Blog Tour (Review): THE A-WORD (A Sweet Dead Life #2) by Joy Preble (YA)

http://sohopress.com/the-a-word-blog-tour/

THE A-WORD

A Sweet Dead Life Novel, #2

by Joy Preble

Release date: May 13th, 2014

Published by: Soho Teen

Genre: Young Adult - Supernatural/Angels

Format: Hardcover, (Pre-order Paperback), eBook

Format read: ARC received by publisher for an honest review.

SUMMARY

Jenna Samuels is about to turn fifteen. It's been almost a year since her stoner brother, Casey, bit the dust. Almost a year since he returned as her guardian angel, along with his "angel boss," Amber Velasco, the hot twenty-something former EMT. Almost a year since Casey and Amber used up their one-time-only angel power of flight to save Jenna from the evil Dr. Renfroe, swooping down to catch her as she tumbled off the balcony at the Houston Galleria. In short, a lot of A-word shenanigans and a mostly happy ending.

Except now Casey's begun to wonder why he's still hanging around—not that he minds protecting Jenna. She's a handful, but there's got to be a bigger picture, right? Something to distract him from his on again/off again, doomed relationship with cheerleader Lanie Phelps, who has no idea her boyfriend is, well, dead. After all, he can't use his angel wings anymore. Neither can Amber. 

Enter Bo Shivers, Amber's "angel boss"—a mysterious A-word guy Jenna and Casey didn't even know existed. Whiskey-guzzling. Handsome in a grizzled way. Unpredictable. Okay, make that crazy. Bo lost his angel wings in an earthly flight a long, long, long time back—and he's been a thorn in Angel Management's side ever since. But Bo knows something is coming. Something big. Something that was worth forfeiting wings for Jenna... something that might just change everything for everyone.

MY REVIEW

Joy Preble has done it again! The A-Word is amazingly touching, funny, heartbreaking and realistic follow up to A Sweet Dead Life! Great writing, plot, mystery and intriguing characters! I need more books from this author asap!

It's been a year now, Jenna is turning fifteen, wants to get her permit and has her eye on a cute boy. Things have been better, she's got her health, her mother is better and working, her dad is kind of in the picture, but at least that mystery was solved. And her brother, Casey, well... he's still an A-Word for sure. And as much as Jenna tries to live a normal life, having the A-Word hanging around all the time is really hard. Having no one to talk about it, having to lie and hide everything that has happened to everyone, her mother, father, best friend Maggie and boyfriend Ryan, is not easy. She's been through so much already, having a couple of guardian angels around should make life a bit easier.
Now Casey is wondering why he's still hanging around. He's done his job, is there something more for him? The mystery continues when we learn more about Amber, the EMT that help pull Jenna and Casey out of their car wreck who, in the first book, we learn she's an A-Word too.. and now Amber's "angel boss", Bo Shivers, is in the picture. Bo is unpredictable, loud and acts like he knows it all. But he's so vague with everything that he says. Is it possible that he doesn't know as much as he says he does?
Something big is about to happen! And all we can do is wait and see...

I am really enjoying watching Jenna grow into a mature and responsible teen. She thinks things through, she is overly thoughtful and caring and is now more confident being her own person and dealing with what life has given her. It's impossible not to want to grab her up, feed her and hug her to death!
Again, I cannot emphasize enough that the relationship between Jenna and her brother, Casey is spot on! The love/hate between them is endearing and realistic. Their one-liner banters had me laughing out loud. I adore them! It is the best written sibling relationship I have ever seen in YA.

Fast-paced, well-written and out-of-this-world!
I cannot wait until book 3 is announced!!!

See my review of book 1, THE SWEET DEAD LIFE, right here!!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Joy Preble

Joy Preble is the author of the DREAMING ANASTASIA series (Sourcebooks) and the SWEET DEAD LIFE series (Soho Press), a YA Texas makeover of the angel book. 

Joy grew up in Chicago, where she dreamed of being a back up singer but settles for becoming a writer so she could get paid for making up stuff.

She now lives with her family in Texas, where when she's not writing, you can find her eating guacamole, watching trash TV, and embracing her inner nerd. 

Goodreads / Official Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr

Blog Tour (Excerpt/Giveaway): MRS. POE by Lynn Cullen (A)

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MRS. POE

by Lynn Cullen

Release date: April 1st, 2013

Published by: Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster)

Genre: Adult Women's Historical Fiction

Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

1845: New York City is a sprawling warren of gaslit streets and crowded avenues, bustling with new immigrants and old money, optimism and opportunity, poverty and crime. Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” is all the rage—the success of which a struggling poet like Frances Osgood can only dream.As a mother trying to support two young children after her husband’s cruel betrayal, Frances jumps at the chance to meet the illustrious Mr. Poe at a small literary gathering, if only to help her fledging career.

Although not a great fan of Poe’s writing, she is nonetheless overwhelmed by his magnetic presence—and the surprising revelation that he admires her work. What follows is a flirtation, then a seduction, then an illicit affair...and with each clandestine encounter, Frances finds herself falling slowly and inexorably under the spell of her mysterious, complicated lover.


But when Edgar’s frail wife Virginia insists on befriending Frances as well, the relationship becomes as dark and twisted as one of Poe’s tales.And like those gothic heroines whose fates are forever sealed, Frances begins to fear that deceiving Mrs. Poe may be as impossible as cheating death its elf.


Much like The Paris Wife, MRS. POE combines literary fiction with reimagined historical drama; much like Poe himself, Lynn Cullen captures his mysterious and macabre tone. While providing a voyeuristic peek into the heart and mind one of the history’s most fascinating literary figures, Cullen explores the themes of artistic expression, social standing in the 1800s, and the self-ownership of women.

EXCERPT

Two weeks later, I was tucked beneath a thick buffalo robe, riding downtown in Miss Fuller’s carriage. I had been too nervous to enjoy the trip or to appreciate Miss Fuller’s carriage, pulled by a clopping bay. That Miss Fuller was the only woman in New York to support herself by writing, let alone to have enough leftover to buy her own buggy, mattered little to me at that moment. Why had I agreed to meet Poe? And why would he want to meet me? He had already made and broken an appointment the previous week. I had been relieved by the cancellation, only to become agitated once more when he set up a different date. As suddenly and inexplicably as he had championed my poetry at the New York Society Library, he could withdraw his support if I said something wrong. Who knew what triggered the man’s tomahawk?

Miss Fuller jerked on the reins. “Here we are.” She looked at me expectantly, as if I should climb out of her trim little gig without her.

“Shouldn’t we wait for the doormen to take your reins?” I asked.

“Take my reins? Oh—did you think I was coming with you? No, no, dear, I’m off to investigate a slum on Hester Street. You really thought I was coming with you? I only meant that I would take you

here. I thought your husband would appreciate my escorting you since he is, as you say, out of town.”

“Would you rather I came with you to the slum?” I asked.

“And have you jilt Mr. Poe? I wouldn’t dare.” Miss Fuller steadied her horse, then waved me toward the hotel. “Go on. It will be good for your books.”

Reluctantly, I climbed out from under the heavy robe. I held my breath as the carriage rattled away.

I found myself on the sidewalk before the hotel, contemplating an immediate about-face up Broadway when I felt someone’s presence behind me. Before I could move, a man said, “Lord help the poor bears and beavers.”

I turned to find Mr. Poe, his black-lashed eyes trained upon the building before us. Without a hello he said, “Davy Crockett’s words, upon first seeing this pile.”

I hesitated. “Because of Mr. Astor’s fur trade?”

He continued as if I had not spoken. “But Crockett was mistaken. It wasn’t the bears and the beavers that made Astor’s fortune. It was the opium he bought from the Chinese.”

I looked at him in surprise. “Mr. Astor deals in opium?”

He kept his gaze upon the hotel. “Whenever you see this much wealth, assume that someone dirtied his hands. Fortunes don’t come to saints.”

“I’ve never thought of that.”

He gave me a sharp glance. “Really?”

I drew back, chastened.

“Mr. Astor prefers to be known for the slaughter of animals rather than for his association with opiates. I wonder why that is.” He lowered his sights to me. “Shall we enter, Mrs. Osgood?”

So he did recognize me. I preceded him inside, into the hot maw of the lobby. As we walked past impressive people dressed in beautiful clothes, I felt low and insignificant, a ne’er-do-well’s abandoned wife, although my gown was as fine as anyone’s. What a sham I was.

I stopped to face him. “Congratulations on the success of ‘The Raven.’ ”

He frowned as if insulted.

“People love it. I hear talk of it everywhere I go.”

“‘People’ have no taste. Don’t tell me that you think it’s a work of genius.”

Was this a trick? I scanned his dark-rimmed eyes for clues.

When I did not answer he said, “Thank you, Mrs. Osgood. You’re the first honest woman I have met in New York.” He shook his head.

“It is my luck that I will become famous for that piece.”

Still not sure that I shouldn’t be gushing, I switched to safer ground. “May I ask what you are working on now?”

“A book on the material and spiritual universe.”

I laughed.

He watched me coolly.

“I’m sorry. I thought you were joking.”

“I never joke.”

“Of course not. Excuse me.”

“Although I wish I were. It will never sell.”

“Your work always sells,” I said lightly.

“Not any of my works with a true idea in them. People want to be titillated or frightened. They don’t want to think.”

I smiled hesitantly. What did he want with me?

“This is why I singled out your poems in my lecture,” he said. “They have real feeling in them, if one reads between the lines.”

I could not help but be disarmed. “Thank you. I find that the thoughts spoken between the lines are the most important parts of a poem or story.”

“As in life.”

I reluctantly met his intense gaze. “Yes.”

“I am particularly taken with your poem, ‘Lenore’:

So when Love poured through thy pure heart his lightning,

On thy pale cheek the soft rose-hues awoke—

So when wild Passion, that timid heart frightening,

Poisoned the treasure, it trembled and broke!

I swallowed my surprise. “You memorized it.”

An elegant couple drifted by, he in succulent wool and she in layers of costly lace. Mr. Poe frowned. “It spoke to me somehow, and not just because I had written a poem with the same title and had used the name in ‘The Raven.’ ”

“A coincidence.”

He stared at me.

I looked away. Why had Mr. Poe called this meeting? Surely he had better things to do than to raise the hopes of an unknown writer.

“You are probably wondering why I wished to meet you.”

I drew in a breath.

“Actually, it is on behalf of my wife.”

“Mrs. Poe?”

He frowned slightly at my unnecessary question. “She is a great reader. I have taught her all of the classics. I like to encourage her when she shows interest in good work, and your poems, Mrs. Osgood,

delight her.”

I pictured the pretty woman-child I had seen at Miss Lynch’s conversazione. I wondered if it was my poems for adults or for children that she admired.

“Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Poe. I wish she were here so that I could thank her, too.”

His expression hardened. “She has had bronchitis. Her recovery has been long and difficult. There was no question of her going out today.”

“I am sorry to hear that.”

“The few times she has ventured beyond our home have only served to set her back.”

“I am truly very sorry.”

He glanced away, then glared as if I’d offended him. “You will not hear her complain. She’s a brave, good girl. If I could only take her to Jamaica or Bermuda or some such hot clime, I’m certain she would become well.”

Why did they not go, then? With his success, surely he had the money.

“I hope she gets well soon.”

His expression settled back into cool civility. “It is bold of me to ask—we are perfect strangers, and you have obligations to your husband and family—but might you come visit her someday? I know

from looking into your eyes that you are a good person, and kind, and that your gentle association might help her.”

That was why he wished to meet with me? Ashamed of my disappointment, I exclaimed, “I should like very much to meet her! Might I have the pleasure of visiting her at your home?”

“Mrs. Osgood, you are too kind. Yes. Yes, we’d like that very much.”

“When would you like me to come?”

“At your convenience.”

“Would next week suit you?”

“Name your day. Any day. I will arrange my schedule around you.”

“Monday? In the afternoon?” I saved my morning hours for writing . . . writing, that is, what I hoped would be my imitation of his work.

He bowed, as stiffly formal as if in a royal court. “We would be so grateful.”

He gave me directions to his home on 154 Greenwich Street, then bowing again, left me in Astor’s parlor with all the frippery that bears and beavers and opium could buy.

BUY LINKS

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / iTunes / Kobo / Amazon UK

GIVEAWAY

5 paperbacks of MRS. POE (U.S. Only), directly from publisher.

Entry-Form

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Lynn Cullen

Lynn Cullen is the author of The Creation of Eve, named one of the best fiction books of the year by The Atlanta Journal- Constitution; and Reign of Madness, nominated for the Townsend Prize for fiction. 

She is also the author of numerous award-winning children’s books, including I Am Rembrandt’s Daughter. 

An avid traveler and historian, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Literati Author Services, Inc.

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales Updates and Book Haul (#63)

Hello bookish-nerds :) 
I hope you are all doing well and are enjoying amazing reads!!!

It's been a really busy two weeks around these parts - and of course, everyone had to get sick to make thing even more interesting for me, lol! They're all doing better except me :p I have now lost my voice and it's been quite funny trying to get things done and keep my boys in line, ha! 
It's also been a very busy time for books too! I did not think that I would have a book haul already, let alone one with so many books! I am beyond happy and blessed and cannot wait to read all of them within the next few months... 

2 weeks ago, my sister and I had a girls night out to the Book Revue for Jenny McCarthy's 'Stirring the Pot' book signing - we had SO much fun! It felt good to just be us for a little while, with the bonus of being surrounded by books ;) 

I am participating in STACKING THE SHELVES

hosted by Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews

For review...
- HUNGRY (ARC) by H. A. Swain (YA) from MacTeen for Blog Tour/Review
- DEADWOOD (PB) by Kell Andrews (MG) from Spencer Hill Press for Good Choice Reading Blog Tour/Review

Book-trades... (via YA Book Exchange)
- LET'S GET LOST (ARC) by Adi Alsaid (YA)
- DOROTHY MUST DIE (HB) by Danielle Paige (YA)

What I purchased...
- DAUGHTER OF SMOKE & BONE (HB) by Laini Taylor (YA)
- DAYS OF BLOOD & STARLIGHT (DAUGHTER OF SMOKE & BONE #2) (HB) by Laini Taylor (YA)
- A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L'Engle Graphic HB Novel by Hope Larson (YA)
- BEWITCHING: THE KENDRA CHRONICLES (HB) by Alex Flinn (YA)
- CLOAKED (HB) by Alex Flinn (YA)
- SPEAK (PB) by Laurie Halse Anderson (YA)
- MONSTROUS BEAUTY (HB) by Elizabeth Fama (YA)
- THE GEOGRAPHY OF YOU AND ME (HB) by Jennifer E. Smith (YA)
- BAD HABITS: Confessions of a Recovering Catholic (signed PB) by Jenny McCarthy (A)
- STIRRING THE POT: My Recipe for Getting What You Want Out of Life (signed HB) by Jenny McCarthy (A)

Currently reading...
- CITY OF LOST SOULS (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare (YA)
- THE A-WORD (Sweet Dead Life #2) by Joy Preble (YA) for Blog Tour/Review

What's distracting me from reading...
- Twilight movie marathon :P
- Countdown to the last day of school for my big boys: 5 1/2 weeks left!!!
- My three sons and baby nephew :)

Thank you so very much for stopping by today!!!

Please share your thoughts and links in the comments!!!

xoxo

Blog Tour (Review): THE IDEA OF HIM by Holly Peterson (A)

THE IDEA OF HIM

by Holly Peterson

Release date: April 1st, 2014

Published by: William Morrow Paperbacks

Genre: Adult Contemporary Fiction

Format: Paperback, eBook
Format read: Paperback I received from publisher for an honest review.

SUMMARY

Allie Crawford is a once aspiring screenwriter turned successful public relations executive, mother of two young children, and wife of a hotshot magazine editor whose power base spans the worlds of finance, fashion, culture, entertainment, and society. At 34, she finds herself at a crossroads: between the office and her home, her life has become an endless rotation of people pleasing-whether pulling rabbits out of hats for her mogul boss, entertaining advertisers and phony A-listers for her husband's magazine, or making elaborate costumes for children's school plays. At least, that is, until she meets a head turning, traffic stopping beauty at the bar of the famed Four Seasons Grill Room - where many of the novel's players regularly convene - and shortly thereafter finds the same woman and her husband in an apparently compromising position in her own apartment.

And so begins the story of two very different women bound by similar missions - to uncover the crimes and betrayals of various men in their lives and finally put their own interests front and center.

For Allie this ultimately means leaving a husband who is ideal in theory but not in practice, and deciding to risk security for self-fulfillment and a new life on her own. Like so many women, Allie fell for the man she married when she was in her twenties only to realize years later that it wasn't him she fell for as much as it was the idea of him - the idea of a savior who would protect and provide and ferry her from her past into the future. But the guy who seemed so right at the time turned out to be nothing more than a fantasy.

MY REVIEW

I have to admit, I assumed that this book was going to be your typical chick-lit book: clueless girl fell in love with the wrong guy, breaks-up, picks up the pieces and proceeds to have a happily-ever-after. I was so very wrong - and that is a good thing. This book was not what I expected at all, within the first few pages I knew that it was not going to be easy to put it down, the writing is exquisite; I really, really enjoyed its fast paced storyline, the unexpected twists and turns, the realistic characters and the harsh reality of denial...

Allie is a good mom, loyal wife and hard worker. Her world is everyone elses world, and she's been happy doing it all. Or so, she thinks she's happy doing it all. There's history, there have been signs, but she never pays attention to anything bad or negative for too long. For many years all she's done is run away from her past, her heartaches. And she's proud of herself for being able to push it all away and live a happy life... until she catches her husband in the laundry room with a gorgeous 20-something. What is she suppose to think? What do you think?.. You don't think something happened in there, do you? Something did happen in there... but its not entirely what you think, maybe a little...
The mystery, the needing to know who this gorgeous girl is! We soon find out that her name is Jackie, and she knows things - she knows everything about Allie, her family, her finances, mostly her husband. Allie's world is crumbling, but Jackie asks her to hold on for a bit longer, trust her and in the end, she'll be happy that she did. How is Allie suppose to trust someone who has had a relationship with her husband? Who knows things that they shouldn't know? Who is so vague with information but yet so smart and honest? Let the page-turning novel speak for itself - I couldn't read it fast enough!

I must say, as wonderful the story and writing is, it took me a few chapters to get used to these characters - but like in real life, sometimes you have to get to know people in order to understand them. Each character is extremely flawed - a few I completely understood why they were the way that they were. Allie's denial and wanting to stick up for her husband and all the men in her life was annoying at times - but she has her reasons and I could not hold that against her. The author did an outstanding job with letting us into her head with flashbacks and explanations. But, her husband Wade and her boss Murray where undeniably chauvinistic, mean, bossy and so much more. They annoyed me and I just wanted to scream. The author really goes in deep and shows the competitive side to business, and how that can control people's lives. She really outdid herself with the realism of it all! These people do exist and if a character gets under my skin that much, the author did her job! Especially depicting the NYC life, how busy and crass it can all be! There is a lot of swearing and sexual innuendos, you have been warned.

Holly Peterson really understands the difficulties within unique and intense relationships and explores it all in great detail, heart with a splash of humor. This is more than just a beach read - it's a must read!
Go enjoy it now!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Holly Peterson

Holly Peterson is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Manny and the upcoming The Idea of Him. 

She was a Contributing Editor for Newsweek, an Editor-at-Large for Talk magazine and an Emmy Award–winning Producer for ABC News, where she spent more than a decade covering global politics. Her writing has been published in the New York Times, Newsweek, Talk, The Daily Beast, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and numerous other publications.

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Follow the rest of THE IDEA OF HIM tour here!!!

Virtual Author Book Tours

May New Release Giveaway Hop!

Welcome to the MAY NEW RELEASE GIVEAWAY HOP!!!

Hosted by Giselle @ Bo-ok Nerd

Here are some April releases that I am looking forward to!!!

I hope you see some that you are looking forward to too!!!

Some Young Adult...

- City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare 

- Confessions of the Very First Zombie Slayer (That I Know Of) by F. J. R. Titchenell 

- Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

- Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl 

- Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4) by Katie McGarry 

- Mortal Enchantment by Stacey O'Neale 

Some New Adult and Adult titles...

- All Lined Up by Cora Carmack (NA)

- Burning Dawn (Angels of the Dark #3) by Gena Showalter (NA)

- Sweet Filthy Boy (Wild Seasons #1) by Christina Lauren (NA)

- The One & Only by Emily Giffin (A)

- Cutting Teeth by Julia Fierro (A)

- One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern (A)

- The Bees by Laline Paull (A)

What are YOU needing the mostest this month???
Enter below!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Have fun hopping :)

Waiting On Wednesday #83: ILLUSIONS OF FATE by Kiersten White (YA)

"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... 

ILLUSIONS OF FATE

by Kiersten White

Expected release date: September 9th, 2014

Published by: Harper Teen

Genre: Young Adult

Format: Hardback, eBook

SUMMARY

“I did my best to keep you from crossing paths with this world. And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have.”

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.

Why I'm waiting on ILLUSTIONS OF FATE...

Because!!! It's Kiersten White!!!

I really enjoyed her Paranormalcy trilogy!!!

Described as "Downtown Abbey meets Cassandra Clare"... with romance?!

I am so in on this!!!

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

Waiting On Wednesday #82: POISONED APPLES: POEMS FOR YOU, MY PRETTY by Christine Heppermann (YA)

"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... 

POISONED APPLES: POEMS FOR YOU, MY PRETTY

by Christine Heppermann

Expected release date: September 2014

Published by: Greenwillow Books

Genre: Young Adult Poetry

Format: Hardback, eBook

SUMMARY

Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty, will be published by Greenwillow Books in September, 2014. 

Poisoned Apples has been called:

"A bloody poetic attack on the beauty myth that's caustic, funny and heartbreaking" (E. Lockhart) 

A "powerful and provocative exploration of body image, media, and love." (Rae Carson)

"Simply phenomenal. Heppermann’s honest voice grabs the reader with urgency. This collection is a champion for teens and adults who see our world as an advertisement for perfection that doesn’t exist. Readers will want to read these poems aloud over and over again." (A. S. King)

Why I'm waiting on POISONED APPLES...

Even though an official summary has yet to be released by the publisher, 

this book of poetry sounds epic! 

Look at all those quotes! Such high praises!

And the cover, oh my, I am in love with the cover!

"Curiouser, curiouser..." 

SO, what are you waiting for this week?!?!

Giveaway: ONE HUNDRED NAMES by Cecelia Ahern (A)

ONE HUNDRED NAMES

by Cecelia Ahern

Paperback release date: May 6th, 2014

Published by: William & Morrow (Harper Collins)

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Format: Hardback, Paperback, eBook

Format read: ARC

SUMMARY

Internationally bestselling author Cecelia Ahern delivers her biggest and most compelling book yet — a tale of secrets, second chances, and the hidden connections that unite our lives.

Scandal has derailed journalist Kitty Logan's career, a setback that is soon compounded by an even more devastating loss. Constance, the woman who taught Kitty everything she knew, is dying. At her mentor's bedside, Kitty asks her, 

"What is the one story you always wanted to write?"

The answer lies in a single sheet of paper buried in Constance's office—a list of one hundred names—with no notes or explanation. But before Kitty can ask her friend, it is too late.

Determined to unlock the mystery and rebuild her own shaky confidence, Kitty throws herself into the investigation, tracking down each of the names on the list and uncovering their connection. Meeting these ordinary people and learning their stories, Kitty begins to piece together an unexpected portrait of Constance's life . . . and starts to understand her own.

You can see my 5-bee review here!!!

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Cecelia Ahern

Cecelia Ahern was born on September 30, 1981 in Dublin, Ireland. She is the daughter of the former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. On 14th December 2009 it was announced that Cecelia had given birth to her first child with partner David Keoghan, a girl named Robin. She was secretly married on 11 June 2010 in County Kildare, Ireland. Her older sister, Georgina Ahern is married to Nicky Byrne of Irish pop group Westlife. Cecelia was a member of the Irish pop group Shimma who finished third in the Irish national for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000. She attended Griffith College Dublin and obtained a degree in Journalism and Media Communications. 

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales April Updates and Book Haul (#62)

Happy MAY!!!
I cannot believe we're in May already!
SO much going on... my baby boy is getting big - his bottom two teeth came in at such an early age! oi! My older boys are even bigger - I can't keep up! And now, I have a little nephew to smooch upon!!! All boys in this family, lol! So happy for my sister and brother-in-law!!!

I've decided that since I don't get many books, etc. that I am going to only update and share my book hauls once or twice a month. Which hopefully will leave me with more time to post more reviews!!!

Hope you're all having a wonderful spring (or fall, depending where you are in the world!)!!!

I am also participating in Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Review.

What I received for review...
- UNREMEMBERED (PB) by Jessica Brody (YA) from Macmillan for review.
- MORTAL DANGER (Immortal Game #1) (ARC) by Ann Aguirre (YA) from Macmillan for review.
- THE IDEA OF HIM (PB) by Holly Peterson (A) from William Morrow for blog tour/review.

Gifts from friends :)
- EASY (Indie PB) by Tammara Webber (NA) from Lisa of Dizneeee World of Books

Book-Trades!
From Brandy of A Little Book Life:
- DEEP BLUE (Waterfire Saga #1) (ARC) by Jennifer Donnelly (YA)
- THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING (ARC) by Erika Johansen (YA) 
From Maura of The Whimsical Mama:
- EMBRACE (The Violet Eden Chapters #1) (PB) by Jessica Shirvington (YA)
- ENTICE (The Violet Eden Chapters #2) (ARC) by Jessica Shirvington (YA)
- THE 5TH WAVE (HB) by Rick Yancey (YA)

Books I purchased...
- TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE (HB) by Jenny Han (YA)
- SPELLCASTER (HB) by Claudia Gray (YA)
- CITY OF LOST SOULS (Mortal Instruments #5) (PB) by Cassandra Clare (YA)
- THE GIVER (PB) by Lois Lowry
- WICKED NIGHTS (Angels of the Dark #1) (eBook) by Gena Showalter (A)
- JANE AUSTEN GIRL (Free eBook) by Inglath Cooper (A)
- A SUFFERING SOUL: DARK LOVE POEMS (Free eBook) by Darren Heart (A)

Novellas/Short Stories I purchased...
- THE FIRST MIDNIGHT SPELL (Spellcaster eNovella #0.5) by Claudia Gray (YA)
- GLITTER & DOOM (Masque of the Red Death eNovella #1.5) by Bethany Griffin (YA)
- NO PLACE LIKE OZ (Dorothy Must Die eNovella #0.5) by Danielle Paige (YA)
- FALLEN: ANGELS IN THE DARK (Fallen Shorts #0.1 - 3.8) by Lauren Kate (YA)
- RED AT NIGHT by Katie McGarry (YA) for FREE!
- YOU ARE HERE by Liz Fichera (YA) for FREE!
- THE GIFT OF A GOOD START by Earl Sewell (A) for FREE!

What's distracting me from reading...
- Movie(s): Valentine's Day and Beastly
- Our trip to BOOK REVUE, Huntington NY
- My baby boy's 2 bottom teeth are here already!!! And he's still teething, seems 2 more are coming in! oi!
- My little nephew, Logan, was born!!! I'm a first-time auntie!!!

April 2014

Thank you for stopping by today!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

xoxo