Summer Lovin' Blog Tour: STICKY FINGERS: DIY DUCT TAPE PROJECTS and THE GREEN TEEN COOKBOOK (Review)

Summer Bloggin' Book Tour

STICKY FINGERS: DIY DUCT TAPE PROJECTS

by Sophie Maletsky

Release date: July 1st, 2014

Published by: Zest Books

Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult

Format: Paperback, eBook

Format read: Paperback from the publisher.

SUMMARY

"Sticky Fingers" is a vibrant, easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to creating amazing projects with the hottest crafting material on the market today duct tape! 

The book includes tons of photographs alongside directions designed to make creating a wallet and making a bag even easier, while also providing a steady stream of ideas for personalizing and embellishing your duct tape creations. 

Each project includes icons showing difficulty level and project time, as well as helpful hints, such as how to keep your scissors clean and what to do with end pieces. 

So grab a roll of duct tape, pick a project, and get started!

OUR REVIEW

How many times have we used Duct Tape to fix things? Sometimes using it for the most oddest fixes too, right? Who knew that someday someone would take the time to create fabulous things with it! 

This DIY book has it all! 

The supply list is not long, you don't need to spend much money; all you need is Duct Tape, a clean surface (I highly suggest a crafting mat) and non-stick scissors. 

The beginning of the book explains all the different types of tapes that will work best, best surfaces to work on, how much material you need to start with and how to store your sticky materials. 

It then continues on with some basic how-to techniques that you will eventually need in your projects. Each set of directions clearly states what you will need, how much tape is needed and what steps you will be doing. Alongside each step are bright pictures that you can compare your project with to make sure that your on track to succeeding the final outcome. 

Also, each project is clearly marked with its difficulty level and it also gives you approximately how long it should take you to complete it - which I love! Sometimes all I need is a quick distraction to entertain my kids knowing that by a certain time they will be done and we can then move on to other things without any difficulties. 

Overall, the book clearly illustrates how fun it is to create projects with Duct Tape - things you can wear, like ties, belts and bracelets; things that you can use, like totes, wallets and phone cases; and things that you have fun with, like a checker board and baskets and picture frames.

This book is for everyone! I was just as excited as my kids when this book arrived  - we had fun shopping together and even more fun getting sticky and getting creative putting our project together. The easy how-to steps can be used in a small setting or with a large group too. 

*A paperback copy was sent by the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. 

OUR PROJECT - Bookmarks

Our supplies! Cost: Less than $20! (We used our Michael's coupons!)

Our first attempts at Duct Tape-ing... bookmarks! 

My 8yo decided to go with an unconventional bookmark design and tassel :)  

And his bookmark does the job right! 

DIY Duct Tape projects have instantly become a favorite family-hobby to share.

The tape is fun, and can be quite sticky to little fingers, but that just made the fun more giggly and memorable. My boys and I have other projects lined up for the next few weeks before school starts - 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Sophie Maletsky

Sophie Maletsky is a Nickelodeon Parents’ Pick award winner, a certified teacher on

curious.com, and a duct tape expert. An award-winning children’s event planner, craft and kid expert, her website, Sophie's World (sophie-world.com), features thousands of ideas, how-to's and videos for crafts, games, and activities. Known as the “premier authority on duct tape crafting in the United States,” she lives and creates in San Francisco.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

THE GREEN TEEN COOKBOOK

Edited by Laurane Marchive and Pam McElroy

Release date: July 29th, 2014

Published by: Zest Books

Genre: Young Adult Cookbook

Format: Paperback

Format read: Paperback from the publisher. 

SUMMARY

Going green is hard to do especially when it comes to food. There are acronyms to learn, labels to decipher, seasons to accommodate, and grocery stores to navigate and that's before you even turn on the stove! The Green Teen Cookbook cuts through the chaos and shows teens how to shop smarter, cook more consciously, and eat a healthier diet. And in addition to the 70+ incredible recipes (created by teens, for teens), 

the book also includes:

* Illuminating essays about freeganism, flexitarians, vegetarianism, and more!
* Tips about how to shop on a budget and get the most out of what you already have in your pantry!
* A seasonal key that ensures the freshness of the recipes (and a minimal carbon footprint)!
* Photos for each of the 70+ recipes!

The original British edition of this book was honored as The Best Sustainable Food Book in the UK, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2012.

OUR REVIEW

The Green Teen Cookbook is filled with simple eco-minded recipes created by teens for teens to use. However, there truly is no age limit to those who want to create delicious quick meals, snacks and desserts. Anyone can learn from these recipes! 

The 'Rough Guide' to eating healthy and seasonally was a great intro for my kids to learn about how important it is to eat the right food for vitamins and growth. There is also an intro on the difference of Vegetarianism and Flexitarian, which also helped my children understand better how people choose to eat and stay healthy. 

Recipes that you can find in this book: anything from how to make your own mayonnaise, peanut butter or chocolate spread,  to energy bars and hash browns, to seasonal snacks, lunches and dinners, and of course, delectable healthy desserts.

Each recipe has been created by different teens from around the world - a picture and quote from them is featured with their recipe. Ingredients are common and directions are easy to follow. 

One of the best parts of the book is the Kitchen Safety guide that my husband and I read and then re-read to our kids. As parents, we sometimes rush through things without thinking thoroughly and have realized that it is truly important to remember to use different cutting boards for different foods in order to avoid cross contamination. And to thoroughly clean, sterilize and store everything in its right place. 

Overall, this book is definitely drool-worthy! The close-up pictures of every recipe are intoxicating. The recipes are easy to follow. And the book is definitely easy to follow, for all ages. I look forward to cooking more recipes with my kids.

*A paperback copy was sent by the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. 

ABOUT THE EDITORS

Laurane Marchive studied journalism at the Institute of Political Sciences, Lille, and Modern French Literatures at the Sorbonne, Paris. After working as a journalist in France, Indonesia and India, she moved to London where she is now working as an editor, translator and rights agent. 

She also works as a freelance circus performer. 

Pam McElroy is an editor and caterer living in San Francisco, California. 

She edits books of all genres and caters under the name Meatball Maven. 

Her favorite hobbies are reading cookbooks cover to cover and cooking epic meals for her friends and family. 

http://zestbooks.net/blog/

Release Day and GIVEAWAY: EDGE OF FALLING (Fallling #2) by Valia Lind (YA)

EDGE OF FALLING
Falling #2

by Valia Lind

Release date: August 13th, 2014

Published by: Self-published

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Format: eBook

SUMMARY

For Chance, there's always only been Dakota. 

He's been in love with the girl since the day they met. He's tried everything to get her to notice him and nothing has worked. So when things suddenly start moving in the right direction, Chance can't believe his luck. 

Until Kyle comes along. 

Kyle is like a new shiny toy and Dakota loves new and shiny. She falls for the tall, blonde and gorgeous fast and without looking back. Dating the summer before college wasn't in the plans, but come on, Kyle is perfect. So why does Chance and his snarky grin keeps popping up in her mind now that Dakota has found her happiness? 

When Chance's world comes crashing down, Dakota proves the strength of their friendship, surprising herself and everyone around her, by helping him pick up the pieces. In return, Chance is finally able to crack her hard shell, discovering that not everything is sunny in Dakota-land. Her world is not what it seems on the outside, and together, they're able to pull each other to the brink of safety and sanity. 

Dakota likes that things are simple with Kyle, so why does she feel more like herself around Chance? 

As graduation grows closer, both Chance and Dakota learn that the plans you make for your life don't always play out the way you expect them and sometimes, everything starts to make sense when you find yourself on the edge of falling.

BUY LINKS

Amazon eBook / Amazon paperback / Barnes and Noble / iTunes / Smashwords / CreateSpace

Order signed books and swag directly from the author here!

Falling by Design (Falling #1)

Release date: March 11th, 2014

SUMMARY

Brooklynn Summers has a plan for her life: graduate from high school, get into a top fashion school, prove to her family that she’s not a failure. She wishes someone in her life understood her need to create because her parents sure don’t support her dreams, her sister hates her, and the deadlines are soon approaching. 

Enter Grayson Banks. 

There are a few things in life Brooklynn can’t stand: mismatched patterns, cheap polyester, and Grayson. No boy has ever publicly humiliated Brooklynn like Grayson has. When he suddenly moved away in eighth grade, Brooklynn happily wished him good riddance. But on the first day of senior year, Grayson comes back, with his piercing blue eyes and a smile that melts icebergs, he is not exactly the boy Brooklynn remembers. She quickly realizes that Grayson’s intentions have completely shifted, but she’s not sure if she can put their past behind her. 

Grayson understands Brooklynn’s creative ambitions and he devises a plan to showcase her work to the world. When the two agree to work together, suddenly, there is more than just fabric paint that’s having a chemical reaction to its environment. Brooklynn cannot help but feel pulled into Grayson’s arms, but memories and misunderstandings surface, putting in danger whatever small comradeship these two childhood enemies have constructed. 

Can Brooklynn overcome her own insecurities, finally making her dreams come true? Even a dream she didn’t know she had.

GIVEAWAY

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Valia Lind

Goodreads / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr / YouTube

Waiting On Wednesday #96: NO PLACE TO FALL by Jaye Robin Brown (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 for...

NO PLACE TO FALL

by Jaye Robin Brown

Expected release date: December 9th, 2014

Published by: Harper Teen

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends every Friday night hanging out at her best friend Devon’s house. It’s only when Amber goes exploring in the woods near her home, singing camp songs with the hikers she meets on the Appalachian Trail, that she feels free — and when the bigger world feels just a little bit more in reach.

When Amber learns about an audition at the North Carolina School of the Arts, she decides that her dream — to sing on bigger stages — could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older (and unavailable) brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out for the hypercompetitive arts school. But the more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.

Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world — and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between “right” and “wrong,” there’s a whole world of possibilities.

Why I'm waiting on NO PLACE TO FALL...

A sweet contemporary!
Good girl trying to find her place in the world, dipping her toe in being more independent and taking a nibble on the wild side! 

The cover is also sweet! But seems a bit misleading - I had high hopes that the summary would say or hint to something about a possible road trip....?
Or is the cover just a metaphor for the 'journey' in finding herself???

What do you think??

What are you waiting for??? 

Review: THROUGH THE WOODS by Emily Carroll (YA Graphic Novel)

THROUGH THE WOODS

by Emily Carroll

Release date: July 15th, 2014

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster)

Genre: Young Adult Graphic Novel - Fairytale

Format: Hardback, Paperback, eBook

Format read: Paperback I purchased.

SUMMARY

A fantastically dark and timeless graphic debut, for fans of Grimm Tales, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and the works of Neil Gaiman 

'It came from the woods. Most strange things do.'

Five mysterious, spine-tingling stories follow journeys into (and out of?) the eerie abyss.

These chilling tales spring from the macabre imagination of acclaimed and award-winning comic creator Emily Carroll.

Come take a walk in the woods and see what awaits you there.

MY REVIEW

The most hauntingly beautiful book I have ever seen! The illustrations alone will creep into your brain and burrow in for nightmares to come. The writing and dialogue has a way of whispering right into your ear, giving chills and everlasting goosebumps. I don't think I will ever be able to convey into appropriate words how brilliant this graphic novel is. Emily Carroll has upped my fairytale expectations to a point that I will probably never be able to find another novel that will captivate like this.

First, I must gush over the book's cover and its illustrations; the cover effectively sets the tone to the stories and will draw you in whether or not you want to be. The woods are enchanting and inviting, just look at those dead white trees on the cover - they are raised and textured, and if you look closer, you can see claws branching out to grab at you. You will be captivated by each story; and you will probably skim through the whole book needing to see the stories before you can actually bring yourself to actually read them. That's the beauty of this graphic novel, you don't have to read it in order to feel the eeriness. The words, the dialogue, adds to the horror, suspense and thrill.

There are five short stories. But the one that spoke to me the most and will forever give me chills is the second one called A Lady's Hands are Cold... it reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe's short story, The Tell-Tale Heart.  A girl's father marries her off and is sent to go live in her groom's ornate home. Her handmaids dress her richly and she only sees her husband at dinner. Every night she goes to her room and hears an eerie voice, a woman's voice singing the saddest tune, throughout the house - the walls, the floors. After a few nights she is overcome by the woman's grief and goes to investigate where it is coming from... now, let your imagination run. It will not compare to what unfolds for this girl.

And then the ending, the 'conclusion' of the entire book, is a story on its own too. It is by far my favorite part of the book since it seems to be an obvious nod to Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. Yes, the entire book does have an influence from this fairytale as well, but here, here is where it all starts and ends, and it is truly brilliant!

All who love graphic novels, fairytales and/or horror chilling stories will truly appreciate everything about Through the Woods - the quality, the details, the storytelling - these stories will linger on your mind for years to come...  a picture book like no other.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Emily Carroll

"My name is Emily Carroll, and I was born in June of 1983. I grew up in London (Ontario) but moved to Vancouver for work after graduating Sheridan College's Classical Animation program. 

I have since moved back to Ontario, and now live in Stratford with my wife, Kate Craig. We have a very large cat.

My comics have appeared in several anthologies, such as The Anthology Project V2, Explorer: The Mystery Boxes, kus! #9, Little Heart, Creepy #9 (Dark Horse), Fairy Tale Comics (First Second), The Witching Hour (Vertigo), and others. 

My first book, Through the Woods, a collection of short horror stories, is being published by Margaret K. McElderry Book in July 2014, and be Faber and Faber in the UK. "

Goodreads / Website / Blog / Twitter

A NEW 50/50 BOOK OUTLET SALE!!!

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales has teamed up with Book Outlet

to bring you the latest updates and sales that Book Outlet has to offer!

50% off ALL SUSPENSE Titles!!!

The 50/50 sale is where 50 books are marked down 50% - 

this sale changes every Monday and runs throughout the week! 

Be sure to check the link every Monday for new books at 50% off! items!!!

This sale starts today, August 11th and will end on August 18th at midnight.

50/50 U.S. Sale

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Giveaway: FIND MY WAY HOME by Michele Summers (A)

FIND MY WAY HOME

by Michele Summers

Release date: July 1st, 2014

Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Adult Romance

Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

Everyone knows that money can't buy happiness. The promise of money is even worse. Especially for a small town designer with big dreams. Bertie Anderson is finding out anticipation only buys trouble. When the offer of $150,000 is dropped into her lap for designing one house, she dumps her dreams of leaving town and gets to work. If only she wasn't so distracted by her hubbalicious client. Why would an ex-pro tennis player move to tiny Harmony, NC?

Keith Morgan is wondering the same thing. Sure, he needs a safe place to raise his daughter, away from the party lifestyle of his past. But does it have to be in a crazy, little town where everyone knows his business? What's worse is his aunt has given him an ultimatum: get married in three months or risk losing his little girl. Finding a woman is no problem. Parades of them show up at his house like the paparazzi. The problem is he only has eyes for Bertie, his quirky, curvy, maddening designer. And he couldn't marry her, because this go round he needs to play it safe...and Bertie is anything but safe!

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Bumbles and Fairy-Tales is not to be held responsible for any unclaimed, lost, stolen, damaged, etc. prizes. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Michele Summers

Hey there. Hope you get a chance to stop by my website: www.michelesummers.com or check me out in the bookstores. My new series, Harmony Homecomings will be hitting the bookshelves on July 1, 2014. First one up is Find My Way Home, featuring a very cute and talented interior designer (of course close to my heart!) named Bertie who lives in the small town of Harmony, North Carolina and desperately wants to get out and move to a big city to grow her business. She's only 3 weeks away from her goal when Keith Morgan, ex-professional tennis player makes her an offer she can't refuse by re-doing the old Victorian he just bought for his daughter and himself. 

Check it out for a few good laughs and discover how Keith and Bertie combat their attraction to each other while trying to find their way home. 

Hope you enjoy it!

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Excerpt and Giveaway: FIRST & FOREVER (The Crescent Chronicles #4) by Alyssa Rose Ivy (NA)

FIRST & FOREVER

The Crescent Chronicles #4
by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Release day: August 11th, 2014

Published by: Self-published

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Format: eBook

SUMMARY

Ever wonder what Levi was thinking in FLIGHT? Find out in the two Levi POV novellas FIRST & FOREVER. This combined edition includes both FIRST (previously released) and FOREVER, a brand new novella.This edition also includes the bonus short story: The Royal Wedding.

FIRST
Levi's got it all. He's a paranormal prince with more money and power than he knows what to do with, but something is missing — a mate. He only has until college graduation to find her. 
Allie's perfect but she wants nothing to do with him. 
When attraction becomes something more, will he take a chance and show her who he really is or will he lose everything?

FOREVER
Levi's almost out of time. Allie's the one, he knows it in every grain of his being, but how can he make her see it? 
Desperate to keep Allie safe and at his side, he takes the biggest risk of his life. 
Reckless or not there is nothing he wouldn't do to keep her with him

BUY LINKS

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / iTunes / Kobo

EXCERPT

We walked off into the darkness, and I held her hand firmly in my own. I’d never been a big hand holder, but it’s like I needed to have hers in mine. I needed to touch her constantly, and I wanted her to know she was always safe with me—even if I was far from safe to most anyone else.

She tugged on my hand, and I gladly followed her down closer to the water.

She took in another deep breath. “There is nothing like the beach at night.”

“You like it at night, too? I was worried you wouldn’t like it without the sun.” I wondered if I was unique in craving the quiet shadows of the dark beach.

“I like the beach during the day, but I love it at night. There is just something about listening to the waves in the darkness and the soft glow of the stars reflecting off the water.”

“Yeah. It’s nice.” I moved behind her, and she leaned into me. We stood that way for several minutes before I turned her to look at me.

She looked like a dream standing there in the glimmering of the moonlight. I studied her face, looking for a sign that she was something more than the beautiful human that had attracted me from the moment we met. Every part of me knew how significant she was to me, but I wanted more proof. “You’re so beautiful. So unbelievably beautiful…” I trailed off as my lips gave in to what they had wanted to do all day.

GIVEAWAY

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THE CRESCENT CHRONICLES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Alyssa Rose Ivy

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

BOOK OUTLET's Sunny Weekend Deal!!!

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales has teamed up with Book Outlet

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Book Outlet's current SUNNY WEEKEND SALE is... 

25% off a selection of Kid's Activity Books!!!

Over 1,000 titles to choose from (coloring, sticker, doodling, etc.)!
(This sale does EXCLUDE "Scratch & Dent" product.)

This sale starts today, August 8th and will end on Monday, August 11th at noon.

25% off U.S. Kid's Activity Books Sale

25% off Canadian Kid's Activity Books Sale

Book Outlet U.S. / Book Outlet Canada

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales is not responsible for any products, items, sales, etc. made by Book Outlet. 

We are just offering an easier way to promote a great online bookstore for a small compensation. 

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Cover Reveal: BONE DEEP by Kim O'Brien (YA)

BONE DEEP

by Kim O'Brien

Expected release date: March 2015

Published by: Spencer Hill Press

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary (Mystery)

Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

When Paige Patterson travels to Arizona to spend the summer with her archaeologist father, she expects answers. Why did her parents divorce? Why did her father choose his career over family? She doesn't expect to be reunited with her best friend Emily Linton, a girl she has always admired and secretly wanted to emulate, or to find herself falling for the project manager’s son, Jalen Yazzi.

But the summer takes a terrible turn when Emily vanishes. As the police struggle for answers, Paige sets out to find the truth.

The search takes Paige from the Cliffside ruins of prehistoric Native Americans to the Navajo Nation to the horrifying possibility that the answer is much closer to home. Emily, it turns out, was not the only one good at hiding things.

Her father has no alibi for the night Emily disappeared. An intern with the motive insists he’s innocent. And Jalen has some secrets of his own.

Old bones might not be the only things buried in the ruins. As Paige digs deeper into Emily’s disappearance, she realizes that uncovering the truth may cost her everything — 

even her life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Kim O'Brien

Kim O’Brien grew up in an old Victorian house in Bronxville, NY. Her mother loved telling her bedtime stories, especially ones about the ghost in their attic. Kim not only believed the house was haunted but also fell in love with books and the art of storytelling. 

At Emory University in Atlanta, Kim earned a B.A. in psychology. She then attained a M.F.A in writing from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. She worked for many years as a writer, editor, and speechwriter for IBM before becoming a full time fiction writer. She lives in Texas with her husband, daughters, and four-legged friend Daisy. 

Kim is the author of eight inspirational romances and seven non-fiction children’s books. She loves to hear from her readers and can be found at www.kimobrienbooks.com/, Facebook, and Twitter (kimobri).

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Review: MORTAL DANGER (Immortal Game #1) by Ann Aguirre (YA)

MORTAL DANGER

Immortal Game #1

by Ann Aguirre

Release date: August 5th, 2014

Published by: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Format: Hardback, eBook

Format read: ARC received from the publisher. 

SUMMARY

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who - or what - she can trust. Not even her own mind.

MY REVIEW

This is one of the darkest books I have ever read in a really long time. I rarely tread into dark emotional waters, where there are creepy nightmarish creatures lurking on the edges of each page. Right from the beginning, this book gave me so many reasons to DNF it. But, with each page, my curiosity got the best of me. I have never read any of Ann Aguirre's books before... it may have been a good thing. And I do not mean that in a negative way.

The first half of the book is hard for me to put into words. The first few pages are painful and heartbreaking, but then move onto some very poor decisions. Not that the original decision that this character made was the answer, but the latter wasn't any better. But, it made me question, what would a person do in her shoes? I don't believe I would ever put myself in a situation to have to make a decision like this character does... so, who am I to judge?

Edie is a girl that has given up on the world, her parents, and herself. She is ready to end it all and take her chances on what may be waiting for her on the otherside. It is heartbreaking to watch her take the steps to move on with her plan. She is very thorough and precise with how to end her life, nothing can foil it. Until Kian. Kian stops Edie from ending her life with an offer too hard to refuse, but too good to be true. She decides to hear his offer, and if she refuses, Kian will bring her back to the very moment where she left of, like he never existed, and things would go the way she had planned.

Edie accepts Kian's deal.
Instant beauty. Revenge. The life she's always wanted - her life, but enhanced.
But. It all comes with a hefty price. One that could cost her the lives of loved ones, and her own.

One of the things that is repeatedly discussed throughout most of the story is everyone's looks. Edie is average and wants to be beautiful in order to blend in with the popular crowd and destroy them from within. Parts of me understands her need to be pretty - we all have some physical aspects of ourselves that we are not happy with. And when our own faults have been pointed out to us, repeatedly, it only enhances our insecurities. Edie feels that if she is prettier she'll be more confident. And there is some truth to that. However, it doesn't solve anything. Which as we continue on with her story, it is definitely proven to give her the confidence she was seeking, but that it was a vain choice. One that she and others will pay for...

There are some very graphic scenes. Lives lost in the most horrifying ways. In such ways that the saying "I wouldn't wish that on my own worst enemies" comes true... Edie experiences loss, guilt, regret and more emotions that I cannot fathom putting into words.

The relationship between Edie and Kian wasn't realistic to me. Edie needed Kian in so many ways - it was clear that they were going to fall for each other. The insta-love came off odd, needy and forced. But, I feel that with time their relationship could have grown on me, but without trust, it was difficult for me to understand and follow. It is very clear that Edie struggles to trust Kian. I wish that their relationship would have grown at a rate that would have built her trust in him. But she never fully does... As the story continues, we learn more of the work that Kian does, and it's not good. And Edie seems to take it all in stride and decides to not think about it. Given her situation, I think I may have done the same thing. There is only so much that the human mind can handle until it starts to shut down and go into denial. Edie needs Kian in more ways than we know right now. The weird just keeps getting weirder, and some of the reality needs to be pushed aside in order to deal with the creepy creatures that are lurking around waiting for her to make a mistake. To catch her off guard again...

It's going to be a long time before I can look into anything that gives off a reflection without second guessing myself. 

This story is not one that I would have chosen to read on my own. It is definitely not a book for everyone. If you like a story that will creep into your brain, make your imagination run wild; a story where you are willing to open your mind and not judge too harshly, especially without reading Edie's entire story, then I suggest you pick this one up... and then cover all your mirrors and keep the nightlight on. Trust me. It's a trilogy and I'm sure the spooks and gore are going to get worse.

*An ARC was received from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order.

She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. 

She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies and Doctor Who. 

She writes all kind of fiction in multiple genres, both YA and for adults. 

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Cover Reveal and Excerpt: AGAIN by Lisa Burstein (NA)

AGAIN

by Lisa Burstein 

Expected release date: September 22nd, 2014

Published by: Self-published

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Format: eBook

SUMMARY

How far would you go for a second chance?

Eleven years after flunking out of college, Kate has finally hit rock-bottom. Losing her job and boyfriend in one drunken night, she’s determined to fix her life by going back to the moment when she let partying and sex take over and do things right. At twenty-nine, she heads back to freshman year of college, with a catch.

Pretending she's nineteen with a new roommate and full class schedule is easy. When she meets her shy, sexy and seven-years-younger RA Carter, following her self-imposed sobriety and celibacy rules is proving to be anything but.

A senior enduring years of regret, Carter is more than ready to graduate. He’s anxious to move on from the party his freshman year where he witnessed his frat brothers about to commit a sexual assault. Instead of doing the right thing and stepping in, he looked the other way and left. His guilt has made for a lonely four years.

When he meets the new freshman on his floor, spunky and confident Kate, he wonders if his time as an outcast has finally come to an end.

Kate and Carter’s growing friendship and undeniable attraction make it harder to hide the demons from their respective pasts. But when their secrets are finally revealed, will their chance at starting over together still be there?

EXCERPT from Chapter One

Kate

College-take-two started with me hiding in the dorm lobby men’s bathroom. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice the urinals until after I ran inside.

I stood with my back tight against the wall gasping air like it was Riesling and I was at an all you can drink happy hour.

How the hell did I think I’d ever pull this off? Pretend to be a nineteen-year-old freshman at twenty-nine-years old?

Going back to college might not have been one of my best ideas—but it was the only one that might finally change my life. I wanted to change my life. I needed to. It was just hard to convince myself of that once I was actually on campus with tons of real freshman all around me.

I guess it’s a lot easier to fantasize about living your life over again than to actually go through with it. 

“Are you lost?”

I turned and found a built, blonde-haired hottie washing his hands. He dried them quickly, crossed his arms over his broad chest and leaned against the sink.

 That was the moment I realized I was in the men’s bathroom. The moment my breathing went from gulping Riesling at an all you can drink happy hour to puking it up into the disgusting toilet at the back of the bar when drinks went back to full price.

My knees went wobbly. My mouth was dry; my head seemingly floating on top of my neck. I couldn’t tell if I was suddenly unbalanced because of how handsome he was, or the realization I clearly was lost.

Minus a penis lost.

“Shit,” I reached for the door handle with sweaty palms. At least I was making the kind of a stupid mistake a real freshman would.

My wide, wild eyes probably made me look as confused by my surroundings as any other student arriving, but honestly I was terrified and not because I’d almost caught this guy with his pants down, because this whole idea was insane.

“It’s okay,” he said, walking toward me, waving his large hands to calm me. “This is definitely not the worst thing I’ve seen someone do the first day back.” He smiled showing teeth that reminded me of toothpaste commercials. It brought out the sweetest dimple the size of an M&M on his chin.

Fuck me. I smiled back.

He paused; eyeing me up and down, perhaps noticing the tight body I was showing off in a desperate attempt to appear nineteen.

“What makes you an expert?” I asked hoping to change his focus, Maybe he wasn’t regarding me for the reason I thought; tight body or no, I was not nineteen. I was twenty-nine. Why the hell would anyone believe any different?

He pointed to his red polo shirt.

Turns out he was doing his job.

The area above his right pectoral muscle read Resident Advisor, Hudson University. There was something I couldn’t identify in his sea-glass blue eyes; almost like he was holding back, putting up a good front.

I knew his look well. It was one I’d mastered. When it got too hard to wear my own everything-is-fine-mask I doused it in alcohol and sex and bad choices, but that wasn’t a solution anymore.

And clearly, everything wasn’t fine.

“I need to get out of here,” I grasped for the door latch again, trying to put out the fire blazing in my neck and face.

He reached from behind me and also went for the door. His hand brushed against mine blistering enough to brand my skin.

My pulse popped like the last minute of popcorn in a microwave. I needed to get away from him. I would have usually chastised myself for even glancing in his direction. Not that I had much choice considering I’d been the one who put us in such close and uncomfortable quarters.

Twenty-nine-year-olds didn’t spontaneously combust from a college kid’s accidental touch. But damn, this guy was fine. My RA back in college-take-one was nothing like this. If he had been I might have made it past the first semester.

I might have passed my actual college-take-one classes.

Of course, I also might have spent it studying what was under his khakis.

“Let me help you,” he said, pushing on the latch as I continued to pull. His voice was a deep vibrato, as deep as his blue eyes seemed.

“I can open a door,” I said, pulling as hard as I could. Nothing happened.

Apparently I couldn’t.

He lifted his arms I-surrender-style and stood back stifling a laugh. “It’s a push.”

“I knew that,” I looked down as I finally pushed the door open and we exited the bathroom. Not because I was embarrassed, though who was I kidding?

I kept my eyes away from his. I didn’t want to show him my face. Have him laugh and say, what the hell are you doing here old lady? Or even worse, are you here helping your daughter or son move in?

It was one thing to be told you had a baby-face your entire life. It was another to put it to the test next to actual babies!

That was why I’d run into the bathroom. Too bad my early-onset cataracts had obscured the mammoth M and stick figure dude.

We stood in front of the door, the dorm lobby brimming with students and their parents. I should have just walked away, but I liked the way he was checking me out, his gaze sliding from my just purchased Uggs to my just purchased white winter hat with cat-ears smashed over my recently highlighted blonde hair. I had been doing my best to look student-like.

But I was pretty sure I looked like Hannah Montana.

It had been easy to Photoshop my high school transcript so it seemed like I graduated a year ago. Simple to change my one semester of F’s to A’s, to take the SATs again, to get a fake ID, to dress like any other nineteen-year-old. It took an hour to sublet my rent-controlled New York City apartment.

Being here and acting like a college freshman would clearly be a lot harder. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Lisa Burstein

Lisa Burstein is the author of the Young Adult Novels: Pretty Amy and Dear Cassie, and the New Adult Novels & Novellas: Sneaking Candy, The Next Forever & The Possibility of Us. 

She is also a contributor to the essay collection, Break These Rules: 35 Young Adult Authors On Speaking Up, Standing Out, and Being Yourself. 

She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. 

Again is her self-publishing debut.

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