands on and read.

This is a debut author and while I can sometimes be leery of that, not in the case. It just sounds too good to pass up.

Book Description:

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love . . . or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear . . . the Crown’s Game is not one to lose. 

What do you think, is this and yeah or neigh for you?

Review: The Visitor by Amanda Stevens

Title: The Visitor 
Author: Amanda Stevens
Series: Book Four in the Graveyard Queen
Published By: MIRA (March 29, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Paranormal
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
My name is Amelia Gray. I'm the Graveyard Queen.

Restoring lost and abandoned cemeteries is my profession, but I'm starting to believe that my true calling is deciphering the riddles of the dead. Legend has it that Kroll Cemetery is a puzzle no one has ever been able to solve. For over half a century, the answer has remained hidden within the strange headstone inscriptions and intricate engravings. Because uncovering the mystery of that tiny, remote graveyard may come at a terrible price.


Years after their mass death, Ezra Kroll's disciples lie unquiet, their tormented souls trapped within the walls of Kroll Cemetery, waiting to be released by someone strong and clever enough to solve the puzzle. For whatever reason, I'm being summoned to that graveyard by both the living and the dead. Every lead I follow, every clue I unravel brings me closer to an unlikely killer and to a destiny that will threaten my sanity and a future with my love, John Devlin. 

*Amazon*B&N*

Five Top Reason the Graveyard Queen Series and The Visitor is For You:

You love a rich atmospheric setting with all things that go bump in the night.

You love a hair raising, goosebump inducing ghost story that will have you looking over your shoulder and turning lights on in the middle of the day. 

You love a good spell binding, hauntingly addictive mystery that will keep you on your toes and eagerly turning the pages.

A swoon worthy romance that will simultaneously melt you into a pile of goo and break your heart.

Outstanding, beautiful writing that will suck you in and refuse to let you go. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Mini Review: The Fear Trials by Lindsay Cummings

Title: The Fear Trials
Author: Lindsay Cummings
Series: Prequel to the Murder Complex
Published By: Harper Teen Impulse (May 27, 2014)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Rating: 3.5 Stars


Book Description:
Meadow Woodson has been trained to survive. This is a prequel to The Murder Complex, by Lindsay Cummings, and it is set in a blood-soaked world where the murder rate is higher than the birth rate. For fans of Moira Young's Dust Lands series, La Femme Nikita, and the movie Hanna.

Meadow Woodson's father calls it The Fear Trials, and it is a rite of passage in their family. Meadow is up against her brother Koi. The Fear Trials will both harden her and make her brave. If Meadow wins, she will get a weapon of her own and the right to leave the Woodsons' houseboat without her father or mother at her side. Set in the violent, complex, and mysterious world of The Murder Complex, and introducing Meadow Woodson—a teenage girl trained to survive no matter what the cost—and her family, who are together for the last time on their houseboat in the Florida Everglades. 

*Amazon*B&N*

All that back story I felt like I was missing in The Murder Complex is neatly delivered to us here in The Fear Trials. We learn about Meadows past with her family, we get to see her mother, and most importantly, we get to see how Meadow became the girl we first get to meet in The Murder Complex. That rough and tough kick butt girl with the heart of stone.

I do wish I would have read this one first because it just gives us so much..more. While it doesn't necessary explain Meadow's world, it certainly helps us understand it and understand her. I already loved the first book but now I can't help loving it more now that I have this little tid bit to think and ponder over.

Such a great addition to the series and really a must read.

Review: The Hidden Twin by Adi Rule

Title: The Hidden Twin
Author: Adi Rule
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Griffin/St. Martin (March 22, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 3.5 Stars


Book Description:
For eighteen years a girl with no name, a Redwing, has been hidden away in a small attic room within a city of hissing pipes and curving temples perched on the side of the great volcano, Mol, while her sister, Jey-identical except for her eyes-has lived her life in public as an only child. Their father had hoped the hidden girl would one day grow up to be a normal human girl and not the wicked creature mythology has promised, so he secretly spared her life as an infant.

But when she switches places with her sister, striking up a flirtation with the son of the Empress while working in the royal gardens and gets attacks by two suspicious priests on her journey home, she is forced to call forth fire to protect herself, unleashing her previously dormant powers and letting her secret out. She soon catches the attention of a cult with a thousand year old grudge as well as a group of underground rebels, both seeking her for their own gain. But when her sister goes missing and the Redwing uncovers a great plot to awaken Mol and bring fiery destruction upon them all, she is forced to embrace her powers.

In Adi Rule's stunning new novel, The Hidden Twin, the girl with no name, must finally choose a name and a path for herself, drawing a line between myth and history to prove herself more than a monster if she is to save both her sister and her home.

*Amazon*B&N*

The Hidden Twin was a rather unexpectedly fun read that didn't take me long to get wrapped up in with the myth and lore of the Others and the Redwing and its memorable characters and circumstances. 

With hidden meanings, lies, and mystery riddled throughout the pages, this ended up being a read that took me by surprise and was compelling in both theory and writing. 

I wish I could say more about it but I'm afraid I will give too much away. Instead this is a read that you really need to experience for yourself. 

With a main character that desperately doesn't want to be a monster and is willing to do more than most to prove she isn't this story really will sweep you away and leave you wanting more by the end. 

If you are looking for something different, a bit out there, and unlike most YA fantasy, this just might be the read for you. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*