"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Friday, September 28, 2012

Cover Reveal: Whisper Falls by Elizabeth Langston


by Elizabeth Langston
Release date: November 19th, 2013
Published by: Spencer Hill Press

SUMMARY

While training for a mountain bike race, high-school senior Mark Lewis spots a mysterious girl dressed in odd clothing, standing behind a waterfall in the woods near his North Carolina home. When she comments on the strange machine that he rides, he suspects something isn't right. When Susanna claims to be an indentured servant from 1796, he wonders if she's crazy. Yet he feels compelled to find out more.


Mark enters a 'long-distance' relationship with Susanna through the shimmering--and temperamental--barrier of Whisper Falls. Curious about her world, Mark combs through history to learn about the brutal life she's trapped in. But knowledge can be dangerous. Soon he must choose between the risk of changing history or dooming the girl he can't stop thinking about to a lifetime of misery.




MY THOUGHTS

What a unique story! I have never heard of anything like this before!
And the cover is so fitting and cute too!
I am definitely adding this one to my list for next year :) 

What do you think??? 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Elizabeth Langston 


ELIZABETH LANGSTON has always loved history and literature--which is why, naturally, she majored in Computer Science twice. When she’s not working in the software industry or writing her next novel, she indulges in her other secret vice: dance reality shows. 

Elizabeth lives in North Carolina, USA, with her husband and two teen+ daughters--a geek family of four. Her debut young adult novel, Whisper Falls, will be released in Fall 2013. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.



Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Blog Tour: Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger (Excerpt & a YA Giveaway)


I am so very happy to be a part of Shannon Messenger's KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES blog tour, hosted by Mundie Moms today! I have an excerpt to share with you AND a giveaway to Shannon's young adult novel,
LET THE SKY FALL!



Keeper of the Lost Cities
by Shannon Messenger
Release date: October 2nd, 2012
Published by: Simon and Schuster (Aladdin)
Genre: Middle Grade  



SUMMARY

"Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She's a Telepath - someone who hears the thoughts of everyone around her. It's a talent she's never known how to explain. 

Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who appears out of nowhere and also reads minds. She discovers there's a place she does belong, and that staying with her family will place her in grave danger. In the blink of an eye, Sophie is forced to leave behind everything and start a new life in a place that is vastly different from anything she has ever known. 

Sophie has new rules to learn and new skills to master, and not everyone is thrilled that she has come "home". There are secrets buried deep in Sophie's memory - secrets about who she really is and why she was hidden among humans - that other people desperately want. Would even kill for. 

In this page-turning debut, Shannon Messenger creates a riveting story where one girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world, before the wrong person finds the answer first. 




EXCERPT

"Makeovers?" Keefe scoffed behind them. 
"You girls sure know how to have fun. Maybe you can braid each other's hair and giggle about boys while you're at it."











To see the tour schedule and gain more chances to win one of the giveaways, 
please be sure to visit Mundie Mom's for all the details! 


Purchase KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES from:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Shannon Messenger

Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts where she learned - among other things - that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She also regularly eats cupcakes for breakfast, sleeps with a bright blue stuffed elephant named Ella, and occasionally gets caught talking to imaginary people. So it was only natural for her to write stories for children. KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES is her first novel, with LET THE SKY FALL, a young adult novel, to follow in 2013. She lives in Southern California with her husband and an embarrassing number of cats. 



Enter to win an ARC of Shannon Messenger's new young adult novel, 
LET THE SKY FALL!!!

SUMMARY for Let the Sky Fall
(Release date: March 5th, 2013)

"Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who's swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is. 

Seventeen Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She's also a guardian - Vane's guardian - and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life. 

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra's forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim - the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them - but the forbidden romance that's grown between them."

GOOD LUCK!!!


Waiting On Wednesday #27: Opal (Lux #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout


"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 
This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)

What I'm waiting on... 

(Lux #3)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release date: December 11th, 2012
Published by: Entangled Publishing 


SUMMARY

No one is like Daemon Black. 

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn't fooling around. Doubting him isn't something I'll do again, and now that we've made it through the rough patches, well... There's a lot of spontaneous combustion going on. 

But even he can't protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love. 

After everything, I'm no longer the same Katy. I'm different... And I'm not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I'm capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won't turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever. 

Together we're stronger... and they know it. 


Why I'm waiting on Opal...

OMG! Do I really have to tell you why??? 
No, I don't!!! 

sigh... but just in case, I'll show you ;)





SO, what are you waiting on this week???

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

A Review: Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1) by Gena Showalter


(White Rabbit Chronicles #1)
by Gena Showalter
Release date: September 25th, 2012 (TODAY!!!)
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Paranormal, Romance 
Format read: ARC

SUMMARY

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. 

Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….



"I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.

I wish... Yeah, I wish."

BOOK TRAILER - Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter


MY REVIEW

What an amazing and unique story!!! Gena Showalter really outdid herself - and with a zombie story! And if you know me at all, you know that I am not a fan if zombies, I really don't understand the craze behind it, sorry! But the whole concept of this story being inspired by Alice in Wonderland really drew me in - and did not disappoint. Most of the time, I was able to pick out which characters were who and what imagery's where taken from the original 'Wonderland' story. A few where not so easy to figure out until after I finished reading it and had some time to think about it...

Alice is your typical teen, for the most part she is happy and loves her family, especially her little sister. And even though her father is 'disturbed and paranoid' and doesn't allow the family to do certain things because of it, she seems to handle it well... most of the time.
In a blink of an eye, Alice loses her family in a tragic car accident... was her father right? Were his nightmarish monster fears true?... but Alice is in too much pain to think twice about it. Her family is gone and now she has to go live with her grandparents in a neighboring town next to hers. Which also means she has to go to a new school, make new friends and try to live a life without her family. Without her little sister. She will just have to do what she can do for now...

Until she meets Cole.

The minute Alice's eyes land on Cole there is a fierce connection - but do not be discouraged, this is no insta-love in the making. This is something else, something more that needs to be figured out, and soon... it doesn't help that Cole is a badass with swoon-worthy good looks even with the tattoos and constant bruises. He is strong, a leader and will fiercely protect what is his. But don't let him fool you and push you away, there is a well-meaning and soft side to Cole that takes a while to poke into and get used to. He knows things, things that Alice has been guessing at and she needs him to tell her if she's right or if she is as crazy as her father was.
Alice is strong and an amazing heroine - she is not afraid to feel her sadness, do what's right, speak her mind and surprisingly, with all that she's been through and continues to go through, has an amazing sense of humor. She will not be told what to do nor be backed into a corner. She is prepared to fight back to honor her family and protect her new family and friends.

There is never a dull moment in 'Zombieland' - set at a great ongoing pace and never a predictable moment - the zombies are everywhere. And not in the way that you think they are. Few can see these zombies. And even fewer people can stop these zombies from killing, or worse, creating other zombies.

A zombie-story like no other! Gena Showalter met all of my 'Wonderland' expectations and  gave me so much more! Whether your a fan of fairy-tales or gory zombies, this is definitely a book to read and add to your shelf!


You will not be able to resist Cole!!!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Gena Showalter

"Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in paranormal and contemporary romances, as well as young adult novels. Her series include White Rabbit Chronicles, Angels of the Dark, Otherworld Assassins, Lords of the Underworld, Alien Huntress and Intertwined.

Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine, and have been translated in all over the world. The critics have called her books "sizzling page-turners" and "utterly spellbinding stories", while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise”. 





Monday, September 24, 2012

A Review & Giveaway: The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver



by Lauren Oliver
Release date: October 2nd, 2012
Published by: HarperCollins
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Format read: ARC

SUMMARY

"One night when Liza went to bed, Patrick was her chubby, stubby, candy-grubbing and pancake-loving younger brother, who irritated and amused her both, and the next morning, when she woke up, he was not. In fact, he was quite, quite different.

When Liza's brother, Patrick, changes overnight, Liza knows exactly what has happened: The spindlers have gotten to him and stolen his soul.


She knows, too, that she is the only one who can save him.


To rescue Patrick, Liza must go Below, armed with little more than her wits and a broom. There, she uncovers a vast world populated with talking rats, music-loving moles, greedy troglods, and overexcitable nids . . . as well as terrible dangers. But she will face her greatest challenge at the spindlers' nests, where she encounters the evil queen and must pass a series of deadly tests--or else her soul, too, will remain Below forever.


From "New York Times" best-selling author Lauren Oliver comes a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty, the meaning of love, and the enduring power of hope."


Author, Lauren Oliver, chats about how she was inspired to write The Spindlers!


FAVORITE QUOTES from The Spindlers

"The world is a freak, she should have said.
Everything that happens in it is strange and beautiful."

~ Liza, The Spindlers, (ARC) page 83
_______________________________________

 "Impossible."

"That is a human word," she said.
"And a very ugly one at that. We have no use for it Below."

~ Conversation between Liza and Mirabella, The Spindlers, (ARC) pages 126-127
________________________________________

"I didn't think that hope was something that grew," Liza said.

"Of course it grows," Mirabella said. "What else would it do? Sing?"

~ The Spindlers, (ARC) page 127


MY REVIEW

This is my first Lauren Oliver read, and I honestly don't know why I have waited so long to read one of her books! She has created a magical and unique world called Below where dark and creepy things live and come Above to take things that they need. Now, don't let dark and creepy deter you and make you believe that everything Below is bad, looks can be deceiving. Give things a chance, take a closer look and then decide if it's good or bad... The Spindlers was inspired by Maurice Sendak's book called, Outside Over There, a creepy children's book about a little girl who has to go find her baby brother who was stolen by goblins. Definitely not your typical bedtime story - and neither is The Spindlers. 

One day, Liza wakes up and instantly notices that something is not right with her little brother, Patrick. And she instantly knows what has happened to him - it's the work of a Spindler. A "spindler" is a large spider that has human hands. They come Above (our world), steal people's souls and bring them down Below (there world is under ours) for their Queen. There is no time to hesitate, Liza knows what she must do. As much as a bother little brothers can be, she is the only one who knows what has happened and must go Below and get Patrick's soul back before it's too late. 
As soon as Liza goes Below, I felt like I was right next to her and was able to picture every single detail that Oliver laid out for us!   
We quickly meet Mirabella, an eccentric rat who volunteers to guide and help Liza get to the spindlers nest. Now don't judge, not all rats are dirty and scandalous!
And Liza's determination, stubbornness, bravery and most of all, her outpouring love for her family - even after her parents ignore her and constantly dismiss her "imagination" - she is an inspirational, motivating and memorable character. 

If you are a lover of all things from Alice in Wonderland, the dark and magical things from Coraline and the trials and tribulations of Harry Potter - then this is definitely a must have book to add to your shelf!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Lauren Oliver

"Lauren Oliver comes from a family of writers and so has always (mistakenly) believed that spending hours in front of the computer every day, mulling over the difference between “chortling” and “chuckling,” is normal. She has always been an avid reader. 

She attended the University of Chicago, where she continued to be as impractical as possible by majoring in philosophy and literature. After college, she attended the MFA program at NYU and worked briefly as the world’s worst editorial assistant, and only marginally better assistant editor, at a major publishing house in New York. Her major career contributions during this time were flouting the corporate dress code at every possible turn and repeatedly breaking the printer. Before I Fall is her first published novel. 

She is deeply grateful for the chance to continue writing, as she has never been particularly good at anything else."


Enter to WIN an ARC of THE SPINDLERS by Lauren Oliver!!!
- Giveaway ends October 10th, 2012!
- U.S. only, sorry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, September 23, 2012

The Beehive Book Update #19: The "Ketchup" Edition

It's been THREE weeks since I've done an update, haul or anything like it! 
And that's because I really didn't have much to show or say, lol! So here's a quick "ketchup" on all the stuffs that I've received in the last few weeks... 
I was also in a somewhat reading slump, climbed out of it and was able to read 4 books! but I feel the "slump-bug" still lurking about and I really don't want to slide back into another one so quickly...
What do you do to keep yourself from slump-ing??? 


I'm also participating in Tynga's "Stacking the Shelves" this week :)

What I received for review...
Embrace by Jessica Shirvington (YA)
- Entice by Jessica Shirvington (YA)
- Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris by Marissa Moss (MG)

What I bought/won...
- What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang (YA)
- Dear Teen Me: Author's Write Letters to Their Teen Selves by Numerous Authors  (YA)
Annie Bananie by Leah Komaiko (Childrens)
- Frankenweenie: A Novel by Elizabeth Rudnick (MG)
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (Classic YA)
Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Excerpt/YA)
- Every Day by David Levithan (YA)
- Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck (YA)
- Delirium by Lauren Oliver (YA)
- Leather Bracelet by BookFiend
- It's Paper Dear Planner and stuff by Zie of Darling Dear


Thank you to...
- Liz Fichera, author of Hooked (January 29th, 2013)
- Sourcebooks Fire and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
- Epic Reads
- HarperCollins

My current giveaways...
- Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster (Adult Steampunk Romance)
Upcoming giveaway...
- The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver (MG)

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!
Please be sure to leave a comment and your links too :) 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Cover Reveal: OPAL (Lux #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I am SO very thrilled to have the opportunity to share with you the latest cover reveal for
Jennifer L. Armentrout's third book in the Lux Series, Opal!!!

(Lux #3)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release date: December 11th, 2012
Published by: Entangled Publishing 

SUMMARY 

No one is like Daemon Black. 

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn't fooling around. Doubting him isn't something I'll do again, and now that we've made it through the rough patches, well... There's a lot of spontaneous combustion going on. 

But even he can't protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love. 

After everything, I'm no longer the same Katy. I'm different... And I'm not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I'm capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won't turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever. 

Together we're stronger... and they know it. 

Add OPAL to your to-read list and pre-order now!!! 


MY THOUGHTS

This is definitely my favorite cover out of the whole series!
It speaks volumes and I cannot wait to read it!!!

What do you think??? 


Follow this link to an ~~~ EPIC CONTEST ~~~ Announcement. 
You will want to bookmark this page:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Jennifer L. Armentrout

USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories… which explains her dismal grades in math. 
Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.



Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

Interview with Bec McMaster, author of KISS OF STEEL and a Giveaway!!!


I am so thrilled to have the Bec McMaster, the debut author to the just released steampunk romance novel,
KISS OF STEEL, stop by for a quick interview! 

1. Can you please describe KISS OF STEEL in five words or less?
BM: Action-packed, steamy, wildly romantic.

2. What inspired the steampunk elements in KISS OF STEEL? 
BM: I had this idea of creating an alternate Victorian-era world, where the ruling aristocracy in London was comprised of blue bloods – or blood-drinkers. The aristocratic Echelon is a corruption of the ton, where the aim of every debutante is not to make a good marriage but a thrall contract; as a blue blood’s thrall she provides blood in exchange for being cared for and kept.

After the humans guillotined their blue blood aristocracy in France, Britain’s elite sat up and took notice. Ruling London with an iron fist, they were aware that humans outnumbered them and I began to think about how a group of creature’s – stronger and faster but less numerous than humans – could keep such power. As it was set during the time of the Industrial Revolution an answer immediately sprang to mind; machines. An automaton army that patrols the streets of London, in fact. And from there, of course the only way to defeat such an army would be by humans creating weapons of their own.… The world grew from there.

3. Which one of the characters was your favorite to write about and why?
BM: My hero Blade was definitely my favorite to write. Cocksure and so certain-of-himself – except when it came to Honoria - he sprang into my head almost fully formed and never left! I could almost hear that delicious cockney accent in my ear the whole time I wrote the book. My heroine Honoria, on the other hand, wasn’t as easy to discover as Blade. Both he and I spent hours trying to coax her out of her stubborn little secrets.

4. What can you tell us about the next book in the LONDON STEAMPUNK SERIES: HEART OF IRON?
BM: Heart of Iron features Honoria’s younger sister Lena, and Will, Blade’s verwulfen lieutenant. When Will finds a coded letter on a pair of men who burn down the Echelon’s draining factories, he knows war is on the horizon. Finding the same code on Lena however, makes him realize that the flirtatious young woman who drives him crazy is involved. He’ll do anything to protect her, even if it throws him into the glittering, malicious world of the Echelon; a world that sees him and his verwulfen kind as nothing but slaves-without-a-collar.

5. May you please share with us what you are currently working on? 
BM: Officially I’m tidying up Book Three of the London Steampunk series, which features the elusive Master of the Nighthawks (rogue blue bloods who work as thief-catchers and trackers) and a masked revolutionary he’s been sent to destroy. In my spare time I’m dabbling with a Sekrit Project you may hear more of in the coming months.

And for fun... 
- Favorite book and/or author?
BM: The world’s toughest question.… The answer changes too, depending on my mood and what I’ve read lately. Okay, if I had to pick one author who always leaves a smile on my face its Ilona Andrews and for my favorite book, Pawn in Frankincense by Dorothy Dunnett. Gut-wrenching and an absolute work of art for what is not said. However, that’s historical fiction. If we’re talking romance, I’d have to go with Meljean Brook’s The Iron Duke. I love me some alpha male.

- Favorite fairytale and/or fairytale character?
BM: Beauty and the Beast. You can blame Disney. I used to love Hans Christian Anderson as a child, as I adore how twisted some of those tales truly were, but then I saw Belle’s library. As a teenager all I ever wanted was that library. And what romance-addict can go past the redemption of the Beast?

- Favorite snack and/or drink to have while writing? 
BM: A cup of tea and a Tim Tam (which is a type of chocolate biscuit).


_________________________________

A huge thank you to Bec McMaster for taking the time to interview with me! And a special thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for making it happen!

You can see MY REVIEW of KISS OF STEEL right here!!! 

AND, please be sure to enter the giveaway below,
for your chance to win a copy of KISS OF STEEL!!!
_________________________________ 

KISS OF STEEL BY BEC MCMASTER was released on September 4th ,2012!
A brilliantly creative debut where vampires, werewolves, and clockwork creatures roam the mist–shrouded streets of London...

 When Nowhere is Safe…

Most people avoid the dreaded Whitechapel district. For Honoria Todd, it's the last safe haven.
But at what price?

Blade is known as the master of the rookeries—no one dares cross him. It's been said he faced down the Echelon's army single–handedly, that ever since being infected by the blood–craving he's been quicker, stronger, and almost immortal.

When Honoria shows up at his door, his tenuous control comes close to snapping. She's so...innocent. He doesn't see her backbone of steel—or that she could be the very salvation he's been seeking.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Bec McMaster


Award-winning author Bec McMaster lives in a small town in Australia and grew up with her nose in a book. A member of RWA, she writes sexy, dark paranormals and steampunk romance. When not writing, reading, or poring over travel brochures, she loves spending time with her very own hero or daydreaming about new worlds. 


Find Bec McMaster on



Enter to win a copy of KISS OF STEEL by Bec McMaster!!! 

Giveaway rules
- Must be a U.S. or Canada resident, sorry!
- Prize being supplied by Sourcebook Casablanca.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, September 20, 2012

A NEW Anti-Bully and Inspirational Children's Series: The Legend of Captain McFinn and Friends by Phyllis Cafaro

Today, I have the most wonderful opportunity to share an amazing new anti-bully and inspirational series with you. McFinn Press has released a new series this year called
CAPTAIN McFINN AND FRIENDS.
It is targeted for children in grade levels Pre-Kindergarten to 3rd grade (ages 3-8).

All of the books artwork is bright, capturing, storytelling and, for lack of a better word, amazing! My boys (ages 6 and 8) thoroughly enjoyed Captain McFinn and his friends quick adventures. We read all three books together and within minutes after reading, both of my boys began to have their own little "fish adventures" and talk about how cool it would be to hangout with nice friendly fish, especially a shark that wasn't so nice but learned how to not only be nicer, but become a better friend.

Each book also has a section in front introducing each of the characters that will be in the story. And in the back, there is always a "fun fact" page teaching you different things about ocean-life and how to take care of it. 

by Phyllis Cafaro
Release date: January 31st, 2012

SUMMARY
Captain McFinn was once one of the biggest bullies on Sand Dusty Reef, but when he meets the Undersea Friends, he learns that being a friend is always better than being a bully.
Come along with Captain McFinn and Friends and see how McFinn, the bully, became Captain McFinn the leader and protector of Sand Dusty Reef.

MY REVIEW
This was such an enjoyable book - not only for my kids, but for myself too. In this first story, we learn how Captain McFinn overcomes his bully-ways, makes new friends and becomes 'captain' of the group. We learn that the best thing you can do is to always be the best version of yourself. No matter how others behave, you should always do what is best for not only yourself, but for everyone around you too. And that everyone has a little "Fin Power" within!


Captain McFinn and Friends Meet Coral Rose
by Phyllis Cafaro
Release date:  January 31st, 2012

SUMMARY
Captain McFinn and Friends go on an adventure of discovery when they stumble upon a new ocean paradise where they meet their newest friend, Princess Coral Rose - Princess Between the Tides. 

MY REVIEW
In their next adventure, Captain McFinn and Friends meet Coral Rose - a girl that lives in the water and can heal coral reefs and all things and sea creatures that live in the ocean. 
We learn that we must work together to be eco-friendly, recycle, and to come up with ways to take better care of our oceans. 

One of my favorite quotes:
"But doing the right thing when we're scared is the bravest thing of all!"

And best of all, always remember to mind your manners!

by Phyllis Cafaro
Release date: June 6th, 2012

SUMMARY 
The day Captain McFinn and his Undersea Friends start a band, they learn about more than just making great music. 
When Bella feels left out, it takes some extra Finn Power to get everybody read for the big contest. 
Will hard work and friendship win the prize, or will Tox and the Barracuda Brothers ruin the fun? 

MY REVIEW 
In their latest adventure, Captain McFinn and his friends decide to recycle some junk that was dumped into the ocean and create musical instruments and become a band. Wish a little help from Coral Rose's magical powers, they immediately put their instruments together and begin practicing. What we learn is, no matter how much fun we're having, we must not be selfish and we should be aware that everyone is being treated equally and are included in all the fun. Also, practicing and dedicated hard work always pays off in the end! 


Overall, this series is truly a fun way to teach our children how to be better people, how to be better friends and to also take care of not only themselves and each other, but to also consider how their actions will effect others and the environment. 

I highly recommend this series to everyone who has grade school kids in their lives and teachers too! 


THE CAPTAIN McFINN MISSION:

"The vision of Captain McFinn and Friends is to inspire children to make a difference by doing their very best. Each adventure will show that by working together and taking responsibility for our actions and our environment, we can make the world a better place to live in, one child (and fish) at a time."

To learn more about Captain McFinn and all his friends, please visit the following links

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday #26: The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson


"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 
This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)

What I'm waiting on... 

by Melanie Dickerson
Expected publication date: December 24th, 2012 

SUMMARY

A daring rescue. A difficult choice. Sophie desperately wants to get away from her stepmother's jealousy, and believes escape is her only chance to be happy. Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is betrothed to his older brother, and everything twists upside down. This could be Sophie's one chance at freedom---but can she trust another person to keep her safe? Gabe defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by going to find Sophie, and now he believes they had a right to worry: the girl's inner and outer beauty has enchanted him. Though romance is impossible---she is his brother's future wife, and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else---he promises himself he will see the mission through, no matter what. When the pair flee to the Cottage of the Seven, they find help---but also find their feelings for each other have grown. Now both must not only protect each other from the dangers around them---they must also protect their hearts.




BOOK TRAILER


Why I'm waiting on The Fairest Beauty...

BECAUSE I love fairytale retellings, of course :)
And the cover is lovely!

And from the summary, how has this Gabe guy 'defied' his parents by finding Sophie?
And why would HE find her for his brother???

Can't wait to find out!

What are you waiting on this week??? 

 
Imagination Designs
Images by LabyrinthofDreams