#Murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil {review}

#murdertrending
by Gretchn McNeil
♦publisher: Freeform
♦release date: August 7th, 2018
♦hardcover, 352 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: #murdertrending, book 1
♦source: ARC from publisher for review consideration

WELCOME TO THE NEAR FUTURE, where good and honest 8/18 citizens can enjoy watching the executions of society’s most infamous convicted felons, streaming live on The Postman app from the suburbanized prison island Alcatraz 2.0.

When eighteen-year-old Dee Guerrera wakes up in a haze, lying on the ground of a dimly lit warehouse, she realizes she’s about to be the next victim of the app. Knowing hardened criminals are getting a taste of their own medicine in this place is one thing, but Dee refuses to roll over and die for a heinous crime she didn’t commit. Can Dee and her newly formed posse, the Death Row Breakfast Club, prove she’s innocent before she ends up wrongfully murdered for the world to see? Or will The Postman’s cast of executioners kill them off one by one? 

{Amy's Thoughts}

Reality shows collide in this horror mash-up, where only the smartest, keenest, most cunning survive against serial killers out to right the wrongs. Survivor meets Big Brother, meets Scream Queens where this time the killer becomes the prey, and being the sole survivor takes on a whole new meaning. Fast-paced, riveting and unputdownable, #murdertrending takes social media to a whole new level. 

Unique, original and utterly twisted, #murdertrending takes a walk on the dark side with its own style of humor. Filled with serial killers with names like; Molly Mauler, Hardy Girls, Robin Hoods, Cecil B. DeVioleny, and DIYnona who all kill with flair in their own stylized set. As an added bonus for those who are familiar with San Francisco; this is a fun ride through an altered Treasure Island turned into the deadly Alcatraz 2.0.

Gretchen McNeil does it again with her fantastic ability to capture her reading audience within the very first page.  A true Queen of young adult suspense, McNeil makes her readers mindfully unaware of the deathly twists turns they are about to be taken on.

A book that makes you think about entertainment in America, the allure behind reality shows, how little we all have control, and what if one person takes it too far.  While the whole idea of a murder island sanctioned by the government is an all–too scary reality, this story is a gripping page-turner that will leave you guessing until the very end.

{ABOUT THE AUTHOR}

Gretchen McNeil is the author of the YA horror/suspense novels POSSESS, 3:59, RELIC, GET EVEN, GET DIRTY, and TEN (a YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, a Romantic Times Top Pick, and a Booklist Top Ten Horror Fiction for Youth) all with Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins. Gretchen’s first YA contemporary I’M NOT YOUR MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL, also with Balzer + Bray, hit shelves in 2016, and her next novel will be the horror-comedy #MURDERTRENDING for Disney/Freeform in August 2018.

Gretchen’s novels have been published internationally in Chinese, Spanish, Turkish, and Czech. The film adaptation of TEN starring China Anne McClain (Descendants 2, Black Lightning), Rome Flynn (The Bold and the Beautiful), and Callan McAuliffe (Flipped, I Am Number Four), directed by Chris Robert for Rain Maker Films, premiered on Lifetime on September 16, 2017.

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Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

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Royals by Rachel Hawkins {review}

Royals
by Rachel Hawkins
♦publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR
♦released: May 1st, 2018
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Royals, book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond.

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

{Amy's Review}

The moment Daisy arrives in Scotland, it is quite apparent that she doesn’t fit into the posh, regal life of the royal entourage.  The lavish parties, drinking binges, pristine clothes, and proper posture are enough to make her yearn to run back to America, but that just isn’t an option.  And when the prince’s rogue younger brother Sebastian decides to make his advances on Daisy, everything goes awry.  Now, Daisy is a tabloid sensation and she can’t find a way out, until the royal family appoints Miles, to help undo all the wrong doings.  However, Daisy is not a cookie cutter display of charm and rules. Even in spite of all her trying, she still finds a way to shatter expectations and do things her own way.

Everyday teenager meets royalty in Rachel Hawkin’s royal mashup, Royals.

A contemporary, easy read without a lot of angst, Royals is the perfect book to take on vacation, read on the plane, or to dive into when you are getting over a difficult book hangover.  A fun jaunt through royal escapades, grand excursions, and a little kissing, all while dodging the paparazzi. With excerpts from gossip blogs and tabloid headlines, readers will feel they have fallen right into the flip side of a reality T.V. show. Rachel Hawkins' full line up of characters will whisk you away to other side of the pond, where royal mishaps are just the way of life. Daisy, with reason, is not happy about the disruption to her life, but her strong willed nature is just enough to turn everyone on their heads, while also putting a playboy royal in his place. A likely romance does develop, but in a proper amount of time and not in a cliched rush. This book is just what it is premised to be- a fun, quick read on how those born to royalty live a perceived untouchable life of wild parties, drinking, and secrets. Light hearted, and just plain entertaining, this book is written for its true audience- teens, which makes me adore Rachel Hawkins even more. 

This book is a fun filled afternoon of wishful dreams and tabloid spoilers, but isn’t to be confused with historically accurate royal lines.  Rachel Hawkin’s take on all the things that can go awry if your sister turns royal is just plain amusing, and definitely should be enjoyed with a cup of tea, some Walker’s shortbread rounds, and maybe your favorite pair of plaid socks.

•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

Rachel Hawkins is the author of Rebel Belle and the New York Times bestselling series Hex Hall. Born in Virginia and raised in Alabama, Rachel taught high school English for three years before becoming a full-time writer. 

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Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

Cadaver & Queen by Alisa Kwitney {dual review: book + audiobook}

Cadaver & Queen
by Alisa Kwitney
♦publisher: Harlequin Teen
♦release date: February 27nd, 2018
♦hardcover, 320 pages
♦series: companion to come
♦source: ARC from publisher for honest review

When Lizzie Lavenza enrolled at Ingold as its first female medical student, she knew she wouldn't have an easy time. From class demands to being an outsider among her male cohorts, she'll have to go above and beyond to prove herself. So when she stumbles across what appears to be a faulty Bio-mechanical--one of the mechanized cadavers created to service the school--she jumps at the chance to fix it and get ahead in the program.

Only this Bio-mechanical isn't like the others. Where they are usually empty-minded and perfectly obedient, this one seems to have thoughts, feelings...and self-awareness.

Soon Lizzie realizes that it is Victor Frankenstein--a former student who died under mysterious circumstances. Victor, it seems, still has a spark of human intelligence inside him, along with memories of things he discovered before his untimely death...and a suspicion that he was murdered to keep that information from getting out.Suddenly Lizzie finds herself intertwined in dark secrets and sabotage that put her life, and the lives of Victor and their friends, in danger. But Lizzie's determined to succeed--even if that means fighting an enemy who threatens the entire British Empire.

{Amy's Book Review}

Horribly addicting, Cadaver & Queen will take you back to the 1800’s where medical experiments and advances are changing the world.  Fast paced and alluring, Alisa Kwitney’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is truly authentic, spinning a new take on Victor Frankenstein, exploring a whole new side of life, death and the place in-between.

With its constant twists and turns you be kept guessing trying to decipher 

whose intentions are for medical advancements and whose are for a darker purpose. Being told in both Lizzie and Victors voices opens the plot to host many characters that all could take center stage at any moment. But even with its large accumulation of characters, each one has their own strong presence and value to the storyline, building a story that could fracture off in multiple directions.  A delicate romance does blossom, but one that is sweet,caring, not rushed and without a love triangle, which I do truly appreciate.    

The only negative aspect of this book is the rushed ending leaving with it many story holes. There was an amazing opportunity to add one or two more chapters to help clear some major plot questions, however these questions could still be answered in the promised companion novel, that is said to focus on another character, but still includes Lizzie and Victor in the story. 

Overall, its breathtaking cover instantly draws you right in, opening the door to curiosity, with all the nuts and bolts to a good mystery; ultimately posing the question, can you really love what others see as a monster? 

{Becky's Audiobook review}

I wholeheartedly agree with Amy's review! Alisa Kwitney drew me in from those very first sentences where you realize you are seeing the story through the eyes of someone who is trapped and about to be mentally conscious during their own autopsy! The opening definitely set this story up for a skin-crawling tone befitting of any great retelling of Frankenstein.

The entire cast of characters carrying this story had me fully intrigued and I thought the audiobook performance of each of them was outstanding, making it easy to follow who was who with an array of perfectly-executed accents and distinct personalities. Narrator Saskia Maarleveld did an amazing job. I loved Lizzy's determined nature, both defiant and aware of the extra challenges and discriminations she faces as a young woman in the medical world. The romance was sweet and I loved the slow and cautious way that it built up---Victor's situation just had me constantly routing for him to succeed in both finding his murderer and coming "back to life".

The mystery kept me constantly guessing as the suspicion slips from person to person. There are some great surprises and twists and pitfalls, but I definitely agree that the ending was rushed and a bit muddled. I'll be needing more from this story in the future, and hopefully some answers to a few hovering questions, but I'll gladly step back into this world when that time comes!

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•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

Alisa Kwitney was an editor at DC Comics/Vertigo and is the Eisner-nominated author of graphic novels, romantic women’s fiction and urban fantasy. She was one of the authors of A Flight of Angels, which made YALSA’s Top Ten List for Great Graphic Novels for Teens, and the YA graphic novel Token, named a highlight of the Minx imprint by PW. Alisa has an MFA from Columbia University. Her thesis, Till the Fat Lady Sings, a comedy of manners about college and eating disorders, made The New York Times’ new and noteworthy in paperback list. The first issue of her latest comic book series, Mystik U, is coming out November ’17 from DC Comics. Her first YA novel, Cadaver & Queen, will be coming out with Harlequin Teen in February ’18.

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Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

Audiobook:  Audible   •   HooplaDigital

By A Charm and A Curse by Jaime Questell {review}

By A Charm & A Curse 
by Jaime Questell
♦publisher: Entangled Teen
♦release date: February 6th, 2018
♦hardcover, 300 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦stand-alone
♦source: from publisher for honest review

Le Grand’s Carnival Fantastic isn’t like other traveling circuses. It’s bound by a charm, held together by a centuries-old curse, that protects its members from ever growing older or getting hurt. Emmaline King is drawn to the circus like a moth to a flame…and unwittingly recruited into its folds by a mysterious teen boy whose kiss is as cold as ice.

Forced to travel through Texas as the new Girl in the Box, Emmaline is completely trapped. Breaking the curse seems like her only chance at freedom, but with no curse, there’s no charm, either—dooming everyone who calls the Carnival Fantastic home. Including the boy she’s afraid she’s falling for. 

Everything—including his life—could end with just one kiss. 

{Amy's Thoughts}

Unique and truly original, By A Charm and A Curse keeps all the wonderment of the circus, but also adds to it a sense of danger and mystique. With a stage of strong characters, and a story that has deep roots, readers will quickly fall for this one.

Told in two alternating voices, you will be able to see the circus from both sides.  One voice, who’s unknowing sacrifice throws her into the harsh life of the circus changing it forever, while the other one calls the circus and all its many secrets home.  This opens the storyline for forbidden romance, secrets, and lies while also setting the scene for betrayal and the choice between family and love.

Jamie Quenstell, portrays circus life in a believable manner, as one large dysfunctional family that ultimately needs each other to survive, unwilling to add an outsider to the mix, making Emma’s forced transition into the circus one filled with angst and uncertainty.   Quenstell’s writing is well rounded, delicately building the tempo as she goes, giving you a multitude of vessels to think about all at the same time, while also not giving you a one-stop solution to a problem.  Jamie Quenstell gets it right, with a fully developed storyline, strong characters, and without any structural flaws.

Like a lone Ferris Wheel spinning at night, this book catches you eerily unaware, taking you within its grasp.  If only it came with a faint smell of cotton candy, and the carnival music playing in the distance.

•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

 

JAIME QUESTELL grew up in Houston, Texas, where she escaped the heat and humidity by diving into stacks of Baby Sitter’s Club and Sweet Valley High books. She has been a book seller (fair warning: book lovers who become book sellers will give half their paychecks right back to their employers), a professional knitter, a semi-professional baker, and now works as a graphic designer in addition to writing. Currently, she lives in the suburbs with her family, one derpy dog, and one imperious cat. If she had her way, she’d have an army of corgis, like the Queen of England.

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Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert {review}

The Hazel Wood
by Melissa Albert
♦publisher: Flatiron Books
♦released: January 30th, 2018
♦hardcover, 368 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: The Hazel Wood, book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review
Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

{Amy's Thoughts}

A story that reads like lost pages from Grimm’s Fairy Tales, The Hazel Wood mixes dark fairy tales with fantasy, and mystique. With its own suspenseful tempo that builds as the story grows, its unpredictable settings, and complex characters make a beautiful and captivating read.  Melissa Albert gets right into the heart of her characters, making them not predictable, or even likable at times, but keeps them strong and unique, which is a refreshing change of tempo.

For fans of Netflix’s Stranger Things, this dark, beautiful read dances between two worlds, one of fairy tales and one of the current world, where only a thin veil divides. Dark and gripping, The Hazel Wood gets under your skin in a good way, winding its tale like ice in your veins, and then thaws you like a warm fire.

Debut author, Melissa Albert captivates her reading audience within the very first line, teasing and taunting you to delve deeper into the story.  With tidbits from the book within the book, you will be left begging for a copy of Tales from the Hinderland with all of its creepy and delightfully, disturbing tales. Hopefully, Tales From The Hinderland is in the works to be added to this series, which would add to the overall experience. Not to give away too much of the story, or ruin any of the many twists and turns, I am still not sure how I feel about how the overall love interest ( or what I thought might be a love interest) turned out, but I will say I loved the charactes and the strong-willed determination of Alice. 

•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

 

Melissa Albert is the founding editor of the Barnes & Noble Teen Blog and the managing editor of BN.com. She has written for McSweeney’s, Time Out Chicago, MTV, and more. Melissa is from Illinois and lives in Brooklyn. The Hazel Wood is her first novel.

 

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Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton {review}

The Belles
by Dhonielle Clayton
♦publisher: Disney-Hyperion
♦release date: Febuary 6th, 2018
♦hardcover, 448 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: The Belles, book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orléans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orléans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful.

But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favorite—the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orléans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land. But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie—that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision.

With the future of Orléans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide—save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles—or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.

{Amy's Thoughts}

 

In a story that can only be described as glittery, lavish and extravagant, The Belles is as beautiful as it was promised to be.  Exploring a world that is hidden behind the glamour of beauty, readers are thrown right into the world of opulent beauty and the lengths ones’ will go to get what they desire.  Where honeycomb dresses with live bees, and diamond encrusted hair are just the normal fashion for the palace.

 

Dhonielle Clayton’s words drop off the pages like ripe juice crushed from a pomegranate, meant to be devoured like an exquisite, fine sugary treat with rose tea, savoring each page like a delicacy.  Characters of every depth, walk of life and personal values, leave you wondering who they can trust, and who is out only for personal gain.  Clayton’s glamourous world opens the door to extravagance, in an explosion of color and raining flower petals where flamboyant fashion is most coveted.

 

Dhonielle Clayton writes with such deep emotion and description that you will not be able to help but fall right into her world, where obsession meets sacrifice.  Even with its large size, the tempo is fast-paced and compelling. Ultimately asking readers the question- What would you risk for beauty?

In this overly lavish and ostentatious world that can only be described as a  match to, Hunger Game’s Panem the fashion alone is worth reading this book for. Truly a treat for your imagination, this book is perfectly paired with a plate of pink macaroons and a large cup of tea. 

 

•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

 

 

Dhonielle Clayton is the co-author of the Tiny Pretty Things series. She grew up in the Washington, DC suburbs on the Maryland side and spent most of her time under her grandmother’s table with a stack of books. A former teacher and middle school librarian, Dhonielle is co-founder of CAKE Literary—a creative development company whipping up decidedly diverse books for a wide array of readers—and COO of the non-profit, We Need Diverse Books. She's got a serious travel bug and loves spending time outside of the USA, but makes her home in New York City, where she can most likely be found hunting for the best slice of pizza. 

 

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Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

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

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