"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, June 16, 2015

Release Day (Excerpt, Letter from the Author and Giveaway): SINFUL REWARDS 12 (A Billionaires and Bikers Novella) by Cynthia Sax (Adult)


*Warning: Adult Content (18+)


“A YEAR OF SIZZLING HOT SAX”
THE SEXIEST 12 MONTH SERIAL is SINFUL REWARDS!!!

The thrilling conclusion to the Billionaires and Bikers series is here!!!


By USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Sax
Release date: June 16th, 2015
Published by Avon Red Impulse (HarperCollins)
Genre: Adult Romance
Format: eBook


SUMMARY

One tiny mistake turns Bee Carter's worst fears into a terrifying reality. She knows she isn't alone. The sexy, honorable man she adores stands by her side, willing to sacrifice his freedom to ease her concerns.

But she yearns for more than he is offering. She wants a partner who will love her as fiercely as she loves him, who will say the words and mean them, and someone who will choose her because this is what he desires more than anything else, not merely out of a misguided sense of duty.


Will saying no to the man she loves earn Bee unbearable heartache or will she finally get the forever she craves?







SINFUL REWARDS 12 EXCERPT

Nicolas stands in the hallway, a sheepish smile on his beautiful face, and my small burst of joy dissipates, replaced by the dreaded malaise. He’s handsome, the lights shining on his black wavy hair, tanned skin, dark eyes. He’s immaculately dressed in a gray suit, white shirt, pink tie. He’s carrying ice cream, a small tub of Heavenly Hash cradled in his perfectly manicured fingers.

But he’s not Hawke. He’s not the man I love, the only person I want to see.

“Don’t look at me like that, Bee.” Nicolas pushes his way into the condo. “I had that situation with the New York build last night. There will be fancy events in the future.” He holds up the tub. “I brought ice cream.”

I summon a smile. “You forgot about me.” I take the ice cream from the dashing billionaire. “What do those articles I sent you say about forgetting friends?”

Nicolas grimaces. “You knew I was a bad friend.” He walks with me to the kitchen, smelling of expensive cologne and wealth.

“You’re not a bad friend.” I set two bowls and two spoons on the counter. “You’re a terrible friend.” I open the tub of ice cream.

The real estate developer settles his long lean body on a bar stool and dips a spoon in the container. “You’re not giving up on me, are you?” The lines carved between his perfect eyebrows belie his casual tone.

“I’d never give up on you.” I knock his sucked-clean spoon away and huddle over the tub, protecting the ice cream from impatient-billionaire-induced contamination. “Hawke doesn’t love me,” I blurt, needing to voice this, to share this with someone.

“He said that?” Nicolas steals a spoonful of ice cream from the bowl I’m filling.

“No.” I frown, scooping as fast as I can. “But he’s never said he loves me, either.” I push Nicolas’s bowl toward him.

His eyes sparkle. “I’ve never said I love ice cream.” He shovels the sweet treat into his mouth with a boyish glee. “But I do. Very much.” His lips curl upward. “The name of this flavor is perfect. It is heavenly.”

“Hawke doesn’t love me,” I repeat stubbornly, dishing out a smaller portion for myself.

“A good friend would agree with you.” Nicolas’s head is bent over his ice cream.

“You’re not a good friend.” I place the tub in the freezer compartment of the fridge. “What would you do?”

“I’d tell you that neither of you are acting rationally, that if craziness is a sign of love, Hawke has it much worse than you.” Nicolas licks his spoon. “He guards you like you’re the last piece of prime real estate on the planet. I’m taking my life into my hands by simply eating ice cream with you.”

I climb onto the bar stool beside him, his observations about Hawke’s protectiveness appeasing me, banishing some of my melancholy. “He cares about me.”

“No, he cares about his team.” The billionaire’s lips flatten grimly. “Disregarding all of my advice about maintaining his distance.” Nicolas believes remaining aloof from his employees makes painful staffing decisions less traumatic. “What Hawke feels for you is in an entirely different category.”

“It isn’t love.” Or is it?


Saying Goodbye to Bee, Hawke And Nicolas
by Cynthia Sax

One of the most common questions reading buddies ask me is “What is the toughest part of writing?” For me, the toughest part is the last chapter or, in the case of Sinful Rewards, my sizzling hot 12 novella contemporary erotic romance series, the last novella.

I know, while writing this part of the story, that I’ll be saying good-bye to beloved characters. Yes, I’ll be able to reread the story and visit them but I’ll no longer be living in their world, listening to their every thought, experiencing every emotion.

What will I miss most about the characters in Sinful Rewards?

Bee/Belinda
Bee, of all of the characters in Sinful Rewards, has grown the most. Our exhibitionist-in-training heroine started the serial with a fairly shallow view of others, herself, love, life. She’s endured quite a bit. These experiences have changed her.

I suspect she’ll continue to change, continue to make the transition from twenty-something new grad to mature, confident woman. She’s surrounded by strong female role models—her mom, Ellen, Lona. I can see them all influencing her. I’ll miss seeing that change.

Hawke
Hawke is a man of surprises. That’s what I’ll miss about our tattooed bad boy biker. He loves new experiences and sharing these new experiences with the people he loves. I doubt that he will ever have a ‘normal’ day. His job is constantly changing and he enjoys this aspect of it.

I couldn’t guess what he’ll be doing a day, month, year after Sinful Rewards ends. I know he’ll have his loved ones, his team around him. He’s as loyal as Bee is, as committed to his friends, family, woman. But I don’t know what his day will entail.

Nicolas
Nicolas is the character I wish I had spent more time with. Our jellybean eating billionaire has emotional depths we haven’t even started to explore. I’ll miss his self-depreciating sarcasm and his feigned arrogance, the vulnerability he hides under his business bastard personae.


I’ll miss the characters from Sinful Rewards but I feel fortunate to have known them. They’ve changed me as much as, I suspect, I’ve changed them.



GIVEAWAY

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


PURCHASE LINKS
SINFUL REWARDS 1: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 2: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 3: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 4: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 5: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 6: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 7: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 8: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 9: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 10: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 11: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 12: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Cynthia Sax

USA Today bestselling author CYNTHIA SAX lives in a world filled with magic and romance. Although her heroes may not always say “I love you,” they will do anything for the women they adore. They live passionately. They play hard. They love the same women forever.

Cynthia has loved the same wonderful man forever. Her supportive hubby offers himself up to the joys and pains of research, while they travel the world together, meeting fascinating people and finding inspiration in exotic places such as Istanbul, Bali, and Chicago. 



Friday, June 12, 2015

Book Haul #96: The I Still Love You, Lois Lane Edition


Good day to you all, fellow bookgeeks!!!

It's been awhile since I've been posting/blogging regularly - I needed to take an impromptu break. Not only from my blog, but from social media altogether (except, it seems, from instagram - I'm addicted, lol!) I just took some "me time" to spend more time with my boys and catch up on books/movies I wanted to read/watch without any distractions or pressures. It's a good way for me to relax and be able to put things back into perspective. 
I'm happy to be able to jump back into a regular schedule again!
I feel re-energized and ready to take on the TBR and review pile again... with the exception that I have decided to take breaks more often. I'm hoping to be able to incorporate one or two week breaks every 6-8 weeks and see if this will help keep things on track. If I find myself not needing to take a break, bonus! But if I find myself looking forward to a break, then I will definitely have to reconsider what I'm doing and make some hard changes... 
BUT, all is good now! And I can't wait to share some reviews I have ready to go! And other fun posts for the summer :)

Hope you are all in a good place! And happily enjoying your reads :)


Here are the books that I've acquired in the last 2 weeks:


*What I received for review...
 CIRCUS MIRANDUS (HB) by Cassie Beasley (MG) from Penguin
- THE RED CAR (HB) by Tim Hoppey (C) from the author 
- LOVE & PROFANITY (HB) Edited by Nick Healy from Switch Press
- LOIS LANE: FALLOUT (HB) by Gwenda Bond from Switch Press
- THE PERFECTION OF THE PAPER CLIP (HB) by James Ward from Simon & Schuster

*What we won in giveaways...

- THE BIG BOOK OF ANORAK (HB) by Cathy Olmedillas (MG) from The Reading Ninja
- SOPHIA MARTINEZ: MY FAMILY ADVENTURE (PB) by Jacqueline Jules from Capstone

*What I received from my amazing #OTSPSecretSister!...



*What we purchased...
- TITO, THE FIREFIGHTER (TITO, EL BOMBERO) (HB) by Tim Hoppey (C)
- P.S. I STILL LOVE YOU (signed HB) by Jenny Han 
- SIDE EFFECTS (signed PB) by Jen Calonita 


* * * 

A few pics from the past few weeks... 

My June TBR!
I went to a book signing!!! Recap post will go up this upcoming week :)
Oh my, I purchased something that isn't bookish!!!
Getting my nails on... it's been so long, I had no polish left, lol!
My oldest boy showing off his Scholastic book fair purchase!
Good choice, am I right??? ;) 
My #FridayReads and #WeekendReads :)

* * * 


Thank you SOOO much for stopping by!!!

Don't forget to leave a comment with your link so I can visit your hauls too!!!
xoxo

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?!?!?!


The wonderful ladies, Andi (Andi's ABCs) and Brittany (The Book Addict's Guide) have come up with a brilliant way to share and help our book obsessions and collections!!! 
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS is a new feature for those of us searching hard-to-find editions of books, primarily older copies of ARCs, early or foreign editions, etc...

Hosts: Andi (Andi's ABCs) and Brittany (The Book Addict's Guide)
*Updated 7/10/2015*

A huge THANK YOU to Brittany and Andi for not only putting this together but continuing it to allow us to easily find what we desperately are looking for :)

And a big thanks to all the wonderful booknerds who have fed my geeky heart! My collections have grown so quick, I am in book heaven :)

You can see my original posts here and see how much my shelves have grown :)

And now, there are a few more that I am still hoping to find...

* * * * *



I am a HUGE Stiefvater fan!!! HUGE!!!


I just can't explain just how much I love her writing, her art, and everything about her - she is so unique, inspiring and real. 

Here is what I am looking for
- LAMENT, ARC and Hardcover
- BALLAD, ARC and Hardcover 
- SHIVER (ARC) 

I'm also looking for:
- International copies of THE SCORPIO RACES!!!
So far, I have the UK paperback :)

International copies of SHIVER!!!
So far, I have the Italian paperback :)


* * * * *


I love Lauren Oliver's writing!


She is one of the first authors I was introduced to when I first started book blogging.
I have so many fond personal memories that are connected to when I read her books.
I've been considering creating a post about this... maybe one day.

I am still looking for an ARC of DELIRIUM!!! 


- Any international copies of Delirium



* * * * *



Other books I would love to have in my collection... 


One of my favorite contemporary authors!!!
All I need to complete this Jennifer E. Smith collection is: 

- ARC of THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT 


* * * * *



Another favorite contemporary!

I'm looking for...
ARC of THE SECRET DIAMOND SISTERS


* * * * *



And last, but certainly not least!
I'm looking for Jess Rothenberg's...
- ARC of THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME

This was the book that not only kicked off my book blogging, but it was the very first book signing I had ever gone too! Lots of good memories here :) 
* * * * *




If you have any of these and you are willing to let it go, please contact me...
thebumblegirl@rocketmail.com
I'll be more than happy to work something out with you!!!


Thank you to Andi and Brittany for putting this together!!!
And thank you to all of you who take the time to peek at my list and help me find my long lost loves!!!

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Blog Tour (Interview and Giveaway): CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD by Anne Heltzel (YA)



CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD
by Anne Heltzel
Release date: June 2nd, 2015
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Mystery
Format: Hardcover, eBook


SUMMARY

In Paris, family and friends gather to mourn the tragic passing of Charlie Price — young, handsome, charming, a world-traveler — who is presumed dead after an explosion. Authorities find only a bloodied jacket, ID’d as Charlie’s. 

At the funeral, two teens who are perfect strangers, Lena Whitney and Aubrey Boroughs, make another shocking discovery: they have both been dating Charlie, both think Charlie loved them and them alone, and there is a lot they didn’t know about their boyfriend. 

Over the next week, a mind-bending trip unfolds: first in London — then in Mumbai, Kerala, and Bangkok, the girls go in search of Charlie. Is he still alive? What did their love for him even mean? The truth is out there, but soon it becomes clear that the girls are harboring secrets of their own. 

No one knows whom to trust in this thrilling tale of suspense and deception.




PURCHASE LINKS




INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR - Anne Heltzel

Thank you, Anne, for taking the time today to answer a few questions about your latest book – CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD!


*CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD is a very unique story, what inspired you to work on it?

In all (mortifying) honesty, I once dated a guy who was busy declaring his love for me while simultaneously dating another girl. It was intense and disturbing and dramatic. I won’t get into exactly how complex his lies were, but it was the stuff of Lifetime Original movies. His girlfriend figured it all out by snooping in his phone, and it was she who contacted me to out him. Our ensuing email exchanges (which were supportive and relatively compassionate) made me wonder about the phenomenon of girl friendship born from boyfriend betrayal.

*Which character spoke to you first - Charlie, Aubrey or Lena? And did you know right away who they were and what their story was going to be, or did they grow into something more than you thought that they were capable of?

Of the two girls, Lena was fully formed before Aubrey was. She seemed like the kind of girl who’d be up for anything, so it made sense that she’d push for the international manhunt. She has an impulsive streak I can relate to, and the fact that she doesn’t put limits on her experiences — no matter how unconventional — inspired me. Lena needed to be contained and Aubrey needed to be coaxed out, so it makes sense to me now that Lena — always full to overflowing — felt a little more real at first.

*What kind of research did you have to do in order to incorporate all of the traveling that was involved in the story?

I lived in Paris for a year and Mumbai for about a year and a half, and I studied abroad in London many years ago. While I was living in Mumbai, I was very lucky to be able to travel briefly across China and Thailand, as well as other parts of India. Mumbai was by far the easiest city to write about, because I remembered it most vividly — it left a deep emotional impression. I did have to research Bangkok prisons (fascinating and heartbreaking) as well as London nightclubs (it’d been a while); and I had to do a refresher on the layout of Paris. But almost all the rest was from memory. It was a lot of fun to mentally revisit my old stomping grounds — it made me very eager to return to Asia in particular.

*I am obsessed with book titles – was CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD the original title? Or were there other titles that were being considered?

It was! It just popped into my head. I’m not saying it’s the greatest title in the world, but I do think it fits — and titling has never come to me so easily since!

*On a fun note! What do you think Aubrey’s favorite fairy-tale(s) and/or fairy-tale character(s) would be? Lena’s?

I could see Aubrey liking Thumbelina and Lena being into Rumpelstiltskin.


Thank you again for taking the time to chat with me, Anne!!!



GIVEAWAY


- 3 winners will receive a finished copy of CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD 
- and a Gold Rose Necklace & Antique Gold Pewter Rose Charm on a Delicate 18 Inch Gold Plated Cable Chain. (Pictured above.) 
- US Only.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Anne Heltzel

Author Photo by Kristi Hedberg Photography

ANNE HELTZEL is a Brooklyn-based author and editor of children's books. 

Anne was born in Ohio, has been a voracious reader since the age of three, and credits her careers in publishing and writing (both lifelong dreams - just ask to see her childhood journal) to a serendipitous coffee shop conversation during her senior year of college. Anne was on a law school track until the aforementioned fateful conversation prompted her to switch gears and move to New York City, where she entered an M.F.A. program. 

In 2007 she began her first job in publishing. 
In 2008 she graduated from The New School with a master's degree in Writing for Children. 

Anne has since lived in India and Paris, and has taught writing and reading workshops in each of her former homes. More recently, she participated as a mentor in NYC's Girls Write Now program. 

When she is not writing, Anne is furiously (and passionately) editing novels for a Manhattan publishing house. She is represented by Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management. 

Anne also writes under the pseudonym Anna Collomore.




http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/

CHARLIE, PRESUMED DEAD Blog Tour Schedule

Week One:
5/25/2015- Falling For YA- Interview
5/26/2015- The Bibliophile ChroniclesReview
5/27/2015- Moonlight Gleam ReviewsGuest Post
5/28/2015- Book BriefsReview
5/29/2015- FiktshunInterview

Week Two:
6/1/2015- One Guy's Guide to Good ReadsReview
6/2/2015- Literary MeanderingsGuest Post
6/3/2015- Seeing Double In NeverlandReview
6/4/2015- Bumbles and Fairy-TalesInterview
6/5/2015- Please feed the bookwormReview


Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday #135 - BLACK WIDOW: FOREVER RED by Margaret Stohl


"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 Margaret Stohl
Expected release date: October 13th, 2015
Published by Marvel Press
Genre: Young Adult 
Format: Hardcover, eBook


SUMMARY

NATASHA ROMANOV was once the world's most lethal assassin. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the name "Black Widow" by her brutal teacher, Ivan Somodorov. Now, Natasha wants nothing more than to leave that life behind her.

AVA ORLOVA is trying to live the life of an average American teenager. But Ava's life has been anything but average. As a girl, she was experimented on by Ivan, until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed in the care of the US government. Ava spent years trying to contact her mysterious saver, but Black Widow has always stayed silent. 

Until now.

When children all over the globe begin to go missing, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned. And Ava may be the key to stopping him once and for all. But first, Natasha and Ava will have to unravel their pasts to defeat the madman who threatens their futures. 

FOREVER RED features all the thrilling adventure readers will expect from the Marvel brand, backed up by the young adult cred of #1 New York Times best selling author Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe, accessible to old fans and new readers alike, Stohl weaves an unforgettable story through the world of the Black Widow. 



Why I'm waiting on BLACK WIDOW...

First!... it's BLACK WIDOW!!! 
Did you read the summary??? 

Second!... it's BLACK WIDOW!!!

Lastly!... *dies*

And on that note - you should really read this interview with Margaret Stohl AND an exclusive excerpt HERE!!!



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

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Release Day Blitz (Giveaway): CIRCUS MIRANDUS by Cassie Beasley (MG)


I am so very excited about today’s release of CIRCUS MIRANDUS by the fabulous Cassie Beasley! 

Thank you for stopping by for the Blogger Blitz that I and so many other wonderful blogs are participating in. Thanks so much to Word Spelunking for organizing this! 

Cassie has sent along a very special letter sharing her feelings about seeing her book get published and all of the amazing support she has received so far...


Dear Readers,

Ages ago I hung a poster in my room with the words “The Circus Opens Summer 2015” in bold letters across the top. At the time, it seemed that Summer 2015 would never come. Now, miraculously, June 2 is here, and Circus Mirandus is springing up in bookshops all over the country.

In the story, those called to Circus Mirandus feel a change in the wind. They hear music on the air, pipes and drums leading them toward magic and hope and heart’s desires. Eventually they find themselves before the gates, standing, as I am now, on the threshold of somewhere both wonderful and unknowable.

As people read the pages into which I’ve poured so much time and self, I wonder what they’ll think of the world I’ve created. I wonder if they will love it as much as I do. It’s an exciting moment, stepping through these gates into a place I’ve imagined but never seen.

Thank you so much for making this journey with me. Thank you for supporting the book. Thank you, most of all, for believing.

Cassie Beasley



More details about the book are below, as well as a Rafflecopter giveaway for a bunch of swag items, courtesy of Penguin Young Readers! 
Enter for a chance to win at the bottom of this post.



by Cassie Beasley
Release date: June 2nd, 2015
Published by Dial (Penguin)
Genre: Middle Grade 
Format: Hardcover, eBook


SUMMARY

Micah Tuttle believes in magic, even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve. Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other — the Man Who Bends Light. 

Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. 

The Circus is real — and the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. 

With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather. The only problem is, the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise. And now it's up to Micah to get the miracle he came for. 

Readers will fall in love with CIRCUS MIRANDUS, which celebrates the power of seeing magic in the world.


ADVANCE PRAISE FOR CIRCUS MIRANDUS


« On one level, the book is a fantastical circus romp On another, it's both serious and thick with longing A delicious confection and much more: it shows that the human heart is delicate, that it matters, and that it must be handled with care.”                                     —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

«Circus Mirandus is not a simple story, but readers will be rewarded for delving into its intricacies. This gripping fantasy tale will have readers hooked from the opening scene to the breathtaking—and unexpected—conclusion.”                                                                 —School Library Journal, starred review

« “Beasley’s debut is a bit of its own three-ring circus, masterfully diverting readers’ attention among the pressing matter of Ephraim’s illness, the inventive descriptions of Circus Mirandus in Ephraim’s flashbacks and Micah’s visits, and the larger, more serious tragedy of those who refuse to believe…Readers will be left with…the hope…that those who still believe will always have magic in their lives.”                                                                                                       Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Debut author Beasley has built an imaginative world in evocative, painterly prose, particularly the circus, and she’s filled it with compellingly multifaceted characters.”                               —Booklist




GIVEAWAY

There will be 5 winners!!!
Winners will receive: 
- Signed hardcover of CIRCUS MIRANDUS
- Audio sampler 
- Animal crackers
- Pack of 10 bookmarks
- Poster

Giveaway begins today, June 2nd, and will end on June 16th.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Cassie Beasley

Cassie Beasley is from rural Georgia, where, when she's not writing, she helps out on the family pecan farm. 

She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

CIRCUS MIRANDUS is her first novel.


 
Imagination Designs
Images by LabyrinthofDreams