"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


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Release Day (Excerpt and Giveaway): THIS RAGING LIGHT by Estelle Laure (YA)


I am very excited for today's release today!!! 
THIS RAGING LIGHT by Estelle Laure sounds amazing!!!
I cannot wait to get a copy of it!!!

If you haven't heard about this book yet, be sure to check out all the details in this post... 

This blitz includes a giveaway for a finished copy of the book!
And, a bottle of nail polish that matches the cover! Courtesy of Estelle, HMH and Rockstar Book Tours!!! 
Be sure to enter using the Rafflecopter towards the bottom of this post.

http://www.rockstarbooktours.com

by Estelle Laure
Release date: December 22nd, 2015
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Format: Hardcover (288 pages), eBook, Audiobook



SUMMARY

Can the best thing happen at the worst time?

Her dad went crazy. 

Her mom left town. 

She has bills to pay and a little sister to look after. 

Now is not the time for level-headed seventeen-year-old Lucille to fall in love. 
But love - messy, inconvenient love - is what she's about to experience when she falls for Digby Jones, her best friend's brother. 

With blazing longing that builds into a fever pitch, Estelle Laure's soulful debut will keep readers hooked and hoping until the very last page.


BUY IT NOW





Praise for THIS RAGING LIGHT

"A funny, poetic, big-hearted reminder that life can - and will - 
take us all by surprise.” 

- Jennifer E. Smith, THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT 




EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

When Wrenny and I roll up the hill to Eden’s house in Mom’s ancient Corolla, Digby and his dad, John, are outside playing basketball, and I want to get in the house as fast as possible,
because otherwise I might be trapped here all day, staring. I get a little twinge of something seeing a dad and his kid playing ball like dads and kids are supposed to. That’s a real
thing, and my hand wants to cover Wren’s face so she can’t see all that she is missing.

            Which reminds me. “Wren.”

            “Yeah?” She’s wiping at her shirt, reading a book on her lap, and she’s a little bit filthy, her hair greasy and knotty in spite of my efforts this morning. At some point the braids came out, and she’s reverted to wild.

            “You know how Mom hasn’t been around lately?”

            She stops. Tightens. “Yeah,” she says.

            “Well, we don’t want anyone to know about that, okay?
            Even Janie and Eden and Digby and John.”

            “But Mom’s on vacation. She’s getting her head together. She’s coming back.”

            “Okay, yes,” I say, “but still. We don’t want to tell anyone, because they might not understand that. They might get the wrong idea.”

            “Like that she left us permanently?” There is so much more going on inside that Wrenny-head than I can ever know.

            “Maybe, or at least for longer than she was supposed to.” I reach for the handle to the door because I can’t look at her. “Someone might think that.”

            “She didn’t, though,” she says. “She’s Mom.”

            “Of course she didn’t.” Lie.

            “So who cares what anyone thinks?”

            “Wren, just don’t, okay?”

            “Okay.”

            “Some things are private.” I open the door, then lean back across and wipe uselessly at her shirt with my thumb. “Like Mom being on vacation. So, okay?”

            “I said okay, okay?” She gets out and waits, stares at me like I’m the most aggravating person on earth. “Hey, Lu?”

            “Yeah?” I say, bracing myself for what’s next.

            “Your mama’s so fat, she left the house in high heels and came back in flip-flops.”

            I would tell her that I hate her new obsession with fat jokes, but I’m not in the mood for any dawdling, so I half laugh and get moving. I want to get inside and quick because there’s also the other thing. And by “other” I mean what makes me sweat just standing here. And by “thing” I mean Digby, who I have known since I was seven but who lately makes a fumbling moronic moron out of me, a full-on halfwit. Ask me my name when I’m in his presence and I’m not likely to be able to tell you. I’d probably just say, “Lllll . . . lllllllu . . .” and you’d have to catch the drool running down my chin.

            I know. It’s not at all attractive.

            But really. Tall, sweaty, and not wearing a shirt, so the muscles are all right there for the watching. He doesn’t exactly glisten, on account of the fact that he’s whiter than white, that he tans by getting freckles so he’s covered in them now after a whole summer outside. But seeing his hair all plastered to his forehead, his body so long and lean, looping around his dad to get the ball into the hoop, I want to fall out of the car and onto my knees in the driveway, say Lord have mercy, hallelujah, write sonnets and paint him, and worship that one little curve where his neck meets his shoulder that is just so, so perfect.

            He is beautiful.

            Which is why when he says hi as I pass him, I barely raise a pinky in response. There are two main problems here, aside from the fact that he is Eden’s twin and that’s all kinds of weird.

            One, he’s had the same girlfriend since the dawn of time. They’re pinned, she wears his jacket, their marriage certificate is practically already signed. Angels bless their freakin’ union. And two, if I ever did get a chance with him, like if he ever kissed me or something, I would die of implosion. I know I sound like a twelve-year-old mooning over some celebrity, and not the extremely self-possessed woman-tobe that I actually am, but something about him makes me lose my mind. Something about the way he moves, about his himness — it shatters me all the way down. So I hope he never does kiss me. That would be nothing but a disaster. No one needs to see me fall apart like that. Least of all him.

            Actually, maybe least of all me.




GIVEAWAY

- One winner will receive a hardcover of THIS RAGING LIGHT 
and a bottle of Essie Nail Polish that matches the book cover!
- US only. 
- Giveaway ends December 31st at midnight EST.

(*Bumbles and Fairy-Tales will not be held responsible for any lost, damaged, stolen, etc. prizes.)




ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Estelle Laure


Estelle Laure is a Vonnegut worshipper who believes in love and magic and the power of facing hard truths. 

She has a BA in Theatre Arts from New Mexico State University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and thinks everyone should have to wait tables or work in a kitchen at least once in their lives. 

She lives in Taos, New Mexico with her children.



Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday #146: THE FORBIDDEN WISH by Jessica Khoury (YA)


"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 Jessica Khoury
Expected release date: February 23rd, 2016
Published by Razorbill (Penguin)
Genre: Young Adult Fairytale Retelling


SUMMARY

She is the most powerful Jinni of all. 
He is a boy from the streets.
Their love will shake the world... 

When Aladdin discovers Zahra's jinni lamp, Zahra is thrust back into a world she hasn't seen in hundreds of years - a world where magic is forbidden and Zahra's very existence is illegal. She must disguise herself to stay alive, using ancient shape-shifting magic, until her new master has selected his three wishes. 

But when the King of the Jinn offers Zahra a chance to be free of her lamp forever, she seizes the opportunity - only to discover she is falling in love with Aladdin. When saving herself means betraying him, Zahra must decide once and for all: is winning her freedom worth losing her heart? 

As time unravels and her enemies close in Zahra finds herself suspended between danger and desire in this dazzling retelling of Aladdin. 



Why I'm waiting on THE FORBIDDEN WISH???

Yes, it's another Aladdin retelling!
BUT, the twist - the jinni falls in love with Aladdin!
And, of course, there are going to be complications... 

I can't wait!!!


What are you waiting for???

Sunday, November 1, 2015

October 2015 Book Haul #101, Wrap-Up and November TBR!


HAPPY NOVEMBER!!!

It's November 1st, can you believe it???

I hope you all had a lovely Halloween, or, if you don't celebrate, a wonderful weekend - month!!! 
I did not expect to have any books to share with you all this month, especially not this many, lol! 

Hubs surprised me with the reimagined Twilight, he remembers my Edward-year's, lmao!

My reading time has dwindled down quite a lot. I'm sad that I don't have as much time as I used to for reading and blogging; but I still try to! And that's what counts, right?!

Here's my haul for October... 

My October book/movie haul :)


*What I received for review...
- DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (The Secret Diamond Sisters #3) by Michelle Madow (ARC) from the author. 
- UPROOTED: A Canadian War Story by Lynne Reid Banks (ARC) from Harper 360.
- RED: The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff (ARC) from Penguin Randomhouse.
- THIS IS SADIE by Sara O'Leary and Julie Morstad (HB) from Penguin Randomhouse.
- THE NOT VERY MERRY POUT-POUT FISH by Deborah Diesen (HB) from Macmillan.

From the author, Michelle Madow.

*Books I received from giveaways...
- THE IRON TRIAL (Magisterium #1) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare (HB) from Scholastic.
- THE COPPER GAUNTLET (Magisterium #2) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare (HB) from Scholastic. 
From Scholastic.

*Gifts from my awesome #OTSPSecretSister...
From my #OTSPSecretSister

- CROWN OF MIDNIGHT (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas (PB) 
- FUNKO POP: Amy Farrah Fowler 

*Books and Movies I purchased... 
- LIFE AND DEATH: Twilight Reimagined by Stephenie Meyer (HB) 
- INVISIBILITY by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan (HB) 
- THAT'S NOT MY SNOWMAN by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells (HB) 
- PANDA IN THE PARK by Anna Milbourne and Rachel Wells (HB) 
- PITCH PERFECT 2



MY OCTOBER WRAP-UP

Not pictured: UNDER HIS SKIN and DREAM ON, AMBER

- SCARLET (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer
- UNDER HIS SKIN (Alien Encounters #1) eBook by Stacey O'Neale (A)
- MAX THE BRAVE by Ed Vere (C) 
- DREAM ON, AMBER eBook by Emma Shevah (MG) 
- TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer 
- LIFE AND DEATH:Twilight Reimagined by Stephenie Meyer 
- THIS IS SADIE by Sara O'Leary (C) 


MY NOVEMBER TBR

Not pictured: CRESS and UP TO THIS POINTE

- CRESS (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer 
- THE DREAM THIEVES (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater 
- DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (The Secret Diamond Sisters #3) by Michelle Madow 
- UP TO THIS POINTE eARC by Jennifer Longo 
- A ROBOT IN THE GARDEN by Deborah Install (A) 
- SNOW WHITE by The Brothers Grimm 
- THE NOT VERY MERRY POUT-POUT FISH by Deborah Diesen (C) 



THANKS SO MUCH for stopping by!!! 
Please be sure to leave a comment and your links so I can visit your blogs too :) 
xoxo 

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday #145: THE IRON WARRIOR (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #3) by Julie Kagawa (YA)


"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... 


The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #3
by Julie Kagawa
Release date: October 27th, 2015
Published by Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

The Iron Prince - my nephew - betrayed us all. 

He killed me. 

Then, I woke up.

Waking after a month on the brink of death, Ethan Chase is stunned to learn that the Veil that conceals the fey from human sight was temporarily torn away. Although humankind's glimpse of the world of Faery lasted just a brief moment, the human world has been cast into chaos, and the emotion and glamour produced by fear and wonder has renewed the tremendous power of the Forgotten Queen. 
Now, she is at the forefront of an uprising against the courts of Summer and Winter - a reckoning that will have cataclysmic effects on the Nevernever. 

Leading the Lady's Forgotten Army is Keirran himself: Ethan's nephew, and the traitor son of the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase. 
To stop Keirran, Ethan must disobey his sister once again as he and his girlfriend, Kenzie, search for answers long forgotten. In the face of unprecedented evil and unfathomable power, Ethan's enemies must become his allies, and the world of the fey will be changed forevermore. 


Why I'm waiting for THE IRON WARRIOR... 

I've been waiting, and waiting, and anxiously waiting for this book!!!

Book 2 had one of the biggest cliffhangers I have ever read!!!

I NEEEEEEEEEED this book the minute it is set wild and free into the world!!!

I don't even care that my ramblings right now don't make any sense at all... 
so sorry if you have no idea what I am talking about! BUT... If you haven't read this series.
I don't know if we can be friends. You're missing out on some of the most epic characters to have ever been brought to life!!!

For the love of all fae!!!!... 


SO, what are you anxiously waiting for???!!!


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