Sounds Like Love - Book Spotlight #Giveaway

 

 

Sounds Like Love by Laura Ford

About Sounds Like Love

 

Sounds Like Love 

Young Adult Fiction / Coming of Age

Setting - United Kingdom 

FriesenPress (July 29, 2021) 

Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 17 years 

Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 150 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1525592998 

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1525592997 

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 150 pages 

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 152559298X 

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1525592980 

Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09BTLYBWT 

Wendy is a bright spark who wants to find love and travel the world, but she questions how her dreams can become a reality as her world changes around her.

 

When Wendy arrives at her beloved grandmother’s house to collect a box of keepsakes, she picks up more than she bargained for - a green-eyed tabby cat with amazing qualities. This is just the start of a high-speed adventure, leading Wendy towards bright new horizons… if only she’ll give the cat a chance…

About Laura Ford

Laura Ford writes novels, short stories, and poems across a wide range of human and animal experiences. As Laura is an avid cat lover, a number of special felines tend to find their way into Laura's stories as well.

Laura graduated with an honours degree in British law while also writing fiction in parallel. Now based in California with her husband and two beguiling Siamese cats, Laura most enjoys using her imagination and memories to paint vivid stories. An avid traveler and seeker, Laura is always exploring new concepts for more stories to come.

Author Link - https://www.soundslikelovebook.com/   

Purchase Links - Amazon - Barnes & Noble I tunes Google Play Store Direct from the publisher 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS November 14 – Maureen's Musings – REVIEW
November 14 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 15 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
November 15 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
November 17 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 18 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – REVIEW
November 19 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT
November 20 – I'm Into Books – SPOTLIGHT
November 21 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
November 22 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
November 22 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 23 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 24 – THANKSGIVING
November 25 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 26 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 27 – Just One More Paragraph – SPOTLIGHT 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? 

  Click Here to Find Details

Sign Up Today!

The Atlantean Horse - Tour & Review

 

 

Steeped in ancient mystery, an epic quest sends Rosa and Jerome into deadly danger as they search for the First of Five Feathers of the Phoenix…

By Cheryl Carpinello

Ancient Mystery…Mystical Prophecy…Biblical Horsemen

One Epic Task

The Task: Retrieve the Five Feathers of the Phoenix to raise Atlantis so its people can return home.

The Chosen: Cousins Rosa & Jerome embark upon a perilous and personal quest to retrieve the first Feather. Rosa’s special gift, kept far in the Past, will be revealed, and Jerome will discover his.

The Opponents: The Four Deadly Horsemen of the Apocalypse will stop at nothing, not even murder, to possess the Feathers.

Join Rosa & Jerome as they risk all in their search for the First Feather!

Book Information

Release Date: September 23, 2022

Publisher: Silver Quill Publishing

Kindle: 149 pages; $5.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3eHdTmT

Book Excerpt

Taking a deep breath, I wonder—for the first time in two years—at the ties that bind me, ties I now think of as a gift rather than a curse.

She said you would help. She said you could help because you walk in two worlds.

“What…what do you want?” Idiot, I tell myself. You know better than to ask that question.

This time the man speaks out loud. “The time is now.”

I finger the ankh again, squeezing it, absorbing the warmth. "Time for what?"

"It is time for Atlantis to rise again. It is time to gather the Feathers of the sacred Phoenix bird to set the island in motion."

I blink as images of a sunken island and fleeing people, animals, and birds fill my head. “What…what do you want from me?”

“You are the one who must gather the Feathers on the Sun Days and bring them to the Atlantean Horse so that my people and my land can once more be united. It’s been too long, and our people wish to come home.”

“Me?” My eyes widen in disbelief.

The man nods. 

Putting my hands around my head, I try to block out the hundreds of voices from the visions running rampant through my brain. Voices crying out for help. 

A shiver travels down his body shaking me out of the trance. His hands vigorously rubbing his arms prompt me into action.

"Get inside. You have no business being out in this weather dressed as you are." I open the screen door and move to the side to let him pass. No, don’t start. Don’t say a word. She sent him here. She wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. I know what I’m doing. I hope. I glance around the neighborhood to be sure no one else, especially Jerome, is around. Maybe I’m the only one who can see him, like Tut. 

"Thank you, Rosa," he says, continuing to briskly rub his arms. "She didn't tell me that your world is wrapped in ice."

About the Author

I’m a lover of mythology, myths, legends, and tales from the ancient/medieval worlds. I enjoy exploring how these have transcended time/space to influence our world today. Myths and legends don’t fade away; they are just repackaged for a new audience.

As a high school English teacher, I continually challenged my students to find connections between today and times long gone by. Some took more digging than others, but the connections were always there. One of my favorites, Star Wars, borrows several concepts from the Legend of King Arthur. The Star Trek series goes even further back into the mythology of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt as well as others.

I write Arthurian Legend for young readers and teens (I never refuse to let mature readers enjoy my stories!). These stories exhibit what I consider to be cornerstones of that Legend: Courage, Honor, Loyalty, and Friendship.

My tales from Egypt and my new series Feathers of the Phoenix meld the ancient/medieval worlds with today. The Atlantean Horse (Book 1 of Feathers of the Phoenix) also brings the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse out of the Bible and into the modern world. They and my main characters are after the feathers of the Phoenix in order to bring Atlantis alive again.

P.S. I believe in magic and Unicorns!!

Website Link:  https://www.cherylcarpinello.com

Blog Link: http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.com/

Twitter Link:  https://twitter.com/ccarpinello

Facebook Link:  https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.carpinello1

Goodreads Link:    https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2924554.Cheryl_Carpinello

Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/ccarpine1/

MY THOUGHTS:

When I began reading, I was just a little confused with the beginning of the story. This is book one, but I felt that with the references to past events, it felt more like you either should have read the previous series or this wasn't the first book. However, as the story progressed, it picked up and I found one didn't need to read the other series, but it did make you want to, to see what you missed.

The Atlantean Horse is a fun read that holds the interest of the reader. It has action, adventure, suspense, thrills and danger - everything that will keep one turning the pages to see what happens next. Perfect for the targeted audience of young adults! As a mother, I would probably have given this book to my pre-teen to early teen to read, but was quite disappointed to find a few light curse used words in it. I know that this is quite normal these days for kids to use and made it realistic for the age of the people using it, but it's something parents should be aware of. 

Would my children have enjoyed the book? Most certainly! With all the elements of a thrilling book with mystery and danger, I'm sure it would have entertained them and kept them turning pages all the way to the end, with the request to read the rest in the series! 

Sponsored By:

I received a copy of this book through Pump Up Your Book. I was not required to post a positive review - but one of my honest opinion.

Halloween Party Ideas - Free Kindle Book

Kindle Book - Free at the time of posting this short review. Please check price before downloading, as Amazon changes their pricing frequently.

Halloween Party Ideas - FREE

MY THOUGHTS

A very short and to the point guide for hosting a Halloween party. To me, this book had a feel more for young adults and teens that want to host a part for their friends. There are ideas for invitations, themes, decorating, games and foods. Sadly, there are no pictures included and the link at the end of the book for the pumpkin cookbook is a dead link. Overall, the book has lots of ideas and a few interesting recipes.

This book is part of my own library and is a verified purchase through Amazon.

Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex - Book Spotlight

 

Join Grady and Aarush as they test the limits of their physical and emotional endurance…

By Carole P. Roman

Templeton Academy- the superhero high school is finally open!

The prestigious academy is recruiting the best of the best to enroll in its student body.

The school is as mysterious as it is exclusive.

Grady Whill thinks there is nothing special about him to make the grade.

However, his best friend, Aarush Patel has been selected and thinks Grady has the right stuff.

Even school bully, Elwood Bledsoe is attending.

If Grady is fortunate enough to be picked, his guardian has forbidden him to attend.

Will a family secret prevent Grady from becoming the superhero he was destined to be?

“Roman’s writing is excellent: portraying wonderful, complex characters. Narrated by Grady, the story reveals his kindness and humor. (“Aarush lived in a smart home as opposed to my stupid home,” he tells readers). It also illustrates the lovely symbiotic friendship between Grady and Aarush, who protect each other from trouble and ridicule…With the book’s many touching, funny, and edge-of-your-seat moments, readers will be cheering to hear more from Grady.” Blue Ink Review

“With a page-turning plot and exciting twists and turns, this book is sure to become a treasured favorite.”- Review by Book Excellence

“If I were to give a book to every young adult in this world, I would give them Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex by Carole P. Roman without blinking. I absolutely loved every moment of this uplifting and fascinating story. It’s filled with valuable life lessons, adventure, peril, and highly relatable and lovable characters.” Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers’ Favorite

“Harry Potter meets Sky High. If you’re a fan of young adult stories where protagonists go to mysterious schools to train their superhuman abilities, don’t miss out on Grady Whill and The Templeton Codex.” Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Reader’s Favorite

“With a detailed descriptive narrative, great character development, and compelling dialogue, the author has created a story that will have young readers engaged to the very end.” Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Reader’s Favorite

Book Information

Release Date: July 18, 2022

Publisher:  Chelshire, Inc.

Soft Cover: ISBN:  978-1950080434; 286 pages; $10.99; eBook $8.99; FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Qvn3kv

PROLOGUE 

Scarface Mountain – Present Day 

A ^{BARELY COOLED LUMP of lava hardened under my}  feet. One of my sneakers was stuck between two small  rocks in the solidifying mess. I stared at my foot in disbelief.  Instinct told me I should be a human torch, my legs nothing  more than toasted stumps. I glanced up, my heart beating  wildly. We were trapped on the side of the mountain facing our  school, separated by a burning sea of molten rocks.  

The world around me steamed, the lava staining the sky  burnt orange. Trees swallowed by molten rock looked like  skeletal hands emerging from a grave that glowed beneath the  blackened crust. I saw heat waves shimmering from the earth  but felt none of its intensity. I pulled fiercely, feeling my ankle  twist. Aarush steadied me as I nearly toppled over. He was 

shirtless, his back slick with sweat and covered with scrapes.  His fingers worked feverishly to free my foot. 

Overhead two helicopter-sized pterodactyls circled the  craggy summit. The wind from their leathery wings buffeted  the two of us. I think the air they circulated stopped the  patches of lava from cooking us alive, but what do I know? 

“We better get moving, Grady. Leave your sneaker. We are  risking getting burned by staying too long in one spot.” The  ever-practical Aarush reasoned as he pulled the velcro releas ing my foot. I wobbled, then fell to one knee. 

“Do you think they’re real?” I hollered to my friend over  the noise, pointing upward.  

“I’m not sure,” Aarush responded with a shake of his head.  “Right now I can’t tell the difference between fantasy and real ity.” The answer to that question was resolved when one of the  predatory birds spiraled downward in a dive. “We have to go  that way!” He waved to the lee side of the mountain, where  small brush fires dotted the hillside. “The lava appears to be  traveling in the other direction.” His hands moved to push  glasses up on his nose, only to realize they were long gone, lost  in our escape. 

“Look out!” Aarush hunched down as the wind from the  pterdactal’s wings fanned the area around us. “Oh yes, I’d say  they’re real!”

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, spies, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children of all ages.

Her best-selling book, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: 800+ Jokes! has reached number one on Amazon in March of 2020 and has remained in the top 200 books since then.

She published Mindfulness for Kids with J. Robin Albertson-Wren.

Carole has co-authored two self-help books. Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing with Julie A. Gerber, and Marketing Indieworld with both Julie A. Gerber and Angela Hausman.

Roman is the CEO of a global transportation company, as well as a practicing medium.

She also writes adult fiction under the name Brit Lunden and has created an anthology of the mythical town of Bulwark, Georgia with a group of indie authors.

Writing is her passion and one of her favorite pastimes. Roman reinvents herself frequently, and her family calls her the ‘mother of reinvention.’ She resides on Long Island, near her children and grandchildren.

Her series includes:

Captain No Beard

If You Were Me and Lived in- Cultural

If You Were Me and Lived in- Historical

Nursery series

Oh Susannah- Early Reader and coloring book

Grady Whilland the Templeton Codex

Giggles Galore- Coming in December 2022

Mindfulness for Kids with co-author J. Robin Albertson-Wren

The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids; 800 plus Jokes! 1 and 2

Spies, Code Talkers, and Secret Agents A World War 2 Book for Kids

Navigating Indieworld- with co-author Julie A. Gerber

Marketing Indieworld- with co-authors Angela Hausman and Julie A. Gerber

Adult Fiction under the pen name Brit Lunden

Bulwark

The Knowing- Book 1- A Bulwark Anthology

The Devil and Dayna Dalton- Book 9-A Bulwark Anthology

Her latest book is the YA Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex.

Visit Carole’s website at www.CarolePRoman.com or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Sponsored By:

Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

 

Grave Mercy

Author: Robin LaFevers

Series: His Fair Assassin Bk 1

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

ISBN: 9780547628349

Pages: 560

Publication Date: April 3, 2012

Genre: Young Adult

Description

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

My Thoughts

There have not been many books that I have found difficult to put aside to do the mundane trivialities of life, but this was definitely one of them! What a great book! For me, most fiction books that I have read lately, have not held my interest. The seem all the same - written in a formulaic style and they become boring. Grave Mercy wasn't like that for me.

 

Ismae is a strong character throughout the whole book. She's one you can't help but like and she struggles with many problems: her background, her training and her current position. She was a character that I enjoyed and her assignment was interesting. 

What was most fascinating was the book was based on fact with artistic liberties taken. The characters were strong and well developed. I was so taken by the characters, I am going to be picking up the next book to see what happens next! I found the whole plot so interesting that I may be taking some time to look into the real history that this book is based on.

This book was marketed as Children's fiction, however, I would say young adult. The main character is old enough to be married as are many of the main characters, so it's not the run of the mill child's book. In fact, as an adult, it was perfect reading for me. I didn't find it childish, but more of just a good read. Yes - it was so good ,that I had to recommend it to my daughter that last time I spoke with her. 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review - but one of my honest opinion. 

Jack Templar Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhus

Jack Templar Monster Hunter
The Templar Chronicles - Book One
Author: Jeff Gunhus
Publisher: Seven Guns Press
ISBN: 9780988425903
Paperback: 204 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

About the Book:

Orphan Jack Smith has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. But the day before his fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits...until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day to prepare before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him.

As if that weren't enough, Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.

My Thoughts:

Jack is a character that I totally adore! Told from his point of view, I had no choice except fall in love with his character. Jack is to the point, quirky, hilarious and just a teen that wants to be a teen, however that's not in his future. When Jack finds out that his life is not what it appeared to be, he embraces what faces him and does what he needs to do.

I love the voice that Jeff Gunhus gave Jack - perfect for a  14 year old boy. I also love how when he is telling the story, Jack stops and interjects something for the audience and that pulls one into the story even more! But lets not stop with Jack - Eva is great, too, and she's a strong female character that "works" well with Jack.

Perfect for the male young adult audience, but not exclusive. This great beginning to the series will bridge both sex and age groups. Jack Templar Monster Hunter has been likened to Percy Jones, but I think it's better. I love the storyline and more importantly, I love Jack. Add this to your TBR list. It's a fun read and a must for a day when you need to unwind and just be entertained!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Unbreakable
Book 1 of the Legion Series
Author: Kami Garcia
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316210171
Hardcover: 320 pages
Genre: Young Adult

About the Book:

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn't know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy's room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon -- a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother's place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon -- battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

My Thoughts:

Do you love great books that include ghosts and demons and those that hunt them? Then grab yourself a copy of Kami Garcia's "Unbreakable" and prepare yourself to curl up with a true spine-tingling page turner!

Did I love this book? YES! It held everything I adore about haunting fiction. We have the unsuspecting main character that hears whispers, a cat, a death of someone close, a couple of weird twins that appear out of nowhere... And then the fun begins!

Written for the young adult audience, this book easily will entertain and please the adult audience. It is fast paced, full of action, creepy and suspenseful - everything that any reader would appreciate. Make sure to pick up a copy soon. Best part is the second of the series, "Unmarked" is already available, so you won't have to wait to see what happens next!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland
Book #5
Authors: Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group
ISBN: 9781626341951
Hardcover: 192 pages
Genre: Young adult, adventure, travel

About the Book:

While on vacation in Ireland, Gannon and Wyatt visit medieval castles, climb the Cliffs of Moher, and explore the ancient Newgrange monument. But after Gannon kisses the Blarney Stone their adventure takes a dramatic turn. While volunteering on a farm to connect with their Irish roots, they learn that a deadly blight is wreaking havoc on the Irish farmland. Determined to uncover the true cause, the courageous explorers embark on a secret mission to gather evidence against a ruthless suspect, but soon find themselves running for their lives. Ultimately, they must rely on their wilderness survival skills and Gannon’s “gift of gab” if they hope to bring justice to their ancestral home.

In the tradition of the historic journals kept by explorers such as Lewis and Clark, Dr. David Livingstone, and Captain James Cook comes the adventure series Travels with Gannon and Wyatt. From Africa to the South Pacific, these twin brothers have traveled the world. You never know what they will encounter as they venture into the wild, but one thing is certain wherever Gannon and Wyatt go, adventure is their constant companion.

You can find Gannon and Wyatt’s blog, photographs, and video footage from their real-life expeditions at travelswithgannonandwyatt.com.

My Thoughts:

Get ready to go on adventure with Gannon and Wyatt in Ireland! Book number 5 of the Travels With Gannon and Wyatt series, this book will take you on an adventure to the Emerald Isle! Visit some exciting landmarks including the Blarney Stone (complete with pictures). I had no idea how "fun" it would be to kiss that stone until Gannon gives it a try!

Full of adventure with two home schooled boys, this novel is sure to keep the reader engrossed to the end! Throughout the boys travels, one will see and experience Ireland and the locals as well as become entwined in a great mystery adventure.

Gannon and Wyatt are both great characters. Like most brothers, they are both interested in life but from different points of view - one from the scientific side and the other from the humanities side. This leads to some disagreements but also shows how things are viewed from all sides and creates an interesting story from both points of view.

Great for middle school boys and girls, this series can be started anywhere. Match them to your studies to bring a sort of living history to them. This series is fun, so don't be surprised if your young reader wants to read them all!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Invasion by Jon S. Lewis

Invasion
A C.H.A.O.S. Novel - Book #1
Author: Jon S. Lewis
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9781595547538
Hardcover: 336 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-fi

About the Book:

He didn't ask to be a hero, but now all that stands between us and chaos . . . is Colt.

Colt McAlister was having the summer of his life. He spent his days surfing and his nights playing guitar on the beach with friends. He even met a girl and got his first car. But everything changes when his parents are killed in a freak accident.

He's forced to leave his old life behind and move to Arizona with his grandfather. The only person he knows at the new high school is a childhood friend named Dani. And Oz, a guy he's sure he's never met but who is strangely familiar.

But what if his parents' death wasn't an accident? His mother, an investigative reporter, was going to expose a secret mind-control program run by one of the world's largest companies. Before she could release the story, what if agents from Trident Biotech made sure she couldn't go public?

Vowing to uncover truth, Colt is drawn into a secret world of aliens, shapeshifters, flying motorcycles, and invisible getaways.

The invasion has begun.

My Thoughts:

A great start to a fun trilogy, Invasion keeps readers interested both emotionally and with lots of action. The main character, Colt, has a hardship that takes him to live with his grandfather. This hardship may end up being much more tragic that first expected and Colt intends to find out exactly what happened.

This young adult sci-fi novel starts out a bit slow but picks up with lots of action and secrets. Of course with sci-fi, there has to be fighting and aliens, so get ready to snuggle up with a book that takes the reader "out of this world"!

This book is recommended for young adults as well as older readers that enjoy a young male protagonist. Great to give to pre-teen/early teen readers, especially boys.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

The Dead I Know by Scot Gardner

The Dead I Know
Scot Gardner
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: March 3, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-0544232747
Hardcover: 208 pages
Genre: Young Adult

About the Book:

Aaron Rowe walks in his sleep and haunted by dreams he can’t explain and memories he can’t recover. Death doesn’t scare him—his new job with a funeral director may even be his salvation. But if he doesn’t discover the truth about his hidden past soon, he may fall asleep one night and never wake up.In this dark and witty psychological drama about survival, Aaron finds that making peace with the dead may be easier than coming to terms with the living.

My Thoughts:

Aaron Rowe is a likable but truly haunted kid. He walks in his sleep and has terrible nightmares that he can't get rid of. The only thing that Aaron seems to be able to identify with and find comfort from are the dead that he works with. You see, Aaron is apprenticing to become a funeral director and even though he has a hard time with things from time to time, he is good at it and seems to really understand life and death. Yet, something still haunts him to the point of putting him in dangerous predicaments.

I adored Aaron from the beginning. I guess there is something about one being broken that makes me just attach to the character. He is a likable guy and he seems to try doing his best for others, including his grandmother who suffers from dementia.In this great coming of age story, Aaron finds that no matter how hard he tries to hold things together, things start unraveling and he can't control the outcome. As secrets surface and control goes away, he finally learns about just being human.

This is a great story for anyone who loves young adult and darker stories with some dark humor. The Dead I Know is not just for teens but will appeal to the adult audience as well.

This book was supplied through the Amazon Vine Program for me to honestly review.

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy
Author: Karen Foxlee
Publisher: Random House Children's
ISBN: 9780385753548
Genre: Children, Young Adult, Fantasy

About the Book:

A modern-day fairy tale set in a mysterious museum that is perfect for readers of Roald Dahl and Blue Balliett.

Unlikely heroine Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven by science. She and her sister Alice are still grieving for their dead mother when their father takes a job in a strange museum in a city where it always snows. On her very first day in the museum Ophelia discovers a boy locked away in a long forgotten room. He is a prisoner of Her Majesty the Snow Queen. And he has been waiting for Ophelia's help.

As Ophelia embarks on an incredible journey to rescue the boy everything that she believes will be tested. Along the way she learns more and more about the boy's own remarkable journey to reach her and save the world.

A story within a story, this a modern day fairytale is about the power of friendship, courage and love, and never ever giving up.

About the Author and Illustrator:

KAREN FOXLEE is the author of two young adult novels, The Anatomy of Wings and The Midnight Dress. She lives in Gympie, Australia, with her daughter.

YOKO TANAKA has illustrated children's books by Kate DiCamillo, Sara Pennypacker, R.L. LaFevers, Laura Godwin, and Keith McGowan.

My Thoughts:

"Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy" is truly a charming and enchanting book that will delight all audiences - not only the younger sect. Well written, this novel was impossible to put aside until it was finished. I adored Ophelia and when she happens upon the Marvelous Boy (whom I also was enchanted by), all the pieces of the puzzle start falling together. She now understands her father's actions, the wicked "step mother", why things are happening the way they are...

Well described as a modern-day fairy tale, this book has all the elements of one - magic, mystery, good -vs- evil, a character that needs rescued and a hero. Unlike many of the other stories I've read, this one has a gender role reversal with the female being the strong character.

If there is one book you'd love to pick up to get lost in, this is the one. Yes, it is written for middle grade, but it seems that it is geared towards many ages. Between the beautiful prose and the tale, it was probably my favorite read of 2014. Make sure to add this one to your must reads list!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Sekret by Lindsay Smith - Review

Sekret
Lindsay Smith
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
ISBN: 9781596438927
Hardcover: 352 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Teen

About the Book:

An empty mind is a safe mind.

Yulia's father always taught her to hide her thoughts and control her emotions to survive the harsh realities of Soviet Russia. But when she's captured by the KGB and forced to work as a psychic spy with a mission to undermine the U.S. space program, she's thrust into a world of suspicion, deceit, and horrifying power. Yulia quickly realizes she can trust no one--not her KGB superiors or the other operatives vying for her attention--and must rely on her own wits and skills to survive in this world where no SEKRET can stay hidden for long.

About the author

Lindsay Smith's love of Russian culture has taken her to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and a reindeer festival in the middle of Siberia. She writes on foreign affairs and lives in Washington, D.C. Sekret is her first novel.

My Thoughts:

Yulia and the other children have abilities that get them kidnapped and trained for missions that will help Russia undermine the United States. Taking place during the Cold War in the 1960's this novel will have you on the edge of your seat at times. Russia was not known as a place that treats their prisoners well, so the children are basically prisoners with above average psychic abilities - so you can imagine how things are for them.

Even so, the children have learned to adapt and learned how to do things to keep them off radar. The are strong, intelligent and of course, have feelings that they learn how to protect.

This novel was both disturbing and exciting. I had a hard time putting it aside and an even harder time when I closed it up and realized it would be a while before I could read the next installment. The characters were engrossing to me - each had personalities that were quite a bit different than the rest, but they all had the same problem/outcome facing them. I really appreciated the mix and the feelings that to me were quite true to form for that situation.

This book should appeal to most that enjoy fiction centered around true historical time periods/events as well as those that just enjoy a great page-turning young adult novel. I loved it for both reasons.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien

The Vault of Dreamers
Author: Caragh M. O'Brien
Publisher: Macmillian Children's Publishing Group
ISBN: 9781596439382
Genre: young adult, dystopia

About the Book:

From the author of the Birthmarked trilogy comes a fast-paced, psychologically thrilling novel about what happens when your dreams are not your own. The Forge School is the most prestigious arts school in the country. The secret to its success: every moment of the students' lives is televised as part of the insanely popular Forge Show, and the students' schedule includes twelve hours of induced sleep meant to enhance creativity. But when first year student Rosie Sinclair skips her sleeping pill, she discovers there is something off about Forge. In fact, she suspects that there are sinister things going on deep below the reaches of the cameras in the school. What's worse is, she starts to notice that the ridges of her consciousness do not feel quite right. And soon, she unearths the ghastly secret that the Forge School is hiding—and what it truly means to dream there.

My Thoughts:

Rosie Sinclair is a student at the Forge School - a school where you are voted to stay or go (much like American Idol or other reality shows). Everything is televised and nothing is private. The more that is disclose to the audience, the more votes a student may receive. At night, each student goes to sleep in a pod after taking a sleeping pill. This pod is designed to subliminally help the students become more creative.

Rosie is a rebel and doesn't take her sleeping pill. This allows her to stay awake and be "normal" for a bit. She wants some alone time and can only find it at night. Then she starts discovering what happens at night when everyone is asleep and as time goes on, Rosie finds out too much information...

This is a fantastic story that keeps the reader both interested and guessing. Not the run-of-the-mill dystopia, "The Vault of Dreamers" has an interesting premise and the characters as well as the ending aren't predictable. Being the beginning of a series, the book ends leaving the reader with questions and wanting answers - but not in a frustrating way.

Great start to a new dystopian series! I can't wait for the next installment!!!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.