"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


Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday #144: THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH by Ali Benjamin


"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where 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 pretty too :) 


What I'm currently waiting for... 


by Ali Benjamin
Expected release date: September 22nd, 2015
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary
Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook


A stunning debut about how grief can open the world in magical ways.

After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy was a rare jellyfish sting. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory - even if it means traveling the globe, alone.

Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe... 
and the potential for love and hope right next door. 


BOOK TRAILER
 



Why I'm waiting for THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH... 

First, the book's cover caught my eye immediately... 
the yellow font and how the sky is made to look like the sea is brilliant and pretty.

Secondly, the summary is very brief, but, I can already feel Suzy's heartache and need to make sense to what has happened to her friend. This little girl is desperately trying to make sense as to why this tragedy happened; she is doing what she has to do in order to grieve.

Lastly, there aren't many books out there that explore and help children through grief. Death is a very difficult subject to talk about in general, to anyone. As a parent, I am always looking for the right words to use, how to keep it 'short and straight' and then give them cookies and a funny movie so they don't dwell on the difficult subject that we just discussed. It's hard not to sugarcoat things for them. They need to know that things can happen. That things do happen. And having books like this really helps us to help them come to their own understanding. 


Now, please tell me, what are you waiting for right now??? 


Saturday, September 12, 2015

August 2015 Book Haul #100, Wrap-Up, September TBR and HUUUGE Update!


Hello, bookworms!!!


It's been way too long since I've chatted with all of you! I haven't even been able to keep up with twitter lately... but that might be because I'm an Instagram-addict, lol! 

Every time I think life is going to be one way, it goes in the opposite direction - not a bad thing, but, it is unpredictable! My energy isn't what it used to be (don't worry, I have a doctors appointment coming up soon) and, as you all know, my boys and family come first! And then the baked goods, books and my creative adventures...

Here's a (somewhat) quick recap of all the things that have happened in the past month - lots of changes will be happening around here, including on my blog! Take a peek and let me know what you think! xo


* * * 


First - all the books I received in the last 6 weeks... 



*What I received for review...
GAIA (The Wings of War #2) by Karen Ann Hopkins (eBook) from the author.
- EDGAR AND THE TREE HOUSE OF USHER (HC) by Jennifer Adams (Children's Picture Book) from Gibbs Smith. 
- DREAM ON, AMBER (ARC) by Emma Shevah (MG) from Sourcebooks. 
- CONCENTR8 (ARC) by William Sutcliffe from Bloomsbury. 
- INTO THE DANGEROUS WORLD by Julie Chibbaro from Penguin Random House.
- LITTLE MASTER LOUIS STEVENSON: TREASURE ISLAND 
and EMMA: An Emotions Primer Book (BabyLit) by Jennifer Adams from Gibbs Smith. 

*From my new #OTSPSecretSister...
THE ASSASSIN's BLADE (Throne of Glass #0.1-0.5) by Sarah J. Maas (PB)
- THE SHADOW PRINCE (Mortal Enchanment #1) by Stacey O'Neale (PB) 

*From an instagram giveaway... 
- A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT by Sandy Hall (PB) from Randi @sweetlittlepenpals :)


* * * 


My August Wrap-Up


- The Wanderers by Kate Ormand (YA - eARC)
- Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer (YA - Audiobook) 
A Whole New World (A Twisted Tale) by Liz Braswell (YA - ARC)
- Edgar and the Tree House of Usher by Jennifer Adams (C - HB)


I am SO sad that my pile is SO small this month!

I usually read 8 to 10 books... it's been a very busy time around here. And with my boys new schedules for school this year, it doesn't seem to be getting any slower. I don't want to disappoint myself anymore, so I am lowering my monthly reading goal to half, 4 to 6; in hopes that I can review more and also keep up with my new creative adventures :) 



* * * 



My September TBR


Well, being that we are already on the 12th, my pile has changed a bit, lol!

Here's my updated TBR for September

- Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer (YA - HB)
- Under His Skin by Stacey O'Neale (Adult - eARC) 
- The Dream Thieves (Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater (YA - HB)
- Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid (YA - ARC)
- First & Then by Emma Mills (YA - ARC)
- Max the Brave by Ed Vere (C - ARC)
- Always There Bear by Trudi Granger (C - HB) 
- The Red Car by Tim Hoppey (C - HB)
- Tito, the Firefighter (Tito, el Bombero) by Tim Hoppey (C - HB)


* * * 


MORE UPDATES... 


If you follow me on Instagram (@thebumblegirl), you'll know that I have a new obsession with getting creative in planners and travelers notebooks! 


I'll be sharing a lot more of my creative ventures on the blog, starting today!!!
Many of you know already that I am a papercrafter and mix media artist... I create greeting cards, scrapbook and started project life. 

I've recently teamed up with two amazing small shops to not only help my new found obsession, lol, but to help promote their products! 


I am so very happy to say that I am a part of the
Mrs Brimbles Creative Planner & Journal Design Team!!! 



Mrs Brimbles Shop and subscription boxes offer a variety of papercrafting needs - 
you will find all things planner, stationery and project life/scrapbooking related. 
"Bits and bobs" can also be used for greeting cards, mix media art and anything your creative heart desires!!! 

Mrs Brimbles Personal Planner Subscription Box contents
Follow Mrs Brimbles on her Blog / Instagram / Facebook / Facebook GROUP
and don't forget to check out her SHOP!!!


* * * 


I'm also so very happy to say that I am also a part of the
THAT MOXIE CHICK STUDIO PR!!!


For all you sticker lovers! This is the place to go to get the cutest stickers right now :) 
Follow on Instagram - there's a giveaway going on that ends on September 19th!

ALSO... 


SAVE 15% OFF your entire order (no minimum purchase required)
when you use coupon code

THEBUMBLEGIRL15

Happy shopping :) 

* * * 


A few pics from the last month... 

Hubs gave me flowers for our 12th anniversary :) 
Brothers <3 
Back-to-School shopping! 
BEEish card/stickers and bookmarks from the very sweet, Marie Landry!!! 
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL pics!!!





* * * 


Thanks for stopping by!!!

Please leave a comment with your link so I can visit your blogs, book hauls, creative posts and anything you'd like to share!!
xoxo

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: UNDER HIS SKIN (An Alien Encounters Novel) by Stacey O'Neale (A)


by Stacey O'Neale
Expected release date: September 21st, 2015
Published by Entangled: Covet
Genre: Adult Science Fiction - Romance
Format: eBook


SUMMARY

Earth girls are never easy. But they're worth it.

Bakery owner Annabelle Sparks' business is booming ever since she won reality TV's Cupcake Wars. The one thing deflating her happy soufflé? The extremely sexy Kaden Chance only sees her as a best friend-and Annabelle wants so much more. After waiting a year for him recognize their chemistry, she's giving up and dating other people.

What she doesn't know is Kaden's heart doesn't actually beat. He's not human. Heck, he's not even from Earth. To retain his intergalactic immunity, no one can ever know he is an extraterrestrial. But when Annabelle starts dating, something strange happens to Kaden's unmoved heart: it begins to beat. 
Now he faces an impossible choice-tell Annabelle the truth and be deported - or lose his last chance at love.



PRE-ORDER


CONTEST


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Stacey O'Neale


Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland.

When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers.

Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance.
Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.



 
Imagination Designs
Images by LabyrinthofDreams