Can You Keep a Secret?: A Fear Street Novel by R.L. Stine
Can You Keep a Secret?: A Fear Street Novel by R.L. Stine
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Emmy has suffered from nightmarish dreams of a wolf and finds that a real wolf has been spotted near her home so her imagination begins to run wild. She and her friends, along with boyfriend Eddie had planned to spend a night in the Fear Street Woods. When Eddie and Emmy sneak off they find a briefcase full of cash. When the others see the money the group decides to hide the cash until they can investigate where it might have come from.
When I first finished this book I thought it was an alright read and was going to go with three stars even with the flaws I had in mind. But the more I’ve thought about it I’ve decided it’s really ended up a two star read for me.
First, the book synopsis is really far off the story I finished reading. There are several errors including the main character’s name. They do find cash but from there the details are different in the story.
But regardless of that, I just can’t figure out who this is even supposed to be marketed to. It reads more like a middle grade novel but the characters are older teens more in the YA market range. The situations the kids are getting into really don’t need to be in something sold to a younger audience either, sneaking off, drinking beer, using a gun…. not exactly a story I can recommend to middle grade audience but the actions and plot are not one I’d think the YA market will enjoy.
Then, the other thought I had reading this was the story just seems to be structured with two different things going on with Emmy’s dreams and the money. The two things really don’t seem to mesh well until it ends up being wrapped up at the same time in the end.
Overall, fun for me as an adult to bring back memories but a few too many flaws to rate very high.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Midnight Watch: A Novel of the Titanic and the Californian by David Dyer
The Midnight Watch: A Novel of the Titanic and the Californian by David Dyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Midnight Watch: A Novel of the Titanic and the Californian is a fictional novel written based on the facts of the tragedy that happened on April 14, 1912 with the loss of 1500 lives when the Titanic ran into an iceberg and sunk. A lot of the facts and characters are true with a bit of embellishment on some of the story.
The novel focuses on the Californian, a ship that was the closest to the Titanic at the time of the tragedy but did not respond to the distress flares that were sent up. A journalist that specialized in writing up stories of death and tragedy is determined to get to the truth of what happened that night and why more lives couldn’t have been saved.
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a sucker for picking up books based on true events and the story of the Titanic is no exception. What I truly enjoyed with this novel was it focused on a different angle than the one you usually see. The Californian with it’s crew had stopped for the night very near where the Titanic hit and had even sent warnings over the radio that the ice was bad but they never responded and helped when the tragedy happened.
One thing I can’t say about this novel is that I loved the characters, it was impossible not to really be totally disgusted with the events and the crew on the Californian especially Caption Lord. Of course when you’re reading about an event where 1500 lives are lost and think that maybe something could have been done to change the outcome then it’s understandable to not like this crew.
Otherwise, the novel was well written and certainly and interesting read. Would recommend checking this one out if you enjoy fiction based on true events.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Burnout by Sarah Castille book blitz with giveaway
Burnout
Sarah Castille
(Legal Heat #2.5)
Publication date: April 3rd 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
She vowed to uphold the law.
He’s determined to break it.
Together, they just might bend the rules.
Rookie cop, Sophie Nichols, knows the dangers of a one-night stand with a sexy stranger. Unable to resist the pull of cocky, badass biker, Ace Logan, she indulges in one steamy night of raw, unbridled passion.
At least, that was the plan…
As the new sergeant-at-arms for the Rogue Riders MC, Ace doesn’t need complications in his life—especially a curvy, captivating cop with a kick-ass attitude who has the power to wreak havoc on his club. So why can’t he stay away?
When Sophie’s brother is kidnapped by a ruthless criminal gang, Ace might be her only hope to find him. But once he has the rookie in his arms, he’ll never let her go. Now, Sophie must make a choice: break the law or break her heart?
Burnout is a standalone novella in the full-length Legal Heat series by New York Times bestselling author, Sarah Castille.
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo
EXCERPT:
“You are small.” Ace reached out to brush a lock of hair out of her eyes. “Even in those fucking sexy boots. And you’re curvy. But those curves would be wasted on a man like Bones. You got a body made for sex, not violence, and you need a man up for the challenge.”
She should have felt insulted, miffed, even outraged by his presumption. But he didn’t leer the way Bones had, and his tone was more appreciative than dirty. She had no doubt if she turned him down now, he would just walk away.
A real man. Confident and commanding without even a hint of the insecurity that had driven Ryan to return to their house the night after he’d been served with divorce papers.
“And that would be you?” Her voice lifted in a teasing tone. Although she couldn’t spend a night sexing it up with a criminal, she might as well have a bit of fun.
“Me.” His traced a thick finger along her jaw, his skin calloused and rough. The thought of his warm hands on her body sent a sizzle of heat straight to her core.
Her tongue darted out, slid over her bottom lip. She tasted the tang of lipstick, the faint hint of the whiskey she’d drunk to fortify herself before coming to the party, and the sweetness of desire.
Ace sucked in a sharp breath, his gaze locking on her tongue. “You got a name, babe?”
“Sophie.”
“Sophie.” He repeated her name with a sensual rumble that vibrated through her body, spreading out to her fingers and toes.
She liked the way he said her name, soft, almost like a prayer. She liked that he thought she was beautiful, although she had nothing on the women she’d seen as she passed through the house: taller, thinner, prettier, younger, wilder…with their piercings and dyed hair, leather crop tops, and minis. She liked it even more when he slid a hand around her waist to rest it in the small of her back, making her tingle from head to toe.
“Beer me, beautiful Sophie.”
“Beer you?”
“I just saved your sweet ass. Rescuing beautiful damsels in distress is thirsty work.” He gestured in the direction of the bar behind them with the slightest lift of his chin. “I’ll keep an eye on your ass for you as you walk away. Make sure no one else touches it.”
Someone needed to learn a lesson.
Author Bio:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Sarah Castille, writes contemporary erotic romance and romantic suspense featuring blazingly hot alpha
males and the women who tame them. She is the author of the Redemption series, the Sinner’s Tribe MC series, and the Legal Heat series. A recovering lawyer and caffeine addict, she worked and travelled abroad before trading in her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home on Vancouver Island.
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GIVEAWAY!
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Hosted by:
Cin Wikkid by Mary Hughes Blog Tour with review and giveaway
Release Blog Tour for Cin Wikkid by Mary Hughes!
Like television’s Once Upon a Time, CIN WIKKID is a fairy tale updated for the twenty-first century. A Cinderella’s rags-to-riches meets He’s the Boss—with Mary Hughes’s trademark sizzling sex and a dash of humor. Readers of BEAUTY TOUCHED THE BEAST by Skye Warren or DOUBLE DARE by Jodi Redford will fall in love with Cinderella and her prince in this contemporary romance by Mary Hughes.
Cin Wikkid: April Fools For Love
Author: Mary Hughes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 18, 2016
Publisher: 7th Octave Publishing
Length: 28,000 words
Format: Digital
Digital ISBN: 978-1-940958-07-1
Synopsis:
THE WRONGED DAUGHTER
Cinderella hungers to escape from under Widow Wikkid’s grinding thumb. But to snare a plum job at Prince Industries, Cin desperately needs her degree, and she can’t wrap her mind around tax accounting.
Then scarred but sexy Rafe Montoya ignites her imagination with his brilliant tutoring—and, as they work together in his cozy apartment, he sets her body on fire. So why is he pushing her to attend Gideon Prince’s marriage-mart ball?
THE HANDSOME PRINCE
Rafe is really Gideon Prince, head of Prince Industries. He must name his bride by his April first birthday or suffer the loss of his family fortune. Rumors say he’s still single because women love his money and looks, not him. Is he lonely or just another duplicitous tycoon?
THE GLASS SLIPPER TEST
Hopefuls flock to Prince’s birthday ball, but only one will emerge triumphant. Only the woman who’s kind, wise, and generous will win his heart. Is it Cin, or will her stepmother, as she always does, snatch the prize for her own daughters?
And on the night of the ball, when Cin discovers Rafe’s true identity, can she even accept his final test?
Warning: Rags-to-riches fairytale meets the texting generation. Stepsisters who are a blush-brush shy of a full makeup set, and a ball gown built like a tank. Contains material intended for mature audiences. Reader discretion advised.
Find out more at: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Mary’s Website | Goodreads
Excerpt:
Rafe watched her over the rim of his coffee mug, cobalt eyes twinkling. He knew exactly how badly she’d needed that massage. Exactly how much she’d enjoyed it.
He’d known…even though she hadn’t.
Her heart beat faster. He knew things about her, important things, that even she hadn’t known.
Rafe wasn’t simply the nice boy-next-door tutor she’d thought of him as. He wasn’t well-meaning but bumbling…
He was dangerous.
A little thrill sang through her. She immediately squelched it. His observance would be wonderful if they became a couple. But it also meant that if she ever got on his bad side, he’d know exactly where to stab to hurt her the most.
Be brave, Cinderella.
Before any of that, if they were ever to have the possibility of a real relationship, she had to come clean about the mock-hearing. “Can I confess why I wanted to meet now?”
“Absolutely.”
Hesitantly, she told him. But as she explained, he didn’t seem to be hurt or angry or any of the things she thought he’d be.
Instead, he almost seemed to expect what she would say.
Somewhat confused, but with greater confidence, she ended with, “Is that something you can teach me?”
“Ye-es. Probably.” He frowned, thoughtfully. “How long do we have?”
“Until the beginning of April.”
“Then definitely yes. Though, it will take some pretty intense work one-on-one.” One black brow raised, a challenge. “Are you up for it?”
“I’m not afraid of hard work. Are you up for it?” Daringly, she raised both brows in return challenge.
The right corner of his mouth went up, on the scarred side, crinkling his skin and giving his grin a rakish, devil-may-care look. “Hours of intense work, one-on-one, with you? Oh, yeah. I’m up for it.”
The way he purred “up for it” implied things beyond study. Physical things. Cin’s stomach swooped and her heart pattered rapidly in response.
Then his eyes dropped to her mouth and heated.
Her whole body went boom.
She trembled, her heart pounding, her breath sawing in and out, on the cusp of bright truth. Her stepsiblings’ hatred had taught her to cover herself in bad makeup and baggy clothes and work, the contemporary version of sacks and ashes. But Rafe, looking at her like that…as if he not only was attracted to her but was on fire…God. She wanted to tear off her rags and shine.
My Review:
Cin Wikkid lost her mother at an early age and being left alone with a daughter to raise Cin’s father remarried rather quickly to a woman who had her own two daughters of her own that she spoiled. When Cin’s father also passed away her stepmother began to treat her as a servant instead of a daughter. She was expected to clean and cook and do whatever was asked while her stepsisters did nothing.
Cin has gotten herself a job at a sandwich shop and taken online courses trying to get her degree in accounting all the while taking care of her stepmother and stepsisters. Cin only wants to land a good job to be able to get her a place of her own but when she begins to struggle in one of her last classes she meets a tutor named Rafe who shows her the first bits of happiness she’s known in years.
Cin Wikkid is a modern adult retelling of the classic Cinderella with just a slightly different new take on the story. The story has been brought into this century with all the mannerisms, modern technology and the nature of the relationship developing between Cin and the Prince, there is sex involved so definitely not a tale for children.
I found the story a fun and fresh take on Cinderella. All the classic elements are there but with a modern twist to it all. Cin was a lovely character just trying to be her best as her mother had instilled in her as a child. She works hard and actually wants to help her stepsisters no matter how they’ve treated her, a good person overall and easily likable.
Overall, a cute but yet adult version that was a quick read at novella length.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating 4/5 stars
Follow the tour and enter to win great prizes!
5 grand prize winners will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card.
5 runner-ups will receive an eBook of choice from Mary’s backlist!
Visit all the blogs participating in the tour for reviews, excerpts, guest posts and more chances to win!
03/28/2016
Keep A Readin’
03/29/2016
03/30/2016
03/31/2016
04/01/2016
04/04/2016
04/05/2016
04/06/2016
04/07/2016
04/08/2016
Also look for reviews from:
About Mary Hughes:
As a girl, Mary Hughes spun romantic, happily-ever-after stories to get to sleep. A husband,
family, two degrees and a blackbelt later, she’s delighted to spin them for readers.
She’s lived with love and loss, in bright times and dark, and learned we can all use a break from reality every now and then.
So join her for action, sparkling wit and red-hot love. Strong men. Stronger women.
Connect with Mary: Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Pinterest |
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The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead Release Day Blitz with giveaway
I am so
excited that THE GLITTERING COURT by
Richelle Mead releases today and that I get to share the news, along with a
special giveaway!
If you
haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Richelle Mead, be sure to
check out all the details below.
This blitz
also includes a giveaway for a signed copy of the book and a $25 Sephora Gift
Card courtesy of Richelle, Penguin Teen, and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d
like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
About The Book:
Title: THE GLITTERING COURT
Author: Richelle Mead
Pub. Date: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Hardcover, eBook, & audiobook
The
Selection meets Reign in this dazzling trilogy of interwoven novels about three
girls on a quest for freedom and true love from #1 internationally bestselling
author Richelle Mead.
“Brilliant and original, Mead’s new series starts off with a bang and will
leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.”
—School
Library Journal
For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life
they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born
Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the
Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own
destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea.
After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a
servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into
proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper class life comes with a price:
she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and
fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself—even
though she’s falling in love with him.
Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide’s ruse, and she
catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She
didn’t leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone
else’s property. But nothing is as daunting—or as wonderful—as the potent,
forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted
on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and
possibly lead them to their deaths.
Exclusive Excerpt:
https://issuu.com/penguinteen/docs/the_glittering_court_excerpt
About Richelle:
Richelle Mead has
written over twenty-five novels for teens and adults. She is the author of the
international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series and its spinoff series,
Bloodlines. Her recent standalone novel, Soundless, draws upon Chinese
mythology and history, and her forthcoming series, The Glittering Court,
follows the adventures of girls destined for arranged marriages in a fantasy
world inspired by colonial America. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had
a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually
tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad
reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses
to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pajamas,
and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan,
Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is hard at work on her
next novel.
Giveaway Details:
1 winner
will receive a hardcover of THE GLITTERING COURT & a $25 Sephora Gift Card.
US Only.
Ends on April
15th at Midnight EST!
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