Showing posts with label YA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YA. Show all posts

Mar 5, 2015


Book Review: ItGirl4Life by Tamara Branch


" YOU have IT. IT is the GREATNESS you were born with." -  from the book

Writer, artist, and speaker, Tamara Branch serves up 40 bite-sized chapters on how to build unshakable self-confidence, honor your life and shine bright in the world, in ITGIRL4LIFE: How to bring out your special something and so much more. Packed with sage advice, life-changing insights, and affirmations to help you soar, ITGIRL4LIFE offers ideas, tools, and principles, that you can reference and build upon, supporting you in becoming your best. Get ready to fall in love with your own wisdom, beauty and strength.

My review: 
An uplifting read for young girls, probably more so for tweens than teens. It teaches valuable life lessons for the young mind, all the while placing the responsibility on the reader herself. Personally, I think it might work better on the pre-teens, as they tend not to be as obsessed about outer appearances yet, and this could be a important tool in teaching them about inner beauty from an early age. Don’t miss this opportunity to help shape their values from an early start!

About the author
Growing up in the Bronx, I loved writing poems, essays, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, art, fashion, music and volunteering and still do:-) I love creativity. I love giving back. I am a student of personal development and always seek to expand my knowledge about everything that can help us all live more optimally. My goal everyday is to inspire, express, share, grow, change for the better, love, add value to the world and have a blast. 



Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Dec 20, 2014

Book Tour/Review: An Uncommon Blue by R. C. Hancock ~ YA dystopian at it's finest


In Télesphore, the glowing color of a person’s palm determines their place in society, and touching hands with another mixes the colors permanently. When sixteen-year-old Bruno accidentally kills a royal soldier, he goes from favored to fugitive. Now Bruno's only chance at survival is to become someone else. That means a haircut, a change of wardrobe, and most important, getting rid of his once cherished Blue. Now he’s visiting

Demon's Heart by Emily Bates ~ Middle Grade or YA adventure #review


Author/Artist: Emily Bates
Format: Paperback
Release Date: 2014-12-01
ISBN/UPC: 9781462115150

Pages: 272

Young ruffian Rustav is determined to escape his abusive uncle and hated homeland, even if it means braving the demon-infested forest. His escape is halted, however, when a race of legendary beings reveal him to be the country’s fabled

Oct 28, 2014

Escape Through the Wilderness by Gary Rodrgiuez ~ YA Adventure #review #giveaway

Escape banner 2

Title:  Escape Through the Wilderness
Author: Gary Rodrgiuez
Genre: Tween/Young Adult Christian Adventure
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing (June 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-1-63268-201-7


About the book:
Escape Through the Wilderness cover Sixteen-year-old Savannah Evans walks with a slight limp thanks to a

Oct 14, 2014





New release today: Mr. Katz is a Zombie by M. C. Lesh


Catastrophe looms in North Goethalsburg! When twelve-year-old J.D. is tricked into taking possession of a book of spells, his best friend turns their teacher into a zombie. The zombification of Mr. Katz creates general chaos and a not-so-terrific time for near-genius J.D. Teamed with his best friend Rodney, twin troublemakers, and an obnoxious ghost, J.D. must figure out how to change Mr. Katz back from one of the undead before he: 1. Escapes the janitor’s closet; 2. Eats their brains; and 3. Wears J.D.’s spleen as a hat. Can four boys armed with a slingshot, two boxes of jelly donuts, and a handy zombie guide battle their mindless teacher and live to tell? Probably not. You’ll have to read to find out.



My review: If your son or daughter enjoys “Diary of a Wimpy kid”, Mr. Katz is a Zombie is sure to appeal to them. The first book in the Goethalsburg Ghost Squad series, the story is told from bratty J.D.’s perspective. He’s your regular, average kid-only that his parents are professional ghost hunters! This lands J. D. in an awful lot of trouble-naturally through no fault of his own! Take Mr. Katz’ current zombie like state, for example. Clearly his friend Rodney’s doing, but now it’s up to J.D. to save the day. To make matters worse, Rodney and his chaotic brothers are about as little help as the uncooperative ghost Balthazar. But J. D. is ready to take on the battle-even if it’s with a box of jelly donuts!


A fun story for pre-teens with just the right mix of humor and action filled adventure, Mr. Katz is Available on Amazon as of October 14.



About the author: As a child, M.C. Lesh had to hold her nose in order to eat spinach. As an adult, she hardly ever has to hold her nose when she eats spinach, but she still picks onions out of all of her food. She read a lot of books as a kid. Luckily, she didn't have one of those video gaming machines to rot her brain. (Her friend Lorenzo says they appeal to the monkey part of the brain. She thinks that's an insult to monkeys. Sorry, monkeys!) Mr. Katz is a Zombie is the first book in her Goethalsburg Ghost Squad Series. She hopes you'll return to North Goethalsburg to find out what happens when J.D. meets Martin Barton, suspected werewolf and snappy dresser. She also hopes you never have to be too serious, but in the event that you do, her advice is to keep a yo-yo in your back pocket because that is almost always a good idea.

Visit her website: margaretlesh.com.
Twitter @MargaretLesh

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review, but also bought two more copies for a children's hospital. Yup, spent my own money! Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Oct 9, 2014

Faces of the Dead by Suzanne Weyn #review


When Marie-Therese, daughter of Marie Antoinette, slips into the streets of Paris at the height of the French Revolution, she finds a world much darker than what she's ever known.

When Marie-Thérèse Charlotte of France learns of the powerful rebellion sweeping her country, the sheltered princess is determined to see the revolution for herself. Switching places with a chambermaid, the princess sneaks out of the safety of the royal palace and into the heart of a city in strife.

Soon the princess is brushing shoulders with revolutionaries and activists. One boy in particular, Henri, befriends her and has her questioning the only life she's known. When the princess returns to the palace one night to find an angry mob storming its walls, she's forced into hiding in Paris. Henri brings her to the workshop of one Mademoiselle Grosholtz, whose wax figures seem to bring the famous back from the dead, and who looks at Marie-Thérèse as if she can see all of her secrets. There, the princess quickly discovers there's much more to the outside world - and to the mysterious woman's wax figures - than meets the eye.

My Review :
This was not quite what I thought it would be when I chose to read and review this story.  Parts of it were difficult to read and annoying as it dealt with Voodoo and witchcraft and damage to dead friends and loved ones.  I started out becoming interested in the characters and the story as well as the historical aspects of the book, but soon found I was only reading to try to get to the end to see what happens.  Overall I wasn't as thrilled with this story by the time the story was over and would not read it again.

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Sep 17, 2014

Appaloosa Summer by Tudor Robins ~ #review




Title Appaloosa Summer
Author : Tudor Robins
Publisher : Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: June 5 , 2014
Pages : 230
ISBN:  978-0993683701
Genre:  Young Adult Contemporary / Coming-Of Age / Romance / Horse-Themed
Format : Paperback and eBook

Sixteen-year-old Meg Traherne has never known loss. Until the beautiful, talented horse she trained herself, drops dead underneath her in the show ring. Jared Strickland has been living with loss ever

Aug 5, 2014

Camp Utopia and the Forgiveness Diet ~ #review & Book Tour

Post removed by author's request due to not liking my honest review
please see my review here



Jun 23, 2014

Book review: Changing Fate by Michelle Merrill



All Kate wants is to live. Battling cystic fibrosis is hard enough, dying from it is even harder. When her mom moves them closer to the hospital in the middle of her senior year, Kate’s determined to isolate herself—saving everyone the trouble of befriending a dying girl. It’s a difficult task when cheerful optimist

Mar 20, 2014

Book review: Secrets of the Realm by Bev Stout


Blamed for her uncle's death, fifteen-year-old Annie is on the run. Knowing the perils she will face on the streets of 18th century London, Annie disguises herself as a boy. Her life changes course when she becomes Captain Hawke’s cabin boy. Not only must Annie work alongside the Realm's motley crew of outcasts and gentlemen, she must also keep her superstitious shipmates from discovering she is a girl. Annie vows she will never leave the Realm, where dreams are chased, shattered lives can mend, and secrets are stowed like keepsakes in an old desk drawer. But when Annie’s past catches up with her, can she stay on the Realm? More importantly, will she have a choice?


My review: Secrets of the Realm is an enjoyable YA book and a welcome break from the current vampire/witches and paranormal trend. And while many other novels set in that

Mar 12, 2014

{Personal Review} I'm in Tears - seriously! Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

Ok, I wasn't going to read it.  Really!
I said that all those people claiming it was too much like Hunger Games but not nearly as good had convinced me to just avoid reading it so I wouldn't waist my precious time.  But, when a good friend mentioned recently that her book club was reading Divergent by Veronica Roth and she absolutely loved it - well, I just couldn't resist.  After all, what would it hurt to just read the first book to see what is was like.

Now, I'm in tears - seriously!  I was crying so hard - I actually sobbed!  My youngest was sitting here in the living room with me watching her favorite morning shows, while I'm finishing book 3! Yes, Book 3 of the

Mar 11, 2014

What would you do if you found out you were the only person to save a kingdom? {Review} Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

Regina Beswick was born to be a princess. But she's content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware a secret destiny awaits her. One that will leap from the pages of her grandmother's hand-painted book of fairytales. 

Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation's future---and his own. Yet lurking in

Mar 3, 2014

{Book Tour & Giveaway} Third Daughter by Susan Kaye Quinn ~ Steampunk type Romance

Third Daughter Tour

Third daughter Third Daughter by Susan Kaye Quinn Skyships, saber duels, and lots of royal intrigue... and, of course, kissing.

The Third Daughter of the Queen wants her birthday to arrive so she'll be free to marry for love, but rumors of a new flying weapon may force her to accept a barbarian prince's proposal for a peace-brokering marriage. Desperate to marry the charming courtesan she loves, Aniri agrees to the prince's proposal as a subterfuge in order to spy on him, find the weapon, and hopefully avoid both war and

{Review} Division of the Marked by March McCarron



Division of the Marked by March McCarron



For all of written history, on the day of Da Un Marcu, fifty boys and girls across the three kingdoms are marked. They become a class apart from society. Taken to join their brothers and sisters, the Chisanta, they enter a culture of knowledge-keepers, martial artists, and possessors of strange and wonderful abilities. 

When Yarrow discovers himself marked, he feels lost and

{Review & Giveaway} Illuminating Gracie by Lisa C. Temple

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
As an old woman's lifeless body lies on a cold stone floor, her soul stands before an angel who offers her a miraculous opportunity: the chance to do it all again. But that is easier said than done. In order to change the path her life has taken, she must put aside years of self-loathing and pain, so she can help the young girl she once was become the woman she should have been.

At 17 years old, Grace Bennett is a bitter young woman. Though blessed with a loving family, looks and brains to spare, she hides her

Feb 15, 2014

Paris Cravings by Kimberley Montpetit ~ Book Blast Tour & $50 Amazon GC GIVEAWAY

Paris Cravings
Can life really turn on a dime, a missed bus— or a stuck pastry shop door?

Paris Cravings Chloe Dillard’s life has always been complicated. Her mother is a neurotic romance novelist and her boyfriend, Mathew, has been pressuring her to go “all the way”.

But after The Worst Night of Her Life, Chloe escapes on her Senior Class trip to the swoon-worthy city of Paris which takes her mind off her troubles—temporarily. On the final leg of her dream trip, Chloe squeezes in one final run for a last-minute box of decadent pastries. Add a stuck door, subtract a broken four-inch heel from her cute strappy sandals, and Chloe ends up one stuck girl on the bakery shop floor with a sprained ankle.

Feb 11, 2014

Won't Let Go by Avery Olive ~ YA Paranormal Mystery Romance ~ Book Tour, Review & Giveaway on Mom Loves 2 Read



Series:  Won't Let Go #1
Release date: December 14th 2013
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press Inc.
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Alexia Stone never wanted to move cross country. And she certainly never wanted to share her new bedroom with an amnesiac ghost boy desperate for her help. 

But after setting aside the assumption she’s gone crazy, Alexia engages in the impossible—she agrees to help the ghost discover who he was and what happened to him. Convinced this mystery is what’s keeping the phantom in the world of the living, Alexia puts her heart on the line to find out what his unfinished business might be.

Ultimately, Alexia must decide what’s more important to her—keeping her phantom

Jan 17, 2014

Brilliant Darkness Series Book Blast & Giveaway - Young Adult Distopian novels

THE SCOURGE (Brilliant Darkness, Book 1)

scourge Seventeen-year-old Groundling, Fennel, is Sightless. She's never been able to see her lush forest home, but she knows its secrets. She knows how the shadows shift when she passes under a canopy of trees. She knows how to hide in the cool, damp caves when the Scourge comes. She knows how devious and arrogant the Groundlings' tree-dwelling neighbors, the Lofties, can be. And she's always known this day would come--the day she faces the Scourge alone. The Sightless, like Fenn, are mysteriously protected from the Scourge, the gruesome creatures roaming the forests, reeking of festering flesh and consuming anything--and anyone--living.

A Sightless Groundling must brave the Scourge and bring fresh water to the people of the forest. Today, that task becomes Fenn's. Fenn will have a Lofty Keeper, Peree, as her companion. Everyone knows the Lofties wouldn't hesitate to shoot an arrow through the back of an unsuspecting Groundling like Fenn, but Peree seems different. A boy with warm, rough hands who smells like summer, he is surprisingly kind and thoughtful. Although Fenn knows his people are treacherous, she finds herself wanting

Jan 8, 2014

Go on an epic Adventure with Time Trapped by Richard Ungar ~ Book 2 in the Time Snatchers series ~ Book Tour & GIVEAWAY


9780399254864_large_Time_Trapped Time Trapped
The high-octane sequel to Time Snatchers.

Caleb thought he'd escaped Uncle's clutches and could have a normal life in 1968, but no such luck. After being forcibly returned to Timeless Treasures and his old job of stealing valuable objects from the past, he learns that things have gotten even more sinister. Training the new kidnapped recruits doesn't seem very important to Frank, Uncle's evil lackey, even though a few of these kids have amazing thieving skills and genius for new technology.

But then Caleb figures out it's because Frank doesn't plan on

Nov 22, 2013

1 Girl Nation - new Christian Girl Band Rocks - Review & Giveaway on Mom Loves 2 Read #1girlnation

About 1 Girl Nation:

Landing in the space where One Direction meets TobyMac, 1 Girl Nation is an exciting blend of upbeat pop music, with lyrics that are totally focused on living life for God, even while you’re young. 

1GN, as they’ve already been dubbed, stars Carmen, Kayli, Kelsey, Lauryn Taylor and Lindsey, five girls with a passion for telling their fans about Christ through their music. 

Their first single, “While We’re Young,” can be heard on radio stations across the country and their self-titled debut album is available now!