"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Cover Reveal: STAY (The Empire Chronicles #3) by Alyssa Rose Ivy (YA)


by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Cover design by: Phatpuppy Art
Expected release date: October 20th, 2014
Published by: Self-published
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance


SUMMARY

Nothing could possibly get worse. Everything and everyone that could be in jeopardy already is, and Jared knows that he is The Society's only hope. If he doesn't find a way to escape he fails everyone including Vera, the bear shifter he can't seem to get out of his head.

Casey and Toby are in love. Head over heels in love, but is their love strong enough to survive a magic so powerful that Casey's mind is no longer in her control?

Vera will do anything to help her sister, and unfortunately that means she is well acquainted with Jared, the most frustrating man she has ever met. Now she has to find a way to fight her annoyance and growing attraction long enough to help save Levi and Allie.

Racing against the clock, all four must face their greatest fears to save The Society and all the people they love.





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.





Book Trailer Release: PRESS PLAY by Eric Devine (YA)



by Eric Devine
Expected release date: October 28th, 2014
Published by: Running Press Kids
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Format: Paperback, eBook


SUMMARY

Greg Dunsmore, a.k.a. Dun the Ton, is focused on one thing: making a documentary that will guarantee his admission into the film school of his choice. 

Every day, Greg films his intense weight-loss focused workouts as well as the nonstop bullying that comes from his classmates. But when he captures footage of violent, extreme hazing by his high school’s championship-winning lacrosse team in the presence of his principal, Greg’s field of view is in for a readjustment.

Greg knows there is a story to be told, but it is not clear exactly what. And his attempts to find out the truth only create more obstacles, not to mention physical harm upon himself. Yet if Greg wants to make his exposé his ticket out of town rather than a veritable death sentence, he will have to learn to play the game and find a team to help him.

Combine the underbelly of Friday Night Lights with the unflinching honesty of Walter Dean Myers, and you will find yourself with Eric Devine’s novel of debatable truths, consequences, and realities.



Press Play BOOK TRAILER



GIVEAWAY

- Must be 13+ To Enter.
- US only.
1 Winner will get a signed copy of PRESS PLAY and a PRESS PLAY phone case. 
(Winners chooses case size)

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Eric Devine

Eric Devine is the author of multiple works of Young Adult fiction, most recently Dare Me, with Press Play being published 10/28. 

He is also a veteran high school English teacher who spends as much time teaching as he does completing field research for his novels. 

His work has been listed by YALSA and Booklist for reluctant readers and for Best in Sports.

He is married to his high school sweetheart, and his wife and he have two wonderful daughters and two not-so-wonderful Labradors.

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter
Pre-Order PRESS PLAY: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Waiting On Wednesday #102: MONSTROUS by MarcyKate Connolly (MG)


"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 all pretty too :)


What I'm waiting for...


by MarcyKate Connolly
Expected release date: February 10th, 2015
Published by: HarperCollins Children's Books
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Format: Hardback, eBook


SUMMARY

The city of Bryre suffers under the magic of an evil wizard. Because of his curse, girls sicken and disappear without a trace, and Bryre’s inhabitants live in fear. No one is allowed outside after dark.

Yet night is the only time that Kymera can enter this dangerous city, for she must not be seen by humans. Her father says they would not understand her wings, the bolts in her neck, or her spiky tail—they would kill her. They would not understand that she was created for a purpose: to rescue the girls of Bryre.

Despite her caution, a boy named Ren sees Kym and begins to leave a perfect red rose for her every evening. As they become friends, Kym learns that Ren knows about the missing girls, the wizard, and the evil magic that haunts Bryre. 

And what he knows will change Kym’s life. 

Reminiscent of Frankenstein and the tales of the Brothers Grimm, this debut novel by Marcy Kate Connolly stands out as a compelling, original story that has the feel of a classic.


Why I'm waiting for MONSTROUS...

Grimm??? Frankenstein???
LOVE the cover!!!
Her WINGS??? Bolts in her neck??? Spiky TAIL??? 

Yes to all!!!

I will never say no to another fairytale telling :) 


What are you waiting for this week???

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Review: ADRENALINE CRUSH by Laurie Boyle Crompton (YA)


by Laurie Boyle Crompton
Release date: September 23rd, 2014
Published by: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan)
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Format: Hardback, eBook
Format read: ARC from the publisher.


SUMMARY

When a daredevil teen pushes herself too far, she must choose between two boys: the one who wants to keep her safe, and the one who dares her to return to her old self.

Seventeen-year-old Dyna comes from a family of risk takers and is an avid thrill-seeker herself, until the day she splinters her ankle in a terrible fall. Her whole life goes from mountain biking and rock climbing to sitting at home and attending group sessions at the bizarre alternative healing center that her hippie mother found. 

The boy who witnessed Dyna’s accident believes her injury is a wakeup call and he encourages her mild new lifestyle, but a young Afghanistan War veteran she meets at the healing center pushes her to start taking chances again. 

Forced to face the consequences of her daredevil impulses, Dyna finds herself in danger of risking the one thing she’s always treated with caution — her heart.



MY REVIEW

Another amazing story from one of my favorite authors! Laurie Boyle Crompton has a gift for creating strong female characters, realistic and relatable relationships and swift story-lines...

Dyna is an adrenaline junkie - without a second thought, Dyna throws herself into the most life-threatening adventures you can ever think of. It's in her blood; her parents are hippie-like seize-the-day on-the-whim, and her brother is an avid mountain biker and sky-diver. Dyna loves nature and all the hidden thrills in it and beyond... until one day, while on a personal dare and mischievous high, while flirting with a cute boy from school that she found on the bike trail, she miscalculates her latest show-off adventure and suffers a tragic fall. 
During the tragedy and while in the hospital, there is an instant connection between Dyna and her flirt from the tail, also her rescuer, Jay. Jay is exactly who Dyna needs right now to keep her grounded and safe. They click together; Dyna needs someone who is grounded and likes to play by the rules. Dyna depends on him to help her stay calm, focused and out of trouble. Because of Dyna's injuries and traumatic experience, Dyna's mother has decided that she cannot go back to school - she will be home schooled so she can concentrate on healing. However, due to her mother's unconventional ways, the rehab center a sort of new age wellness center that will not only focus on helping her heal physically, but mentally as well, by attending group sessions with other who have also had traumatic accidents that have left them with fears and doubts. And this is where Dyna meets Pierce.
Pierce is unlike any other person Dyna has met. Inspite of the ghosts that haunt him, he emits a carefree way of being - he remains strong and dependable. Yet, we catch brief moments of Pierce's vulnerability and wariness. His struggles are real, and heartwrenching. Dyna can't help herself, she is pulled to him for so many reasons. 
Now Dyna's biggest struggle is with herself - will she stay safely grounded and never attempt fate again? Or will she allow herself to comes natural to her and find a way to seize the moment and live up to her family's motto again? 

Although the book is extremely short and a really quick read, the author is able to give us Dyna's whole story without missing out on any important details. The beginning of the story, we see Dyna on a bike racing through the woods without a care in the world - the woods is all hers to rule and there is nothing that will keep her away from it. Nothing that will take her away from the thrill of being out there and seizing every opportunity to feel that adrenaline rush. I was able to feel that rush! I was nervous for her - worried, scared. With every dare that she took, every little dangerous move that she made and her unforgettable accident was heart stopping - I felt it and lived it with her. 
Also, the relationships between all the characters, especially between Dyna and her family members, were so spot on and believable. And the way that Dyna was torn between Jay her protector versus Pierce her antagonist - it was amazing to me how different Jay and Pierce are, and how Dyna was able to relate to both and find strength within both relationships. And all that without the typical love-triangle that everyone seems to cringe upon. This was really well developed and all was accomplished in less than 200 pages. 

I highly recommend this quick page-turner to all contemporary lovers (especially to those who like Trish Doller's writing) and adrenaline junkies! This is definitely one book not to miss out on!


*An ARC was sent to me by the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Laurie Boyle Crompton

Laurie Boyle Crompton is the YA author of BLAZE (or Love in the Time of Supervillains), THE REAL PROM QUEENS OF WESTFIELD HIGH (Sourcebooks, 2013 & 2014) and ADRENALINE CRUSH from Farrar Straus Giroux.

Laurie graduated in her class from St. John's University with a major in English and minor in Journalism. She's written for national magazines like ALLURE as well as numerous trade publications and has appeared on Good Day New York several times as a Toy Expert. Yes, that is an actual thing that people sometimes get to be.

When she is not writing, Laurie enjoys hiking, cycling, reading, cross-country skiing, running, going to the movies and drinking tea by the gallon.

She lives near NYC, but loves to escape to the mountains in New Paltz, NY where she and her family can often be found climbing over rocks or tromping through the forest.


Trailer Reveal/Release Day (Excerpt and Giveaway): STAY WITH ME (Wait For You #3) by J. Lynn (NA)



Wait For You #3
by J. Lynn
Release date: September 23rd, 2014
Published by: William Morrow Paperbacks (HarperCollins)
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Format: Paperback, eBook


SUMMARY

At 21, Calla hasn’t done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she'd left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn’t give them her mom.


Stay With Me (Wait For You #3) BOOK TRAILER



EXCERPT

As I lay there, trying to swallow a loud, obnoxious yawn, I remembered something he’d said when we first met, about life being too short. I imagined he had firsthand experience with shortened lives while he was serving. That mentality came from experience. I got that now. Could even understand it, but there was something I didn’t understand. 
“Why?” I asked.
There was a beat. “Why what?”
Jax sounded tired, and I should shut up or point out that I was now tired and could sleep, so he could leave. But I didn’t. “Why are you here? You don’t know me and . . .” I trailed off, because there really wasn’t anything left to say. 
A minute went by, and he hadn’t answered my question, and then I think another minute ticked on, and I was okay with him not answering because maybe he didn’t even know. Or maybe he was just bored and that was why he was here. 
But then he moved. 
Jax pressed against my back, and the next breath I took got stuck in my throat. My eyes shot open. The sheet and blanket were between us, but they felt like nothing. 
“What are you doing?” I asked. 
“Getting comfortable.” He dropped an arm over my waist, and my entire body jerked against his. “It’s time to sleep I think.”
“But—”
“You can’t sleep when you talk,” he remarked.
“You don’t need to be all up on me,” I pointed out.
His answering chuckle stirred the hair along the back of my neck. “Honey, I’m not all up on you.”
I freaking begged to differ on that point. I started to wiggle away, but the arm around my waist tightened, holding me in place. 
“You’re not going anywhere,” he announced casually, as if he wasn’t holding me prisoner in the bed. 
Okay. The whole prisoner thing might be melodramatic, but he wasn’t letting me up. Not when he was getting all kinds of comfy behind me. 
Oh my God, this was spooning. Total spooning. I was spooning with an honorary member of the Hot Guy Brigade. Did I wake up in a parallel universe?
“Sleep,” he demanded, as if the one word carried that much power. “Go to sleep, Calla.” This time his voice was softer, quieter.
“Yeah, it doesn’t work that way, Jax. You have a nice voice, but it doesn’t hold the power to make me sleep on your command.”
He chuckled.
I rolled my eyes, but the most ridiculous thing ever was the fact that after a couple of minutes, my eyes stayed shut. I . . . I actually settled in against him. With his front pressed to my back, his long legs cradling mine, and his arm snug around my waist, I actually did feel safe. More than that, I felt something else—something I hadn’t felt in years. 
I felt cared for . . . cherished. 
Which was the epitome of dumb, because I barely knew him, but feeling that, recognizing what the warm, buzzing feeling was, I fell right asleep.




GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway
(*Bumbles and Fairy-Tales is not responsible for lost, unclaimed, damaged, etc. prizes.)



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you've heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.




Monday, September 22, 2014

Review: THE 100 by Kass Morgan (YA)


by Kass Morgan
Release date: September 3rd, 2013
Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Sci-Fi Romance
Format: Hardback, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Format read: Paperback from publicist. 


Hardback Cover

SUMMARY

In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... 
before it's too late.

Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. 
After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. 

But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again.






MY REVIEW

A great debut with amazing world-building and memorable, engaging characters! I really enjoyed Kass Morgan's simplistic and outright writing style, world-building (dystopian and sci-fi!) and intriguing storylines... 

In THE 100, a nuclear war has devastated Earth and those who were able to escape before the bombing, evacuated and have been living in spaceships for many, many years. Life on a spaceship can be quite confining, making a few people restless and careless, even for those who have never experienced anything but living life aboard a spaceship. Laws are stricter, the population is controlled and people have been classified by their status and divided into sections. The smallest misdeed can get you imprisoned and even executed. Even if you're a minor. Usually minors get a retrial when they turn 18 years old, and can apply for a pardon. But lately, most retrials have been denied and have been sent to be executed. This of course has raised high suspicions that something is going on; but is it a corrupt government? An overpopulation issue? Is the spaceship running out of supplies? Oxygen?

Paperback Cover
Told from four point-of-views, the story focuses on Clarke, Wells, Bellamy and Glass.
In the beginning, Clarke, Wells and Glass are all imprisoned. While Bellamy is doing his best to look out for his imprisoned younger sister - the only siblings ever to exist, that they know of. Bellamy has learned that the government will be conducting an undercover mission to Earth. They will be sending one hundred juvenile delinquents to earth to see if Earth's radiative surface is now habitable. If they succeed, they will be allowed a second chance to live their lives. Quite an honor considering if they don't succeed it is probably because they died on their trip there, or because of the radiation...

Each of these four characters have very distinct qualities that make them very strong, memorable and important individuals. Clarke is very independent and was studying to become a doctor; she is informed that she will be one of the hundred. Wells is a good guy, a good soldier and also, the chancellor's son. He too will be going to Earth. Glass comes from a well-to-do family, and has had to grow-up quickly and knows more than she lets people know. She too will be taking the trip to Earth. Until Bellamy creates a distraction, his dedication and loyalty to his sister is immeasurable, he will do anything to continue to protect his sister - he has forced his way unto the ship. Thus allowing Glass to make her escape and goes in search of her mother... and Luke, the reason why she was imprisoned.

Four distinct voices with stories to tell all entangled to form one very powerful tale with day to day events and flashbacks as to how they got there. There is never a dull moment.

Once the 100 land on Earth many surprising discoveries are made...
one of them being, that they survived getting there, the air is breathable and that they may have a chance at recolonizing the planet... or do they?

A great premise with a ton of potential! I am really looking forward to following the series and to catching up with the tv show.


*A paperback copy was sent to me for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. 








ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Kass Morgan


 New York Times bestselling author of The 100 and its sequel Day 21, received a bachelor's degree from Brown University and a master's from Oxford University. 

She currently works as an editor and lives in Brooklyn, New York.   


Release Day (Giveaway): AGAIN by Amy Burstein (NA)




by Lisa Burstein
Release date: September 22nd, 2014
Published by: Self-published
Genre: New Adult 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 this time. 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?



PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / IBooks / Kobo


GIVEAWAY


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



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Lias Burstein


Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. 
She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University. 

She is the author of Pretty Amy, The Next Forever, Dear Cassie and Sneaking Candy. As well as a contributor to the upcoming essay collection, Break These Rules: 35 YA 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.




Wednesday, September 17, 2014

2014 Debut Authors Bash (Interview): IF ONLY by A.J. Pine (NA)


by A.J. Pine
Release date: March 24th, 2014
Published by: Entangled (Embrace) Publishing
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Format: Paperback, eBook
Format read: eBook I purchased. 


SUMMARY

Sometimes it takes crossing an ocean to figure out where you belong.

It's been two years since twenty-year-old Jordan had a boyfriend — which means it's been forever since she, well, you know. But now she’s off to spend her junior year in Aberdeen, Scotland, the perfect place to stop waiting for Mr. Right and just enjoy Mr. Right Now.

Sexy, sweet (and possible player) Griffin may be her perfect, no-strings-attached match. He’s fun, gorgeous, and makes her laugh. So why can’t she stop thinking about Noah who, minutes after being trapped together outside the train’s loo, kisses Jordan like she’s never been kissed before? Never mind his impossible blue eyes, his weathered, annotated copy of The Great Gatsby (total English-major porn)… oh, and his girlfriend.

Jordan knows everything this year has an expiration date. Aberdeen is supposed to be about fun rather than waiting for life to happen. But E. M. Forster, Shakespeare, and mistletoe on Valentine’s Day make her reconsider what love is and how far she’s willing to go for the right guy.




INTERVIEW with A.J. Pine

*When did you start reading and writing?
I have always been a reader, but the writing really only started to kick in a few years ago. I’d find myself finishing a book I loved and wanting to write something I’d love just as much. So three years ago I decided to jump in and try writing a novel. That novel isn’t published, but it served it’s purpose--letting me know I didn’t just enjoy writing. It was something I needed to do.

*What were you like as a teen?
SUPER shy. Omigod, like so painfully shy. I should have been writing back then. Imagine the angst! Haha.
*What is your favorite genre to read at the moment?
I read everything from contemporary to fantasy, but what’s most important is for the story to have a romance arc. I love love.

*When and how did you get the idea for IF ONLY?
IF ONLY is very loosely based on my junior year that I spent at Aberdeen University in Scotland. After I started reading New Adult contemporary romance, I was like, YES. I have a story to tell!

*Where did you write IF ONLY?
On my laptop? Haha. Oh, also on my super comfy, hard-not-to-fall-asleep-on, leather recliner couch. I’m so not a desk girl.

*Did you have any say in the cover design?
I did! Entangled Embrace, my publisher, was fantastic about asking for input from me, and I have to say, what my cover designer, Jessica Cantor, did, was exactly the tone and look I envisioned.

*Is there another book in the works? If so, what can we expect?
YES! Book two in the IF ONLY duology, tentatively titled REMEMBER YESTERDAY, should be releasing this fall. No official release date yet until we get through edits. This book, a companion rather than sequel, takes place almost two years after IF ONLY ends and tells the story of a character who leaves IF ONLY about halfway through.

*Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?
MILK. No question.

*Fruit or vegetables?
Vegetables

*Cats or dogs?
Cats - so low maintenance even if they look down on me with disdain (I have two).

*Hardcover, paperback or ebook?
This is tough. I read them all. To have on my shelf, I love to have hardcover. But my favorite way to read is actually listening to audio books.

*Movie?
Just one? Um...Moulin Rouge.

*Ice cream flavor?
Healthy frozen yogurt loaded with unhealthy toppings.

*Social media site?
Twitter

*Animal?
Does Ewan McGregor count? He’s my spirit animal. Otherwise, cat.

*Book?
Eeek! This is so not fair. I will say one only because it says book and not books, and I am going to follow the rules, but know that there is quite the list in my head. :)
Right now, the book that just gets me at my core, that I still reread every now and then, is the gorgeous YA novel, JELLICOE ROAD, by Melina Marchetta.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR - A.J. Pine

AJ Pine  writes stories to break readers’ hearts, but don’t worry — she’ll mend them with a happily ever after. As an English teacher and a librarian, AJ has always surrounded herself with books. All her favorites have one big commonality – romance. Naturally, her books have the same. When she’s not writing, she’s of course reading. Then there’s online shopping (everything from groceries to shoes) and, of course, a tiny bit of TV where she nourishes her undying love of vampires, from Eric Northman to the Salvatore brothers. And in the midst of all of this, you’ll also find her hanging with her family in the Chicago burbs.


 
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