tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54330430464465777262024-03-20T11:08:58.157-04:00Eli to the nthNo Math, Just BooksElisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.comBlogger1046125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-75848163501253152142023-07-23T14:44:00.002-04:002023-07-27T15:26:10.587-04:00BOOK REVIEW - BEATING HEART BABY BY LIO MIN (YOUNG ADULT FICTION)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="900" height="680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpkU6hTg2mibzQJGPfgEzIhlD6U9mJm2_gcELq8MVYveF5MzHzlhEa2b8-wN_CI6Sb4YVcWFIOq2mzWR4iooRW2-2yKkUjEBK9MF-ONB4MNs7qFBJcconFVYXcfpNTV_Kln9WUcPCNlxtzWPiyxwVD9W4rUPUTnOcaR4Kir3hMQwdCnLWI8ZgfT6c/w450-h680/beating%20heart%20baby%20cover.jpg" width="450" /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p></p><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Beating Heart Baby</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Author</b>: Lio Min<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: July 26, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 352 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Flatiron Books<br /><b>Source</b>: Publisher<br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beating-Heart-Baby-Lio-Min/dp/1250819091/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1659128020&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beating-heart-baby-lio-min/1139985502?ean=9781250819093" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Beating-Heart-Baby/Lio-Min/9781250819093?id=8834185977992" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/beating-heart-baby-lio-min/18721511?ean=9781250819093" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. The links above are non-affiliate links; I do not earn anything from them.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Summary</b></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Lio Min’s <i>Beating Heart Baby</i> is an “achingly romantic” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) love letter to internet friendships, anime, and indie rock.</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When artistic and sensitive Santi arrives at his new high school, everyone in the wildly talented marching band welcomes him with open arms. Everyone except for the prickly, proud musical prodigy Suwa, who doesn’t think Santi has what it takes to be in the band.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But Santi and Suwa share painful pasts, and when they open up to each other, a tentative friendship begins. And soon, that friendship turns into something more. . . .</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Will their fresh start rip at the seams as Suwa seeks out a solo spotlight, and both boys come to terms with what it'll take, and what they'll have to let go, to realize their dreams?</span></div></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58724791-beating-heart-baby" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Praise for <i>Beating Heart Baby</i></b>:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"This book is alive with ache, grief, hunger, love, pain and awe. . . . It should be read for the reasons all good books should be read: because it’s beautiful and moving, nuanced and humane. Most of all, because it’s <em style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">fun</em>." —<span style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Los Angeles Times</em></span><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" />"Min's exploration of coming out and owning your story as an artist is particularly exhilarating and nuanced. . . It's an epic tale of queer validation, filtered through the light of the California sun and Sailor Moon, and an essential read for anyone searching for a blueprint of their soul." —<span style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BookPage</em>, starred review</span><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" />"A lyrical, rhythmic, and promising debut, this queer romance is a hit." —<em style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kirkus Reviews,</span></em><span style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> starred review</span><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" />"A luminous homage to music, art, and the power of found family. . . This achingly romantic novel features racially diverse and variously queer characters, each of whom is given ample space to develop." —<span style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Publishers Weekly</em>, starred review</span><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" />"At times incredibly romantic, at times wildly devastating, this debut about identity, belonging, kinship, fandom, and starting over is one of the best books you'll read all year." —<span style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BuzzFeed </em>(Best Book of the Summer)<br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" />"There’s a magic to this book I just can’t put into words. . . . If you like angst, pining, anime, music and found family, <em style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Beating Heart Baby</em> is the book that will make you cheer, weep, laugh, and pine for your own internet friendship transforming into a happily ever!" —<span style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TheNerdDaily.com<br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" />"Blistering, deeply emo, and shimmering with the messiness of intimacy, <em style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Beating Heart Baby</em> is a dizzying, occasionally infuriating, gleefully sexy, and utterly heartfelt exploration of identity, culture, and finding home within your art and in yourself. Brimming with music, profoundly specific internet, and the magic of cooked food with chosen family, Lio Min’s debut is as much a salve as it is nourishment." —<span style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mary H. K. Choi, author of<em style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Yolk<br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" /></em></span><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" />"A stunning heartbreak of a novel that will mean so much to so many. I couldn’t put it down—following the always tender and often romantic journeys of these beautiful boys. A story about how love can shape you and open up the entire world. Lio Min is a superstar to watch." —<span style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Maurene Goo, author of<em style="border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Somewhere Only We Know<br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" /></em></span><br style="box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Beating Heart Baby</i> is a must-read. Period.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had to sit on this review for a bit because, frankly, this book gutted me in all the best possible ways. There is so much love within the pages of this book: self-love, familial love, platonic love, romantic love. The depth that Lio Min plunges, that they are able to translate into written words, is masterful. This is ultimately a story about finding joy in spite of pain, and I fell in love immediately.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>This is not only a queer ode, but an ode to music, </span>art, and anime. Showing the deep connections that people can make even through a computer screen, Min hones into the heartbeat of their main characters, giving the readers a view of events from both Santi and Suwa's experiences. There is a before and a now and an after which circulates throughout the story, highlighting the circular nature of human existence. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This sounds like a lot for a YA novel, but I would argue that A) the general population consistently underestimates teenagers and B) that the experiences felt and relayed in this book do transcend the YA genre. This will connect current teen readers, those Gen Z kids, with their Gen Y or Gen X parents. But this will also tap into the Millennial experience - this generation who started without the internet at their finger tips, but developed the language that Gen Z lives out now. How disembodied intimacy started in the early chatrooms, LiveJournals, and MySpace forums, and has developed into a way people often connect and create relationships in this vastly digital landscape; where those that search can find connection.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Being a former band kid, the fact that marching band was a big part of this book was so comforting. The family that is developed in a world where you have to rely on one another to hit your mark, to play you assigned part, to be able to come together to create music, is different than any family you develop in other groups. Music has a way of bringing people together that not many other art forms contain. The quote that is at the center of this story, "<i>The worst thing about music is that other people get to hear it", </i>comes from singer Mitski, but in the book comes from a fictional anime, "Mugen Glider", that has large significance to both main characters. This quote really exposes the fear of creation at the center of this book. While it works to bring people, often strangers, together, music is also deeply personal, exposing all the emotions poured into that act of creation. Musicians know, whether playing your own original music, or being a conduit for others', that music itself transports you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lio Min grabs you and immerses you in this love story that Santi and Suwa are going through. You feel transported into their minds with each point of view. The feeling of creation through music and art is titular, and does become the beating heart of this novel. Again, a must read. Period. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06TtywLAtOZHq4Y7CpIVh2-zR_Yt2JU7jskArhdqKNebatjsZfdDM60h4WF66tx_EZQNc38jbzgLkFe5KzfImB7nfMeacGrn71w0aje32H2DPAYhL429N0IBPIDbwk3eZ_wyU1hl4oVFguaktF78kMmo6SjyN589ATIhRTRFjgGX810RMRjpWVjdO/s981/5%20stars.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="981" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06TtywLAtOZHq4Y7CpIVh2-zR_Yt2JU7jskArhdqKNebatjsZfdDM60h4WF66tx_EZQNc38jbzgLkFe5KzfImB7nfMeacGrn71w0aje32H2DPAYhL429N0IBPIDbwk3eZ_wyU1hl4oVFguaktF78kMmo6SjyN589ATIhRTRFjgGX810RMRjpWVjdO/w476-h106/5%20stars.jpg" width="476" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w8kY2Bxl-hbhSE9JorEyP8xV_fz0b07rXPnJ4LxFN6GH8gj6XB3yzhwZ-52INbv5H1zZxiiFALH3-O6P0FEtTMaDEII_Ea49ZFHPIPBG7zgr_AX0wW7aA396DG1Z0kJSajdnYl94NB0MdX_ofOUtPHbUWuOuhFIp7SXmXqU_Mdn-7lwpU_p7UZ4v/s870/Lio%20Min%20credit%20Bao%20Ngo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="870" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w8kY2Bxl-hbhSE9JorEyP8xV_fz0b07rXPnJ4LxFN6GH8gj6XB3yzhwZ-52INbv5H1zZxiiFALH3-O6P0FEtTMaDEII_Ea49ZFHPIPBG7zgr_AX0wW7aA396DG1Z0kJSajdnYl94NB0MdX_ofOUtPHbUWuOuhFIp7SXmXqU_Mdn-7lwpU_p7UZ4v/w320-h320/Lio%20Min%20credit%20Bao%20Ngo.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">photo by Bao Ngo</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lio Min has listened to, played and performed, and written about music for most of their life. Their debut novel <i>Beating Heart Baby</i> is about boys, bands, and Los Angeles. They've profiled and interviewed acts including Japanese Breakfast, Rina Sawayama, MUNA, Caroline Polachek, Christine and the Queens, Raveena, Tei Shi, Speedy Ortiz, and Mitski.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://liomin.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EmoOcean" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emo.ocean/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://emoocean.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21707015.Lio_Min" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-22926718006381779622023-03-21T08:00:00.001-04:002023-03-21T08:00:00.175-04:00BLOG TOUR - THREE DROPS OF BLODD BY GRETCHEN MCNEIL - YA THRILLER [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGKaEquPcF2OYFMFv7xXMrh-Rm7jR2_CwTgWME9qOzlD4TckcrAesiJ3XYhsYpnBPy_Fp_BLbn9oJDQH_yS0StdVxrpE716vfzna3rlMi2LxAa9Rr_-vyyGPTvLSxWj2wPLyT0IEkm0J7cEtnKe5ZUbFazJiB9yFQDsxtLF69F-g-E5HBo47wqh4S/s615/THREE%20DROPS%20OF%20BLOOD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGKaEquPcF2OYFMFv7xXMrh-Rm7jR2_CwTgWME9qOzlD4TckcrAesiJ3XYhsYpnBPy_Fp_BLbn9oJDQH_yS0StdVxrpE716vfzna3rlMi2LxAa9Rr_-vyyGPTvLSxWj2wPLyT0IEkm0J7cEtnKe5ZUbFazJiB9yFQDsxtLF69F-g-E5HBo47wqh4S/w405-h158/THREE%20DROPS%20OF%20BLOOD.jpg" width="405" /></span></a></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;">I am excited to be a part of the blog tour for <i>Three Drops of Blood</i> by Gretchen McNeil from <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a>. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;">Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span></p><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Book Information</span><br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUbsofuPlNGArl0rtKQBmy_C86jnIIBG6VfdFyyqbd3QNZ5PYbDKcBVL4VxwPdSsHkEAAhRJR7McHRTeke6KsW3zYFs6aFhJBVL9MWtscqDkH1psxWQZfKrBWXLBPCA9SwtXyf0esOPgCLYoFc1-bEvSCy3Tj_MxRjwLL4NFOdgyf90tcf0BZDsWh/s2550/1368072151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUbsofuPlNGArl0rtKQBmy_C86jnIIBG6VfdFyyqbd3QNZ5PYbDKcBVL4VxwPdSsHkEAAhRJR7McHRTeke6KsW3zYFs6aFhJBVL9MWtscqDkH1psxWQZfKrBWXLBPCA9SwtXyf0esOPgCLYoFc1-bEvSCy3Tj_MxRjwLL4NFOdgyf90tcf0BZDsWh/w424-h640/1368072151.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Three Drops of Blood</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Gretchen McNeil<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: March 21, 2023</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 336 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Disney-Hyperion<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Find It</b>: <a href="https://books2read.com/ThreeDropsOfBlood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Major Retailers</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>3/1/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Kait Plus Books - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>3/2/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Books and Kats - Excerpt </div><div>3/3/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>YA Books Central - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>3/4/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Momma Spot - Excerpt </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>3/5/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Forthenovellovers - Review </div><div>3/6/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Thrillersandhistoricalfiction - IG Review</div><div>3/7/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Litt Librarian - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/8/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>gsreadingspree - IG Review</div><div>3/9/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@pages.for.sanity - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>3/10/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>pluvioreads - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/11/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>onemused - IG Spotlight</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>3/12/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Dreaminginpages - IG Review</div><div>3/13/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>OneMoreExclamation - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/14/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Emily Ashlyn - IG Review/Facebook Post</div><div>3/15/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Dream Within A Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/16/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>travelersguidetobooks - IG Review</div><div>3/17/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@bookishlifeofkels - IG Spotlight</div><div>3/18/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Lisa Loves Literature - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>3/19/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Blue Box Full of Books - IG Review/LFL Drop Pic</div><div>3/20/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>a GREAT read - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/21/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/22/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Country Mamas With Kids - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/23/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@just_another_mother_with_books - IG Review</div><div>3/24/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@enjoyingbooksagain - IG Review</div><div>3/25/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Just Another Reader - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Five</b></div><div>3/26/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>popthebutterfly - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/27/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@froggyreadteach - IG Review</div><div>3/28/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@drew_ambitious_reading - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>3/29/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer - Review </div><div>3/30/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>GryffindorBookishNerd - IG Review</div><div>3/31/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Momfluenster - IG Review/Facebook Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Summary</span></b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>A Good Girls Guide to Murder</i> meets Hitchcock in this novel from celebrated author Gretchen McNeil. A mundane office job takes a dark turn when a girl witnesses a double murder through the window.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Being an actress, Kate is no stranger to drama. And when her chance at a leading role gets cancelled, she is willing to do whatever it takes to get her acting career back on track even if that means getting a boring office job at her best friend's father's law firm so she can prove to her parents she can to support herself rather than go back to high school. Now, rather than living life on the big screen, she is stuck filing mundane contracts and watching the people in the office across from hers live their equally boring lives.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But when Kate sees things heat up between a woman and her assistant, her new source of entertainment take a turn for the worse when she witnesses a double murder. Now, she must get anyone to believe her and find out who this mystery woman is to get answers. But as she learns more and more about the circumstances leading to the gruesome act, she begins to realize there is a bigger mystery under the surface...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>In this voyeuristic thriller filled with twists and turns, can Kate get anyone to believe her before she becomes the next victim?</b></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56304185-dig-two-graves" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia" size="4"><br /></font></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia" size="4">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A mix of contemporary and thriller, <i>Three Drops of Blood</i> is the latest book from author Gretchen McNeil. </span>YA thrillers are McNeil's bread and butter. What makes <i>Three Drops of Blood</i> interesting is that it starts off reading as very much a contemporary YA. This kind of threw me, as the cover jacket alludes to this being a thriller from the get. </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;">The story follows Kate, a teen actress trying to make her big break when things just go to the left. Her co-star and the showrunner are caught in a scandal, causing the show to be cancelled. This all leads to her parents firmly trying to squash Kate's dreams of being a full-time actor sans finishing high school or going to college. They force her to prove to them she is capable of responsibility and making it on her own, so Kate ends up working at her best friend's father's law firm for the summer. And that's where she witnesses something she never expected to, a woman being murdered in the office across the courtyard.</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;">The pacing of this book is a little disjointed, as like I mentioned, the start reads just like a YA contemporary, chronicling Kate's acting journey and disagreements with her parents on her future. As we are following Kate live her mundane life (not to say it isn't important), we get thrown into a fantastical story. This both highlights the disjointed pacing, but also makes sense. If a normal person witnessed a murder, it would surely fracture their lives. </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;">Kate tries to tell people, her parents, the police, etc. but no one believes her. With it being a take on <i style="background-color: transparent;">Rear Window</i> by Alfred Hitchcock, that makes sense, otherwise we wouldn't have this junior sleuth opportunity for Kate. The thriller portion of the book is really what shines, as McNeil is great at crafting twists and anticipation. I feel like if the life issues Kate experienced were cut a little so readers could get to the murder, this book would've been a solid 4 stars.</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, this is a fun, modern update to a classic thriller. Kate proves herself to be a capable, smart, and strong lead. While you have to suspend disbelief, I felt it was a fun world to sink into once Kate started her investigation. McNeil proves herself to still be able to craft an engrossing thriller, and I would recommend this to fans of thrillers and mysteries.</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia" size="4">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbjKq8vgu_l5zEH0MzjwheL5UILwhqk-dtcEg73CmYEecQdbJzDspe0PvERM9Lhysszcokty84KSzUdvsBOxQJbj4_rdAZiNVDTtG20Q0O0E7FINM6ZVCs_Y8FjLK2GOWUn2gG2QmMOr5qzRJ8nDwRrJZRafQdZnTRTje4YxVTplMZNwKh5U2fGJk/s566/3.5%20stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="566" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbjKq8vgu_l5zEH0MzjwheL5UILwhqk-dtcEg73CmYEecQdbJzDspe0PvERM9Lhysszcokty84KSzUdvsBOxQJbj4_rdAZiNVDTtG20Q0O0E7FINM6ZVCs_Y8FjLK2GOWUn2gG2QmMOr5qzRJ8nDwRrJZRafQdZnTRTje4YxVTplMZNwKh5U2fGJk/s320/3.5%20stars.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>PROLOGUE </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">KATE SAT AS STILL AS SHE COULD IN THE FAUX LEATHER ARMCHAIR, sweat pilling up on her forehead and chin beneath the intense heat of the two thousand-Watt open face Tungsten flood lights while Marielle, her makeup artist, stood at her shoulder, powder brush poised and ready. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kate was used to these moments of forced stillness. After three months in production on the Dirty Pretty Teens series, she’d gone from acting novice to seasoned pro, and she’d learned to sit quietly between takes and let the professionals do their jobs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At first, she’d wondered why they couldn’t, like, turn off the damn lights so it wasn’t as infernally hot while the actors held in place, but since the rest of the cast—all television veterans—were unfazed by the uncomfortable heat, Kate kept her thoughts to herself. Eventually, she realized that the grips frequently scuttled around resetting and rearranging the entire lighting apparatus during brief interruptions as the A.D. and cinematographer tweaked their setup. These pauses in the action were only a pause for the actors. Everyone else was still in motion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But this hold was different. Instead of the usual flurry of movement, most of the crew was focused on a corner of the coffee shop set where the director and producers were huddled around a small playback screen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even blonde, teen sensation Belle Masterson, the star of Dirty Pretty Teens who rarely paid attention to anything that wasn’t directly related to Belle Masterson, was interested in this coterie. Sure she’d whipped out her phone the moment the director yelled “cut” and had pretended to swipe through screens to avoid human interaction, but though her chin was tucked down, her pale cheeks had flushed pink and her blue eyes were fixed on the production team. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or on Dex Pratt’s ass. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Which was essentially the same thing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kate was new to the entertainment industry, but she was pretty sure that seventeen-year-old actresses throwing themselves at their married, thirty-eight-year-old show runners was frowned upon. Not that it stopped Belle. She took every opportunity to touch Dex—a hand on his arm, a brush against his shoulder, a playful shove like prepubescent kids who were learning that even negative touching was still touching. When Belle wasn’t eliciting skin-to-skin contact with Dex, she was flirting with him from afar with signals even Kate’s cataract-ridden great-aunt could have spotted from fifty paces. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That girl was wild bananas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Marielle made her finishing touches on Kate’s nose, her eyes straying to the brain trust in the corner. “They’d better made a decision soon. You’re going to pumpkin at the top of the hour.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kate wasn’t supposed to move when getting her face touched up, but she always smiled when someone on set used “pumpkin” as a verb. It meant she, as a minor, was about to hit the end of her work day when the director would lose her for the next twelve hours. She was the only official minor on the production—Belle Masterson had miraculously passed her California High School Proficiency Exam at sixteen which meant she could work on set as “legal eighteen” without fear of pumpkining—and working around Kate’s availability under California labor law was a huge concern for the production. Usually, everyone moved at lightning speed as Kate’s pumpkin hour approached. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But not today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Marielle swept her long jumbo box braids behind one shoulder and stepped back to check her work. “All set.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Thank you!” Kate said, smiling. Marielle had been a huge help to Kate throughout the production, especially the first week on set when she’d offered gentle nudges and suggestions when Kate had no idea what she was supposed to be doing. Kate was pretty sure she’d have been fired if not for the kindness of her makeup artist. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The scene they’d just shot was a poignant reminder of Kate’s bewildering first day on set. She and Belle—or rather their characters Noelle and Piper—at a coffee shop, arguing over their romantic entanglements, a mirror image of the first scene they’d ever shot together. She and Belle had sat in those same sticky, slick chairs, morphing from near strangers to BFFs the second the cameras started to film. Kate recalled how desperately nervous she’d been sitting across the table from the former Disney Channel star in her form fitting body con mini dress while Kate’s size sixteen curves were camouflaged by an open plaid blazer that couldn’t have buttoned over her ample chest without popping a seam. Even with brand new highlights in her reddish-brown hair and Marielle’s contouring skills, Kate had felt like a double-wide trailer parked beside a Ducati, and she was positive someone would realize she wasn’t actually an actress and that casting her had been a horrific mistake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kate kept trying to remind herself of how awesome this opportunity was—the role of Noelle in the Dirty Pretty Teens books was certainly not written as a plus size person, and how often did actresses who looked like Kate get to indulge in frothy, soapy roles like this? But instead of calming her down, Kate had only increased her stress, feeling the pressure of representation. She’d been sick to her stomach with it and the only thing that had saved her were her dad’s parting words when he’d dropped her off that morning: “All the world’s a stage, Katie-Bear,” he’d said in his deep, booming bass-baritone. “When in doubt, look to the Bard.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Usually, Kate rolled her eyes at her dad’s insistence that every situation in the entire universe from asking someone on a date to negotiating global disarmament treaties could be solved with a simple “look to the Bard,” as if Shakespeare was a soothsaying prophet like Nostradamus and his plays were merely blueprints for the centuries that followed. Mack Williams— Shakespearean scholar, former amateur actor, and adjunct professor of Jacobean literature—was biased, but that day, his advice had struck a chord with his daughter. As she’d sat nervously at her makeup station, frantically going through the upcoming scene in her head, she’d started to panic. She was dropping words, reciting her lines out of order, forgetting her blocking. What was her motivation? Why was her character doing any of this bullshit in the first place? None of it made sense. When in doubt, look to the Bard. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kate had focused on her character Noelle Wagner, spunky best friend of Belle’s Piper Payne. Noelle was trustworthy and brave, though she harbored a secret crush on Piper’s on-again off-again boy toy Sebastian who had once asked Noelle out before falling for Piper. Meanwhile, Wyatt, the guy Piper really wanted, was pretending to be interested in Noelle in order to make Piper jealous, driving a wedge between the two friends that fueled most of the series’ plot points. It was a ridiculous and convoluted soap opera, and Kate was thankful that she’d never read the young adult novels on which the series was based because there was no way she’d have been able to keep a straight face at the audition if she’d known what was coming. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still, convoluted or not, the story lines were reminiscent of the four Athenian lovers in <i>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</i>. Piper, Sebastian, Wyatt, and Noelle were easily juxtaposed onto Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander, and Helena. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Helena, whose boyfriend falls in love with her best friend. Helena, who sees her best friend turn on her after the gods make both of the men lust after her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In an instant, years of Kate’s dad drilling Shakespeare into her unexpectedly paid off as the entire role of Noelle had come into focus. What she wanted, why she wanted it. For the first time since Kate had been cast, it all made sense. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe Shakespeare really was a prophet? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bananas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Time and again over the past few months, Kate had returned to Helena and <i>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</i> when she felt lost. Even now, on the last day of shooting, in this final scene, a pivotal confrontation between best friends, Helena was a beacon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Is all the counsel that we two have shared, </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The sisters’ vows, the hours that we have spent</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>When we have chid the hasty-footed time </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>For parting us? Oh, is all forgot? </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Act three, scene two,” she said under her breath. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“What?” Belle turned to her sharply, eyes narrowed, as if she’d caught Kate talking shit behind her back. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Oh, um, nothing.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Did you say something about my acting?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not everything is about you. “I was quoting Shakespeare.” “Why?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As someone who didn’t care how the sausage was made, the word “why” never came out of Belle’s mouth. Kate was momentarily thrown. Most of their interactions had been Belle monologuing about herself or giving unsolicited advice to her co-star, neither of which required much of a response. Which was fine. When Kate wasn’t sure how to respond, she usually stayed quiet, and that seemed to be what Belle wanted most of the time anyway. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now Belle was looking at her intently, eyes pinched with suspicion, waiting for an answer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“I just...I use Helena in <i>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</i> as inspiration for Noelle.” She paused, wondering why she felt the need to explain herself, but couldn’t stop talking. “My dad says you can solve almost any problem by looking to the Bard.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It sounded super corny when she said it out loud. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Belle was silent for a moment, eyes still locked on Kate. “Hot or not?” “Shakespeare?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“The chick. Helen.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Belle’s priorities were so out of whack. “I guess Helena’s hot?” “You guess.” Belle dropped her phone to her lap, suddenly interested. “And who am I?”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That was a loaded question, but Kate decided to stick with Shakespeare. “I suppose that makes you Hermia.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Awful name,” Belle said, wrinkling her upper lip. “Is she hot?” Kate needed to extricate herself from this conversation before her brain exploded. “Well, she has two different guys in love with her at the beginning of the play.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Belle gasped. “That sounds just like me!” Then she picked up her phone and went back to watching Dex while pretending to swipe. And I have to shoot a whole second season with her...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Movement and raised voices from the corner of the coffee shop forced everyone to attention. Dex shook hands with the A.D. then slapped the director on the back before turning around to address the entire room. He smiled broadly, an unfamiliar expression and one that made his overly tanned face seem more cheerful than shrewd. For half a second, Kate got what Belle saw in him. He was handsome—sure, like, whatever. This was L.A. Everyone was hot. And Dex’s brand of hot was “white frat boy” laced with a privileged douchebaggery which negated the hotness. But his authoritarian power on the set was, at the very least, arresting, and paired with a cheerful smile, Kate kinda sorta understood the appeal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Except, no, ew. He was, like, almost as old as her dad. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Well—” Dex began, then paused dramatically, stretching his arms wide, holding everyone’s attention in his embrace. “That’s a wrap on season one!” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Belle bolted to her feet, rapidly clapping her dainty hands like a mad pair of hummingbird wings, and let out a high-pitched cheer. It was the signal to celebrate, and the rest of the crew hugged and high-fived on a job well done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dex made his way through a shallow sea of assistants and technicians, shaking hands and slapping people on their backs as if they were all his close, personal friends. He caught Kate’s eye and made a beeline for her. “Excellent job, Kate,” he said, flashing that Hollywood smile—dazzlingly white teeth against overly tanned skin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Thank you.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He opened his arms, inviting a hug. “Bring it in.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That’s a first. Dex usually kept his cast at arm’s length, which was fine because Kate wasn’t exactly the touchy-feely type, and as he squeezed her shoulders, she felt her body tense. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“I, uh, can’t believe it’s over,” she said awkwardly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Only season one!” Dex lingered, holding Kate in place long after she’d have been comfortable pulling away. “I get the pleasure of seeing you again in just a few months.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Belle snarl. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dex tugged on her shoulders, pulling her body into his. A fatherly gesture, but Kate didn’t love how her double d’s smushed into his abs. “I’m so glad your friend dragged you to that audition.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Uh, me too.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“So. Glad.” He tightened his embrace with each word, his arm dropping from her shoulders to her waist. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kate tried to express “I’m stuck here against my will” with just her face, but Belle was all daggers as she rounded the small table that buffered Kate from her rage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Are you done?” Belle practically spit out the words. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kate wasn’t sure if they were meant for Dex or herself, but Dex took his time releasing Kate from the forced embrace, slowly letting his arms fall away. She scampered aside, smoothing down the lines of her shirt. “Thanks, Mr. Pratt,” she said, intentionally formal. “I appreciate all of your guidance.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Belle stepped between them, honed on Kate like a cheetah on a wildebeest. “I’m sure you do.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You’re very welcome,” Dex said, ignoring the starlet’s jealousy. “See you at the wrap party tomorrow, yes?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Of course.” Suddenly, the Dirty Pretty Teens wrap party was the last place on the planet Kate wanted to be, but she couldn’t no show. She’d promised to take Rowan as her plus one and her best friend would never forgive her if she backed out. “See you then.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dex opened his mouth to respond, but Belle tugged on his arm, shutting him up. Kate headed for her trailer, her actor’s high from shooting the final scene of the season dimming as she struggled with the weirdness of her encounter with Dex and Belle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She ventured a glance back at them as she slipped through the door into the tepid February sunshine. Belle was still pouting, hands crossed over her chest like a toddler on the brink of a meltdown. Dex leaned down, whispering, his lips close to her ear. Then just as he was about to pull away, Dex paused. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Kate thought she saw him plant a kiss on the arch of Belle’s porcelain neck.</div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia" size="4">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BO5nGPG-1NfqX53l2PiCiRBWA2uRajqPoamnUf1N4W-myYIRrrp4vA7v8xRQJ05dFWMkDTbomqD15fkJrExySa2Mn2_8vNWt45QUmmX_8A6qAJsp42tDV9NA3wOITaefNEmMnV3n1Nb8D-LeIeQzS3x1y_DGKu7Gg2XII4xNXoPzjuanQJSzLQfo/s1100/Gretchen%20McNeil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BO5nGPG-1NfqX53l2PiCiRBWA2uRajqPoamnUf1N4W-myYIRrrp4vA7v8xRQJ05dFWMkDTbomqD15fkJrExySa2Mn2_8vNWt45QUmmX_8A6qAJsp42tDV9NA3wOITaefNEmMnV3n1Nb8D-LeIeQzS3x1y_DGKu7Gg2XII4xNXoPzjuanQJSzLQfo/s320/Gretchen%20McNeil.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gretchen McNeil is the author of <i>#MurderTrending</i>, <i>#MurderFunding</i>, <i>#NoEscape</i>, <i>I’m Not Your Manic Pixie Dream Girl</i>, <i>Possess</i>, <i>3:59</i>, <i>Relic</i>, and <i>Ten, </i>which was adapted as the Lifetime original movie <i>Ten: Murder Island</i> in 2017, as well as <i>Get Even</i> and <i>Get Dirty</i>, adapted as the series <i>"Get Even"</i> which is currently streaming worldwide on BBC iPlayer and Netflix. You can find her online at www.GretchenMcNeil.com, on Instagram @Gretchen_McNeil, and on Twitter @GretchenMcNeil.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://www.gretchenmcneil.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> </span>| <a href="https://twitter.com/GretchenMcNeil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <span>|</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGretchenMcNeil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gretchen_mcneil/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4145664.Gretchen_McNeil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3Lqxa7j" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gretchen-mcneil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BookBub</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia" size="4"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <i>THREE DROPS OF BLOOD</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ends April 7th, midnight EST.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21630/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkiF7osA7q483YcnFaSlz1wjkg_ie8qjIpSf_-YpiW7OazAqWXZVGizGC282axkBav4Rym6ABJ6qo8SagO07t4M2DIV7W8fDgdXrVthUEsyT8uunbiVGxFBV9oh66OfLDaB-1NmqeoEBRsJ5GzQItW5BI5y9J2Rg09yPXyxgD0yS5NoFLnKc7hcLZ/s320/THREE%20DROPS%20OF%20BLOOD%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-38666324925678939702023-03-14T08:00:00.009-04:002023-03-14T12:01:02.023-04:00BLOG TOUR - THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY JADE ADIA - YA CONTEMPORARY [SPOTLIGHT+ GIVEAWAY]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7zgXLiN3OGohcnCxCmiDPzQ0EP87aIO58CAdukJ29UNbIDi9CUo-RmzfB5GxNWF1yZ27xVqUYpo1sU5XA8h0TC1gLiAHoFMVkijrhERJvsOwqQI7gkC9AWaZyF-3z47qhP5-7MATFPn6SYOTNj83PUHf19NU7tjornG7hnv92aj2KTVYZ_3vMR8N/s615/THERE%20GOES%20THE%20NEIGHBORHOOD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7zgXLiN3OGohcnCxCmiDPzQ0EP87aIO58CAdukJ29UNbIDi9CUo-RmzfB5GxNWF1yZ27xVqUYpo1sU5XA8h0TC1gLiAHoFMVkijrhERJvsOwqQI7gkC9AWaZyF-3z47qhP5-7MATFPn6SYOTNj83PUHf19NU7tjornG7hnv92aj2KTVYZ_3vMR8N/w457-h178/THERE%20GOES%20THE%20NEIGHBORHOOD.jpg" width="457" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am thrilled to be hosting a spotlight stop on the <i>There Goes the Neighborhood </i>by Jade Adia Blog Tour hosted by <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a>. Check out my post for an excerpt, and make sure to enter the giveaway! <br /></span><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVFrEuUWkR2hpYG_QIAvGeYfvg3GEKGE5U7YxUCTvDeX6nLg5oni4kGBZBHCqGBfOfTU5Q2U8aUImXaxDPVqbO98XlWkOtL5vKM-miXgQLJp6UZPpYbgLnB5oF-5AXMAo5aa_uF7tQ0T4eq8ne7xVmnIl9GfAQDcjdLGBHxMcXi9PZiRche4joGB-/s2475/136808432X.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVFrEuUWkR2hpYG_QIAvGeYfvg3GEKGE5U7YxUCTvDeX6nLg5oni4kGBZBHCqGBfOfTU5Q2U8aUImXaxDPVqbO98XlWkOtL5vKM-miXgQLJp6UZPpYbgLnB5oF-5AXMAo5aa_uF7tQ0T4eq8ne7xVmnIl9GfAQDcjdLGBHxMcXi9PZiRche4joGB-/w441-h662/136808432X.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>There Goes the Neighborhood</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Authors(s)</b>: Jade Adia<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: March 7, 2023<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook; 432 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Disney-Hyperion<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Find It</b>: <a href="https://mybook.to/jade-adia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Major Retailers</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for a spotlight stop. Any future reviews contain my own thoughts and opinions. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</div></div><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>3/1/2023 - #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>3/2/2023 - YA Books Central - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>3/3/2023 - Kait Plus Books - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>3/4/2023 - Two Chicks on Books - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>3/5/2023 - A Dream Within A Dream - Excerpt</div><div>3/6/2023 - @ugcbyabby - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>3/7/2023 - Kim"s Book Reviews and Writing Aha's - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/8/2023 - Lifestyle of Me - Review </div><div>3/9/2023 - Lisa Loves Literature - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/10/2023 - gsreadingspree - IG Review</div><div>3/11/2023 - Emily Ashlyn - IG Review/Facebook Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>3/12/2023 - Brandi Danielle Davis - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>3/13/2023 - onemused - IG Spotlight</div><div>3/14/2023 - Eli to the nth - Excerpt</div><div>3/15/2023 - Review Thick And Thin - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/16/2023 - A Blue Box Full of Books - IG Review/LFL Drop Pic</div><div>3/17/2023 - Author Z. Knight's Guild - Review </div><div>3/18/2023 - travelersguidetobooks - IG Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>3/19/2023 - Country Mamas With Kids - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/20/2023 - @froggyreadteach - IG Review</div><div>3/21/2023 - OneMoreExclamation - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/22/2023 - @carlysunshinebooks - IG Review/LFL Drop Pic</div><div>3/23/2023 - The Litt Librarian - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/24/2023 - I'm Into Books - Excerpt</div><div>3/25/2023 - popthebutterfly - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Five</b></div><div>3/26/2023 - Cara North - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/27/2023 - Two Points of Interest - Review</div><div>3/28/2023 - @evergirl200 - IG Review</div><div>3/29/2023 - @drew_ambitious_reading - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>3/30/2023 - More Books Please blog - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/31/2023 - Books with Brandie Shanae - YouTube Review/IG Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b>A raised fist against the destructive forces of gentrification and a love letter to communities of color everywhere, Jade Adia's unforgettable debut tells the darkly hilarious story of three best friends willing to do whatever it takes to stay together.</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">The gang is fake, but the fear is real.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">Rhea’s neighborhood is fading away―the mom-and-pop shops of her childhood forced out to make space for an artisanal kombucha brewery here, a hot yoga studio there. And everywhere, the feeling that this place is no longer meant for her. Because while their little corner of South L.A. isn’t perfect, to Rhea and her two best friends, it’s something even more important―it’s home. And it’s worth protecting.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">But as more white people flock to their latest edgy, urban paradise for its cheap rent and sparkling new Whole Foods, more of Rhea’s friends and family are pushed out. Until Rhea decides it’s time to push back. Armed with their cellphones and a bag of firecrackers, the friends manipulate social media to create the illusion of gang violence in their neighborhood. All Rhea wanted to do was protect her community. Her friends. Herself. No one was supposed to get hurt. No one was supposed to die.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">But is anyone ever really safe when you’re fighting power with fear?</div></div></div></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58746637-there-goes-the-neighborhood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><b>REVIEWS:</b><br /><br /><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">"Equally strong in its magnetic messiness and potent candor, the novel plunges into discussions of youth activism, capitalism-fueled displacement, and racism’s myriad forms with fierce vision and conviction. A robust cast of characters diverse across various dimensions gives voice to contemporary perspectives on community-oriented social justice and performative wokeness . . . this one’s a much-needed read. Plain terrific."<b><i>--Kirkus Reviews</i></b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">"In this riveting portrait of community care, debut author Adia paints the pain, danger, and consequences of gentrification with visceral clarity, highlighting changes such as displacement and fractured families via Rhea’s biting and witty voice and her unwavering loyalty to her hometown."--<i><b>Publishers Weekly</b></i></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRb9saPgD6wao2sEuHOiPAFAL5w1fMvFCGJWUIO8coYuzVs1c-aG2ebacvvnMJEOuMVC8LAHo_3B9OZVKoHZeNxsTyPsL4k4USA_1N75Ls-IeCeDJYi5rSYlr5i7Mpvc_V6dNuyXNi_zRLX8JTWW8hrtF6fR_JN1SBk7-hxSabUW3WX85UREcD9fU/s900/TGtNEdelweissBanner4440FINAL.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="900" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRb9saPgD6wao2sEuHOiPAFAL5w1fMvFCGJWUIO8coYuzVs1c-aG2ebacvvnMJEOuMVC8LAHo_3B9OZVKoHZeNxsTyPsL4k4USA_1N75Ls-IeCeDJYi5rSYlr5i7Mpvc_V6dNuyXNi_zRLX8JTWW8hrtF6fR_JN1SBk7-hxSabUW3WX85UREcD9fU/w509-h113/TGtNEdelweissBanner4440FINAL.gif" width="509" /></span></a></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>PART one</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Swear to god if this happens again, I’m gunna scream.” I pull my forehead back from the glass and use my fist to wipe away the condensation. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Yeah, I’ll walk straight to the mayor’s mansion, and he better be ready to catch these hands,” Zeke says. He forms two fists and throws a couple of fake punches in the air. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Malachi laughs, gripping the number on his classic Kobe jersey. “Bruh, you’re not gunna fight anyone.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This much is obvious to me and anyone who knows Zeke. The boy once told me that he could never imagine himself fighting someone, unless it was in space and he had a lightsaber. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Okay, fine,” Zeke relents. “But I will send a strongly worded email. And write a bad Yelp review.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I don’t think you can write Yelp reviews for the City of Los Angeles,” I mumble. It’s only July 1, but when I try to count up the number of mom-and-pop shops to bite it this summer alone, I give up after ten. Jugos Azteca was the last place in the neighborhood where you could still get a giant thirty-two ounce Styrofoam cup of agua fresca at any hour for only $2. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But now it’s gone too. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The global spice mart was the first to go. Some corporate stooges bought it last year and turned it into a boutique Pilates studio. And the Liquor Bank where we used to buy sour belts and chile mango pops? That was shut down for a health code violation, and now there’s an artisan coffee shop where you can paint a ceramic mug while you wait. Last year, someone took over the fish fry restaurant next to that, and now there’s a goddamn taco shop run by a couple of white boys, and their only salsa option is pico de gallo. Pico-de fucking-gallo. Not a bottle of Valentina or Yucateco in sight. Not even any Tapatio or weak-ass Cholula. We went there once to see what the deal was, but between the three of us, we only had enough cash for one taco to split. When the corny dude brought it over to us, we asked for hot sauce and he gave us SRIRACHA. Fuck outta here with that ketchup shit. That would never have happened back in the day. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So yeah, things in South LA are changing, to say the least. “We could walk on Western Avenue until we find the elote guy?” I suggest, more so as an excuse to get as far away as possible from this depressing-ass empty storefront than out of an actual craving for street corn. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Rhea, it’s too hot to walk. Like Mad Max slash Dune slash that Star Trek episode when Kirk fights that desert lizard level hot.” Zeke uses the seam of his graphic tee to wipe a line of sweat from underneath his sheepdog haircut. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Well, unless you magically learn to drive, I don’t know what our other option is,” I say. I’m usually the one good for thinking of the plan for the day, but between the heat and yet another spot biting the dust, I got nothing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“When I get my permit, I’ll be charging y’all for rides,” Malachi says proudly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Boy, please.” I bop the back of his head. “As if you can even buy a car.” At fifteen, the three of us can barely afford snacks, let alone a whole-ass vehicle. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The sun kicks it up a notch. Trippy waves of gas rising from the steaming concrete do a little dance for me before melting away. Across the street, something catches my eye. If this looks like what I think it does . . . I fight the urge to gag. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Wait, guys, hold up,” I say, holding a hand above my eyes to block out the sun. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">For the past six months, the city’s been building this high speed Metro rail to slice through our neighborhood. The construction site is almost always empty, but today, it looks like there’s a “special” new addition. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cars honk as I dodge traffic, but I couldn’t care less. When I hit the other side of the street, I lace my fingers around the wire of the chain link fence to get a better look. You’ve got to be kidding me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zeke catches up and puts on his CNN newscaster voice to read the brand-new billboard staring at us. “Kofa Park: Los Angeles’s Newest Up-and-Coming Hot Spot!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I roll my eyes. “Gimme your backpack,” I say to Malachi. “Why?” He pulls the straps of his space-themed JanSport close to his chest. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“You don’t trust me?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Hell no!” He backs away all dramatic at first, but there’s a faint trace of a smile beneath it all. I lunge forward to snatch it but miss. He laughs and tosses me the backpack. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I snag a Sharpie from the front pocket. “Watch out for a security guard, aight?” I dig the rubber toes of my Converse into the gaps of the fence and climb over. My shoes hit the concrete with a sting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The marker squeaks as I rub its felt tip against the Plexiglas. The future train stop shelter has two side panels, so I hit those real quick before focusing on the backside, which is the most important because this is what faces the street. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is the shit that people see. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We’ve had bullshit billboards like this popping up all over South LA for the past couple of years, so normally I wouldn’t have even noticed. But something about this particular one caught my eye: All the people in the ads are white. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, at least they were until a minute ago.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I use the brown Sharpie to fill in one last face. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The guys hop the fence to join me on the forbidden side. Malachi with his long legs does so much easier than Zeke, who sort of half scrambles, half falls his way over. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The hood of the train stop structure casts a thin strip of futile shade covering only half of the metal bench, which by now has already absorbed hours’ worth of summer heat, so it’s way too hot to sit on. But that doesn’t stop Zeke from trying. Twice. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Rheaaaa,” Zeke complains to me after burning his ass once again. He rubs the seat of his jeans. “Can you just let this go?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“No.” As a Black girl, I know how shit works: we’re either hypervisible or invisible. I’m not gonna pretend that I personally don’t fall in that second category, but I don’t need a goddamn billboard rubbing it in my face. Let alone erasing the entire hood into obscurity along with me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My hand cramps and I accidentally color outside of the line.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I’m too young and too cute to get a rap for breaking and entering,” Zeke complains. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On the other side of the fence, a white twentysomething woman with a cat on a bedazzled leash crosses the street to avoid walking past us. She clutches her phone all dramatic, the panic button locked and loaded as if we’ve been lurking here waiting to mug her. She avoids my eye contact as I stare her down. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Apparently, we don’t look very young to her. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I ignore Zeke and keep coloring. He groans and grabs the cluster of neon-yellow caution tape from the floor, walking over to Malachi. Even while leaning against the fence, Malachi towers over Zeke, so Zeke has to rise up on his toes to wrap the “Do Not Enter” tape around Malachi’s neck. Zeke arranges the makeshift boa and smiles. “You look fabulous.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Y’all play too much,” Malachi says, hiding a smirk. He adjusts the caution tape scarf and takes the wave brush from the back pocket of his jeans, compulsively rubbing it across his head, fresh from the barber with a new fade. The new cut works for him. A little too well. I’ve seen the way that other girls have started to look at him this summer. He’s all height, glowing brown skin, and perfect teeth since the braces came off. Not like that’s any of my business—how other girls look at him, I mean. As his oldest friend, I try not to notice the changes. Plus, it’s not like I’ve glowed up in any way to match. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zeke, Malachi, and I have been best friends since Pampers. Our moms became tight when they’d volunteer at our day care together. As we got older, that turned into waiting for us at the bus stop after school, which was always late because we’d mess with the driver so much that he’d have to pull over to yell at us to stay in our seats and shit. So our moms had </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">plenty of time to bond and gossip about the other parents. Eventually, the three of us became accustomed to impromptu playdates on the patch of grass at the street corner while our moms kept raising their gelled nails at us, telling us to chill out for “five more minutes.” And let me tell you, when Black and Latina moms get into full-on chisme mode, you know for damn sure that they ain’t gonna be just “five minutes.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, Zeke, Malachi, and I leaned into our crew. We gradually transitioned from school friends, to bus friends, to friends friends. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">These days, my mom doesn’t hang out with the others anymore. Or anyone, really, except her newest husband. Even I didn’t make the cut. So Zeke and Malachi aren’t just my best friends, they’re my tethers—the ones who keep me from feeling like I could drift away at any moment without anyone noticing, the ones who make me feel at home in the world. Not like I’d ever straight up tell Zeke’s sentimental ass or Malachi’s smug self how much they mean to me, but what ever, they know. And the fact that they ride-or-die so hard with me, hopping a fence to watch my back, no questions asked, means it’s mutual. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Incoming security guard.” Malachi tilts forward like he’s ready to bolt. Little diamond-shaped impressions run down his spine where he had been leaning against the fence. “You done yet?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Nah, hold on.” The guys hover over my shoulders, but I cover my work. “I said I’m not done yet.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Malachi sucks his teeth. “C’mon, let us see.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“It’s not finished.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Sis, relax,” Zeke says. He swats away my hand and takes a sharp inhale.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Malachi doubles over in laughter. “They look like they’re in blackface!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“No, they don’t!” I protest. I take a step back but realize that they low-key do. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not my best work. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“This somehow feels even more racist than the original ad,” Zeke cackles. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Ay, yo, STOP!” On the opposite side of the track, a skinny security guard pulls up on some bootleg Mall Cop bullshit. He leans over the handlebars of his bicycle, but his helmet is slightly too big, so it sags to the side, making him look even younger than he is. I recognize him because he works the night shift at Wing Stop. It’s probably just in my head, but swear to god, I can smell the lemon pepper seasoning lingering on his uniform from over here. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“The penalties for a conviction of misdemeanor graffiti are up to 364 days in county jail, a $1,000 fine, or both,” the guard shouts, tryna make his voice big. The dark skin of his chicken legs glisten with sweat and cocoa butter. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“And what’s the penalty for rockin’ shorts that tight on a Wednesday afternoon?” Malachi clowns as he hops the fence back to the street. I take the moment of distraction to add my final touch: I scratch out the “newest up-and-coming” part of the ad. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“You know what?” The skinny guard whips out his busted Android with a screen crack deeper than the San Andreas fault. “Names and addresses! I got y’all on tape!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">With that, Zeke and I catapult ourselves over the fence. I kick out a kink in my leg from the fall as we watch the goofy Mall Cop nigga round the corner, pedaling straight toward us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Malachi’s big brown eyes go wide as he claps in my face. “Yo, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We sprint by the men in suits who hand out copies of the local paper every afternoon and the mural of the dark woman whose afro holds a spaceship above the words “Free Your Mind.” A group of girls, maybe four or five years younger than us, Double Dutch in the empty parking lot where a woman selling tamales laughs with a customer who hangs out of their car window, delicately grasping a plastic bag steaming from the heat of the corn husks. I can smell the masa even after we dip into the alley, leaping over empty boxes of backwoods and lost wads of braiding hair from the salon above the black and-gray-style tattoo parlor. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Our sprint slows to a jog, which slows to a walk. We emerge on the other end and lose the guard at last. “Your bad attitude is gunna screw us all over,” Malachi says between deep gasps for breath. “I’m cutting off your Sharpie supply, Rhea.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Recently, there’s been something about the way he says my name that makes my stomach do a slow somersault. I clock the feeling but push it aside. “Whatever, bighead,” I reply, knocking my sandal against his Jordans, but being careful not to scuff them up. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The heat catches up to us, so we practically crawl the final two blocks to Zeke’s apartment, which is where we hang most of the time because his mom, Lupe, keeps the fridge stocked with hella snacks. Within minutes of piling inside, the three of us are arguing over who gets the last cheese-and-loroco pupusa when Lupe comes in. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She’s crying. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Ma?” Zeke asks softly, relinquishing the tiny bowl of curtido that he had been threatening to withhold if we didn’t share with him. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Can you get this out of the way, please?” she asks me, pointing at a chair that we had knocked over earlier. I stand and move it to its proper place at the table so that she can move her wheelchair around our mess. We all stare at the open envelope and crinkled letter lying facedown in her lap, but none of us dare to ask about it. She shuts her bedroom door gently and Zeke sinks back down onto the carpet. “What do you think that’s about?” Zeke asks, clenching his hands together. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I don’t know.” I tread carefully, because Zeke’s one of those real sensitive, empathetic guys.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">He’s the type who’ll get choked up by those corny commercials where someone earns their degree from an online university and their kids try on the graduation cap. When things get dark for real, he can fall apart easily. I never really cry on my own, but with Zeke, his tears are annoyingly infectious. Once he gets started, it’s Game Over for me—straight kryptonite.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unlike Zeke, though, I’d rather keep the feels to a minimum, so I throw myself into ‘Operation: Zeke Cry Prevention’ at all costs. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Do you think it’s health stuff?” Malachi asks cautiously. Zeke’s mom has been some type of sick for practically our entire lives. A few years ago, though, her nervous system stopped working well, which made it hard for her to walk, until eventually, she couldn’t walk at all. The doctors never figured out exactly what happened, but she’s been able to manage with the chair and hasn’t been to the hospital in over a year. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lupe has one of those wild, uninhibited laughs that makes it easy to forget that she’s often in pain.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Nah, man. She was at the doctor last week and everything was chill. They spent most of the appointment talking about how the doc’s bratty son ruined his niece’s quince photo shoot.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“How’d he ruin the photo shoot?” Malachi asks. I flick the side of his head to remind him to focus on the actual issue at hand. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">From behind her closed door, Lupe calls out to us. “Why don’t you all go to Malachi’s house? I need a bit of space to work this afternoon.” Lupe is the part-time billing manager for a semiretired dentist, so she’s always contacting some one’s insurance or returning a patient’s phone call. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Sure, no problem,” we reply in unison, though the chorus of our voices comes out more apprehensive than eager. Malachi and I get up, but Zeke’s still glued to the floor. I reach out my hand. “Just give her a minute, it’s probably nothing,” I whisper. He grabs my wrist and I pull him up, careful not to knock over the collection of porcelain crosses on the bookshelf behind me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zeke locks the door behind us as Malachi and I attempt to see who can jump high enough to touch the hallway ceiling. I’m centimeters away from swiping the stucco above our heads when a familiar voice yells at us from down the hall. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Cut that shit out!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Not this asshole again,” Malachi murmurs. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Right on cue, Vic comes waddling down the hall. He’s one of those short, pudgy white dudes who’s thicc with lower body curves honestly not unlike my grandma. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Here comes the Evil Landlord and his signature body odor fragrance . . .” I say to the guys. We cackle, which only makes Vic more pissed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Hahaha laugh all you want, cretins. In thirty days, I’ll be the one laughing.” He haphazardly waves a scroll of paper at our faces like a fire extinguisher. “I’ll never have to see you three spilling Arizonas and stomping all over my units ever again.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“’Cause you’re gunna kill us?” I chime in with a devious grin. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“As much pleasure as that would give me, no. I won’t have to. Didn’t you hear the news?” He runs his french-fry-grease soaked hands across his mouth and nods at Zeke. “Acne ridden wannabe Carlos Vives over here is moving.” Vic makes his pale fingers into the shape of a gun and pretends to fire it at Zeke’s chest. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“What are you talking about? We’re not moving,” Zeke pipes back. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oil mixed with sweat glistens above the self-satisfied grin smeared across Vic’s face. “Oh yeah? So, you’re saying that you personally have the money to afford the sixty percent increase in rent then?” A fly buzzes through the hallway, filling the silence that falls between us. Vic moves to swat it. He misses. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Look, I don’t know how much the rent is, but I got an A in math last year—a 60 percent increase is no joke. “You see this?” Vic theatrically unrolls the scroll that he’s been wielding and reveals a set of blueprints. “The shithole that you’re standing in now—which was run into the ground by all of your people—will soon be renovated. Out with the old tenants, and in with the new ones.” I’ve seen enough changes on the block recently to know what he means. Read: millennials with tech jobs and hipsters with trust funds. “And this apartment complex”—he knocks on the wall—“is going to house them.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“You can’t do that!” Zeke shouts. His voice cracks in a way that under different circumstances would have been fair game for ridicule. “We’re under rent control.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“News flash: the rent control ordinance expired, kiddo. And I’ve already got an investor lined up. We’re expected to close the deal by the end of the month. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Vic pushes past a stunned Zeke to start taping notices of eviction to each of the doors. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nuh-uh, fuck that. First they close our shops, now they’re full-on tryna displace us? I throw my arm in front of the door that Vic is preparing to plaster. “Do you really think you can get away with this?” The rage that’s been building inside of me all afternoon, all summer, pops off. I knock the stack of eviction notices from his grimy hand. “Well, go ahead. Try it. I fucking dare you.” I get all up in Vic’s space, so close that I can feel his soggy fast-food breath soak the air between us. I lower my voice to a cold whisper. “Because guess what? When all this shit passes, we’ll be the ones left standing . . . not you.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">His beady eyes narrow. “Is that a threat?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I cross my arms. “It’s the truth.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vic sneers and gathers the papers from the floor. “Thirty days. That’s all you got.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Is that a challenge?” I clap back. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I stare Vic down and he stares right back. No matter where Zeke moves, there’s no way he’d stay nearby—not with prices surging across the city. He could end up all the way out in the valley or even the Inland Empire, both of which are far as hell. Moving out there is practically like going out of state— we’d never see Zeke. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I break away to look over at Zeke, who’s glued to his door, mist gathering over his eyes. I grab his wrist and pull him down the hallway with Malachi while the ghost of Vic’s sick laughter bounces off the concrete walls against our backs. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Change is inevitable, kids. Better get used to it now.” The door slams and we’re left standing outside, looking in. “To Live and Die in LA . . .” Zeke says, eyes red. “That was the plan.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I clench my fists until the knuckles crack. Our crew is not falling apart. Not like this, not on my watch, not ever. We have to stop him. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“It still is.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgAaNgeI6LbjxjszVlNBBXoxQACPJLewKROc5Q7Jmw3aJOJdlvtojakcmYtbX6Uj2UFhn9v_TYilJwCfP6OvhMdsEvX7zID3Jw336KWnjxyHNjQbbSsFZAfpjBNgbg-BOQLEY_fb7M-w1H1QLA3wk-PuHiSy129pIytLAn8MUuJSD0wNC_HWgDcdg/s1617/Jade%20Adia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1617" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgAaNgeI6LbjxjszVlNBBXoxQACPJLewKROc5Q7Jmw3aJOJdlvtojakcmYtbX6Uj2UFhn9v_TYilJwCfP6OvhMdsEvX7zID3Jw336KWnjxyHNjQbbSsFZAfpjBNgbg-BOQLEY_fb7M-w1H1QLA3wk-PuHiSy129pIytLAn8MUuJSD0wNC_HWgDcdg/s320/Jade%20Adia.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">About the Author</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Born and raised in South LA, Jade Adia writes stories about gentrification, Black teen joy, and the sh*tshow that is capitalism. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">She holds a bachelor’s degree in Ethnicity, Race & Migration, and a certificate in Human Rights. She recently survived law school, graduating with a specialization in Critical Race Studies. <i>There Goes the Neighborhood</i> is her debut novel.<br /></span></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://sambeck.ca/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/sambeckdraws" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sambeckdraws/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sambeckdraws" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21517835.Sam_Beck" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3NNmWiI" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <b><i>THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD</i></b>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ends April 7th, midnight EST.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21629/" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDhZpDo5Ta2VAUF3FCMsdkIxsNRyT50qJbu-fM_oXtpoDN2qCgbG_bNqiW6dmJ9CroKGmBE98_CMo8hdLw_9HM4O2e11awIESsvDHTArdtYxKeKshuG9U5kmKeU6YE2wiwS5Dc6Gsvp4vvxQ9ZFrUoTY4LJhMiz3Bh9siAZi2L4HJq2AQSi7eVlOf/s320/THERE%20GOES%20THE%20NEIGHBORHOOD%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-33199623360145364232023-02-09T08:00:00.136-05:002023-02-13T09:01:19.740-05:00BLOG TOUR - LIVE YOUR BEST LIE BY JESSIE WEAVER - YA THRILLER [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxrmGPa1CvR0sgSft_aKAN7XKiJyGDbs1jgS-dl0GCOozhf0rUXo8sR9jyHM2GGazV_MyAN_CF8ch9wXipkYnQpwOUdtPpH92Ek7fxtI8XWs0IUtzklphfM6LC7-fCp5nK-Y40iCmf4KgYbS84HgVj0I1x2H1O9nsvxMGylZK2jiD8yr7FEHVL6V8/w465-h181/LIVE%20YOUR%20BEST%20LIE.jpg" width="465" /></a></span></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;">I am excited to be a part of the blog tour from <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a> for one of the first books published by author Melissa de lA Cruz's new imprint with Disney-Hyperion: Melissa de da Cruz Studios. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"><i>Live Your Best Lie</i> by Jessie Weaver is </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;">YA thriller that perfectly encapsulates toxic influencer culture. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;">Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: center;"> </span></p><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Book Information</span><br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88-SKrQCm8BTuLfZS4meNXoBg4W1Jt4g9xjyrenMiAq3Au970qL85obn3Fjg-xLyLXOKzlA7-RbwMrw5tqKtKNbXY8523A1JJ3Eavmt68fKE1f5PPjjg2wA7RunxcH4jl8OIUk0tDkieXB4SsapBtL3CfRW156-lyY32wfBkE83XzYY0hI_0_0joF/s2550/LIVE%20YOUR%20BEST%20LIE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="684" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88-SKrQCm8BTuLfZS4meNXoBg4W1Jt4g9xjyrenMiAq3Au970qL85obn3Fjg-xLyLXOKzlA7-RbwMrw5tqKtKNbXY8523A1JJ3Eavmt68fKE1f5PPjjg2wA7RunxcH4jl8OIUk0tDkieXB4SsapBtL3CfRW156-lyY32wfBkE83XzYY0hI_0_0joF/w453-h684/LIVE%20YOUR%20BEST%20LIE.jpeg" width="453" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Live Your Best Lie</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Jessie Weaver<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: January 24, 2023</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 368 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Melissa de la Cruz Studio<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Find It</b>: <a href="https://books2read.com/LIVE-YOUR-BEST-LIE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Major Retailers</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>1/16/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>YA Books Central - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>1/17/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Kait Plus Books - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>1/18/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>bookmama85 - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/19/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>pluvioreads - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/20/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>YA Book Nerd - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/21/2023<span style="white-space: pre;">- </span>Silkybookloverfun - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>1/22/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>popthebutterfly - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/23/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@froggyreadteach - IG Review </div><div>1/24/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>OneMoreExclamation - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/25/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@reading.late.into.the.night - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/26/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@more.books.yes.please - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>1/27/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Book Briefs - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/28/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>travelersguidetobooks - IG Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>1/29/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@amysbookshelf82 - IG Review</div><div>1/30/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>NeverKnotReading - IG Post</div><div>1/31/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Wanderingwitchreads - TikTok Review/IG Post</div><div>2/1/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>zaineylaney - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/2/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Stacialovestoread - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/3/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nerdophiles - Review </div><div>2/4/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@booksrn_rashi - IG Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>2/5/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Review Thick And Thin - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/6/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Dream Within A Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/7/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Book-Keeping - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/8/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Brandi Danielle Davis - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/9/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/10/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Momfluenster - IG Review/Facebook Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Summary</span></b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__JsdCTZ6QikX6aERKsqyQVaBfcpG67am2LA0o6r4lF11McBFxuR82U_Qrd30RtNJZZOTEEyVVpOiTY2cxk5vWpmDprx0Sb407G_3kQxC_8yXUgyuJo62E5iCX1Rc4eEpMjpz51ilsrKx5X75k97gXveJ8Z743qDMGhlB0WbV7PA_QN6_kOU3komu/s970/Banner%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="970" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__JsdCTZ6QikX6aERKsqyQVaBfcpG67am2LA0o6r4lF11McBFxuR82U_Qrd30RtNJZZOTEEyVVpOiTY2cxk5vWpmDprx0Sb407G_3kQxC_8yXUgyuJo62E5iCX1Rc4eEpMjpz51ilsrKx5X75k97gXveJ8Z743qDMGhlB0WbV7PA_QN6_kOU3komu/w496-h260/Banner%20(1).jpg" width="496" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Social media influencer Summer Cartwright leads a very charmed life: millions of followers, the hottest designer and vintage clothes at her fingertips, a newly minted book deal, the coolest friends, and, until recently, the hottest boyfriend at her über-elite prep school. Every moment of her life has been carefully planned and cultivated to complement her “imperfectly perfect” social media persona. She is truly #LivingHerBestLife.<br /> <br /> But when Summer goes missing during her annual Halloween party and then an unscheduled post appears on her feed stating that she’ll be dead within the next five minutes, those closest to Summer know something isn’t quite right―or on-brand. Grace, Summer’s camera-shy best friend; Adam, Summer’s gamer ex-boyfriend; Laney, Summer’s moody camp roommate; and Cora, an influencer wannabe, all decide to investigate. And when they come upon Summer’s lifeless body, they soon realize that no filter is strong enough to mask the lies we tell ourselves.<br /> <br /><b> Told in multiple POVs interspersed with social media posts and flashbacks, <i>Live Your Best Lie</i> has twists and turns that will keep readers turning the page and no one will be able to guess the ending.</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61030592-live-your-best-lie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia" size="4">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">A debut book from the new Disney-Hyperion imprint, Melissa de la Cruz Studios, <i>Live Your Best Lie</i> by Jessie Weaver is an engaging YA thriller for Generation Z.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Live Your Best Lie</i> takes you on an intense investigation of a murder mystery surrounding toxic influencer culture and the currency of high school: popularity. Summer Cartwright is the IT girl at her high school, and has built a crazy following online, making enemies along the way. When she's found dead at her own Halloween party by four fellow classmates, the rumors and scrutiny start to focus in on them, each having a reason to want Summer dead.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was a ride. I loved the story-telling method, with Instagram posts interspliced with changing POV chapters, interspliced with flashbacks. Each part brings you closer to the truth, but also lays out even more suspicion. Each person, Grace, Adam, Lainey, and Cora, all have something major at stake if the detectives continue to dig into the murder, uncovering the leverage that Summer had against them all. Weaver is able to craft each person's motives together, making the reader question each person, and whether or not they are the killer. I didn't see the end coming, and it was so satisfying. This is definitely one I want to re-read, so I can pick out the hints that Weaver sprinkles throughout the book.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Besides the plot, which does drive the story, this book also has such well-crafted, believable characters. There is a very diverse cast, both in terms of ethnicity and socio-economic status. And when you go to a prep school, those are important layers. Each character reacts as a 15-year-old or 16-year-old would, making bad choices and leading with emotion. Also, this truly feels like teens in the present, as Weaver does an excellent job of using current trends and technology. This doesn't feel like it will date the book, as some cultural references can, but sets the book up to always be easily identifiable as to have taken place in the 2020s.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A YA thriller with a twisty plot and shady characters makes for a great time. Fans of <i>Pretty Little Liars</i> by Sara Shepard, <i>One of Us is Lying</i> by Karen M. McManus, and <i>They Wish They Were Us</i> by Jessica Goodman will devour this series starter. I can't wait to read more from Jessie Weaver!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia" size="4">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR9wxK7Pz4JjwIN1FVQHy54ACfefgbYVQ-973DEzG-3VO37e_vKRz5F8AxX3oHu7hkKd3UzPJoB3C5U-3KYDR_delAk16SOLlvWX-82a2MTe3gFXQmV7s43yvgfEvtWzTwCgU-oPIqMx9LrXx5htL_DKuQdKgaEa1sEtjwvd_6q_I7M9R-FeVenAm/s320/4%20stars.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="320" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR9wxK7Pz4JjwIN1FVQHy54ACfefgbYVQ-973DEzG-3VO37e_vKRz5F8AxX3oHu7hkKd3UzPJoB3C5U-3KYDR_delAk16SOLlvWX-82a2MTe3gFXQmV7s43yvgfEvtWzTwCgU-oPIqMx9LrXx5htL_DKuQdKgaEa1sEtjwvd_6q_I7M9R-FeVenAm/w389-h96/4%20stars.PNG" width="389" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">ONE</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Grace Godwin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Saturday, October 31 </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>5:17 p.m. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grace buzzes Summer’s loft with one hand and tugs the hem of her dress with the other. If she’d taken a second to think before calling her Lyft, she would have brought her color-blocked water melon costume to change into instead of wearing it. She’s two hours early for Summer’s Halloween party, because she promised she’d help set up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Halloween is about little atmospheric touches</i>, Summer said when she texted her on Thursday. <i>No one’s better at detail stuff than you, Gracie Grace. You know you owe me. Pleaaassseee?</i> She followed it up with, <i>With a pineapple on top?</i> and a picture of her pouting in the pineapple dress she bought as her costume. Ever since Summer met that fruitarian on her trip to Bali in June, she’s been almost religiously into fruit and swears she’d be a fruitarian, too, if the scientists of the world would get their act together and create a fruit replacement for cheese. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She also has a spiritual relationship with Gouda. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Summer’s pouty face picture was overkill. Grace would have helped her set up without any begging, because she’s always been the girl willing to stream streamers or blow up balloons or do calligraphy on envelopes. Feeling needed is a rush. Besides, after her fight with Summer a few days ago, she’s been going above and beyond, even measuring on a scale of one to Grace. She’s lucky Summer is even talking to her. Tonight has to go smoothly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So she texted Summer back, saying, <i>No biggie, I can be there a few hours early</i>, even though it was kind of a biggie because she had to call out sick from her shift at the taco truck. Grace feels awful about lying to her boss Sofia, but she’s deemed this lie a necessary evil. Though she really, really hopes Sofia doesn’t bring get-well tacos to her house. Her mom would murder her for ditching work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not to mention that Grace should be using tonight to work on her <i>A Separate Peace</i> essay for AP Lit. Her teacher told her it might stand a chance in some scholarship contest hosted by the College Board, and Grace needs all the scholarship money she can get. College isn’t cheap. Still, she and Summer have been friends since middle school. You make sacrifices for long-term relationships. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A gust of wind glues a long strand of Grace’s brown hair to her lip gloss. Shivering, she unpeels it, then hugs her arms around her chest. Even in Los Angeles, the October air has enough bite that she wishes she could have worn the polka-dotted tights she picked out to go under her watermelon dress, but apparently, polka-dotted tights aren’t sexy. And why be a whimsical fruit if you can be a sexy fruit? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While she waits for Summer to buzz her up to her fifth-floor pent house loft, Grace glares at the jack-o’-lantern that leers at her from its stoop pedestal. <i>Stop being such a perv, Jack</i>, she thinks. <i>My eyes are up here</i>, then automatically feels bad for being rude. In her head. To a pumpkin. She blames her dress, which hangs off one shoulder, for being way shorter than is comfortable. It’s why she bought tights in the first place. She’s pretty sure if she moves the wrong way, everyone will see her butt, or at least the hot-pink underwear that Summer sling-shotted at her from across her bedroom yesterday when Grace mentioned her predicament.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Match your panties and no one will notice,” Summer told her. “I think they might.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Whatever.” Summer rolled her eyes when Grace tried to protest. “If anyone posts photos of your ass online, I’ll hunt them down and destroy them.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grace wasn’t sure if she meant the photos or the photographer. With Summer, it could go either way. Summer shimmied so the feathery headband atop her blond hair bobbed. “You like my pineapple top?” “Gorg.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And it really was. Unsurprising, because Summer makes any thing look fabulous. Her closet is packed with Prada and Gucci but also with vintage finds from the secondhand shop, because... the environment. One time she wore a boxy skirt from 1991 with the buttons undone halfway up her thigh, and suddenly on TikTok, girls modeled cute-again 90s items from thrift stores for the #Summer CartwrightChallenge. Her closet fan account reposted her pics with comments like <i>OMFGGGG this is everything!</i> and <i>True beauty inside and out!!</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So if Summer has a fruitarian revelation and says Grace should be a watermelon, she’ll be a freaking watermelon. Besides, she can’t afford to piss Summer off again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just as Grace is beginning to think Summer isn’t home—her memory is famously short, which sometimes makes Grace feel like a walking reminder app—Summer’s voice echoes tinny through the call box. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Gracie! You said you’d be here at five.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Sorry! Traffic.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For a moment, Grace thinks Summer might not let her in, then the door buzzes. Relieved, Grace takes the elevator to the top floor. Summer meets her at the front door to her loft, barefoot and fastening her earrings. In her yellow-and-gold dress, her tanned legs seem longer, and her hair is pure sunshine. She looks much older than sixteen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“The party is in less than two hours, and the decorations are . . . ugh.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grace knows her job. When Summer fishes, Grace takes the bait. “I’m sure they look amazing.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“And I’ve posted so many reminders about this party on Instagram, and I’m going live right at seven, and I look like a banana. I can’t look like a banana in front of five million people, one, because I’m supposed to be a pineapple, and two, aren’t bananas slutty?”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The word <i>banana </i>sounds weird to Grace. If she hears a word too many times over, she either becomes certain that it isn’t actually a word, or her brain overloads with fun facts about the word until she goes on a <i>Jeopardy!</i>-level rant. For example, bananas are scientifically considered berries, because their seeds are inside. Also, banana peels, when applied daily, can cure warts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Bananas aren’t slutty, Sum, they’re fruit,” Grace says. “Anyway, does it matter?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You don’t have five million people judging your every move. No one cares what you do.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grace has less than a thousand followers on Instagram, most of whom followed her after Summer tagged her in pictures, and she’s logged onto TikTok exactly one time to see what the fuss is about. So \no, she doesn’t really care what people online think, because no one online cares about her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Well, you look like a pineapple to me,” she says. Because Summer has told her a thousand times she has to cut it with the fun facts, Grace doesn’t tell her that pineapples can be used to tenderize meat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Summer motions for Grace to follow her from the foyer into the living room, Grace’s jaw drops. The Cartwrights’ luxury loft is always impressive with its cathedral ceilings and museum-quality art. But wow. These decorations are not “ugh,” especially compared to the Halloween dances Grace went to in her middle school gym, which involved punch bowls shaped like skulls and orange streamers strewn over the basketball hoops. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the living room, floor-to-ceiling black fabric drapes over the windows, and sheets cover the furniture. Someone’s managed to hoist an actual <i>Phantom-of-the-Opera</i>-style chandelier above every thing. The DJ platform in the corner is the only reminder that it’s the twenty-first century. The overall vibe is...Grace takes a moment to consider. Sumptuously undead? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is incongruous with Summer’s pineapple costume. “Sum.” Grace widens her eyes. “Your place looks—” “Like a funeral parlor? I know.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“I was going to say like the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.” “I guess? The decorator thought we should go more refined, but people are going to be too depressed to, like, dance or anything. And this might be my last party, so it has to be perfect.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grace is confused. “What? Why do you say that?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Summer shrugs. “You don’t think the decor is too much?” “No.” Grace doesn’t miss that Summer ignored her question, and she feels a moment of anxiety that she forces herself to swallow down. Panicking won’t help her fix things with Summer. “You got black lights, right?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Yeah, and some colored ones.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Perfect. Lighting will make the room.” Grace perches on the edge of a sheet-draped sofa. “Your family coming tonight?” Summer flops beside her. “Julian and Miranda are in Dubai until next Friday.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Business trip?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“For my dad, yeah. He’s meeting with some sheikh about using his land for that new movie he’s making next spring? <i>She Falls Hard</i> or something like that. Mom’s going for the spas.” She rolls her eyes at the word spas, but who knows with Summer’s mom. She’s probably sleeping in a salt cave for the duration of her trip. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“So you’re alone?” Grace asks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“No. Harrison is staying here while my parents are gone.” Summer narrows her eyes. “He’s coming to the party, too, if that’s what you’re asking.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grace rolls her shoulders and takes a deep breath. She hasn’t seen much of Summer’s brother this month, what with everything she’s had going on, but for the past year Summer has been trying to set her up with him. Grace wants to date him. She really does. Or maybe she wants to want to date him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Harrison, a film studies major at UCLA, has no problem shoving a camera into Grace’s face when she’s doing things like eating cereal first thing in the morning or brushing her teeth, because he thinks unguarded moments are the most real. He and Summer argue about that a lot, actually—whether or not what she does is reality. Harrison says her page is too cultivated, too look-at-me-being-perfectly-flawed. Summer says she’s putting her best foot forward. Grace refuses to be the tiebreaker because she thinks both of them are dead wrong. Even though she hasn’t always been able to keep her business offline, it hasn’t stopped her from trying. With Harrison at the party, she doubts she’ll be able to stay off camera. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Summer and Grace spend the next hour applying their makeup (black seed-shaped freckles on pink cheeks for Grace, and glittery gold eyelids and lips for Sum) and sipping smoothies, Summer’s current obsession. Green for Summer, strawberry-banana for Grace. Then while Grace sets up the blacklights and calls the DJ to make sure he isn’t running late, Summer samples the food the caterer prepared. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Oh my god, Gracie,” Summer says. “The lobster crostini are to die for. Don’t forget to try some before they’re all gone. Laney’s coming, and I know how much she eats.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grace pins her cellphone between her shoulder and face to give Summer a thumbs-up. The DJ needs driving directions. She also tries to ignore Summer’s comment about Laney, who probably eats a very normal amount. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the DJ arrives and starts the music, the loft buzzes with potential energy—the kinetic will come later once the guests arrive— but Grace’s stomach burns like she chugged acid or, like, a gallon of coffee. Maybe she should have eaten something when Sum offered while they were doing their makeup. It probably wouldn’t have helped though, because it’s butterflies that are making her feel sick. Adam is coming tonight. Grace hasn’t seen him since he and Summer broke up at school last week, and she’s not a hundred percent certain she can keep it together around him all evening. Summer should have uninvited him. Secretly, though, Grace is glad she didn’t. Even though she and Adam have been weird with each other for months, she still likes knowing he’s there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Five minutes before seven o’clock, Grace shuts off the main lights and turns on the blacklights. Summer drops dry ice into the punch to make it smoke. They both slide their feet into impossible heels. They take simultaneous deep breaths. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then the doorbell rings, and the party begins.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia" size="4">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x3DQlAfzrxB0MaO8GQUhp5tqxiWX1f7T6WMCFT7XDPJJGMc12CGWQgVlBi7dVfVnfYQxLFPjygx-M8T1olURT0GjY6iW9G4EOPuDluzQ-LsM9a8LxavLcnVMk63fP_NZAmo4k2fb53QJRYEM0Q09uIeqHOacW37RY1_EBthTryPNYvmNZKZHixQU/s1100/Jessie%20Weaver.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="761" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x3DQlAfzrxB0MaO8GQUhp5tqxiWX1f7T6WMCFT7XDPJJGMc12CGWQgVlBi7dVfVnfYQxLFPjygx-M8T1olURT0GjY6iW9G4EOPuDluzQ-LsM9a8LxavLcnVMk63fP_NZAmo4k2fb53QJRYEM0Q09uIeqHOacW37RY1_EBthTryPNYvmNZKZHixQU/s320/Jessie%20Weaver.jpeg" width="221" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>About Jessie Weaver:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Before writing about flawed, funny teens with big hearts, Jessie Weaver spent ten years teaching them English. She completed the Stanford University online novel writing program in 2019. Though she’s an East Coast girl at heart, originally from Baltimore, MD, she currently lives just outside Denver, Colorado with her husband and two daughters. <i>Live Your Best Lie</i> is her first novel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://www.jessieweaverbooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website </a>|</span> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jessie.weaver.books/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://tiktok.com/@jessie.weaver.books" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11681227.Jessie_Weaver" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3XbMEC6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia" size="4"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <i>LIVE YOUR BEST LIE</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ends February 14th, midnight EST.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21604/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzL9AQJksWTX0Xm0jDOptiCT-j9zl7vPKthvdaSF4JEL7iQI-2GICgoSLS36tOOmWvEqsineDSP6p__jlGZ2MBhh2k-GmO31ZeZkqxv346DtmKYMTb9iyjtw0UkcVSJ1jU4mWgII5mWFHNsq2gT1t6uNZVoCquxqT__pXHqeeUV4Enjyp2RmpHmb8V/s320/LIVE%20YOUR%20BEST%20LIE%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-68234377273182429562023-02-07T08:00:00.014-05:002023-02-07T13:56:56.540-05:00BLOG TOUR - ONE GIRL IN ALL THE WORLD BY KENDARE BLAKE - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EjXmCZZ8kCZiIpi-J3y4BLWrUSjTOJ5Ht-LLlMSvjSDNS5NRl22H2OVDSD02MqUb-Le_74a05PxatYoWPfKFZaXD8uZZ1BQn8AfDy4v7S7O8w3gERMQDlv2uO8eF7jOxDUQ7O2xw7FJcleu5bfxFNyUqK9Sj97jmIJNDXVRrKDyHfKFGsyjcQ2V3/w490-h191/ONE%20GIRL%20IN%20ALL%20THE%20WORLD.jpg" width="490" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span style="text-align: center;">I am excited to be a part of the blog tour from <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a> for the next installment in this kick-ass slayer series from Disney-Hyperion, <i>One Girl in All the World</i> by Kendare Blake</span><span style="text-align: center;"><i>. </i></span><span style="text-align: center;">Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span></p><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJhukDQGk6ZZNLAhemdvqgBSr8SZt8CLV-WjPcPPEPbpM3hBGRTda5QF4ZHmtIroVXKmxqCsiewTPa9yBHubAK6QPaqlPZQaQtunKGNABSk5v52RdD9hG01a6I-_p8EH4Fwh6xaNnY6ZRPPikgqBDSF2YtErcLxYUBAVbx3R_3Ohs4m0fHNk7BbK6/s3500/ONE%20GIRL%20IN%20ALL%20THE%20WORLD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="2350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJhukDQGk6ZZNLAhemdvqgBSr8SZt8CLV-WjPcPPEPbpM3hBGRTda5QF4ZHmtIroVXKmxqCsiewTPa9yBHubAK6QPaqlPZQaQtunKGNABSk5v52RdD9hG01a6I-_p8EH4Fwh6xaNnY6ZRPPikgqBDSF2YtErcLxYUBAVbx3R_3Ohs4m0fHNk7BbK6/w430-h640/ONE%20GIRL%20IN%20ALL%20THE%20WORLD.jpeg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>One Girl in All the World (In Every Generation #2)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Kendare Blake<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: January 31, 2023</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 352 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Disney-Hyperion<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Find It</b>: <a href="https://books2read.com/ONE-GIRL-IN-ALL-THE-WORLD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Major Retailers</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>1/23/2022 - Kait Plus Books - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>1/24/2022 - YA Books Central - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>1/25/2022 - Feed Your Fiction Addiction - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/26/2022 - Lisa Loves Literature - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/27/2022 - a GREAT read - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/28/2022 - Books With A Chance of Traveling - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>1/29/2022 - A Dream Within A Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/30/2022 - The Girl Who Reads - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/31/2022 - Ohyouread - IG Post</div><div>2/1/2022 - Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/2/2022 - pluvioreads - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/3/2022 - Wanderingwitchreads - TikTok Review/IG Post</div><div>2/4/2022 - A Blue Box Full of Books - IG Review/LFL Drop Pic</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>2/5/2022 - popthebutterfly - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/6/2022 - @novel.novice - IG Post</div><div>2/7/2022 - Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/8/2022 - @amysbookshelf82 - IG Review</div><div>2/9/2022 - @froggyreadteach - IG Review</div><div>2/10/2022 - Emily Ashlyn - IG Review/Facebook Post</div><div>2/11/2022 - A Bookish Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>2/12/2022 - travelersguidetobooks - IG Review</div><div>2/13/2022 - Book Briefs - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/14/2022 - @readerofthewrittenword - IG Review</div><div>2/15/2022 - @thebookishfoxwitch - IG Review</div><div>2/16/2022 - @drew_ambitious_reading - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>2/17/2022 - Fall Between the Pages - IG Review/TikTok Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWgky0Iv_zeh2jA0Iv64oFiGKqE4dp6WhFVFgO4Ch4QGyZAts8S-wHX86oxvvmOdAVynT-43N93brIuacYCJaO5_VHRKT2wlBHpmFrPEUwTmBSeqMsRMZQx_pakgcvP6oPKnaIlniojGc661hSzCWFk0Yi0BB1LbJ-Aw0PpP1p6LflUHOV4PHbRW6/s970/Banner1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWgky0Iv_zeh2jA0Iv64oFiGKqE4dp6WhFVFgO4Ch4QGyZAts8S-wHX86oxvvmOdAVynT-43N93brIuacYCJaO5_VHRKT2wlBHpmFrPEUwTmBSeqMsRMZQx_pakgcvP6oPKnaIlniojGc661hSzCWFk0Yi0BB1LbJ-Aw0PpP1p6LflUHOV4PHbRW6/w448-h139/Banner1.jpg" width="448" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Into every generation, a slayer is born. One girl in all the world . . . sort of.</b></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Frankie Rosenberg is the world's first slayer-witch, but she doesn't have that slay-life balance figured out just yet. She's still reeling from the deadly explosion at the annual slayer retreat―and new evidence that some slayers may have survived. And while she's defeated her first Big Bad, Frankie soon realizes it was just a warm-up act. Bigger, badder forces of evil are just getting started. <br /><br />The Hellmouth has been reawakened and its calling old friends home. Portals are opening between Sunnydale and other dimensions. And the Scooby Gang has too many demons to contend with―real, metaphorical, and sometimes absurdly hot.<br /><br />Then an oracle warns of a new foe on its way: the Darkness. Could this be what attacked the slayers? And is it coming for Frankie?<br /><br /><b><i>New York Times</i> best-selling author Kendare Blake takes readers back to the demon capital of the world in this sequel to <i>In Every Generation</i>.</b><br /><br /><b>"A worthy successor to the Slayer stories."</b> ―Booklist (starred review for <i>In Every Generation (Book 1</i>)</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57669118-one-girl-in-all-the-world" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Slayer and her Scoobies are back! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Set just weeks after the events of <i>In Every Generation</i>, Frankie, the current Slayer, along with her friends, Hailey, Jake, and Sigmund, are keeping New Sunnydale safe from the threats that lurk in the night (and sometimes day). Kendare Blake beautifully transitions into <i>One Girl in All the World, </i>not falling into the second book slump, as she ramps up the danger, the lore, and the mystery of this latest <i>Buffy-verse</i> series.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't want to get too much into the plot because there's a lot of things happening! Mystery upon mystery that Frankie and her crew have to unravel, all while dealing with typical high school drama. This is one thing that Kendare does so well, really harkening back to the feel of Season 1 & 2 of the original tv show. While Frankie has this epic "destiny", she is also just a teenager with worries over homework, dating, and groundings (yes, even the Slayer can be grounded). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This book also brings the supporting cast to the forefront, with some chapters told from different points of view. Hailey, Jake, and Sigmund are all really interesting, and give different perspectives to events. But what I really loved where the POVs from beloved previous characters, like Willow and Oz. And librarian Spike?! Like the ultimate mix of my fantasy men... I think that having these "in the know" adults in Frankie's life actually make it easier for her to do her job, even when somethings are at odds. They are there to support and guide, but ultimately understand that only Frankie can shoulder the true burden.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With more and more demons (some very fun past baddies make a new appearance in the book) heading to the reactivated Hellmouth, Frankie and the gang have their work cut out for them, making for an exciting page-turner. An excellent addition to the Buffy-verse, and one that really stands on its own merits, <i>One Girl in All the World</i> by Kendare Blake is a must-read for old and new fans of Buffy alike!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR9wxK7Pz4JjwIN1FVQHy54ACfefgbYVQ-973DEzG-3VO37e_vKRz5F8AxX3oHu7hkKd3UzPJoB3C5U-3KYDR_delAk16SOLlvWX-82a2MTe3gFXQmV7s43yvgfEvtWzTwCgU-oPIqMx9LrXx5htL_DKuQdKgaEa1sEtjwvd_6q_I7M9R-FeVenAm/s320/4%20stars.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="320" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR9wxK7Pz4JjwIN1FVQHy54ACfefgbYVQ-973DEzG-3VO37e_vKRz5F8AxX3oHu7hkKd3UzPJoB3C5U-3KYDR_delAk16SOLlvWX-82a2MTe3gFXQmV7s43yvgfEvtWzTwCgU-oPIqMx9LrXx5htL_DKuQdKgaEa1sEtjwvd_6q_I7M9R-FeVenAm/w389-h96/4%20stars.PNG" width="389" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Prologue </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The woman cut a slim silhouette against the sunset as she walked along the deserted highway. It was a long walk on the way to nowhere: this particular road had been bypassed and blocked-off— she’d slipped past two very broken down ‘road closed’ signs—and ended on the edge of what was briefly the great Sunnydale sinkhole. Of course that sinkhole didn’t last; it was quickly shored up with dirt to become the shiny New Sunnydale with a much lower elevation. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>It was a long walk but she wasn’t tired, she was a slayer, after all, it took a lot more than cooling desert and flat asphalt to wear her out—but she was weary. Weary in her bones, weary in her soul. She adjusted the bag on her shoulders and kept going, until she reached the spot where their bus had stopped after they’d defeated the First. Where Buffy had gotten out and looked over the destruction. Where she had started making plans for all of their futures.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The woman kicked pebbles and watched them roll down the hill, now a nice, sloping incline rather than a sheer dropoff into hell, and frowned at New Sunnydale glittering below. All of those people, living like nothing had happened. Sinkhole? What sinkhole? I’m sure that collapse was just a one time thing. No reason to waste all this prime California real estate. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>She scowled down from beneath her hood. They were idiots, all of them. Optimistic idiots. The entire place was cursed; she felt it the moment she portaled in. The wrongness. The wicked current, pulsing through the soil. The . . . hellmouth residue, getting all over everything. She knew she had a slayer’s senses, but there was no way that regular people didn’t feel it. That much seeping evil left a mark. It weaved through a person. It became a part of them, so much so that the whole damn citizenry had evacuated before it all went down, without having to be told. They just knew. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>But people were people, and they’d rebuilt it anyway. Just like people had rebuilt the Overlook Hotel. Or the ones who kept on building houses on top of old cemeteries without moving the bodies first. Those were just movies, sure, but the rebuilding was realistic. When it came to their own destruction, humans were predictably industrious. So New Sunnydale had risen from the ashes. And then the red witch had returned to watch over it, and give birth to her little abomination. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The woman swallowed. It felt foolish to even set one foot on that unstable ground, but she did it, one foot after the other, down and down and down, through shrubs and young trees, past silent bull dozers and construction equipment—because even after eighteen years the city was still a work-in-progress—until she reached the street. From there she let her slayer sense guide her, but even if she hadn’t had it she would have known the way to the hellmouth by following the school signs. In grand Sunnydale tradition, the idiots had built the high school again, right on top. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>When she reached it she stood outside, staring down the brick and the stark white walls, the flowering vines with their blossoms closed for the night. New Sunnydale High School was clean and crisp, lit by so many streetlights that it was a challenge to find shadows to slip into. I am not evil at all, it declared. But it was lying. She broke in through a back door near the sports field—and by ‘broke in’ she meant opened an unlocked door without permission— and made her way to the basement. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>And to the hellmouth. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Being so close to it sent goosebumps up and down the backs of her arms. It made her want to run away. It made her want to scream. And even though there was no definitive marking, no X-marks-the hellmouth, she knew just where it was. And it felt like it knew just where she was, too. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Before she could hesitate, she walked to it and took off her pack, then reached inside to pull out a large, glowing orb. It was bright and almost pretty, the green swirled through with flecks of blue like bits of glitter on a sea of thick paint. It looked a little like a bowling ball, if bowling balls could throb, and it cast the entire space in a strange, ethereal green. Not terribly stealthy. After a moment of deliberation, she grabbed a fire blanket off of a shelf, and used it to cover the orb before setting it down on top of the hellmouth. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>She let go of it gently, expecting it to roll. But it stuck. So firmly and so fast she wondered if she’d have been able to pick it up again, not that she bothered to try. That’s where it belonged, after all. A nice, welcome back present for the hellmouth. Something to draw its favorite demons, like a demon magnet, or a demon beacon. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>It would give the new slayer something to do, anyway. The woman stood. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>“Phase one, commenced,” she said, before tugging her hood down lower and slipping out of the school the same way she came in.</i></div></div></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oP-U_hmwpFQNyUwS8FePD4f-wBMe2uWrPoN8jLCl_Mfz9t52e0RDlj9SW4jjFQvZLCshjKcSY4QmKC6BNXz1APkpFA6-ZTg-lzoaPJTnT_-4zjMJqc0bWJIFXM0MOoxzfAchx2FkEo5j6sRl2nvlWgiK5SCKSY7MW0iwOhcJygXdqeTXLr2Uy74W/s1100/Kendare%20new.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oP-U_hmwpFQNyUwS8FePD4f-wBMe2uWrPoN8jLCl_Mfz9t52e0RDlj9SW4jjFQvZLCshjKcSY4QmKC6BNXz1APkpFA6-ZTg-lzoaPJTnT_-4zjMJqc0bWJIFXM0MOoxzfAchx2FkEo5j6sRl2nvlWgiK5SCKSY7MW0iwOhcJygXdqeTXLr2Uy74W/s320/Kendare%20new.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>About Kendare Blake:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kendare Blake is the <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of several novels and short stories. Her work is sort of dark, always violent, and features passages describing food from when she writes while hungry. She was born in July in Seoul, South Korea, but doesn’t speak a lick of Korean, as she was packed off at a very early age to her adoptive parents in the United States. That might be just an excuse, though, as she is pretty bad at learning foreign languages. She lives and writes in Gig Harbor, Washington, with her husband, their cat son Tyrion Cattister, red Doberman dog son Obi-Dog Kenobi, rottie mix dog daughter Agent Scully, and naked Sphynx cat son Armpit McGee.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://www.kendareblake.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website </a>| <a href="https://twitter.com/KendareBlake" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter </a>| </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kendare.blake" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kendareblake" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4086715.Kendare_Blake" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3pCWjDC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kendare-blake" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BookBub</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <i>ONE GIRL IN ALL THE WORLD</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ends February 21st, midnight EST.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21607/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sdap9TVvQfwzmtP9kIIpoyAM5JDCFXkmw9sS82d7UNdDbhHevVrwxklwFuJoJBBL3QBBFLCoaV5WKKSiIfAYXPNpbmPKTvYTwWPa2jPo-7KASK7Azo0mNRB9a9M5ZpOSW7HlHidIPpfhl6d0FNK7mpMaGWHFULwEvI0ZVM4Zr3eRaOxSmiLc7KAq/s320/ONE%20GIRL%20IN%20ALL%20THE%20WORLD%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-12423287499925345492023-01-27T08:00:00.004-05:002023-02-07T13:57:40.626-05:00BLOG TOUR - BONDING BY MATTHEW ERMAN AND EMILY PEARSON - GRAPHIC NOVEL [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kzoriCyVbyW2VgLFAk-ZXWUA-rSACP4vWhlPBElkEESXBXd0YpfSNx9evtw366urZQ2MNMKXQthhEhSaH9tXK3qBtz7aW9JPH795N2626PsXk8qgR19qkffTKRoNNChNH9StmSXj9HNxk0tSHKrNXsSkuQ1-6xu23g13BLNWx4-dJ4WLA_7Mh4Y0/w452-h176/BONDING-BLOG%20TOUR%20(3).JPG" width="452" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;">I am very excited to be a part of the blog tour from <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a> for <i>BONDING</i>, a sci-fi/romance that asks questions about love and existence.</span><span style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></span><span style="text-align: center;">Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span></p><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkJF32lFsu0Kk4LwxpTF_cHedkhMk0xKtfxGgJsYAxBGfD2hUcOoEksebHEjNUeOzFFyp_C75L7T0K7sgOBQyiSer8sKjjzYRumVRDSN44f-CuM7R8TEHHtlChN2E1xiktKvW5DvKagVhsAohruN2ytMs5tNeEY52naxfJ4OdrudpwPHSO6gW9eV-/s2785/BONDING%20A%20Love%20Story%20About%20People%20and%20Their%20Parasites%20HARDCOVER%20-%20COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2785" data-original-width="1922" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkJF32lFsu0Kk4LwxpTF_cHedkhMk0xKtfxGgJsYAxBGfD2hUcOoEksebHEjNUeOzFFyp_C75L7T0K7sgOBQyiSer8sKjjzYRumVRDSN44f-CuM7R8TEHHtlChN2E1xiktKvW5DvKagVhsAohruN2ytMs5tNeEY52naxfJ4OdrudpwPHSO6gW9eV-/w442-h640/BONDING%20A%20Love%20Story%20About%20People%20and%20Their%20Parasites%20HARDCOVER%20-%20COVER.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Bonding: A Love Story About People and Their Parasites</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Matthew Erman and Emily Pearson <br /><b>Publication Date</b>: January 31, 2023</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook; 208 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Vault Comics<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Find It</b>: <a href="https://books2read.com/BONDING" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Major Retailers</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>1/16/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Sadie's Spotlight - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>1/17/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Bookish Trisha - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>1/18/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Writer of Wrongs - Excerpt</div><div>1/19/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Clever Reader - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>1/20/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Dream Within A Dream - Excerpt</div><div>1/21/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Two Chicks on Books - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>1/22/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf - IG Review</div><div>1/23/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Jeff_of_allmedia - IG Review</div><div>1/24/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>GryffindorBookishNerd - IG Review</div><div>1/25/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@bubbles_books09 - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>1/26/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>travelersguidetobooks - IG Review</div><div>1/27/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/28/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nerdophiles - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>1/29/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@coffeesipsandreads - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>1/30/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Brandi Danielle Davis - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>1/31/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>brittreadsalattebooks - IG Post</div><div>2/1/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Jenguerdy - IG Post</div><div>2/2/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Rajiv's Reviews - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/3/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Blue Box Full of Books - IG Review/LFL Drop Pic</div><div>2/4/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>2/5/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>See Sadie Read - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/6/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Mallory Books - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/7/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@just_another_mother_with_books - IG Review</div><div>2/8/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nonbinary Knight Reads - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/9/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Novel Novice - IG post</div><div>2/10/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Two Points of Interest - Review </div><div>2/11/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Momma Spot - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Five</b></div><div>2/12/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>onemused - IG Post</div><div>2/13/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@jacleomik33 - IG Review</div><div>2/14/2023<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@thebookishfoxwitch - IG Review</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b>“Wear your heart on your sleeve.” That’s the saying. But in BONDING, people wear their anxiety on their chests – in the form of a parasite that shows everyone just what you’re feeling on the inside …</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b>WEAR YOUR LOVE ON YOUR CHEST</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">A man, a woman—and their parasites. Marcus has been alone since the loss of his closest friend and has just recently entered into the dating scene, while Laura has drifted in and out of relationships since high school. They meet, they have a great first date, and Marcus almost dies—because the slug-like parasite that everybody carries in this world nearly rejects him, its host. BONDING is a funny, quirky, and honest look at love, in a world where everyone wears their anxiety, not on their sleeves, but on their chest like big ol' leeches.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Fans of Matthew Erman's work on Vault Comics' WITCHBLOOD and Archaia's JIM HENSON'S THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE will find lots to love in BONDING. Fans of Image Comics' ICE CREAM MAN VOL. 1, DC Comics' COLLAPSER and even books like THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer and THE PARASITOLOGY TRILOGY by Mira Grant will enjoy this foray into all the stressors of dating...where a parasite is the least of your worries (unless it kills you, that is.)</div></div></div></div></div></div></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49798831-bonding" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>)</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>Review<br /></b></span>“Erman and
Pearson skewer genre norms in this sweet and casually unsettling comics
romance-dramedy…”- <i>Publishers Weekly</i></p></span></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;">What I think makes reviewing graphic novels a bit harder than books is the fact that the visual aspect is just as important as the story. A graphic novel can have an amazing plotline, but if I don't like the art, I can't read it. Conversely, if the art is gorgeous, but the plot is horrible, I can't read it. Luckily, <i style="background-color: transparent;">Bonding: A Love Story About People and Their Parasites </i><span style="background-color: transparent;">by Matthew Erman and Emily Pearson</span><i style="background-color: transparent;"> </i><span style="background-color: transparent;">has both beautiful art and an engaging plotline.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Erman and Pearson come together to write one weird book, but it is weird in the absolute best possible way. The Earth has been taken over by aliens, little slug-like parasites that have to use human plasma to survive. So every person has a slug, and if the slug dies, you die. Can you imagine your whole survival is reliant on this alien AND you have to move through the anxiety that is being a human being? That is exactly what is explored in <i>Bonding</i>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;">The storyline is generational, so we start off two generations after the invasion, where we meet our couple Marcus and Laura. Both are young enough not to remember a time before the slugs, but old enough to know the changes within culture (such as chlorine now being completely illegal due to its' harmful effects on the slugs). We follow their love story, trying to navigate the regular trials of dating/relationships, but within this sci-fi world of slug reliance. We then fast-forward to their son, Ira's, story. He, too, is in the first stages of a relationship when a catastrophe involving the slugs starts to occur. I liked to see where Marcus and Laura end up, as well as the further development of this Earth living with slugs. </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;">The mix of sci-fi/romance/body horror gives you such creepy vibes. One minute it will be a traditional "does he/she like me?" and then the next will be a race to stop one's slug from killing their host. With each page, you don't quite know what to expect, which kept me glued. I think that this isn't the story for everyone, especially straight romance readers. But if you're a sci-fi reader who likes a little romance, then <i style="background-color: transparent;">Bonding: A Love Story About People and Their Parasites </i>will be right up your alley.</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZsctDuEsHorpQ1n-E4F2W-sCue_nIKbmssA4LEXkQ03Bw6nY6OTHAgU9c1pKf6epqUU7nM2ZU4gNA2xrUyjrIi7WQHmjYMA_698J92yRCzNK33N5ekWuCO6NRVW7T_DqFB492NX_zJ8TVxLqEowlMOUYX1pn9lFyd_-8AVYK6T-UyAbPEtmV6ewP/s635/4%20stars.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="156" data-original-width="635" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZsctDuEsHorpQ1n-E4F2W-sCue_nIKbmssA4LEXkQ03Bw6nY6OTHAgU9c1pKf6epqUU7nM2ZU4gNA2xrUyjrIi7WQHmjYMA_698J92yRCzNK33N5ekWuCO6NRVW7T_DqFB492NX_zJ8TVxLqEowlMOUYX1pn9lFyd_-8AVYK6T-UyAbPEtmV6ewP/w400-h99/4%20stars.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uIjJPE84uPIkMxaGiirY_9xAtM4qUnzcKITdl_JcCxoE1j1-OkhzDeZzmJE71W4PAAMjgrbz6X6RuPzOxUrQ5uQpmY6nQiasw6HxgCChdPMXZ5EtjQBbxTnaKRIwvrKKcr2Ps2A8GN7zkBxqi_8NUCKQKd5GnGm51IdTzxcBTQ0C0FPEFvnMvtxU/s1500/Illustration%201%20(1).jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uIjJPE84uPIkMxaGiirY_9xAtM4qUnzcKITdl_JcCxoE1j1-OkhzDeZzmJE71W4PAAMjgrbz6X6RuPzOxUrQ5uQpmY6nQiasw6HxgCChdPMXZ5EtjQBbxTnaKRIwvrKKcr2Ps2A8GN7zkBxqi_8NUCKQKd5GnGm51IdTzxcBTQ0C0FPEFvnMvtxU/s320/Illustration%201%20(1).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt6WNaq3RNr8WQgiAzeWsC7f1vyzR739UZvR92MV7sAM0KYMXvecqNhVzr68ivTH3n6eDJeLQ0v4knQOHYbRgspYCPN9MwCf1VogOYSZ3pu-SSRSXn41csgedi-7SsYvHiJdllnTO-H273sirUSyLoSKCS6PgoOE8f--TPPHTLVw9XgGYcxYzRg9K/s1500/Illustration%202%20(1).jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt6WNaq3RNr8WQgiAzeWsC7f1vyzR739UZvR92MV7sAM0KYMXvecqNhVzr68ivTH3n6eDJeLQ0v4knQOHYbRgspYCPN9MwCf1VogOYSZ3pu-SSRSXn41csgedi-7SsYvHiJdllnTO-H273sirUSyLoSKCS6PgoOE8f--TPPHTLVw9XgGYcxYzRg9K/s320/Illustration%202%20(1).jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz1lj3iH1H45vWAygInapuRxjj28sx3zakGSHHc0l1N0sQE__27Zh-zIaD0XSHHrV0zLeHTuImbs_QuyvQyI7AP12pVIa168l5Rl80pJAscirsDMIzDaXw3PXafOr-ogQ2G0q7UA6uF_uKptcclsh_gjddpwKyuD6j54nqnIdQobfwwRtVoqIpoNd/s1500/Illustration%204.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz1lj3iH1H45vWAygInapuRxjj28sx3zakGSHHc0l1N0sQE__27Zh-zIaD0XSHHrV0zLeHTuImbs_QuyvQyI7AP12pVIa168l5Rl80pJAscirsDMIzDaXw3PXafOr-ogQ2G0q7UA6uF_uKptcclsh_gjddpwKyuD6j54nqnIdQobfwwRtVoqIpoNd/s320/Illustration%204.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1QU5rGzwt4S0zN48mL6v-67vh_0ymsNYxEBwZMI8T6IxlJ_IIMqDscsqyGSgm-dgtnA_bxBmbFerOM0BbwTau5w0Wcb7yKRJ90RFjkOroSopHeLqjeUtPaV5EVnQcbuUdK-6IgxZGdrCry3-Yi7-HW59uNc8pvINIq_UeqQ6ZRaQf5B9BD82XSMK/s1500/Illustration%205.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1QU5rGzwt4S0zN48mL6v-67vh_0ymsNYxEBwZMI8T6IxlJ_IIMqDscsqyGSgm-dgtnA_bxBmbFerOM0BbwTau5w0Wcb7yKRJ90RFjkOroSopHeLqjeUtPaV5EVnQcbuUdK-6IgxZGdrCry3-Yi7-HW59uNc8pvINIq_UeqQ6ZRaQf5B9BD82XSMK/s320/Illustration%205.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRcFBfTYAon2PDd0vHmCKyLfirwA2Fcpwb52kxSp8NRYyYxkIfqgGEOWZnjPdh8b_xsss-PxWoRyRp1MyROIeF4j_lJq8K-pvkLenAJ6PfftZ2iZH4ZyMyawkLr545Uup5UbP8O1Chb7qpsGwpbaW1ltSsWvSAm3X5CX-qQdiFTlIfS3Y1vjOP2au/s320/Illustration%206.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzkaR6gBwP269bZqBmOEbGSf-qjdSL5_sHhq6L74rnl1h_6wJX6_1H6gddgdd3EcZTdI9WGYScQVeoKmifzXVE_UVUOgQkn5bngrbOEyB5jPVRGNAz7Jyp3nBJ6y3FSlr_ao0ikdIb0D_QXjYTt2Y-8CeIqh2ey57aA2iR7WzMwWFgxzdQpmWYTzE/s320/Illustration%207.jpg" /><span><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi0UW8Ee5OXEUpwuuQcS_qUtb6DBKIPqFZkiavwU8-MtNA0SOmnY_K33O2hTrQ-SOv4aMZL5BgsnKquyvlkBTyiipy7WoCsr7Gey_1VVRyPBn2EhnGD0Ew98RXFV_fjDY5bJdYopLsrjTWMBBfEFEHVpJBTBixtabh97MFLByeQbDwKmFVT2J7GPM/s320/Illustration%208.jpg" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author(s)</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qPrOMIKzpf_sUizp1JjAZBaKknjVSrn3jKDZghIeX-fq7JSfpQ-gguJg1rcYN8qp0NExWrG3aEc_roENBba6OXRqqenS7J7U8QYrVywR2CFhox1DN2bzdKrAM4zSb5Cthe5W1oTx7RKcznvmYyoPH9mcHP_N2QPd-KKr3Y7xpHc1uyKsVkG9S4hS/s400/Matthew%20Erman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qPrOMIKzpf_sUizp1JjAZBaKknjVSrn3jKDZghIeX-fq7JSfpQ-gguJg1rcYN8qp0NExWrG3aEc_roENBba6OXRqqenS7J7U8QYrVywR2CFhox1DN2bzdKrAM4zSb5Cthe5W1oTx7RKcznvmYyoPH9mcHP_N2QPd-KKr3Y7xpHc1uyKsVkG9S4hS/w281-h281/Matthew%20Erman.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>About Matthew Erman:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Matthew Erman is a comics writer from Columbus, Ohio. Alongside Lisa Sterle, he co-created the critically acclaimed comic horror series, <i>Long Lost</i>, which was optioned for Film/TV by Producer Jenny Klein (<i>The Witcher, Daisy Jones and The Six</i>). Erman has since worked on the comic book series Jim Henson’s <i>The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance</i> and graphic novel <i>Power Rangers: Sins of the Future</i> with BOOM! Studios, series <i>Care Bears: Unlock the Magic</i> with IDW, the upcoming science fiction/horror/humorous romance original graphic novel <i>Bonding</i>, with artist and co-creator Emily Pearson for Vault Comics, and the smash supernatural action adventure comics series (with artist/co-creator Lisa Sterle) from Vault Comics, <i>Witchblood</i>. His short work can be found in anthologies such as <i>Corpus </i>(2018),<i> Dead Beats</i> (2019) and <i>Everything is Going Wrong </i>(2019).</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://www.matthewerman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewErman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matthew.erman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17553869.Matthew_Erman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/38EdHlj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UT3IcEjs-msFmLSXYKihLU3TEIXGP-WscEpnS-EaMJPKjDBMWXF5KFbbcJ_uLkG-2ZE4zQOW4Ab3T62ybi_ZzBsminiUA1yAtIfoV_cBR3XphF36T7gSlWpMVqxHdJfz0EtnTdmXqQ55cbbsImNWFtB2uG4KJfhXToKrDkv3ewK9wKYf3-ZcoRll/s157/Emily%20Pearson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="157" data-original-width="157" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UT3IcEjs-msFmLSXYKihLU3TEIXGP-WscEpnS-EaMJPKjDBMWXF5KFbbcJ_uLkG-2ZE4zQOW4Ab3T62ybi_ZzBsminiUA1yAtIfoV_cBR3XphF36T7gSlWpMVqxHdJfz0EtnTdmXqQ55cbbsImNWFtB2uG4KJfhXToKrDkv3ewK9wKYf3-ZcoRll/w228-h228/Emily%20Pearson.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>About Emily Pearson:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Emily Pearson is a freelance comic book artist from Davis, California.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She has previously worked for Black Mask Studios; “The Wilds”(2018) and “Snap Flash Hustle”(2018-19), Oni Press’s “The Vain”(2020), and the upcoming “Bonding” coming to Vault Comics in 2022.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In addition to comics series, she drew a short story for the Ringo Award Winning “Mine!” an anthology for Planned Parenthood, Vault Comic’s “Cult Classic Zero Short”, “CORPUS” curated by Nadia Shammas, and “Everything is Going Wrong: Comics on Punk & Mental Illness”. She has illustrated various covers for comic books including: “Stranger Things: SIX” from Dark Horse Comics, “Calexit: Emmie X”, “The Devil Within”, “Sweet/Vicious”, “The Wilds”, “Snap Flash Hustle” from Black Mask Studios, “Going to the Chapel” from Action Lab, “Atlantis Wasn’t Built For Tourists” from Scout Comics and many more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><span><a href="https://www.emilypearsonart.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/emilypearsonart" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilypearsonart/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20086668.Emily_Pearson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </span></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 winners will receive a finished copy of <i>BONDING</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ends February 18th, midnight EST.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21605/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcH20uzA5GbnK4peRykoqP7APM1yAeiT8v_fKqB2rfStDLzPc_poYhAHBXHC_7ITTFooVEvIOuAZco4JTMemyRMyFVeuUfPvAWBW1PKqVXDrcUSP0MdKj7hjDm3rIDSSQKCi1DxvTB_1LhpHNKmVlCpXjjLDQLb1W_NWtnzKTk1r9F4tQval94dIr1/s320/BONDING-BLOG%20TOUR%20INSTA.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-51756218797830618632023-01-25T08:00:00.083-05:002023-02-07T13:57:55.560-05:00BLOG TOUR - A RUINOUS FATE BY KAYLIE SMITH - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-oyQBUF0_sXCpxM5dqQMZDG9tYjnDxwntlcAQJrkgtotrwtHSCc7O2qI3PHo0ChM6oCnPEBpbVnQx4ouLyl21JI8ITSReF9z7G89gi5H2-MQcj2h57QNbJunsEWTCHYysi7AhzQ6x8q-UpqWt82PttSvZnv_Win405i4z3AcbcSlGyWYBzTHp45T/w457-h178/A%20RUINOUS%20FATE.jpg" width="457" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span style="text-align: center;">I am excited to be a part of the blog tour from <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a> for the start of this awesome series from Disney-Hyperion, <i>A Ruinous Fate</i> by Kaylie Smith</span><span style="text-align: center;"><i>. </i></span><span style="text-align: center;">Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span></p><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTH-mFqejRJeLiDRyL-4L_-anNOoDl1c6o4s_URIGhrBqHzwXwYYbRyFbNyn5UnZwm-INRmVpM9rktEAMSGtGDpTGHw4X47429XZi77aa1qLVBurb8xLJvbFUVJUummu6IVVk_uLUdf66DJLsJa39XaRL3doxWewPDu7MhBBPrBcgcgO34dyd24-2/s2775/A%20RUINOUS%20FATE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="1828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTH-mFqejRJeLiDRyL-4L_-anNOoDl1c6o4s_URIGhrBqHzwXwYYbRyFbNyn5UnZwm-INRmVpM9rktEAMSGtGDpTGHw4X47429XZi77aa1qLVBurb8xLJvbFUVJUummu6IVVk_uLUdf66DJLsJa39XaRL3doxWewPDu7MhBBPrBcgcgO34dyd24-2/w422-h640/A%20RUINOUS%20FATE.jpeg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>A Ruinous Fate</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Authors(s)</b>: Kaylie Smith<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: January 3, 2023</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook; 432 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Disney-Hyperion<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Find It</b>: <a href="https://books2read.com/u/boyLnZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Major Retailers</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>1/2/2022 - Kait Plus Books - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>1/3/2022 - YA Books Central - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>1/4/2022 - Books and Zebras - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/5/2022 - Library of Becca - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/6/2022 - pluvioreads - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/7/2022 - travelersguidetobooks - IG Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>1/8/2022 - @more.books.yes.please - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>1/9/2022 - Wanderingwitchreads - TikTok Review/IG Post</div><div>1/10/2022 - NeverKnotReading - IG Review</div><div>1/11/2022 - Review Thick And Thin - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/12/2022 - Ohyouread - IG Post</div><div>1/13/2022 - onemused - IG Review</div><div>1/14/2022 - Book Reviews by Alison - IG Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>1/15/2022 - Book Briefs - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/16/2022 - The Momma Spot - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/17/2022 - Thindbooks Blog - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/18/2022 - @brittyoreads - IG Review</div><div>1/19/2022 - A Blue Box Full of Books - IG Review/LFL Drop Pic</div><div>1/20/2022 - A Dream Within A Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/21/2022 - A Bookish Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>1/22/2022 - popthebutterfly - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/23/2022 - OneMoreExclamation - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/24/2022 - @froggyreadteach - IG Review</div><div>1/25/2022 - Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/26/2022 - Nerdophiles - Review </div><div>1/27/2022 - Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Review/IG Post</div><div>1/28/2022 - The Book View - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Five</b></div><div>1/29/2022 - @drew_ambitious_reading - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>1/30/2022 - Momfluenster - IG Review/FB Post</div><div>1/31/2022 - Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog - Review/IG Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><b>Fate does not choose the weak. Fate chooses the ready.</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Illustros is a cursed realm ruled by the ruthless Gods of Fate, and no one understands the Fates’ wrath more than Calliope Rosewood. Blessed with unspeakable powers that terrify even the most dangerous witches and fae, Calla hides her forbidden magic in shame and fear that one wrong touch could send her to her death. With only her two best friends in tow, Calla deserted her coven and has been on the run ever since.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Worse, Calla is concealing an even darker secret: fate has chosen her as the final prophesied Blood Warrior, the being destined to start the Fates’ War, which will decimate her people and eradicate their magic.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">After a betrayal from her infuriating ex Ezra leads her one step closer to fulfilling that age-old prophecy, Calla is desperate to do whatever it takes to reset her fate. So when a mysterious and charming witch offers to help Calla do just that, she immediately agrees to his plan. Only catch? That plan includes journeying into the deadly Neverending Forest with Ezra and said witch, who just so happens to be Ezra’s tempting older brother. Torn between her past desires and alluring new possibilities, Calla brings along her best friends to fight what lies ahead.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">As the group ventures into the enchanted woods together, they’ll all soon learn that choosing your destiny comes with dire consequences . . . and the Fates are not to be tested. Calla believes the Fates have it out for her, while others believe they have chosen her for a reason. But in the end, Calla will have to fight to forge her own destiny and decide if the risk of choosing herself is worth the possibility of damning everyone else.</div></div></div></div></div></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61030595-a-ruinous-fate" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>A Ruinous Fate</i> by Kaylie Smith is a fun YA-fantasy with an interesting premise that doesn't quite deliver. The world-building and magic system is grand but not as fleshed out as needed, and readers get thrown in the deep end starting with Chapter 1. It takes a while for one to get to stable ground. But the promise is there, and it is very unique. So much, that I would definitely read the next book.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Fates decide every witches destiny through the use of Witch's Dice, whether the witch is powerful or to be used as a pawn. The Fates are relaying on 6 unlucky witches to roll a 6 count, 6 times, marking them as Blood Warriors. Blood Warriors who will start a massive war. Our main character Calla is one such possible Blood Warrior, already on her fourth roll of 6. And so starts the race against fate and Calla's freedom.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Like I said, the magic system is unique, if a bit clunky. It takes a while for the reader to understand how everything works, but the different facets of magic, not just within the Witchlands, but all of Illustros, is interesting. There are three types of witches: Rogue, Terra, and Onyx. Each of the covens have their own type of magic which grants then particular abilities. Then there are Fae, Valkyries and Sirens just to name a few of the multitude of fantasy creatures within this world, each with their own type of magic. Of course, none of these groups like each other, so the outskirts is a dangerous place to be.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While the world-building is shaky, the plot does move fast. It is action-packed and places our characters in dangerous situations over and over. This really ramps the reader up, making you want to keep flipping the page to find out what happens next. With this being the first book in a series, you are left wanting more, but not disappointed in the ending to this installment.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Character development is a pivotal point, speaking a lot about fate vs. self-determination with each of the characters, not just Calla. Her two best friends, along with the four male witches they join, all go through some sort of discovery, whether big or small. Speaking of characters though, there are multiple love triangles within the book, which sometimes creates more chaos than is really needed in an already packed story.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was a very ambitious first book, and while it didn't hit all of my must-haves for a favorite, it was enjoyable and kept me engaged until the end. I'm excited to see what else lies in store for this crew, and to learn more about this war brewing on the horizon. If you're a YA-fantasy lover, you'll want to check out <i>A Ruinous Fate</i> by Kaylie Smith.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8qC1OXyrNRDbjo0WgSttFvNmQ5su7sZLtHtgsr8Wcabc3892sizTqD4gz-IUzv-G4JsqS0jcFMQ92a_QaDFXi87ZXEbrl82Jd9gCCZdAMked72_YmUfHH3EbY4ZFMbrWRgAfZ_61In_jMuBv3NT40BHW4ewxq4q39DWdpkV5QA2RvxX7lC9uvyOU/s292/3.5%20stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="292" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8qC1OXyrNRDbjo0WgSttFvNmQ5su7sZLtHtgsr8Wcabc3892sizTqD4gz-IUzv-G4JsqS0jcFMQ92a_QaDFXi87ZXEbrl82Jd9gCCZdAMked72_YmUfHH3EbY4ZFMbrWRgAfZ_61In_jMuBv3NT40BHW4ewxq4q39DWdpkV5QA2RvxX7lC9uvyOU/w400-h109/3.5%20stars.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Prologue </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The midnight constellations grinned down on the forest with polished teeth. The Fates were in good spirits tonight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The girl’s captor, however, was not. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She leaned back from the cottage’s open window and watched from the corner of the cluttered room as her liege frantically wove threads across the entire expanse of the ancient map hanging on the wall. The usual dark, inky color of the thread used to track the Fates and their bargains was gone. Instead, tonight the thread was the color of blood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The energy in the room was odd in a way that was abnormal even for this cottage, and she moved toward the large dining table in curiosity, peering at the delicate parchment that her captor ripped open only moments before. The letter had suddenly appeared on the table, unannounced—as things often were within the demonic forest—and sealed with gilded wax. Whatever the note contained shifted the entire mood in the air around them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She looked down at the messy black ink scrawled over the page. As she reached out to run her fingertips over the paper, her blood began to pulse through the midnight veins that spiderwebbed beneath her translucent skin as it sensed the heavy magic that lingered there. She squinted to try and decipher the words and quickly realized it was not a letter at all—it was a contract. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Across from her, her captor continued working the thread with their long gray fingers. It was as if they were trying to outrun a ticking clock she could not see. Over and over, they ran the thread across the map with increasing fervor. From the far corner of Estrella, to deep within the Northern Fae Courts, the bloodred thread rapidly pursued across all of Illustros, turning the once clear map into a jumble of crisscrossing lines. Until finally, everything went still. Not even the monstrous forest around them dared to breathe or shed a leaf. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her liege turned away from their weaving as movement from the table caught their eye and it took only a moment for her to realize what had captured their attention. The contract. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There at the bottom, where it had been blank only moments before, four names were now signed in blood.</div><div><br /></div></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KH_ix3ElqkqQmOCxI5MqNWO_sVibr5bqAkAyTdJ_Y_XgmZ04_tnUZoBg-wxAxBHSuXWiHNabVDfBR02YpJH3ygyacmqoyD5jyao_pEhDW7MjiOkzOGFVtZp4BvoaIkqaEGp0HHBfxVCA7JIfAOzsNtveq0sgqxSdNGtJ-lsvkfD0F_8BiIx0pidQ/s1365/Kaylie%20Smith.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1365" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KH_ix3ElqkqQmOCxI5MqNWO_sVibr5bqAkAyTdJ_Y_XgmZ04_tnUZoBg-wxAxBHSuXWiHNabVDfBR02YpJH3ygyacmqoyD5jyao_pEhDW7MjiOkzOGFVtZp4BvoaIkqaEGp0HHBfxVCA7JIfAOzsNtveq0sgqxSdNGtJ-lsvkfD0F_8BiIx0pidQ/w400-h290/Kaylie%20Smith.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>About Kaylie Smith:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kaylie Smith is a writer and lover of all things magical and fantasy. She grew up in Louisiana where she frequently haunted bookstores and practiced her writing craft. After getting her degree in graphic design, she decided to fully pursue her dream of being an author, and the first book in her YA fantasy series, <i>A RUINOUS FATE</i>, debuts in January 2023 from Disney Hyperion. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found at home with her menagerie of animals, fussing over her houseplants, or annoying people about astrology.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://www.kayliesmithbooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/kaylsmoon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kaylsmoon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kaylsmoon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21767301.Kaylie_Smith" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3GDXI5r" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <i>A RUINOUS FATE</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ends February 4th, midnight EST.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21596/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHgwdPgC7sSTYyiYT1pQ_RNgkvmDHZGc_-Pz8t3VuRaoL4bzv7uuoyvZ6q-I1uK9532tAH7t_dZsNTqzze5evd_qFCv6c2x9UEz8yEjGgbizrLn6u3FFLjhC3oiuwKzyVWqozGA-QQy69EnAixZUy2XNYNUgKgEpO54Hf8-xShObiz2ERORZh7dVi/s320/A%20RUINOUS%20FATE%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-11846609382440639472022-10-17T08:00:00.034-04:002022-10-17T08:00:00.203-04:00BLOG TOUR - PRINCE OF SONG & SEA BY LINSEY MILLER - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-bBj-iAamgRpK7D0zk8trBaxCG7La-DruV1ykBqNVy6eb7LVLlM3PgmZOFvpfdHUw0r7ieuaRa1X5RniMyrFeRp1zuv9GhyRLHWtOijGSuFFuZoscztAS_G1628opcpP7U1VYtkd8qNdhoQmjNh4zv0mEZzZ2aftwBV9YlJmREwxORYq_txvyazy/s615/PRINCE%20OF%20SONG%20AND%20&%20SEA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-bBj-iAamgRpK7D0zk8trBaxCG7La-DruV1ykBqNVy6eb7LVLlM3PgmZOFvpfdHUw0r7ieuaRa1X5RniMyrFeRp1zuv9GhyRLHWtOijGSuFFuZoscztAS_G1628opcpP7U1VYtkd8qNdhoQmjNh4zv0mEZzZ2aftwBV9YlJmREwxORYq_txvyazy/w400-h156/PRINCE%20OF%20SONG%20AND%20&%20SEA.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am very excited to be a part of the blog tour from <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a> for the start of this awesome series focusing on Disney Princes, <i>Prince of Song & Sea</i> by Linsey Miller</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>. </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Check out the excerpt below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMk3d0b3JjPODHE6w-Lx7sF_rCLcZ1fQcdUnhON6b4_22M4_jXzHTbTf6cFcpcfcTgPp93P4aP5qh4Dyh2dB4K1i6Nc4WIGFfP6_USukeLdAYH3aEp0A1Z5MRkK5k1vSP6LVoglP0ewByOoUHCjGhHIR7xACyI9sO0ap3ymObGbrXfc8KYpdOvB7-O/s2560/PRINCE%20OF%20SONG%20&%20SEA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1755" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMk3d0b3JjPODHE6w-Lx7sF_rCLcZ1fQcdUnhON6b4_22M4_jXzHTbTf6cFcpcfcTgPp93P4aP5qh4Dyh2dB4K1i6Nc4WIGFfP6_USukeLdAYH3aEp0A1Z5MRkK5k1vSP6LVoglP0ewByOoUHCjGhHIR7xACyI9sO0ap3ymObGbrXfc8KYpdOvB7-O/w438-h640/PRINCE%20OF%20SONG%20&%20SEA.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Prince of Song & Sea (Princes #1)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Authors(s)</b>: Linsey Miller<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: October 4,</span> 2022</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook; 352 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Disney Press<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3CdKV7i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a>-<a href="https://amzn.to/3ra7688" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a>-<a href="https://amzn.to/3UHdDVj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Audible</a>-<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prince-of-song-sea-linsey-miller/1140982319?ean=9781368069113" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">B&N</a>-<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/prince-of-song-sea/id6443154238?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" target="_blank">iBooks</a>-<a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Prince-Song-Sea/Linsey-Miller/9781368069113" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BAM!</a>-<a href="C:\Users\arnol\Documents\Rockstar Stuff\JC Cervantes\a href="https:\click.linksynergy.com\link?id=5LPtjgetns4&offerid=1152575.100559781368092944&type=2&murl=https:\www.kobo.com\us\en\ebook\prince-of-song-sea">Prince of Song & Sea<\a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="https:\ad.linksynergy.com\fs-bin\show?id=5LPtjgetns4&bids=1152575.100559781368092944&type=2&subid=0" " rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kobo</a>-</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://tidd.ly/3SxsJe4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TBD</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">-</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781368069113" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>10/1/2022 - The Reading Devil - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>10/2/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Celia's Reads - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/3/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>a GREAT read - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/4/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Kait Plus Books - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/5/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@ReadsReaders - YouTube Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div><div>10/6/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Wanderingwitchreads - TikTok Review/IG Post</div><div>10/7/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>OddandBookish - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/8/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@simplybeccamee - IG Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>10/9/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nerdophiles - Review</div><div>10/10/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>YA Books Central - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>10/11/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Bookish Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/12/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>bookbriefs - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/13/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>onemused - IG Review</div><div>10/14/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>One More Exclamation - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/15/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Ohyouread - IG Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>10/16/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>pluvioreads - Review/TikTok Post</div><div>10/17/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/18/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/19/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@ReaderOfTheWrittenWord - IG Review</div><div>10/20/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Backwards Story - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/21/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Dream Within A Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/22/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>booksaremagictoo - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Five</b></div><div>10/23/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Novel Novice - IG Spotlight</div><div>10/24/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/25/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@bookishreviews_byalison - IG Review</div><div>10/26/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@jacleomik33 - IG Review</div><div>10/27/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nonbinary Knight Reads - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/28/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@thebookishfoxwitch - IG Review</div><div>10/29/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@drew_ambitious_reading - IG Review/TikTiok Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Six</b></div><div>10/30/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>PopTheButterfly Reads - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/31/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Books with Brandie Shanae - YouTube Review/IG Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><b>For fans of <i>Twisted Tales</i> and <i>Villains</i> is a brand new YA series that retells the classic Disney stories you thought you knew from the Disney Princes' perspectives.</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Before Prince Eric’s mother, the Queen of Vellona, went missing two years ago, she reminded him about the details of the deadly curse that has plagued his entire life. The curse? If he were to kiss someone other than his true love, he would die. With a neighboring kingdom looking for any excuse to invade their shores, and rumors of ghost pirates lurking the seas, Eric is desperate for any information that may help him break his enchantment and bring stability to Vellona. The answers he has been searching for come to him in the form of a letter left from his mother that reveals Eric must find his true love, the one with a voice pure of heart, or kill the sea witch responsible for cursing him in the first place.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Now Eric is on a quest to find the Isle of Serein, the witch's legendary home. But after he is rescued by a mysterious young woman with a mesmerizing singing voice, Eric’s heart becomes torn. Does he enter a battle he is almost certain he cannot win or chase a love that might not even exist? And when a shipwrecked young woman with flaming red hair and a smile that could calm the seven seas enters his life, Eric may discover that true love isn’t something that can be decided by magic.</div></div></div></div></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60382879-prince-of-song-sea" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>)</span></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's first start off by scrolling back to that cover. God, it is beautiful. Also, disclaimer time: Eric is my favorite Disney Prince, so I might have been a bit biased going into this book. But luckily, <i>Prince of Song & Sea</i> by Linsey Miller hit the hype; a great expansion on the original <i>The Little Mermaid</i>, but from the point-of-view of Prince Eric.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Taking the original storyline, but expanding it, and showing the story from Eric's side of things brought a freshness to the series of events in the original. Linsey Miller did an amazing job placing her mark on the work, and really fleshing out Eric's personality. He isn't just a handsome hero, he has fears and dreams, and really gets to be his own person in this book. I loved the addition of his friends, which Linsey used to highlight some diversity of the cast. The push and pull that Eric faces being the Crowned Prince of his country while wanting to be free on the sea was really well-crafted.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are some slight tweaks to the original story, such as how Eric was shipwrecked, but all the major plot points are there. What I really loved is the time we also got to spend seeing him and Ariel get to know each other. Linsey Miller did a great job making Eric a rounded and dynamic character. He always, I felt, had a bigger role than many other Disney Princes, but still, we don't truly know him. <i>Prince of Song & Sea</i> really allows layers to develop, which was great.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am very happy with the first book in the <i>Princes </i>series; Linsey Miller is also writing another of the books in the series, this one about Prince Phillip. That will definitely be an interesting one to read. I adored Eric in <i>The Little Mermaid</i>, and this book made me fall even more in love. Staying true to the original story, but creating its very own place, <i>Prince of Song & Sea</i> is a must-read for Disney, and non-Disney fans alike!</div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhioDFo8WcL5P7LEnbh2dt2QIcvxb2cMoH1egX0MvJUE0ClMchDr2aC10dx3d57Du6QDSUdxAsnooYencoi1253dvkFw4dY8ahQRuW8_tbxW1BzUqJ2lv2eCzUOZqA2t6h5Z0yEBSl9GWRHIjxCCMQpptdd3FAYpnj8s9xk33h09xZqdJMSEayMZ0k/s320/4%20stars.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="320" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhioDFo8WcL5P7LEnbh2dt2QIcvxb2cMoH1egX0MvJUE0ClMchDr2aC10dx3d57Du6QDSUdxAsnooYencoi1253dvkFw4dY8ahQRuW8_tbxW1BzUqJ2lv2eCzUOZqA2t6h5Z0yEBSl9GWRHIjxCCMQpptdd3FAYpnj8s9xk33h09xZqdJMSEayMZ0k/s1600/4%20stars.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Overture</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">PAIN washed over Eric in waves, salt sticking to every scratch. Water lapped at his legs, and a bone-deep cold shuddered down his spine. He tried to turn his head and groaned. He couldn’t move. Why couldn’t he move? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ship! He had been on the ship. A storm, worse than any he had ever weathered, had swept over them faster than lightning. They’d caught fire and crashed, the powder kegs exploding, and he had been thrown into the sea. Eric tried to call out and choked. Each breath stung, the acrid taste of ash prickling across his tongue. His chest ached. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But all of it meant he was alive. He had survived. A soft hum broke through the pain. It started low and sad, like far-off whale calls. Fingers stroked his face, brushing salt and sand from his sore skin. The melody, the tender touch, became a pinpoint of light in the dark, and he struggled to hold on to it. The gentle voice grew louder and stronger. Sunlight burned through his eye lids. Eric forced his eyes open and gasped. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She was breathtaking, a backlit shadow glittering with seawater. Her features were as distorted as her words, but the hand against his cheek was so tender that he knew she meant no harm. He reached for her, and she eased him back into the sand. A warm, fluttering feeling flowed over him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Safety, he thought. This was safety. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She must have been strong to drag him from the wreckage and kind, too, to risk her life for his. The sweet lilt of her song filled his head. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She and her voice were the only things between him and death at sea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And they slipped through his fingers like sand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>1</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Fathoms Above</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">THE SUN hung high and hot above the whitewashed, red-roofed homes nestled in the kingdom of Vellona’s Cloud Break Bay. Warm winds whipped through the cobblestone streets and canals, and voices called out across the rippling waves. The soft notes of a song, as cheerful as it was distant, drifted through the piers. Eric turned his ear toward the tune and shuffled his feet back in time with it. A sword sliced through the air where he’d stood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Too slow!” Eric shouted, sweeping one leg back and bowing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The crowd hollered. The dock above them rattled, salt peppering down like snow. Eric dunked his stinging hands into the low tide. Across from him, Gabriella, his childhood friend and the only person who regularly outmatched him, paced along the edges of the fighting ring, and her gaze flicked from his hands to his face. She grinned, brown skin gleaming with sweat and seawater. Seaweed clung to her sword. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These weekly bouts had been small at first, an easy way to help train folks who might otherwise never see a sword. They had only started using live blades this week. Eric had gathered his friends into the little nook on the beach beneath the last dock and strung up an old canvas sheet between the posts to hide them away from curious eyes. It hadn’t worked, and these last three months had seen their numbers swell. This little fighting ring beneath the docks was all Eric could do to make up for the ever-present fear of pirates that infused Vellona these days with more towns being raided and razed every week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You’re too cocky,” Gabriella said and shoved her damp sleeves up to her elbows. “If I were a pirate, you’d be dead.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gabriella was the only one here who’d lived through a pirate raid. The sparring had been fun at first, but now there was too sharp an edge to it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“If you were a pirate, we’d have bigger problems than—” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She struck out and nicked his arm. He reared back. “You always give in to the urge to chat,” said Gabriella, lunging for him. “Real fights aren’t fairy tales. No one will stop so you can monologue.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Then stop me.” He met her in the middle, both of his knives blocking the thrust, and locked them together at the center of the ring. “And don’t worry about my breaking.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Never.” She grinned. “Princeling.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric laughed. This was why he liked the morning fights. These bouts were a good way to relax and find out what people needed help with before heading to work. Would these spars fix all of Vellona’s problems? Never. Would they help a few survive? Maybe. Did they make Eric feel like part of the crowd, just another soul living in the bay instead of a prince always held at arm’s length? Absolutely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Every time you call me that,” he said, “I’ll hit harder.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“I’m quivering,” she said, and fluttered her off hand over her heart. “Come prove it.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric reversed his grip on his knives. He feinted for her left, her sword scraping down his blades with a teeth-shuddering grind. She kicked him back, and they circled each other. He slashed at her, but she angled away. The frantic rush of blood in Eric’s ears drowned out their sloshing steps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You going to hit me?” she asked. <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric thrust one blade at Gabriella, herding her right, and aimed a backhanded slash to where she’d have to step. She pivoted and ducked, the knife catching only her sleeve. The crowd roared. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Someone behind Gabriella shouted, “Trounce him!” “His right side’s weaker!” yelled Vanni, Eric’s best friend and, in this moment, worst enemy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gabriella shifted to attack his right. Eric pretended to stumble, windmilling his right arm back. She lunged, and he swept his knife up. Their blades collided. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His riposte sent her sword flying. It splashed behind her, sinking beneath the murky tide. Eric rushed toward her, expecting Gabriella to chase after her sword, but she crouched down and met his charge. Her shoulder slammed into his stomach and knocked the wind out of him. His arms went limp, the edge of his knife bouncing uselessly off her collar. Gabriella’s hands grasped his ankles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She tugged at his boots. Eric pressed his shaking knife to her neck. She froze. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Well,” said Gabriella, her odd crouch muffling her words against his wet shirt, “I’ve lost in more embarrassing ways.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric couldn’t recall any. The raid that had driven Gabriella to move to the bay as a child had killed her sister, Mila, and now Gabriella trained with her aunt almost every day. Once she’d gotten over Eric’s being the prince, she had always had the decency to leave Eric with far more bruises than his tutors did when sparring. No part of this loss was embarrassing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“If you insist,” he said, and cleared his throat, moving his knives away from her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Princeling!” A pair of arms looped around Eric’s neck and pulled him into a tight hug. “You lost me supper, so I expect some compensation.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vanni—far more interested in swords and sailing than his baker of a father would have liked—clapped Eric on the shoulder and spun him around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Stop betting against me, then.” Eric bowed to him, glaring the whole way down. “Keeping you and your ego fed is my only goal in life.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Obviously,” Vanni said, tossing his flaxen hair from his face. He didn’t sweat in the stifling heat beneath the docks so much as gleam, looking far more princely than Eric ever did. “Who’s up next?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You,” Gabriella said, and dragged him to the center of the crowd. “I want a real fight.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vanni laughed, and Eric let out an uncomfortable chuckle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Rude of you to say it wasn’t a real fight,” he muttered, and Gabriella flinched.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vanni and Gabriella didn’t bow to each other. Vanni fought with a single sword, and Gabriella switched to a dagger. He was limber enough to dodge her strikes, and Eric had assumed she would be too exhausted to match Vanni’s intensity given how she had lost. But each of her strikes was as strong as the last, though, and Vanni was gasping in the humid air after only three minutes. He swung wide, and she dropped to one knee. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vanni smiled like he’d already won, but an uneasy revelation wormed its way through Eric’s chest. Gabriella wasn’t shaking or out of breath, and when Vanni lunged, she plunged her off hand into the water. Quick as lightning, she yanked his foot out from under him. Vanni collapsed with a splash. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You’ve got the balance of a fish on land,” said Gabriella, holding up his leg like a trophy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The crowd applauded, and she dropped him. Vanni coughed up mouthfuls of water and peeled seaweed from his face. Gabriella handed Eric Vanni’s sword, and Eric mumbled in response. All the joy of finally doing something useful and fun with friends condensed onto a single memory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gabriella’s hands had been on Eric’s boots, and she could have taken him down. Or up, as it was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Eric?” Vanni called, shaking out his sopping shirt with a smile. “Your head’s in the clouds.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric forced himself to smile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Bit overcast,” muttered Eric, “but I’m fine.” Vanni snorted and patted his shoulder. “Least you won and won’t be wearing sand all day.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He shook some from his hair and onto Eric and Gabriella. Eric jerked away. Gabriella shrugged. “I work outside,” she said, and checked the knot of the kerchief covering her black curls. “You needed a bath anyway.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Gabriella,” Eric said, and leaned down slightly so that Vanni wouldn’t hear. “You let me win.” Gabriella stilled. “I did.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Why?” he asked. “Why let me win now?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“We’ve been using training swords for months, and the sharp edges drew a crowd. It’s better if they don’t see their prince flipped head over heels,” said Gabriella. “Isn’t that what Grimsby is always going on about—the crown is an idea, not only a person? Seeing you getting dunked would be bad for morale.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“If Grim keeps giving you ideas like that, I’ll dunk him,” Eric said. Of course, Eric’s status was seeping into his one escape from the castle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The crowd milled around them, people kissing cheeks and comparing bruises while they said goodbye. Sparring was a fine way to pass the morning, but now the day had begun and there was plenty of work to be done in the bay. Vanni wrung out his shirt, muttering under his breath. Eric slapped his shoulder. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You’re getting better,” said Eric. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Damper, more like.” Vanni shook out his hair. “I’m going to be squishing about all day.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You’re improving, though. You both are.” Gabriella glanced up at Eric and grinned. “Do you know why I always beat you?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Because you’re better than me?” Eric asked, and Vanni laughed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You lean on your training too much. You never go for a hit or kick when you start the fight with blades,” she said and punched his arm. “You’ve got better form with a sword and stick, and you can disarm me a dozen times. If we were dueling, you’d beat me—I can’t fence to save my life—but we’re not dueling. You fight in the same order you run drills, and one day you’re going to have to make the choice of what to do on your own. Get dirty.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric bit back a grimace. He couldn’t choose anything. That was the problem. Politics and circumstance within the last ten years had made sure that he had no choices that wouldn’t lead either to a battle with the neighboring kingdom Sait, destruction at the sword points of the pirates, or a civil war over his throne. One wrong move, whether it was an impolite look or a strike back at the wrong pirate ship, could get Vellona destroyed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once most of the crowd had scattered, the trio emerged from their makeshift meeting place, squinting in the bright morning light as they walked along the beach. Cloud Break Bay was the largest city in the small kingdom of Vellona, and the pale green waters were as much a home to Eric as the castle tucked into the cliffs. Masts listed across the harbor, their ships rolling unevenly as cargo shifted. Summer rose in humid spirals of steam from the decks, and voices called out across the waves as people basked beneath the first warm, clear sky in weeks. Vanni squinted up at the sun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“We went long today,” he said, and turned to Gabriella. “Won’t get you in trouble with your aunt, will it?” “No, we’re doing repairs this week before taking off,” she said. “She doesn’t even really need me for those.” Carpentry was one of the few things she didn’t excel at. Still a touch too young to take over her grandfather’s fishing ship and too needed at home to take off and join her aunt’s crew, she had spent more time at sea than Eric and dreamed of captaining her own merchant ship like her aunt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“I could help with repairs,” said Eric, eager to stay with his friends. That way, he could be Eric, just Eric, for a little while longer. “Does your aunt need the extra hands?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Not really,” Gabriella said, and made a face. “That last storm did a number on the ship, and we’d be in the way of the good shipwrights. Hopefully we’ll be able to pay them. We’re getting wrecked by storms every time we leave the docks.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Those hurricanes aren’t normal,” said Vanni. “That last one came out of nowhere.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“It’s magic. Got to be,” Gabriella said. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Magic was uncommon but not unheard of. It was limited to reclusive sorcerers and old tales swapped over pints. Small magics, like tonics and whistling up a wind, were alive and well, and Eric knew there were stories about witches in the old days who could call down lightning or manipulate souls like puppets. Grimsby wouldn’t hear of it, but Eric agreed with Gabriella. Sait, the large kingdom to the north dead set on expanding, had almost certainly found itself a witch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Even your mother, bless her, would be struggling these days.” Gabriella nudged Eric. “Especially with Sait in the mix. Can you prove it’s them organizing the pirates?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pirate attacks, suspiciously well organized and as regular as the storms, had started up eight years ago once Vellona’s money was nearly drained by the near constant squalls and droughts that had plagued the kingdom for as long as Eric could remember. It was then that Sait, with a navy as flush as its coffers, had started poking at Vellona’s defenses. When Eric’s mother, Queen Eleanora, had died in a shipwreck up north two years ago, Sait had gotten bolder and Vellona had gotten desperate. Eric had been left with a floundering kingdom and dozens of others eager to take his throne. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He shook his head. “Grimsby calls it a long game, weakening us before striking, but accusing them out right would start a war we can’t afford.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric suspected that was exactly what they wanted— justification to conquer Vellona. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Is there not some rich old widow with a flair for dramatics you could wed to get us out of this mess?” Gabriella asked. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vellona had exhausted every avenue that led to money save for one, and only Eric could take it. “Sadly, no,” he said, pulling his flute from his pocket. He always had it on him. He played a quick tune, taking the moment to calm himself. The familiar motion of his fingers eased his worries. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“I thought Grimsby wanted you married before your birthday?” Vanni asked. He glanced around and lowered his voice. “You’ll have to kiss them at the wedding, but how can you when—” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric froze, song dying off, and Gabriella grabbed Vanni by the collar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Shut it!” she hissed. “Sait finds out about that, it’ll be the easiest assassination in the world.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A shock of panic shuddered through Eric. Here, on the docks with people working around them, no one was paying attention, but they had never discussed his secret in public before. He pocketed his flute. “Grimsby wants me to marry well and figure it out after. Personal feelings cannot trump convenience and duty, he says, but I refuse to hand over control of Vellona to someone I don’t trust.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vanni and Gabriella shared a look. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Is Grimsby still angry about Glowerhaven?” asked Vanni. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Incandescent,” Eric said. “The only reason he didn’t force it was because she loathed me as much as I loathed her.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She hated music and dogs, and he couldn’t stand the scent of the paints she treasured. Looking at art? Fine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Living in a miasma of paint fumes and odd alchemical mixtures? Not for him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gabriella laughed. “Wasn’t your fault Max didn’t appreciate her trying to glaze him. When’s your next marriage proposal?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His next proposal? Never again. His next entrapment? The lunch with— </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric’s blood rushed in his ears, drowning out Gabriella and Vanni’s chatter, and he wiped suddenly sweaty palms on his trousers. He took a deep breath. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Grimsby’s going to kill me.” Eric looked around, trying to figure out what time it was, and groaned. It had been ages since he had forgotten a meeting, and he had no excuse today. “Lord Brackenridge arrived this morning, and I’m supposed to have lunch with him and his daughters.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gabriella’s eyes widened. “Run.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“How do I look?” Eric asked. “I won’t have time to bathe.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Like you were running late because you were spar ring,” said Vanni. “It’s almost like—” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Don’t you say it,” muttered Gabriella. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vanni ignored her. “You’re cursed.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“I’m letting that one slide,” Eric shouted over his shoulder as he started running. “You only get one.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“A day?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“A lifetime!” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Ignore him,” said Gabriella over the sound of Vanni’s laughter. “Enjoy your prince-ing.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric rarely did. He was always Prince Eric first, a citizen second, and—secretly, terribly, through no fault of his own—cursed third.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyWd04fHGdFCrskCxOGKkCdnPjymEZuuh622Iyo1oK0tJIloKxNuVWRnBNKYjCXfNt7KPJaHsLSdMeS8wNXla16EtoIG8WgM5ikI79_PK8eyJsmivFc0t-RcFVfvmtIMqYxJl__S3zJJRfl1BQ-w6FoykVkPW5JkLEqFOJ-TOyOVPbrKRgLZUApNb/s1100/linseymiller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="733" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyWd04fHGdFCrskCxOGKkCdnPjymEZuuh622Iyo1oK0tJIloKxNuVWRnBNKYjCXfNt7KPJaHsLSdMeS8wNXla16EtoIG8WgM5ikI79_PK8eyJsmivFc0t-RcFVfvmtIMqYxJl__S3zJJRfl1BQ-w6FoykVkPW5JkLEqFOJ-TOyOVPbrKRgLZUApNb/w266-h400/linseymiller.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>About Linsey Miller:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Once upon a time, Linsey Miller studied biology in Arkansas. These days, she holds an MFA in fiction and can be found writing about science and magic anywhere there is coffee. She is the author of the <i>Mask of Shadows</i> duology, <i>Belle Révolte</i>, <i>The Game</i>, <i>What We Devour</i>, and the upcoming Disney Princes books for Eric and Phillip. Visit her at linseymiller.com.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.linseymiller.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/LinseyMiller" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LinseyMillerAuthor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/linsey.miller/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@linseymillerauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://linseymiller.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15194090.Linsey_Miller" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3UN0BWj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linsey-miller" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookbub</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <i>PRINCE OF SONG & SEA</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21546/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1-pjDCjOV5_auEXj5Oc5TZJfOVsS84-hk1gRqQ5u6InhtrFtgvbYdvj8ZQt9hWr-rU5Hd0MmU8UMdkcMCprC1m-T5Nvcnb6VbLu_tbLIlgMj-DniEw2y7FkwnPtYdhNdj72L6926tRGm1_p9w9hHSRCaTJcDM78GCmNIrf1_yMYZdM9FPXqIyMyi/s320/PRINCE%20OF%20SONG%20AND%20&%20SEA%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-53386436556915374082022-09-19T08:00:00.003-04:002022-09-19T10:26:48.786-04:00BLOG TOUR - GHOSTER HEIGHTS BY COREY LANDSELL, KELLY MELLINGS, & LISA LAROSE - MIDDLE GRADE GRAPHIC NOVEL [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvORFgURSpkAMMJJZ9HH6XYSL5ZRtR8diWj6u82Hgq8Gn2hNXBTuz97hyZCtQKjg13rJDABgqBuhddkHtDvTdv1P8j30Wor93D6g6peaWK7dlrmIxyJ5jZB7peArzga5mqD8zNlw2fZ0r4SYRsrYX0t5fPh1G5DLtrZNLbAoE6XNisWhUbtBfy4rbk/s615/GHOSTER%20HEIGHTS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvORFgURSpkAMMJJZ9HH6XYSL5ZRtR8diWj6u82Hgq8Gn2hNXBTuz97hyZCtQKjg13rJDABgqBuhddkHtDvTdv1P8j30Wor93D6g6peaWK7dlrmIxyJ5jZB7peArzga5mqD8zNlw2fZ0r4SYRsrYX0t5fPh1G5DLtrZNLbAoE6XNisWhUbtBfy4rbk/w445-h174/GHOSTER%20HEIGHTS.jpg" width="445" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am very excited to be a part of the blog tour from <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a> for this middle grade graphic novel, <i>Ghoster Height</i>s by Corey Landsell, Kelly Mellings, & Lisa Larose</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>.</i> Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><br />Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpXCt1kxhccWzrwBSd7yqX0PA-Qdsk1aMAwLAh-hJs4WuDdrUfMC64R5myvP8okU0tSHc2u7ClTW3vYO-0KEnA4VLQdRe8GgDl_mF2eENzJ0rR5AqZkCS4ELFJuw-Ka9YwwEXC5pYu8QSqCllcakiiTMpvBW2e1NHmdR4Md6_bvP-b_JhMOGcxSTV/s2101/ghoster-heights-9781638490739_hr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2101" data-original-width="1400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpXCt1kxhccWzrwBSd7yqX0PA-Qdsk1aMAwLAh-hJs4WuDdrUfMC64R5myvP8okU0tSHc2u7ClTW3vYO-0KEnA4VLQdRe8GgDl_mF2eENzJ0rR5AqZkCS4ELFJuw-Ka9YwwEXC5pYu8QSqCllcakiiTMpvBW2e1NHmdR4Md6_bvP-b_JhMOGcxSTV/w426-h640/ghoster-heights-9781638490739_hr.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Ghoster Heights</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Authors(s)/Illustrator(s)</b>: Corey Landsell, Kelly Mellings, & Lisa Larose<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: September 27,</span> 2022</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Edition</b>: Paperback, eBook; 208pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Wonderbound<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3xhLB8R" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3xaE4J1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghoster-heights-corey-lansdell/1141115585?ean=9781638490739" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/ghoster-heights/id1614458304?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Ghoster-Heights/Corey-Lansdell/9781638490739?id=8292526258128&_ga=2.152383929.1434196330.1663468156-1704505461.1629252629" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fghoster-heights" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://tidd.ly/3Qu3Xu4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TBD</a> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">- </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781638490739" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>9/12/2022 - Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Review/IG Post</div><div>9/13/2022 - hauntedbybooks - Review/IG Post</div><div>9/14/2022 - hodophile_z - IG Review</div><div>9/15/2022 - Jazzy Book Reviews - Guest Post/IG Post</div><div>9/16/2022 - Two Chicks on Books - Guest Post</div><div>9/17/2022 - @jaimerockstarbooktours - IG Spotlight</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>9/18/2022 - YA Books Central - Guest Post</div><div>9/19/2022 - Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>9/20/2022 - @allyluvsbooksalatte - IG Spotlight</div><div>9/21/2022 - One More Exclamation - Review/IG Post</div><div>9/22/2022 - A Dream Within A Dream - Guest Post</div><div>9/23/2022 - BookHounds YA - Guest Post/IG Post</div><div>9/24/2022 - RiverMose-Reads - Guest Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>9/25/2022 - The Real World According to Sam - Review/IG Post</div><div>9/26/2022 - Nerdophiles - Review </div><div>9/27/2022 - Novel Novice - IG Spotlight</div><div>9/28/2022 - @jacleomik33 - IG Review</div><div>9/29/2022 - The Bookwyrm's Den - Review </div><div>9/30/2022 - Two Points of Interest - Review</div><div>10/1/2022 - A Blue Box Full of Books - IG Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>10/2/2022 - @enjoyingbooksagain - IG Review</div><div>10/3/2022 - @thebookishfoxwitch - IG Review</div><div>10/4/2022 - The Momma Spot - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/5/2022 - booksaremagictoo - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/6/2022 - GryffindorBookishNerd - Review/IG Post</div><div>10/7/2022 - Mom with a Reading Problem - Review/IG Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b>WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBOOHOOD!</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Eight-year-old Ona has lost just about everything: her home, her possessions, her mother, and almost her life. When she and her father move into her Baba’s apartment complex after these traumatic events, they had hoped for a clean start. But a mysterious specter follows her, and Ona befriends the ghost she discovers haunting the boiler room. When her new friendship starts allowing her to see other ghosts—the ghosts who haunt the other residents of her building—she decides to use her ability to help her new neighbors face their troubles and free themselves from their specters. In doing so, however, Ona must eventually come face to face with a much darker foe—her own trauma and grief. The earnestness of Judy Bloom meets the raw emotion of <i>I Kill Giants</i> in this beautifully hopeful story of childhood tragedy.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">An original graphic novel for middle grade readers about grief, loss, and the ghosts that haunt us all.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">For fans of <i>Sheets </i>by Brenna Thummler, <i>Small Spaces </i>by Katherine Arden, and <i>Ghosts </i>by Raina Telgemeier.</div></div></div></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60320686-ghoster-heights" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>)</span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Ghoster Heights</i> by Corey Landsell, Kelly Mellings, and Lisa Larose was an adorable kick-off to my Fall reads! Bold, graphic art with a spooky, but heartfelt, story makes this graphic novel a fun read for younger kids, and the young-at-heart!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Eight year old Ona and her dad have to move in with her grandmother due to a tragic event. Uprooting her entire life, Ona is not having the best time. She is also targeted right away by the apartment complex's bully, which makes her transition even harder. But one day, when she is trying to capture one of her grandmother's wandering cats, Ona discovers a ghost--a friendly ghost. Haunty, as the specter is dubbed, leads Ona to discover her own strength and find a place for herself in her new home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The concept of this book is great. How Ona is able to help her neighbors via Haunty was really original. I loved the sense of family that was created within the apartment complex, and that Ona got to see people have layers and explanations behind their actions/attitudes. The lessons taught are important for kids to learn, and I think the vehicle of ghosts and graphic novel works well to convey that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wouldn't consider this book middle grade, but upper elementary level. While the topics that are being dealt with are serious, they are explored at the surface level from the understanding of an eight year old, albeit one who has experienced tragedy already. The plot is not quite clear in a few places. That may have been purposeful for the mystery aspect of the book, but I found it distracting, and it would pull me out of reading as I had back track what happened. Also, this is probably dating myself, but I didn't know Tamagotchis were a thing again (Ona has a digital pet, which looked very similar to old school Tamagotchis). So that made my eyebrow go up, as it was unexpected for the assumed time period.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">However, the book was entertaining, and the art was adorable. I felt it was eye-catching, and fit the tone of the book. Bright colors gives it youth, and a light-hearted tone to sometimes difficult situations. <i>Ghoster Heights</i> was a quick read, and one I think developing readers will gravitate. Pick up a copy to start off your Fall reading list!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQM3e2l0QbN0mV3tdpCVvMsQw4TOssXlmqOMfdA9c4PGtJKhy8Whon3Om7ErT8RsBPsjbK1S-V6O0MzHRRYxRdT7vXxk99Ih7PBBmXE_jLTbMd8ZO6NnJbdt0f_l2v4HCcgn5m2hoY5rIGpM6IpeDCHPlFzQFOB8n1O-aSnGD_VKnsleJmBrUsxxP/s292/3.5%20stars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="292" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQM3e2l0QbN0mV3tdpCVvMsQw4TOssXlmqOMfdA9c4PGtJKhy8Whon3Om7ErT8RsBPsjbK1S-V6O0MzHRRYxRdT7vXxk99Ih7PBBmXE_jLTbMd8ZO6NnJbdt0f_l2v4HCcgn5m2hoY5rIGpM6IpeDCHPlFzQFOB8n1O-aSnGD_VKnsleJmBrUsxxP/s1600/3.5%20stars.png" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EgdPy_LCK9I7pMvKB4SacVGSf5aA0Mk4iYEuHlGUeiB1B6hDMA6KGKxvRAeKv8egBXGtCsfF1YCuqaabEfED4FnhYatsdLf9bTIAssLwvy2VGCqv4-j5sCTR9ZLwaK5zKgcsjLJ46irv7p_6vg6h1erSigyhJbaWtD-zZjJXdPn3mplEoaiTA6UW/s773/Page15-colour-preview.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="500" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EgdPy_LCK9I7pMvKB4SacVGSf5aA0Mk4iYEuHlGUeiB1B6hDMA6KGKxvRAeKv8egBXGtCsfF1YCuqaabEfED4FnhYatsdLf9bTIAssLwvy2VGCqv4-j5sCTR9ZLwaK5zKgcsjLJ46irv7p_6vg6h1erSigyhJbaWtD-zZjJXdPn3mplEoaiTA6UW/w437-h676/Page15-colour-preview.png" width="437" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Creators</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NJE-nP1eqVDJrod9BLRfQSS73miRcAoCe7d5XC_yDVYGu3-QsM_CzUhqF-SHwdzcoWCJTMawcgNnrvrwxOK0LdXW-EfNkWB5rprNZ5BtMhi0zZpt4LqyV0zKJUUvGu2TpEEZLgKRL9S66PospbmYsnBHcufKOVB1ip6i0Jm1ACAwBBA08PxnQIT1/s3374/Corey.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3374" data-original-width="2939" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NJE-nP1eqVDJrod9BLRfQSS73miRcAoCe7d5XC_yDVYGu3-QsM_CzUhqF-SHwdzcoWCJTMawcgNnrvrwxOK0LdXW-EfNkWB5rprNZ5BtMhi0zZpt4LqyV0zKJUUvGu2TpEEZLgKRL9S66PospbmYsnBHcufKOVB1ip6i0Jm1ACAwBBA08PxnQIT1/s320/Corey.jpg" width="279" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">About </span></b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Corey Landsell</b></span><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Corey Lansdell is a multiple award-winning illustrator and animator. He is a skilled communicator, expert storyteller and passionate collaborator. Corey heads up a SCBWI illustrators group in Edmonton, Alberta.</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.coreylansdell.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/coreylansdell" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coreylansdell/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/coreylansdellcreates" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22209696.Corey_Landsell" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3qsnTD1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FJhrjP68zKwx0dIWpqorDOLkI3Btkiej13GKEWk5YVW8bFfhj5tRBF59iofQrfxkR7JYTUibLvENt-jPNpJEiTZweNSGeGz3mZGd0033W-0VITiCSnyMyDZ6hZEJFVKIckzk4GloLd0Q0JN5wvZIuus1gI-hJpNY2sWhNghkFlCSIOsjohZOFM87/s502/Kelly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FJhrjP68zKwx0dIWpqorDOLkI3Btkiej13GKEWk5YVW8bFfhj5tRBF59iofQrfxkR7JYTUibLvENt-jPNpJEiTZweNSGeGz3mZGd0033W-0VITiCSnyMyDZ6hZEJFVKIckzk4GloLd0Q0JN5wvZIuus1gI-hJpNY2sWhNghkFlCSIOsjohZOFM87/s320/Kelly.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>About </b><b>Kelly Mellings</b><b>:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kelly Mellings is an award-winning art director, illustrator, and designer. His work has</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">appeared in comic books, TV commercials, magazines, apps, museum exhibits, and video</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">games. He is the co-writer of <i>Ghoster Heights</i> and illustrator of the Canadian best-selling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">graphic novel, <i>The Outside Circle</i>. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta.</div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/kellymellings" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellymellings/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14101476.Kelly_Mellings" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrpuFVoV973VNG57O1kEZvTLxMaJgmRPeAk5-sLIkrZl3pdnpPk9i20Xt9_97VFpd4Gcv2FLw50oUMlua_uO8qZx-FHX1gFMPpl44glntU0mLS6WE7CcIeJKXcvG_D0q4NTg0fdszrkm0AsmbvMM0uc9eeSmgscu78f8YOseXQ2tGVUAcQtSgOsv0/s238/Lisa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="238" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrpuFVoV973VNG57O1kEZvTLxMaJgmRPeAk5-sLIkrZl3pdnpPk9i20Xt9_97VFpd4Gcv2FLw50oUMlua_uO8qZx-FHX1gFMPpl44glntU0mLS6WE7CcIeJKXcvG_D0q4NTg0fdszrkm0AsmbvMM0uc9eeSmgscu78f8YOseXQ2tGVUAcQtSgOsv0/w272-h272/Lisa.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>About Lisa Larose:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lisa LaRose is a pop surrealist painter, illustrator, and comics artist in Vancouver, Canada. She is best known for her paintings: Bizarre and Colourful artworks. She creates lively and exciting colour palettes and is always making something a little weird. Lisa loves middle-grade fiction (books, comics, cartoons, you name it) and so she also moonlights as a middle-grade comics artist.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lisalaroseart.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaLaRoseArt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lisalaroseart/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisalaroseart" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lisalaroseart" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22075700.Lisa_Larose" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </div></span></div></div></span></div></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 winners will receive a finished copy of <i>GHOSTER HEIGHTS</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21533/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6KPrmni-VX4tn6c1jHZfNFtKA2CGUIYCswzsfZDOJ31R9sfWMQR-2e0xOWmDZn-goKCar6vXClzFo4jPAqPNUuLp_G4Yhxgqahax_P7OEAOi9eD07TxS_J7ghS_YBnD9Qr40_DGMWG7nciqIyQIkqIyP5zrs358Mb6DZ5rDjrNAFNsta1oHbogKm/s320/GHOSTER%20HEIGHTS%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-58611704236766438092022-08-24T08:00:00.002-04:002022-08-24T08:24:01.260-04:00BLOG TOUR - THE UNDEAD TRUTH OF US BY BRITNEY S. LEWIS - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1GCLe-oDugnkHXQjUX98t8Tj7JFQWfxDEkvG4UsB7XDrBFw4IcG_NY4faz9bveaQ3h-8aZ2DQt9b9cvmPZX3cJVAfiN5R4GLDEPgPbsAydaZ6DbqW_9QfCoIXD_q2ngHC5txIkkDiBiXtXUgqD5KbP2KbqKnfj9JxcqheP3X2GppwClNTT0iSKD-/w417-h163/THE%20UNDEAD%20TRUTH%20OF%20US.jpg" width="417" /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am very excited to be a part of the blog tour for <i>The Undead Truth of Us</i>, the debut novel from Britney S. Lewis</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>.</i> Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DcmwtXKlnLXJ-HT5NK1RdycDNugdp4hl9iACtpu8jxCGsEtkvagPs9hUN9NE2GkLbYpyOuyE6F_AQYXuCejUurlIWQX7f2rQum4UHYJGIeJq-oh09QkmUQEgd6BpOJ80ZYftFXTTQuQTmt_bFL8--7mkP8y0VlwlkE9Xjlx8QYrdDu9D5F2XnhB6/s1500/undead%20truth%20cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DcmwtXKlnLXJ-HT5NK1RdycDNugdp4hl9iACtpu8jxCGsEtkvagPs9hUN9NE2GkLbYpyOuyE6F_AQYXuCejUurlIWQX7f2rQum4UHYJGIeJq-oh09QkmUQEgd6BpOJ80ZYftFXTTQuQTmt_bFL8--7mkP8y0VlwlkE9Xjlx8QYrdDu9D5F2XnhB6/w426-h640/undead%20truth%20cover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>The Undead Truth of Us</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Authors(s)</b>: Britney S. Lewis<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: August 9,</span> 2022</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook; 368pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Disney-Hyperion<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3S01DNo" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3viKODI" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-undead-truth-of-us-britney-lewis/1140714058?ean=9781368075831" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/undead-truth-of-us-the/id6443154370?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Undead-Truth-Us/Britney-Lewis/9781368075831?id=8611923347678#" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fundead-truth-of-us-the" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://tidd.ly/3ovBR5Y" target="_blank">TBD</a> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">- </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781368075831" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>8/1/2022 - Wanderingwitchreads - TikTok Review/IG Post</div><div>8/2/2022 - BookHounds YA - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>8/3/2022 - Lisa-Queen of Random - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>8/4/2022 - Author Z. Knight's Guild - Excerpt</div><div>8/5/2022 - Lifestyle of Me - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/6/2022 - Brandi Danielle Davis - IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>8/7/2022 - Celia's Reads - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/8/2022 - The Momma Spot - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/9/2022 - YA Books Central - Excerpt</div><div>8/10/2022 - 100 Pages A Day - Review</div><div>8/11/2022 - booksaremagictoo - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/12/2022 - @jypsylynn - IG Review</div><div>8/13/2022 - Kait Plus Books - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>8/14/2022 - @jacleomik33 - IG Review</div><div>8/15/2022 - A Dream Within A Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/16/2022 - onemused - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/17/2022 - @ReaderOfTheWrittenWord - IG Review</div><div>8/18/2022 - A Bookish Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/19/2022 - @drewsim12 - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>8/20/2022 - @lexijava - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>8/21/2022 - @bujos_n_books - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/22/2022 - @amysbooknook8 - IG Review</div><div>8/23/2022 - pluvioreads - Review/TikTok Post</div><div>8/24/2022 - Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/25/2022 - Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/26/2022 - Momfluenster - IG Review/FB Post</div><div>8/27/2022 - Cocoa With Books - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Five</b></div><div>8/28/2022 - @just_another_mother_with_books - IG Review</div><div>8/29/2022 - Lisa Loves Literature - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/30/2022 - The Clever Reader - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/31/2022 - PopTheButterfly Reads - Review/IG Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b>Death was everywhere. They all stared at me, bumping into one another and slowly coming forward.</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Sixteen-year-old Zharie Young is absolutely certain her mother morphed into a zombie before her untimely death, but she can't seem to figure out why. Why her mother died, why her aunt doesn't want her around, why all her dreams seem suddenly, hopelessly out of reach. And why, ever since that day, she's been seeing zombies everywhere.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Then Bo moves into her apartment building—tall, skateboard in hand, freckles like stars, and an undeniable charm. Z wants nothing to do with him, but when he transforms into a half zombie right before her eyes, something feels different. He contradicts everything she thought she knew about monsters, and she can't help but wonder if getting to know him might unlock the answers to her mother's death.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">As Zharie sifts through what's real and what's magic, she discovers a new truth about the world: Love can literally change you—for good or for dead.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">In this surrealist journey of grief, fear, and hope, Britney S. Lewis's debut novel explores love, zombies, and everything in between in an intoxicating amalgam of the real and the fantastic.</div><div><br /></div></div></div></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56651317-the-undead-truth-of-us" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>)</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Praise for <i>The Undead Truth of Us</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">:</span></b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;">"Britney Lewis has really nailed it with this one. I loved this striking, suspenseful, and deeply heartbreaking debut about a Black girl named Zharie on a quest to discover the truth about her mother and the darker parts of life and family! Spooky good.”―<b>Jay Coles, author of <i>Tyler Johnson Was Here</i> and <i>Things We Couldn't Say</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;">"Deeply healing and impossible to put down, <i>The Undead Truth Of Us</i>, is an affecting portrait of grief’s many shades, and an affirming reminder to live.”―<b>J. Elle, <i>New York Times</i> best-selling author of <i>Wings of Ebony</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;">"The perfect blend of emotion, sweet romance, and creepy imagery, <i>The Undead Truth of Us</i> is a journey you won’t soon forget."―<b>Lauren Blackwood, <i>New York Times</i> best-selling author of Within These Wicked Walls</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;">"<i>THE UNDEAD TRUTH OF US</i> is a revelation of a story, both macabre and magical, full of heartache, hope, and the infinite mysteries of love. I adore this book."―<b>Rebecca Podos, author of Lambda Award-winning novel <i>Like Water</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;">“<i>The Undead Truth of Us</i> is unlike any book I’ve ever read before. In this eerie and otherworldly story, Britney Lewis layers explorations of grief and love on the page like bright colors of paint on a canvas.”―<b>Elise Bryant, author of <i>Happily Ever Afters</i> and <i>One True Loves</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;">“A devastatingly poignant tale of grief, healing, and the monsters we make of ourselves and of others. In American popular culture zombies have been used to represent our greatest fears and what do we fear more than losing the people we love? In Zharie, Lewis has created a perfectly imperfect character―someone who is learning to navigate grief and love and friendship all at once. Her moments of vulnerability feel familiar as do her moments of healing and joy. This story is an emotional and gripping take on the classic zombie archetype. A must read for lovers of genre bending horror.”―<b>Kalynn Bayron, best-selling author of <i>Cinderella is Dead</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;">“A lament, but with fireworks.”―<b>Nafiza Azad, author of <i>The Wild Ones</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;">“A wonderful book full of lyrical prose, but also grief―and the painful, sometimes beautiful, steps we take to get through it.”―<b>Jessica Lewis, author of <i>Bad Witch Burning</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="color: #333333;">“Britney S. Lewis explores love and death in a debut that is tender, poetic, and wholly original.” </span><span style="color: #333333;">―<b>Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of <i>Labyrinth Lost</i></b></span></div><div><br /></div></div></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Warning: this is not your typical zombie book. Which is one of the things that makes The Undead Truth of Us by Britney S. Lewis stand-out. At the heart of it, this is a contemporary story dealing with grief and the multitude of ways that grief impacts someone's life. But it is also a story about rebirth. Grief, death, hope, and rebirth: if those aren't perfect topics to feature zombies in, I don't know what are.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Our main character, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia;">Zharie, lost her mother, the most important person in her life. But prior to her mother's actual death, Zharie was seeing zombies. She even saw her mother transform into one before the EMTs took her body away. Then zombies are popping up everywhere Zharie turns, and she doesn't understand why she is the only one who can see them. This brings Zharie to question things, as she navigates surviving the grief that has taken over, and forging a path to find her purpose again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia;">My favorite part of this book was the lyrical writing and the mirroring of post-impression art through Van Gogh himself. This book is character-driven, which is very different from most zombie books, most of which are action-driven. Zharie's use of viewing her reality through Van Gogh's art and questioning if what she is seeing is real or a hyper-reality is crafted with a deft hand. I would caution that this book has a deep threshold into it, and will definitely not be for every reader. However, if you do start reading, it will be worth it. Britney S. Lewis does such an amazing job crafting Zharie, and bringing her grief to life, that the slightly more complicated aspects of the book are not a barrier for long.</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia;"><i>The Undead Truth of Us</i> by Britney S. Lewis is not a normal zombie gore fest, which was such a breath of fresh air. Definitely a great debut, and makes me intrigued to read more books from her!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0MKV11x7mNYsVDfGh91yCBPpyG8U9Z2dXbilqw5hvVg94EuYjgjMmfDjfwausMAgSAFdpAusYN-NqKQA_I0S8UJg-k2qw0-54UYdLBr6m2f9chS4XCXGPu5XylC2RMmN7eOHpuXvA2u0XwU3iZHrcG3FmkPsGKDx3stSGKQhj2RWp1DwGDZCn98I/s635/4%20stars.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="156" data-original-width="635" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0MKV11x7mNYsVDfGh91yCBPpyG8U9Z2dXbilqw5hvVg94EuYjgjMmfDjfwausMAgSAFdpAusYN-NqKQA_I0S8UJg-k2qw0-54UYdLBr6m2f9chS4XCXGPu5XylC2RMmN7eOHpuXvA2u0XwU3iZHrcG3FmkPsGKDx3stSGKQhj2RWp1DwGDZCn98I/w453-h112/4%20stars.PNG" width="453" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDRWg1Wc3VtTHWcF6bJ1O4BSNN3Z7NnfVONi2lAzIgef02Gh6W47KZT2SJAtBGclxRo0BVFFSvcLo_fi8ca8kGdgXCQcnf2T4-awKb9p17Uf5k8VZdizUtQ9LeEbxQ50OjDSPx8PfV4ad_beB2pqxwyAbRW8wMcZVlpMY-DZOdJJg0eEUyygkHGVp/s970/undead%20truth%20excerpt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDRWg1Wc3VtTHWcF6bJ1O4BSNN3Z7NnfVONi2lAzIgef02Gh6W47KZT2SJAtBGclxRo0BVFFSvcLo_fi8ca8kGdgXCQcnf2T4-awKb9p17Uf5k8VZdizUtQ9LeEbxQ50OjDSPx8PfV4ad_beB2pqxwyAbRW8wMcZVlpMY-DZOdJJg0eEUyygkHGVp/w497-h154/undead%20truth%20excerpt.jpg" width="497" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">CHAPTER
ONE <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">FIVE
DAYS. FIVE . </span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;">That
was how long it took for Mama to turn into a zombie. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Day one she
was stoic. She refused to move from the couch, even after I turned off
the TV in the evening. I still remembered how frigid her face looked in
the dimness of the flickering candle before I blew it out. The spaces
above her cheeks were sunken in, eyes bulged away from her face. A wiggle
under there, only slightly, but it did. I saw it move. I saw it
twist. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">And her
brown skin looked frail and thin—any wrong move, and I was afraid it
would tear away in small slits, revealing the tissue beneath.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Mama . . .”
I whispered, creeping closer to her in the darkness. One foot after the
other, the floorboards creaking with each step. I wanted to know if she
was okay, if she was even awake, but she didn’t say anything. Looked at
her again, waited. She released a deep breath, the air cracking on its
way out. Sounded like something was in there, inching its way up her
trachea. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I left it
alone. Kissed her clammy head, pulled a blanket over her, and tucked her
in, hoping she’d be fine in the morning. And she <i>would </i>be fine. She
always was. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Day two was
strange. It began with her golden-brown eyes. They glazed into a cynical
gray like cataracts, and the brightness that used to be in them
dissipated like smoke in the wind. When she spoke, her sentences were
short and sloth-like—every word a complete struggle—almost as if someone had
stuffed cotton beneath her tongue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">On day
three, her veins oozed a thick green sludge under her skin. They pulsed
and vibrated, not quite right. And her shoulders slouched inward, like
they were weighed down by a thousand invisible moons, causing her inner
tide to disrupt entirely. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">As she
inched closer and closer to the invisible abyss, her dark cloud of
sadness stripped away the caramelized flesh from her face, leaving her
disfigured. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">By the
fourth day, every breath came with a creaking croak. It was like watching
a sped-up time lapse of a fire burning out. Everything I loved about her
was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">We didn’t
dance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">We didn’t
sing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">She wasn’t
the bleeding sunrise anymore—she was the deep, deep, dark ocean. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">And on
November 4, before daybreak, her last breath rolled up her throat and
turned her into the undead thing that I feared. It was the worst day of my
life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I found her
on the floor in the kitchen, and my throat swelled. Her body lay in the
fetal position, her right hand below her heart, crumpled like an old
rose. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">But I didn’t
get it. Zombies weren’t supposed to die so easily, yet Mama did. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">When the
EMTs came, I tried to tell them, but the words wouldn’t come out. They
couldn’t see that she wasn’t only dead—she was <i>undead</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">I—I, uh</span></i><span style="line-height: 107%;">, my thoughts stammered, all I could
do was stare blankly. How could they not see it? How was I the only
one? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">And she . .
.she needed more time. <i>We </i>needed more time. I didn’t understand.
What was wrong? How did she die? Was she <i>really </i>dead? But they rushed
her out, and I couldn’t move from that spot in the kitchen where I’d
found her. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Couldn’t
force the air out of my lungs. Couldn’t take any more steps
forward. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I tried to
hold myself, but a sharp pain in my navel forced me to my knees. I curled
into a ball on the laminate floor, and the smell of the brewing coffee nestled
in my nostrils, reminding me of how she was just here, alive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">She <i>was </i>alive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Closed my
eyes, warm cheek against the cold tile now. And she was gone. I knew she
was because of the permanent goosies on my arms. When Mama died, I think her
soul shattered into a Postimpressionist painting filled with yellows and
blues. We were the zigzagged, black lines in that painting, the birds.
And I swore I flew with her soul that day, the wind still fresh between
my fingers, but I couldn’t reach her. Didn’t matter how fast I flew, she
flew farther, and the sapphire horizon created a million miles between us. It
swallowed her. They later told me that her heart exploded in her chest. <i>Exploded</i>.
I didn’t know how that could be humanly possible, but when they told
me, I saw those colors again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">She was
yellow. I was blue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">She was dead
and undead, and now the earth was flooded with zombies, drowning me with
the constant reminder of Mama. <i>Why? </i>I didn’t know why. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">But
why? </span></i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I didn’t
know why. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">But I terribly,
terribly, terribly wanted to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></p></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_QNaDnrqQEcU_Qd2CEckn0dLUqizeKl5ghbsjwPbxcWiL1nyXwTcv9SK1OQrfa9muanjBZvcVk510-RA3fazjOLzHSikL0LXe7KqcEBR3LjlTv0L_LqnvmssJkx9IPI6W7NMKKnO5sCdF7Zx5laF053CSwfk_J_QoegD8Ijn1Dt1VlGReuPj8s7J/s5760/Britney.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5760" data-original-width="3840" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_QNaDnrqQEcU_Qd2CEckn0dLUqizeKl5ghbsjwPbxcWiL1nyXwTcv9SK1OQrfa9muanjBZvcVk510-RA3fazjOLzHSikL0LXe7KqcEBR3LjlTv0L_LqnvmssJkx9IPI6W7NMKKnO5sCdF7Zx5laF053CSwfk_J_QoegD8Ijn1Dt1VlGReuPj8s7J/w266-h400/Britney.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">About Britney S. Lewis:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Britney was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas where she fell in love with storytelling and the idea that magic moved and breathed in our world. After getting her Bachelor’s of Arts and Science, she worked in the world of marketing and communications for a few years before accepting a position as an editor for greeting cards where her job is to make sure to get the best words on paper. When she isn't daydreaming about new stories, Britney can be found binge-watching TV shows with her husband and pup or practicing West Coast Swing in one of her local dance studios. The Undead Truth of Us is her debut novel. For more information, you can follow her on social media @britneyslewis or visit her website at <a href="https://www.britneyslewis.com">https://www.britneyslewis.com</a></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.britneyslewis.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/britneyslewis" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/britney.s.lewis/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/britneylewisbooks" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@britneyslewis" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21077366.Britney_S_Lewis" target="_blank">Goodreads </a></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <i>THE UNDEAD TRUTH OF US</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ends 9/6/2022, midnight EST.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qQt53bbp3lc6xYO4MzsXaLeIEYLXnwu7EvhvN-sLMglNW_32GT_m3NpxywWutr35tyVNaV17MDdfsoZEgTFpMVS7owNuvHnviNHy8QPnnTwNZyrXgCyWETJjPP0rX1mL8D-DC7Rfamo3mK6-m0BV3g5zkxlt4DymdBMxcMF2WUf1UBYOUa8UEnGB/s520/Square%20undead%20truth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="518" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qQt53bbp3lc6xYO4MzsXaLeIEYLXnwu7EvhvN-sLMglNW_32GT_m3NpxywWutr35tyVNaV17MDdfsoZEgTFpMVS7owNuvHnviNHy8QPnnTwNZyrXgCyWETJjPP0rX1mL8D-DC7Rfamo3mK6-m0BV3g5zkxlt4DymdBMxcMF2WUf1UBYOUa8UEnGB/w399-h400/Square%20undead%20truth.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-47579051299461456152022-08-19T08:00:00.001-04:002022-08-19T08:00:00.178-04:00BLOG TOUR - GOBLIN MARKET BY DIANE ZAHLER - MIDDLE GRADE FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5l_PGmjbTqyewRlsD1mKPEV5A7EMi4UiqnUVARP5WIQOVYpGKdL4NJg4fkAZHk5H9UiaAFyH9vlMcnT_5RKUQEIINIwEZHUn8Y90d6fO_6fmf8gjGf5keAZ5P5yTdhiuOX3rA9c_NAssi8RrIbL3Z0Z7JsthGdag6larn38AiKa4URT4bmnONy6Ar/s615/GOBLIN%20MARKET%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5l_PGmjbTqyewRlsD1mKPEV5A7EMi4UiqnUVARP5WIQOVYpGKdL4NJg4fkAZHk5H9UiaAFyH9vlMcnT_5RKUQEIINIwEZHUn8Y90d6fO_6fmf8gjGf5keAZ5P5yTdhiuOX3rA9c_NAssi8RrIbL3Z0Z7JsthGdag6larn38AiKa4URT4bmnONy6Ar/w470-h184/GOBLIN%20MARKET%20(1).jpg" width="470" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am very excited to be a part of the blog tour for the latest release from author Diane Zahler, <i>Goblin Market</i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>.</i> Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl10whPRrAkw1-ay3CjSKPWJFF7IEI1sQBo24NbOUqObcs1KYbp9phMjHpZtRdZea7E8xqsMUkMFuPzrfY1V2mb27EIraF3WWSxia-uJ-XY_H0wpvmkPLqHCgDIjN_JaLjgc82N36FyzIvjOtn4hDbYW6Q4t_VRdBrkqzxbqgwXWOUKOBREk6_sSHc/s1500/GM%20COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl10whPRrAkw1-ay3CjSKPWJFF7IEI1sQBo24NbOUqObcs1KYbp9phMjHpZtRdZea7E8xqsMUkMFuPzrfY1V2mb27EIraF3WWSxia-uJ-XY_H0wpvmkPLqHCgDIjN_JaLjgc82N36FyzIvjOtn4hDbYW6Q4t_VRdBrkqzxbqgwXWOUKOBREk6_sSHc/w427-h640/GM%20COVER.jpg" width="427" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Goblin Market</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Authors(s)</b>: Diane Zahler<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: August 16,</span> 2022</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook; 256pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Holiday House<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3QnnwVj" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3JwipQu" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/goblin-market-diane-zahler/1140532511?ean=9780823450817" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/goblin-market/id1597036931?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Goblin-Market/Diane-Zahler/9780823450817?id=8292526258128" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fgoblin-market-10" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://tidd.ly/3butDZf" target="_blank">TBD</a> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">- </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9780823450817" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>8/8/2022 - YA Books Central - Excerpt</div><div>8/8/2022 - GryffindorBookishNerd - IG Review</div><div>8/9/2022 - hauntedbybooks - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/9/2022 - Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/10/2022 - Lifestyle of Me - Review </div><div>8/10/2022 - @allyluvsbooksalatte - IG Post</div><div>8/11/2022 - BookHounds YA - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>8/11/2022 - Kait Plus Books - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>8/12/2022 - Lisa-Queen of Random - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>8/12/2022 - onemused - IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>8/15/2022 - Nerdophiles - Review </div><div>8/15/2022 - Two Points of Interest - Review</div><div>8/16/2022 - Beers Books Boos - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/16/2022 - Celia's Reads - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/17/2022 - Littlefreelibrarygrahamnc - IG Review</div><div>8/17/2022 - The Momma Spot - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/18/2022 - A Backwards Story - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/18/2022 - @jypsylynn - IG Review</div><div>8/19/2022 - @amysbooknook8 - IG Review</div><div>8/19/2022 - Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><b>One sister must save the other from a goblin prince in this rich, spooky, and delightfully dark fantasy!</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Lizzie and Minka are sisters, but they’re nothing alike: Minka is outgoing and cheerful, while Lizzie is shy and sensitive. Nothing much ever happens in their sleepy village—there are fields to tend, clothes to mend, and weekly trips to the market, predictable as the turning of the seasons. Lizzie likes it that way. It’s safe. It’s comfortable. She hopes nothing will ever change. </div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">But one day, Minka meets a boy. </div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">A boy who gives her a plum to eat. </div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">He is charming. He is handsome. He tells her that she’s special. He tells her no one understands her like he does—not her parents, not her friends, not even Lizzie. He tells her she should come away with him, into the darkness, into the forest. . . .</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Minka has been bewitched and ensnared by a zdusze—a goblin. His plum was poison, his words are poison, and strange things begin to happen. Trees bleed, winds howl, a terrible sickness descends on Minka, and deep in the woods, in a place beyond sunshine, beyond reality, a wedding table has been laid. . . .</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">To save her sister, Lizzie will have to find courage she never knew she had—courage to confront the impossible—and enter into a world of dreams, danger, and death.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;">Rich world-building inspired by both Polish folklore and the poetry of Christina Rossetti combines with a tender sister story in this thrilling novel from Diane Zahler.</div></div></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59849909-goblin-market" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>)</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Praise for <i>Goblin Market</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">:</span></b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">"TERRIFICALLY
TIMELESS. . . SPLENDID."—<i>Shelf Awareness</i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">"Lush. . . Dreamy. . . Breath-quickening."—<i>The Horn Book</i></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">"Resonates with emotion."—<i>BCCB</i></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">"Believably wrought."—<i>Publishers Weekly</i></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">"Will entice readers looking for some chills."—<i>Kirkus Reviews</i></div><div><br /></div></div></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I really love when classic books and poetry are adapted for a different audience, so I was really interested to see how Diane Zahler reinterpreted Christina Rosetti's poem "Goblin Market" for middle grade in Zahler' latest release, <i>Goblin Market.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Set in a fantasy world that is reminiscent of Poland, our story follows two sisters: older, outgoing Minka, and younger, shy Lizzie (or </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #171219;">Elzbieta). Lizzie and Minka have a strong connection, with Minka being one of the few people who believe Lizzie when she says she can "see" sounds. Lizzie has s</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">ynesthesia, which is when a person experiences one of their senses through another. And while the reader finds out this is a strength, it has "othered" Lizzie in a sense.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">The fantasy aspect of this book is great. There are a lot of interpretations of Rosetti's original poem, but it can also be read as an actual fantasy poem, which is the direction this story takes </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"> (Diane Zahler talks about this in a </span><a href="https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2022/08/17/in-the-haunted-glen-finding-the-middle-grade-in-goblin-market-a-guest-post-by-diane-zahler/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">guest post</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"> on the School Library Journal blog). The more Polish roots lend very well to the story, giving the world a darker, deeper feel. The villains of the story, the </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="word-spacing: 0.3px;">zdusze (goblins) come from Slavic lore, and just fit into the deep forest that surrounds the girls' town. Emil, the goblin boy who bewitches Minka, is sinister in a very subtle way. Emil's interactions with Minka, and even Lizzie, read as a type of seduction, but one of dream fulfillment; nothing racy here, this is a middle grade after all!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="word-spacing: 0.3px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="word-spacing: 0.3px;">But besides the fantastical aspects, the heart of this story is the connection between the sisters. The love that Minka and Lizzie share is beautifully depicted. In true fairy tale fashion, love conquers all. In this case, the love of a sister. Being extremely close to my older sibling, I appreciated that Lizzie was able to grow within the older sister/younger sister dynamic she and Minka share; Lizzie is able to develop into a stronger person because her sister needs her. While both girls experience character growth, you really see Lizzie come into her own. Zahler also utilizes Lizzie's </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #171219; font-family: georgia;">s</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: georgia;">ynesthesia in a very pivotal way, bolstering her confidence even more.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="word-spacing: 0.3px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="word-spacing: 0.3px;"><i>Goblin Market</i> by Diane Zahler is a great fantasy story, perfect for heading into the autumn season. I think readers who know the Rosetti poem while be delighted to see the hints of it throughout the story, but anyone can enjoy this journey. Danger, magic, and the power of love make for one dynamic book!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4lU21SJczsFNN1EVED4Pjn9WD3n6GKjW5Y9C0OST32Da8fXXpXfKQw1I_3_OV_QKeeHIP2Mx58heuB4P7pDzzwqtoAdwLUsegc2nM6SXYETDJX0hUHmM-Y9lUhrR29FViX25xqgKVYDWPG4zw5A6DEpqh3jD8uhRyUQBcqfy5sxgLGOMppoStRBm/s320/4%20stars.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="320" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4lU21SJczsFNN1EVED4Pjn9WD3n6GKjW5Y9C0OST32Da8fXXpXfKQw1I_3_OV_QKeeHIP2Mx58heuB4P7pDzzwqtoAdwLUsegc2nM6SXYETDJX0hUHmM-Y9lUhrR29FViX25xqgKVYDWPG4zw5A6DEpqh3jD8uhRyUQBcqfy5sxgLGOMppoStRBm/w400-h99/4%20stars.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Chapter 1</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Market day was Lizzie’s favorite day of the week. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not because she loved going to the market—the few times she’d been there, she’d hated it. There were so many people she didn’t know, from villages and farms clear on the other side of Elza. So much noise, such constant comings and goings, so many smells and colors! It was overwhelming, terrifying. Each time she’d ended up hiding in a doorway at the edge of the square, trembling, until Mother and Minka came to find her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now Minka went to market on her own. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mother was delighted that Minka was old enough to go alone: she could stay home and attend to the chores. And Lizzie was delighted that she could steal into the Wood for an hour or two when she was done helping Father in the fields. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the Wood, Lizzie always went to the same place, a little stand of birch trees beside a trickling stream. If it was warm and the sun shone down onto the circle of grass inside the grove, she would lie and look up at the sky. She could feel the breath of the Wood as the wind rustled the birch leaves. She could hear the Wood’s chuckle in the water running over rocks. Sometimes she felt as if the Wood’s heart thrummed inside her body. Her own pulse matched the Wood’s, beat for beat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If it was cold, she would wrap up in her shawl and walk to stay warm, just listening—to bird songs, to the creak of branches rubbing together, to the rustle of rabbits and squirrels in the underbrush. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For Lizzie, each sound was a color. When she was younger, seven or eight, she’d sat at the kitchen table and tried to paint what she heard, but Minka laughed and pointed at her painted trees, saying, “Leaves aren’t gray, silly! And those don’t even look like trees. They look like sticks with clouds on top.” Minka loved to paint. She did it whenever she had a few minutes free of chores, and sometimes instead of chores. She mostly used watercolors, but if she had a few extra coppers, she would go into Elza and buy a tube of oil paint—cerulean blue, or chartreuse, or violet—and paint the whitewashed walls of the cottage with flowers and intricate designs, inside and out. Her lips were always tinted blue or green because she chewed on her brushes when she thought about what to paint. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“We don’t have any silver paint,” Lizzie said. “I had to use gray.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Leaves aren’t silver, either,” Minka pointed out. “They’re green. Or red and orange in the autumn.” She took the paintbrush, dipped it, and in a few moments there was a tree on the paper, brown and green and almost as real as life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“But the sound the leaves make is silver,” Lizzie protested. “In springtime, anyway.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Minka rolled her eyes. “What does that even mean?” she asked. “The sound the leaves make is silver?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“It’s the color they make when they rustle together,” Lizzie said. “When the breeze blows. You know, the wavery lines of silver?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Minka’s face was blank. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You don’t see that?” Lizzie was confused. The idea that other people didn’t see what she saw was new to her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“You do see that? Actually see it?” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Excerpt from Goblin Market / Text copyright © 2022 by Diane Zahler. Reproduced by permission from Holiday House Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75FVmmAYWKf4pOyhX-iKJVAE_-vklg8kyQtKf45RdJ7U_qP-p8i9YP4uqn5BCLrn7o3_DsO3GNoCEw6dW1Kr7qA2F-EktxndGhS5L7eeH0Nt6kDHbo0lnWByKJlqeAdOCPDdVIlHuEeinNdNVPJTt9f8r8IkUFKYD7OHet7qopqV4XgLy0TBx3ZPW/s3501/Zahler%20headshot_credit%20Ben%20Sicker.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3246" data-original-width="3501" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75FVmmAYWKf4pOyhX-iKJVAE_-vklg8kyQtKf45RdJ7U_qP-p8i9YP4uqn5BCLrn7o3_DsO3GNoCEw6dW1Kr7qA2F-EktxndGhS5L7eeH0Nt6kDHbo0lnWByKJlqeAdOCPDdVIlHuEeinNdNVPJTt9f8r8IkUFKYD7OHet7qopqV4XgLy0TBx3ZPW/s320/Zahler%20headshot_credit%20Ben%20Sicker.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">About Diane Zahler:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Diane grew up reading children's books and never wanted to do anything but write them. Now she’s the author of six middle-grade fantasy novels and a historical novel, <i>Daughter of the White Rose</i>. She lives in the country with her husband and slightly neurotic dog in what is aptly nicknamed the Bug House. Visit her website at <a href="http://www.dianezahler.com">www.dianezahler.com</a>.</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dianezahler.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/dianezahler" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dianezahler1/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/zahlerdiane/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/182166.Diane_Zahler" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3oY4eKo" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diane-zahler" target="_blank">BookBub</a> </div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <i>GOBLIN MARKET</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21511/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgcc5X1u7p723dzK3naDFjfgHYCwF3rfp3xe9OecVJ47j5DuaN-Rhq4RWjEpL0rnBuHJ6tV_sD9_usemJmXFnwU1Y9DX8vgWSOaTH4vFV-TJW3CtzOb3tG3wprwalEw5qG3CtHOVx5O7um5FBP24i2wpRF2OGdTMMUvxQ-TlIeFkTTRQKHYhyiv1c/s320/GOBLIN%20MARKET%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-89768603576408357662022-08-08T08:00:00.004-04:002022-08-10T11:46:24.607-04:00BLOG TOUR - THE HONEYS BY RYAN LA SALA - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1_WIBajuQp1ULBSeOFFnrTROYsSS-CTK-Esg0NqTNL40hIUiN04GzrIFIdFO4nUZ0QjzNy0ddl-MKYwkZkhMx1XOOnh1C-g_skPHAEmjdBPQ0wdL0IG-NHqtIM94T4IS6mfSlYzOVwB2FgbEAvGanT54rtiUQ-X2APRYpoZEsRy1bsOVHyqXqU3C/s615/THE%20HONEYS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1_WIBajuQp1ULBSeOFFnrTROYsSS-CTK-Esg0NqTNL40hIUiN04GzrIFIdFO4nUZ0QjzNy0ddl-MKYwkZkhMx1XOOnh1C-g_skPHAEmjdBPQ0wdL0IG-NHqtIM94T4IS6mfSlYzOVwB2FgbEAvGanT54rtiUQ-X2APRYpoZEsRy1bsOVHyqXqU3C/w390-h152/THE%20HONEYS.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am very excited to be a part of the blog tour for the latest release from author Ryan La Sala</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">, <i>The Honeys.</i> Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLsQpjtMh1BydR-TK5ksB2B79CefHoQZyG7bIlKRG4YAfzEAHWm_yJ5wOVvqlekDOZGM1K5j0CmUuFbUcnnVR_gdM3TfgbDm-xopqLuKq0JHkan-kMvmcLsTeG2x71Ch2T9r1Vdzvs60yvPwEtv8bg6iyNRRK_74olpiK-zHpQlIfY4cdLmfXmodZ/s2475/The%20Honeys%20-%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLsQpjtMh1BydR-TK5ksB2B79CefHoQZyG7bIlKRG4YAfzEAHWm_yJ5wOVvqlekDOZGM1K5j0CmUuFbUcnnVR_gdM3TfgbDm-xopqLuKq0JHkan-kMvmcLsTeG2x71Ch2T9r1Vdzvs60yvPwEtv8bg6iyNRRK_74olpiK-zHpQlIfY4cdLmfXmodZ/w426-h640/The%20Honeys%20-%20Cover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>The Honeys</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Authors(s)</b>: Ryan La Sala<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: August 16,</span> 2022</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 352 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: PUSH (Scholastic Press)<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3z7oxd2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3OvtFNO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3b5OfXx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Audible</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-honeys-ryan-la-sala/1140074403?ean=9781338745313" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-honeys/id1583325187?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Honeys/Ryan-La-Sala/9781338745313?id=8292526258128" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fthe-honeys-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://tidd.ly/3ou45OC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TBD</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">- </span><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781338745313" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>8/1/2022 - YA Books Central - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>8/2/2022 - Lisa Loves Literature - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/3/2022 - @ReaderOfTheWrittenWord - IG Review</div><div>8/4/2022 - A Dream Within A Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/5/2022 - One More Exclamation - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/6/2022 - Nerdophiles - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>8/7/2022 - My.Bookish.Mind - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>8/8/2022 - Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/9/2022 - @amysbooknook8 - IG Review</div><div>8/10/2022 - Do You Dog-ear? - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/11/2022 - Brandi Danielle Davis - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>8/12/2022 - A Bookish Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/13/2022 - Mallory Books - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>8/14/2022 - booksaremagictoo - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/15/2022 - onemused - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/16/2022 - @ReadsReaders - YouTube Review/IG Post</div><div>8/17/2022 - Momfluenster - IG Review/FB Post</div><div>8/18/2022 - @enjoyingbooksagain - IG Review</div><div>8/19/2022 - @lexijava - Review/IG Post</div><div>8/20/2022 - @drewsim12 - IG Review/TikTok Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><b>From Ryan La Sala, the wildly popular author of <i>Reverie</i>, comes a twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer retreat.</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline's radiance. But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who'd grown tragically distant.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">Mars's genderfluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions -- and expectations -- of his politically connected family. This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much of her time. But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">What Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale not meant for him. Folksy charm and sun-drenched festivities camouflage old-fashioned gender roles and a toxic preparatory rigor. Mars seeks out his sister's old friends: a group of girls dubbed the Honeys, named for the beehives they maintain behind their cabin. They are beautiful and terrifying -- and Mars is certain they're connected to Caroline's death.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">But the longer he stays at Aspen, the more the sweet mountain breezes give way to hints of decay. Mars’s memories begin to falter, bleached beneath the relentless summer sun. Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind. If Mars can't find it soon, it will eat him alive.</div></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/5433043046446577726/8976860357640835766#">Goodreads</a>)</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">Praise for <i>The Honeys</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">:</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">"Pure horror gold." - <b><i>Booklist</i> STARRED review</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">"Tantalizing and memorable." - <b><i>Publisher's Weekly</i> STARRED review</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">"As rich and complex as dark amber honey." – <i><b>Kirkus</b></i></div></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">An idyllic woods filled with reality-shifting secrets is the setting for Ryan La Sala's queer horror novel The Honeys. The horror should not be taken lightly, as La Sala crafts a psychological minefield, amidst the backdrop of a pristine summer camp. Just when you think you know what's happening, a new twist appears and the stakes grow higher and higher.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mars, our main character, has a lot of history with Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy; a camp for the rich and influential, if you don't conform to the ideals of camp, then you are ostracized. Mars, who is queer and genderfluid, breaks the binary that Aspen has in place, making them a prime target when they were younger, and causes them to leave. But once their twin sister, Caroline, dies under very suspicious circumstances, Mars heads to the last place she was: Aspen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is a lot of social commentary mixed into this horror tale; the gender binary, sexism, toxic masculinity, the influence of the affluent to just name a few. La Sala dives into both the internal and external pressure these things create and how empowering and frightening living as one's authentic self can be. The use of bees and how the rigid gender roles within a hive reflect out into the camp itself, and the groups of teens is so well-crafted. La Sala really does an excellent job of creating a horror the reflects both the mundane and the supernatural.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As with most horror mysteries, I can't go much into the plot, but Mars himself is not always a reliable narrator, but then the others around him are unreliable as well. His trust gets broken, his beliefs get reshaped, and it all comes to a head at the end of the book. This was a very satisfying story, one I couldn't put down because as you got another taste, you just wanted more. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dark academia taking place in a sunlight meadow, <i>The Honeys</i> by Ryan La Sala is one book that should grace everyone's reading list, and is the perfect read to finish out the summer months.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iXHoSGfCSwPIXup7dyLdku2IoK8_HL9lygnaDdZLGp3peQkVsGapWQjoo2ni-P-8FBejsiL41QOH7TdZjL_pxmJbPRj5m5p6sen6rUqKqPfck74EvKykePvpov6xF9WaFdmz7qtj2QmBconhxllxGZQV378yO5n-M35fD6KvTWpsoWf3EhODsO2E/s889/4.5%20stars.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="889" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iXHoSGfCSwPIXup7dyLdku2IoK8_HL9lygnaDdZLGp3peQkVsGapWQjoo2ni-P-8FBejsiL41QOH7TdZjL_pxmJbPRj5m5p6sen6rUqKqPfck74EvKykePvpov6xF9WaFdmz7qtj2QmBconhxllxGZQV378yO5n-M35fD6KvTWpsoWf3EhODsO2E/w382-h92/4.5%20stars.jpg" width="382" /></span></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimaF_LPpVtbwunUVdMCIQrWezPXs3XYVakpCeNB_HRZeO7Yf7RBtD0DVrfdjLUTZnVpAbCqED3sfN74jl9gL-FJZvVowSExSOu-bLHTTppbphIQ0FOHVRiZAqL902HRxZJ0Ph4O7Tq3MFNyExLDHbe7q9khIvrD-_bZPLaCjbIsJGtYQ7OazCOlBs/s3026/Ryan%20La%20Sala%20(by%20Shams%20Ahmed).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3026" data-original-width="2269" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimaF_LPpVtbwunUVdMCIQrWezPXs3XYVakpCeNB_HRZeO7Yf7RBtD0DVrfdjLUTZnVpAbCqED3sfN74jl9gL-FJZvVowSExSOu-bLHTTppbphIQ0FOHVRiZAqL902HRxZJ0Ph4O7Tq3MFNyExLDHbe7q9khIvrD-_bZPLaCjbIsJGtYQ7OazCOlBs/w300-h400/Ryan%20La%20Sala%20(by%20Shams%20Ahmed).jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">About Ryan La Sala:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ryan La Sala writes about surreal things happening to queer people.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ryan resides in New York City, but only physically. Escapist to the core, he spends most of his time in the astral planes and only takes up corporeal form for special occasions, like brunch and to watch anime (which is banned on the astral planes).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ryan is the author behind the riotously imaginative <i><a href="http://www.ryanlasala.com/reverie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reverie</a></i>, and the brilliantly constructed <i><a href="https://www.ryanlasala.com/be-dazzled/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Be Dazzled</a></i>, and the highly anticipated <i><a href="https://www.ryanlasala.com/the-honeys/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Honeys</a></i>. He has been featured in <a href="https://ew.com/books/author-interviews/new-wave-of-fantasy-feature/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Entertainment Weekly</a>, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/07/785580474/reverie-dreams-outside-the-box" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NPR</a>, <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/12/04/sailor-moon-and-the-gorgeous-meditation/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tor.com</a>, and one time Shangela from RuPaul’s Drag Race called him cute. Right in the middle of the road downtown! So. Pretty big deal all around, yes?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">His next book, <i>The Honeys</i>, will be publish with Scholastic on August 16, 2022.</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ryanlasala.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/theryanlasala" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theryanlasala/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theryanlasala" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdSEi9_QgtUHnouxMhXdfXw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18032283.Ryan_La_Sala" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3BfDPPG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ryan-la-sala" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BookBub</a> </div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <i>THE HONEYS</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21505/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ348OADnNPcUsqgkquyOrc13T4PWa535hz1yR-0NCLTB_AxEVV6LO6tTbZHAUs2-uKj8o9ni97GQJqJMUeI-qtJN-veStR92UigecHe9BHENCskvOf09G5aqf_S4_WfKo8uKzbHDSOpg0tvmvSl_IDNJ4UvbCkK73bsjZn_fXQ5EvOGvS0mj4w9y/s320/THE%20HONEYS%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-50066726870650081292022-07-14T08:00:00.004-04:002022-07-14T14:26:36.229-04:00BOOK REVIEW - A PERFECT MISTAKE BY MELANIE CONKLIN (MIDDLE GRADE)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr40Axq9LKLcHvsZ_LFaXcWTBIfGOz1qzEgK9au7krPdGzQ85tVBqXj0920ex2s00d_F_mkj44XsTXsmRsDOZULHOopVjj-xjjoqOhK8e0cyNIzGCeE-y9Hdq0JHeaM-pmF3S2Tmyjvx3Pj6zH2P_cL5Lg0zaFf36v5ZptpqObClQl35HaswIrKBOa/s2288/ND2ER-KA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2288" data-original-width="1575" height="619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr40Axq9LKLcHvsZ_LFaXcWTBIfGOz1qzEgK9au7krPdGzQ85tVBqXj0920ex2s00d_F_mkj44XsTXsmRsDOZULHOopVjj-xjjoqOhK8e0cyNIzGCeE-y9Hdq0JHeaM-pmF3S2Tmyjvx3Pj6zH2P_cL5Lg0zaFf36v5ZptpqObClQl35HaswIrKBOa/w425-h619/ND2ER-KA.jpeg" width="425" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>A Perfect Mistake</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Author</b>: Melanie Conklin<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: July 12, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 273 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers<br /><b>Source</b>: Publisher<br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Mistake-Melanie-Conklin/dp/0316668583/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1657656527&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-perfect-mistake-melanie-conklin/1140500766?ean=9780316668583" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Perfect-Mistake/Melanie-Conklin/9780316668583?id=8575840251052" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Perfect-Mistake-Melanie-Conklin/9780316668583?ref=grid-view&qid=1657656664782&sr=1-2" target="_blank">TBD</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/a-perfect-mistake/9780316668583" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. </span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Summary</b></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>A moving, voice-driven novel about friendship, responsibility, and fighting against unfair expectations, for fans of Rebecca Stead and Erin Entrada Kelly.</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Max wishes he could go back in time to before he was diagnosed with ADHD, before he grew to be the tallest kid in his class, and before he and his best friends went into the woods in the middle of the night. Max doesn’t remember what happened after he left his friends Will and Joey and the older kids who took them there. He’s not sure if he wants to remember. Knowing isn’t going to make Joey talk to him again, or bring Will out of his coma.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When the local authorities run out of leads, Max realizes that without his help, they may never know what really happened to Will. Charged by the idea that he may be the key to uncovering the truth, Max pairs up with classmate and aspiring journalist Sam to investigate what really happened that night. But not everyone in the community wants that night to be remembered.</span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59568387-a-perfect-mistake" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span><br /></span></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Praise for <i>A Perfect Mistake</i></b>:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"<i>A Perfect Mistake</i> is a compelling novel of friendship, responsibility, and standing up for what's right, even when it's hard. I love all of Melanie Conklin's books. They just get better and better. This is my favorite so far."―<b>Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Medal winner of <i>Hello, Universe</i> and Newbery Honor author of <i>We Dream of Space</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">“A creepy and dark setting, misleading clues, threats against the investigator--what more do you want in a mystery? But as it turns out, Max faces even deeper mysteries in discovering himself and his place in the world, and in the end, those are the poignant discoveries we're cheering about. A powerful novel that affirms difference and openness as we watch a boy hold onto friendship with a grip that will not let go.”―<b>Two-time Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">“Accurately reflecting the experiences of adolescents with ADHD, Conklin crafts a must--read mystery filled with heart.”―<b>Adrianna Cuevas, Pura Belpré honor author of <i>The</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez </i>and <i>Cuba in My Pocket</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Once you start reading you won't want to stop!"―<b>Lisa Fipps, author of Michael L. Printz Honor Book <i>Starfish</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Conklin expertly portrays Max’s challenges, diving deeply into what it means to be accountable and not to carry guilt that isn’t yours to own. Middle-grade realistic fiction and mystery lovers will gobble this one up."―<b><i>Booklist</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">“[G]ripping. Mystery and just a little peril make an absorbing vehicle for an exploration of ADHD.”―<i><b>Kirkus Reviews</b></i></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="305" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n-GzmhFIxN8" width="457" youtube-src-id="n-GzmhFIxN8"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was so glad to have the opportunity to read Melanie Conklin's latest middle grade book, <i>A Perfect Mistake</i>. Her previous two books, <i>Counting Thyme</i> and <i>Every Missing Piece</i>, were great , so I knew this one would be as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The story is told in 1st person, following Max, a newly minted 6th grader, who towers over all the other students with his growth spurt to 6 feet tall. On top of that, Max was also recently diagnosed with ADHD. So he has a lot going on. But the worst thing to happen, was his best friend Will's accident. Max is determined to figure out what happened to Will, and why his other best friend, Joey, is no longer talking to him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is such an amazing, age-appropriate mystery. Max teams up with his classmate and budding journalist, Sam, to investigate just what happened the night Will got hurt. With Max's ADHD, and his own fright from the events of the night, the pieces of the puzzle take a little bit to come together. Conklin does a perfect job crafting each clue, and allows Max and Sam to really sleuth alá <i>The Hardy Boys</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Overlaying the main mystery is also Max's personal struggles. His height makes adults treat him differently from other 11 year olds, and his ADHD means he processes things differently. Max feels a lot of guilt about what happened to Will, so there is also openness about therapy, both for his ADHD and the accident surrounding Will. Conklin really explores these topics in a way that is relatable to actual kids. Everything Max learns or discovers feels genuine, and never as if an adult is telling the story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Friendship is also a big part of this story. Not just male friendships, but co-gender friendships. It is refreshing to see such a strong friendship develop between Sam and Max, but also to see how deep Will's and Joey's friendship (or lack thereof) effects Max. The changing nature of these different friendships is set out so clearly that you, as the reader, feel them too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">6th grade can be a tumultuous time for anyone, but Conklin really brings freshness and authenticity to the additional challenges and benefits that ADHD brings. The way Max learns to function in the world, and the challenges he has to overcome, is written with grace. I think that Conklin did another amazing job at looking at what most would consider an "adult topic", but which effects kids, and presents it in a very real way for those very kids. This is a really fantastic part to all of Conklin's stories, and one that makes them so impressive for adult readers, and timely for young readers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I recommend this to fans of <i>The Thing About Jellyfish</i> by Ali Benjamin and <i>Fish in a Tree</i> by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Pretty much anyone who wants a really engrossing story. <b>You'll get hooked by the mystery, but stay for the heart.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wdg8ctWiBebFfMPQzVmhfah1EWQUed_3T9BAFLHJKcTVAhrf2g6po0Bu12Z37-37IRpW0kYgs1KpxNqyLHELoDGXZlUnqhoK1-FHdf0lheiggZn_mvjprINDGeK2IcdpK-DcDfI3TnWpp-bKzCFNXDSIcA5RBp3GTW9gFuxg6Z6v4zWcYRkvEn-V/s889/4.5%20stars.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="889" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wdg8ctWiBebFfMPQzVmhfah1EWQUed_3T9BAFLHJKcTVAhrf2g6po0Bu12Z37-37IRpW0kYgs1KpxNqyLHELoDGXZlUnqhoK1-FHdf0lheiggZn_mvjprINDGeK2IcdpK-DcDfI3TnWpp-bKzCFNXDSIcA5RBp3GTW9gFuxg6Z6v4zWcYRkvEn-V/w400-h96/4.5%20stars.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Authors</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds34Htkx9y3HAShVSKjwwaI1GkWv9DbBQc1ru3dzl8yP8ljjMzi1Eb-f0Z6dd3fuyHerDlhyOntBlUsWcrYN4mEYfTlH61V32wYqNgnCa0vcyjkTcu3vdQ4cVRpiySHxa4KkGy-wd2p068Y4gBx-J0ixKDB8QzahdZUJhimpLkVLfiKc5lVXbymsV/s700/melanie.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds34Htkx9y3HAShVSKjwwaI1GkWv9DbBQc1ru3dzl8yP8ljjMzi1Eb-f0Z6dd3fuyHerDlhyOntBlUsWcrYN4mEYfTlH61V32wYqNgnCa0vcyjkTcu3vdQ4cVRpiySHxa4KkGy-wd2p068Y4gBx-J0ixKDB8QzahdZUJhimpLkVLfiKc5lVXbymsV/s320/melanie.jpg.webp" width="229" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><div>Melanie Conklin grew up in North Carolina and worked as a product designer before she</div><div>began her writing career. Her debut middle grade novel, <i>Counting Thyme</i>, is a Bank Street Best Children’s Book, winner of the International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choice Award, and nominated to four state reading lists. She is also the author of <i>Every Missing Piece</i>, <i>A Perfect Mistake</i> (2022), and her picture book debut, <i>When You Have to Wait</i> (2023). When she’s not writing, Melanie spends her time doodling and dreaming up new ways to be creative. She lives in New Jersey with her family</div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.melanieconklin.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/MLConklin" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://mlconklin.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8041873.Melanie_Conklin" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-41851626303169005402022-06-27T08:00:00.001-04:002022-06-27T08:41:07.375-04:00BLOG TOUR - VERSE BOOK TWO: THE SECOND GATE BY SAM BECK - GRAPHIC NOVEL [SPOTLIGHT + GIVEAWAY]<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kTNiIUha1IhlmMU73f7vEkieN6j1PvnzBjVCHdhKdOICxXPCFpnt_61w_WZTf_FBXBrzWvzLYLumYoP2PUiV79TdM0tf8tE90ky4nGlbCUL_ZFYQnsf53yzKq-kJo4QH3OTRAUaFvHJMAolu6kLlXORyzrQ9z2L72Fp-5JfupHsE4jlwifH67AW5/s615/VERSE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kTNiIUha1IhlmMU73f7vEkieN6j1PvnzBjVCHdhKdOICxXPCFpnt_61w_WZTf_FBXBrzWvzLYLumYoP2PUiV79TdM0tf8tE90ky4nGlbCUL_ZFYQnsf53yzKq-kJo4QH3OTRAUaFvHJMAolu6kLlXORyzrQ9z2L72Fp-5JfupHsE4jlwifH67AW5/w419-h164/VERSE.jpg" width="419" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am thrilled to be hosting a spotlight stop on the <i>VERSE BOOK 2: THE SECOND GATE</i> by Sam Beck Blog Tour hosted by <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a>. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway! <br /></span><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpYwP-d0NM8i_pmYGnMGzProiZpCHWKrshh7OlSExBRAeGtMAAx2xV9NZHSz01IUVLYk07XOVEh0qNpxOOW0dSgXgJVV2iSrq0rHqn1oBR2ulK5x96HN0LWOkHx2uO5NqrkEGQxgEgvVp99ATXJbagI7hsK-Ko3-ajwgbLENt7tE8nnFRiD1PSi8w/s2100/verse-book-2-9781638490746_hr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpYwP-d0NM8i_pmYGnMGzProiZpCHWKrshh7OlSExBRAeGtMAAx2xV9NZHSz01IUVLYk07XOVEh0qNpxOOW0dSgXgJVV2iSrq0rHqn1oBR2ulK5x96HN0LWOkHx2uO5NqrkEGQxgEgvVp99ATXJbagI7hsK-Ko3-ajwgbLENt7tE8nnFRiD1PSi8w/w426-h640/verse-book-2-9781638490746_hr.jpg" width="426" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Verse Book Two: The Second Gate</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Authors(s)</b>: Sam Beck<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: June 28, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Paperback, eBook; 256 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Wonderbound<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3mERura" target="_blank">Amazon </a>- <a href="https://amzn.to/3Hf6zci" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/verse-book-2-sam-beck/1140377043?ean=9781638490746" target="_blank">B&N </a>- <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Verse-Book/Sam-Beck/9781638490746?id=8563331172289#" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/verse-book-2/id1599402759?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - </span><span><a href="https://tidd.ly/3NIbkxt" target="_blank">TBD</a> </span><span>- </span><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781638490746" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>6/13/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Momma Spot - Guest Post</div><div>6/14/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Sadie's Spotlight - Guest Post/IG Post</div><div>6/15/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>BookHounds YA - Guest Post/IG Post</div><div>6/16/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Ya Books Central - Guest Post</div><div>6/17/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Two Chicks on Books - Guest Post</div><div>6/18/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@jaimerockstarbooktours - IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>6/19/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Lady Hawkeye - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>6/20/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Read With Serena - Review/IG Post</div><div>6/21/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Living in a Bookworld - Guest Post</div><div>6/22/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog - Spotlight</div><div>6/23/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Lifestyle of Me - Review/IG Post</div><div>6/24/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Rajiv's Reviews - Review/IG Post</div><div>6/25/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@thechattybookworm - TikTok Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>6/26/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Fire and Ice - Review</div><div>6/27/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Eli to the nth - Spotlight</div><div>6/28/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nonbinary Knight Reads - Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div><div>6/29/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Library of Alexandria Archives - Review/IG Post</div><div>6/30/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>TakeALookAtMyBookshelf - Review/IG Post</div><div>7/1/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Bookwyrm's Den - Review</div><div>7/2/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Backwards Story - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>7/3/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nerdophiles - Review/IG Post</div><div>7/4/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>modefii - Review/IG Post</div><div>7/5/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@allyluvsbooksalatte - Review/IG Post</div><div>7/6/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Two Points of Interest - Review</div><div>7/7/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>onemused - IG Post</div><div>7/8/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>beersbooksandboos - Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b>FACE THE MAGIC</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b>THE BATTLE FOR THE FUTURE OF MAGIC HAS TAKEN ITS FIRST PRISONER.</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">Held captive by the leaders of a dangerous new movement, Neitya is forced to face a darker side of her abilities that threaten to tear her away from Fife, her only true friend. The only way back to one another may be to follow their destinies down divergent paths and discover what it means to face their worst fears alone. </div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">Book 2 of the three-book original graphic novel fantasy series!</div></div></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59365393-verse-book-2" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /><b>REVIEWS:</b><br /><br />“<i>Verse's</i> rich drawings and colours beautifully illustrate a complicated, engaging fantasy world filled with sympathetic characters. I can't wait to learn more about them as their journey continues!" -- Faith Erin Hicks ― <i>The Nameless City</i> - Comics Creator, Writer, Artist<br /> <br /> "An intricately woven tale of magic and mystery, Sam Beck has written and illustrated an unforgettable story." -- Victoria Ying ― Illustrator - <i>Diana Princess of the Amazons</i>, <i>I Kissed Alice</i>, and more!<br /> <br /> "<i>Verse</i> is the sort of book you spend hours pouring over, even after the first read. Every single page is a visual delight – I lingered on every panel and relished every page-turn. Sam expertly crafts a sprawling world full of gripping characters and thrilling stakes that transported me to another dimension– it's the kind of book I would have devoured as a teenager, and certainly still love now." -- Hannah Templer ― Artist - <i>Cosmoknights</i></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzA7v57Ax1wt4jpaOVzzupyUZHka8GMYUzb_tZKtqmGxJXVNUC-fZKkUu_2kmqQ-2tS_2meQgvi0JrwJJQEuBWYgnhiBF0H2-xBT7Y_ZPPstiv0L5uWKZ1wn6MHRmuX1s6xiVBp9LTpEMLbGyg9ccWUyAMJjon2Y9gDGdX8bQKZ4Y7CyOE6kufzRKy/s364/Verse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="243" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzA7v57Ax1wt4jpaOVzzupyUZHka8GMYUzb_tZKtqmGxJXVNUC-fZKkUu_2kmqQ-2tS_2meQgvi0JrwJJQEuBWYgnhiBF0H2-xBT7Y_ZPPstiv0L5uWKZ1wn6MHRmuX1s6xiVBp9LTpEMLbGyg9ccWUyAMJjon2Y9gDGdX8bQKZ4Y7CyOE6kufzRKy/w268-h400/Verse1.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3MJ1DgI">Grab VERSE Book 1: The Broken Half now!</a></div><br />FOR DOWNLOADABLE DIGITAL ITEMS (Bookmarks, Digital Wallpapers, and Poster), please click on this link: <a href="https://www.readwonderbound.com/books/verse-book-1/">https://www.readwonderbound.com/books/verse-book-1/ </a><br /><br />To see and hear Sam talk about VERSE, click on the YouTube link below for her Zoom chat at the 2021 US Book Show, entitled: MAGIC IS REAL: <a href="https://youtu.be/6kJ_1k--KDs">https://youtu.be/6kJ_1k--KDs</a></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;"><span><font face="georgia"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1hYksVRCpVy7JLX6fzRedcNbTyWv5Wl-CEoFY6Pv5-dMgf36UG47AW1GwQopH1t_UbRj63Gs8jyXnclcjySGh7CF9lY_boMbbKdX5_HmGD5qBiCfDz3Ch2luP3DOjkIJfv88SLEnfE3iZVQLC9vUZ0-CL6n6xO-D5QpAo0hoNznR0OnT66DhUJXy/s1192/Excerpt1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="800" height="745" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1hYksVRCpVy7JLX6fzRedcNbTyWv5Wl-CEoFY6Pv5-dMgf36UG47AW1GwQopH1t_UbRj63Gs8jyXnclcjySGh7CF9lY_boMbbKdX5_HmGD5qBiCfDz3Ch2luP3DOjkIJfv88SLEnfE3iZVQLC9vUZ0-CL6n6xO-D5QpAo0hoNznR0OnT66DhUJXy/w499-h745/Excerpt1.png" width="499" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfm8GY6RBLnmUZtdPBt_DTJSXy01exdeqBYYR7SX456RWXsS6L_J8okPMxP0mWHZLmG50fO4UpXUK61civvX3_8oQVlxHgw8teBAZCThvODa7AGKGnwpD-_lIBB437zsjX6uJvoJ45JwWKAA7PiLFZLT7UChGq6QktPytVDlezq3ytrU6GBAz73ews/s1192/Excerpt2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="800" height="738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfm8GY6RBLnmUZtdPBt_DTJSXy01exdeqBYYR7SX456RWXsS6L_J8okPMxP0mWHZLmG50fO4UpXUK61civvX3_8oQVlxHgw8teBAZCThvODa7AGKGnwpD-_lIBB437zsjX6uJvoJ45JwWKAA7PiLFZLT7UChGq6QktPytVDlezq3ytrU6GBAz73ews/w496-h738/Excerpt2.png" width="496" /></a></div></font></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0Acy0_ErrRUr6xAkyz7w_4mymDJrFxuU0bs8tjKioJxMoUuyybU0WIPpDR5kF1g2WG9-qYm2v0X3EJTF_Rp9MNNpHgH0mXhBbyHwNSFcaYFVOX-nT4V3jxdh_ZBrPaUj3pbPS74gmP4PT251B7p4NiRUn9Sp7yvVLaYmCBMMaJau-gaT1wjyuG7M/s2432/Sam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="2432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0Acy0_ErrRUr6xAkyz7w_4mymDJrFxuU0bs8tjKioJxMoUuyybU0WIPpDR5kF1g2WG9-qYm2v0X3EJTF_Rp9MNNpHgH0mXhBbyHwNSFcaYFVOX-nT4V3jxdh_ZBrPaUj3pbPS74gmP4PT251B7p4NiRUn9Sp7yvVLaYmCBMMaJau-gaT1wjyuG7M/s320/Sam.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">About Sam Beck</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sam Beck is a writer and illustrator living in Toronto. She likes to explore themes of identity and relationships through the lens of fantasy. Sam has done work with Dark Horse, Vault Comics, and BOOM! Studios. When she's not drawing, find her admiring the forests of northern Ontario or playing the ocarina and guitar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://versecomic.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=304b1c8ab4b62ecbe27551a7b&id=cfce81d629" target="_blank">Sign up for the Verse email list!</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://versecomic.com/" target="_blank">Verse Website</a> | <a href="https://sambeck.ca/" target="_blank">Website</a>| <a href="https://twitter.com/sambeckdraws" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sambeckdraws/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sambeckdraws" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21517835.Sam_Beck" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3NNmWiI" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 winners will receive a finished copy of <i><b>Verse Book 2: The Second Gate</b></i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21477/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WO-NEgw_MpChlKCgBp9O7sd4O7WnjG4ZiTsi1h-03iL3wA0XE9TM9y6WgGOnbbRagkG42pl1MFcygPPrdH1ya7tjrx-v8S_GT7qK0A5rmcOcqQ77KPbp6UG0ngIxtPfC0zobh_DwPtf_ZvblrW6bNgoWQa34xRG2kBC1MF6um25FJ52KiMQBqVWV/s320/VERSE%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-50837677065099128422022-05-30T08:00:00.007-04:002022-05-30T08:00:00.191-04:00BLOG TOUR - ONCE UPON A K-PROM BY KAT CHO - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7DYv5FI5zV5J1BUcT7D1APUdTMneGoBcuMbk3MK-CsVJPdGo-WYqjlgNEUpxQ5FM0mtEhNPbpU3gks_ynmSKymxxSV48JOGfq-asqzMihwTExh0qWlIgnawEEuiRV4eIxmz3c2PsB6d23zxnSHtiRg_5O7OVQn8HBpDoXHbEeR8jg7Qiwe3MEtZU/w458-h179/ONCE%20UPON%20A%20K-PROM.jpg" width="458" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am very excited to be a part of the blog tour for the latest release from author Kat Cho</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">, <i>Once upon a K-Prom.</i> Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgouHa9rM70SacoXT6hPxRB7IDV43DoS1WdYEphudXW0pe7a4189ZV4Ee6OEnsSJsXUHU7VhZOwOEd7pQ1oD5zUsM3zvQA0E1uu1O1q2lNL6FfSaPWdcqRy3Tq6KGHUKe6jSvVbS5lUHB_wYumWNXjRHaKlJtcHothtnnuIOUES-qMszIzw-t3H0rE/s2550/K-Prom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgouHa9rM70SacoXT6hPxRB7IDV43DoS1WdYEphudXW0pe7a4189ZV4Ee6OEnsSJsXUHU7VhZOwOEd7pQ1oD5zUsM3zvQA0E1uu1O1q2lNL6FfSaPWdcqRy3Tq6KGHUKe6jSvVbS5lUHB_wYumWNXjRHaKlJtcHothtnnuIOUES-qMszIzw-t3H0rE/w424-h640/K-Prom.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Once Upon a K-Prom</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Kat Cho<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: May 17, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 336 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Disney-Hyperion<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3EYqPxD" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3LHqa6x" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3KuXps6" target="_blank">Audible</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/once-upon-a-k-prom-kat-cho/1140140552?ean=9781368064644" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Once-Upon-K-Prom/Kat-Cho/9781368064644?id=8292526258128&_ga=2.121478344.1156818407.1653002849-1704505461.1629252629" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/once-upon-a-k-prom/id1614937264?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fonce-upon-a-k-prom" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://tidd.ly/38v0zyL" target="_blank">TBD</a> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">- </span><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781368064644" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>5/1/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://insidethewongmind.com/" target="_blank">Inside the Wong Mind</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/2/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://myfictionaloasis.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">My Fictional Oasis</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/3/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/" target="_blank">YABooksCentral</a> - Excerpt</div><div>5/4/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://laurasbookishcorner.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">laura's bookish corner</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/5/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.givernyreads.com/" target="_blank">GivernyReads</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/6/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://abookishdreamblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">A Bookish Dream</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/7/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://talesofabookbug.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tales Of A Bookbug</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>5/8/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://quilltreefox.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Quill Tree Fox</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/9/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bujos_n_books" target="_blank">@bujos_n_books</a> - IG Review</div><div>5/10/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://thebookview.com/" target="_blank">The Book View </a>- Review/IG Post</div><div>5/11/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://acourtofcoffeeandbooks.com/" target="_blank">A Court of Coffee and Books</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/12/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://wiltedpages.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">wilted pages </a>- Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div><div>5/13/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.dearrivarie.com/" target="_blank">Dear Rivarie</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/14/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://rueisreadingcorner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ruei's Reading Corner</a> - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>5/15/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/takealookatmybookshelf" target="_blank">Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf </a>- IG Review</div><div>5/16/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://onemoreexclamation.com/" target="_blank">onemoreexclamation</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/17/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/" target="_blank">Lisa Loves Literature</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/18/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://fireandicereads.com/" target="_blank">Fire and Ice</a> - Review</div><div>5/19/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://abackwardsstory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Backwards Story</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/20/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://thecleverreader.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Clever Reader</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/21/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://www.nerdophiles.com/" target="_blank">Nerdophiles</a> - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>5/22/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.libraryofalexandriaarchives.com/home" target="_blank">Library of Alexandria Archives</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/23/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://themommaspot.home.blog/" target="_blank">The Momma Spot</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/24/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://therealworldaccordingtosam.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Real World According To Sam</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/25/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://am2cents.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">two points of interest</a> - Review</div><div>5/26/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://kaitgoodwin.com/books" target="_blank">Kait Plus Books</a> - Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div><div>5/27/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/drewsim12/" target="_blank">@drewsim12</a> - IG Review/TikTok Post</div><div>5/28/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebookishfoxwitch/" target="_blank">@thebookishfoxwitch</a> - IG Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Five</b></div><div>5/29/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/onemused" target="_blank">onemused</a> - IG Review</div><div>5/30/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.elisquared.com/" target="_blank">Eli to the nth</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/31/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://lexijavabookish.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">@lexijava</a> - Review/IG Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><b>What would you do if the world's biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school.</b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing - she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that's always made her feel like she belonged.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love.</div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;">Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants - even if she can't stop thinking about Robbie's smile...right?</div></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58950846-once-upon-a-k-prom" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So full disclaimer, I am not a K-pop fan. I like a few BTS songs, but I am not a part of the fandom at all. So I was a little hesitant going into <i>Once Upon a K-Prom</i> by Kat Cho. I was worried that you needed to have a lot of knowledge about K-pop, but this book is so charming that I fell in love immediately. And best thing: no prior K-pop knowledge required!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Elena Soo is such a likeable character from the get go (scroll down for an excerpt to see what I mean). She has difficulties at home and at school with attention, or lack there of. Constantly compared both places to her older sisters and twin brother, Elena has finally found a cause that's all her. Now if only more people would pay attention to it. Of course, all the attention switches to her, when Robbie Choi hits the scene. Robbie, being a member of one of the biggest K-pop groups, WDB, certainly creates waves in Elena's typically quiet life.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I loved the dynamic of these two. Elena is quiet and timid around most people, but not around Robbie because she knew him when they were younger. This allows the reader to see more of her actual personality as she navigates this new Robbie who is both the same and different from who she remembers. Robbie is also a little quiet, wanting to focus more on writing music than performing it. But in order to follow that dream, becoming a part of WDB gave him more opportunity. It was sweet to see the different aspects of each character come through when they were around each other. I could see why they were so close before, and wanted them to span the distance again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I loved how Cho utilized Robbie's chapters to explain K-pop to the reader. This was done in a very natural, in-context way so I didn't feel lost even though I knew nothing about K-pop fandom or how K-pop groups are created. It was fascinating, even if it was about an imaginary band. Of course, the little bit I do know about BTS...well there were definitely some parallels. I also loved the inclusion of Korean without direct translations. The way Cho crafted the story, the reader can understand what is being said by context, but I also just used Google translate to help. I think it is important to allow other languages to breathe and exist in an English language book. I certainly felt like it just added to the story, and didn't detract.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The romance though was. so. adorable! I love Elena and Robbie, and the development of their relationship was so cute. I don't want to give much away, but just imagine that not only does your childhood best friend become your teen crush, but he's also in the biggest K-pop group ever! Sugary sweet, just the way I like it!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Once Upon a K-Prom</i> by Kat Cho was just such a feel good romance with a very fun premise. Definitely a fun book to pick up anytime of the year, but I can see readers enjoying this one by the pool this summer. Be sure to pick up your own copy wherever books are sold (or enter down below for a chance to win a finished copy).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrASrEFdJQdN-cnbfw2NiGXww5GJKbpwnf2-3G97DPr1dqSl6ScmRPb6UhzJOS5xFlKBx0Jol8OzZWjErRxwRcQ8L0qZegcp0Nu1gcs0-A9exziEugXeZFzsUA1j_CWjl9fVSLlR08x-J-cGBWQxmcUAwTuDpycyY6A6UZgKSaaHRKku41UY7U0s-m/s320/4%20stars.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="320" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrASrEFdJQdN-cnbfw2NiGXww5GJKbpwnf2-3G97DPr1dqSl6ScmRPb6UhzJOS5xFlKBx0Jol8OzZWjErRxwRcQ8L0qZegcp0Nu1gcs0-A9exziEugXeZFzsUA1j_CWjl9fVSLlR08x-J-cGBWQxmcUAwTuDpycyY6A6UZgKSaaHRKku41UY7U0s-m/s1600/4%20stars.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span><font face="georgia"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Chapter 1</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">When most people think of prom, they probably picture dresses and limos and dancing the night away with their dream date. When I think of prom, I picture aching feet, overpriced decorations, and unrealistic expectations. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Obviously, I was in the minority, though. As was proof by the long line of upper classmen willing to spend their entire lunch period standing in line to buy prom tickets.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was day three of ticket sales, which meant it was also day three of the Awareness Club’s Alterna-Prom Initiative. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was…not going great. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay, fine, it was a big fat failure. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We’d set up a station where students could donate their change to West Pinebrook’s Community Center after buying tickets.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Any more donations?” I asked, leaning over the table.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Max Cohen shook his head. “Sorry, Elena.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I glared at the jar. It was almost empty. The dollar bill I’d placed in there was still the only donation. I’d thought maybe having money already would make us look less pathetic, but it just looked sadder somehow.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I glanced at my carefully written spreadsheet. I’d made it to track potential donations. We were way behind what I’d projected. But I guess I hadn’t factored in teenage apathy.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Has anyone taken a pamphlet?” I glared at the suspiciously full pile.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“To do that they’d have to stop avoiding our table like we all had the plague.” Josie rolled her eyes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’d spent days writing those pamphlets up, included photos of the kids from the community center at last year’s holiday party and the fundraiser website to donate online. It explained that we weren’t telling people not to go to prom, but to rethink how they spent their money on the dance. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s why my best friend, Josie Flores, had come up with the term “alterna-prom initiative” even though I worried it was a little wordy and confusing. It hadn’t helped though. Everyone just thought we were flat out protesting prom.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Come on, El, if they won’t take a pamphlet, let’s just hand them out,” Josie said, stepping out from behind the table. She was willow thin with smooth brown skin, a pretty narrow face, and dark hair that framed it in curls. It was everything I used to wish for when I was little instead of my round Korean face, short legs, and flat stick-straight black hair. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I’ll help!” Max jumped up. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“No, you guard the table and the…dollar,” Josie said, eyeing the sad jar.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I gave him an “I’m sorry” shrug at getting stuck with table duty again. But he dutifully sat back down. He’d do anything for Josie.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Since sophomore year, he always mooned at her behind his wire-rimmed glasses. They weirdly worked on him, like nerdy white boy chic. His curly hair used to be cropped short in middle school, but he’d grown it out now and it flopped into his eyes. It was cute in a Shawn Mendes kind of way. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Josie started down the line, handing pamphlets out, making sure each person at least opened it before she moved on. She didn’t seem to mind the annoyed looks she got or the rude comments. I wish I could be that confident, not to care what everyone thought of me. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“They’re in trouble of losing funding,” I said to a group of juniors I’d just handed pamphlets to. None had opened them. So I took one and opened it myself to a bullet point list of ways to save on prom. “Instead of spending hundreds on limos and dresses and tuxedos, you could just wear an old suit or a dress from rent-the-runway and drive yourself. Then donate what you saved to the center.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Hey, you’re Ethan Soo’s sister right?” One of them squinted at me as if trying to see the family resemblance.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I sighed. It was common for kids to remember my brother before they remembered something as pesky as my actual name. He was the popular twin after all.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I’m Elena,” I mumbled. “So, back to the community center, if you don’t have any extra cash right now, there’s an online donation site you can use too.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">They all just blinked at me before returning to their conversation about some new movie that had just released. Were these people heartless? Did they not see the adorable children smiling out at them from the pamphlet? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I’m sorry,” I tried to get their attention again, but they kept ignoring me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“El, you gotta stop apologizing all the time,” Josie said, walking over. She was down to her last few pamphlets and I felt guilty that I still had a full pile.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I can’t help it.” I frowned because she was right. It was just such a knee-jerk reaction for me to constantly apologize every time I felt even an inkling that someone felt uncomfortable around me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “I don’t think this is working,” Josie said, scowling at the line of students doing their best to ignore us. “I think we’ll have to use more radical methods.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Well, unless you want to go full Robin Hood, I think pamphlets and peaceful protest are all we’ve got right now.” I sighed. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I have something to help our cause,” Josie said, taking off toward the exit. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“As long as it doesn’t make a mess!” I called after her, but I wasn’t sure if she heard me as she pushed out of the cafeteria.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As I waited for Josie to return, the line moved up and a girl swung her bag into me as she turned to talk to her friend. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Can you find somewhere else to stand?” she asked, huffing in annoyance.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Sorry,” I mumbled before I could stop myself.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Did you see her weird-ass pamphlets?” the girl’s friend said, not caring that I was standing right there. “Imagine spending all your time trying to ruin prom.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I sighed and stepped back, turning away from the line and the annoyed glares. I wasn’t trying to ruin prom. I just didn’t see the allure of it. I’d watched every one of my three older sisters get excited about the dance only to come home let down in some way or another at the end of the night. It gives perspective to a kid, even if I was only ten.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I leaned against a lunch table as I waited for Josie to get back. It was filled with a group of freshmen girls sighing over a music video playing on one of their phones. I could barely hear it over the loud volume of voices crashing through the cafeteria, but I recognized the group: WDB.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">WDB had achieved something no other K-pop group had done for over a decade: entered the hearts of teens across the whole globe and somehow became the first Korean group to win an MTV music award and American Music Award, which got them invited to other award shows, and they’d even performed on SNL. It was all so impressive, but there was an extra layer of surrealness for me as the face of the main rapper, Robbie Choi, graced the screen. It was a face I knew well even though it had lost all of the baby fat that had puffed up his cheeks when we were ten. We’d been best friends. I knew things about him that weren’t written in his official profile. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I knew how he got that little scar through his eyebrow. (He’d fallen out of a wardrobe during an epic game of manhunter and into the edge of a coffee table.) </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I knew that even though he was famous now for his luscious locks that had been dyed the whole rainbow during his career, he’d once let me shave a stripe through it because we’d wanted to see if we could write his name in his hair. (Spoiler: we could not. And yes, we did get into epic trouble with our parents after that stunt.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now there were girls swooning over him and giggling whenever his face popped up on screen. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">To be honest, I’d once been just like everyone else, looking forward to a magical prom night filled with slow dancing and perfectly posed photos. But I’d always imagined it with a specific person. And since he was no longer in this country, let alone this town…it’s pretty obvious why ten-year-old Elena’s dream prom plan would never actually happen. And when you knew something wouldn’t work out, it was best to move on.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Robbie is my bias!” one girl declared and I almost wanted to tell her about that time Robbie had fallen into mud during our third-grade trip. I’d had to walk behind him the rest of the day so no one thought he’d pooped his pants. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Or maybe I’d explain how he’d forgotten all his old friends when he got famous…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“JD is my bias. He’s just so…mysterious.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I watched as another member of WDB gave a sly wink. I’d never met JD even though he was Robbie’s older cousin. I had to admit it was a pretty catchy song. And perhaps I’d found myself downloading a few of WDB’s singles. But it was still so weird for me to think of my childhood bestie as a heartthrob.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I remembered the last day I’d seen Robbie. We’d been ten and we stood in front of his empty house. All of his stuff had already been shipped over to Seoul ahead of his family. I’d had friends move before. Becca Kuss had moved to Ohio in first grade. And Emily B. had moved to the next town over last year. But Robbie was my best friend and he wasn’t moving twenty miles away. He was moving to the other side of the world. We’d clutched each other, tears streaming down our faces. Robbie’s nose had been as red as a cherry. I told him so and he said mine made me look like Rudolph. And then we’d hugged again. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I’ll email you every day,” I’d promised.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I’ll message you every day,” Robbie had said. “You downloaded Kakaotalk, right?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’d nodded. I’d never used the Korean messaging app before, but Robbie had said it worked all over the world, so no matter where we went we’d be able to talk.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“And I’ll come back when we’re in high school and we’ll go to prom together,” he’d said with a wide grin. “And we’ll take pictures just like Sarah’s with those silly flower bracelets.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“They’re called corsages,” I told him. “And only girls get them.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Says who?” Robbie pouted.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I laughed. “I don’t know. Fine, we’ll get matching corsages.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">“But I want mine to be made out of Legos,” Robbie said.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Then I want mine to be made out of butterflies!” I said.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Ew! Like dead bugs!?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">“What?” I squeaked, horrified. “No! Like fake ones!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Nope. You want to wear dead bugs. You’re a dead bug wearer!” Robbie taunted and despite our tears and our impending parting, he made me laugh. And I took off after him, chasing him around the yard until his mother called him to get in the car. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">“See you at prom,” Robbie said before climbing in. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’d watched him drive away until I couldn’t see him anymore.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">And in the last seven years, he’d become a part of the biggest K-pop boy group of all time and I wouldn’t be caught dead at prom. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Here it is!” Josie crowed as she returned, snapping me out of my memories. She held up a megaphone.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“What am I supposed to do with this?” I asked. “And why did you have this in your locker?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“It was from our save the whales rally,” Josie said. And I remembered with horrible flashbacks of watching Josie dressed as a whale, marching through the courtyard with her megaphone. “Use it to rile up the crowd.” Josie held it out. “Give a speech. Get people excited.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I’m not really a public speaker.” I folded my hands behind my back. In fact, I’d had to quit debate club because I couldn’t stand in front of the twelve other kids and argue my point without turning bright red. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“El, I keep telling you that you can’t be a good activist unless you get over your fear of speaking in public,” Josie said. I didn’t have the heart to tell Josie that I didn’t think activism was really in my future. At this point I was only still in the club for her.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Come on,” Josie said, dragging me back to the prom ticket table.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Caroline Anderson and Felicity Fitzgerald sat behind the table, accepting cash for the fancy embossed tickets. They were both pretty white cheerleaders, the kind of perfect looks that graced CW shows and teen movies. Currently, they both wore their cheerleading uniforms even though it wasn’t a game day. I guess they thought the school spirit would flow through them and into the ticket buyers who were plopping down a whopping $60 per ticket. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Elena, tell the truth,” Caroline said, resting her chin on her fists. “You hate the prom because you know no one will ask you.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I froze, my mouth falling open. “What? No, I don’t care about that stuff.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Oh, come on, Elena. You were super jealous when I got my first boyfriend in seventh grade,” Felicity piped up.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Really?” Caroline asked, her sharp eyes sparkling with glee.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Yea, she pouted for a whole week and didn’t even come to my birthday party in protest.” Felicity let out a laugh. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’d been sick that weekend and my mom wouldn’t let me go to her party. But I knew if I said that now it would sound like an empty excuse and just throw more fuel on Felicity and Caroline’s fire.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Felicity and I had been close once. After Robbie had left I’d had no one to hang out with and in middle school I’d somehow glommed onto Felicity and her small girl gang until my decision not to go out for cheerleading in ninth grade made me outcast worthy. I still remember the day after cheerleader try outs in the lunchroom when Felicity went full-on Gretchen Wieners shouting, “You can’t sit with us!” Except less pink.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Josie nudged my shoulder, “Come on, El. Don’t let them get to you.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">She pulled up a chair and stood on it, shouting into the megaphone. “Attention everyone! We have an announcement to make.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">She stepped down and pushed the megaphone at me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I can’t get up there,” I whispered, trying to push it back.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Just think of the community center.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Is the announcement that you finally realize how pathetic your silly protest is?” Caroline called out and Felicity laughed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It made me remember that freshman lunch where she friend-dumped me in front of the whole cafeteria. Which incensed me enough to climb onto the chair and lift the megaphone. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">But as I looked at all the staring faces my mouth quickly became so dry I couldn’t even get out a squeak. I felt like I was sweating, but when I rubbed my hand over my forehead it came away dry. I looked at Josie who gave me a thumbs up and I pressed the button. I cleared my throat and a high-pitched feedback sound made me wince. But at least it got the attention of the cafeteria. All eyes were on me now. Oh goody. I took a deep breath and remembered Josie’s advice: just speak from your heart.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Um, hi,” I muttered and the megaphone squeaked again. “Sorry.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Josie pinched my leg and mouthed, Don’t apologize.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I nodded and I cleared my throat again. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Remember the community center, I reminded myself. Show them your passion and they can’t ignore you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Um, so I’m here to talk about a place that means a lot to me.” I glanced nervously at Josie and she mouthed speak from your heart. “And…and it also means a lot to this whole community.” Some of the freshman at the tables closest to me were watching and they weren’t laughing or sneering, so there was that at least. So I kept going. “I don’t know if anyone remembers what the west side was like when we were kids. But less than ten years ago there wasn’t a lot there. Just the old, closed factory and not even any parks.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A few kids nodded. Pinebrook High served this whole area, which included kids from the middle school in the west side. It bolstered me to see that recognition of my words so my next came out smoother. “West Pinebrook’s Community Center repurposed the factory to create a safe space for kids from the west side elementary and middle schools to go afterschool. Miss Cora, who runs it, says that a building can become more than bricks and windows if it’s filled with passion and love. Isn’t a place like that worth fighting for? Aren’t you tired of adults saying we’re wasting away with our noses stuck in our phones?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I saw Josie shake her head and noticed some of the kids frown and turn away. Oh crap, I was losing them. The freshman girls who’d been watching the WDB video looked supremely pissed off. I started fumbling my words as I tried to finish so I could go hide. “S-so, if you want to show how passionate our generation can be, you can just donate what you’d spend on dresses or limos to keep an important neighborhood institution open!” I tried my best to channel Josie’s spirit and lifted my hand in the air. “Together we can make a difference!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There was a thick silence until Max tried to start a slow clap which sounded sad and pathetic when no one joined in. Josie let out an enthusiastic whoop that echoed throughout the cafeteria. But, disappointingly, most of the students went back to their lunches.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Caroline stormed out from behind the ticket table, her blonde pony-tail swinging furiously. “This has to be illegal,” she complained. “You can’t just sit here shouting in our ears all of lunch.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Josie stepped forward and folded her arms. The two were the same height, so they were a pretty even match. Except, if I were a betting girl, I’d put my money on Josie. “Sorry to tell you this, but the school charter says that students can hold rallies as long as they are not disrupting class periods or using vulgar language,” Josie said with a shrug. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Felicity joined her friend and rolled her hazel eyes up at me. “Elena, if I get my dad to donate $1,000 to your dumb community center will that shut you up?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I stepped down from the chair. “Sure,” I said and Felicity folded her arms, a smile of triumph spreading on her too-pretty-for-her-own-good face. “For now at least. Every little bit helps, Felicity. But that won’t be enough. If you donate what you’d have spent on your nails, your hair, your dress, limo, tickets, and dinner. If you got all your friends to do it, too. Then think about how far that would go. Don’t you want to do something good with your popularity?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Felicity stared down her nose at me, and for a fleeting second I thought she might be considering it. Then a sneer lifted her lips. “You’re delusional, Soo. How do you expect to change anyone’s mind about prom when your own twin isn’t listening to you.” She nodded past my shoulder.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I turned and spotted Ethan standing in line.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Ethan,” I groaned. This did look bad, betrayed by my own flesh and blood.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ethan and I were proof that any theories about twins having an innate connection were total baloney. The two of us were polar opposites. Ethan was charismatic and the kind of cute that was annoying because my classmates always tried to get information about him from me. While I was awkward and completely forgettable. He’d been on the varsity lacrosse team since freshman year and sat with the “popular kids” in the courtyard for lunch. I usually ate lunch with Josie in the journalism room. And now, it seemed, Ethan and I were on opposite sides of this prom debate.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ethan gave me a shrug and a wry smile. “Sorry, Twin, it’s just that you know prom tickets are discounted the first week on sale.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Usually, hearing him call me “twin” made me smile even as I wanted to roll my eyes. But this time I was just annoyed. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“You know how important the community center is to me, Ethan.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“I do, but I just…I want to get discount prom tickets.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ethan didn’t get it. He never really cared about anything I did. As I started to turn back, Caroline pulled the megaphone from my hand.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Hey!” I tried to grab it but she danced back.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">She lifted it to her mouth. “Announcement! I’ve decided to host a pre-prom party at my place. Why limit the fun to just one night? But you have to have a prom ticket to get an invite!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A cheer went up and the kids in line surged forward as if suddenly the prom tickets were a limited commodity. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was like that scene in <i>The Lion King</i> when Simba is staring wide-eyed at the stampeding wildebeests. Except there was no Mufasa to save me as I tried to back out of the path of the surging crowd. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course, with my awful luck, I forgot about the chair behind me. And instead of scrambling to safety, I felt my feet tangle with the metal legs. I heard Josie shout my name as I tried to keep my balance, but the chair won the battle and I fell backwards, my arms pin-wheeling like a cartoon character as I tried to catch by balance. I ended up sprawled on the sticky ground of the cafeteria. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">My hands, which I’d thrown out to catch myself were covered in some kind of gooey substance, and my hip was throbbing from meeting the edge of a table on my way down. I watched as the kids trampled my pamphlets, crumpling them as they crowded around a triumphant Caroline.</div></font></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid23hB1tTzctW0xJpeTM2aAEtRx_0sGR4pd1lWFFGc6rku_LraqpoxuK-Nh3Tn2e5V_HGQczgwQI6h6XWRykwZMvk0HGRJPXLxcUskZfz6chvCUkISQeGcWnU_UDso13HWWIByQeVKA3i_GLp3KXskak3gIK1k19UhJU-QjtJ78h_D-ghP4Y_aeQkC/s1435/Kat%20Cho.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1435" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid23hB1tTzctW0xJpeTM2aAEtRx_0sGR4pd1lWFFGc6rku_LraqpoxuK-Nh3Tn2e5V_HGQczgwQI6h6XWRykwZMvk0HGRJPXLxcUskZfz6chvCUkISQeGcWnU_UDso13HWWIByQeVKA3i_GLp3KXskak3gIK1k19UhJU-QjtJ78h_D-ghP4Y_aeQkC/s320/Kat%20Cho.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">About Kat Cho:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kat Cho used to hide books under the bathroom sink and then sneak in there to read after bedtime. Her parents pretended not to know. This helped when she decided to write a dinosaur time-travel novel at the tender age of nine. Sadly, that book was not published. She currently lives and works in NYC and spends her free time trying to figure out what kind of puppy to adopt. Kat is the internationally bestselling author of the <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/599547/wicked-fox-by-kat-cho/9781984886057/" target="_blank"><i>Gumiho</i> duology</a> (Penguin) and <i>Once Upon a K-Prom</i> (Disney).</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://katchowrites.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/KatCho" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KatChoAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook </a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katchowrites/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@katchowrites" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17734732.Kat_Cho" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3xZRloQ" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kat-cho" target="_blank">BookBub</a> | <a href="https://writeordiepodcast.com/" target="_blank">Write or Die Podcast</a></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <i>ONCE UPON A K-PROM</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21451/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrruoYYyJ0lwW0Eh8JDMaRG7G3fQxki_V3XauIHgDSrwUPhX9WPnjSLz4pbWkm7fuyL87GvpR7dy6puXaJhHhvDKv-asj7MDaZhwVz46Iud5P89iN1-jXMxS0Yqa7UHMZpb6GpCGNP6vLQp9ZTzexA_CO3Xn8loLBseCTgiwvhiMndbiOYRqyB34N/s320/ONCE%20UPON%20A%20K-PROM%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><p></p>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-30915339881127012232022-05-12T08:20:00.006-04:002022-05-12T09:47:39.159-04:00BLOG TOUR - WE ARE THE SONG BY CATHERINE BAKEWELL - MIDDLE GRADE FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJfweYtoEwxPWH8mFPIWdI8a3uj01NBCBLNwHQXInoaJvGc8oHrF8nTT9GGjK6oFBN31dKBQt1v0yvm4Ghhs3nZJYPAlq-JJXcmqcZd6Tq0UdIP_gccW3EsF1VMvr4nTHSpBn_jS1f-CFqu6uh-H0gwCHPt3IkekAt_sX39ZEORarnMe7QXWAloEy/s615/WE%20ARE%20THE%20SONG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJfweYtoEwxPWH8mFPIWdI8a3uj01NBCBLNwHQXInoaJvGc8oHrF8nTT9GGjK6oFBN31dKBQt1v0yvm4Ghhs3nZJYPAlq-JJXcmqcZd6Tq0UdIP_gccW3EsF1VMvr4nTHSpBn_jS1f-CFqu6uh-H0gwCHPt3IkekAt_sX39ZEORarnMe7QXWAloEy/w461-h180/WE%20ARE%20THE%20SONG.jpg" width="461" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />I am very excited to be a part of the blog tour for the debut of author </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Catherine Bakewell, <i>We Are the Song.</i> Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUpa9FPc1Yqf5XGhpSahFDgy16b490F8DdNM42NqO73c2I6aYJPvmL4eLXHwcudnAQzu2-_7jRo3Ir8HtFJvG5dQYBn-DVXfLvgt3lTntkpHA5awH2wWs-OxFofgUYJoJO5PlcfHaeFZ2tAoj6ZAh9AINeR62M6RuiWH_4iDinkn4XMDGVm2sQ79M/s2475/9780823448890.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1623" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUpa9FPc1Yqf5XGhpSahFDgy16b490F8DdNM42NqO73c2I6aYJPvmL4eLXHwcudnAQzu2-_7jRo3Ir8HtFJvG5dQYBn-DVXfLvgt3lTntkpHA5awH2wWs-OxFofgUYJoJO5PlcfHaeFZ2tAoj6ZAh9AINeR62M6RuiWH_4iDinkn4XMDGVm2sQ79M/w420-h640/9780823448890.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>We Are the Song</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Catherine Bakewell<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: May 3, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 304 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Holiday House<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3KudSN5" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3LCCdSn" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3F4cPm7" target="_blank">Audible</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/we-are-the-song-catherine-bakewell/1139840796?ean=9780823448890" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/We-Song/Catherine-Bakewell/9780823448890?id=8490924027297" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/we-are-the-song/id1585275660?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fwe-are-the-song" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://tidd.ly/3KqGGWN" target="_blank">TBD</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">- <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9780823448890" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>5/2/2022 - <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/" target="_blank">YABooksCentral </a>- Excerpt</div><div>5/2/2022 - <a href="http://rajivsreviews.com/" target="_blank">Rajiv's Reviews</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/3/2022 - <a href="http://fictionologyst.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">fictionologyst</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/3/2022 - <a href="https://the-girl-who-reads.com/" target="_blank">The Girl Who Reads</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/4/2022 - <a href="https://acourtofcoffeeandbooks.com/" target="_blank">A Court of Coffee and Books</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/4/2022 - <a href="http://boozysarah14.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank">boozybook blog</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/5/2022 - <a href="https://excusemir.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Excuse Me, I’m Reading</a> - Review</div><div>5/5/2022 - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/takealookatmybookshelf" target="_blank">TakeALookAtMyBookshelf</a> - Review</div><div>5/6/2022 - <a href="http://abookishdreamblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">A Bookish Dream</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/6/2022 - <a href="https://mcmahoncelia.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank">Celia's Reads</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>5/9/2022 - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@the.page.sage?lang=en" target="_blank">@the.page.sage</a> - TikTok Review/IG Post</div><div>5/9/2022 - <a href="https://themommaspot.home.blog/" target="_blank">The Momma Spot</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/10/2022 - <a href="https://blessedmommysc.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lifestyle of Me</a> - Review</div><div>5/10/2022 - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onemused" target="_blank">onemused</a> - Review</div><div>5/11/2022 - <a href="http://www.morebookspleaseblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">More Books Please blog</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/11/2022 - <a href="https://logcabinlibrary.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Log Cabin Library</a> - Review</div><div>5/12/2022 - <a href="https://www.elisquared.com/" target="_blank">Eli to the nth</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/12/2022 - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/momfluenster/" target="_blank">Momfluenster</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/13/2022 - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/enjoyingbooksagain/" target="_blank">@enjoyingbooksagain</a> - Review</div><div>5/13/2022 - <a href="http://thebookwyrmsden.com/" target="_blank">The Bookwyrm's Den</a> - Review</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><b><i>A lush and beautiful fantasy set in a world where music is magic and the fate of many thrones lies with one girl...</i></b><br /><br />Twelve-year-old Elissa has been raised in seclusion as a devotee of the Mother Goddess. She is a special child, a blessed child, a child who can sing miracles into being. Her voice can heal wounds, halt landslides, cure hunger--and even end wars.<br /><br />But there are those who would use her gift for darker things. And when Elissa finds herself the farthest from home she's ever been--along with her vain and jealous music tutor, Lucio--she will have to develop the judgment to decide who wants to use her song to heal... and who wants to use her song to hurt.<br /><br /><b>Reviews</b><br /><br />"Elissa’s desire to follow her divinely inspired abilities and overcome the barriers to her musical ambitions echo women’s historical experiences in classical music. . . . And constellations of race, sexuality, and gender expression lend richness to an already unique world."—<b><i>The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books</i></b><br /><br />"This fast-paced fantasy is full of action and intrigue, taking place in a war-torn world that still holds much beauty and magic. Readers will come to love Elissa, who struggles with doubts as she faces heartbreak, tragedy, and loneliness and tries to fight for what is right. An excellent addition to middle-grade fantasy collections."—<b><i>Booklist</i></b><br /><br />"Fantasy fans will queue up for this delightful novel with its strong female characters and carefully drawn fantasy world. . . . Fast packed action will keep readers totally engaged. This captivating novel promises a good future for this first-time author."—<b><i>School Library Connection</i></b><br /><br />"An exploration of devotion and finding one’s voice."—<b><i>Kirkus Reviews</i></b></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58891961-we-are-the-song" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>We Are the Song</i> by Catherine Bakewell felt, in many ways, not like a middle grade book at all. It was beautifully written, with such lyrical prose, it tackled big concepts, and had such an interesting magic system in place. It has the ability to be a "high-low" book, meaning it has high level concepts presented in a lower level reading capacity, making it digestible for a multitude of reading levels. But the best trait it had was heart. I have found that heart is the true center of so many middle grade books I have read, and <i>We Are the Song</i> does not lack a heart.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Elissa, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">the main character,</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> has been set out on a journey, along with her Composer, Lucio, to share her gift with the larger world, as a global war is breaking out over who will rule her home country of Cadenza, the two opponents being neighboring countries, Basso and Acuto. The reader starts the journey with Elissa and Lucio in Basso, where Elissa must face some hard decisions and make her own choices that will change not only her fate, but the fate of the war.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Coming into the book, I was intrigued by the use of song as a form of magic. And specifically that this ability is only granted to certain individuals, the "Voices of the Goddess". Elissa is the youngest Voice to exist, becoming the 12th Voice currently alive. Within the magical system, each "Voice" is assigned a "Composer", who writes the songs (both music and lyrics) for the voices to sing. Each song created gets weaker the more often it is sung, at one point unable to work altogether. So the Composers are constantly creating new songs, or tweaking on older ones to continue the magic. As a lover of music, and a believer in the power of song, this portion of the story sucked me right in.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Elissa starts out as a naive, sheltered young girl, but there is a lot of character growth. Elissa was an absolute sweetheart, and I think many kids who read this book will click with her immediately. While she goes through some pretty traumatic events, she always has a sense of hope within, guiding her forward. There were some other important side characters, like her Composer Lucio for instance, but none of them received as much development as Elissa. This makes sense in the context of a middle-grade book with a younger character surrounded by older characters, but it also made the story not feel as full.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The introduction to the world, magic, and mythos was great. I really believe in this world that Bakewell has created. It was much more religious then I had expected previously. The skeleton upon which the system was developed feels, especially for someone who was raised Roman Catholic, to be largely based on Christianity. But I don't know if that will be very apparent to kids who read it, and it is also done in a way that still feels organic to the overall plot. Also, Bakewell never presents this aspect in a way that makes the reader feel "lectured". There isn't preaching, there isn't judgement on different lifestyles, and Caé, the goddess in this world, is very real. So for readers sensitive to religious ideology, this book may not be enjoyable, but I believe it is crafted in a way that works really well within the context of the world and story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The only thing that really detracted from the story was the pacing. I felt like this could have been a duology, as the first 3/4ths of the book was build up establishing the world and setting Elissa on this journey, but then the last 1/4th was rushed with everything coming to a conclusion, and the events not being given an opportunity to breathe fully. As I was reading I kept thinking, "Oh this is a series", so I was a little surprised when it ended up being a stand-alone. I think that did disservice to the story that Bakewell was crafting, and I would've really enjoyed more of the story overall, so readers got to experience more of the final act.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>We Are the Song</i> by Catherine Bakewell was a solid fantasy debut. I really enjoyed the book, and if she ever wants to dip back into the world of Cadenza, I think there are a multitude of opportunities for more (it could be al<span style="color: #202124;">á Tamora Pierce; that would be exciting). <i>We Are the Song</i> is beautifully written, contains good life advice, and has a interesting magic system. I think readers of all ages will really enjoy picking this one up.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrASrEFdJQdN-cnbfw2NiGXww5GJKbpwnf2-3G97DPr1dqSl6ScmRPb6UhzJOS5xFlKBx0Jol8OzZWjErRxwRcQ8L0qZegcp0Nu1gcs0-A9exziEugXeZFzsUA1j_CWjl9fVSLlR08x-J-cGBWQxmcUAwTuDpycyY6A6UZgKSaaHRKku41UY7U0s-m/s320/4%20stars.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="320" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrASrEFdJQdN-cnbfw2NiGXww5GJKbpwnf2-3G97DPr1dqSl6ScmRPb6UhzJOS5xFlKBx0Jol8OzZWjErRxwRcQ8L0qZegcp0Nu1gcs0-A9exziEugXeZFzsUA1j_CWjl9fVSLlR08x-J-cGBWQxmcUAwTuDpycyY6A6UZgKSaaHRKku41UY7U0s-m/s1600/4%20stars.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW95O5wZfKb3AFT-vNaBKA5igDokW6aQ_ikLfhnTzkq-4vUPmAODptRRucCNwuFM_kCaHf6cFbUf6sNATaXfNw_wyuRkgo-4uoAnwh4ctGP83R8y1usX7KTp3mCIdwPg2Ns5x51ckIFZcary5OMASV-aW1aL-5NqPadg_IzaMSQDCHncEIXo1YTxnZ/s336/We%20Are%20the%20Song_Catherine%20Bakewell.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="336" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW95O5wZfKb3AFT-vNaBKA5igDokW6aQ_ikLfhnTzkq-4vUPmAODptRRucCNwuFM_kCaHf6cFbUf6sNATaXfNw_wyuRkgo-4uoAnwh4ctGP83R8y1usX7KTp3mCIdwPg2Ns5x51ckIFZcary5OMASV-aW1aL-5NqPadg_IzaMSQDCHncEIXo1YTxnZ/s320/We%20Are%20the%20Song_Catherine%20Bakewell.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>About Catherine Bakewell</b>:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Catherine Bakewell is a writer, artist, and opera enthusiast. She has lived in Spain and in France, where she romped through gardens, ate pastries, and worked on her novels. <i>We Are the Song</i> is her debut.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/8a474463601a/landing-page-newsletter" target="_blank">Newsletter</a> | <a href="https://www.aliceoseman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aliceoseman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7789423.Alice_Oseman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3LYgpRX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 winner will receive a finished copy of <i>WE ARE THE SONG</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21455/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauFjau06MeDbZsFt4wls1ULqFwp7RLrowUcp3B3AP4ifUClnAaEDrrDoNK00wx3CR3psvJR8V9iYOBbt1B8PPgF6bSCY-_RQJHM9HgJrke6qLVxHbklSIJsQgWvO7qao4QzDCxa4JTwYhmJZIiX2tMbXGl25yTFJrwLK32QETOFHJpqNKTyXu0i57/s320/WE%20ARE%20THE%20SONG%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-74450619063897240862022-04-25T08:00:00.002-04:002022-04-25T08:00:00.210-04:00BLOG TOUR - WITCHBLOOD BY MATTTHEW ERMAN AND LISA STERLE - COMIC BOOK [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUxRMWdTIyn3GkyMw7GF0cEm2rzNkSL5h0FyP3s9r6pRUnDgb6p0A627cVqYerAF6v3KOiBp_rmQCpaEqeIH4zIPixCPeVAWYQBrg_RSLa0GScnOSJOemqbB8NUsEUIMMnv-35hNNp_pL61WvzwL6iDZbCyZzQofRX_UGYY4X_aJdSSRy_OZ3YokW/s615/WITCHBLOOD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUxRMWdTIyn3GkyMw7GF0cEm2rzNkSL5h0FyP3s9r6pRUnDgb6p0A627cVqYerAF6v3KOiBp_rmQCpaEqeIH4zIPixCPeVAWYQBrg_RSLa0GScnOSJOemqbB8NUsEUIMMnv-35hNNp_pL61WvzwL6iDZbCyZzQofRX_UGYY4X_aJdSSRy_OZ3YokW/w410-h160/WITCHBLOOD.jpg" width="410" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Check out my review below for <i>Witchblood</i> by Matthew Erman & Lisa Sterle, a crazy, bloody, fantastical ride filled with witches, vampires, and danger! There's also a giveaway to enter, so keep scrolling!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3BYdKpWpEvfflErqAddbKK9LU_vmGj7ST1GLBzMPFjj8ZkSa81ptTcjCcmjueh5GexKVDNrREOeuU8XXWaNWqpC66r_k_SCkmBJJhdNSCfY1uu6TH_-k7M7UBSRwXefKeYw76i_FfuvWIeHgK1p64vc8mtL20Gso9ta_ufIJvFcd4fjomNuHNcU6/s2152/witchblood-9781638490845_hr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2152" data-original-width="1399" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3BYdKpWpEvfflErqAddbKK9LU_vmGj7ST1GLBzMPFjj8ZkSa81ptTcjCcmjueh5GexKVDNrREOeuU8XXWaNWqpC66r_k_SCkmBJJhdNSCfY1uu6TH_-k7M7UBSRwXefKeYw76i_FfuvWIeHgK1p64vc8mtL20Gso9ta_ufIJvFcd4fjomNuHNcU6/w416-h640/witchblood-9781638490845_hr.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Witchblood</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Authors(s)</b>: </span>Matthew Erman (Writer), Lisa Sterle (Artist), AndWorld Design (Letters), and Gab Contreras (Colors)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Publication Date</b>: April 26, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Paperback, eBook; 128 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Vault Comics<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/35VvBik" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3jmAfcl" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witchblood-matthew-erman/1139953434?ean=9781638490845" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Witchblood/Matthew-Erman/9781638490845?id=8292526258128&_ga=2.140505648.207499862.1650831570-1704505461.1629252629" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/witchblood/id1598007241?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fwitchblood-4" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://tidd.ly/3Ks8KKp" target="_blank">TBD</a> - </span><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781638490845" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>4/11/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Writer of Wrongs - Excerpt or Guest Post</div><div>4/12/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Wottaread Blog - Excerpt or Guest Post</div><div>4/13/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>BookHounds YA - Excerpt or Guest Post/IG Post</div><div>4/14/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Sadie's Spotlight - Excerpt or Guest Post/IG Post</div><div>4/15/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog - Excerpt or Guest Post</div><div>4/16/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>See Sadie Read - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>4/17/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Court of Coffee and Books - Review</div><div>4/18/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@thebookishfoxwitch - Review</div><div>4/19/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Momma Spot - Review</div><div>4/20/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Celia's Reads - Review</div><div>4/21/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Bri's Bookish - Review</div><div>4/22/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Bookish Dream - Review</div><div>4/23/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Lifestyle of Me - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>4/24/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Fyrekatz Blog - Review</div><div>4/25/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>4/26/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nerdophiles - Review</div><div>4/27/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Clever Reader - Review/IG Post</div><div>4/28/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nonbinary Knight Reads - Review</div><div>4/29/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Two Points of Interest - Review</div><div>4/30/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Vamplit - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>5/1/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>My Fictional Oasis - Review</div><div>5/2/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Pages_and_Procrastinaton - Review/IG Post</div><div>5/3/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Bookish Rantings - Excerpt or Guest Post/IG Post</div><div>5/4/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Emmiepooh2 - Review</div><div>5/5/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Two Chicks on Books - Excerpt or Guest Post</div><div>5/6/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@jaimerockstarbooktours - IG Post</div><div>5/7/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@lexijava - Review/IG Post</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">A non-stop supernatural action adventure bathed in magic, blood, motorcycles, mayhem, vampires, and an unconventional. 1,000 year-old witch named Yonna.</span></i></b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">MAGIC IS IN THE BLOOD</span></b></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A modern, Wild West road trip about a witch named Yonna cruising the Southwest as a band of bloodthirsty biker vampires, The Hounds of Love, hunt her scattered coven for the source of all magic: witch blood. From the critically acclaimed creators of The Modern Witch Tarot Deck and Long Lost comes Witchblood, a blend of action, lore, and Americana—perfect for fans of Buffy and American Gods.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><u>Reviews</u></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Loud and brash and high-energy, the kind of thing that makes readers yearn to see what will come next...[packed with] gripping, stylish thrills." ― <i><b>Women Write About Comics</b></i></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"A mixtape in comic form, that blends familiar lore, with the roughness of the Wild West...the creative team has successfully given us a character who although vulnerable, packs some serious attitude, you can’t help but root for her, and with the dangers she has stumbled upon and the revelation of her <i>Witchblood</i>, we are on our way to be treated to some action-packed, magic in the making." ― <b><i>Geek Network</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"<i>Witchblood </i>#1 is a fun, splashy start to a stylish series." ― <i><b>AV Club</b></i></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Want a chaotic, fun time? <i>Witchblood </i>is just the levels of chaos you need in your life." ― <b><i>Wandering Nerd Girl</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"<i>Witchblood </i>is the most beautiful form of a passion project...This comic really is something special, not just for fans of witchcraft and vampires, but for anyone who loves colour, representation, and the craft done right." ― <i><b>The Valkyries</b></i></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Named one of "the comics and graphic novels worth mentioning from 2021" ― <b><i>THRILLIST</i></b></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58532630-poiko" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Witchblood</i> by Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle was one crazy ride! I adore comics/graphic novels, so when I got a chance to review this one, I jumped at it. <i>Witchblood </i>tells the story of Yonna, a 1,000 year old witch who is traveling alone across the Southwest with only her bird familiar Bhu and her motorcycle, Ramblin' Rose. She ends up rolling into Carlos, Texas, where some trouble finds her.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I like Yonna as a character; she is fierce, funny, and fearless. She's going it alone, but isn't afraid of what be waiting for her. And in this instance, she should be a little worried. The Hounds of Love, a vampiric motorcycle gang has also landed in Carlos, and they've been on the hunt for blod: witch's blood.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Obviously, Yonna doesn't want to get sucked dry, so she hightails it outta town. But that isn't the last she'll see of the Hounds of Love. This altercation builds into a bigger problem, one that finds Yonna making needed allies and reaching back out to the coven she once left. The storytelling is sharp and makes for an interesting premise. Combining that with the fantastic art and layout, the reader gets dragged immediately into the story. Dripping with style, this book was a feast for the eyes in all aspects.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Full of action, gorgeous art, snappy dialogue, and captivating colors, <i>Witchblood </i>is a very fun romp. Once you dive in, you won't stop until it's finished. It makes me eager to see what the next installment brings. This trade paperback combines Issue #1-#10 of the comic.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53fd0pWsASg2e7sEUmAOFw-QanWg645m3Gi7NgboqJjL8_L2SnSsP5zZqFPci3Zqe46AMXkQqI9rWHlSYRWqXvHafuXoqPW0QKQBugcIPTEtk5xH_-Mk9VgjEhwWOdHh8toSJJaL-ChQbbRQHkhayoM-TJlEOVdWTv4bnI2qCpeDOv87C8mKKZHmB/s320/3.5%20stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="89" data-original-width="320" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53fd0pWsASg2e7sEUmAOFw-QanWg645m3Gi7NgboqJjL8_L2SnSsP5zZqFPci3Zqe46AMXkQqI9rWHlSYRWqXvHafuXoqPW0QKQBugcIPTEtk5xH_-Mk9VgjEhwWOdHh8toSJJaL-ChQbbRQHkhayoM-TJlEOVdWTv4bnI2qCpeDOv87C8mKKZHmB/w359-h100/3.5%20stars.jpg" width="359" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><b><span><font face="georgia">Excerpt</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbe9H0dUDaYgfwlnnPWz_okX3UEFy5IlpZQH4INhZ66Y14IiDaLqtVT6oMGiNFFL8r2SW0r1mqZUyx278E-YQLLup_ra5SfN3HJQ6QCdeed6tg6DITGRQqyd4Tldhzytmox-u3TynUK0cSq2BxP2kYvIZAWZugyldLH1ukNe8jvktgwyJHoxb5wsCw/s1153/Excerpt%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="750" height="757" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbe9H0dUDaYgfwlnnPWz_okX3UEFy5IlpZQH4INhZ66Y14IiDaLqtVT6oMGiNFFL8r2SW0r1mqZUyx278E-YQLLup_ra5SfN3HJQ6QCdeed6tg6DITGRQqyd4Tldhzytmox-u3TynUK0cSq2BxP2kYvIZAWZugyldLH1ukNe8jvktgwyJHoxb5wsCw/w492-h757/Excerpt%201.png" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ng1cDJoaAcmT7KkIddmyUO7aFbRfMm_YpND-vZMkXfpj_oXJFobAxqOM6dTLeTiE-Qj8-HggPsVf5qO88JZpGVve2ZerJTpDDr1TYk7rvOspvoEg7Z1fpkyHbr8jZEI_jNau2afjN-3mlu-08O5xtHpNHW3KsMUx8QJNO5pdlZ2G4d7QJw3_c5F0/s1153/Excerpt%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="750" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ng1cDJoaAcmT7KkIddmyUO7aFbRfMm_YpND-vZMkXfpj_oXJFobAxqOM6dTLeTiE-Qj8-HggPsVf5qO88JZpGVve2ZerJTpDDr1TYk7rvOspvoEg7Z1fpkyHbr8jZEI_jNau2afjN-3mlu-08O5xtHpNHW3KsMUx8QJNO5pdlZ2G4d7QJw3_c5F0/w488-h751/Excerpt%202.png" width="488" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Creators</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9lv1p1uFedELYDa3nGjjao9ytqmVFYOgfkgoo-mxLP4bBHjTa6v_yWvzyFbyZM7PbGpTA5CVccExCOPFwlkeEmXDS6ZZGrKazcRtP3AQUX7fpfI0F_pTL_NgGHcgOc8KewBsPEPpA66qpjxL9SGeiddy5b2_2pyUQZUfIJmLuHVicVpZCgfVrScY/s400/188832740_hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9lv1p1uFedELYDa3nGjjao9ytqmVFYOgfkgoo-mxLP4bBHjTa6v_yWvzyFbyZM7PbGpTA5CVccExCOPFwlkeEmXDS6ZZGrKazcRtP3AQUX7fpfI0F_pTL_NgGHcgOc8KewBsPEPpA66qpjxL9SGeiddy5b2_2pyUQZUfIJmLuHVicVpZCgfVrScY/s320/188832740_hr.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>About Matthew Erman:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Matthew Erman is a comics writer from Columbus, Ohio. Alongside Lisa Sterle, he co-created the critically acclaimed comic horror series, <i>Long Lost</i>, which was optioned for Film/TV by Producer Jenny Klein (<i>The Witcher</i>, <i>Daisy Jones and The Six</i>). Erman has since worked on the comic book series Jim Henson’s <i>The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance</i> and graphic novel <i>Power Rangers: Sins of the Future</i> with BOOM! Studios, series <i>Care Bears: Unlock the Magic</i> with IDW, the upcoming science fiction/ horror / humorous romance original graphic novel <i>BONDING</i>, with artist and co-creator Emily Pearson for Vault Comics, and the smash supernatural action adventure comics series (with artist/co-creator Lisa Sterle) from Vault Comics, <i>WITCHBLOOD</i>. His short work can be found in anthologies such as <i>Corpus </i>(2018), <i>Dead Beats</i> (2019) and <i>Everything is Going Wrong</i> (2019).</div><div><br /></div></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.matthewerman.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewErman" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matthew.erman/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8257167.Brian_Middleton" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/38EdHlj" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbytfhumqeEj0NpvFxCkEOJn89pPfnVv3woXhdckrILq3ydNzxXtiSssTwoUVnOe9xqFy1A6cYHdIoY8Ub3vin7owj2xgme_XkJP5gHKlzstFt3i8QqgC5MiF0WzpcMuhbsihH5rbj1Moz0GIdXnrsEs4k7NzfGnZGHp1l4wz0b7wF8mX7Ky81zuHT/s625/Lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbytfhumqeEj0NpvFxCkEOJn89pPfnVv3woXhdckrILq3ydNzxXtiSssTwoUVnOe9xqFy1A6cYHdIoY8Ub3vin7owj2xgme_XkJP5gHKlzstFt3i8QqgC5MiF0WzpcMuhbsihH5rbj1Moz0GIdXnrsEs4k7NzfGnZGHp1l4wz0b7wF8mX7Ky81zuHT/s320/Lisa.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>About Lisa Sterle:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lisa Sterle is a Columbus artist with work spanning from comic books to concept design to pop-culture-fueled illustration. Her work is often bright, expressive, and occasionally tinged with horror— marrying her two favorite themes: the beautiful and the grotesque. She has worked with HarperCollins, IDW, Image, Archie Comics, Vault Comics, BOOM! Studios, and many others. She is the co-creator of monthly comics <i>Long Lost</i> and <i>Submerged </i>(Vault Comics), and <i>Witchblood </i>(Vault comics), as well as creator of <i>The Modern Witch Tarot Deck</i>, a modern and diverse interpretation of the classic Rider-Waite tarot deck. Currently she is working on the graphic novel <i>Squad </i>with writer Maggie Tokuda-Hall for Greenwillow Books.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>WITCHBLOOD </i>is the first time Lisa Sterle’s wider (witchy/tarot/occult) audience has access to her all-new book (to be found in book stores in which they frequent), and it is her first creator-owned project since<i> The Modern Witch Tarot.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the creator of the smash, best-selling, <i>The Modern Witch Tarot</i>, Lisa has a super rabid fan base, and with over 16K Twitter followers, she is known as one of the most “influential witches in the world!” Further, Lisa was voted by Watkins Body Mind Spirit Magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People (Pope Francis is #1, Dalai Lama is #2; Lisa is #92 – Neil de Grasse Tyson is #93!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here’s more about Lisa Sterle’s diverse, all-female, Modern Witch Tarot:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>The Modern Witch Tarot</i> has sold over TWO MILLION UNITS since its release on October 1, 2019</li><li><i>The Modern Witch Tarot</i> is the #1 Bestselling Tarot in the world – ever!</li><li>It is the #1 BESTSELLER in Amazon’s Tarot category</li><li>It is the #2 BESTSELLER in Amazon’s Fortune Telling category</li><li>It is the #4 BESTSELLER in Amazon’s Witchcraft Religion & Spirituality category</li><li><i>The Modern Witch Tarot</i> has over 13,000 reviews</li><li><i>The Modern Witch Tarot</i> is rated 5 stars on Amazon</li><li><i>The Modern Witch Tarot</i> has been in the TOP 500 Books on Amazon since release</li><li><i>The Modern Witch Tarot</i> reinvented the Rider-Waite deck for modern use</li></ul></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.lisasterle.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/lisa_sterle" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lisasterle/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://lisasterle.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8257167.Brian_Middleton" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 winners will receive a finished copy of <i>WITCHBLOOD</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21441/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TfJPjD5jEQ_NfoLcpyspLpZL_p1gXTNQuOuRN7Z6VNdIOEao5mM-luIyzjO28gQvzv-vzlFbap-mfnVCecPb3eCzWbPk-ikvonDIEdLcq5OWCouGxLeaeuIhAQHLZAGDaZwU5Ky_AeW5iCWBn1FqxfJ9zZE6XvCJtgU4avN52Jl0M23JnkSD3T2Z/s320/WITCHBLOOD%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-59300955909185762422022-04-13T08:00:00.003-04:002022-04-13T08:00:00.193-04:00BLOG TOUR - A MOST UNUSUAL DUKE BY SUSANNA ALLEN - ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxMc_u_YkilboE7xNq6v651HAbfP4tRI5VdFY_kp3geaZGnQENJKFtJoB6hpwgy-qv8u_MJe_DCxSo8m41-CdxQyOBBi_FrfWK6l7nmeAHUqhwA_KKjQobngYhBBBXjz0-7wIvCpCl5enAnSjwlMzBXsAkb6mt-dmmdOX8wYZLTutO0IsL4JfR7Ux/s615/A%20MOST%20UNUSUAL%20DUKE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxMc_u_YkilboE7xNq6v651HAbfP4tRI5VdFY_kp3geaZGnQENJKFtJoB6hpwgy-qv8u_MJe_DCxSo8m41-CdxQyOBBi_FrfWK6l7nmeAHUqhwA_KKjQobngYhBBBXjz0-7wIvCpCl5enAnSjwlMzBXsAkb6mt-dmmdOX8wYZLTutO0IsL4JfR7Ux/w400-h156/A%20MOST%20UNUSUAL%20DUKE.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Check out my review below for <i>A Most Unusual Duke</i> by Susanna Allen, a Regency romance with a fantasy-edge, sure to delight romance and fantasy readers alike! There's also a giveaway to enter, so keep scrolling!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TvS0gIYjI2NeOJXQDgK05F85P26xE-3Due4-Qa7tOE0izwoVNZnSzguP0hx0vROqC5_rwPfzM18hT0LIwM5i5hw6tdPi0tOaQK194kro7wi5hZqfG0F1TTmiPam8tkOFmwZqLr8WG5VEC_0qhyfhovT36fOYn9VJQ6_yWNcZYGaQRNegaQOj315X/s2100/_A%20Most%20Unusual%20Duke.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1425" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TvS0gIYjI2NeOJXQDgK05F85P26xE-3Due4-Qa7tOE0izwoVNZnSzguP0hx0vROqC5_rwPfzM18hT0LIwM5i5hw6tdPi0tOaQK194kro7wi5hZqfG0F1TTmiPam8tkOFmwZqLr8WG5VEC_0qhyfhovT36fOYn9VJQ6_yWNcZYGaQRNegaQOj315X/w434-h640/_A%20Most%20Unusual%20Duke.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>A Most Unusal Duke</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: susanna Allen<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: December 28, 2021<br /><b>Edition</b>: Paperback, eBook, audiobook; 288 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Sourcebooks Casablanca<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3tX77OM" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3uImdXQ" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3JVDiUl" target="_blank">Audible</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-most-unusual-duke-susanna-allen/1138889798?ean=9781728230399" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Most-Unusual-Duke/Susanna-Allen/9781728230399?id=8490924027297" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-most-unusual-duke/id1556953216?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fa-most-unusual-duke" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://tidd.ly/3IW4Wzi" target="_blank">TBD</a> - </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781728230399" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>4/4/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Books a Plenty Book Reviews</a> - Review</div><div>4/4/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://fkrants.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fyrekatz Blog</a> - Review</div><div>4/5/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://thereadingdevil.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Reading Devil</a> - Guest Post/IG Post</div><div>4/5/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://www.morebookspleaseblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">More Books Please blog</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>4/6/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theheavycrownreads/" target="_blank">@theheavycrownreads</a> - Review</div><div>4/6/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://www.bookhounds.net/" target="_blank">BookHounds</a> - Guest Post/IG Post</div><div>4/7/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://acourtofcoffeeandbooks.com/" target="_blank">A Court of Coffee and Books</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>4/7/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://sadiesspotlight.com/" target="_blank">Sadie's Spotlight</a> - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>4/8/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://owlabridged.com/" target="_blank">Owl Abridged</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>4/8/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://angelsguiltypleasures.com/" target="_blank">Angel's Guilty Pleasures</a> - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>4/11/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://quilltreefox.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Quill Tree Fox</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>4/11/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://bookreviewvirginialee.com/" target="_blank">#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog</a> - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>4/12/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/takealookatmybookshelf" target="_blank">Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf</a> - Review</div><div>4/12/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://fireandicereads.com/" target="_blank">Fire and Ice</a> - Review</div><div>4/13/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.elisquared.com/" target="_blank">Eli to the nth</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>4/13/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://am2cents.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Two Points of Interest</a> - Review</div><div>4/14/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://themommaspot.home.blog/" target="_blank">The Momma Spot</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>4/14/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jypsylynn" target="_blank">@jypsylynn</a> - Review</div><div>4/15/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/onemused" target="_blank">onemused</a> - Review/IG Post</div><div>4/15/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span><a href="http://rajivsreviews.com/" target="_blank">Rajiv's Reviews</a> - Review</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>Bridgerton</i> meets <i>Werewolves Within</i> in this sparkling shapeshifter Regency romance mixed with humor, steamy chemistry, and fantasy.</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Duke said he'd never get married...</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Prince Regent insists his cousin and fellow bear shifter, Arthur Humphries, the Duke of Osborn, take a mate to ensure the continuation of their species. After all, Arthur is an Alpha, so he must set a good example. The duke would very much prefer to continue his comfortable bachelor lifestyle, but the Prince Regent is not a bear to be poked.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Beatrice, the widowed Marchioness of Castleton, is in possession of a powerful secret. She knows all about Shifters, her horrible late husband being one of them. At any moment, Beatrice could reveal the secrets of the Prince and those like him—unless the Prince can make sure she marries another Shifter.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A marriage between the Duke of Osborn and Beatrice is far from ideal for either one, but at least they won't fall in love...right?</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Witty, fantastical, and entirely unique, <i>A Most Unusual Duke</i> is perfect for readers looking for:</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">• A delicious Regency romp with a paranormal twist</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">• A devilishly handsome Alpha hero</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">• A marriage of convenience</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">• A magical world to sink your teeth into</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Reviews:</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Allen continues to make this unusual genre mash-up sing." ― <i>Publishers Weekly</i></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Susanna Allen Writer's writing is SO GOOD. It sucked me right in. I think you'll love it, too."- Julia Quinn, #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of the <i>Bridgerton </i>series.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57364682-a-most-unusual-duke" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG4WA-KhLvQ1kw7HXyzfVCQ0cylplsHD-f_WKWVP8EYjlTu7FupeoL4_mmirahqsXL2YCjp5KHWiitG3W9W9fwVIk3LwZMrZJEIsRSK8qTafzHKPBR5fBhwY-zz90BNJBiM0gNWDLOaHelg1YB6-AlV3mNJXzZKQB1L39KUxZ6OeqhWLqTWSvYISd/s373/3%20books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="373" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG4WA-KhLvQ1kw7HXyzfVCQ0cylplsHD-f_WKWVP8EYjlTu7FupeoL4_mmirahqsXL2YCjp5KHWiitG3W9W9fwVIk3LwZMrZJEIsRSK8qTafzHKPBR5fBhwY-zz90BNJBiM0gNWDLOaHelg1YB6-AlV3mNJXzZKQB1L39KUxZ6OeqhWLqTWSvYISd/w400-h321/3%20books.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span><a href="https://amzn.to/3LuiKTp" target="_blank">You can grab all three books in the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series!</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I definitely grew up reading Regency romances that I squirreled away in the corner of the library. Of course when I grew up, I no longer had to hide them, but they still held a fond place in my heart. I also am a big fan of fantasy/supernatural stories, so having the two mixed, as in <i>A Most Unusual Duke</i> by Susanna Allen, had me hooked into the story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you're looking for some classic romance tropes, then look no further. We got arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, fated mates, and slow burn all in one book. But we also have really strong female characters, especially in the form of Beatrice of main love interest. While many a Regency romance I've read has a stronger than usual female lead, Beatrice really stood out to me in terms of her competency. Then our leading man, Arthur, is the best mix of "alpha male" (both literally and figuratively) and gentle, caring husband. They butt heads and their romance is a very slow burn, but that makes the ending that much sweeter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The supernatural elements are mixed well within the Regency-era. Of course most of the upper crust are all shifters of some sort, which made it a little unrealistic that it was an actual secret, rather than an open-secret, but not uncommon in books like this. I liked the different glimpses in the shifter cultures, and this is the first bear shifter romance I've read, so that was a fresh take.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think overall this was an enjoyable read; it gives fantasy lovers a good romance to sink into and romance lovers a good fantasy to sink into. Also, there are two other books in the series (see above) that connect slightly, but also stand alone. So if you enjoy <i>A Most Unusual Duke</i>, be sure to check out Susanna Allen's other books, <i>A Wolf in Duke's Clothing</i> and <i>A Duke at the Door.</i> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRhpi8b3jUZ1q0VMzSdG21mmkQZvdXKhIeLtzBepVMBvWuHJVEjntqV_zgU8MUPkslHENJL9zVpasHp4Q7FJddA4BS63SKPvXgGyaLHV_o2ttXmL0IypGFFIAz1fWnHwUu0k_6PKDwpHTdAozZwiWpYFpNUclrfwFLG7Xv1fQANDHBPjCR0G62qHi/s320/3.5%20stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="89" data-original-width="320" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRhpi8b3jUZ1q0VMzSdG21mmkQZvdXKhIeLtzBepVMBvWuHJVEjntqV_zgU8MUPkslHENJL9zVpasHp4Q7FJddA4BS63SKPvXgGyaLHV_o2ttXmL0IypGFFIAz1fWnHwUu0k_6PKDwpHTdAozZwiWpYFpNUclrfwFLG7Xv1fQANDHBPjCR0G62qHi/w360-h100/3.5%20stars.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE5gEp2UzyImEkxfquxzYGxPsWd6yE3ajMU-ziXUp8w1DaOTV9_Mde5UJFb8cw4smVn-0kb1ZTso19bXCexXprUfZ4Ig7wphr4LW8AJ151yaCj3Y1a6BOjvHUyZQPm-tpTndo9jYRwRYeK4hleySxng-B1cZ70ioNJ_USA54vnBaSyTW4AwXSdc4Y/s266/Susanna.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE5gEp2UzyImEkxfquxzYGxPsWd6yE3ajMU-ziXUp8w1DaOTV9_Mde5UJFb8cw4smVn-0kb1ZTso19bXCexXprUfZ4Ig7wphr4LW8AJ151yaCj3Y1a6BOjvHUyZQPm-tpTndo9jYRwRYeK4hleySxng-B1cZ70ioNJ_USA54vnBaSyTW4AwXSdc4Y/s16000/Susanna.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><b>Susanna Allen...</b></div><div>... moved to Ireland for twelve months — in 1998. Having gained a Master of Philosophy in Irish Theatre Studies from the Samuel Beckett Centre, Trinity College, she embarked on a career in theatre criticism, eventually moving into feature writing on all things cultural, as well as lifestyle-oriented subjects for major Irish titles across newsprint and magazines. </div><div><br /></div><div>Writing as Susan Conley, she is the author of <i>Drama Queen</i> and <i>The Fidelity Project</i>, both published by Headline UK, and the soon-to-be republished <i>That</i></div><div><i>Magic Mischief</i>. Her memoir, <i>Many Brave Fools: A Story of Addiction, Dysfunction, Codependency… and Horses</i> is published by Trafalgar Square Books and recounts the growth and insights she acquired after having taken up horse riding as an adult, post-divorce.</div><div><br /></div><div>Susan is living her life by the three Rs: reading, writing and horseback riding, and can generally be found on her sofa with her e-reader; gazing out a window and thinking about made-up people; or cantering around in circles. She loves every minute of it!</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.susannaallenwriter.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/SusannaAWriter" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SusannaAWriter/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/susannaawriter/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20487105.Susanna_Allen" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3LunXe6" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susanna-allen" target="_blank">BookBub</a></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2 winners will receive a finished copy of <i>A MOST UNUSUAL DUKE</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21424/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiXxlcD-zG-ALopEeMLJhnJf4u6SaXUQS9Q2ZGTSos5Cx9b2IZSKQ_OLJUaVIIfZpeOBUS28nTjfH9lSzGAP9-lm2FvEc9FGGGlVu8gdhTDR7xXUCqW5jOIUhYSWxpNoMzC5q62Qh6SfMxU8lg1HQcNps1OAn1dV_k24OIMpzs5IUMRyAOwPABRDO/s320/A%20MOST%20UNUSUAL%20DUKE%20INSTA.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-22341704261148060402022-04-05T09:00:00.010-04:002022-04-05T22:28:09.196-04:00BOOK REVIEW - SHE GETS THE GIRL BY RACHAEL LIPPINCOTT & ALYSON DERRICK (YOUNG ADULT)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEDpsQJXBuzJYWEE8zXSH3HgaeT9BONq8jiTDVQWHXEJEPfOsy37oFTGCC8kX9Cgdx_--oo6Cfn7npH_A1VyzfhA08HHjKUtXbWsysunxrjqw8SPuD4kcRCoa_wFdMVFdhH7HR7C-6PvxtjpP1-W3t53TmWzLwbkHbxj_xXoF1cbmkeqiYHBXKeFw/s2114/she%20gets%20the%20girl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2114" data-original-width="1399" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEDpsQJXBuzJYWEE8zXSH3HgaeT9BONq8jiTDVQWHXEJEPfOsy37oFTGCC8kX9Cgdx_--oo6Cfn7npH_A1VyzfhA08HHjKUtXbWsysunxrjqw8SPuD4kcRCoa_wFdMVFdhH7HR7C-6PvxtjpP1-W3t53TmWzLwbkHbxj_xXoF1cbmkeqiYHBXKeFw/w424-h640/she%20gets%20the%20girl.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>She Gets the Girl</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: April 5, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 384 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers<br /><b>Source</b>: Publisher<br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1534493794?tag=simonsayscom" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/she-gets-the-girl-rachael-lippincott/1139746872?ean=9781534493797&st=AFF&2sid=Simon%20&%20Schuster_7567305_NA&sourceId=AFFSimon%20&%20Schuster" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781534493797" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/She-Gets-Girl-Rachael-Lippincott/9781534493797?ref=grid-view&qid=1649092452809&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TBD</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/she-gets-the-girl-9781534493797/9781534493797" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>The Summary</b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>She’s All That</i> meets <i>What If It’s Us</i> in this swoon-worthy hate-to-love YA romantic comedy from #1 <i>New York Time</i>s bestselling coauthor of <i>Five Feet Apart</i> Rachael Lippincott and debut writer Alyson Derrick.</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Alex Blackwood is a little bit headstrong, with a dash of chaos and a whole lot of flirt. She knows how to get the girl. Keeping her on the other hand…not so much. Molly Parker has everything in her life totally in control, except for her complete awkwardness with just about anyone besides her mom. She knows she’s in love with the impossibly cool Cora Myers. She just…hasn’t actually talked to her yet.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Alex and Molly don’t belong on the same planet, let alone the same college campus. But when Alex, fresh off a bad (but hopefully not permanent) breakup, discovers Molly’s hidden crush as their paths cross the night before classes start, they realize they might have a common interest after all. Because maybe if Alex volunteers to help Molly learn how to get her dream girl to fall for her, she can prove to her ex that she’s not a selfish flirt. That she’s ready for an actual commitment. And while Alex is the last person Molly would ever think she could trust, she can’t deny Alex knows what she’s doing with girls, unlike her.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As the two embark on their five-step plans to get their girls to fall for them, though, they both begin to wonder if maybe they’re the ones falling…for each other.</span></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58437812-she-gets-the-girl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was very excited to get the chance to read a new book from Rachael Lippincott. I love her books, and this one, which she co-authored with her wife, Alyson Derrick, sounded right up my alley. Hitting some of my favorite romance tropes, <i>She Gets the Girl</i> is an adorable sapphic romance, set at the beginning of college: a place where people can find their true selves, and perhaps their true loves.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Molly and Alex were great characters, and really complimented each other. They both have girl problems: Molly has a hopeless crush on a former classmate and Alex was hit with a rough break-up. Alex, finding out about Molly's crush, devises a plan to help her win the girl and to prove to Alex's ex that Alex can be genuine friends with someone. And this is the start of it all. Like I said, Molly and Alex compliment each other, but that's not obvious at first because there is major friction between the two. Hot-headed Alex and painfully-shy Molly clash, but through Alex's plan, they learn more and more about each other. As the girls learn about each other, they also learn about themselves.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">While this is sapphic romance, it is not a coming out story. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">That was a big draw while I was reading.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Both Molly and Alex are out to friends and family alike, so the reader really gets to dive into the development of the relationships, both romantic and friendly. The setting of freshman year of college is also a great time because it is an often pivotal moment in transition from a teenager to adult. This aspect of the book was so impactful, as the reader got to experience both Molly and Alex develop into different, and in some ways better, versions of their old selves. Then the relationship development was sweet to read as well. So the more intense personal growth and more light-hearted (but just as important) romantic growth created a nice harmony.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The writing was funny with poignant aspects. Each character's voice was distinct, and I enjoyed the changing point of view. I don't think that the story would be as round as it is if the reader only heard from one of the characters. This book moved fast, even if the romance was a slow burn (I do love a good slow burn). I was engaged throughout, and felt the ending was perfect, even though I could've always had more. My only note with the writing was the pop culture references used could date the book in the future and not make as much of an impact. But that really doesn't detract from the story for me personally. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>She Gets the Girl</i> by Rachael Lippincott & Alyson Derrick is a must-add to your YA contemporary romance pile. Sweet, funny, and emotional, this romcom will hit all the best parts of a feel-good story. I would 100% read anything these two come up with next! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">CW: alcoholism, parental neglect and abandonment, internalized racism, toxic relationship</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wdg8ctWiBebFfMPQzVmhfah1EWQUed_3T9BAFLHJKcTVAhrf2g6po0Bu12Z37-37IRpW0kYgs1KpxNqyLHELoDGXZlUnqhoK1-FHdf0lheiggZn_mvjprINDGeK2IcdpK-DcDfI3TnWpp-bKzCFNXDSIcA5RBp3GTW9gFuxg6Z6v4zWcYRkvEn-V/s889/4.5%20stars.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="889" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wdg8ctWiBebFfMPQzVmhfah1EWQUed_3T9BAFLHJKcTVAhrf2g6po0Bu12Z37-37IRpW0kYgs1KpxNqyLHELoDGXZlUnqhoK1-FHdf0lheiggZn_mvjprINDGeK2IcdpK-DcDfI3TnWpp-bKzCFNXDSIcA5RBp3GTW9gFuxg6Z6v4zWcYRkvEn-V/w400-h96/4.5%20stars.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Authors</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSLmOojm_emjh8jozLEg2_6jrNminsrdAJqivK8bsGH2mlUaRgFn8xFyslm0SB8KqvXCFJrcK1rf-d8Ob85SQAdGQYZ8nTZWZCk8dR02wtAgWpJPKGqWMqZpXYmgxC3acRMimNs_6WFF9tp6w76dL4ASejLbM2rfJTzWHAZUxpGdQKlbuPi9rCdLy/s250/rachael-lippincott.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSLmOojm_emjh8jozLEg2_6jrNminsrdAJqivK8bsGH2mlUaRgFn8xFyslm0SB8KqvXCFJrcK1rf-d8Ob85SQAdGQYZ8nTZWZCk8dR02wtAgWpJPKGqWMqZpXYmgxC3acRMimNs_6WFF9tp6w76dL4ASejLbM2rfJTzWHAZUxpGdQKlbuPi9rCdLy/s16000/rachael-lippincott.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Rachael Lippincott is the coauthor of <i>All This Time</i>, #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestseller <i>Five Feet Apart</i>, and <i>She Gets the Girl</i> and the author of <i>The Lucky List</i>. She holds a BA in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh. Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, she currently resides in Pennsylvania with her wife and their dog, Hank.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.rachaellippincott.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/rchllipp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aliceoseman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@alysonandrachael" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17977608.Rachael_Lippincott" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4tBO4vzRlxgukr6bNQODX5YXLfQicA8flXAYUtxC9P8IMs1d6aZeA37KCjfijf_h6IpSrdf1HOzbK5Ko8rMJ9ao6JVjK037dPKDFjKcOOtTli_npbtcRYTZBCuSsd8uBCA7uwQ5A-TGdbX-8m-0GnwQSttfWC-EPm8OI8Da5YNpcuE1_kkOXzg86/s250/alyson-derrick.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4tBO4vzRlxgukr6bNQODX5YXLfQicA8flXAYUtxC9P8IMs1d6aZeA37KCjfijf_h6IpSrdf1HOzbK5Ko8rMJ9ao6JVjK037dPKDFjKcOOtTli_npbtcRYTZBCuSsd8uBCA7uwQ5A-TGdbX-8m-0GnwQSttfWC-EPm8OI8Da5YNpcuE1_kkOXzg86/s16000/alyson-derrick.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Alyson Derrick was born and raised in Greenville, Pennsylvania, a town where burn barrels take the place of recycling bins. After making her great escape to Pittsburgh, where she earned her bachelor’s in English writing, Alyson started her own food truck, but soon realized she much prefers telling stories over slinging cheesesteaks. Alyson currently resides in Pennsylvania with her wife and their dog, Hank.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/whoisalysonanyway/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21579961.Alyson_Derrick" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-24532977010201141842022-03-07T08:00:00.001-05:002022-03-07T08:00:00.188-05:00BLOG TOUR - LOVELESS BY ALICE OSEMAN - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZlox4xHyl91vIqpRdpCntFYUToybqkXMNw-x1mGDnuEaZpw1hQr6ePEKoPHTBrg-Ma_mQvQA8RTiekpLM9ju7R5x9zhHLij3Peeq2iR6YPPYjVKij69P_lrksqEUC6DmVEQFPnTak5kAju9S1iapKhh_Hmf-oG_50O1D0vM3FTuhbeOdiQfVGUmDP=s615" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZlox4xHyl91vIqpRdpCntFYUToybqkXMNw-x1mGDnuEaZpw1hQr6ePEKoPHTBrg-Ma_mQvQA8RTiekpLM9ju7R5x9zhHLij3Peeq2iR6YPPYjVKij69P_lrksqEUC6DmVEQFPnTak5kAju9S1iapKhh_Hmf-oG_50O1D0vM3FTuhbeOdiQfVGUmDP=w420-h164" width="420" /></a></div><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqwSFnKbDRmpR__MKd_ndaM7RiTNJDFMVoiRGhQaqrhVkWeAm6OSMQ_0r-pph7BYxJpyyjhrj2hNnrUYySXEFDdt4qP0jr9SaoDKHd6D74z-ubCJEs3R_kVPwBuEwAXZIk_BAb5N-VTDPWcqZAun1mSx8-TcII4U4OjwIEybfWR7hIBRL634lZ2n2f=s2475" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqwSFnKbDRmpR__MKd_ndaM7RiTNJDFMVoiRGhQaqrhVkWeAm6OSMQ_0r-pph7BYxJpyyjhrj2hNnrUYySXEFDdt4qP0jr9SaoDKHd6D74z-ubCJEs3R_kVPwBuEwAXZIk_BAb5N-VTDPWcqZAun1mSx8-TcII4U4OjwIEybfWR7hIBRL634lZ2n2f=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Loveless</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Alice Oseman<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: March 1, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 432 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Scholastic Press<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3JUQc4S" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3M5pAje" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3JQfjWc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Audible</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/loveless-alice-oseman/1138285683?ean=9781338751932" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Loveless/Alice-Oseman/9781338751932?id=8292526258128&_ga=2.41715298.1928027774.1646530961-1704505461.1629252629" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/loveless/id1540986223?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Floveless-17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://tidd.ly/3JYxuci" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TBD</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781338751932" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>2/28/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nonbinary Knight Reads - Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div><div>2/28/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>BookHounds YA - Excerpt</div><div>2/28/2022 -<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rajiv's Reviews - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/1/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@badlandsbooks_ - Review</div><div>3/1/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nerdophiles - Review</div><div>3/1/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@booksaremagictoo - Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div><div>3/1/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Kait Plus Books - Excerpt</div><div>3/2/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Dana's Book Garden - Review</div><div>3/2/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Reading Wordsmith - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/2/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@thebookishfoxwitch - Review</div><div>3/3/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>popthebutterfly - Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div><div>3/3/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Emelie's Books - Review</div><div>3/3/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>patrickfromperks - TikTok Review or Spotlight</div><div>3/4/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@emmreadsbooks - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/4/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>onemused - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/4/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Bookish Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>3/7/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Midnightbooklover - Review</div><div>3/7/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Eli to the nth - Review</div><div>3/7/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Bookwyrm's Den - Review</div><div>3/8/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>YABooksCentral - Excerpt</div><div>3/8/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Utopia State of Mind - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/8/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Two Points of Interest - Review</div><div>3/9/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Not In Jersey - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/9/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>More Books Please blog - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/9/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@drewsim12 - Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div><div>3/10/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/10/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Celia's Reads-blog - Review/IG Post</div><div>3/10/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@coffeesipsandreads - Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div><div>3/11/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Zainey Laney in all 3 - Review/IG Post/TikTok Post</div><div>3/11/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>My Fictional Oasis - Review</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><font face="georgia"><br /></font></b></div><div><b><font face="georgia">The Summary</font></b></div></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">For fans of <i>Love, Simo</i>n and <i>I Wish You All the Best</i>, a funny, honest, messy, completely relatable story of a girl who realizes that love can be found in many ways that don't involve sex or romance.<br /><br />From the marvelous author of <i>Heartstopper</i> comes an exceptional YA novel about discovering that it's okay if you don't have sexual or romantic feelings for anyone . . . since there are plenty of other ways to find love and connection.<br /><br />This is the funny, honest, messy, completely relatable story of Georgia, who doesn't understand why she can't crush and kiss and make out like her friends do. She's surrounded by the narrative that dating + sex = love. It's not until she gets to college that she discovers the A range of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum -- coming to understand herself as asexual/aromantic. Disrupting the narrative that she's been told since birth isn't easy -- there are many mistakes along the way to inviting people into a newly found articulation of an always-known part of your identity. But Georgia's determined to get her life right, with the help of (and despite the major drama of) her friends.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55977956-loveless" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Loveless</i> by Alice Oseman, unlike what the title suggests, is a book all about love: self-love, platonic love, romantic love, and familial love. At the forefront is a focus on queer love, and the multidimensional experience young adults, especially those who do not fit the societal "norm", move through as they grow into adulthood.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The main character, Georgia, is going away to university with her two best friends, Pip and Jason. With the impending move to university, Georgia is faced with the fact that she has never fallen in love, never kissed anyone, or even had a "real" crush on someone; something that is found odd by both her peers and society-at-large. Even in Georgia's own mind, as someone who loves romcoms and fanfiction, her lack of experience and feelings are an oddity. So university is where she is determined to change her status, and find someone to experience a relationship with.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Along the way, Georgia makes some poor decisions based on internalized expectations and societal expectations. But she also finds herself, with this journey being hard but ultimately not surprising, in a way I think many queer people experience. This is the part of the book that I loved the most. Oseman shows the confusion and heartache and relief that comes from a personal discovery such as what Georgia goes through. Throughout Georgia's trials to start a relationship you always see a tiny hint that she knows this isn't for her; that sex/romance aren't what she wants. And that hint, as Georgia keeps moving forward in her journey, only grows. I felt that this was very truthful in it's complexity and messiness. Georgia internalizes much of the stereotypical expectations for love and relationships, which I think is summarized in the book description very well: </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">dating + sex = love. In her mind, to love someone is to be "in love" with them, wanting sex and all that entails. But discovering that other people actually experience love without sex or romance wrapped up in it, finding the term aromantic </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">asexual</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">, opens Georgia's eyes to who she is and that her identity is valid.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There isn't enough mainstream depictions of aro/ace people that aren't the butt of some joke. And while the experience Oseman writes about in </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Loveless </i><span style="font-family: georgia;">is a particular experience and does not speak to all aro/ace people, I found myself relating to many of the thoughts and feelings Georgia experiences. Reading this in my 30s, and never really seeing my own experiences reflected in media I consumed, made me revert back to being a teenager and how confusing (and still confusing) love can be. I really appreciate that a book like this was published, even if it is not quite the experience that the individual reader has, because it highlights that love can exist in all forms, and sometimes the "love" that people think of as typical can be toxic depending on the situation.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">As I said at the beginning, <i>Loveless</i> is about love in all its forms. Not only Georgia's journey of self-love, but her journey of platonic love involving Pip, Jason, and her new roommate Rooney. The realization and actualization that friends can be as important in someone's life as a romantic partner. Friends can support you, friends can comfort you, friends can accept you. Having a platonic relationship does not make that relationship less than simply because there is no sex or "romance" involved. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will say that some people may find some of the situations and thoughts expressed in the book triggering. Life is messy, and the aro- and ace-phobia that is shown on page, not only internalized by Georgia, but by a white cis gay man side character, could be harmful for some. But it is also realistic, as even in queer spaces there is bigotry and discrimination. Also, some of the depictions of sex, characterized through Rooney, who is identified as a pansexual woman (not explicitly on page), can be triggering, with the notes of self-harm these experiences invoke. But overall, I found that Oseman wrote each character as realistically and with as much truth to them as possible.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Loveless</i> by Alice Oseman is a heartfelt, realistic, much-needed portrayal of queer love and discovering who you are and the mess that can happen along the way. I think everyone will see themselves in some capacity, even if you don't identify as queer, which makes this book perfect for all. Pick it up at your local bookstore (both the U.S. edition, which was just published, and the U.K. edition are beautiful covers).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS9Nq60ARmR8Ryg3YZ3UUTWWjo8Qmrq3IaQ5Cu9nm3oYWhRUbatd1le5D4-7q8QLQXh17mI_1LDgImwjgYMpYqA01fZb_T4jTs-kwCmWN9LnQsShprYnCE26VbewpAesNnoDxHizpwaHBn_9z-K6ysibfVkokwJ7COqnQWP3TgJRktAbP9N-6ceuh-=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="71" data-original-width="320" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS9Nq60ARmR8Ryg3YZ3UUTWWjo8Qmrq3IaQ5Cu9nm3oYWhRUbatd1le5D4-7q8QLQXh17mI_1LDgImwjgYMpYqA01fZb_T4jTs-kwCmWN9LnQsShprYnCE26VbewpAesNnoDxHizpwaHBn_9z-K6ysibfVkokwJ7COqnQWP3TgJRktAbP9N-6ceuh-=w435-h96" width="435" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuYunv5xQfRnGKDLHSSKVVzK2ttPE7k0yF7bIdA0P9756TWa2r3JVlD4zqQGBtFOUS77qzAIQ7famu-9LOsLLLeWHQcHyaS51eMdxDCPqyxLUn-GrcvtiW617YPq9fEt7JOKjng7lO5Sdk5ASGv4Rt-wc-Na5RyIUH734mG24vZxVwqjSBF3wsN524=s468" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="345" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuYunv5xQfRnGKDLHSSKVVzK2ttPE7k0yF7bIdA0P9756TWa2r3JVlD4zqQGBtFOUS77qzAIQ7famu-9LOsLLLeWHQcHyaS51eMdxDCPqyxLUn-GrcvtiW617YPq9fEt7JOKjng7lO5Sdk5ASGv4Rt-wc-Na5RyIUH734mG24vZxVwqjSBF3wsN524=s320" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Alice Oseman was born in 1994 in Kent, England. She graduated from Durham University and is the author of YA contemporaries <i>Solitaire</i>, <i>Radio Silence</i>, and <i>I Was Born for This</i>. Visit Alice online at aliceoseman.com or on Twitter @AliceOseman.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.aliceoseman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/AliceOseman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliceOseman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aliceoseman/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@aliceoseman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TikTok</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7789423.Alice_Oseman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3LYgpRX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alice-oseman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BookBub</a></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3 winners will receive a finished copy of <i>LOVELESS</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21415/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhh0b47rF3yFjGG_e0U0pFRFFPqTzP-n7Ru-OmukO2D5meoh_TMC0GbshkAiDMpvj-hxvz2lpU4XH8WIqGg-9aZYvfMucF-ypjIHVo9HxOr77yp1wUWlkZITUFSNV0GeFSktes976ZZO-bbCfFHmohGcYinpi0_ejSysEsQ23nqkbVej0Ofw1K1dPLn=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-46494555788559428582022-02-14T08:00:00.015-05:002022-02-14T10:52:38.143-05:00BLOG TOUR - STAR WARS THE HIGH REPUBLIC: MIDNIGHT HORIZONS BY DANIEL JOSE OLDER - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaug_eWdxzufqUw1YJfNGlQ9SxgRBZlU_XtxyobKFsrrcblReraklr5EtDCEULuv_-2VGHr_Clf88SXzD2HDEjXXRvF0IVsGHCMJMSJYWoYQTjdw8ajbB4LVr8Sm7VCYS9uPnn1BLiaiHokSMmgcyRSdTdoUqSVwSWuLyHQuDImSi_Q9tZdZFwW8nN=s615" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaug_eWdxzufqUw1YJfNGlQ9SxgRBZlU_XtxyobKFsrrcblReraklr5EtDCEULuv_-2VGHr_Clf88SXzD2HDEjXXRvF0IVsGHCMJMSJYWoYQTjdw8ajbB4LVr8Sm7VCYS9uPnn1BLiaiHokSMmgcyRSdTdoUqSVwSWuLyHQuDImSi_Q9tZdZFwW8nN=w442-h172" width="442" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>Star Wars The High Republic: Midnight Horizons</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Daniel José Older<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: February 1, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, eBook; 496 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Disney-Hyperion<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3KNvjts" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3ubCLss" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/midnight-horizon-daniel-older/1140164287?ean=9781368060677" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Star-Wars-High-Republic/Daniel-Older/9781368060677?id=8292526258128" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-high-republic-midnight-horizon/id1600764487?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fthe-high-republic-midnight-horizon" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://tidd.ly/3o98JSw" target="_blank">TBD</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781368060677" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>2/1/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Mythical Books - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>2/2/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Daily Waffle - Excerpt</div><div>2/3/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Living in a Bookworld - Excerpt</div><div>2/4/2022 <span style="white-space: pre;">- </span>Sadie's Spotlight - Excerpt/IG Post</div><div>2/5/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Writer of Wrongs - Excerpt</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>2/6/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>YABooksCentral - Excerpt</div><div>2/7/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog - Excerpt</div><div>2/8/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Rajiv's Reviews - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/9/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Lifestyle of Me - Review</div><div>2/10/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@lexijava - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/11/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Wishful Endings -Review/IG Post</div><div>2/12/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Kait Plus Books - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>2/13/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Nerdophiles - Review</div><div>2/14/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/15/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Desert Bibliophile - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/16/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Dr Roha Tahir - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/17/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>A Bookish Dream - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/18/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@coffeesipsandreads - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/19/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>BookHounds YA - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>2/20/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Karen Dee's Book Reviews - IG Spotlight</div><div>2/21/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Two Chicks on Books - Excerpt</div><div>2/22/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@jypsylynn - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/23/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@thebookishfoxwitch - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/24/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>The Momma Spot - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/25/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog - Review/IG Post</div><div>2/26/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>@drewsim12 - Review/IG Post</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Five</b></div><div>2/27/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>Two Points of Interest - Review</div><div>2/28/2022<span style="white-space: pre;"> - </span>onemused - IG Spotlight</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><font face="georgia">The Summary</font></b></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTvVQJdvjWjiKX_lTSj-p-fNKQcEg0onCjbx573NsMPQz4qqwWAXPrmCei9LxL-Zcq86ZEyhf9NUc27WejObthaHZfaGUX6-SqygzTm58U2QxtJH_-KDV3GD0gSrZZwT2P5wKOMsUsFXSRX0LLebmjageoHVQ3T_J_hRoYIY3JERPUp4c5SCe4rOw7=s970" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTvVQJdvjWjiKX_lTSj-p-fNKQcEg0onCjbx573NsMPQz4qqwWAXPrmCei9LxL-Zcq86ZEyhf9NUc27WejObthaHZfaGUX6-SqygzTm58U2QxtJH_-KDV3GD0gSrZZwT2P5wKOMsUsFXSRX0LLebmjageoHVQ3T_J_hRoYIY3JERPUp4c5SCe4rOw7=w439-h136" width="439" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Centuries before the events of <i>Star Wars: The Phantom Menace</i>, in the era of the glorious High Republic, the Jedi are the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After a series of staggering losses, the Republic seems to finally have the villainous Nihil marauders on the run, and it looks like there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Until word comes of a suspected Nihil attack on the industrial cosmopolitan world of Corellia, right in the Galactic Core.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sent to investigate are Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy, along with Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram, all fighting their own private battles after months of unrelenting danger. On Corellia, Reath and Ram encounter a brazen young security specialist named Crash, whose friend was one of the victims of the Nihil attack, and they team up with her to infiltrate Corellia’s elite while the Masters pursue more diplomatic avenues. But going undercover with Crash is more dangerous than anyone expected, even as Ram pulls in his friend Zeen to help with an elaborate ruse involving a galactic pop star.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But what they uncover on Corellia turns out to be just one part of a greater plan, one that could lead the Jedi to their most stunning defeat yet….</span></div></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58640333-star-wars-the-high-republic" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi11l5gLeqMTfyVSDuGTY3oJkI74FRB0LySGLT10MpJVW1LR-rWxt5BQ4lakbExzorWhrWr0LYEu6khjewksPEBR1MPNQ9V340o-E-Xa6T2dQJO0FzKPheieCtKgmfO2TISgCRsuUAsDmAiz0MQS4U7KVdBu0Y3tJGbLZO9ZxVAwMWA0T-IZOI88ygq=s970" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="970" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi11l5gLeqMTfyVSDuGTY3oJkI74FRB0LySGLT10MpJVW1LR-rWxt5BQ4lakbExzorWhrWr0LYEu6khjewksPEBR1MPNQ9V340o-E-Xa6T2dQJO0FzKPheieCtKgmfO2TISgCRsuUAsDmAiz0MQS4U7KVdBu0Y3tJGbLZO9ZxVAwMWA0T-IZOI88ygq=w436-h270" width="436" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In true Daniel José Older fashion, <i>Star Wars The High Republic: Midnight Horizons</i> is action-packed with a lot of nuanced emotions set throughout. It is important to mention that this is the 3rd book in an interconnected series, and part of a large overarching arc focused on the High Republic, a time of the Jedi, set a few hundred years before <i>The Phantom Menace. </i>Due to that, I think it is important that you have read the first two books (<i>Star Wars The High Republic: Into the Dark </i>by Claudia Gray and <i>Star Wars The High Republic: </i><i>Out of the Shadows </i>by Justina Ireland) before diving into this one. Luckily, all three authors do a great job of both connecting each story and setting them apart. <i>Midnight Horizons</i> is where things are getting very serious.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is a page-turner, with great pacing, pushing you through the story with high stakes surrounding all of the characters, both familiar and new. Set on Corellia, which many <i>Star Wars</i> fans will be familiar with, the Nihil, this time period's Jedi enemy, have made an appearance hitting a Core world, which doesn't sit well with anyone in the Republic. Jedi Masters and Padawans are dispatched to deal with this threat. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Those Padawans are who really shine in Older's story. While the Jedi Masters are very reminiscent of what fans are familiar with, having to pursue more diplomatic, old-fashioned avenues of protection and investigation, the Padawans are free to diverge from this path and delve into </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">subterfuge. The reason I enjoy the YA series set during this time is because of these Padawans. Not yet completely beholden to the Jedi way quite yet. As such we get some surprising insight and hole-poking into the way things are/should be that make for an interesting story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I loved the newest character introduced, Crash. I think she really added an interesting outside perspective, especially from a non-Jedi point-of-view who is trying to figure out who really is benefiting from the Nihil presence on Corellia. The main protagonists are Reath and Ram, my two favorite Padawans. These two have popped up in the previous books, so this story really helps their character arc come full-circle, especially Reath.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is a solid conclusion to Phase I (yep, there are Phases here with <i>The High Republic</i> series) of the YA books, and drop some really interesting plot points for set-up in the next Phase, and the rest of the overall series. Daniel José Older can write a <i>Star Wars</i> book any day, and it will be such a fun read, just as <i>Star Wars The High Republic: Midnight Horizons</i> was highly enjoyable.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9O2Rl6VK8yiB2-yy7VbPfWBI25qyCHmTS8MSVzMKk3Jh7YhdLRlcN1cQBnn1sc2aK7MLsIFM_EuEtozf1My9EKqXI4CxuTOoSv4kjznZBNdpIo-rWpye-CVRXWkuDGr-YQTcoruDgY6Rt-vn3ls-4nmJQ9AAiQXlu8tCKxB0MFQgZcgUyBJIb363V=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="320" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9O2Rl6VK8yiB2-yy7VbPfWBI25qyCHmTS8MSVzMKk3Jh7YhdLRlcN1cQBnn1sc2aK7MLsIFM_EuEtozf1My9EKqXI4CxuTOoSv4kjznZBNdpIo-rWpye-CVRXWkuDGr-YQTcoruDgY6Rt-vn3ls-4nmJQ9AAiQXlu8tCKxB0MFQgZcgUyBJIb363V" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Excerpt</b></font></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Chapter 6</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zeen Mrala and Lula Talisola sat across from each other in meditation position, like they had so many times before.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zeen wasn’t sure when they’d stopped sitting side by side during these sessions and started sitting face to face. She just knew that it felt more intimate this way, more right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As always, an infinite skyscape seemed to open up between them, like the whole wild galaxy came to life in their connected minds, from its giant spinning planets to the tiniest drops of dew on each trembling leaf.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Do you feel me?” Lula asked, and Zeen knew she was smiling. They both were.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Always,” she said. It was true. Even those rare times when they were far away from each other—like during the Republic Fair, when all hell was breaking loose and thousands of people cried out in fear and pain—Lula’s presence still felt like a beacon amid the chaos. It wasn’t that Zeen knew exactly where her friend was, just that she could feel her, her warmth, and it had calmed her, guided her through the carnage until their physical bodies actually found each other.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But Zeen felt something else, too—it had been growing inside her for months, and she had no idea what to do with it, even what to name it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fear maybe. Or perhaps love.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whatever it was, she was pretty sure it was about to explode. She was about to explode.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lula had been put in charge of the task force. For a Padawan, that was an incredible honor. It meant she’d probably be knighted soon. She didn’t look happy about it, though. Lula was the most ambitious person Zeen had ever met, but it didn’t seem to come from ego—she wasn’t trying to get ahead of everyone else; she just loved learning, loved challenging herself, loved the thrill of forward motion. Zeen knew Lula had been trying to slow down, let each step of the journey be what it had to be, but this kind of honor would’ve lit her up a few weeks ago.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the briefing room, she just looked sad. And Zeen’s own first thought had been a selfish one: Lula would be knighted, and then what? What room would there be for a random girl from nowhere in the life of a Jedi Knight? The Jedi weren’t supposed to form attachments; they didn’t marry and settle down. They had more important things to do.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zeen hated the bitter tone in her own thoughts; she should’ve been happy for her best friend in that moment. And what did it mean that Lula didn’t seem happy, either? Only that Zeen was trouble, pure trouble, in her favorite person’s life. A distraction.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">That was when Zeen had decided to go to Corellia with Ram and Master Sy. She would get away for a bit, and maybe things would make sense when she got back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She had instantly regretted the decision, but it was too late.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Leaving will be good,” Lula said a few minutes later, when they’d both opened their eyes. This was what they did, almost every day: They sat. They let the universe reveal its shimmering secrets around them through meditation, and then they spoke, quietly, gently, being as true as they knew how to be, about whatever was going on that day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I’m not sure,” Zeen admitted. “I’m . . .” Was it fear she still felt? Not exactly. Just a discomfort. Uncertainty. But then . . . maybe that wasn’t hers. “Are you?”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I . . .” Lula didn’t usually come up at a loss for words, but now she trailed off. “I don’t want our hunt for Krix to become who you are.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zeen flinched a little. She knew her friend was voicing a very real danger. Still, it hurt. “What will you be when we catch him?”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I . . .”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Where will you go?”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I figured I’d stay here,” Zeen said, because the truth was, After Krix didn’t seem like a real thing, and it wouldn’t until he was caught. She hadn’t given it much thought because it was possible they wouldn’t catch him for years, and it was possible they’d catch him the next day. What point was there in planning when so much was uncertain?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lula smiled in that way she had that made her look like a little kid. “That would be amazing.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zeen returned the smile, but the sadness and uncertainty remained, and she still didn’t know if it belonged to her or to Lula. “I don’t know what it will be like, when the chase is over,” Zeen admitted. “I don’t know who I’ll be.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“We can find out together,” Lula said. “The galaxy’s changing as fast as we are. I’ve been”—her face darkened— “trying to figure out who I’ll be, too.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“You got put in charge of a task force, Lula. That’s practically unheard of for a Padawan. What’s wrong?”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">An alert dinged over the speaker system, then Ram’s voice came through, breathy with nervousness and restrained giggles. “Um, Zeen Mrala we’re about to leave for Corellia without yo—”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Reath cut him off. “No, we’re not! Don’t listen to him, Zeen. He’s still practicing his jokes. But we are packing up the shuttle, so hurry up, please!”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lula and Zeen rolled their eyes at each other, and then simultaneously got serious again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zeen didn’t want to go anywhere where Lula’s face wasn’t going to be across from her, ready with a thoughtful answer or calm silence. But Zeen was also desperate to get as far away from all this confusion and turmoil as possible.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I don’t know,” Lula said. “To answer your question. It’s been on me the past few weeks. You’ve seen it. I still don’t have an answer.” She met Zeen’s eyes with that determined gaze, the one that meant victory was imminent. “But I will figure it out, I promise.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zeen smiled. She believed her. What else could she do?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lula smiled too, and it looked real. “Now let’s get you sent off to Corellia.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhudAM0bVrc-KBEMThsV2PqQk9ILK44LkNtXKgYPohk4Lo4xnIgfa_qyOAhNEbNkOO5UtgnFB3Q68vDprkrKyB52iDsR3YI1zcnmE85qfCdR6I58U7qk2qCnJYJEkzEWOvHvqe06gGhIeffG1M4e3HAdKbDKGW4Q-Igc89uN91oeC86bWfcNDt_S4S6=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhudAM0bVrc-KBEMThsV2PqQk9ILK44LkNtXKgYPohk4Lo4xnIgfa_qyOAhNEbNkOO5UtgnFB3Q68vDprkrKyB52iDsR3YI1zcnmE85qfCdR6I58U7qk2qCnJYJEkzEWOvHvqe06gGhIeffG1M4e3HAdKbDKGW4Q-Igc89uN91oeC86bWfcNDt_S4S6=w266-h400" width="266" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Daniel José Older, a lead story architect for <i>Star Wars: The High Republic</i>, is the <i>New York Times</i> best-selling author of the upcoming Young Adult fantasy novel <i>Ballad & Dagger</i> (book 1 of the <i>Outlaw Saints</i> series), the sci-fi adventure <i>Flood City</i>, and the monthly comic series <i>The High Republic Adventures</i>. His other books include the historical fantasy series <i>Dactyl Hill Squad</i>, <i>The Book of Lost Saints</i>, the <i>Bone Street Rumba</i> urban fantasy series, <i>Star Wars: Last Shot</i>, and the Young Adult series the <i>Shadowshaper Cypher</i>, including <i>Shadowshaper</i>, which was named one of the best fantasy books of all time by <i>TIME</i> magazine and one of <i>Esquire</i>’s 80 Books Every Person Should Read. He won the International Latino Book Award and has been nominated for the Kirkus Prize, The World Fantasy Award, the Andre Norton Award, the Locus, and the Mythopoeic Award. He co-wrote the upcoming graphic novel <i>Death’s Day</i>. You can find more info and read about his decade long career as an NYC paramedic at http://danieljoseolder.net/</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://danieljoseolder.net/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="http://twitter.com/djolder" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DanielJoseOlder" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://instagram.com/danieljose1" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5137530.Daniel_Jos_Older" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3rUIvnO" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/daniel-jose-older" target="_blank">BookBub</a></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3 winners will receive a finished copy of <i>STAR WARS THE HIGH REPUBLIC: MIDNIGHT HORIZON</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21402/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCOTxNmpkwQgibbHnhLhL0uLbZ_EAqyBywP1POm3V1XekaJ2G9UKGnmLfXT775UZYpRmbXl_M_YTN4NP2m5Tg0jthN6yXplo9oK45FjOXZp0Nc4rJRtrdkbNi3tjYRob8Tvr1QGpOuVOT2VgLOnKZrZIIfFABmYm-dPSL_UR9ioyhC3YJBfLYcXteR=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-35384354444979769152022-02-07T08:00:00.002-05:002022-02-14T10:56:50.689-05:00BLOG TOUR - THE TEMPERATURE OF ME AND YOU BY BRIAN ZEPKA - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5zGQegaDp6sVXn-1ncg17zijgP4PtUB38Grte8yNJ-QtlmqsPSSVj9aneDfH5yEl6-yZf0REsXFGtuA2ojBXpDFJekZuo31gV3bsTAK3a7yLV8nfYDvHKsKq0tM00JTixcxBbq8Vp18y_BjjF-qOdN0nl-1sEiWJ5br0W0Bt0A6m1xENXzqvndurd=s615" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5zGQegaDp6sVXn-1ncg17zijgP4PtUB38Grte8yNJ-QtlmqsPSSVj9aneDfH5yEl6-yZf0REsXFGtuA2ojBXpDFJekZuo31gV3bsTAK3a7yLV8nfYDvHKsKq0tM00JTixcxBbq8Vp18y_BjjF-qOdN0nl-1sEiWJ5br0W0Bt0A6m1xENXzqvndurd=w479-h187" width="479" /></a></span></div><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title: </b><i>The Temperature of Me and You</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Brian Zepka<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: January 25, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover. eBook, audiobook; 416 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Disney-Hyperion<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3A1uokn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3zWBc2A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Audible</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-temperature-of-me-and-you-brian-zepka/1139401017?ean=9781368064712" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Temperature/Brian-Zepka/9781368064712?id=8292526258128" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BAM! </a>- <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-temperature-of-me-and-you/id1601900409?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fthe-temperature-of-me-and-you" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://tidd.ly/3qCfNJ7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TBD</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781368064712" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcTBZDS2b2VT9lyx0rgJIHWaVX6FqVCC-ZeAgnMczyhDMQxJTDT61VVw3coDBm2EkyJPxW-U9ne20VhXTE5MtrND4HNOssT5w7r-iMsZR6E8_Fzo4TPuQLT-2MCxtf3oWoo8WW3TsQ2yeZ4rCP_6DX7XDpPH2QzJjRFpSToQuIbb-Em3ZgWBo8AgCV=s2550" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1692" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcTBZDS2b2VT9lyx0rgJIHWaVX6FqVCC-ZeAgnMczyhDMQxJTDT61VVw3coDBm2EkyJPxW-U9ne20VhXTE5MtrND4HNOssT5w7r-iMsZR6E8_Fzo4TPuQLT-2MCxtf3oWoo8WW3TsQ2yeZ4rCP_6DX7XDpPH2QzJjRFpSToQuIbb-Em3ZgWBo8AgCV=w424-h640" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>1/17/2022 - YA Books Central - Excerpt</div><div>1/18/2022 - The Reading Devil - Excerpt</div><div>1/19/2022 - BookHounds YA - Excerpt</div><div>1/20/2022 - Books Are Magic Too - Review</div><div>1/21/2022 - Reading Wordsmith - Review</div><div>1/22/2022 - Nonbinary Knight Reads - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>1/23/2022 - Do You Dog-ear? - Review</div><div>1/24/2022 - Lexijava - Review</div><div>1/25/2022 - Nerdophiles - Review</div><div>1/26/2022 - Bri's Book Nook - Review</div><div>1/27/2022 - viasreads - Review</div><div>1/28/2022 - onemused - Review</div><div>1/29/2022 - A Bookish Dream - Review</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>1/30/2022 - Celia's Reads-blog - Review</div><div>1/31/2022 - More Books Please blog - Review</div><div>2/1/2022 - Zainey Laney in all 3 - Review</div><div>2/2/2022 - Emelie's Books - Review</div><div>2/3/2022 - The Momma Spot - Review</div><div>2/4/2022 - @drewsim12 - Review</div><div>2/5/2022 - @thebookishfoxwitch - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>2/6/2022 - Book-Keeping - Review</div><div>2/7/2022 - Eli to the nth - Review</div><div>2/8/2022 - Rajiv's Reviews - Review</div><div>2/9/2022 - Lifestyle of Me - Review</div><div>2/10/2022 - _BookBound_ - Review</div><div>2/11/2022 - My Fictional Oasis - Review</div><div>2/12/2022 - Kait Plus Books - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Five</b></div><div>2/13/2022 - For the Love of KidLit - Review</div><div>2/14/2022 - popthebutterfly - Review</div><div>2/15/2022 - @jypsylynn - Review</div><div>2/16/2022 - Wilted Pages - Review</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><font face="georgia">The Summary</font></b></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkCKMPtX_eg3Lvsly-BvhDCIKx0-3_nXoyRSS20-9Llzu825oOdDTjdH5bVy4GU2o1nxtXJsX2K6CKnYGZFH_xIfixCLmnZ6fwzXDupF3MaKV01UTGvDgZUBvgW0OfBz6V_cA0nZ93cnyuaGjVvcJyV1W_ENIW-8ILCTlQbraR99BpQiS16dD1a5Ie=s900" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="900" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkCKMPtX_eg3Lvsly-BvhDCIKx0-3_nXoyRSS20-9Llzu825oOdDTjdH5bVy4GU2o1nxtXJsX2K6CKnYGZFH_xIfixCLmnZ6fwzXDupF3MaKV01UTGvDgZUBvgW0OfBz6V_cA0nZ93cnyuaGjVvcJyV1W_ENIW-8ILCTlQbraR99BpQiS16dD1a5Ie=w472-h105" width="472" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sixteen-year-old
Dylan Highmark thought his winter was going to be full of boring shifts at the
Dairy Queen, until he finds himself in love with a boy who's literally too hot
to handle.</span></span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
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<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dylan has
always wanted a boyfriend, but the suburbs surrounding Philadelphia do not have
a lot in the way of options. Then, in walks Jordan, a completely normal (and
undeniably cute) boy who also happens to run at a cool 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the boys start spending time together, Dylan begins feeling all kinds of
ways, and when he spikes a fever for two weeks and is suddenly coughing flames,
he thinks he might be suffering from something more than just a crush. Jordan
forces Dylan to keep his symptoms a secret. But as the pressure mounts and
Dylan becomes distant with his closest friends and family, he pushes Jordan for
answers. Jordan's revelations of why he's like this, where he came from, and
who's after him leaves Dylan realizing how much first love is truly out of this
world. And if Earth supports life that breathes oxygen, then love can only keep
Jordan and Dylan together for so long.</span></div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<b><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>THE TEMPERATURE OF ME AND YOU</i> is the story of
first love, and the lengths we'll go to figure out our hearts. What starts as
an electric, chance encounter at a Dairy Queen quickly evolves into a heated
romance, a journey of trust and identity, and a ticking clock for survival.</span></span></b></div></b></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57941315-the-temperature-of-me-and-you" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKVVezWloaPxNB0A4XoEChBE5k320oMBp6jNnk7I5i4oQfeIbJjDbsMBtZ9NQ-Fh4jgEywl_3KIsoXENRlMCXXxB4mFBrvbDzN6b1KV0H8N1WYXg6TLHopCuKLG1V2cLM4nXi1Va5DS_dfpGJd4N67J-kN1fq9s4_knWlIdn7Rtw1SKJ8b8Gx2H4PF=s970" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKVVezWloaPxNB0A4XoEChBE5k320oMBp6jNnk7I5i4oQfeIbJjDbsMBtZ9NQ-Fh4jgEywl_3KIsoXENRlMCXXxB4mFBrvbDzN6b1KV0H8N1WYXg6TLHopCuKLG1V2cLM4nXi1Va5DS_dfpGJd4N67J-kN1fq9s4_knWlIdn7Rtw1SKJ8b8Gx2H4PF=w489-h146" width="489" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">A charmingly unexpected book from debut author Brian Zepka, <i>The Temperature of Me and You</i> combines the trials of new love with the trials of new...superpowers? That's right, when Dylan Highmark meets Jordan Ator literal sparks fly because Jordan is a boy made of hydrogen who can literally combust. Intrigued? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The sci-fi elements added is a really fun layer, but also works as a vehicle for a statement on not fitting in. This is something Dylan himself has experienced by being one of the only openly gay kids at his high school, but also just by being a teenager. We meet Dylan after he's already come out to not just his friends, but his family and his classmates. So while this isn't a coming out story, the readers do get to see small snips of that experience, both the good and the bad. I really appreciate LGBTQ+ books that feature characters who are past the coming out aspect of their lives. Coming out stories are very important and play a role in validating LGBTQ+ people, but it is just as validating to read a book where the character is already presented as living their true lives. I'm making it sound very serious, and this book has so much humor, but I wanted to highlight this aspect because I think it was well-done.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I felt that Dylan was a really fun main character. The teenage voice (and speaking as a not-teenager, I might be way off) rang really true for me; I want to be friends with Dylan, as well as his two besties, Kirsten and Perry. Snarky, yet adorable, Dylan is a strong personality, acting as both a follower and a leader in different situations. There are some pop culture references in text that may not age well. But for a modern book, they help set the scene in several places, and I liked that aspect of Dylan's character because who hasn't used pop culture to reference their own lives?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">At times the sci-fi element was a little hand-wavy, with very light explanation of the how/why Jordan is how he is, but the humor and romance makes up for that. This is more of a contemporary romance with a sci-fi flair, which I thoroughly enjoyed. There are some twists and turns, keeping the plot interesting and the action moving. I did think that the story was slightly unbalanced, with most of the action happening in the last quarter with a very quick wrap-up. But that didn't stop me from enjoying the book and falling in love with Dylan and Jordan falling in love.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Super sweet, very funny with an action packed ending, <i>The Temperature of Me and You</i> by Brian Zepka is a great addition to the YA contemporary romance scene. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think it can bring both lovers of romance and lovers of sci-fi together under one book. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Also, let me just say the cover is gorgeous, and should get you to pick it up just on aesthetics alone. Definitely worth an add to the To Be Read list!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9O2Rl6VK8yiB2-yy7VbPfWBI25qyCHmTS8MSVzMKk3Jh7YhdLRlcN1cQBnn1sc2aK7MLsIFM_EuEtozf1My9EKqXI4CxuTOoSv4kjznZBNdpIo-rWpye-CVRXWkuDGr-YQTcoruDgY6Rt-vn3ls-4nmJQ9AAiQXlu8tCKxB0MFQgZcgUyBJIb363V=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="320" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9O2Rl6VK8yiB2-yy7VbPfWBI25qyCHmTS8MSVzMKk3Jh7YhdLRlcN1cQBnn1sc2aK7MLsIFM_EuEtozf1My9EKqXI4CxuTOoSv4kjznZBNdpIo-rWpye-CVRXWkuDGr-YQTcoruDgY6Rt-vn3ls-4nmJQ9AAiQXlu8tCKxB0MFQgZcgUyBJIb363V" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Excerpt</b></font></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAhd4y_LH8etB85Z72WqTAmuS6nRrG3xxPSQ8j4lzepS98VAYGyxSC4TSaO7KurnsUUTHN6YFYeWxqWqMy0Wev13cTwHkAsFUE-xyphDKj3mMjjWnfX8xBaz-AZr6HzK9KDV0J3K5oMOxlJ_C7Rj4q7GIUuz3H7A9M5uZeQHMer9cpmwl7gpkZ1n35=s970" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAhd4y_LH8etB85Z72WqTAmuS6nRrG3xxPSQ8j4lzepS98VAYGyxSC4TSaO7KurnsUUTHN6YFYeWxqWqMy0Wev13cTwHkAsFUE-xyphDKj3mMjjWnfX8xBaz-AZr6HzK9KDV0J3K5oMOxlJ_C7Rj4q7GIUuz3H7A9M5uZeQHMer9cpmwl7gpkZ1n35=w431-h134" width="431" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>One</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have four main takeaways from my chemistry test today. First, the symbol on the periodic table for oxygen looks like the number of interesting things that happen in my life on a regular basis. The symbol for sodium, Na, represents my history of romance—not applicable. The symbol for radon, Rn, stands for my thoughts on when I want a boyfriend—right now. And the symbol for ununhexium, Uuh, is my response when people ask me if I am going to do something about it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The most life altering decision I’ve made in the past year is to proclaim that I prefer hard ice cream over soft serve as a Dairy Queen employee. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Speaking of which, another hour and tonight’s shift will be over. My friends and I have been talking about chemistry class while I pretend to wait for customers I not-so-secretly hope won’t show up. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“The only answer I knew was hydrogen,” Perry says, shoveling a spoonful of her large Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard into her mouth.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Well, duh. The symbol for that one is literally just an H,” I say. “You got oxygen too I hope, right?” Kirsten asks. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perry rolls her eyes, digging deeper into her Blizzard. “Yeah, I think. I put Ox for that one.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kirsten smiles and shakes her head. “It’s an O. That’s literally the easiest one.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“What? I thought O was for olerium.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Olerium?” I ask, twitching my head. “Is that even a thing?” “Of course it’s a thing. But it wasn’t on the test,” Perry counters. “Yeah, because it’s definitely not a thing.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She laughs. “Are you serious?” Crushed Reese’s Cups line her bottom row of teeth. Kirsten reaches across the table and puts her hand over Perry’s mouth. “Close this,” she says, laughing. “No one wants to see that.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I’m sorry,” Perry says, grabbing a napkin and wiping the corners of her lips. “At this point, who cares? When will I ever need those elements in my actual life?” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Um, this very second as you breathe them in,” Kirsten answers. “So technical.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perry tries. She really does. And when I say tries, I mean tries everything she can to not do schoolwork and still pass. Like, when the three of us got together last night to complete the chemistry worksheets for our test today, Kirsten and I actually did the work while Perry spent the night trying to find the answers on Google and replying to message boards that haven’t been active in five years. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unlike Kirsten, who is banking on her good grades for college, Perry is piling all her hopes into a cheerleading scholarship. She’s on a regional all-star cheer team in addition to the school team. I’m sure she could do both cheer squads and do well in school at the same time. But Perry says she would rather be amazing at one thing than average at a bunch of things. So she chooses cheer over school. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Dylan, can you make my Blizzard now?” Kirsten asks, spinning around in her seat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Here, you can finish mine,” Perry says, slamming her ice cream onto the table. Her chest rises as she holds in a burp. Kirsten is without a doubt the prettiest girl in the junior class. And, in my opinion, all of Falcon Crest High School. Me, a skinny gargoyle who is teetering on okay in the looks department, and Perry, a confused meerkat who is above average in the looks department but loses major points for her lack of any common sense and basic human functionality, are not who you’d expect Falcon Crest’s own Elle Woods to associate with. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I lift my arms off the service counter and stand up straight. I push my hands into my lower back to stretch myself into a normal, upright human position. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My elbows are red from not moving once during my shift. To no one’s surprise, I haven’t had a single customer all night. It’s January and twenty degrees in Falcon Crest. Even my manager knows how pointless staying open year-round is because he leaves as soon as I get here after school. Which, by the way, is probably illegal because I’m sixteen and operating a store by myself—but I don’t ask questions. Perry and Kirsten don’t count as customers because they come here whenever I am working to get free ice cream and keep me company. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Perr, next time I’m making you a kid-size because you never finish what I give you,” I say. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“How dare you,” she says, squinting at me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“What do you want, Kirsten?” I turn and walk toward the rattling ice-cream machines, staring at the colorful menu above me decorated with pictures of ice-cream cones and candy labels. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Hey, did Jimmy escape out the back door or something?” Perry asks. She stands and looks down the hall to the bathrooms. “I’ll just finish Perry’s ice cream,” Kirsten replies, grabbing the cup from the table. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“He’s in the bathroom,” I say. Jimmy is an unfortunate soul from another school who’s been directed here as a possible boyfriend candidate for me. But my thoughts about that are represented by the symbol for the element nobelium, No. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Yeah, he’s been in there for twenty minutes,” Kirsten says. “He must really not be interested in you.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Or dropping a big ole you know what,” Perry says, crossing her arms and laughing to herself. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Ew! Stop!” Kirsten shrieks. “I’m eating.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I don’t know why you brought him here,” I whisper. “I told you I stalked his Instagram and I wasn’t interested.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perry shrugs. “Sometimes people are different in person. Savanna said he was single and looking, so I’m helping you out,” she whispers back. “Plus, Kirsten and I agreed you guys would look cute together.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“First of all, I don’t know why we would take a recommendation from Savanna Blatt. She is mean to all three of us and is most likely using this to screw us over somehow. He probably has a STD of the throat or something!” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“As I am sure you’re well aware, nice boys are in short supply in this town. You take what we can get.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“It’s too forced and awkward for me. I’m not in the mood for Perry Love Connections tonight.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Every day is a day for a Perry Love Connection, my friend.” Perry has made it her personal mission to get me a boyfriend. But sometimes I would appreciate it if her mission had some standards attached to it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“He’s been rude this entire time.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“He really has,” Kirsten says, nodding. “He hasn’t even acknowledged me yet.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“See,” I say, gesturing at Kirsten. “I can’t date someone who doesn’t acknowledge my overachieving best friend. If Kirsten can’t get acknowledgement, then I have no chance.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Ugh,” Perry grunts. “How does it always end up you two against me? Let’s just see how he is when he gets back.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“And how he smells,” Kirsten says with a mouth full of ice cream. Perry and I roll our eyes in unison. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The bathroom door clicks, and Perry and Kirsten sit up as if they were misbehaving. Perry smirks at me while shimmying her shoulders. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Watch . . . he won’t talk to me,” Kirsten blurts at the last second. Perry smacks her arm, shooting her a look. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jimmy rounds the corner from the bathroom hallway and plants himself next to the service counter. I take a few steps away from him toward the other end. Perry smiles. It’s quiet for a few seconds. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">He’s so out of place. Even if I did like him, he would never mesh well with the three of us. He looks like a church boy who just came from Sunday service or something. He’s wearing thin, slip-on brown leather shoes that I swear my dad also owns, khaki pants, and a button-up shirt that’s tucked in. Meanwhile, my shaggy, curly hair is reminiscent of a tumbleweed, and ice cream is splattered across the front of my shirt and arms. Kirsten’s long brown hair rolls down her back in knotty waves. Perry’s blond hair is tied on the top of her head into a baseball-size bun with a polka-dot scrunchy. They are both wearing leggings, sneakers, and their cheerleading hoodies. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Did you want anything?” I ask, tapping my fingers on the counter. I want to fling a spoonful of hot fudge at Jimmy to mess up his clean-cut image. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Nah, I’m good,” he says. “Did I hear you guys talking about chemistry?” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don’t respond. Instead, I stare at Perry, raising my eyebrows, and wait for her to say something since this is her guest after all. “We were,” she says. “We had a test on the periodic table and had to match all the elements with their symbols and stuff. Dylan over here aced it. Didn’t you, Dyl?” She smirks. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“We did that stuff, like, freshman year at my school,” Jimmy says. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I resist the urge to roll my eyes again. “I thought it was fine,” I say. “I don’t know about acing it, but I didn’t bomb.” “I aced it,” Kirsten says. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Nice, man!” Jimmy exclaims. I jerk my head back at his enthusiasm. “Right on.” He extends his arm and puts his palm up. I scan it with my eyes, tracing the lines on his skin. He leaves it in the air for what I’m assuming is a high five. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I want to melt into a puddle like a vanilla ice-cream cone, be washed up with a mop, wrung out, and never be seen again. Kirsten and Perry’s lips curl in, ready to burst from laughter knowing I’m going to have to partake in this bro moment. I take a few steps toward him, because he’s too far from me to reach, and lightly tap his palm with mine, inwardly cringing. My teeth are clenched. “Thanks,” I say, clearing my throat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">He inspects his palm, then wipes it on his pants. I must’ve left some sticky residue on his hand. At least the interaction wasn’t a total waste. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perry lets out her laughter in the form of a burping grunt. “Yikes,” Jimmy says to me. “Not hard to see why you did better on the test than those slobs.” He laughs to himself, then taps my arm with the back of his hand. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I said I aced it,” Kirsten says, squinting at him. Jimmy ignores her comment. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I retreat on to my phone, wondering how long this guy is going to stand here for. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Oh!” Perry gasps. “Our newest paint-by-numbers kits just shipped.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Yay!” Kirsten squeals. “Right on schedule.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We try to complete a new paint-by-number piece each season. We just completed our Christmas-themed canvases last week. But we finished past our deadline, or rather Kirsten’s deadline, and didn’t get to see the finished products before the holiday. As a result, Kirsten forced us to order our spring kits earlier than expected so we wouldn’t fall behind again. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“You can’t just paint on your own?” Jimmy asks. “You need little numbers to tell you were to put a color?” He laughs. “No, actually, I don’t need the numbers,” Perry snaps. “It’s just more relaxing that way. I’d like to see you try.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Doesn’t mean you’re actually good at painting.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“What the—” Perry stands. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I clear my throat. “I need to start cleaning up to close the store,” I lie. “Everyone should probably go.” I exhale. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“What?” Perry asks. “But we—” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I slice my neck with my hand and glance at Jimmy. She nods. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Good idea. I can wait around after everyone leaves if you want?” Jimmy asks. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I blush. “Um, no, it’s okay. Closing the store takes a while,” I lie again. “You don’t have to stand here that whole time.” He nods. “Here, take my number.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Uh,” I start. I stare at him, my mouth hanging slightly open. “Your phone?” He shakes his phone in his hand. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Right.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I pull my phone from my pocket and punch in my code. He says his number for me to save, but I type 555-555-5555. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Got it. I’ll text you mine,” I lie again. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Sweet.” He gives me a head nod and walks past Kirsten and Perry without saying anything. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Bye!” Kirsten screams. She turns her attention back to me. “What a rude boy.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Well, I don’t like him,” Perry proclaims, throwing up her hands. “I would hope not,” I say, and fling a straw at her. “That was your pick. Thanks for putting us through that.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“You better have some self-respect and not text him,” Kirsten says. “I’ve taught you better.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I’m not going to. I didn’t even type in his number.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Oh, you’re a player,” Perry says, winking. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Shut up. I can’t deal with you guys anymore.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“His shoes were so weird,” Kirsten says, crossing her legs. “If he was going for classic vintage, he completely missed the mark.” “Right? He looked like an old creeper,” Perry says. She straightens her back. “Oh my gosh.” Her eyes widen. “What if he is a creeper and gets mad when you don’t ever text him and he stalks you and kills you? Remember that school assembly we had where the cop talked about that girl who was killed by the guy who found her through social media?” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Are you kidding, Perry?” I ask. “Why would you say that?” What if he is though? It could totally happen. He knows where I work and go to school and could probably figure out where I live from my Instagram. Maybe I need to make my account private. “Calm down. He’s not,” Kirsten says, dismissing the claim with a hand wave. “Savanna said she knows his family.” “Next time you see Savanna, tell her I’ll handle my love life from now on,” I say. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“What love life?” Perry asks. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“My potential love life.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“It has great potential,” Kirsten says. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Thanks, Kirsten. I think so too.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I don’t. You’re ugly and smell bad!” Perry yells, smiling. I laugh and scoop a pile of rainbow sprinkles into my hand, then chuck them at her. She screams and runs to the other side of the store. I keep throwing them as she tries to dodge. Kirsten remains seated. She wipes the sprinkles that landed on the table into her hand, escorting them carefully to the nearest trash can.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Are you done?” Perry asks, brushing the sprinkles out of her hair. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Yes, because I realize I have to clean this up now.” I thrust my hands on my hips. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I get the dustpan and broom from the closet and sweep up the sprinkles. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kirsten stands. She clears her throat before speaking while her facial expression morphs into a look of concern. “Dylan,” she says in her announcer voice. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Here we go,” Perry mumbles. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kirsten is dead-set on being a news anchor or TV host of some sort in her future life. I’ve done more mock interviews for her than I can count. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Many people would be hurt after another lost chance at love,” she continues. Her tone drops two octaves. She enunciates each word slowly. “How are you coping right now?” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“By considering myself lucky I lost that chance,” I say. Kirsten inhales. But before she can get out another word, I keep talking. “Can you guys go now for real?” I ask. “I want to finish cleaning and get out of here.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Fine,” Kirsten says, returning to her normal voice. Her shoulders dip. “Please text us when you’re done.” She pulls her keys from her hoodie’s front pocket. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kirsten is the only one out of the three of us who has her license, and I’m pretty sure she enjoys making everyone aware of it. Her car keys have enough key chains, rings, and bracelets to fill every accessories store in the Philadelphia area. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“See you tomorrow,” I say.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">They leave, and I finish sweeping the floor. I wipe the counters, tables, and the ice-cream machines. I refill the napkins, straws, spoons, syrups, and candies. I empty the register and put the money in a pencil case in the safe in my manager’s office. The entire cleaning process only takes about ten minutes because there were no customers today. We close at 8:00 p.m. and it’s 8:10 p.m. I’m ready to go, but as usual, my manager is nowhere to be found when it’s time for him to lock up the store. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">While I’m waiting, I start picking at a piece of the plastic counter that’s chipping off. I think about how it’s made of atoms and how atoms are made of protons and electrons. How do people even come up with this stuff? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My favorite elements we had to memorize were californium and americium. Mainly because they were super easy to remember, but also because the people naming them were so over it they just picked some obvious name. Like, what if I discovered an element here at Dairy Queen? My teacher said elements are everywhere. I could name it oreoanium. Although, that kind of sounds like some weird sex thing people would rap about. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The door clicks open. My daydreaming is broken at the perfect time before my mind wanders any further into picturing various sex positions involving Oreos. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I look up, expecting to see my manager, but it’s someone else.</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaioDJ2pLokv-aH0YoSn0PW4hB2WmIO5s6LHTw10cmj3K6Td8Vv27n5OlE28emYgjGKjJMCWToUFrJ80_-FUq3KB2uZ3TGfx4wFU_hWN8F-hWlQrP73wVP3MMze_bsCPJ9xbjw9sC31ieTbMeHAWiv7A3CmSRGbYNy-PZpZXYc729xvuQ0irkpzoE8=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaioDJ2pLokv-aH0YoSn0PW4hB2WmIO5s6LHTw10cmj3K6Td8Vv27n5OlE28emYgjGKjJMCWToUFrJ80_-FUq3KB2uZ3TGfx4wFU_hWN8F-hWlQrP73wVP3MMze_bsCPJ9xbjw9sC31ieTbMeHAWiv7A3CmSRGbYNy-PZpZXYc729xvuQ0irkpzoE8=w266-h400" width="266" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-small;">Photograph by Lizzy J. Hall</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brian Zepka was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Brian worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Virginia where he provided support for programs addressing community health literacy and adolescent sexual health. He currently lives in Philadelphia and is a program evaluator for a nonprofit organization focused on chronic disease prevention. <i>The Temperature of Me and You</i> is his first novel.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.brianzepka.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brianzepka/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/brianzepka" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20401028.Brian_Zepka.com/author/show/4086715.Kendare_Blake" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3ttkeHL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3 winners will receive a finished copy of <i>THE TEMPERATURE OF ME AND YOU</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21392/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhE1F3z_8-s2aRHEXkTmTrmtA6MK0lVa_tLPG3NPxrrT9lv25CEfGjxpEkTzpg8O7LAaD0aaoOanSCyIm5Xo_q0dlpX0ZuUlu8yNDKWyBpCHO9EyZcj58JW9rE29f0KcymV4TXz83xi5Swt0YkO5d1kdVOfBlrluXgZ5WgezCAQqFwX8ABpW5ANc_7d=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-28022358317829880512022-01-18T08:00:00.003-05:002022-01-18T16:37:00.295-05:00BLOG TOUR - IN EVERY GENERATION BY KENDARE BLAKE - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirAd7Q3TJRY_9eDfearIQMTa0ywiG8s4gp9VW2V5GQ-bhw0nncewsH1GoAkHsJFNmPJSN6jGJRutvgMda21vqtGmdqG1c8mUAmR5X82YmmN9LjXuWh2kE66iASeptzahUqYY3bZnlj4WauvxV0Cw2yzTcwN1Y91h_rIeQ0dQF1UKW-VVPTsWVcWNON=s615" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirAd7Q3TJRY_9eDfearIQMTa0ywiG8s4gp9VW2V5GQ-bhw0nncewsH1GoAkHsJFNmPJSN6jGJRutvgMda21vqtGmdqG1c8mUAmR5X82YmmN9LjXuWh2kE66iASeptzahUqYY3bZnlj4WauvxV0Cw2yzTcwN1Y91h_rIeQ0dQF1UKW-VVPTsWVcWNON=w428-h167" width="428" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b>Book Information<br /></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_RIVmoWsKrTJ65VQi0ltYt1z8JZL0l9mG4qLiflk8Tt8j8aqoOUJtjQjIhN61kG262rMmU5ES-9uHev-KPVhrznn0N9qTdvG8lY3VL0H4clxRV0ZJjjgGmTE2e7sxXnJNo9OAcAiVKnF7ORvQq_Tzg6sl4zezZ9VgWpQUZ5t3YFAIR2Mo5dEyupcB=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title</b>: In Every Generation</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Kendare Blake<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: January 4, 2022<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover. eBook, audiobook; 400 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Disney-Hyperion<br /><b>Source</b>: <a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Book Tours</a><br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3FFRcrR" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3FG8xkb" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3qCSIEV" target="_blank">Audible</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-every-generation-kendare-blake/1139990056?ean=9781368075022" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Every-Generation/Kendare-Blake/9781368075022?id=8292526258128" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/in-every-generation-volume-1/id1599599754?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD" target="_blank">iBooks</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fin-every-generation-volume-1" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://tidd.ly/3EFzSBT" target="_blank">TBD</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781368075022" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-hpPkm4kcGB-fulRwVW4cGEebowFnlHEaD2-rWI0AOA3QRj1X6NY7epkQgUQs9W-XoU915bxL2tywwJZhaRxwUzxQCwXUIx3N7v04TDb2bX2eSSkBxCanAbYMyGI05MeOONtwleb3yHatwst2MG62O-OVl5BZUWLW_jDCDBpJKm0qzqZzKzz12-0M=s2550" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-hpPkm4kcGB-fulRwVW4cGEebowFnlHEaD2-rWI0AOA3QRj1X6NY7epkQgUQs9W-XoU915bxL2tywwJZhaRxwUzxQCwXUIx3N7v04TDb2bX2eSSkBxCanAbYMyGI05MeOONtwleb3yHatwst2MG62O-OVl5BZUWLW_jDCDBpJKm0qzqZzKzz12-0M=w377-h569" width="377" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><font><span><span><b style="line-height: 20.8px;">Tour Schedule</b></span></span></font></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="30" data-original-width="594" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB9na2TtSTsGxeragjaTscf-5cREsWwoD_hO4JlczgA1HyLPvCFwIQLTWgen3L2-FEkfX3hZb3zy52EONgdCWv-UC7odJIk5THUH6FUlL2_UXPy7LyTKFgOuTz8mvxepQWbw9cA5Cnc/s400/border.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Week One</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>1/1/2022 - <a href="https://thereadingdevil.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Reading Devil</a> - Excerpt</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Two</b></div><div>1/2/2022 - <a href="https://kaitgoodwin.com/books" target="_blank">Kait Plus Books</a> - Excerpt</div><div>1/3/2022 - <a href="https://rajivsreviews.com/" target="_blank">Rajiv's Reviews</a> - Review</div><div>1/4/2022 - <a href="http://www.nerdophiles.com/" target="_blank">Nerdophiles</a> - Review</div><div>1/5/2022 - <a href="https://brisbooknook.com/" target="_blank">Bri's Book Nook</a> - Review</div><div>1/6/2022 - <a href="https://thebookwyrmsden.com/" target="_blank">The Bookwyrm's Den</a> - Review</div><div>1/7/2022 - <a href="http://www.stuckinthestacks.com/" target="_blank">Stuck in the Stacks</a> - Review</div><div>1/8/2022 - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onemused" target="_blank">onemused</a> - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Three</b></div><div>1/9/2022 - <a href="http://abookishdreamblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">A Bookish Dream</a> - Review</div><div>1/10/2022 - <a href="https://www.theworldofceliamcmahon.com/" target="_blank">Celia's Reads-blog</a> - Review</div><div>1/11/2022 - <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/" target="_blank">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a> - Review</div><div>1/12/2022 - <a href="http://www.instagram.com/moonlight_rendezvous" target="_blank">Moonlight_rendezvous</a> - Review</div><div>1/13/2022 - <a href="http://booklovingnut.com/" target="_blank">The Book Nut : A Book Lovers Guide</a> - Review</div><div>1/14/2022 - <a href="https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/" target="_blank">Lisa Loves Literature</a> - Review</div><div>1/15/2022 - <a href="https://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers</a> - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Four</b></div><div>1/16/2022 - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebookishfoxwitch/" target="_blank">@thebookishfoxwitch</a> - Review</div><div>1/17/2022 - <a href="http://myfictionaloasis.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">My Fictional Oasis</a> - Review</div><div>1/18/2022 - <a href="https://www.elisquared.com/" target="_blank">Eli to the nth</a> - Review</div><div>1/19/2022 - <a href="https://hollymbryan.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Book-Keeping</a> - Review</div><div>1/20/2022 - <a href="http://thebookreviewcrew.com/" target="_blank">The Book Review Crew</a> - Review</div><div>1/21/2022 - <a href="https://lexijavabookish.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Lexijava</a> - Review</div><div>1/22/2022 - <a href="http://never-anyone-else.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Always Me</a> - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Five</b></div><div>1/23/2022 - <a href="http://emeliesbooks.home.blog/" target="_blank">Emelie's Books</a> - Review</div><div>1/24/2022 - <a href="http://bookbriefs.net/" target="_blank">bookbriefs</a> - Review</div><div>1/25/2022 - <a href="http://www.bookhoundsya.net/" target="_blank">BookHounds YA</a> - Review</div><div>1/26/2022 - <a href="https://thereadingwordsmith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reading Wordsmith</a> - Review</div><div>1/27/2022 - <a href="https://thindbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Thindbooks Blog</a> - Review</div><div>1/28/2022 - <a href="http://www.yabookscentral.com/" target="_blank">YA Books Central</a> - Review</div><div>1/29/2022 - <a href="https://themommaspot.home.blog/" target="_blank">The Momma Spot</a> - Review</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Week Six</b></div><div>1/30/2022 - <a href="http://popthebutterfly.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">popthebutterfly</a> - Review</div><div>1/31/2022 - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drewsim12/" target="_blank">@drewsim12</a> - Review</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><b><font face="georgia">The Summary</font></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqdIN1oxtNNTy2WxuNiP0wVvWvLziaV4GEzvAu-qTlmFWyiwRmSlns4je7GfzTJpyEMmK0aSQvbnTBefpSe2r8xJiU8UiVRQc4UJMpYBFmV2vZG4vgSvX77b2_LerrxMf4YG1uJVrm_6uoWbbs96i-__DZc5Rr4a5Gf9UBr3e7r_TSrLz5kWQo0Vgu=s970" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqdIN1oxtNNTy2WxuNiP0wVvWvLziaV4GEzvAu-qTlmFWyiwRmSlns4je7GfzTJpyEMmK0aSQvbnTBefpSe2r8xJiU8UiVRQc4UJMpYBFmV2vZG4vgSvX77b2_LerrxMf4YG1uJVrm_6uoWbbs96i-__DZc5Rr4a5Gf9UBr3e7r_TSrLz5kWQo0Vgu=w470-h145" width="470" /></span></a></div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>A new Slayer for a new generation...</b></i></div> <br /> Frankie Rosenberg is passionate about the environment, a sophomore at New Sunnydale High School, and the daughter of the most powerful witch in Sunnydale history. Her mom, Willow, is slowly teaching her magic on the condition that she use it to better the world. But Frankie’s happily quiet life is upended when new girl Hailey shows up with news that the annual Slayer convention has been the target of an attack, and all the Slayers—including Buffy, Faith, and Hailey’s older sister Vi—might be dead. That means it’s time for this generation’s Slayer to be born.<br /> <br /> But being the first ever Slayer-Witch means learning how to wield a stake while trying to control her budding powers. With the help of Hailey, a werewolf named Jake, and a hot but nerdy sage demon, Frankie must become the Slayer, prevent the Hellmouth from opening again, and find out what happened to her Aunt Buffy, before she’s next.<br /> <br /> Get ready for a whole new story within the world of Buffy!<br /> <br /><b> The first in an all-new series by<i> New York Times</i> best-selling author Kendare Blake continues the world of <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</i> featuring the next generation of Scoobies and Slayers who must defeat a powerful new evil.</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span><font face="georgia"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57669111-in-every-generation" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">My Review</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Get ready <i>Buffy </i>fans, because we are back and just as good! <i>In Every Generation</i> picks up around 16 years after the end of the series, focusing on the new generation of both Slayer and Scoobies. Kendare Blake has crafted a funny, biting, slightly violent, and fully lovable story, focusing on Frankie Rosenberg (yeah of Willow Rosenburg fame) and her crew of new badasses (well, in-training). So many familiar characters are riddled throughout, but Blake did an excellent job of balancing the old with the new.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Frankie is the first of her kind. Called up to be the next Slayer after catastrophe strikes, she is also the very first slayer-witch, as she has magical abilities thanks to her mom, Willow. Frankie along with her Scoobies, composed of werewolf Jake (Oz's cousin), half-demon Sigmund, and human Hailey (half-sister to Slayer Vi who we met in the show), are up against a new "Big Bad" who has come to sniff around the thought-to-be-destroyed Hellmouth. Sunnydale just can't ever get a break! With Watcher Spike (yes, my favorite to ever fave) installed at good ole Sunnydale High, the gang trains to defeat this new evil and figure out what the hell happened to the other slayers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The violence in the book is on par with the show, which I appreciated. Slaying vamps, demons, etc. isn't a cakewalk, and isn't treated like it. Part of what made Buffy such a great show is it showed characters, often ones who wouldn't look like they were capable, kicking absolute butt left and right. This is the case again, with Frankie needing to get up to speed but rising to the task. While the explanation of how she is the first slayer-witch is a little convenient, it does align with the ending of the show. Of course, convenience doesn't take away from the cool addition that Frankie's powers give her over other slayers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I really enjoyed the care that Blake took in crafting a brand new story, being able to pay homage to the show with keeping the old characters. Willow, Oz, and Spike (the main "adults" we see), do not detract from Frankie and the gang's journey, but only enhance it. Some of the plot does rely a little bit on previous knowledge to the show, but Blake tries to explain those instances in a way that isn't grating on fans in order to include newcomers. She also really nailed that quintessential "<i>Buffy</i>-speak", full of quips, hope, and a little black humor. This made it feel like a <i>Buffy </i>story, and definitely made me laugh during some of the more intense moments.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Overall, you can tell that Blake is a major<i> </i>fan herself, and that she also understands what made <i>Buffy </i>fun. I'm delighted with this new extension of the universe, and that it is being produced in book form. Also, that this will be a series. I think that general paranormal fans will enjoy </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>In Every Generation</i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">, and make even more <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer </i>fans in the current teen generation. It's a cult classic for a reason. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span><font face="georgia">Final Rating</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><br /></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjI44GKjGDKA2nNRKU-uF8eLvzBjPjkwlGuQtPou4JmDI-G1GF7C-ggINVo-BKHCF_4pbL6x5Ld4oGdNxQUjJOT18oETuundUGQjg_5iYGvLv7ut6IJeApkn1Gl6glTys2LADRcOagiWSljQ88TuzucNkwMZSGYfLjahMck-dEYOUoHUZuQGBLgRE8c=s889" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="889" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjI44GKjGDKA2nNRKU-uF8eLvzBjPjkwlGuQtPou4JmDI-G1GF7C-ggINVo-BKHCF_4pbL6x5Ld4oGdNxQUjJOT18oETuundUGQjg_5iYGvLv7ut6IJeApkn1Gl6glTys2LADRcOagiWSljQ88TuzucNkwMZSGYfLjahMck-dEYOUoHUZuQGBLgRE8c=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Excerpt</b></font></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTQwYgfLHJCdlfarVq31W1oQzbh0-MHDlI36xPewaZ4gzSBKvUJ6YWshy7ami32wgq8rof3q2kr39UoWVxzCJhH3moHcnqNeHkTDsMDUc8eTU7RNV0cVNMmdqIDGBZdgBWSlzE1NQGAYR3VsGFCFzh-boehvrN5ZnXuQFAjpq_2ICmjlm67MbGeYqD=s970" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTQwYgfLHJCdlfarVq31W1oQzbh0-MHDlI36xPewaZ4gzSBKvUJ6YWshy7ami32wgq8rof3q2kr39UoWVxzCJhH3moHcnqNeHkTDsMDUc8eTU7RNV0cVNMmdqIDGBZdgBWSlzE1NQGAYR3VsGFCFzh-boehvrN5ZnXuQFAjpq_2ICmjlm67MbGeYqD=w460-h142" width="460" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>PROLOGUE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vi and Hailey</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Think you bought enough cereal?” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hailey stood in the kitchen of their small apartment, unloading brown bag aft er brown bag of the groceries her sister had brought home that morning. Three boxes of cereal—two sugary, one healthy—three loaves of bread (pop two in the freezer), and three gallons of milk, which apparently she would have to drink until she died. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“You love cereal,” Vi responded. “You can eat it for every meal.” But she wasn’t really paying attention. Her domestic duties fulfilled, she had already turned her attention to more important matters at hand: loading weapons into a gray duffel.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hailey reached into another grocery bag and pulled out handfuls and handfuls of wieners.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Four packs of hot dogs, Vi? Seriously?” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“You love hot dogs,” Vi replied. “You can eat them for every meal.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Maybe I can dip them in milk,” Hailey muttered. It was like this every three months. Before every Slayerfest (which is what they called the regular gatherings of all the remaining slayers— and usually including the legendary Buffy Summers), Vi would go into hyper-overdrive-abandonment-mom mode. She’d load Hailey down with healthy food and junk, and triple-check all the locks on the windows and door of their cramped two-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of The Dalles, Oregon. Even though nothing— absolutely nothing—ever went down in The Dalles, Oregon. Vi had to drive all the way to Portland to do any decent slaying, and even then she said the vamps were weird: They took their dogs every where and chased victims down on pedal bikes, and half of them would only eat vegans. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hailey sighed. Pacific Northwest vamps were one of a kind. She turned and watched her older sister stuff the duffel with stakes, knives, crosses, and plastic bottles full of holy water. It was mostly a waste. The meetings were for training and shoptalk. The who-died-this-quarter roll call and the candlelight vigil circle for whoever did, or whatever. Hailey didn’t know for certain. She’d never been allowed to go, even though she’d asked to constantly in the beginning, when she first came to live with Vi after their parents died six years ago. Well . . . her parents. She and Vi were half sisters. Hailey was their dad’s from his second marriage. There wasn’t much of a family resemblance—Vi was slim-hipped and narrow-chested, Hailey happily curvaceous. Vi had a thin, frowning mouth, while Hailey’s lips were made for deep reds and sarcastic curling. She’d never really known Vi before the car accident, and when Vi came to pick Hailey up after the accident, Hailey’d thought there’d been a mistake. Until Vi had bent down and looked her in the eyes. Both girls had their father’s eyes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So off they went, two sisters into the great unknown. Always on their own, and that had always been enough. Vi’s mom was still around somewhere, but Vi kept her hidden, for her own safety. Vi liked to hide things for their own safety. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Don’t you think you should pack other things?” Hailey asked. “Like underwear and socks?”</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vi stopped and put her hands on her hips. Already she looked less like Vi and more like Vi the Slayer. Vi was lanky and pale. She walked with a slight hunch and had guarded eyes and a kind smile. Vi the Slayer was lithe as a cat. She didn’t walk. She ran. She leapt. Her eyes were hard and focused. She cocked her head at her much younger sister and smiled. “Clothes and stuff are in my backpack.” She turned around the room and surveyed the whole apartment. Final mental checks before she dashed out the door. “Are you all set? Food? Beverages? The internet’s paid up for the next month, so I don’t want to hear any excuses about falling behind like last time—” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Last time was summer vacation.” Hailey went to high school online. Which was a weird way of putting it. She didn’t “go” to high school anywhere. She did high school from the middle cushion of their couch. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Either way, I don’t want you sitting around doing nothing but reading your comics the whole time, or traipsing around with those delinquent friends of yours. . . .” Her voice trailed off. Before the Slayerfests, she couldn’t even focus long enough to nag properly. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Comics are valid forms of literature with highly developed themes, characterization, and story arcs,” Hailey said. “And those delinquents have names.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Huh?” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Never mind. Where is this quarter’s fest anyway?” “Halifax.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Halifax?”</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Well, we fly into Halifax. The actual meeting is at this remote resort. Cabins in trees or something.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hailey cocked an eyebrow. The meetings were starting to sound less like training and more like retreats. Every slayer in the world hanging out in a tree house wearing a flannel robe and a mud mask. But her only comment was: </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Long flight.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Some of us are portaling in,” said Vi. “Most of the internationals. With Andrew and the other Witchers.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“He can’t just call them that, you know, just because they’re Watchers with magic. They lack the abs. And the white hair.” Vi snorted. “I’ll tell him you said so.” She held her arm out. “Come here, kid.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hailey groaned—she was sixteen, not a kid—but she went and hugged her sister tight. It hadn’t been easy between them at first; Hailey’d been an angry ten-year-old, and scared. And Vi—Vi had been a young slayer, not even thirty yet, with enough on her hands trying to keep herself alive. It had taken time to figure things out. To become a real family, and a team. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Don’t answer the door without looking to see who it is first.” “Duh, I never do.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Don’t go anywhere after dark.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Nothing ever happens here after dark.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Don’t spend all our money at the bookstore.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hailey grinned. “Okay, I promise.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vi let go of her and stared at her for so long that it started to get weird. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“What?” Hailey asked, and went back to the couch. “You’re only going to be gone for a few days. I don’t know why you think you have to feed me for two months.” Except she did know why. Vi always stocked her up. Just in case she didn’t make it back.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Well,” Vi said. “The way you eat . . .” She slung her backpack over her shoulders and reached down for her duffel bag. When she bent, the red roots of her hair stood out in a bright line, growing out under the dark brown dye. Hailey laughed. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“We should have dyed our hair again before you left.” “Oh yeah?” Vi touched her head. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Yeah. You look like a rooster or something.” Hailey’s own hair was black naturally, inherited from her mom, who’d been Canadian and mixed-race Saulteaux First Nations. Hailey considered it a gift—it made her Goth aesthetic one step easier. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vi put her hand on the doorknob. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I don’t know why you have to go to these anymore anyway,” Hailey said. “Haven’t slayers ever heard of teleconferencing?” “Too easy to hack,” Vi said quietly. “Don’t you watch the news?” “I read the news, Luddite. But even I know that demons can’t hack.” What had Vi told her? Most demons and vamps were terrible with gadgets. Need to figure out if your new boyfriend is a demon? FaceTime him. If all you get is thirty seconds of his forehead and a lot of saying “What?” then call your big sister to take him out. “You’re a smart kid, Hailey.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I’m not a kid. But yeah, I know.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I’ll see you Monday.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Except that Monday came and went. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Slayerfest had always come and gone, so often and so routinely that Hailey didn’t bother keeping track of them anymore. She should have paid more attention. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On Tuesday morning, she ignored it and told herself Vi was fine. By noon, she was googling reported traffic accidents in and around Halifax. Not long after that, she was pacing and messaging Vi every two minutes like a desperate ex. But there was no response. There’d been no activity on Vi’s accounts for days, not since a few photos she posted of her and a few other slayers hanging out in the city after their plane landed. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“It’s because there’s no service in a tree house,” Hailey muttered. The stupid Slayerfests were always held someplace so remote. She checked her phone again. In her gut, she knew it wasn’t just a lack of service. Something was wrong. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Screw it.” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She pulled her backpack out from under her bed and dumped out the junk she usually kept in it: a small stack of graphic novels and manga, a couple of makeup bags, three studded leather bracelets, and a pair of comfy shoes. Also a notebook and some pens. Then she put back the makeup bag with the best eye-shadow palettes and all the leather bracelets and the shoes. And after a moment of consideration, her dog-eared lucky copy of <i>Amulet:</i> <i>The Stonekeeper</i> and the volume of <i>My Hero Academia</i> she hadn’t finished reading yet. The rest of the space she filled with clothes: T-shirts and rolled-up jeans. Black leggings. She winced at her eye </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">liner in the mirror as she twisted her long black hair into a ragged ponytail—the liner was messy and smudged from worry, but she didn’t care. She’d layered up in a hooded sweatshirt and was lacing her boots when someone knocked at the door. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vi was her first thought. But that was stupid. Vi had a key. Whoever it was knocked again, and Hailey tensed. No one in their apartment complex ever came calling. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She reached for her backpack and looked out her window. She’d never had a need to sneak out of it before, since Vi was gone so much at night anyway. But she could. Their unit was only on the second floor. She could hang and drop.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Hailey Larsson. You in there?” </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Yeah . . .” Hailey answered hesitantly. She walked slowly to the door. It was a man’s voice, and he knew her name. And she could guess who he was, by his British accent. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“It’s . . . Spike,” he called through the wood. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Spike. Vi’s Watcher. She’d rather it was someone else. Anyone else. An intruder. A lost delivery boy. Because if Spike was there without Vi, it meant that . . . </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She unlocked the door and swung it open and saw him stand ing there. Platinum hair. Black leather duster. A heavy blanket to shield him from the sun. And a look of grim relief to see her. “Hailey,” he said. “We have to talk.”</span></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEdT6yg_HG8E2B2Mk4nx740XcNwKUJ3cmP8EtHSg7Ak_au2o8SkTA8GLevN12K9VHs8imbCe3_hq20lOYXU61_HzKJR3m0M2DhXQnvS0E2VYCRQt9au27V5RR5Fnyu9dQik4Ayw0tcQA3O_-blUknZJTvVz-FWGKGNNNV2-evqAVm7mhY0-f81Zeuu=s275" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEdT6yg_HG8E2B2Mk4nx740XcNwKUJ3cmP8EtHSg7Ak_au2o8SkTA8GLevN12K9VHs8imbCe3_hq20lOYXU61_HzKJR3m0M2DhXQnvS0E2VYCRQt9au27V5RR5Fnyu9dQik4Ayw0tcQA3O_-blUknZJTvVz-FWGKGNNNV2-evqAVm7mhY0-f81Zeuu=w213-h320" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kendare Blake is the <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of several novels and short stories. Her work is sort of dark, always violent, and features passages describing food from when she writes while hungry. She was born in July in Seoul, South Korea, but doesn’t speak a lick of Korean, as she was packed off at a very early age to her adoptive parents in the United States. That might be just an excuse, though, as she is pretty bad at learning foreign languages. She lives and writes in Gig Harbor, Washington, with her husband, their cat son Tyrion Cattister, red Doberman dog son Obi-Dog Kenobi, rottie mix dog daughter Agent Scully, and naked Sphynx cat son Armpit McGee.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.kendareblake.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kendare.blake" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kendareblake" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/KendareBlake" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4086715.Kendare_Blake" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/3pCWjDC" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kendare-blake" target="_blank">BookBub</a></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3 winners will receive a finished copy of <i>IN EVERY GENERATION</i>, US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21383/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXoIxDcPkU1MO0ekBAEK9DzGZzvFHqEU9IZhJSc5Z_PN3NhL_Ybcf_Q93Yq8CBsu1Hatb5PVH_xeAISeVxVZdsZCbv3jjV8j3TglRiy1iZfvNN0jHtSxdnq9pUZlpsT3DqiHcmo8igI51KLDxoQK87FL7eJfI-BarWgcNhFkIavgiNeUgAkAbqQNuI=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-36130226429563954002021-12-20T08:00:00.013-05:002021-12-20T08:00:00.190-05:00BLOG TOUR - WIDER THAN THE SKY BY KATHERINE ROTHSCHILD - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKGgyc9fPyc_DSyke-8hKOPoKmAqFZ2HilO5V8EAwJ3dNX48T4HZnWAHGSgYSyigYtkuzJZE2sLGADxlgFRZZYAgVLEW-CXjBLv5uActXYhO7fJDaAhyGzfYoCtToz-1TCmSRdlv84XI6/w400-h156/WIDER+THAN+THE+SKY.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">About
The Book:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3dfDVJJ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1LXy5Sd5IfzDscbT8hndZQ2J3Okuc1DaJOBjhdFrXLwcqWP5Zcn4oYAKP_rzkLB8gitifK5DjIAfw9nS7DqFe6UntlkLz5DOllkJHsoaU2U8J33MpNOHuZ05fMvbIql82pFSGoRg7ZK5/s320/WIDER+THAN+THE+SKY+-+ARC+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Title:</span></b><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> WIDER THAN THE SKY<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Author: </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Katherine Rothschild<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paperback Pub. Date:</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> December
7, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Publisher: </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Soho Teen<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Formats:</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Hardcover,
Paperback, eBook, Audiobook<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pages:</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> 288<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Find it:</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59604405-wider-than-the-sky"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Goodreads</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></span><a href="https://amzn.to/3dfDVJJ"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amazon</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></span><a href="https://amzn.to/3xOJHf3"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kindle</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></span><a href="https://amzn.to/3xVdZNk"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Audible</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wider-than-the-sky-katherine-rothschild/1135429066?ean=9781641292689"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">B&N</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></span><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/wider-than-the-sky/id1490754457?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=10l32yD"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">iBooks</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></span><a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fwider-than-the-sky-1"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kobo</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></span><a href="https://tidd.ly/3DswEBi"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">TBD</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></span><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781641292689"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bookshop.org</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the wake of sudden tragedy, twin sisters uncover a secret that rips open their world. Katherine Rothschild explores the pain and power of forgiveness in a stunning debut novel that will shatter your heart and piece it back together, one truth at a time.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sixteen-year-old Sabine Braxton doesn’t have much in common with her identical twin, Blythe. When their father dies from an unexpected illness, each copes with the loss in her own way—Sabine by “poeting” (an uncontrollable quirk of bursting into poetry at inappropriate moments) and Blythe by obsessing over getting into MIT, their father’s alma mater. Neither can offer each other much support . . . at least not until their emotionally detached mother moves them into a ramshackle Bay Area mansion owned by a stranger named Charlie.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Soon, the sisters unite in a mission to figure out who Charlie is and why he seems to know everything about them. They make a life-changing discovery:their parents were hiding secrets about their sexual identities. The revelation unravels Sabine’s world, while practical Blythe seems to take everything in stride. Once again at odds with her sister, Sabine chooses to learn all she can about the father she never knew. Ultimately, she must decide if she can embrace his last wish for a family legacy--even if it means accepting a new idea of what it means to be a family.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Praise for <i>Wider than the Sky</i></span></u></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<br />
“Sabine’s struggle to reconcile her memory of her father with the man he really
was—and to make room in her life for his hopes as well as her own—cuts to the
heart of what it means to love someone unconditionally. <i>Wider than the
Sky</i> skillfully weaves multiple character arcs together to examine the
ideas of home, hope, and family in surprising new ways.”—<b>Misa Sugiura, <i>It's
Not Like It's a Secret</i></b><br />
<br />
"Lyrical and lovely, <i>Wider than the Sky</i> is one of those
rare books that has everything—masterful storytelling, a great love story,
important themes, razor-sharp wit, and memorable characters. It's a gorgeous
debut that will capture your heart."<b>—Corina Vacco, Delacorte
Prize–winning author of <i>My Chemical Mountain</i></b><br />
<br />
“I haven’t stopped thinking about these sisters since I first read <i>Wider
than the Sky</i>. Sabine and Blythe will leap off the page and live in your
memories like old friends. There is so much heart and humor in Katherine’s
writing; even as her characters grapple with serious concerns and issues, she
captures how life can slice us open and yet give us the ability to laugh and
love and hope through the deepest pain and loss.”<b>—Jennifer Chambliss
Bertman, <i>New York Times </i>bestselling author of <i>Book
Scavenger</i></b><br />
<br />
“Rothschild’s story showcases how secrets impede a person’s ability to see the
world clearly and that self-acceptance and honesty are the keys to a happy
ending.”<b>—<i>School Library Journal</i><br />
</b><br />
“Change comes suddenly to the lives of 16-year-old Sabine and her identical
twin sister, Blythe, when their father dies unexpectedly, prompting their
mother and a strange man named Charlie to move the girls to the small town of
Thornewood . . . Rothschild’s first novel is accomplished and nicely plot-rich
with some interesting quirks, chief among them being Sabine’s deep-rooted love
for Emily Dickinson’s poetry and her compulsive need to recite it.”<b>—<i>Booklist</i></b><br />
<br />
“Kath Rothschild’s <i>Wider than the Sky</i> is pitch perfect! Young
adult readers will fall in love with her wonderfully quirky narrator Sabine and
her swoony romance with Kai. Combine that with family secrets and a mysterious
stranger and you have the ingredients for a compelling read. I cannot wait to
put it in the hands of my young customers!”—<b>Kathleen Caldwell, A Great Good
Place for Books (Oakland, CA)<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>My Review:</u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Wider than the Sky</i> by Katherine Rothschild was a quick read, with teenage romance and angst. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We follow 16-year-old Sabine, a girl with a "funny quirk": she compulsively blurts out Emily Dickinson poetry when faced with heightened emotion. I don't know many teenagers who blurt out any poetry on the daily, but I think the author was using this as a story-telling device. When taken that way, it does lend itself to the story in a lyrical sense. But requires a suspension of disbelief (from not just a reality standpoint, but a mental health standpoint). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Her and her twin sister Blythe are dealing with the tragedy of losing their father, when their mother uproots them from their childhood home to live with a complete stranger. This is the first of many "mysteries" Sabine encounters, as she and Blythe learn more about who their father really was. Unfortunately, in this one, high school drama overshadows a potential large family dynamic book, which took away what drew me to the book in the first place.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sabine falls in "love" with a boy at school, there's a love-V (as it is not a triangle) that is introduced, and she makes some very selfish choices. I don't blame her for some of it, as the adults in her life do not healthily address any of the issues that were hidden from Sabine and Blythe. There is, in my opinion, some harmful rep regarding HIV/death, queer relationships, and polyamorous relationships. To be honest, these things felt forced into the story and never quite developed where they should've been.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The writing is quite beautiful in parts, with the inclusion of poetry and talk of language. The story is fast-paced, as there are multiple plot points going on, so the urge to keep turning the page is there. A short book, at only 288 pages, readers will get through it fairly quickly. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Overall, while it wasn't exactly what it claimed to be on the tin, <i>Wider than the Sky</i> did hold my attention. If it was presented as more of a high school drama then a family drama I think that would hold truer to the book. But I see potential in future books by Katherine Rothschild. I think that if the expectations going into the book are adjusted, more readers who will like this book will find it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNBtyhazB11GSoIZ3bFLoAp8140SbzkOBWjfO4OmGAoZPr1KGgu18jPLWVQxiZuVNjixh6sDhsW7k2FMjLUqc-C0foOF5-A0ikgmUFiyBpCtsgzDfCb5SIMro9V9ngzJgkaqwo6qgpFkJ3RjHGH1OIEbc8QbUFpreiCgYvaUEaDLRmWYAQ3U0EuyT9=s200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="82" data-original-width="200" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNBtyhazB11GSoIZ3bFLoAp8140SbzkOBWjfO4OmGAoZPr1KGgu18jPLWVQxiZuVNjixh6sDhsW7k2FMjLUqc-C0foOF5-A0ikgmUFiyBpCtsgzDfCb5SIMro9V9ngzJgkaqwo6qgpFkJ3RjHGH1OIEbc8QbUFpreiCgYvaUEaDLRmWYAQ3U0EuyT9" width="200" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk23678104;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">About Katherine Rothschild:</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.katherinerothschild.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvnyTiMJokQFPhzD8pHDvoNokn_xi52h7SBBm8xY6_po7Xf4_t0KcKMxyQ9VO30rCTDeqj0hGwbOaaJwkPI1lgsbpAhLPcWhJghkqop22DZ28cVbSLtUVDZczlMNRZfquGhMBBenpFyLP/s320/Kath+Rothschild+author+photo.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Katherine
Rothschild is a Lecturer in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric at Stanford
University, a former ballet and Arabic dance instructor, and an obsessive
Twitter food truck-follower. Her first-person essays have been published on
KQED/NPR, in The San Francisco Chronicle, and other Bay Area and California
publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction Writing, a PhD in Composition and
Applied Linguistics, has received artist’s grants from Vermont Studio Center
and Kindlings West, and is a longtime member of the SCBWI. She lives in the San
Francisco Bay Area with her family. Her debut novel is <i>Wider Than the
Sky </i>from Soho Teen. Find her on Twitter @Kath_Rothschild.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.katherinerothschild.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Website</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>| </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/public/Katherine-Rothschild"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Facebook</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
| </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/kath_rothschild"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Twitter</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
| </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kathrothschild/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Instagram</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
| <a href="https://in.pinterest.com/kathcreatif/">Pinterest</a> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18022411.Katherine_Field_Rothschild" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Giveaway
Details: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3
winners will win a hardcover copy of WIDER THAN THE SKY, US Only.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3
winners will win a paperback copy of WIDER THAN THE SKY, US Only.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p>
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba21374" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21374/" id="rcwidget_c00yf598" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 107%;">Tour Schedule:</span></u></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 107%;">Week One:</span></u></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/6/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://www.bookhoundsya.net/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">BookHounds YA</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/7/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://kaitgoodwin.com/books"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Kait
Plus Books</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/8/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.perusewithcoffee.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">perusewithcoffee</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
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<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/9/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mythical
Books</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/10/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://phanniethegingerbookworm.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Phannie
the ginger bookworm</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/11/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://givernyreads.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">GivernyReads</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%;">Week Two:</span></u></b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/12/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blessedmommysc.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Lifestyle
of Me</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/13/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://nonbinaryknight-reads.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Nonbinary
Knight Reads</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/14/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.eyerollingdemigod.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Eye-Rolling
Demigod's Book Blog</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/15/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://stephaniesbookreviews.weebly.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">100
Pages A Day</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/16/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://www.twochicksonbooks.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Two
Chicks on Books</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/17/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://neverhollowed.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Never Hollowed By The Stare</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/18/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://thereadingwordsmith.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">@readingwordsmith</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%;">Week Three:</span></u></b></p>
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<tbody><tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/19/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://themommaspot.home.blog/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
Momma Spot</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/20/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.elisquared.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Eli to the nth</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/21/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://emeliesbooks.home.blog/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Emelie's
Books</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/22/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://am2cents.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Two
points of interest</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/23/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://rajivsreviews.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Rajiv's Reviews</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/24/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://bookreviewvirginialee.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">#BRVL
Book Review Virginia Lee Blog</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Promo Post<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/25/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/karendeeandabc/"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Karen
Dee's Book Reviews</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 107%;">Week Four:</span></u></b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12/26/2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="bottom">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jypsylynn"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">@jypsylynn
</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
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Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5433043046446577726.post-928867092254887362021-12-07T08:00:00.010-05:002021-12-07T17:24:32.134-05:00RELEASE DAY BLITZ - WIDER THAN THE SKY BY KATHERINE ROTHSCHILD - YA FICTION (SPOTLIGHT + GIVEAWAY)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNtXmuECeCjw36kpICT3PK4ef1ffWXvG74KKzsJ3PDoTCCS1CvASVfM439IVVDGJhDPyoBlNIygKl79wuYkZE7PxizXCW3oY0MNU2rEn0XwrqMbPkocHJ7HchiCNQm2ZtUn7R9FpsyuHQRRKGu4KmZEegpB6VLNo471rNpOc8aPBFzgm6HpanbGFkY=s615" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNtXmuECeCjw36kpICT3PK4ef1ffWXvG74KKzsJ3PDoTCCS1CvASVfM439IVVDGJhDPyoBlNIygKl79wuYkZE7PxizXCW3oY0MNU2rEn0XwrqMbPkocHJ7HchiCNQm2ZtUn7R9FpsyuHQRRKGu4KmZEegpB6VLNo471rNpOc8aPBFzgm6HpanbGFkY=w429-h167" width="429" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am happy to share some exciting book news; the paperback for <b><i>WIDER THAN THE SKY </i></b>by Katherine Rothschild is now available!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This book is an intense YA family contemporary, asking the question: do we really know our family or ourselves? Check out all the details of this great book below. Also make sure to enter for a chance to win a finished edition (h.b.or p.b.) of <b><i>WIDER THAN THE SKY</i></b> down below!<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcjxSMjBm5zOsgsfi19S9ZcMAnalXxhwLquD4h_pThJ5Rfk_TzNniKaILp6zEsRvkxCI4pE2zdcEDk2YZVlJBLwqanQvcH7RfgqizSuZeS9r9iwfTK_UCPcYIcBPld9-3GEJaZPeD_HLRSyBrK2P4yKmUad7WDA4L2zcovP2NPbRJvCsDNTbw1ZWxv=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="20" data-original-width="400" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcjxSMjBm5zOsgsfi19S9ZcMAnalXxhwLquD4h_pThJ5Rfk_TzNniKaILp6zEsRvkxCI4pE2zdcEDk2YZVlJBLwqanQvcH7RfgqizSuZeS9r9iwfTK_UCPcYIcBPld9-3GEJaZPeD_HLRSyBrK2P4yKmUad7WDA4L2zcovP2NPbRJvCsDNTbw1ZWxv=w400-h20" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-akTumcHas1r5YPPnsM8Hfahtj3piT6AdCgWm1Eh_AbG_2R1M5M0PTcH16oam5u0z2LS0-T64f-32vZxP34QlNJ0WyUJ7s75McsmK8WorT-6d-2p9Ln_PVvVXDo9zCXJ3OhTBjw0cTEFPX9mpyCGhuE6NSvm9u4Ir-zHyskVaCv7gd_M-80CLh13X=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-akTumcHas1r5YPPnsM8Hfahtj3piT6AdCgWm1Eh_AbG_2R1M5M0PTcH16oam5u0z2LS0-T64f-32vZxP34QlNJ0WyUJ7s75McsmK8WorT-6d-2p9Ln_PVvVXDo9zCXJ3OhTBjw0cTEFPX9mpyCGhuE6NSvm9u4Ir-zHyskVaCv7gd_M-80CLh13X=w352-h529" width="352" /></span></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Title</b>: <i>Wider than the Sky</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Authors(s)</b>: Katherine Rothschild<br /><b>Publication Date</b>: December 7, 2021<br /><b>Edition</b>: Hardcover, paperback. eBook, audiobook; 288 pgs<br /><b>Publisher</b>: Soho Teen<br /><b>Source</b>: Rockstar Book Tours<br /><b>Purchase</b>: <a href="https://amzn.to/3dfDVJJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3xOJHf3" target="_blank">Kindle</a> - <a href="https://amzn.to/3xVdZNk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Audible</a> - <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wider-than-the-sky-katherine-rothschild/1135429066?ean=9781641292689" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">B&N</a> - <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Wider-Than-Sky/Katherine-Rothschild/9781641292689?id=8292526258128" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BAM!</a> - <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=5LPtjgetns4&mid=37217&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kobo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Febook%2Fwider-than-the-sky-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kobo</a> - <a href="https://tidd.ly/3DswEBi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TBD</a> - <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/1250/9781641292689" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.</span><span><font><font><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span></span></span></font></font></span></div></div><div><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><b><font face="georgia">The Summary</font></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZljePwRZuoVcPD_OSh7ZJpEPwAuAteBMi0nPL1Ho8ooF3egg4V9wbnVRadSWUMmOL0KnTok22z_gk6nC93bmSkJKcVWjwHPWXWtlKDAxoBNSXdNxBWU07ckP52WTh2vAzQHXk21CxHiY/s400/border.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_53V7crRNICylkvGNmM-td3Z2Zb_yt46-BpUQCZfceGRmJwLx-L9P0xhEaovV59OwZPZfWpDQ5xJWmj0dtoBFMQNf8u_21rRjJMhkb1hyquYwYsTvBz3z2oix5gf6oVPSLeshUbkmn4q_egYcYq70bRCwuh7BMGuW34TzAMBdDGw4Fit6bNN9Wgzh=s1845" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_53V7crRNICylkvGNmM-td3Z2Zb_yt46-BpUQCZfceGRmJwLx-L9P0xhEaovV59OwZPZfWpDQ5xJWmj0dtoBFMQNf8u_21rRjJMhkb1hyquYwYsTvBz3z2oix5gf6oVPSLeshUbkmn4q_egYcYq70bRCwuh7BMGuW34TzAMBdDGw4Fit6bNN9Wgzh=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>In the wake of sudden tragedy, twin sisters uncover a secret that rips open their world. Katherine Rothschild explores the pain and power of forgiveness in a stunning debut novel that will shatter your heart and piece it back together, one truth at a time.</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sixteen-year-old Sabine Braxton doesn’t have much in common with her identical twin, Blythe. When their father dies from an unexpected illness, each copes with the loss in her own way—Sabine by “poeting” (an uncontrollable quirk of bursting into poetry at inappropriate moments) and Blythe by obsessing over getting into MIT, their father’s alma mater. Neither can offer each other much support . . . at least not until their emotionally detached mother moves them into a ramshackle Bay Area mansion owned by a stranger named Charlie.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Soon, the sisters unite in a mission to figure out who Charlie is and why he seems to know everything about them. They make a life-changing </span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">discovery: their</span></span><span class="s4" style="line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> parents were hiding secrets about their sexual identities. The revelation unravels Sabine’s world, while practical Blythe seems to take everything in stride. Once again at odds with her sister, Sabine chooses to learn all she can about the father she never knew. Ultimately, she must decide if she can embrace his last wish for a family legacy--even if it means accepting a new idea of what it means to be a family.</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>(</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59604405-wider-than-the-sky" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span>)</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Praise for <i>Wider than the Sky</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Sabine’s struggle to reconcile her memory of her father with the man he really was—and to make room in her life for his hopes as well as her own—cuts to the heart of what it means to love someone unconditionally. <i>Wider than the Sky</i> skillfully weaves multiple character arcs together to examine the ideas of home, hope, and family in surprising new ways.”<b>—Misa Sugiura, <i>It's Not Like It's a Secret</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Lyrical and lovely, <i>Wider than the Sky</i> is one of those rare books that has everything—masterful storytelling, a great love story, important themes, razor-sharp wit, and memorable characters. It's a gorgeous debut that will capture your heart."<b>—Corina Vacco, Delacorte Prize–winning author of <i>My Chemical Mountain</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I haven’t stopped thinking about these sisters since I first read <i>Wider than the Sky</i>. Sabine and Blythe will leap off the page and live in your memories like old friends. There is so much heart and humor in Katherine’s writing; even as her characters grapple with serious concerns and issues, she captures how life can slice us open and yet give us the ability to laugh and love and hope through the deepest pain and loss.”<b>—Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Book Scavenger</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Rothschild’s story showcases how secrets impede a person’s ability to see the world clearly and that self-acceptance and honesty are the keys to a happy ending.”<b>—<i>School Library Journal</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Change comes suddenly to the lives of 16-year-old Sabine and her identical twin sister, Blythe, when their father dies unexpectedly, prompting their mother and a strange man named Charlie to move the girls to the small town of Thornewood . . . Rothschild’s first novel is accomplished and nicely plot-rich with some interesting quirks, chief among them being Sabine’s deep-rooted love for Emily Dickinson’s poetry and her compulsive need to recite it.”<b>—<i>Booklist</i></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Kath Rothschild’s <i>Wider than the Sky</i> is pitch perfect! Young adult readers will fall in love with her wonderfully quirky narrator Sabine and her swoony romance with Kai. Combine that with family secrets and a mysterious stranger and you have the ingredients for a compelling read. I cannot wait to put it in the hands of my young customers!”<b>—Kathleen Caldwell, A Great Good Place for Books (Oakland, CA)</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Excerpt</b></font></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 20.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>CHECK OUT AN EXCERPT OF THE BOOK FROM GOOGLE PLAY BOOKS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(click the graphic)</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 17.12px; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0KQzAEACAAJ&lpg=PP1&pg=PA2#v=onepage&q&f=false" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="786" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMHIuDfkbpsg9AY5arfljY4VdmJQImjKTX0ur19ADIazhZNEcG7Zk-p2nJaUC2b1iZ7Vx-cqeLiU0bXkosjAWb8I3CKOgpZo8Vn3W5jdBFce38bZTjArOGyDFQuA4kixxK8HGdXd3NYPaBXogg2ZaP5SXYbcTpODn8_xwOVwdRCdHGbbkN10HbLnuE=w420-h313" width="420" /></a><br /><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span><font face="georgia">About the Author</font></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></a></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkwbqWLI8AO2iAYcOHXnxXhRbZDTeYnIow2ManU_dCh-qs97GvgcaddfyYjlmrSoF8ESo2DDnSDLhFZIY1Q0Dhd5Ggaroix5CInGZNuvFuxvvm1KHGQt05nCommhAvIT95XnQJB8934cmag7Z9101GBcd28Gd1yqZ2m-0SGvBg_YK9dDDaeCTHW-F8=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkwbqWLI8AO2iAYcOHXnxXhRbZDTeYnIow2ManU_dCh-qs97GvgcaddfyYjlmrSoF8ESo2DDnSDLhFZIY1Q0Dhd5Ggaroix5CInGZNuvFuxvvm1KHGQt05nCommhAvIT95XnQJB8934cmag7Z9101GBcd28Gd1yqZ2m-0SGvBg_YK9dDDaeCTHW-F8=w237-h356" width="237" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Katherine Rothschild is a Lecturer in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric at Stanford University, a former ballet and Arabic dance instructor, and an obsessive Twitter food truck-follower. Her first-person essays have been published on KQED/NPR, in <i>The San Francisco Chronicle</i>, and other Bay Area and California publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction Writing, a PhD in Composition and Applied Linguistics, has received artist’s grants from Vermont Studio Center and Kindlings West, and is a longtime member of the SCBWI. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. Her debut novel is <i>Wider than the Sky</i> from Soho Teen. Find her on Twitter @Kath_Rothschild.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.katherinerothschild.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/public/Katherine-Rothschild" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kathrothschild/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kath_rothschild" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://in.pinterest.com/kathcreatif/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18022411.Katherine_Field_Rothschild" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.8px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><font face="georgia"><b>Giveaway</b></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s1600/border.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="georgia"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSazo_yKfnRpPIzRRFttXc-5ZZelX_ymJkkUXRkI-WzTA1zFqTvYFgInIv77x_ruR4Pn0O16WAgNPPIrH3qFPEGxEX5abws6QhmOCe0XYK1u-1aRaGpo4USUhyX8vfANxAt2x8jhiVznM/s400/border.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="400" /></font></a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3 winners will win a hardcover copy of <i>WIDER THAN THE SKY,</i> US Only.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3 winners will win a paperback copy of <i>WIDER THAN THE SKY</i>, US Only.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><u><font face="georgia">CLICK THE GRAPHIC</font></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21374/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7kv2S2UMLxcExqf-9_pK7DpzvTVmp7OaEY61sEQpl3935CrRRAriQPKeMauf38YY_s4h2T7y74KIKEsI4r9EXL5nTaP8752ViUCSxm8_sMNgXng3RH5Cs13Q0dWAztyXXcYSc2ktJT21Day34GkOy5mlHi3GlXBc5Zk_VWIFOoi4qrfIqkelI-7gb=s320" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Elisquaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16692575346649160572noreply@blogger.com0