{January 1, 2014} My Recently Released Giveaway Goodness #32–January

Happy New Year!! It’s that time again! For no other reason than that I like giveaways… we’re onto the THIRTY-SECOND Recently Released Giveaway Goodness Giveaway run by yours truly!

Many of these novels have recently released. I’ve included my reviews below to help you pick the novel you’d like to win!

Interested? Of course you are! I’m offering ONE lucky winner one of these novels:

This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway from the book depository, but you need to make sure they send to your country before entering–check here.

Thin Space by Jody Casella
Twigs by Allison Ashley Formento
Only You by Stephanie Faegen (formerly known as The Mephisto Mark)
Deceived by Julie Anne Lindsey
Streaks of Blue by Jack Chaucer
Search the Dark by Marta Perry
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
Never Fade by Alexandra Braken

To enter you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open internationally and will end at 12:01am EST on February 1st. The winner will be announced February 1st, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!

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And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

Win an ARC of Jepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh–ENDS January 27

Win a T-Shirt, 5 Prints, and a Signed Paperback of Vampire Seeker by Tim O’Rourke–ENDS January 30

Win an Paperback of Easy by Tammara Webber–ENDS February 2, 2014

Win One of my Favorite Reads from 2013–ENDS Feb. 5

My Recently Released Giveaway Goodness #31–December–has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winner has been chosen via Rafflecopter.

And the winner is…

Ramona

Book of Choice:

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

A tweet has already gone out to the winner, and an email will go out later this evening! If I don’t hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner using Rafflecopter.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winner… but don’t despair if you didn’t win this round!

Enter to win my other great giveaways:

Win an ARC of Perfect Lies by Kiersten White–ENDS Jan. 5

Win an ebook of No Attachments by Tiffany King–ENDS Jan. 9

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends February 1

Win One of my Favorite Reads from 2013–ENDS Feb. 5

{December 31, 2013} A Book Vacation: 2013 in Review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Crunchy numbers:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 19,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 7 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

In 2013, there were 502 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 1,395 posts.

The busiest day of the year was July 14th with 428 views. The most popular post that day was Win One Ticket to UtopYA 2014, One Signed T-Shirt from the Con, and over 18 Other Prizes Including Ebooks, Signed Books, and Swag.

Attractions in 2013:

These are some of the posts that got the most views in 2013:

{Book to Movie Review} The Body, by Stephen King, VS. Stand By Me (the movie rendition) May 2011

UtopYA 2013: What You Need To Know and Why You Need to Go in 2014 15 comments July 2013

The 99 Cent Club–Feature 59–Ten Books for Ten Bucks August 2013

Readers:

Click here to see the complete report.

And, and special THANKS to my many faithful readers!! Happy New Year!! I can’t wait to read even more books in 2014 and share my thoughts with you. Cheers!

Happy 2014!!

Thanks to www.juliansmith.tv for making this awesome music video.

{December 31, 2013} {Giveaway} My Favorite Books Read in 2013

Happy New Year!!!! To end 2013, I wanted to do a small giveaway featuring my favorite reads from 2013. I read 300 books this past year, and 50 of them received five star ratings from me because I found them to be just that intoxicating. Some of them, I know you’ve heard of prior to now. But some of them, you haven’t, and I wish to remedy that through this giveaway.

The list of books up for grabs is below–click the links to read my reviews–and on February 5th, I will select TWO winners. Please make sure you know whether or not the Book Depository sends to your country if you choose a hardcopy title. If you choose an ebook copy, please make sure you have either a Kindle or Nook device of some sort (and if you win and have chosen an inexpensive ebook, I might just let you pick a second ebook from the list as well…we shall see).

Hardcopy Titles (from the Book Depository–Please make sure they deliver to your country before choosing):

Sometimes Always Sometimes Never by Elissa Janine Hoole
Stung by Bethany Wiggings
Intuition by C.J. Omololu
Secret by Brigid Kemmerer
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Sin-Eater’s Confession bu Ilsa J. Bick
Here Without You by Tammara Webber
The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter
Crash Into You by Katie McGarry
Defy by Sarah B. Larson
Jordyn by Tiffany King
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Meant for Her by Raine Thomas
Neverwas by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed and Larkin Reed
Pawn by Aimee Carter
Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins
Wicked Thing by Angeline Kace
Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
The Weight of Souls by Bryony Pearce
Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

Ebook Titles:

Steel Lily by Megan Curd–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Jordyn and the Caverns of Gloom by Tiffany King–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Dark Return by Taryn Browning–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Girl Over the Edge by Amy Kinzer–ebook from Amazon
Avow by Chelsea Fine–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Endure by M.R. Merrick–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
A Brutal Tenderness by Marata Eros–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Dead Water by Tim O’Rourke–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
No Attachments by Tiffany King–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Far From the War by Jeffrey David Payne–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Radiant by Christina Daley–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Stilts by Tim O’Rourke–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
The Assassin and the Empire by Sarah J. Maas–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Blast from the Past by Lauren Carr–ebook from Amazon
Enemy Within by Angeline Kace–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Cross Country Christmas by Tiffany King–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
A Terrible Love by Marata Eros–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Only You by Stephanie Faegen–ebook from Amazon
The Murders at Astaire Castle by Lauren Carr–ebook from Amazon
The Savage Principle by Tamara Rose Blodgett–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Hollow Pit by Tim O’Rourke–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
For Everly by Raine Thomas–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Demonica by Will Thomas–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Dead Push by Tim O’Rourke–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Moonbeam by Tim O’Rourke–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Dead Lost by Tim O’Rourke–ebook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble

To enter you must:

Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)
Fill in the required information on the form below (extra entries optional)

Click HERE to go to the Rafflecopter Entry Form!

This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY and will end February 5th at 12:01am EST. The winners will be announced on February 5th in a new post, and they will receive email notification! Please read the giveaway policy and leave a comment!

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And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

Win an ARC of Jepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh–ENDS January 27

Win a T-Shirt, 5 Prints, and a Signed Paperback of Vampire Seeker by Tim O’Rourke–ENDS January 30

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends February 1

Win an Paperback of Easy by Tammara Webber–ENDS February 2, 2014

{December 31, 2013} Announcing the Winner of Avalon by Mindee Arnett

The giveaway for an ARC of Avalon by Mindee Arnett has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winner has been chosen via Rafflecopter!

And the winner is…

Vivien

A tweet has already gone out to the winners, and an email will go out later this evening! If I don’t hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner using Rafflecopter.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winner… but don’t despair if you didn’t win this round!

Enter to win my other great giveaways:

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends January 1

Win an ARC of Perfect Lies by Kiersten White–ENDS Jan. 5

Win One of my Favorite Reads from 2013–ENDS Feb. 5

{December 30, 2013} {Guest Post and Giveaway} Top 10 Things That Make a Sexy/Sweet Country Boy by Heather Hildenbrand–Author of A Risk Work Taking

A Risk Worth Taking, my (Heather Hildenbrand’s) new NA contemporary, is set on a crop farm in the mountains of southeastern Virginia. The male characters are alpha and sexy and country. I couldn’t help myself. These are my favorite characters in a guy! And I made a list of what a guy needs to qualify.

Top 10 Things That Make a Sexy/Sweet Country Boy:

A Truck. This is such a pre-req that if he doesn’t have that, I don’t care HOW many other items he has on this list, he’s not a country boy. Sorry. It doesn’t need a gun rack on the back and a dead animal in the truck bed to qualify and it doesn’t need mud splatters all up the side and along the tailgate—although you get points for that—it just needs four wheels, a cab, and a bed. Oh and that bench seat can’t be overlooked. I think it is the most adorable thing in the world when a girl can scoot and cuddle next to her country boy while he drives.
A love for fried chicken and beer. If you go to the bar and order a Mike’s Hard Lemonade, we’re in a fight.
Respect for Women. He better kiss his mama every Sunday and call every woman older than him ma’am.
A know-how either under the hood or with a hammer. Somehow, I can’t conjure an image of a country boy who doesn’t know how to either fix his own truck OR build his own house. Or both. Mmm, yeah swing that hammer with a grease-stained hand… and when you’re done, I need an oil change. Thanks, baby.
Slightly-snug jeans that hug all the right places. OHMYGOD I am a sucker for slightly-tight (NOT skinny-fit) jeans on a man. Snug at the hips and ass with boots at the bottom and a slight swagger…. *swoon* Country boys Do NOT wear suits to work. Your business attire is jeans and a button-down with the sleeves rolled to ¾ length—or you’re a poser.
A love for sunsets and the woods at twilight. Country boys do not stay inside all day. They don’t have to hunt and fish every weekend, in fact that’s not preferred because I’m not into that and … well, ain’t nobody got time for that. But enjoy a bonfire or take me four-wheeling and we’re in business.
The body of a country boy. Big arms, toned abs. Prove you’re not a stranger to manual labor. Mmm, yeah, throw that haybale while I watch your back and shoulders flex from the strain…
Smarts. Do NOT succumb to the stereotype that “country” means “backwoods” or ignorant or less brain cells. Country boys are smart. Entrepreneurial. Educated. With deep thoughts and perceptive minds. And they even read for fun once in a while! Show me a girl that doesn’t think this is hot and I’ll show you a LIAR, LIAR, Pants on FIRE!
Love. Maybe at first, he’s tough and rough at the edges—or all the way through. But by the end of the story (yours or the one you’re reading), this boy is sweet and loving and caring all the way through. And he says thinks like, “your eyes are unending depths, an ocean of love, and I want to drown in them forever.” Or something.
Loyal. Once he’s met you and seen your “awesome” he knows no other girl will do. Ever. He’s so stuck on you he can’t see straight, let alone see other women. Except his mama, he will always love and appreciate his mama and shower her with gifts and kisses on Sundays.

What did I miss? Any other requirements for being a sexy/sweet country boy?

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Enter to win a signed paperback of A Risk Worth Taking, an ebook of Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon, an ebook of Wicked Thing by Angeline Kace, and a coca snowman jar by clicking this Rafflecopter Link.

{December 30, 2013} {ARC Review} Enders by Lissa Price (Starters #2)

From Goodreads: With the Prime Destinations body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to rent herself out to creepy Enders. But Enders can still get inside her mind and make her do things she doesn’t want to do. Like hurt someone she loves. Having the chip removed could save Callie’s life – but it could also silence the voice in her head that might belong to her father. Callie has flashes of her ex-renter Helena’s memories, too …and the Old Man is back, filling her with fear. Who is real and who is masquerading in a teen body? This is the thrilling sequel to Starters.

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This novel pulled me in and kept my attention to the very last page. Sequels are perhaps the hardest novels to write in a trilogy, but Price did an amazing job with Enders and I actually enjoyed in more than the first book in the series, Starters. I felt that there was a lot more action in this novel, and it kept me guessing as it unfolded. The fact that I was better able to connect with the characters in this sequel was also helpful, and I found that I liked Callie much more this time around. Price really threw me for a loop with a few of her revelations within this novel, which made it all the more fun because I never saw any of it coming.

Although Prime Destinations is no longer a threat, the chips in the starter’s heads are still just as lethal, especially as the Old Man has developed a way to remotely detonate them. Callie is the main target, but not for detonation. Instead, she is wanted because of her unique ability to co-exist within her body at the same time that someone else controls it, as was seen in Starters. This makes her the only entity that can be controlled and used as a weapon, which is bad news for Callie and everyone she cares about. Imagine being taken over and having to control of your body, but being able to see and hear everything happening around you. That is scary in and of itself, and Callie’s life just got a whole lot scarier as she learns the truth about her abilities, and those of the Old Man.

This is a great read that went in directions I hadn’t even thought about. I really enjoyed it, and I highly suggest it to readers who enjoy sci-fi and dystopian novels, even if Starters wasn’t your favorite. It’s a fun ride. Four stars.

Delacorte Press has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its widespread release on January 7, 2014.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

{December 29, 2013} {Review} Girl Over the Edge by Amy Kinzer

From Goodreads: It started with a bad decision and ended with an obsession.

Seventeen-year-old best friends Beckett Smith and Chloe Baker can’t shake their reputations after taking risqué photos at a college party. The pictures are distributed to the North Lake High School student body sending the best friends to the bottom rung of the social ladder right before senior year. When Beckett and Chloe return to school, they find themselves ill prepared for the harassment and bullying that follows.

Beckett has an easier time being reaccepted than Chloe. And she’ll do anything to be part of her old clique and to get a second chance at a relationship with her ex-boyfriend, star running back Kale Fenton. But Beckett’s attempts at a normal senior year are at odds with Chloe’s increasingly anti-social behavior. As Chloe’s life spirals out of control she becomes obsessed with the Aurora Bridge in Seattle, also known as Suicide Bridge, a place known for the jumpers. And after everyone’s abandoned Chloe, Beckett is the only person who can prevent Chloe from making the jump.

Girl Over the Edge is a novel about best friends, damaged relationships, and the help that sometimes comes from unexpected places.

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Cyber bullying has become an extremely fast growing phenomena with the advent of social media, and this is a story that shows just how devastating such a form of bullying can be. Not only does the bullying in this novel come in viral forms, but also in the interactions and words of the characters within, which just adds fuel to the fire that online bullying stokes. When I was in high school, bullying was face-to-face and through the rumor mill. Today, one snap of a camera phone and a moment later, it’s uploaded to all types of social media and can spread so quickly that it’s beyond control. Where bullies and those being bullied used to personally know one another, the internet has given way for bullies from all walks of life to harass others, especially through social media sites; and it happens a lot more than people let on.

Kinzer’s story is one of intense bullying, both cyber and face-to-face, and it also analyzes the human psyche. How much bullying and hatred can one endure before it is too much? If given the chance to remove oneself from a bullying situation, who would say no? This is the story of Chloe and Beckett, best friends whose lives begin to fall apart at the seams after a series of photos go viral during a college party. And truthfully, those photos probably weren’t even sent with the idea of bullying or harassment in mind, but rather were sent as someone’s stupid idea of showing off to their friends, who then sent them to their friends… and this is how it starts. Ultimately resulting in the loss of popularity and friends for Beckett, and the complete and utter harassment of Chloe, both young women experience hardship and heartache over the course of their senior year. Beckett, however, used to have an “in” crowd, and as she was only in one picture, whereas Chloe has always been on the sidelines and was in multiple pictures, the two friends begin to slowly drift apart. As an adult who works with teens, I want to say that this doesn’t happen, but that would be a lie. I’ve seen ostracizing over many things that I would consider trivial, a small speck in the timeline that is life, but to a teenager, it is everything. Think back to when you were a teen—or maybe you’re one now. At this time of development, when you’re trying to find yourself, all that matters is really the here and now, and perhaps the schools you’ll apply to for college. We don’t tend to think about the future beyond that in any relative or realistic form, and so it’s hard to understand that yes, it does get better. That there will always be bullies, but that we don’t have to listen to them or allow them to rule our lives, and while I know this, it’s a lot harder for teens in the moment to understand this. And that’s what Kinzer looks at in her novel.

Beckett is not my favorite, but I get her just the same. Have your parents ever told you to stay away from so and so because of x, y, and z? Mine did. Now just think about a teenager who’s lost all her popular friends, her spot on the cheer team, her boyfriend… but she could get it all back if she just lost that one friend… what side would you choose? Truthfully, most of us would pick letting go of the one, and that’s what Beckett does, though not consciously. Yes, she is selfish, and she should have seen the warning signs and been there for Chloe, but at the same time, Beckett can’t be blamed alone for what happens. Friends do drift apart, and Chloe doesn’t help the situation with her obsessions, closing herself off, and refusing to obtain help when it’s given. So, while Beckett really isn’t my favorite, I won’t blame her. Nor will I blame Chloe, because she gets the brunt of it all, and she handles it quite well on the inside, until she can’t anymore. And this is exactly what Kinzer is trying to show her readers: an amazing look at two young teenage girls on the brink of going over the edge.

Kinzer has written an extremely life-like story full of believable characters, whether we want to admit that or not. As adults, we sometimes want to say that these things don’t happen because we didn’t experience it in our lives, or because we believe we experienced bullying growing up and so we know what it’s like. But this cyber bullying is something completely new that is very real, and the responses from the characters in this novel, especially those who feel entitled, are also extremely real, and while this novel deals with a difficult topic, I do think it has some amazing teachable moments and a great theme that all, both young and old, need to hear. I highly recommend this novel to all, but especially teens. Five stars.

I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

{December 29, 2013} {ARC Review} Defy by Sarah B. Larson (Defy #1)

From Goodreads: A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king’s army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince’s guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can’t prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she’s sworn to protect?

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If you’re a fan of Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series and/or Mulan, then you will definitely enjoy this novel. There are many similarities to both–magic, a sexy prince, an evil empire, the best fighter in all the land is female (unbeknownst to many), and I’m sure the list goes on. Some may say there are too many similarities, and yes, it crossed my mind as I was reading, however, it is vastly different as well, and I just love the idea behind it. It’s very well written; you can’t help but fall in love with the characters and their plight, and the story itself is intriguing. So, even if you’re a little worried that it will be too similar to Sarah J. Maas, I suggest you read it anyway, because it’s epic.

Alexa, or Alex, as it were, is my favorite. She’s a strong female lead stuck perpetrating a male in an empire that would otherwise cast her to the breeding house. Forced to hide her identity in order to survive, she has become the top fighter on the prince’s guard. Those loath to protect the empire that took everything from her, her fierce loyalty to her twin brother and those she’s friended on the guard make her a fierce defender of the crown, if nothing more than to protect her friends and family in protecting the prince.

As the story unfolds, we learn much about Alexa and her life in the guard, but the novel really takes off when the resistance comes to capture the prince. Captured and taken far from their country, it quickly becomes seen that not all is what it seems, and Alexa is not the only one with a secret.

There is a bit of a love triangle in this novel, but this one is not overbearing, for which I was very thankful. While I was afraid it would take over the novel, it’s more on the sidelines as Alexa, Ryland, and Damien attempt to figure out how much they can trust one another and those who have kidnapped them. Truthfully, I thought the characterization was superb, and the story itself was action packed, keeping me glued to the pages. There were many fight sequences that helped spur the reader on, but just enough romance to also keep it interesting. I really enjoy this novel, and can’t wait for the sequel. Five stars.

Scholastic Press has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel prior to its release on January 7, 2014.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

{December 28, 2013} {ARC Review} Neverwas by Kelley Moore, Tucker Reed, and Larkin Reed (Amber House #2)

From Goodreads: “I was sixteen the second time I had my first kiss….”

At the end of AMBER HOUSE, Sarah made a choice that transformed everything–and now she must choose it all again.

Things are very different–better–for Sarah and her family: her Aunt Maggie grew up; her parents are happily married; her grandmother died after a long, productive and respected life. But other things are different too, and not for the better.

After growing up in the free country of the Pacific Northwest, Sarah Parsons has settled in at Amber House, the stately Maryland home that’s been in her family for generations. But the world surrounding the House feels deeply wrong to Sarah. It’s a place where the colonists lost the 1776 Insurrection, where the American Confederation of States still struggles with segregation, and where Sarah is haunted by echoes of a better world that she knows never existed.

Her friend Jackson shares these visions of a different world–and together, they manage both to remember the way things ought to be, and to plan a daring mission that will reset the universe once again. Sarah must figure out what has changed, and why, and how she can fix it–how she can find her way to another otherwhen.

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This is an absolutely fantastic novel that is unfortunately a little bit confusing in the beginning, especially if you haven’t just finished reading the first novel, Amber House. Sequels can be a tricky business, and in this case, readers need to know a number of things before starting this fantastic novel in order to follow along.

The first novel takes place in the present that readers know, understand, and live within. But when Sarah alters the fate of a family member at the end of the first novel, she ultimately alters the entire world. It’s like the butterfly effect. Change one event in the past, and the entire history is rewritten. Thus begins Neverwas. Though it feels like the story takes place in the 1940s, it’s actually present day. However, the country has been split up into different provinces, the civil rights movement never happened, and the war between the US and Nazi Germany is on this world’s doorstep—except now Germany is attempting to take over all of the provinces and stake a claim in the US. Sarah is just a few months older in this world than she was in Amber House, but her family is tightly knit and she’s in the midst of an openly racist country—with a few activists attempting to bring down not only Germany, but also jump start the civil rights campaign.

It is all very intriguing, but difficult to follow in the beginning because there is no mention of the alternate reality until about 35% in, when the house begins to make Sarah remember. Now, I loved Amber House; I gave it five stars, and even I struggled to get into this sequel because I couldn’t make heads or tails of the initial story. There are no references to the past, the timeline is not established, and there is no “info dumping” at the beginning of the novel, which many sequels utilize in order to remind readers about previous events in another book. Putting all these aspects together creates a bit of a recipe for disaster, and truth be told, I nearly set this novel aside because I couldn’t figure out what was happening, and from looking at other reviews, it seems I am not alone in my confusion.

However, I kept with this novel, and in the end, I really, really loved it, especially once Sarah began to remember and the house began to speak to her once again. Everything became clear to me around 35%, which in truth is a bit late in the game to finally be making heads and tails of a story, but I am so glad that I kept with it. This alternate reality is a horrible place to live, and Sarah, her family, and her friends all know it. In fact, they’re trying to change the present through the resistance, but only one person can actually change the present back to its original form, and that is Sarah. But the going won’t be easy. Thwarted by those who know about Amber House and want to decimate its existence, Sarah much act quickly in a world fraught with danger if she is ever to change the world back.

This novel revolves around the butterfly effect, and its mystery stems from Sarah’s final actions in Amber House. How did Sarah’s actions change events so drastically that it negatively impacted history as we know it? The truth can be found within the pages, and if you keep an open mind as you read, thinking about the butterfly effect and knowing that Sarah unknowingly changed the course of history, then I believe you’ll really love this novel, just as much as I did. Five stars.

Scholastic and Arthur A. Levine Books have been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel prior to its release on January 7, 2013.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

{December 28, 2013} The 99 Cent Club–Feature 77–Ten Books for Ten Bucks

Every Saturday I run a feature for the 99 Cent Club, and below are the eBook picks for this week that caught my eye and are currently ONLY 99 Cents on Amazon, with many on Barnes and Noble (this week features the classics!!). I don’t know if these are permanent prices, so please don’t shoot the messenger, and double check pricing and synopsis before pressing the buy button. Enjoy! (If you could help give these titles some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.)

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Oz: The Complete Collection by L. Frank Baum

FOURTEEN COMPLETE WORKS

All fourteen of L. Frank Baum’s Oz books, in order and unabridged. Books included:

1. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)* Includes Original Illustrations by W.W. Denslow!
2. The Marvelous Land of Oz (1904)
3. Ozma of Oz (1907)
4. Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz (1908)
5. The Road to Oz (1909)
6. The Emerald City of Oz (1910)
7. The Patchwork Girl of Oz (1913)
8. Tik-Tok of Oz (1914)
9. The Scarecrow of Oz (1915)
10. Rinkitink in Oz (1916)
11. The Lost Princess of Oz (1917)
12. The Tin Woodman of Oz (1918)
13. The Magic of Oz (1919)
14. Glinda of Oz (1920)

Included in OZ: The Complete Collection are:

+ All fourteen Oz books written by L. Frank Baum.
+ The first book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, is illustrated with the classic W.W. Denslow artwork.
+ Links to free, full-length audio recordings of all the Oz books in this collection.
+ An individual, active Table of Contents for each book accessible from your reader’s main drop-down menu.
+ Perfect formatting in rich text compatible with Text-to-Speech features.
+ A low, can’t-say-no price!

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Alice in Wonderland: The Complete Collection by Lewis Carroll

Included in the Alice in Wonderland Collection are:

• Both Alice books – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass – illustrated with over 100 classic illustrations by Sir John Tenniel.
• An early version of the Alice story and the spinoff nonsense poem “The Hunting of the Snark”
• Links to free, full-length audio recordings of all the Alice books in this collection.
• An individual, active Table of Contents for each book accessible from your device’s “go to” feature.
• Perfect formatting in rich text compatible with Text-to-Speech features.
• A low, can’t-say-no price!

FOUR COMPLETE WORKS

Four classic works by Lewis Carroll, including both Alice books, complete and unabridged. Books included:

• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland* Includes Original Illustrations by Sir John Tenniel!
• Through the Looking Glass* Includes Original Illustrations by Sir John Tenniel!
• Alice’s Adventures Underground – an early draft of the Alice story
• The Hunting of the Snark – a full-length nonsense poem that extends the world of the Jabberwocky poem

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Brother’s Grimm

Full of magic and trickery, Grimm’s Fairy Tales have delighted generations with such timeless classics as Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and Rapunzel.

Collected here are the complete fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm with illustrations throughout by Arthur Rackham.

Highlights of this edition are:

The complete text of all 211 fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, each elegantly formatted for ease of use and enjoyment on your Kindle reader.
Beautiful illustrations in color and black-and-white by Arthur Rackham, the master of fairy tale art.
Links to free, full-length audio recordings of the fairy tales in this collection.
An active Table of Contents listing every story accessible from the Kindle “go to” feature.
Perfect formatting in rich text compatible with Kindle’s Text-to-Speech features.
A low, can’t-say-no price!

The Complete Fairy Tales

Every fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm are included—that’s over 200 tales. Popular favorites include:

Cinderella
Beauty and the Beast
Little Red-Cap (Little Red Riding Hood)
Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty)
Hansel and Grethel
Snow White
Rapunzel
Rumpelstiltskin
and hundreds more!

Additional Fan Resources

Also included are special features for any Grimm enthusiast, including:

A list of films and television series, both directly and indirectly inspired by the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.
Links to free, full-length audio recordings of the major tales in this collection, as well as additional works such as the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, Aesop’s Fables, and English Fairy Tales.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Sherlock Holmes: The Ultimate Collection by Arthur Conan Doyle

There’s no mystery about it: here before you is the ultimate collection of master sleuth Sherlock Holmes.

Included in Sherlock Holmes: The Ultimate Collection are:

The complete text of all four novels and forty-four short stories starring Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, each elegantly formatted for ease of use and enjoyment on your Kindle reader.
Links to free, full-length audio recordings of the novels and stories in this collection.
An individual, active Table of Contents for each book accessible from the Kindle “go to” feature.
Perfect formatting in rich text compatible with Kindle’s Text-to-Speech features.
A low, can’t-say-no price!

Forty-Eight Complete Works

Four novels and forty-four short stories starring Sherlock Holmes, in order and unabridged. Books included:

Novels:

A Study in Scarlet
The Sign of the Four
The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Valley of Fear

Short Story Collections:

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
His Last Bow

Additional Fan Resources

Also included are special features for any Holmes enthusiast, including:

A list of films and television series starring the character Sherlock Holmes.
A Reading Guide to additional books about Sherlock Holmes by other authors.
Links to free, full-length audio recordings of all the novels and short stories in this collection.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Peter Pan: The Complete Adventures by J.M. Barrie

Follow the Second Star to the Right!

Welcome to Neverland, home of pixies, pirates, and Peter Pan! Collected here is the ultimate Kindle edition of the Peter Pan stories by J.M. Barrie, starring such timeless characters as Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, Wendy, and the Lost Boys.

Included in Peter Pan: The Complete Adventures are:

All three Peter Pan books written by J.M. Barrie.
Both Peter Pan and Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens are illustrated with the classic artwork by F.D. Bedford and Arthur Rackham.
Links to free, full-length audio recordings of the Peter Pan books in this collection, as well as other childhood favorites.
An individual, active Table of Contents for each book accessible from the Kindle “go to” feature.
Perfect formatting in rich text compatible with Kindle’s Text-to-Speech features.
A low, can’t-say-no price!

The Complete Adventures

All three of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan books, complete and unabridged. Books included:

Peter Pan (also known as Peter and Wendy) [1911]* Includes original illustrations by F. D. Bedford!
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens [1906]* Includes original illustrations by Arthur Rackham!
The Little White Bird [1902]

A Little Bit of Pixie Dust

Also included are special features for any Peter Pan enthusiast, including:

A comprehensive list of the many film, television, and media adaptations of the Boy Who Would Not Grow Up.
Links to free, full-length audio recordings of the books included in this collection, as well as other childhood favorites.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Tales of Terror by Classic Authors

Included in Tales of Terror are:

The complete text of sixteen horror classics, each elegantly formatted for ease of use and enjoyment on your Kindle reader.
Links to free, full-length audio recordings of the novels and stories in this collection.
An individual, active Table of Contents for each book accessible from the Kindle “go to” feature.
Perfect formatting in rich text compatible with Kindle’s Text-to-Speech features.
A low, can’t-say-no price!

Sixteen Complete Works

Eight novels and eight shorts ranging in length, style, and subject. Works included:

Novels:

Dracula
Frankenstein
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The Invisible Man
The Phantom of the Opera
The Canterville Ghost
The Turn of the Screw
The Island of Doctor Moreau

Short Stories:

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The Monkey’s Paw
The Yellow Wallpaper

Edgar Allen Poe:

The Raven
The Pit and the Pendulum
The Black Cat
The Tell-Tale Heart
The Fall of the House of Usher

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Jules Verne Collection, 33 Works

Purchase this Jules Vernes Collection and treat yourself to the following list of works by this Father of Science Fiction:

The Extraordinary Voyages Series
(Les Voyages Extraordinaires)

Five Weeks in a Balloon (1869)
The Voyages and Adventures of Captain Hatteras (1874-75)
A Journey to the Interior of the Earth (1871)
From the Earth to the Moon (1867)
In Search of the Castaways (1873)
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1872)
Around The Moon (1873) (Sequel to From the Earth to the Moon)
The Fur Country (1873)
Around the World in Eighty Days (1873)
The Mysterious Island (1874)
The Survivors of the Chancellor (1875)
Michael Strogoff (1876)
Off on a Comet (1877)
The Child of the Cavern (1877)
Dick Sand, A Captain at Fifteen (1878)
Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon (1881)
Godfrey Morgan (1883)
The Lottery Ticket (1886)
Robur the Conqueror (1887)
Topsy-Turvy (1890)
Claudius Bombarnac (1894)
Facing the Flag (1897)
An Antarctic Mystery (1898)

Dr. Ox (A Series of Short Stories)

Dr. Ox’s Experiment
Master Zacharius
A Winer amid the Ice
A Drama in the Air
Fortieth Ascent of Mont Blanc

Other Works

The Pearl of Lima (1853)
The Blockade Runners (1876)
The Waif of the Cynthia
In the Year 2889 (1889)
Master of the World (1904) (Sequel to Robur the Conqueror)

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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H.G. Wells Collection, Over 50 Works

Purchase this H.G. Wells Collection and treat yourself to the following list of works created by this classic author:

Novels:

The Time Machine (1895)
The Wonderful Visit (1895)
The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896)
The Wheels of Chance (1896)
The Invisible Man (1897)
The War of the Worlds (1898)
Love and Mr. Lewisham (1900)
The First Men in the Moon (1901)
The Sea Lady (1902)
The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth (1904)
Kipps (1905)
A Modern Utopia (1905)
In the Days of the Comet (1906)
The War in the Air (1908)
Tono-Bungay (1909)
Ann Veronica (1909)
The History of Mr. Polly (1910)
The Sleeper Awakes (1910)
The New Machiavelli (1911)
Marriage (1912)
The Passionate Friends (1913)
The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman (1914)
The World Set Free (1914)
The Research Magnificent (1915)
Mr. Britling Sees It Through (1916)
The Soul of a Bishop (1917)
The Secret Places of the Heart (1922)

Non-fiction:

Certain Personal Matters (1897)
Anticipations of the Reactions of Mechanical and
Scientific Progress upon Human Life and Thought (1901)
Mankind in the Making (1903)
New Worlds for Old (1908)
First and Last Things (1908)
Floor Games (1911)
Little Wars (1913)
An Englishman Looks at the World (1914)
What is Coming? (1916)
God the Invisible King (1917)
War and the Future (aka Italy, France and Britain at
War) (1917)
In the Fourth Year (1918)
The Salvaging of Civilization (1921)
A Short History of the World (1922)

Short Stories:

Select Conversations with an Uncle (Now Extinct) and
Two Other Reminscences (1895)
The Stolen Bacillus and Other Incidents (1895)
Tales of Space and Time (1899)
Twelve Stories and a Dream (1903)
Other Short Stories

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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The Bronte Sisters – The Complete Novels

The format of this e-book is designed to be easily navigational in three ways; you can navigate by a simple click from chapter to chapter or from book to book. There is also a table of contents per book and one global table of contents.

This e-book features:
• Jane Eyre – by Charlotte Brontë
• The Professor – by Charlotte Brontë
• Villette – by Charlotte Brontë
• Albion and Marina – by Charlotte Brontë
• Stancliffe’s Hotel – by Charlotte Brontë
• Mina Laury – by Charlotte Brontë
• The Story of Willie Ellin – by Charlotte Brontë
• Shirley – by Charlotte Brontë
• Emma – by Charlotte Brontë (her last unfinished novel)
• Wuthering Heights – by Emily Brontë
• Agnes Grey – by Anne Brontë
• The Tenant of Wildfell Hall – by Anne Brontë
• Cottage Poems by Patrick Brontë
• Poems by Currer Bell, Acton Bell and Ellis Bell (collection written under their pen names)
• Charlotte Brontë and Her Circle by Clement Shorter (biography featuring correspondence by Charlotte Brontë )

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Jane Austen: The Complete Works

Purchase Jane Austen: The Complete Works and treat yourself to the following list of works by this classic British Author:

Major Works:

Sense and Sensibility (1811)
Pride and Prejudice (1813)
Mansfield Park (1814)
Emma (1815)
Northanger Abbey (1817) Posthumous
Persuasion (1818) Posthumous

Minor Works:

The Watsons (1803, 1805)
Sanditon (1817)

Unfinished Works:

Lady Susan (1794, 1805)

Early Works:

Love and Friendship (1790)
Lesley Castle (~1792)
The History of England (1791)
Collection of Letters

Scraps:

The Female Philosopher
The First Act of a Comedy
A LETTER from a YOUNG LADY
A Tour Through Wales
A Tale

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.

For more information about books on sale throughout the week, as well as giveaway updates, be sure to like A Book Vacation’s Facebook Page.

{December 27, 2013} {Review} Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

From Goodreads: Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.

So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?

Edgy and gripping, Please Ignore Vera Dietz is an unforgettable novel: smart, funny, dramatic, and always surprising.

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While I enjoyed the mystery behind this novel very much, I was less than pleased with the ending. King presents readers with the story of Vera and Charlie, two childhood friends who drift apart due to many different circumstances, but the main one, according to Vera, is his new set of friends and their drugs/alcohol. But there are so many different sides to Charlie and his life that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what is it, and when he dies, there is much speculation. According to Vera, she knows the truth; she knows why Charlie died, what he was responsible for, and what others were responsible for. However, by the end, I felt it was still all a bit unclear.

I really enjoyed Vera’s voice, but I still feel like I don’t know anything, and I’m not really sure that the story itself made much sense. I lost all respect for Charlie as the story went on—he’s a real jerk—and I just can’t get over the end, which isn’t an end at all. Charlie is dead, but why? We’re given an idea of what might have happened, but I’m not sure I believe it, and therefore, everything is still up in the air in my mind, which is unfortunate because the whole reason I picked up this novel was due to the mystery. I wanted to know what happened to Charlie. Now, while I enjoyed the novel overall, Charlie’s character, his actions, and that of his friends, really left me with a sour taste in my mouth, which is fine, but it was the lack of a conclusion that really made me lose much of my gumption over the story. Maybe I missed some vital sentence somewhere that spelled it out for me, but since Vera claims to know the truth, I really expected the truth, and not just another speculation. Three stars.

I purchased this novel from Amazon.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

{December 27, 2013} {Review} Chosen by Paulina Ulrich (Fighting Fate #1)

From Goodreads: Nothing can stand in the way of outspoken, rule-breaker-extraordinaire, Kaddy Richston…except destiny. Born with wildly colored hair and piercing gray eyes Kaddy knew she was different, but she set her sights on her ambitious dreams of being in a rock band and leaving her small town behind along with the painful memories of her past.

But destiny has other plans for her.

When the calm, cool, and always collected Cole Huntington enters her life he takes a strange interest in her, his striking blue eyes never wandering far from her every move. Despite her efforts to push him away, he plans on unraveling every single one of Kaddy’s dark secrets even though he has some of his own.

Despising each other from the start, Kaddy is determined to undermine whatever intentions he has until she learns of a destiny she never asked for. The fate of the world lies in her hands as she learns how different she really is. The only person she can turn to for answers is the last person she’d want help from: Cole Huntington who seems to dislike her rule-breaking as much as she dislikes his rule-following.

Sometimes destiny sucks.

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This is a story about destiny. And Kaddy Richston, our heroine, quickly stole my heart with her outspoken demeanor and kick-butt drumming skills. She’s a great female lead: strong, intriguing, and special in a way she doesn’t even realize; if you enjoy Nephilum and/or demigod stories, then you definitely want to pick up this novel.

The changes that Kaddy undergoes throughout this novel are extremely interesting, and I love how Cole and Mike are there for her throughout it all—they are both great supporting characters, and it’s hard not to love them both, or Gidson for that matter. Ulrich has definitely given her readers some swoon worthy young men to mull over as the story unfolds. But swooning aside, Kaddy is my favorite of them all. She has been through a lot in her life, so I understand that she kind of rolls with the punches and doesn’t ask a ton of questions, especially when Cole reveals the truth about her heritage, but I was dying over here, because I don’t roll with the punches and I need all the answers right now. Of course, that isn’t how a series works, and I know it, so I’m going to have to wait, but thankfully Ulrich doesn’t leave readers in much of a lurch—while there is definitely going to be a book two, there isn’t a huge cliffhanger, per se.

Overall, this was a fun read that I highly recommend to anyone looking for something a bit different. Four stars.

I purchased this novel from Amazon.

{December 27, 2013} {Review} Destiny by P.T. Michelle (Brightest Kind of Darkness #3)

From Goodreads: When destiny is on the line, will love be enough to light the way?

In order to save Ethan, Nara gets pulled deeper into his dark world, where everything she thought she knew about Ethan and herself turns on its head. Ethan and Nara turn up the heat with bone-melting seduction and heart-rending moments, but surprising revelations, lies, treachery, betrayal, and unimaginable evil will challenge their relationship and their future together. As the stakes rise, encompassing more than just her relationship with Ethan, will Nara make the ultimate sacrifice?
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I really love the story of Ethan and Nara. Filled with the paranormal and many enticing scenarios, their story holds readers captivated from start to finish, and that’s true for all the books in the series, including this third installment. In the first novel, Brightest Kind of Darkness, we meet Nara as she battles fate, and it’s an amazing ride. Then, in Lucid, swoon worthy Ethan disappears, and it’s a whirlwind adventure for Nara as she attempts to decipher the truth about herself and Ethan, especially the sword tattoo that showed up on Ethan’s body one day. While the first two novels have been somewhat shrouded in mystery, and even events within book three leave some stones unturned, Michelle does a great job tying up many loose ends and explaining the bond between Ethan and Nara, setting the stage for the fourth and final novel, which I can’t wait to release.

At the end of Lucid, Ethan finally returned from his “parents’ house,” a much awaited event on the part of both Nara and myself. The best part is that Ethan comes in with guns blazing, and he’s even more fierce and swoon worthy this time around. Although it is apparent that Ethan wasn’t actually at his parents’ and that he’s learned a lot over the past month away, it takes a while for his whereabouts and mission to be made clear in Destiny, especially as Ethan suffers from brain trauma in the very opening of the book, leaving him with memory loss that further shrouds his actions in mystery. And yet, as he begins to remember and yearns to be with Nara, it’s the perfect romance.

I just loved the way that Michelle sets up her novels. They are always captivating, and I love this paranormal world that the author has created. If you haven’t yet read any of the books in the series, I highly suggest you do. Four stars.

I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Find Destiny on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Brightest Kind of Darkness is currently FREE on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

{December 27, 2013} {Review} Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

From Goodreads: Of Mice and Men takes us into the lives of George and Lennie, two farm workers set out to find their way to a new life. In true Steinbeck form, this short novel explores both loyalty and the transient nature of mankind.

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This novella is a classic in its own right, but I really hated it when I was a teenager. I’m not sure if the idea of being forced to read it was why I disliked it, or if I just didn’t understand the true meaning underneath it all—but I do know that way back when, I was not impressed. Now, I teach this novel to high school students, and while I’m not certain they truly enjoy it—though I know they love listening to me read it aloud due to all the cuss words—we do have some amazing philosophical discussions about George’s ultimate “sacrifice” at the end. While I didn’t appreciate it as a student, and maybe not all my students appreciate it now, I do know that they love to debate the ending—is what George did a blessing, or pure evil? And they debate this quite well. In truth, I’m sort of stuck in the middle here, because there is a great case for both sides, and I’m just thankful that I’m not tasked with the same dilemma as George.

The life of a migrant worker in the 1920s/30s was not easy, and readers learn soon enough that both George and Lennie are unlike many migrant workers in that they travel together. They are similar, though, in the respct that during this time period, they hold on to the great American dream—owning their own little farm and living off the “fat o’ the lan.’”

Steinbeck does an amazing job painting the scenery as we drop in on our two main characters, spying on their lives, listening to their dreams, and noting the deep familial love they have for one another. It is also no secret that Lennie is “simple-minded” and incapable of caring for himself; hence, his strong, almost childlike obsession and fierce loyalty to George. While it’s a short story, I will admit that I personally feel like it’s rather long, that there are some scenes that are just too descriptive and never ending, but in the end, much of it is needed to precisely characterize Lennie and George, and to foreshadow that which is to come at the end. Many of my students, when I read the end section aloud, gasped and were immediately up in arms. Some threw the book across the room (true story), and I understand their shock, their pain, but in the end, they too understand why Steinbeck did it, and what he was really trying to say, and that is a truly powerful thing. Four stars.

I own a copy of this novel.

{December 27, 2013} {Release Day Blitz} Entropy by Addison Moore (The Countenance #3)

Title: Entropy

Series: The Countenance #3

Author: Addison Moore

Release Date: December 27, 2013

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Summary:

Laken Stewart is sure of one thing—she must free her loved ones from the notorious Celestra tunnels.

Laken along with Cooper Flanders set out to free their families from the hands of the Countenance before it’s too late. Laken will do anything to assure their safety, even if it means losing the one she truly loves.

When Laken finds herself in a position that might embed her into the Countenance organization for all eternity, her faith in her ability to pull off the ultimate sacrifice wavers.

Once her old boyfriend, Wesley, realizes who he really is, and what the Counts have cost him, he’s more determined than ever to win Laken back.

Laken’s heart becomes divided, and yet she knows she must make a decision that has the power to shape all of their destinies forever.

Laken has fallen hard for Cooper, but Wesley is back, and now her heart is torn.

Cooper would give up his life to protect Laken, and he might just have to.

Wesley remembers everything from his true past, and he wants Laken more than ever—nothing or no one will stand in his way.

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18071004-entropy?ac=1

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Entropy-The-Countenance-Trilogy-3-ebook/dp/B00HJ14BUI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388085823&sr=8-1&keywords=addison+moore+entropy

Barnes and Noble Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/entropy-addison-moore/1117789865?ean=2940148918349

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Author Biography:

Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.

Blog: http://addisonmoorewrites.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Addison-Moore/140192649382294

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AddisonMoore

{December 26, 2013} {Giveaway} Win an Ebook of No Attachments by Tiffany King (Woodfalls Girls #1)

Have I told you lately how much I adore Tiffany King? She’s a phenomenal author, and just because I enjoy gifting great books to awesome readers, I’ve decided to do an ebook giveaway of No Attachments for two lucky winners. This is an amazing novel–read my 5 star review here!

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Synopsis:

Ashton Garrison walked away from her current life to escape the one thing she’s unwilling to face. She knows her decision may be selfish, but in the end, leaving will be far less painful for everyone. Now she has one goal: live life to the fullest with no regrets and no attachments. What Ashton doesn’t count on is how fate always seems to find a way to screw up any good plan.

Nathan Lockton specializes in locating a mark. He’s done it over and over again—no attachments and no emotion necessary. What he thought was a routine lost-and-found job has forced Nathan to deal with something he has always ignored—his feelings. He’s never fallen for a target, yet he’s never met anyone like Ashton. Now deep in a dilemma, Nathan must decide to follow his heart, or complete the job he was hired to do.

Love can come when you least expect it. The question is: If the odds are stacked against you, how far are you willing to go for the one you love?

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To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 18 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

–Must PROMISE to HONESTLY review the novel within a timely manner online (such as on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, Personal Blog, etc.)

-Fill in the mandatory questions on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click this Rafflecopter Link to Enter!

This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY (please make sure you can accept the ebook gift from Amazon/Barnes and Noble in) and will end at 12:01am EST on January 9th. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on January 9th, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!

{December 26, 2013} Announcing the Winners of a Signed Paperback of Stilts by Tim O’Rourke

The giveaway for a signed paperback of Stilts by Tim O’Rourke has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winners have been chosen via Rafflecopter!

And the winners are…

MaryAnn Brittingham

Claire White

A tweet has already gone out to the winners, and an email will go out later this evening! If I don’t hear from the winner(s) within 48 hours, I will select a new winner(s) using Rafflecopter.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winners… but don’t despair if you didn’t win this round!

Enter to win my other great giveaways:

Win an ARC of Avalon by Mindee Arnett–ENDS Dec. 31

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends January 1

Win an ARC of Perfect Lies by Kiersten White–ENDS Jan. 5

{December 25, 2013} {Re-Read Review} Vampire Shift by Tim O’Rourke (Kiera Hudson Series One, #1)

From Goodreads: When twenty-year-old police recruit Kiera Hudson is posted to the remote town of The Ragged Cove, her life is changed forever. Investigating a series of horrific murders, grave desecrations and missing persons, with her unique ability of ‘seeing’, Kiera soon realizes her life is in danger.

But when Kiera falls in love with Police officer Luke Bishop, not only is her mind and her heart opened to a terrifying new world, she comes to suspect that Luke might be involved in the killings. In a race against time to unearth the truth, Kiera must discover the identity of who or what is behind the gruesome deaths on the ‘Vampire Shift’.

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This holiday season, I am re-reading two of my favorite series by author Tim O’Rourke: Kiera Hudson Series One and Two. As the second series is nearly at its end, and the third series is about to begin, I thought to myself that it was high time I re-read, especially since the Kiera Hudson series was originally only going to be a one series, three book deal. Sixteen books later, O’Rourke still has my attention, and the world he’s built is so intricate and captivating that Kiera Hudson and her friends have become to me what Harry Potter and his friends are to many the world over: a special part of my life.

A completely original masterpiece, unlike any other vampire novel I’ve ever read, O’Rourke combines his knowledge of the police force alongside vampire lore to create a riveting new series starring Kiera Hudson, an intelligent, alert, strong, aspiring young policewoman fresh out of the academy. And while you may know all about vampires, they’ve got nothing on O’Rourke’s creation, the Vampyrus. Complete with suspense, mystery, intrigue, and horror, Vampire Shift takes readers on a journey into the depths of The Ragged Cove, a place where many have ventured, but few have survived. And it’s an amazing rollercoaster of a ride, even the second time around. Knowing what I do now about the characters, the winged Vampyrus, and the world in which it all takes place, re-reading this series is actually even more fun than the first as I’m able to piece it all together and see how all the books and different series that O’Rourke has written are actually all intertwined. Noting the small but important missteps of the characters, knowing who is ultimately good and who is bad, and falling in love all over again is just a bonus as I go through my re-reading. I’m seeing it all in a new light, but that really doesn’t change my perspective at all–this novel is still a 5 star in my book.

I love that Kiera is a strong female lead, possessing the gift of sight when so many others miss vital clues. She sees what others miss, like a stain on a tie or a slight favoring of a leg, and she’s able to assess the person, quite quickly might I add, based on her multiple observations that seem to happen in the blink of an eye. Of course, though an asset to any police force, Kiera comes on the scene in The Ragged Cove only to be met with disdain by the current police force. There are many sinister plots at work here, and nothing is indeed what it seems. But, the fact that Kiera does not crumple and stays true to herself, trusting her instincts, makes her an outstanding, strong character that readers will quickly come to love. If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes, then you’ll love Kiera, though she thankfully lacks the haughty and sometimes infuriating attitude of Mr. Holmes.

In truth, O’Rourke weaves together a seamless story of horror and romance in this first book of the series, and it will captivate both new and old readers alike. I highly recommend this new adult novel to all readers, both young and old alike. Five stars to this magnificent novel.

Vampire Shift is FREE on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Kobo at the time of this post, so do make sure you scoop it up and join the world of Kiera Hudson.

I own multiple copies of this novel in both paperback and ebook format.

Check out the book trailer to further whet your appetite for this amazing novel:

Check out O’Rourke’s other novels (they are indeed all amazing):

Kiera Hudson Series 1

Vampire Shift (#1)

Vampire Wake (#2)

Vampire Hunt (#3)

Vampire Breed (#4)

Wolf House (#4.5)

Vampire Hollows (#5)

Kiera Hudson Series 2

Dead Flesh (#1)

Dead Night: Potter’s Secrets (#1.5)

Dead Angels (#2)

Dead Statues (#3)

Dead Seth (#4)

Dead Wolf (#5)

Dead Water (#6)

Dead Push (#7)

Dead Lost (#8)

Dead End (#9)–Coming Soon

Kiera Hudson Series 3

Lethal Infected (1)–Coming Soon

Jack Seth Novellas

Hollow Pit (#1)

Vampire Shift Graphic Novels

Vampire Shift Volume 1

Black Hill Farm Series

Black Hill Farm (#1)

Black Hill Farm Andy’s Diary (#2)

Return to Black Hill Farm (#3)–Coming Soon

Doorways Series

Doorways (#1)

The League of Doorways (#2)

The Queen of the Doorways (#3)–Coming Soon

Samantha Carter Series

Vampire Seeker (#1)

(Formerly known as Cowgirls and Vampires)

The Moon Trilogy

Moonlight (#1)

Moonbeam (#2)

Moonshine (3)–Coming Soon

Sidney Hart Series

Witch (#1)

Yellow (#2)

Raven (#3)–Coming Soon

Unscathed Series(?)

Unscathed

Stilts Series

Stilts (#1)

Eat Me Series

Eat Me (#1)–Coming Soon

Pick Series

Pick (#1)–Coming Soon

Flashes Series

Flashes (#1)–Coming 2013

{December 24, 2013} {Review} Dead Lost by Tim O’Rourke (Kiera Hudson Series Two #8)

From Goodreads: Confronted by the photographer, Potter reluctantly gets caught up in delivering photographs and letters that could either destroy the pushed world or make the wolves stronger.

After Jack Seth pushes the lever, Isidor sets off in search of Melody Rose. His journey takes him back to Lake Lure where a series of child murders have been taking place. The murders are believed to have been committed by a winged creature, making Isidor the prime suspect.

While both Potter and Isidor hope the journeys they’re taking will push the world back to how it once was, neither of them can truly understand why cracks are forming in the ground…and in the sky above them.

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I’ve waited so very long to know who the photographer is, and I finally have my answer. And of course, I never ever would have guessed it is who it is. Once again, O’Rourke has floored me and left me speechless with his amazing plot twists and I am in awe of his sheer writing genius.

With the revelation in book seven, Dead Push, that time travel is possible, readers will be delighted to see just how this time change has been working out for our heroes Potter and Isidor, especially as the truth behind Kayla and Sam’s disappearance in book five, Dead Wolf, finally comes to light. Heroes on their way to change the world, or pawns unknowingly doing the bidding of their mortal enemy? The truth awaits those who dare to be consumed by the awesomeness that is Dead Lost.
And I can’t say much more than that without giving away any of the secrets within this novel.

Dead Lost is the eighth in this second Kiera Hudson series, and at this point, it really cannot be read without having read all the others. O’Rourke creates such an intricate web, and the idea of the pushed world, especially with the revelation of the photographer, has become so much more complicated that readers jumping in at this point without an anchor in the texts would be dually lost. And that’s one of the many reasons why I love this set of series so much. O’Rourke has made me fall in love with every single character, both the good and the bad, through extensive characterization and world building—they have become a wonderful part of my life. The ideas are so creative and well written that I have been engrossed in every single novel in the series and I am always on pins and needles waiting for the next as these characters continually evolve and change. The amazing Kiera Hudson series, both one and two, are definitely not to be missed, and I highly suggest you start from the beginning if you’ve not already done so—Vampire Shift, the book that started it all, is FREE on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Scoop it up, because by the time you’re done you’ll be hooked, and it won’t take you long to read through them all and make your way to this phenomenal novel, Dead Lost. Five stars.

I purchased this novel from Amazon.

Amazon

For MORE books by Tim O’Rourke:

Kiera Hudson Series 1

Vampire Shift (#1)

Vampire Wake (#2)

Vampire Hunt (#3)

Vampire Breed (#4)

Wolf House (#4.5)

Vampire Hollows (#5)

Kiera Hudson Series 2

Dead Flesh (#1)

Dead Night: Potter’s Secrets (#1.5)

Dead Angels (#2)

Dead Statues (#3)

Dead Seth (#4)

Dead Wolf (#5)

Dead Water (#6)

Dead Push (#7)

Dead Lost (#8)

Dead End (#9) Coming Soon

(Formerly known as Cowgirls and Vampires)

Doorways Series

Doorways (#1)

The League of Doorways (#2)

Stilts Series

Stilts (#1)

Flashes Series

Flashes (#1)–Coming 2013

Pick Series

Pick (#1)–Coming Soon

Happy New Year!! It’s that time again! For no other reason than that I like giveaways… we’re onto the THIRTY-SECOND Recently Released Giveaway Goodness Giveaway run by yours truly!

This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway from the book depository, but you need to make sure they send to your country before entering–check here.

And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

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My Recently Released Giveaway Goodness #31–December–has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winner has been chosen via Rafflecopter.

And the winner is…

Ramona

Book of Choice:

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

A tweet has already gone out to the winner, and an email will go out later this evening! If I don’t hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner using Rafflecopter.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winner… but don’t despair if you didn’t win this round!

Enter to win my other great giveaways:

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Crunchy numbers:

Attractions in 2013:

Readers:

And, and special THANKS to my many faithful readers!! Happy New Year!! I can’t wait to read even more books in 2014 and share my thoughts with you. Cheers!

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Hardcopy Titles (from the Book Depository–Please make sure they deliver to your country before choosing):

And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

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The giveaway for an ARC of Avalon by Mindee Arnett has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winner has been chosen via Rafflecopter!

And the winner is…

Vivien

A tweet has already gone out to the winners, and an email will go out later this evening! If I don’t hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner using Rafflecopter.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winner… but don’t despair if you didn’t win this round!

Enter to win my other great giveaways:

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What did I miss? Any other requirements for being a sexy/sweet country boy?

Enter to win a signed paperback of A Risk Worth Taking, an ebook of Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon, an ebook of Wicked Thing by Angeline Kace, and a coca snowman jar by clicking this Rafflecopter Link.

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Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.

For more information about books on sale throughout the week, as well as giveaway updates, be sure to like A Book Vacation’s Facebook Page.

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Find Destiny on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Brightest Kind of Darkness is currently FREE on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Title: Entropy

Series: The Countenance #3

Author: Addison Moore

Release Date: December 27, 2013

Summary:

Laken Stewart is sure of one thing—she must free her loved ones from the notorious Celestra tunnels.

Laken along with Cooper Flanders set out to free their families from the hands of the Countenance before it’s too late. Laken will do anything to assure their safety, even if it means losing the one she truly loves.

When Laken finds herself in a position that might embed her into the Countenance organization for all eternity, her faith in her ability to pull off the ultimate sacrifice wavers.

Once her old boyfriend, Wesley, realizes who he really is, and what the Counts have cost him, he’s more determined than ever to win Laken back.

Laken’s heart becomes divided, and yet she knows she must make a decision that has the power to shape all of their destinies forever.

Laken has fallen hard for Cooper, but Wesley is back, and now her heart is torn.

Cooper would give up his life to protect Laken, and he might just have to.

Wesley remembers everything from his true past, and he wants Laken more than ever—nothing or no one will stand in his way.

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18071004-entropy?ac=1

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Entropy-The-Countenance-Trilogy-3-ebook/dp/B00HJ14BUI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388085823&sr=8-1&keywords=addison+moore+entropy

Barnes and Noble Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/entropy-addison-moore/1117789865?ean=2940148918349

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Have I told you lately how much I adore Tiffany King? She’s a phenomenal author, and just because I enjoy gifting great books to awesome readers, I’ve decided to do an ebook giveaway of No Attachments for two lucky winners. This is an amazing novel–read my 5 star review here!

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Synopsis:

Love can come when you least expect it. The question is: If the odds are stacked against you, how far are you willing to go for the one you love?

To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 18 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

–Must PROMISE to HONESTLY review the novel within a timely manner online (such as on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, Personal Blog, etc.)

-Fill in the mandatory questions on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click this Rafflecopter Link to Enter!

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The giveaway for a signed paperback of Stilts by Tim O’Rourke has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winners have been chosen via Rafflecopter!

And the winners are…

MaryAnn Brittingham

Claire White

A tweet has already gone out to the winners, and an email will go out later this evening! If I don’t hear from the winner(s) within 48 hours, I will select a new winner(s) using Rafflecopter.