Thursday, February 28, 2013

BOOK BLAST & $100 GIVEAWAY: “GUARDIANS INC.: THE CYPHER” – by Julian Roado-Machain


GUARDIANS INC.: THE CYPHER

A chance reading of a newspaper ad will send 16 year old Thomas Byrne into the world within our world.

Following the ad he will find Guardians Incorporated. A seven thousand year old organization charged with protecting the balance between Magic and technology.

Through their guidance, technology has kept Magic at bay since the Renaissance, but the balance is shifting and soon all those creatures we've driven into myth and legend will come back with a vengeance.

To protect the present, Guardians Incorporated needs to know the future and to unlock the future

they need a Cypher.

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Guardians Inc.: The Cypher is FREE on Kindle, Nook & iBooks

Praise

USA Book News 2012 Finalist -Young Adult Fiction

"Rosado-Machain brings a light, humorous touch to themes of teenage love, loss and betrayal wrapped up in a tasty package of magical coming-of-age."
~Kirkus Reviews

"It's like Julian Rosado-Machain took everything that I love about middle grade children's fiction and slammed it into one awesome, well-paced fantasy"
~Emi London Oktopusink.blogspot.com

"The Cypher hooked me from the beginning. And kept my attention right through to the very end."
- Heidi Roth reviewthebook.com



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Author Julian Rosado-Machain

Julian has enjoyed pizza in three continents, holds a degree in graphic design, built armored vehicles and computers, handcrafted alebrijes and swears has seen at least one ghost.

He is the Co-owner of Hacienda de Vega Restaurant in San Diego, California and enjoys the sun with his wife, three children and cat.








Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3/13/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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BLOG TOUR: SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY: “GUARDIANS OF THE GRIMOIRE” – by Natasha Slight



Title: “Guardians of the Grimoire
Series: (The Grimoire, #1)
Author: Natasha Slight
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: October 10, 2011
Genre: YA, Fantasy

SUMMARY

Rumors have spread among the immortals of a book that controls all the magic in both the human and spirit worlds. So what is the Spirit Mother to do when Kaël, a corrupt spirit, attempts to steal the Grimoire from her temple?

With no other option, she instructs Gaïa, a benevolent spirit, to hide the Grimoire in the human realm and to train three young girls in becoming the new guardians. Kerani, Tiluvia, and Cesca are awakened to their destinies, and thrust into a perilous journey as they race to Gaïa’s island. Accompanied by the Kal’rana sisters, the girls discover the magic that lies dormant within them. But fate plays a cruel twist on them, as their magical abilities are unleashed before they are ready, and disastrous consequences follow suit.

In a land shrouded in magic, and filled with as many friends as there are foes, will the girls be able to fulfill their destinies? Or will the balance of magic be thrown into chaos?

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Guardians of the Grimoire by Natasha Slight has 14 reviews on Goodreads. Read it here.

 



Guardians of the Grimoire by Natasha Slight – Book Trailer

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

BOOK BLAST & $50 GIVEAWAY: “FIELDS OF ELYSIUM” – by A.B. Whelan


Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan

How can love mend a heart full of hate?

Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers. While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly's life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.

Fields of Elysium is a suspenseful, romantic tale full of forbidden secrets, unimaginable danger, deception, and the never-ending fight for true love.


PRAISE

"The novel's take on otherworldly travel is a compelling one, and the romantic plot will likely appeal to Twilight fans." - Kirkus Reviews

"I expected a good love story with a paranormal twist. I got so much more. I think you should take the chance and read it. Let this book take you on the adventure, fall in love." - Young Adult and Teen Readers

"Fields of Elysium is a fabulous read. ... Whelan paints her faith into the fabric of her story with deft, light brushstrokes, making her work accessible to all, no matter their spiritual beliefs or background." - Readers Favorite

"I escaped into this fantasy world, author, A.B.Whelan, created and I didn’t want Molly to go. From detailed descriptions, to sweet romance, and to all the twist and turns in the story, it had me captivated from page one." - Mary Ting, author of the Crossroads Saga

"Whelan's writing is very vivid and descriptive. It's more formal than the average YA novel, but I enjoyed the lyrical and mesmerizing quality to it. I thought the overall story read like a fairy tale--very sweet." - Megan Thomason, author of Daynight







Author A.B. Whelan

A.B.Whelan is a Hungarian born, American writer. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Southern California.

While growing up in a wealthy Eastern European family, she had a chance to travel Europe. Later as an adult, she visited Africa and the Middle East and lived in Ecuador and in Crete.







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$50 Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash plus a gift bag of one signed copy of Fields of Elysium, a scrabble-tile pendant with a butterfly image on a chain necklace, and a fridge magnet.

Ends 3/11/13

Gift Bag open to US only.  If winner is international they will receive only the gift card or paypal cash.

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

REVIEW: "MATCHED" (Matched, #1) - by Ally Condie


Title: “Matched
Series: (Matched, #1)
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: December 2, 2010
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Romance
Reviewed by: Books4Tomorrow
Source: Purchased
My star rating: 4/5

SUMMARY

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

REVIEW

Looking at the cover, it’s not hard to see why I was sold on this book without having read the blurb. I mean look at it. It is a stunner! Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that the book isn’t as great as the cover promises with its beauty. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t leave me eager to read the next book. I’m positive I’ll be able to predict what’s going to happen in the rest of the series.

***CONTAINS SPOILERS***

Dystopian is one of my favorite genres to read and Matched was a worthwhile read all in all. Unlike most dystopian novels, the protagonist in this one wasn’t rebellious or constantly attempted to overthrow the system. I mostly enjoyed the story because it was different in the sense that Cassia believed in the system which governed their existence. She had faith that all the decisions made on her behalf by the Society, were for her own good. The book starts off with a tone of excitement as Cassia, her parents, and her best friend Xander, is on their way to the matching ceremony in which she and Xander will be matched to their respective future life partners. As the story develops, the reader is slowly introduced into Cassia’s world and the way it is governed. Again, unlike scores of dystopian novels, this world is not a terrible one to live in, but rather one where the well-being of its citizens is of utmost importance, thus cultivating healthy lifestyles and extending life expectancy. The author really went out of her way to create a multi-faceted backdrop for this story which is utterly unique and complex. 

I really enjoyed the positive feel of the story through Cassia’s character. As I said before, she isn’t your typical rebellious protagonist, and because she has always tried to steer clear of trouble and did what was expected of her (before she met Ky, of course), the reader is granted the opportunity to explore this new dystopian territory with its slight undercurrent of disturbances. The lives of Cassia and her friends and family are managed to the extreme. What they eat, what they wear, which exercises they should be doing, what they should do with their free time, which career path they should follow, who they’ll marry, how many children they’ll have, and when they’ll die. This doesn’t sound like a great place to live, right? Yet Cassia, Xander, and all their loved ones accept this as normal – even the fact that they have to always carry three tablets with them. The blue and green tablets can be used at their own discretion, but no-one knows what the red tablet does (until later in the story) and should only be taken when an official instructs them to do so. The story is filled with so many interesting developments and discoveries, it was hard for me to put it down.  

Three things which I didn’t enjoy is that, one, Cassia’s inner-dialogue oftentimes tended to be too lengthy and, two, I simply couldn’t feel or comprehend the sudden love Cassia felt for Ky. It’s not that I preferred Xander to Ky, it’s just that the author never managed to make me believe how and why Cassia would fall for Ky when she was already matched to someone she loved since childhood. The reason the author gave for this sudden love interest failed to convince me. Also, the poetry just didn’t do it for me. Nope, I’m not a fan.

Another aspect of the story I enjoyed is that the author also brings home the importance of family and how the love shared between family members – specifically the love Cassia’s parents have for each other and their children – added a lot of depth to this story. I finished Matched in no time and I’m really happy I’ve read it, but I personally feel the book could’ve been much shorter as a lot of unnecessary lengthy descriptions were spent on day-to-day activities which didn’t add much to the story. Overall it is a really great read, but it would be some time before I continue this series – if at all.

 






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Matched by Ally Condie has 16 715 reviews on Goodreads. Read it here.


Matched by Ally Condie – Book Trailer

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Monday, February 25, 2013

REVIEW: "ECHO" (Species Intervention #6609, Book 2) - by J.K. Accinni


Title: “Echo
Series: (Species Intervention #6609, #2)
Author: J.K. Accinni
Publisher: Skinny Leopard Media
Publication Date: August 26, 2012
Genre: Sci-fi
Reviewed by: Books4Tomorrow
Source: Received from author
My star rating: 5/5

SUMMARY

Netty’s influence transcends a full century as the United States evolves to a point of politically driven economic collapse. The year is 2033 as a young mother, abused by her shiftless husband, heroically decides to remove her two sickly children, Scotty and Abby, from the mean streets of their government subsidized tenement town of Short Hills, New Jersey to the hills and old farmland of Sussex County. There they unite with a Latino family that adopted Jose, a young boy from Costa Rica, traumatized at the age of seven by the brutal murder of his parents and the kidnapping of his infant sister.

The two families unite to pool finances, creating the love and bonds that will enable them to survive the psychotic attention of Armoni, a soul damaged beyond redemption, discovery of Baby’s miraculous offspring, Echo; and their subsequent body changes. Through the efforts of Echo who develops an unexplained passion for the curly haired dog, Barney, they flee the clutches of Armoni after the murder of Armoni’s sidekicks by Echo, to Sarasota, Florida, one of the last remaining enclaves of wealth in the U.S.

Scotty learns to utilize Echo as a co-conspirator in his intrigue to thwart the efforts of heinous people that prey on the lives of creatures in their environmentally rich new home, where the insidious miscreant, Armoni, tracks them; dragging along Ginger Mae, a New York City prostitute looking for opportunity with her mute child, Daisy; bringing brutality and violence to all.

Having fallen in love, the young  Abby and Jose draw close, only to be separated by the transcendental Netty, who tries to use Abby as a conduit in her plan to rescue as much wildlife as they can before despicable political events bring on the spectre of Armageddon.

REVIEW

After having read the first book in this series awhile ago, and due to some things that bugged me about the first book, I wasn’t really eager to start on the second book. I’d thought I’d wait awhile before reading Echo for fear that the same issues that bothered me in Baby, would pop up again in Echo. Alas, my fears were unnecessary and I ended up enjoying Echo far more than I did Baby.

I was so focused on the issues that plagued me in the first book, I failed to notice how exquisitely J.K. Accinni writes. Reading Echo, the first thing that stood out to me was the complexity of the plot with political intrigue intricately woven into a story about the world - more specifically America - in 2033, and the cruelty and inhumanity people show to nature and each other; destroying our planet and ourselves through greed and brutality. The author uses many metaphors by means of three-dimensional characters and a super-intelligent furry alien, to show how the human race is the engineer of its own destruction.  

One scene early in the book really grabbed my attention as it struck a chord with me. “Whatever you need there is a government program to cover the cost. Cradle to grave, as they say. Yet the poor somehow always found the money for air conditioning, cell phones, I-pods, cable TV, shiny leased automobiles, and LED TVs.” To be very honest, this is something I’m always questioning in my daily life. How do the poorest of the poor manage to have more of life’s luxuries than so many others who struggle to afford daily necessities to just survive? Questions challenging the morals of the human race applicable to our lives today, and even more so in a world twenty years from now crippled by the Polio virus and a defective government, lends a sense of realism to this story which is sure to touch a raw nerve or two. Of course, I was also immensely thrilled that my home country got a mention later on in the book!

I think one of the scenes that will linger in my mind for quite some time is the scene in which a seventeen-year old girl is raped, tortured and murdered in the most horrendous and shocking of ways reminiscent of the movies The Hills Have Eyes and Wrong Turn. Kudos to the author for being so brutally honest and not shying away from the terrifying darkness a human mind is capable of. From incest to dog fighting and poaching, to the stark reality of corrupt figures of authority and the possibility of the East overthrowing the West, Echo is an intelligently-written story that will make you think, but at the same time shock you at the repulsiveness of some of its characters, while rooting for the unlikely heroes. The backdrop for this story is so realistic it made me feel as though this is a very likely future for the world as we know it. The good guys in this story don’t have it easy at all and the villains are such vile creatures, their punishment weren’t nearly as severe as the atrocious deeds they committed.

In my opinion Echo is a vast improvement on Baby, and I’m genuinely looking forward to reading Armageddon Cometh, the third book in this intriguing and exhilarating series.




 




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Echo by J.K. Accinni has 23 reviews on Goodreads. Read it here.

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

REVIEW: "BOUND" (Arelia LaRue, #1) - by Kira Saito


Title: “Bound
Series: (Arelia LaRue, #1)
Author: Kira Saito
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: November 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Books4Tomorrow
Source: Received as gift from author
My star rating: 5/5

SUMMARY

Sixteen year old Arelia LaRue lives in New Orleans where the music is loud, voodoo queens inhabit every street corner, and the ghosts are alive and well. Despite her surroundings, all she wants is to help her Grand-mere Bea pay the rent and save up for college. 

When her best friend Sabrina convinces her to take a well-paying summer job at the infamous Darkwood plantation, owned by the wealthy LaPlante family, Arelia agrees. 

However, at Darkwood strange things start to happen, and gorgeous Lucus LaPlante insists that he needs her help. Soon, the powers that Arelia has been denying all her life, come out to play and she discovers mysteries about herself that she could have never imagined.

REVIEW

The first thing that cemented my interest in this novel was the way it was written. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the end result is that I absolutely loved this story and I can’t wait to read the second and third books, which the author had also gifted me.

Apart from the flowing- and meticulous writing, the story itself was intriguing and full of interesting facts about hoodoo and voodoo. By the end of the story I understood that there is a difference between hoodoo and voodoo, and I now know why voodoo is shrouded in so much mystery. In this story we also get to know the different types of spirits and what they do. It was interesting to note that a voodoo queen should not view these spirits as gods, or they’ll never allow her to treat them as equals. Right from the start when Arelia and Sabrina arrive at Darkwood Plantation, the story takes on an eerie and sinister feel. The spirits communicating with Arelia at unexpected intervals, added to the suspense.

Everything in this book is unpredictable.  I expected the atmosphere at Darkwood Plantation to send chills down my spine round every corner as the story progressed, but although there is a consistent sense of foreboding, the author keeps the reader riveted by painting this palatial home as an ordinary one; albeit one opulently decorated in rich colors, expensive furniture and chandeliers, and exquisite gardens that will take your breath away. The reader never really knows whether to be afraid or not. The beauty and ordinariness of the house is balanced by a family cemetery, slave quarters and an allegedly haunted swamp - where you can still hear the slaves of a hundred years ago, sing - situated on the same grounds as the plantation house.

A cast of characters varying in personalities also added a lot to the overall feel of the story. There is Lucus, who hides a terrifying secret; Sabrina, the spoiled and annoying rich friend of Ariela; Ben, the cute kid who crawls into your heart and who is ignored by his parents; the obnoxious Mr Dumpty who refers to himself as “a fat guy from New York” and who is every young girl’s worst nightmare; Ivan, the handsome waiter with a bad attitude; and so many more characters who will leave a lasting impression – good or bad – on the reader.

One of my favorite parts – proving again that nothing can be predicted in this story – was when Lucus offered Ariela something to eat in the middle of the night, and she challenged him to make fried Oreos. I was intrigued at this, as I’ve never heard of fried Oreos before, and Lucus’s reaction after he tasted it made for some side-splitting laughter. I recommend this book to all who is fascinated by Louisiana voodoo, its myths, and a story built on the historic slave trade. Although Bound does not build up to a climatic finale, it is filled with enough mystery to keep the reader absorbed till the last page has been devoured. At less than hundred pages it is a wonderful quick read.

 



 


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Friday, February 22, 2013

REVIEW: "FIRST PLANE" (Hayle Coven, #10) - by Patti Larsen


Title: “First Plane
Series: (Hayle Coven, #10)
Author: Patti Larsen
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: November 27, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Reviewed by: Ellen Fritz
Source: Received for review from author
Ellen’s star rating: 5/5

SUMMARY

Welcome to Demonicon

“I am Pagomaris, first aide to Ruler. I’m thrilled to have you both here. It’s my responsibility to ensure you are presentable for the parade.”

Presentable? Parade?

“Everyone is so excited to meet you.” She turned and clapped, a pair of young female demons dressed more simply than her scurrying forward with armloads of what appeared to be cosmetics, jewelry and the most elaborate clothing I’d ever seen. “Shall we begin?”

Something about the woman’s attitude ramped me up to dig in my heels so hard I expected the stone floor to split under me.

“No,” I said.

Syd is home for a well-deserved Christmas break and the whole family has gathered for a happy holiday. But when Harry shows up to tell his daughters their paternal grandmother wants to meet them, Syd and Meira eagerly leave for the demon plane with a mix of excitement and nerves. Their long-delayed family reunion is really a disguise for political games that put both of their lives at risk, forcing the Hayle sisters to fight for the status they’ve been granted by the woman who Rules everything, and wants what she can’t have—Syd.

REVIEW

As is usual with the Hayle Coven novels, First Plane was another sit-down-and-devour-immediately experience. Syd is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas holiday with her family and friends when the summons to meet her father's family in Demonicon comes. Are Syd and Meira in for a surprise! With her demon grandmother as ruler of all Demonicon, hundreds of extremely nasty, jealous demon family members and a status that she has to defend and did not want in the first place, this visit turns out to be a nightmare. Add to that two half human/half demon kids who are being used as pawns in a political struggle, and Syd is in for a dangerous, scary experience.

In this book Syd's character shows all the growth it had been going through in the previous few books. She is far more self-confident, and her snarky, smart-mouthed personality is firmly in place. When she, Meira and Sassafras seem to be trapped on Demonicon for an indefinite period, she takes it with remarkable stoicism and, boy, does she kick butt in fights! Sassafras - silver Persian demon cat extraordinaire - who knows the demon setup, is of invaluable help with his advice and interference at crucial points in the story. He also serves as fighting coach for the two girls, as well as a shoulder to cry on when things look grim.

I was thoroughly impressed with the way Patti Larsen described Demonicon. No blazing hell fires or some dreary world, but rather a place with colorful cities, beautiful natural scenery and some really unique, cool transport. It even has several suns and moons and nobody had to get in a spaceship to get there. The down side of this realm however; fighting. Fights for status happen all the time. Political intrigue is a permanent under-current, and rioting and rebellion are almost everyday occurrences.

First Plane is full of excitement and suspense, some absolutely hilarious moments and a few incidents where I definitely had to get the Kleenex out. With the author's marvelous ability to create a brand new idea for every book, I can promise you a very enjoyable, rewarding read with never a dull moment. A five-star rating is really too low for this book and its gifted author and I wish I was allowed to give it more. Thumbs up to First Plane and Patti Larsen!

 



 


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First Plane by Patti Larsen has 4 reviews on Goodreads. Read it here.

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

BOOK BLAST & $50 GIVEAWAY: “BAKED ALASKA” by Josi Kilpack


Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack

An Alaskan cruise is the setting for amateur detective Sadie Hoffmillers latest adventure. Sadie plans to spend time relaxing with her two grown children, Breanna and Shawn, and her boyfriend, Pete, while enjoying the luxury and cuisine of an elegant cruise ship and helping to plan her daughters upcoming wedding. But even as the crew prepares to leave port, Sadie has suspicions about the voyage ahead and the relationship between her normally easygoing son and a mysterious female passenger he obviously knows but refuses to discuss. When the woman is discovered unconscious during the second night at sea, Sadies apprehension escalates. Over the last few years, Sadie has developed an extreme dislike for secrets and it would seem her son is keeping one from her. *Includes eight new mouthwatering recipes, tested and approved by the official bakers of Sadies Virtual Test Kitchen.

Praise for Baked Alaska

Josi Kilpack has done it again. You would think that all these events that occur in Sadie's life wouldn't be natural, but Josi Kilpack has a way of making you believe that it just "happens" and it is normal. I have grown to love Sadie's character, even if she is a busybody, you can't help but cheer for her as she attempts to solve a mystery or crime. One of my favorite series. :)

~Goodreads Reviewer Lacey McNeill





Author Josi S. Kilpack

Josi S. Kilpack grew up hating to read until she was thirteen and her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began her first novel in 1998 and hasn’t stopped since. Her seventh novel, Sheep’s Clothing, won the 2007 Whitney Award for Mystery/Suspense, and Lemon Tart, her ninth novel, was a 2009 Whitney Award Finalist. Josi was the Best in State winner in literature for 2012 and currently has two books (Banana Split and Tres Leches Cupcakes) as finalists in the 2012 Whitney awards.

Josi currently lives in Willard, Utah, with her family.



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Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3/17/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

REVIEW: "OUT OF NOWHERE" - by Maria Padian


Title: “Out of Nowhere
Author: Maria Padian
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Publication Date: February 12, 2013
Genre: YA
Reviewed by: Books4Tomorrow
Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley
My star rating: 5/5

SUMMARY

High school senior Tom Bouchard doesn't care about his options, until he meets people who have almost none.

At Chamberlain High School, Tom Bouchard has it made: captain and star of the soccer team, boyfriend to one of the prettiest, most popular girls, and third in his class, likely to have his pick of any college, if he ever bothers filling out his applications. But life in his idyllic small Maine town quickly gets turned upside down after the events of 9/11.

Enniston has become a "secondary migration" location for Somali refugees, who are seeking a better life after their country was destroyed by war—they can no longer go home. Tom hasn't thought much about his Somali classmates until four of them join the soccer team, including Saeed. He comes out of nowhere on the field to make impossible shots, and suddenly the team is winning, dominating even; but when Saeed's eligibility is questioned and Tom screws up in a big way, he's left to grapple with a culture he doesn't understand and take responsibility for his actions. Saeed and his family came out of nowhere and vanish just as quickly. And Tom may find himself going nowhere, too, if he doesn't start trying to get somewhere.

REVIEW

Any book that has sports in it is not my type of read. But a tagline comparing a book to the movie The Blind Side – which, in my opinion, was an absolutely brilliant movie – definitely gets my attention. I’m glad I gave Out of Nowhere a chance. It took me most of the weekend to finish reading it, even had me up in the middle of the night reading a couple more chapters, but it was worth every second. This book is definitely going on my Best Books of 2013 list!

There is more sport in this book than I would’ve liked to read, but I’ll admit it was written so well it felt as though I was in the centre of all the action. The author managed to capture the atmosphere in the crowd and the anxiety and excitement of the soccer players perfectly; I couldn’t help cheering loudly for each game they won and feeling utterly sad about the ones they lost. I felt every emotion the players felt. That said, this book is not entirely focused on the sport alone. It is a heart-warming tale encompassing the struggles and challenges of the everyday lives of a handful of individual characters learning, through trial and error, to accept those who are different; and the main character, Tom, learning some valuable life lessons in the process.  It deals with – among other - diversity, adversity, faith, and acceptance of the unknown.

This story, thank goodness, isn’t an exact reproduction of the movie The Blind Side, but it does hold a few similarities to it in showing how differently people deal with, and attempt to cross (or not), cultural boundaries. The author efficiently and sensitively portrays both perspectives by showing the pros and cons of accepting refugees from a war zone, into a small town already under the strain of an influx of foreigners. The characters are realistic and I couldn’t help feeling emotionally invested in them. The author shares a lot of interesting background information about Somalis and the Muslim culture in an effort to have the reader better understand these characters in this book. It was clear she did her research really well.

Out of Nowhere is one of those books I’ll be thinking about months from now, and which I’ll definitely get as a gift for family and friends. It’s not a story you read, but rather one you experience. There were a lot of times I cried while reading this book, not only because of heart-wrenching moments in the story, but also because how some of the main character’s best intentions, didn’t turn out so well and resulted in far-reaching consequences for some of the other characters. It showed me again how bad things happen to good people, but also how life balances this out with good things happening to good people when least expected. This is a multi-layered story focusing on a lot of different themes, and even though the team sport soccer is at the centre of it all, I wouldn’t have written it differently if I were in the author’s shoes.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

 





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Out of Nowhere by Maria Padian has 19 reviews on Goodreads. Read it here.

ABOUT the AUTHOR

MARIA PADIAN is the author of Jersey Tomatoes Are the Best and Brett McCarthy: Work in Progress, which was an ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults. A graduate of Middlebury College and the University of Virginia, she has also attended Oxford University and the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference. Born in New York but raised in New Jersey, she now lives in Maine with her family and their Australian shepherd, and was inspired by the events in her community to write Out of Nowhere.  

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