#Spookathon Wrap-Up!

So I ended up only reading 3/6 books for #Spookathon in their entirety during the actual readathon, which is a fail.  But, I am still going to try and finish all the books this week because they are all excellent.  Coincidentally, I just finished my 4th one today!

Finished

  Bonus Book! - So Anna Dressed in Blood was not one of my specified Challenge Books, but I've been meaning to read it for quite awhile, and it seemed to be a perfect time to do so.  I am so glad I did!  I listened to the audio of this book, and it was perfect!  The narrator, August Ross, did an amazing job.  His attitude for Cas was spot on, and he did a great job with all the different characters, differentiating between them so well.

This book was terrifying and creepy, but also beautiful and tragic.  Cas comes up against some scary-ass ghosts and the fight is for not just his life, but his loved ones as well.  I can't really give more about the plot, because there is multiple arcs within the book, but I enjoyed each of the characters for different reasons.  Also, I have a big ole' book crush on Theseus Cassio Lowood. I've already requested the sequel from the library, and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival!

Five/Five Stars

Still Reading

So I am still reading my book for challenge #4 (read a book with orange on the cover) and challenge #2 (read a book with a spooky word in the title).

For me, Turtles All the Way Down may not have been the best choice for this readathon, but honestly, I don't have many books with orange on the cover (I hate the color orange). Also, John Green books and I have a weird relationship. As I explained in my last update, I get really excited for them, and then they sit on my shelf. I think it's because I know they will be heavy in emotion, so I have to feel ready to read them. I don't think I'm ready to read TatWD, so it may get shelved again.

Because You Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy is really interesting. The writing prompts are interesting, and not only is there the short story written by the young adult author, there is also an essay exploring the prompt by the booktubers. So it's an interesting mix of story-telling and analysis. Currently, there is only one story I wasn't quite into, and it was only due to the writing style (it's all in text messages, which is a hit or miss for me). I'm excited about this addition to my anthology collection.

I hope you enjoyed #Spookathon if you participated! I love readathons because it helps kick my butt into gear and read some books. And I read 4 books in a week, which is quite a lot as I go through months of 1 or 2 books only.

I hope you have a fun October, and check out some of my books for a good spooky read before Halloween!

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BLOG TOUR --- Dear Martin by Nic Tone [Excerpt + Giveaway]

I am so excited to bring you this excerpt from the fantastic, and newly released, debut by Nic Stone: Dear Martin!  Jus's story is one that hundreds of African-Americans, not just kids either, go through every day in America, the "Land of the Free".  With books like this one highlighting these stories, both of racism and the strength to fight, the reader will be forced to examine themselves and how they exist in this system.

Title: Dear Martin
Author(s): Nic Stone
Edition: Hardcover, ebook, audiobook; 224 pages
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 17, 2017
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository - Audible - iBooks

Tour Schedule

Week One:

10/16/2017 - LILbooKlovers - Interview

10/17/2017 - YA Bibliophile - Review

10/18/2017 - Mama Reads Blog - Guest Post

10/19/2017 - Here's to Happy Endings - Review

10/20/2017 - Eli to the nth - Excerpt

Week Two:

10/23/2017 - Chasing Faerytales - Review

10/24/2017 - Omg Books and More Books - Interview

10/25/2017 - BookHounds YA - Review

10/26/2017 - Novel Novice - Guest Post

10/27/2017 - The Bookish Libra - Review

Week Three:

10/30/2017 - Never Too Many To Read - Review

10/31/2017 - Mrs. Knott's Book Nook - Interview

11/1/2017 - Reese's Reviews - Excerpt

11/2/2017 - Novel Ink - Review

11/3/2017 - Wandering Bark Books - Guest Post

Week Four:

11/6/2017 - Amanda Gernentz Hanson - Review

11/7/2017 - Lisa Loves Literature - Excerpt

11/8/2017 - Feed Your Fiction Addiction - Review

11/9/2017 - Lost in Ever After - Interview

11/10/2017 - A Backwards Story - Review

The Summary

Justyce McAllister is top of his class, captain of the debate team, and set for the Ivy League next year—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. He is eventually released without charges (or an apology), but the incident has Justyce spooked. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood, he can’t seem to escape the scorn of his former peers or the attitude of his prep school classmates. The only exception: Sarah Jane, Justyce’s gorgeous—and white—debate partner he wishes he didn’t have a thing for.

Struggling to cope with it all, Justyce starts a journal to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But do Dr. King’s teachings hold up in the modern world? Justyce isn’t so sure.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up. Way up. Much to the fury of the white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. And Justyce and Manny get caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack. The truth of what happened that night—some would kill to know. Justyce is dying to forget.

(Goodreads)

Excerpt

About the Author

Nic Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and the only thing she loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel for a few years before returning to the US to write full-time. Growing up with a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring these diverse voices and stories to her work.

You can find her goofing off and/or fangirling over her husband and sons on most social media platforms as @getnicced.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads 

Giveaway

3 winners will receive a finished copy of Dear Martin , US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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BLOG TOUR --- Holiday in the Hamptons (ADULT) by Sarah Morgan [Review + Giveaway]

Title: Holiday in the Hamptons
Author(s): Sarah Morgan
Edition: Paperback, eBook, audiobook; 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Publication Date: August 29, 2017
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - iBooks - Book Depository

Tour Schedule

 Week One:
8/7/2017- YA Book Nerd- Review
8/8/2017- Romantic Reviews- Excerpt
8/9/2017- Kati's Bookaholic Rambling Reviews- Review
8/10/2017- Becky on Books- Review
8/11/2017- Bookish in Texas- Review

Week Two:
8/14/2017- Books and Readers- Review
8/15/2017- A Dream Within A Dream- Excerpt
8/16/2017- Vox Libris- Review
8/17/2017- Savings in Seconds- Review
8/18/2017- ChickLit Club- Review

Week Three:
8/21/2017- Lattes & Paperbacks- Review
8/22/2017- Fire and Ice- Review
8/23/2017- Celluloid Diaries- Excerpt
8/24/2017- Bibliobakes- Review
8/25/2017- Eli to the nth- Review

The Summary

The perfect summer escape? 

Professional dog-walker Felicity Knight loves everything about New York...until her ex-husband starts working at her local vet clinic. She hasn't seen Seth Carlyle in ten years, but one glimpse of him--too gorgeous, and still too good for her--and Fliss's heart hurts like their whirlwind marriage ended yesterday. So when her grandmother in the Hamptons needs help for the summer, it seems the ideal way to escape her past.

Their relationship might have lasted only a few scorching months, but vet Seth knows Fliss--if she's run away to the Hamptons, it's because she still feels their connection and it terrifies her. He let her go once before, when he didn't know any better, but not this summer! With the help of his adorable dog, Lulu, and a sprinkling of beachside magic, Seth is determined to make Fliss see that he's never stopped loving her...

Sarah Morgan delights with more love and laughter in her acclaimed series From Manhattan with Love, which Publishers Weekly calls "engaging...a classic sweep-you-off-your-feet romantic experience."

(Goodreads)

My Review

While Young Adult has my heart, I have a soft spot for a good romance novel, and Holiday in the Hamptons hit all my favorite things: independent woman, misunderstandings, silly shenanigans, cute boys, and a romantic reconciliation.

While this is Book 5 in Sarah Morgan's From Manhattan with Love series, you do not have to read the other books to be able to follow Fliss and Seth's love story.  I love both of these characters, and you can always see how much they love each other.  Every time something else stood in their way, I was getting so frustrated!  Luckily, Morgan never kept the reader in suspense for long; this is definitely a feel good, happy ending romance.

But for me, the characters that stole the show were all the CUTE PUPPIES!  In the book, Fliss owns and operates a dog walking service, so puppies are never far out of the story in this book.  I love when there is something to make a romance unique, and I think the love of animals really stands out here.

Perfect for the beach, you should take advantage of the last days of summer by grabbing Holiday in the Hamptons, hitting the beach, and curling up for a quick and flirty read!

Final Rating

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes hot, happy contemporary romance and her trademark humour and sensuality have gained her fans across the globe. 

Described as ‘a magician with words’ by RT Book Reviews, she has sold over 15 million copies of her books. She has been nominated five times for the prestigious RITA© Award from the Romance Writers of America and won the award three times; in 2012 for her book ‘Doukakis’s Apprentice’, 2013 for ‘A Night of No Return’, and 2017 for ‘Miracle on 5th Avenue’. She also won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award in 2012 and has made numerous appearances in their ‘Top Pick’ slot.

As a child Sarah dreamed of being a writer and although she took a few interesting detours along the way, she is now living that dream.

Sarah lives near London with her husband and children, and when she isn’t reading or writing she loves being outdoors, preferably on vacation so she can forget the house needs tidying.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads 

Giveaway

1 winner will receive a Kate Spade Beach Themed Prize Pack, US/Canada Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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BLOG TOUR --- Witchtown by Cory Putman Oakes [Review + Giveaway]

Title: Witchtown
Author(s): Cory Putman Oakes
Edition: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 320 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 18, 2017
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - iBooks - Book Depository

Tour Schedule

 Week One:

7/10/2017 - Brittany's Book Rambles - Interview
7/11/2017 - Book Briefs - Review
7/12/2017 - Always Me - Guest Post
7/13/2017 - The Blonde Bookworm - Review
7/14/2017 - YA and Wine - Interview

Week Two:
7/17/2017 - Savings in Seconds - Review
7/18/2017 - Wandering Bark Books - Guest Post
7/19/2017 - Eli to the nth - Review
7/20/2017 - Don't Judge, Read - Review
7/21/2017 - YA Book Madness - Interview

The Summary

When sixteen-year-old Macie O’Sullivan and her masterfully manipulative mother Aubra arrive at the gates of Witchtown—the most famous and mysterious witch-only haven in the world—they have one goal in mind: to rob it for all it’s worth.

But that plan derails when Macie and Aubra start to dig deeper into Witchtown’s history and uncover that there is more to the quirky haven than meets the eye.

Exploring the haven by herself, Macie finds that secrets are worth more than money in Witchtown.

Secrets have their own power.

(Goodreads)

My Review

I love books about magic, and I especially love books about different magic communities.  Witchtown by Cory Putman Oakes is chock full of both!  The reader follows Macie O'Sullivan, as she and her con-artist mother, Aubra, move onto their "last" big score: robbing the haven of Witchtown blind!  But as Macie digs deeper into Witchtown, she learns secrets, not only about the town, but about herself!

I loved this book!  It was fast-paced, full of twists, and fully satisfying at the end.  A truly well-done standalone novel.  Of course, I wish we could see more of Witchtown, because I think we could've used more of this potentially amazing setting, but it was always on this side of not fleshed out enough.  But the idea of a Second Inquisition is interesting, especially with the result not being the total destruction of all witches, but a segregation of witches from the general populace.  

However, the characters themselves were great!  You really felt what Macie, the main character, was going through, both within the relationship with her mother, and while she was unfurling the mysteries in Witchtown.  The friendship between Macie and Tayla was naturally developed, and you could really tell that both cared for each other.  I love when friendships are developed in a real way.  It always adds something to the story.

This book is just too fun!  A super-fast read, if you like witchiness, mysteries, and comeuppance, then you'll want to pick up Witchtown by Cory Putman Oakes this summer!

Final Rating

Other Books by Cory

MIDDLE GRADE

 

YOUNG ADULT

About the Author

Sometime around sixth grade, Cory was forced to face the sad truth that being a heroine in a Tamora Pierce, Robin McKinley, or Madeleine L’Engle book was not, in fact, a valid future career choice. But since she thought it might be almost as much fun to grow up to be Tamora Pierce, Robin McKinley, or Madeleine L’Engle, she decided to do just that. She’s still working on it.

She officially made her sixth grade dream come true in 2011, with her debut young adult novel, THE VEIL. Cory’s debut middle grade, DINOSAUR BOY, came out from Sourcebooks in February of 2015 and it’s sequel, DINOSAUR BOY SAVES MARS, launched in February 2016. Cory’s next young adult novel, WITCHTOWN, will come out from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers on July 18, 2017.

Cory lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Mark (who, luckily for all concerned, decided to stick with the whole “maybe-I’ll-be-a-lawyer” thing), their two kids, and their pets. In addition to writing, Cory enjoys running, cooking, and hanging out with her family. She is proud to be represented by Sarah LaPolla of Bradford Literary Agency. Photo by Sam Bond Photography

Website | Twitter | Facebook 

Giveaway

3 winners will receive a hardcover of WITCHTOWN! US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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