Book Blast & Giveaway: Emoji Adventures Nol. 1 by P.T. Evans

BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the children's adventure book written by P.T. Evans, Emoji Adventures Volume 1: The Horse Party. The blast will run June 20 - June 22, 2016.

About the Book

Title: Emoji Adventures Volume 1: The Horse Party | Author: P.T. Evans | Genre: Children's Adventure | Number of Pages: 108 | Publisher: Montage Publishing  | Publication Date: February 21, 2016

Book Description: OBSESSED WITH EMOJIS?
LOL with your favorite emojis as they come to life in this fun, new series. Follow Annie with the constant smile; Kevin, her devilish brother; Billy, poop head and BFF; and Dot, the love-struck jock as they make their way through Emoji Elementary.

 

What others have to say about the book...

"I LOVE this book! The dialogue is witty (and LOL funny); the characters are endearing; and the theme is universally sweet. The author has created a unique experience, blending modern inventions of emojis with classic lessons for kids (and, truly, all of us). It would make a fun read-aloud as well! Definitely a winner." - Robin (Amazon)

"This book is darling! My girls fell in love with Annie and her emoji buddies! We can't wait for the next installment so we can laugh and keep on reading!!!" - Amazon Reviewer

"The Emoji Adventures combines things that a lot of kids love- silly characters, fun storylines and emojis!" - Amazon Reviewer

Montage Publishing Summer Reading Program

"We at Montage Publishing are committed to creating quality books for children; as parents and educators, we’re also aware of the academic backslide that can happen during summer.  We’ve created some worksheets, a reading log, and a certificate of achievement to be used alongside our EMOJI ADVENTURES series.  Feel free to use them as they are or adapt them to your specific needs.

To further encourage summer reading, we’re having a drawing for two sets of EMOJI ADVENTURES books – one for the winning student; one for his/her library."

To print worksheets and enter the drawing visit montagepublishing.com.

About the Author: P.T. Evans

 

P.T. Evans has been writing books for children under various names for two decades. With seventeen novels, numerous author visits, and state reading awards, Evans' books have been translated into two dozen languages.

Website | Amazon |Twitter| Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choiceGiveaway ends: July 4, 11:59 pm, 2016 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, P.T. Evans and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Book Review: The Glass Castle by Trisha White Priebe

I received a free ecopy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Glass Castle

Authors: Trisha White Priebe & Jerry B. Jenkins

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Publication Date: March 1, 2016

Genre: Middle Grade, Christian Fiction

Pages: 256

Source: Netgalley

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis:

You'll love joining in the adventures of The Glass Castle, brand new from Trisha White Priebe and Jerry Jenkins, where the setting from The Chronicles of Narnia meets the action from Alice in Wonderland. The king is growing old and is concerned about who will replace him. His new wife wants to produce an heir to the throne. The only problem? Thirteen years ago, the king's first wife gave birth to a son, and no one knows for sure what happened to him. Rumors swirl throughout the castle. The solution is simple: dispose of all thirteen-year-olds in the kingdom. Except, it isn't that easy. Avery and her friends won't go quietly. Avery, Kate, Tuck, and Kendrick take charge of the underground network of kidnapped children, inspiring them to believe that their past does not dictate their future and pledging to do the hardest thing of all... reunite the children with the homes they left behind. When they discover that one among them might be the child of a man who wants them dead, will everything they work for be lost? 

My Thoughts: 

Avery is with her little brother when she is kidnapped. She wakes up alone inside a box on a cart and is eventually taken to a castle where a bunch of other 13 year old orphans are living in secret under the King's nose. While these children do all the dirty work in the castle, they can not be discovered or they will be 'discarded'. Avery goes off on her own to find the secrets that this castle is hiding.

I just want to say up front that I don't have many positive things to say about this book. 

The Chronicles of Narnia meets Alice in Wonderland (as stated in the synopsis) is probably the worst comparison for this book. There's nothing like either of those books about it. Nothing overly wacky or out of place like Alice in Wonderland and no magic or fantasy world setting like Chronicles of Narnia. I seriously could not make a connection to either book. In fact, this could have easily taken place in this world, on this planet; perhaps in England where there are castles. There is no magic, mythical creatures, or basically anything to make this fantasy (which I bring up because it has been shelved as such on Goodreads). 

I thought the premise was pretty interesting at first but I'll admit that I didn't know that this is Christian Fiction until after I requested a copy. I saw a review that stated the same and then continued with there being nothing in the book that makes it seem like Christian Fiction but I highly disagree. There is plenty of mention of God, the bible, and even a 'service' where the bible is quoted. I would like to say this is not a problem at all but there are parts where the religion is pretty heavy and the actual story becomes quite boring because of it. I was honestly thinking about DNFing this and that's a big deal because I never do that. 

The characters weren't very likable. I had a hard time trying to sympathize or relate to any of them - and it shouldn't have been very hard considering that they are all orphans locked up in a castle - but I just couldn't. Avery annoyed me a lot. She seemed to do things that either made no sense or that would easily ruin things for her and the others. She seemed very selfish because of this. Her friend Kate was probably the most likable character. 

This book had way too many plot holes. It reads like a book that was chopped in half. There's no building up to a cliffhanger or anything. We end up with lots of questions that aren't answered because there is a second book but this does not read like a series. 

I honestly would not recommend this at all. 

Book Blast & Giveaway: Raising Sleeping Stones by P.H.T. Bennet

BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the middle grade fantasy written by P.H.T. Bennet, Raising Sleeping Stones (The Orora Crona Chronicles, Book One). The blast will run June 20 - June 22, 2016.

About the Book

Title: Raising Sleeping Stones (The Orora Crona Chronicles, Book One) | Author: P.H.T. Bennet Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy | Number of Pages: 364 | Publisher: DreamKeeper Publishing Publication Date: December 4, 2014

Book Description: ***Winner of a 2013 Newbury Comics Award!***

When sisters Kiva and DeeDee Stone discover a mysterious plot that threatens them and everything they care about, they have to take a crash course in the ancient art of DreamKeeping to survive. As two elder DreamKeepers lead them up the Varruvyen river to the Eyle of Return, they show the girls how to gain dream powers greater than anything they had ever imagined. But can they become strong enough to face the monsters that haunt their dreams at night, strong enough to fight the enemies that draw nearer each day? The answer lies somewhere in the broken history of Orora Crona, the Valley of Dreams lost centuries ago, and whoever can piece it together first will rule for centuries to come.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iBooksKobo * Smashwords * 

Read an excerpt...

Kiva looked closely at the sun’s golden face. Wavy rays representing shimmering heat radiated out from it. Its cheeks were plump, the lips full and curved, the nose wide, and the eyes were a little almond-shaped, like hers. In the middle of its forehead was a weird circle with six curving parts swirling around a six-pointed star. She’d never seen the sun drawn like that. Wondering what was on the back of the pendant, Kiva turned it over.

The instant she saw the moon’s closed eyes, her hair flew back in the wind, her stomach dropped, and she was pressed back against the cushions of a vessel that was flying just inches above the river. She jerked her head back up and found she was in the back of a crescent-shaped boat piloted by an old man sitting up front. She was about to call out to him when he pointed at a tree that had fallen across the river and shouted, “When you gethere, you must take a detour that even old Jacques didn’t know about! Hold on!”

Before she could, though, he turned the boat around so quickly that Kiva was thrown against the side of her boat and the wind was knocked out of her. She only got her breath back when he straightened out and followed the river back down.

“Look there!” he shouted moments later. “Turn right between the tall twins!”

Watch the book video...

What others have to say...

"Raising Sleeping Stones is a beautiful visual/musical tale about confidence and creative thinking." - Stephanie R. (Amazon)

"Great adventure tale that is both coming-of-age story and testimony to the power of dreams." - Thomas G. (Amazon)

"I was enthralled by this book from beginning to end. Truly connected with the intent and purpose behind the story, as well as the strong concept of dealing with dreams. I would definitely recommend this app..." - Amazon Reviewer

"Both allegorically and psychologically the author deftly explores the richness of young people's emotional lives. I read this story both in its app form and on Kindle. The book is beautifully illustrated and in its app form adds a great sound track. A wonderful book!" - Edward D. (Amazon)

About the Author: P.H.T. Bennet

 

P.H.T. Bennet began exploring his dreams when he was a child and has never bothered to stop. He had the good luck to have two daughters, Juliette and Paola, who not only servedas the inspirations for DeeDee and Kiva, the main characters of Raising Sleeping Stones, but also helped him turn their family dreamwork sessions into this book. His lucky streak grew when he married his lovely wife, Mim, who tolerates his turning on a light in the middle of the night to write down ever-crazier dreams and talking about them in the morning as long as he lets her sleep in, first. His favorite dreams involve flying, visiting the dead, and replaying nightmares until they reveal their secrets.

Pratt’s latest projects are editing Book Two of the Orora Crona Chronicles and planning avirtual summer dreaming camp with other dream authors.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choiceGiveaway ends: July 4, 11:59 pm, 2016Open to: InternationallyHow to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, P.H.T. Bennet and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Top Ten Tuesday #84 - Favorite 2016 Releases So Far

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Top Ten Favorite 2016 Releases So Far

I haven't read a ton of 2016 releases but I have read around 12 so I can at least finish the list! They won't be the best of the best and I may have thought that some were only a 3 star "it was ok" read but here they are! 

1. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill - #1 favorite 2016 release I've read so far this year. Releases in August. 

2. Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan - Currently reading this fantasy and it's pretty good so far. 

3. The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis - I went a little out of my comfort zone with this psychological thriller but I really enjoyed it!

4. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer - A nice recap of all the Lunar Chronicles characters and back stories. 

5. Pax by Sara Pennypacker - A pretty deep story about a boy and his pet fox. 

6. Tru & Nelle by G. Neri - About Harper Lee and Truman Capote's friendship as kids. 

7. School of the Dead by Avi - A pretty good middle-grade ghost story. 

8. Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek - Possibly my first full 'steampunk' read. I really enjoyed it. 

9. Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan - A pretty good middle-grade fantasy where the stereotypes of 'good and evil' are kind of flipped. 

10. Grayling's Song by Karen Cushman - I was actually kind of disappointed by this one but it had a great premise and I read a couple other 2016 releases that were worse so #10 it is. 

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I have quite a few to add to my July TBR and hopefully I can change this from 3 definite faves and a bunch of 'mehs' to 5-10 faves! 

Book Review: School of the Dead by AVI

I received a free physical copy of this book from HarperCollins via Goodreads Giveaways and was encouraged but not required to write a review. This in no way affects my review.

Title: School of the Dead

Author: AVI

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: June 21, 2016

Genre: Middle-grade, mystery 

Pages: 288

Source: Goodreads

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: 

From Newbery Medalist Avi comes the spine-tingling story of Tony Gilbert, who must solve a mystery surrounding the ghost of his uncle Charlie. 

For most of Tony Gilbert's life, he always thought of his uncle as "Weird Uncle Charlie." That is, until Uncle Charlie moves in with Tony and his family. He's still odd, of course --talking about spirits and other supernatural stuff-- but Uncle Charlie and Tony become fast friends. Between eating ice cream and going to the movies, Tony is having more fun with Uncle Charlie than he ever could have imagined. 

So when Uncle Charlie dies suddenly, Tony is devastated. So sad, in fact, he starts seeing Uncle Charlie everywhere! Tony recently transferred to the Penda School, where Uncle Charlie went as a kid. The school is eerie enough on it's own without his uncle's ghost making it worse. On top of which, rumors have been circulating about a student who went missing shortly before Tony arrived. Could that and Uncle Charlie's ghost be related?

Full of twists and turns that get spookier by the chapter, School of the Dead is a fast-paced mystery that Avi's fans will devour!

My Thoughts: 

Tony doesn't think much of his 'weird' Uncle Charlie until his parents announce that he will be coming to live with them butTony and his Uncle quickly strike up a close friendship. Tony's parents are up for a change of jobs and scenery so when Uncle Charlie starts talking up his old school in San Francisco, they decide to make the move - but Uncle Charlie dies before they can. Tony misses his Uncle so terribly that he starts seeing him once they get to San Francisco. 
Tony doesn't believe in ghosts no matter how much Uncle Charlie used to talk about them and chalks the visions up to being memories - but on his first day to Penda School, he sees a boy in the window of the school's tower; a boy that looks a lot like the boy from a long past portrait of the woman who founded the school and her son who died. Is this boy a ghost? Why does he keep seeing him? Why does everyone in Penda School look so frightened and why won't anyone tell him what happened to the boy that he replaced? 
Tony is determined to find some answers and falls in with the Weird History Club; a small group of kids who also seem to be trying to find answers about the mysterious and spooky school. Tony soon finds that meddling in the past can have it's downfalls and sometimes, secrets are better left alone. 

School of the Dead is a mystery with a spooky setting, mysterious characters, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

Penda School has a history wrapped in death. The old building sets the mood for the story and gives it even more of a creepy vibe when you learn about the towers that students aren't allowed to go in and the hidden stairways that lead to them. Likewise, there are plenty of characters (and ghosts!) and the plot keeps you guessing just who is good and who is bad. 

Avi has written a great ghost story that is perfect to read around Halloween. It's sure to get you spooked and ready for the season! 

My Rating: 

4 stars

The Sunday Post #24 - Happy Father's Day!

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things you received, share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead, and more.

Happy Father's Day to any dad's that may be reading this. That goes for any mom's playing the role of both mother and father, step-dad's, or any man who has stepped up to take care of another man's child/children. Whatever your case may be.

It has been a hot and rainy week. We've been spending way too much time indoors. I wish I could say that means more reading time but my toddler keeps me busy.
My husband was lucky enough to get today off so we will be spending the day together as a family. I said last week that I would wait til today to show the book that I got him but of course I forgot to take a pic before I wrapped it up so maybe I can take a quick pic and add it later.
 I also forgot to post my Stacking the Shelves yesterday but I got a fun bookish shirt in the mail that I wanted to show you all! (From ltlibrarian.com)

Photo posted by (@stacyrenee09)

This Past Week On The Blog
Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books for the 2nd Half of 2016
Book Blast & Giveaway: Fresh Starts by Kimberley Krey
Picture Book Review: Herbie's Big Adventure by Jennie Poh
Book Review: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voight
Book Review: The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

Coming Soon
Book Review: School of the Dead by Avi
Book Review: The Glass Castle by Trisha White Priebe
Book Review: Tru & Nelle by G. Neri
Book Blasts & Giveaways

Books I Finished This Week

New Picture Books We Read This Week

What I'm Currently Reading

(physical book)
The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis
I'm almost done with this one but I'm taking my time because I have too many books to choose from next and I have no idea which one to start! Way too many good choices. 

(ebook)
Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan
So far, I'm enjoying this. I love that this author writes the entire series before publishing the first so there won't be a huge wait between books and no plot holes! 

Currently Watching

Season 4Hubby is getting bored with this show but I still enjoy it. There's always something to chuckle at. Plus I'm pretty sure one of the MCs is getting a big ego and needs 'taken down a peg' so I'm waiting for that to happen. 
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Also, COYER started on Friday! If you are interested, there is still time to SIGN UP!
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Have a great week! Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

Title: The Assassin's Blade
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #0.1-0.5
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children
Publication Date: March 4, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 448
Source: Overdrive for Libraries

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis:
Contains all five novellas. 

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out. 

My Thoughts: 
We return to Erilea and learn more about Celaena Sardothien and her adventures before she is taken from the salt mines and given the choice to fight for the title of King's Champion. 

I read the first four books in the series before starting this. I don't think it would have changed anything if I had read it after Throne of Glass or Crown of Midnight. There were little things in this book of novellas that explained things within the series that were just mentioned in passing but not knowing them until now did not lessen the amazingness that is the Throne of Glass series. 

I do think I should have read this before Queen of Shadows, if only to know more about Arobynn Hamel, the King of Assassin's, beforehand. He is mentioned in the first few books but doesn't make an actual appearance until the fourth. These novellas really got into his character and Celaena's relationship with him. 

I think the bigger story here was Celaena and Sam's relationship, though. In the main books we are told about Sam and what happened to him but in these novellas we are given the whole story. From the moment that Celaena realizes she's in love with him, up to that pivotal moment that changes everything for Celaena and starts the Throne of Glass series. 
I really enjoyed this relationship. It seems much more real to me then the relationship with Chaol or Rowan. This is more of a 'first love' story and those always hold the most emotion and wonder. 

But this isn't just a handful of novellas focusing on the relationship between the two. Each novella adds to the bigger story and at the same time gives us a look into Celaena's early assassin years. The few stories that we've read about in short in the main books.
I loved almost all of them but the Pirate Lord and Desert stories really stood out for me. There was action, plot, and purpose. Characters that interested me. Those two were quite different compared to the others and the actual series itself. 

My withdrawals from this series have been sated, if only for a short time. We have four more months to wait until Empire of Storms releases!!! 

See my reviews for:

Throne of Glass | Crown of Midnight | Heir of Fire | Queen of Shadows