Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

This week I have an MG two-fer for you! :D
by Victoria Schwab

hitting shelves August 28th, 2018  
from Scholastic 
Cassidy Blake's parents are The Inspectres, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.

When The Inspectres head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn't sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn't belong in her world. Cassidy's powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.

My thoughts: Ghost stories set in Scotland...that's really all I needed to know. Plus it's penned by Victoria Schwab...so there's that. ;)

The Land of Yesterday
by K.A. Reynolds

hitting shelves July 31st, 2018  
from HarperCollins 
After Cecelia Dahl’s little brother, Celadon, dies tragically, his soul goes where all souls go: The Land of Yesterday. And Cecelia is left behind in a fractured world without him. Her beloved house’s spirit is crumbling beyond repair, her father is imprisoned by sorrow, and worst of all, her grief-stricken mother abandons the land of the living to follow Celadon into Yesterday.

It’s up to Cecelia to put her family back together, even if that means venturing into the dark and forbidden Land of Yesterday on her own. But as Cecilia braves a hot air balloon commanded by two gnomes, a sea of daisies, and the Planet of Nightmares, it’s clear that even if she finds her family, she might not be able to save them. And if she’s not careful, she might just become a lost soul herself, trapped forever in Yesterday.

My thoughts: This one sounds like a heartbreaker, but also puts me right in the mindset of Graveyard Book, Coraline, Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland, and all those wonderful imaginative and dark MG stories that I'm always wishing for more of. 


What book are you eagerly anticipating this week?

Monday, February 26, 2018

Book Birthdays! {Feb18, week 4}


It's Book Birthday time!!

In this weekly post, I talk about a few of the books I'm excited to read that are hitting shelves this week.  Are you with me on any of these? Are there books coming out you're running to the store or stalking your mailman for that I haven't mentioned here?  Hey, feel free to comment and sell me on them! :D
And don't forget to enter down below for a chance to win ANY February YA book your little heart desires! 🎁



by Tricia Levenseller
Well, if you saw my post yesterday, you know I've already read this one! But I can't wait for it to out in the world for all readers to enjoy! It's a fantastic duology!!
{Feiwel & Friends}




by Ashley Poston
This is probably one of my most anticipated reads this year, and I have no excuse why I haven't read it yet LOL. Savoring the anticipation, I guess? I loved Geekerella and can't wait to see how Poston creates a full-on Starfield-style sci-fi story!!
{Balzer & Bray}





People Like Us
by Dana Mele
I'm always down for a good ol' sleuthy boarding school murder mystery! Give me plenty of clues to crack and a few good red herrings! xD Sounds like this one will deliver just that!
{Putnam Juvenile}





This Heart of Mine
by C.C. Hunter
The tried and true "donated human parts that still have a connection to the original owner" trope is one that, oddly, I am almost always drawn to. Throw in some mysterious dreams and mystery to solve and I'm all in. 
{Wednesday Books}
by Rachel Hartman
With a feisty-sounding protagonist and a dragon companion on her journey, I'm not sure how this could go wrong. I haven't read any of the previous books set in this world, but I'm excited to give this one a go!
{Random House BYR}





All in all, February was a pretty amazing month in books! Which Feb releases are you excited for? 

*       *       *       *       *  

Enter to win any YA book published in February 2018!

(note: this is the same giveaway entry form in all book birthday posts for the month.)
One winner will win a YA February 2018 release of their choice! *see note below
• Contest ends February 28
th, 2018 at 11:59 PM
• Must be 13 or older.
• Open internationally. *International winners will be required to choose a book that is available through BookDepository.com or Fishpond.com up to $20 value.
•Extra entries can be earned by commenting on 
any BOOK BIRTHDAY POSTS or  REVIEWS, and can be done once per post. Come back throughout February whenever you comment on my reviews and get your extra points!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Daughter of the Siren Queen {blog tour-quote spotlight}


Today I'm so excited to be participating in the blog tour for 
~DAUGHTER OF THE SIREN QUEEN~
book two in the fantastic pirate series by Tricia Levenseller! 
My full review of this one will be up in just a few days, but for today I'll just
 entice you into this wonderful story with a 
few of my favorite quotes from the book!

Let's set sail!! ;)


*       *       *       *       *  


*       *       *       *       *  



•ABOUT THE BOOK•


by Tricia Levenseller
♦publisher: Feiwel & Friends
♦release date: February 27th, 2018
♦hardcover, 352 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Daughter of the Pirate King, book 2

Alosa's mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he's under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father's justice.

When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first . . . after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.


•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

Initially from a small town in Oregon, Tricia now lives next to the Rocky Mountains with her bossy dog, Rosy. She received her degree in English Language and editing and is thrilled that she never has to read a textbook again. When she’s not writing or reading, Tricia enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing volleyball, and watching shows while eating extra-buttered popcorn.


Twitter  •  Website  •  Instagram 

Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

Saturday, February 24, 2018

New Shelf Goodies {199}

For New Shelf Goodies, I'll be showing you what lovely books I acquired this week, whether from publishers, or the library, or from whatever half-crazed book-buying binge I happened to go on. :D (Inspired by Tynga's Stacking the Shelves) .  My Sunday post is also where I'll share a little recap of my week, the books I've currently got my nose in and such. ;)

So books seems to be arriving two by two these past few weeks. 
You would think I'm building a book arc. :D
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
{out now from First Second Books}
So excited to have a gorgeous finished copy of this! I did an Instagram post with a few quick thoughts on this graphic novel--check it out here!

City of Bastards by Andrew Shvarts
{coming June 5th, from Disney Hyperion}
This looks like a fun series and such bold covers.  Have you read book one of this? Recommend it?

This week's reading report looks a lot like last week's lol---still reading Ink, Iron, and Glass, still listening to Traitor to the Throne.  I'm so slow lol. But it's been a busy week otherwise, good stuff and bad. My library life has been a crazy stress-fest as we switch the entire system over to RFID. Eek. Anyone work in a library that uses RFID that wants to assure me that it will all be worth it in the end? haha.   But on the bright side, this past week I redid my sewing and craft room and I'm just loving it now. So much more space and organization...I'm in crafting heaven. ♥ 😁

Oh, don't forget, just a few more days to enter our giveaway for American Panda/When Light Left Us OR Cadaver& Queen/The Tombs! Don't miss your chance!

Have a lovely week, everyone! 


Friday, February 23, 2018

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson {review}


Truly Devious
by Maureen Johnson
publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
release date: January 16th, 2018
hardcover, 420 pages
intended audience: Young adult
series: Truly Devious, book 1
source: received from publisher for honest review
Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. “A place,” he said, “where learning is a game.”

Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.

True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder. 

The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three.

~Amy's thoughts~

All Stevie has ever wanted to do was to solve crimes, and Ellington Academy is notorious for its unsolved kidnapping and murder from 80 years prior. Now Stevie feels she is living the dream of a lifetime, studying at the prestigious school for free, while also having access to inside facts on the case. Stevie just knows she will be the one to crack the case. Until, murder hits the halls of Ellington Academy once again. This time it is a student, and even though the murder looks like a suicide, Stevie isn’t so sure. Now she has two crimes that need to be solved, even though it seems like everyone is starting to turn away from her.  

A gripping page turner with twists and turns at every chapter, Truly Devious leaves readers reeling for answers, while trying to solve the mystery for themselves.  Sherlock Holmes collides with Nancy Drew in this modern day true crime mystery, where murder, riddles and drama keep a fast-paced reading tempo.

However, be warned, like a true crime mystery this book will leave your jaw dropped in shock as you finish the last page and close the cover. The beginning of an intertwining mystery series, each book is written to seamlessly blend into the next, carrying on the mystery, opening more doors than it closes.  Maureen Johnson leaves readers dangling on the edge of a cliff hanger, where readers will be left with the desire to read faster in order to find out answers, but slower so the story won’t end. While some readers might be upset about the abrupt ending, this book gives exactly what a mystery promises, sometimes there aren’t answers right away, but will be even more satisfying when the answers finally come.

I can’t wait for the next installment of the Truly Devious series, especially after the cliff hanger ending. This is the first book that I have read where the end of the book abruptly ends right in the middle of the story’s climax; where I was left sitting in shock looking for the next chapter.



•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

Maureen knew from an early age she wanted to be a writer. She went to high school at an all-girls' Catholic school and graduated from University of Delaware with a degree in writing. She now lives and writes in New York City.

Many of the adventures Maureen's characters face in her books are based on real-life stories. Maureen has traveled all over Europe, and is a Secret Sister to vlog brothers Hank and John Green.


WEBSITE   •   TWITTER   •   INSTAGRAM


Purchase the book:   Indiebound   •   BookDepository   •   Amazon

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme created by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.
by Louise O'Neill

hitting shelves May 3rd, 2018  
from Scholastic 
Deep beneath the sea, off the cold Irish coast, Gaia is a young mermaid who dreams of freedom from her controlling father. On her first swim to the surface, she is drawn towards a human boy. She longs to join his carefree world, but how much will she have to sacrifice? What will it take for the little mermaid to find her voice? Hans Christian Andersen's original fairy tale is reimagined through a searing feminist lens, with the stunning, scalpel-sharp writing and world building that has won Louise her legions of devoted fans. A book with the darkest of undercurrents, full of rage and rallying cries: storytelling at its most spellbinding.

My thoughts: THAT COVER.  Plus yes, please give me darkly reimagined Little Mermaid that portrays her as a smart female character finding her strongest voice. It could be amazing. 


What book are you eagerly anticipating this week?

Monday, February 19, 2018

Book Birthdays! {Feb18, week 3}


It's Book Birthday time!!

In this weekly post, I talk about a few of the books I'm excited to read that are hitting shelves this week.  Are you with me on any of these? Are there books coming out you're running to the store or stalking your mailman for that I haven't mentioned here?  Hey, feel free to comment and sell me on them! :D
And don't forget to enter down below for a chance to win ANY February YA book your little heart desires! 🎁


by Deborah Schaumberg
1880's New York, creepy asylums, mysterious men in plague masks. It sounds wildy atmospheric and I am IN.  (btw---this one is also part of our giveaway here)
{HarperTeen}




by Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekus
This one of those series that I haven't sat down with yet, but now that it's out in it's entirety, I'm even more excited to binge-read the whole thing together!
{Swoon Reads}





by Courtney Alameda
The descriptions on this one immediately conjures up images of "space pirates" in my head--- now I'm not sure how accurate that is, but it still has me dying to read it. ;)
{Feiwel & Friends}





Ink, Iron and Glass
by Gwendolyn Clare
So excited for this unique-sounding story about a girl and her mother who can alter reality with the written word in alternate Victorian Italy. This sounds amazing!
{Imprint/Macmillan}
by Rhoda Belleza
I really enjoyed book one in this series and can't wait to see where it leads. This one is perfect for fans of The Lunar Chronicles and Star Wars.
{Razorbill}






Some exciting looking titles hitting shelves this week! Anyone up for a book-buying spree? ;D


Enter to win any YA book published in February 2018!

(note: this is the same giveaway entry form in all book birthday posts for the month.)
One winner will win a YA February 2018 release of their choice! *see note below
• Contest ends February 28
th, 2018 at 11:59 PM
• Must be 13 or older.
• Open internationally. *International winners will be required to choose a book that is available through BookDepository.com or Fishpond.com up to $20 value.
•Extra entries can be earned by commenting on 
any BOOK BIRTHDAY POSTS or  REVIEWS, and can be done once per post. Come back throughout February whenever you comment on my reviews and get your extra points!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, February 18, 2018

New Shelf Goodies {198)

For New Shelf Goodies, I'll be showing you what lovely books I acquired this week, whether from publishers, or the library, or from whatever half-crazed book-buying binge I happened to go on. :D (Inspired by Tynga's Stacking the Shelves) .  My Sunday post is also where I'll share a little recap of my week, the books I've currently got my nose in and such. ;)

Two lovely things in my mailbox this week!
{out now from EntangledTeen}
Carnival setting and cursed kisses---what not to be excited about?

{coming April 24th from Scholastic}
Super excited to have this in my hands! Daughter and I have both loved this series---sad to see it come to an end, but can't wait to see what is in store for this one!


Did you happen to see yesterday's post?? If not, please click back and meet my new co-blogger, Amy--and also enter to win two prize packs, one contemp & one dark fantasy! 
 This week, I'm starting on Ink, Iron & Glass. I've heard some mixed reviews so I'm eager to see how it goes. I also started listening to Traitor to the Throne on audiobook and the world is every bit as exciting as I remember! 

Have a great week, everyone! 

Friday, February 16, 2018

Welcome Amy!! An interview with my new co-blogger (✿◠‿◠)

Guys, I'm super excited about this, but after years of sneaking in a rare guest review from my BFF, I have finally sucked her into becoming an official co-blogger here at Stories & Sweeties!! Wheeeeee! ;D

So officially----meet Amy!!
Here's us!! (left to right: me, her 😉)

This gal has been my bestie partner-in-crime for 18 years. (Wow, has it been that long? LOL). We're the perfect balance to each other---we both love books, but sometimes have wildly different tastes, I'm the ultimate procrastinator, Amy jumps right in and gets things done, I'm probably one of the shyest people you will meet while Amy loves to chat away with perfect strangers---like I said, perfect balance. And through everything, we always bring out the very best in each other. ♥♥♥

So I thought it would be fun to not just introduce her to you, but to do a fun interview! 
So here we go!

From Amy:
Hello everyone! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be part of the Stories and Sweeties team. I remember when this blog was an idea talked about in car rides and over cups of tea, and have been a supporter ever since. I finally feel that I am home and among literary lovers of all ages.

~You're no newbie to book reviewing---tell us about your bookish history.
I have been a book lover my whole life, but for my professional bookish history I am the Book Review & Special events Editor for the weekly syndicated newspaper column- For the Love of Books for over five years now. I was also a feature writer and reviewer for the International horror magazine, Dark Discoveries, and I review for San Francisco Book Review and their affiliates.

~What got you started reading YA?
I have always been an avid reader, but as I got older I looked for the “adult” books that I was supposed to be reading, but they never really called to me. So, I would find myself sneaking Christopher Pike’s YA horror books, as my guilty pleasure read. It wasn’t until my best friend (yes, Becky) sent me a copy of Stargirl and attached a note saying “read what you love.” I picked up the book and never looked back.

~What fun things do you get up to when you’re not reading and reviewing?
I am a military wife, so I spend a lot of time at military functions or exploring the new areas we move to ( I am usually looking for amazing libraries or old places with a good ghost story attached). I also love spending my time with crafting, sewing and photography.    

~Where's your favorite place to read?
I’m not picky where I read at all. I’ll read on the couch, on my bed, outside or even in the car.

~What was your favorite book series as a kid?
Wow, that’s a hard one. The series that I read so many times the pages were worn was the Anne of Green Gables/ Anne of Avonlea series. However, as any good child of the 80’s I owned every Sweet Valley High book there was. As a teenager, horror books were banned in my house, so I hid The Flower in the Attic Series and Stephen King in-between my mattresses, but that is still a secret.

~What are some of your favorite classics? 
Well, my two childhood reads could now be considered classics, hahaha. But if you go true classic I would have to say Persuasion by Jane Austen.

~What's your favorite genre to read now?
Young adult horror and paranormal, always.

~Top 5 books of all time?
That’s like choosing your favorite child (Ok harder than choosing your favorite child, since I only have one)
I decided that I am making my first two a series, since they are impossible to choose one from.
1.Harry Potter (of course and not to sound cliché) I loved this book from the very moment I picked up a copy in 1999, and have reread the series more times than I can count.
2. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass. This one took me by surprise. I originally picked up The Selection because of the gorgeous cover, and the fact that it was getting bad reviews, and I instantly fell head over heels in love. It made me laugh out loud, cry and even throw the book down.
3. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
4.The Hollow by Jessica Verday ( I  pretty much love any Sleepy Hollow retelling)
5. My ultimate favorite little girl read- Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright. My writing idol and the woman who paved the way for ghosts to be on every little girl’s library shelf, and most likely the reason I love a good ghost story.

~If you could live in (or visit) one literary world, which would it be?
This question took a lot of thought, while there are many amazing literary worlds, there always seems to be its many setbacks as well. I am too old to want to take a tumble down the rabbit hole, or fight for my life in Panem. So, if I had my choice, I would accept an invitation to Hogwarts. I would be in a world I recognize, but I would have the power of magic, fast travel by floo powder, I would finally be able to fly, and I would be surrounded by everyone who talks in a British accent.

~book or movie?
Book
~coffee or tea?
tea
~cupcake or pie? 
Cupcake – of course

~What book are you currently anticipating the absolute MOST in 2018?
The Lantern’s Ember by Colleen Houck

Among many other talents, Amy is also a wonderful photographer (anyone remember when I posted my daughter's bookish senior pics? Yea, that was her handywork!) I recently talked Amy into trying her hand at bookstagram and the girl is rockin' it!! Take a look and give her a follow!
    

     


SO to really kick off the joy of having Amy join me, we're giving away a few of the fab books featured here in her Feb reads pic! Two winners, two prize packs, one contemp, one fantasy! 
Enter below!
•must be 13 or older
• US addresses only please
•ends March 2nd, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway