tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78659493937013996662024-03-06T15:02:58.488-05:00Book ChicA book blog mainly featuring Young Adult titles and authors. Contains reviews, interviews, the occasional discussion post, and much more!BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.comBlogger1391125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-8664836760985620272017-07-05T00:00:00.000-04:002017-07-07T16:41:04.057-04:00Saying GoodbyeAs I'm sure you've all noticed, I haven't been posting as much over the past few months. Part of it is the overwhelming nature of reviewing and maintaining a blog, but part of it is also that my laptop became unusable a few months ago and that was how I maintained the blog. I am using my friend's laptop to write this now, which is how I've been able to post some of the reviews I did earlier this year as well as write my reviews on Goodreads. <br />
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I've just passed the 10 year anniversary of my blog (June 23) so it's been a long time for me to be running this blog. There quite honestly aren't that many of us book bloggers left that started out that long ago. I have other things that I wish to pursue and keeping up with the blog was hindering that. I want to focus more on my writing now that I'm closing up shop on this blog and hopefully become an author that gets reviewed on other peoples' book blogs! <br />
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I won't be completely giving up reviewing; I still read quite a lot of books! It just won't be happening here but instead I'll be doing it over on my Goodreads page every so often, where I've been cross-posting a lot of my reviews anyway as well as posting some that haven't appeared over here yet. Click <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4688657-bookchic-club">here</a> to check out my profile there and feel free to add me as a friend or follow my reviews!<br />
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This blog has been so much fun for me, and it's brought me so many wonderful memories and awesome friends. It's given me the opportunity to get to know so many of my favorite authors and be in touch with them, and many of them have done some amazing things for me, especially during my chemotherapy for my lymphoma several years back. I've really appreciated all the support from them, the publishers, my fellow blogging peers, and my blog readers throughout the years. I started this on a lark because I was bored one summer and it's turned into so much more than I ever could have hoped. I've been to 3 Book Expo America conferences (along with several publisher events during those weeks), 4 years at YALLFest down in Charleston, SC, countless book signings and several other book festivals. I've had several of my reviews placed as blurbs on books, and been given the opportunity to read a couple manuscripts (including Suzanne Young's first book almost a year before it was published!)! It's been such a wonderful gift that I will treasure forever. I hope you all will continue to follow me on Goodreads and feel free to keep in touch. My email is in my About Me section so shoot me an email there. Thank you all for following my blog, whether old or new, and I appreciate all the support so much. BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-34806300772911500182017-03-20T00:00:00.000-04:002017-03-20T11:52:29.072-04:00Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT6V_j7KL1yTrjlKsG0M-XickriIl5JY1lHv1Fa3K6DlLRtXXfu5bGc4jmvUxph_fDrkhJuYWLTQctyXVX4B_gW9fCPoCxOOu0epsJsTPkpcGovlRld9zlrvwbbz5Y8tA1gRXtkFyJao/s1600/22082082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT6V_j7KL1yTrjlKsG0M-XickriIl5JY1lHv1Fa3K6DlLRtXXfu5bGc4jmvUxph_fDrkhJuYWLTQctyXVX4B_gW9fCPoCxOOu0epsJsTPkpcGovlRld9zlrvwbbz5Y8tA1gRXtkFyJao/s320/22082082.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0373211988/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0373211988&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=1965dd7602f3dafa391d0e5863716c6e">Our Own Private Universe</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0373211988" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Fifteen-year-old Aki Simon has a theory. And it's mostly about sex. <br />
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No, it isn't that kind of theory. Aki already knows she's bisexual—even if, until now, it's mostly been in the hypothetical sense. Aki has dated only guys so far, and her best friend, Lori, is the only person who knows she likes girls, too. <br />
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Actually, Aki's theory is that she's got only one shot at living an interesting life—and that means she's got to stop sitting around and thinking so much. It's time for her to actually do something. Or at least try. <br />
<br />
So when Aki and Lori set off on a church youth-group trip to a small Mexican town for the summer and Aki meets Christa—slightly older, far more experienced—it seems her theory is prime for the testing. <br />
<br />
But it's not going to be easy. For one thing, how exactly do two girls have sex, anyway? And more important, how can you tell if you're in love? It's going to be a summer of testing theories—and the result may just be love."- summary from Amazon<br />
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In a little over two years, Talley has become one of my go-to authors- her books are compelling, inclusive, and simply amazing. I particularly enjoyed this one because it was from the point of view of a bisexual (which I don't see often enough) and dealing with new experiences, like falling in love with a girl, who is also bisexual, on her church's aid mission to a little town in Mexico. Aki's journey through the book is extremely relateable regardless of orientation- falling in love is a universal feeling and the all-encompassing nature of first loves is known to all. Talley does a great job highlighting all aspects of a person's life- while the love definitely takes center stage, there's a lot of the book that deals with her family relationships (including coming out to her minister father) and her friendship with her BFF Lori. This is a book worth checking out so go out and get it, and then read Talley's other books if you haven't already!<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from Media Masters Publicity. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-44324015359233516532017-02-03T00:00:00.000-05:002017-02-09T00:54:07.493-05:00Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWghuroN_vnj5GG9I64XnVP-xrGwTF1vngKmerT8tT0PKXUp1oyZz9KxY70mVtNVTMIq7ZnapdtG0sM-cUCdlf8V6T8G7v4AcyFl-pU21N6wv1xV4MBuyi6V56dqbJUS8Lzx8AeCpj-U/s1600/26109391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWghuroN_vnj5GG9I64XnVP-xrGwTF1vngKmerT8tT0PKXUp1oyZz9KxY70mVtNVTMIq7ZnapdtG0sM-cUCdlf8V6T8G7v4AcyFl-pU21N6wv1xV4MBuyi6V56dqbJUS8Lzx8AeCpj-U/s320/26109391.jpg" width="214" height="320" /></a></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525428186/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0525428186&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=1b08f02ebf6578ac9ec13c96abdea7b9">Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0525428186" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Sixteen-year-old Solomon is agoraphobic. He hasn’t left the house in three years, which is fine by him.<br />
<br />
Ambitious Lisa desperately wants to get into the second-best psychology program for college (she’s being realistic). But how can she prove she deserves a spot there? <br />
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Solomon is the answer.<br />
<br />
Determined to “fix” Sol, Lisa thrusts herself into his life, sitting through Star Trek marathons with him and introducing him to her charming boyfriend Clark. Soon, all three teens are far closer than they thought they’d be, and when their walls fall down, their friendships threaten to collapse, as well."- summary from Amazon<br />
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This is my first Whaley book (I know, I know) and I really enjoyed it! I loved reading from both Solomon and Lisa's perspectives, and it was interesting to read a book about an agoraphobe (I'm pretty sure I never have). I thought Whaley did a great job making Solomon's agoraphobia realistic and gave his progress a clear arc throughout the novel, though it's far from gone when the story ends. It's a weird book (in the best possible way) but really smart, very funny, and extremely insightful. I'm really looking forward to going back and reading Whaley's other books. I highly recommend this one!<br />
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FTC: Received e-galley from Netgalley. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-2614727152547179522017-01-26T00:00:00.000-05:002017-01-26T00:04:31.119-05:00Blog Tour- The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYK0EvmMH322T9sG5FmhvoC2b-K_vE6mrLkc-RA1pvJt43MaYJ9HUenh2DG6Mv_OKnjHehI2WMZVoZycfN5C16ohR711gyXjoAyWOf35JAgs6SclynG7ZF7vir1ZWTS71Ex2TaO63rhE/s1600/05d1ad28-7027-4194-b434-b2f30799b085.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYK0EvmMH322T9sG5FmhvoC2b-K_vE6mrLkc-RA1pvJt43MaYJ9HUenh2DG6Mv_OKnjHehI2WMZVoZycfN5C16ohR711gyXjoAyWOf35JAgs6SclynG7ZF7vir1ZWTS71Ex2TaO63rhE/s320/05d1ad28-7027-4194-b434-b2f30799b085.png" width="320" height="124" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREX6gMDEDR42VsuJzaK54KQJNhFfHXIaYGP_sMKvDuaegT5ouryDAo-QRC-mWk4TdQoBlb3xXkocQz0WLPnfQTmHh68ru-wq48TlmmedHVpZxaHE0ibBkuyWkgk5yf-FiBT4i8HCmSnY/s1600/Ellen+Hopkins_the-you-ive-never-known-9781481442909_hr+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREX6gMDEDR42VsuJzaK54KQJNhFfHXIaYGP_sMKvDuaegT5ouryDAo-QRC-mWk4TdQoBlb3xXkocQz0WLPnfQTmHh68ru-wq48TlmmedHVpZxaHE0ibBkuyWkgk5yf-FiBT4i8HCmSnY/s320/Ellen+Hopkins_the-you-ive-never-known-9781481442909_hr+%25282%2529.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div>How do you live your life if your past is based on a lie? A new novel in both verse and prose from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins.<br />
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THE YOU I’VE NEVER KNOWN<br />
By: Ellen Hopkins<br />
Release Date: January 24, 2017<br />
Pages: 608<br />
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books<br />
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For as long as she can remember, it’s been just Ariel and Dad. Ariel’s mom disappeared when she was a baby. Dad says home is wherever the two of them are, but Ariel is now seventeen and after years of new apartments, new schools, and new faces, all she wants is to put down some roots. Complicating things are Monica and Gabe, both of whom have stirred a different kind of desire.<br />
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Maya’s a teenager who’s run from an abusive mother right into the arms of an older man she thinks she can trust. But now she’s isolated with a baby on the way, and life’s getting more complicated than Maya ever could have imagined.<br />
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Ariel and Maya’s lives collide unexpectedly when Ariel’s mother shows up out of the blue with wild accusations: Ariel wasn’t abandoned. Her father kidnapped her fourteen years ago.<br />
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What is Ariel supposed to believe? Is it possible Dad’s woven her entire history into a tapestry of lies? How can she choose between the mother she’s been taught to mistrust and the father who has taken care of her all these years?<br />
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In bestselling author Ellen Hopkins’s deft hands, Ariel’s emotionally charged journey to find out the truth of who she really is balances beautifully with Maya’s story of loss and redemption. This is a memorable portrait of two young women trying to make sense of their lives and coming face to face with themselves—for both the last and the very first time.<br />
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<b>Purchase links:</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30312837-the-you-i-ve-never-known">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781481442909">IndieBound</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/traffick-ellen-hopkins/1121191086?ean=9781442482876">B&N</a> | <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481442902/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1481442902&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=22b3ad8ef6fab59ca067e07ce3d5cac6">Amazon</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1481442902" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> | <a href="http://www.powells.com/book/the-you-ive-never-known-9781481442909/62-0">Powell's</a> |<a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Ive-Never-Known/Ellen-Hopkins/9781481442909?id=6842764031750">BAM</a> |<a href="http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-You-Ive-Never-Known/Ellen-Hopkins/9781481442909">S&S</a> <br />
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I'm sure my review won't make much of a difference; by now, readers should know if they like Ellen Hopkins or not. Of course I absolutely love her and her books. They are such heart-wrenching, insightful, and realistic reads, and she makes the characters so relateable, even though they are going through things we may never have to deal with (or have dealt with personally, though I know many of her readers find comfort in her books, knowing they are not alone). This book is no different; the only difference is that it's told both in verse (her normal style) and prose. Ariel's side is told through verse and is beautifully written, and then there's Maya's side, told in prose as well as journal entries. The two cross paths in a way I never would have guessed and it was a roller coaster of emotions reading their scenes together. <br />
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All in all, another fantastic book from Hopkins that I highly recommend and as I do finishing each new book, I am already looking forward to her next novel. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19NJoVvhai-qA6SeVoA_0mDHITbGHPZQYLMMZeVLcsVXuq1Movc2m0ViTXNHgMQUsJHTX3piDwVMVaCnMKHe95nhqme66sAmNLTI-DrvhpfQg0xgXPok1eiCT6d9e9NWwZZlexjG5uW0/s1600/authorPhoto-e1315801199400+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19NJoVvhai-qA6SeVoA_0mDHITbGHPZQYLMMZeVLcsVXuq1Movc2m0ViTXNHgMQUsJHTX3piDwVMVaCnMKHe95nhqme66sAmNLTI-DrvhpfQg0xgXPok1eiCT6d9e9NWwZZlexjG5uW0/s320/authorPhoto-e1315801199400+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" height="214" /></a></div><b>About Ellen:</b><br />
Ellen Hopkins is a poet, freelance writer, and the award-winning author of twenty nonfiction titles and five NY Times Bestselling novels-in-verse. She has published hundreds of articles on subjects ranging from aviation to child abuse to winegrowing.<br />
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Ellen mentors other writers through her position as a regional adviser for the Nevada chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). <br />
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She is a regular speaker at schools; book festivals and writers conferences across the US, and now throughout the world. <br />
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<b>Social Media Links:</b><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2821144.Ellen_Hopkins">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.ellenhopkins.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EllenHopkinsLit">Twitter</a> |<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ellenhopkinsya">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ellenhopkinsya/">Pinterest</a> | <a href="http://ellenhopkins.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-23295888340967126732017-01-18T00:00:00.000-05:002017-01-19T16:18:04.825-05:00Charmed, I'm Sure by Sarah Darer Littman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LqG9GaDx-Ti2OaHbiLapCB5-STVwA0EdIi1VWmBQT9MlmQE6LcpEYgvCtKB-ABKBcW5mvee6TqIZZZVhK_8KNVTGviYRQWUOcz69SSbZYk-QF1ESdwjqYFj79bMC0hYllH21gCXFfHc/s1600/charmed-final-cover_med-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LqG9GaDx-Ti2OaHbiLapCB5-STVwA0EdIi1VWmBQT9MlmQE6LcpEYgvCtKB-ABKBcW5mvee6TqIZZZVhK_8KNVTGviYRQWUOcz69SSbZYk-QF1ESdwjqYFj79bMC0hYllH21gCXFfHc/s320/charmed-final-cover_med-2.jpeg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481451278/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1481451278&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=4285f3b0f987e39da43c806fd0c8b541">Charmed, I'm Sure by Sarah Darer Littman</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1481451278" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Meet Rosie White Charming. You probably know her parents, Snow and Prince. Yup—that Snow and Prince. You would think that being the only daughter of two of the most famous people in fairy tale history would be awesome.<br />
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But you would be wrong.<br />
<br />
After failing to secure a date for the Fall Festive dance, Rosie is on a mission to prove that the daughter of the fairest in the land can actually hold her own. With the help of a mysterious and magical compact that her mother gives her (and a nice blowout from her mother’s favorite salon) Rosie starts to become the person she thinks she should be. But is being the fairest in all of the land really going to give Rosie her happily-ever-after?"- summary from Amazon<br />
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I absolutely adored this start to a new series from Littman- she's one of my favorite authors and I always love fairy tale retellings. This was one of my most favorite retellings; it's such an interesting way to tell a new yet familiar story. It was so cute and I loved seeing fairy tale characters in a real world setting; following along on Rosie's journey was great. I'm so excited to read more from this series following other children of fairy tales.<br />
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FTC: Received e-galley from Edelweiss. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-82190846257235721552017-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:002017-01-19T16:21:51.283-05:00Lucky Few by Kathryn Ormsbee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wo94qwRw4Hpnc0PMgwoNaW_Z_DPSShqBs17bc-YTF7aerNpXEj1NQgOHFMZW6CuW_32F8H2x-NzXKIcMG0WsMhEjWudfZUz_Hn_uLYw_U5TJ3FEcgwQNtiTej_V2mUNPgdDYQca1xWo/s1600/81IYKmAgdcL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wo94qwRw4Hpnc0PMgwoNaW_Z_DPSShqBs17bc-YTF7aerNpXEj1NQgOHFMZW6CuW_32F8H2x-NzXKIcMG0WsMhEjWudfZUz_Hn_uLYw_U5TJ3FEcgwQNtiTej_V2mUNPgdDYQca1xWo/s320/81IYKmAgdcL.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481455281/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1481455281&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=ea6adbe1a21623e330242688163bc6c0">Lucky Few by Kathryn Ormsbee</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1481455281" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"The life of homeschooler Stevie Hart gets all shook up when she meets a strange boy, Max, who survived a freak near-fatal accident and is now obsessed with death. He enlists her and her best friend, Sanger, to help him complete his absurd “23 Ways to Fake My Death Without Dying” checklist. What starts off as fun begins spiraling downward when Stevie’s diabetes sabotages her fumbling romance with Max, Sanger announces she’s moving out of state, and then death—real death—cuts close to home."- summary from Amazon<br />
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This was a really interesting book about death and loss in all of its different forms, yet it's also really funny. I enjoyed the interactions between Sanger, Max and Stevie as they go through Max's fake death list. I also liked the depiction of home-schooling and the many different approaches to it; I usually never read books that involve the character being home-schooled, so it's a great perspective to see. I enjoyed this book a lot and I'm looking forward to reading more of Ormsbee's books; I highly recommend this one.<br />
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FTC: Received e-galley from Netgalley. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-14560843181352171802017-01-02T00:00:00.001-05:002017-01-03T17:43:31.229-05:00My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKXthCJkKh3-f835pLfAjVYJ5mfVRHJTLrG4CXvyT_0wFaDnZGd7h_IYpWxtAufm2HH3eL3HqKgoDz89K7osss3ftC3zp3J4kSO3xCV8qyLxGEDSy1aD-JMe8LMIJVWkbJG6QoQdtw3A/s1600/22840421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKXthCJkKh3-f835pLfAjVYJ5mfVRHJTLrG4CXvyT_0wFaDnZGd7h_IYpWxtAufm2HH3eL3HqKgoDz89K7osss3ftC3zp3J4kSO3xCV8qyLxGEDSy1aD-JMe8LMIJVWkbJG6QoQdtw3A/s320/22840421.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062391747/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062391747&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=07c37197ab1d5a6107cd125bd5f8243e">My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0062391747" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Jane gets to be Queen of England.<br />
<br />
Like that could go wrong."- summary from Amazon<br />
<br />
This novel was simply amazing, hilarious, romantic, and I loved the shape-shifter aspect of the book too. I don't even know what else to say about this book except to go get it right now. I'm not usually a fan of historical books, but this was just the greatest and made it all so fun and enjoyable! The story is told from three different points of view- Jane, Edward and Gifford (aka G)- and it was so fun to bounce back and forth between those characters. I am so excited to see that there's more books coming from these three talented authors!<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-45973599555791087862016-12-19T00:00:00.000-05:002016-12-19T11:27:08.617-05:00Blood Passage by Heather Demetrios<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGHW6hmlTONEG_Rq4a1bUzesMVUSMVwCJV6ez1nzMhg74npVvhGbvkwhCNukhuRgKAGyIuB7_1nqVugMgJj7TfBa_cFCgj1OJsYyeI-zQak82_tQM7aC4ZPFaQgTS6z2grYBDVUPsyZg/s1600/24465646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGHW6hmlTONEG_Rq4a1bUzesMVUSMVwCJV6ez1nzMhg74npVvhGbvkwhCNukhuRgKAGyIuB7_1nqVugMgJj7TfBa_cFCgj1OJsYyeI-zQak82_tQM7aC4ZPFaQgTS6z2grYBDVUPsyZg/s320/24465646.jpg" width="214" height="320" /></a></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062318594/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062318594&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=49cbadfe6681b9091c4be2dcbfbcbeb3">Blood Passage by Heather Demetrios</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0062318594" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"When Nalia arrives in Morocco to fulfill Malek's third and final wish, she's not expecting it to be easy. Especially because Malek isn't the only one after Solomon's sigil, an ancient magical ring that gives its wearer the power to control the entire jinn race. Nalia has also promised to take Raif, leader of the jinn revolution, to its remote location. Though Nalia is free of the bottle and shackles that once bound her to Malek as his slave, she's in more danger than ever before and no closer to rescuing her imprisoned brother.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Malek's past returns with a vengeance, and his well-manicured facade crumbles as he confronts the darkness within himself; and Raif must decide what's more important: his love for Nalia or his devotion to the cause of Arjinnan freedom."- summary from Amazon<br />
<br />
A thrilling follow-up to Exquisite Captive and I cannot wait to see how it all ends in the third book!<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-24119587026616699452016-12-02T00:00:00.000-05:002016-12-02T13:26:42.652-05:00Jess, Chunk, and the Road to Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl6hHEDAspGY2E2U8F3aoMJALIlPs9UYC3sHLyPPIckCMldiGtzE2q0Ht6N7TJOgi4nAH3vH4SEQsQIrrO9Zzm07SJ34NVSzlMAxOKz1MhuGqJxInXTzOHJjsx05I9VuJ_VhRwiik2uI/s1600/27414371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl6hHEDAspGY2E2U8F3aoMJALIlPs9UYC3sHLyPPIckCMldiGtzE2q0Ht6N7TJOgi4nAH3vH4SEQsQIrrO9Zzm07SJ34NVSzlMAxOKz1MhuGqJxInXTzOHJjsx05I9VuJ_VhRwiik2uI/s320/27414371.jpg" width="215" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0374380066/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0374380066&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=6c484966065ebed4707c53ebc01480ff">Jess, Chunk, and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0374380066" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"The last time Jess saw her father, she was a boy. Now she’s a high school graduate, soon to be on her way to art school. But first she has some unfinished business with her dad. So she’s driving halfway across the country to his wedding. He happens to be marrying her mom’s ex-best friend. It’s not like Jess wasn’t invited; she was. She just never told anyone she was coming. Surprise!<br />
<br />
Luckily, Jess isn’t making this trip alone. Her best friend, Christophe―nicknamed Chunk―is joining her.<br />
<br />
Along the way, Jess and Chunk learn a few things about themselves―and each other―which call their feelings about their relationship into question."- summary from Amazon<br />
<br />
Clark's second novel is a great road trip book- I really enjoyed reading Jess' and Chunk's journey together. It was a very compelling, emotional roller coaster where they both figured out things about themselves and about their long friendship. Clark does a great job depicting a friendship that's fallen into a rhythm and Jess has gotten to a place where she doesn't really question their relationship or anything they talk about. It becomes a learning period for Jess throughout to become more comfortable with herself as well as her relationship with the world. This was such a fantastic read; I highly recommend it!<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-37371295398722439482016-11-30T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-30T15:21:13.224-05:00Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfR5Lk9WPlBXZMGefasmTCBQGnlcOW8uBKmn3e6Ti5a56jpYMYKkvgMiKQA6Gg4PKtcNLF2Y7WHnDxiiDjniugXRCMPsSJhGPtA2DFKLB0oWQ9w6dWvxWsAqV-4HdBjt2jgNaR96MKdo/s1600/23854755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfR5Lk9WPlBXZMGefasmTCBQGnlcOW8uBKmn3e6Ti5a56jpYMYKkvgMiKQA6Gg4PKtcNLF2Y7WHnDxiiDjniugXRCMPsSJhGPtA2DFKLB0oWQ9w6dWvxWsAqV-4HdBjt2jgNaR96MKdo/s320/23854755.jpg" width="214" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250100658/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250100658&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=5828db7532230d4d20f7b5ea20b4c1af">Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1250100658" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Gideon always has a plan. It includes running for class president, becoming head of the yearbook committee, and having his choice of colleges. It does NOT include falling head over heels for his best friend, Kyle. It’s a distraction, it’s pointless―Kyle is already dating the head cheerleader, Ruby―and Gideon doesn’t know what to do.<br />
<br />
Kyle finally feels like he has a handle on life. He has a wonderful girlfriend, a best friend willing to debate the finer points of Lord of the Rings, and social acceptance as captain of the basketball team. So when both Ruby and Gideon start acting really weird, just as his spot on the team is threatened, Kyle can’t quite figure out what he did wrong."- summary from Amazon<br />
<br />
This was such a cute, funny and sweet gay romance and a quick read in between my fantasy/paranormal reads that I had a lot of a few months ago. I'm so glad I picked this one up on a whim- it was just a great respite from the darker books I'd been reading and a breath of fresh air. It was such a beautiful romance and I loved spending time with these characters. I highly recommend this book- while it came out a few months ago, it's the perfect read to have on a day inside with some hot chocolate.<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-74918207555884246592016-11-28T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-28T00:00:06.573-05:00The Romantics by Leah Konen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fBQb8sRDWT4mcAsnKLJLqEmS38F96eG2vV2E2dr1A9qAU9wfGvV_WS2VzIPIJCQA_HRAVy5pn9jmBrHh3DbqqnY6nU37fD2LmAwVQ5DQd8objDpbX1PH9lNJQ-0uIPyddPpIhyphenhyphenivPts/s1600/29917071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fBQb8sRDWT4mcAsnKLJLqEmS38F96eG2vV2E2dr1A9qAU9wfGvV_WS2VzIPIJCQA_HRAVy5pn9jmBrHh3DbqqnY6nU37fD2LmAwVQ5DQd8objDpbX1PH9lNJQ-0uIPyddPpIhyphenhyphenivPts/s320/29917071.jpg" width="214" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419721933/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1419721933&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=2558a871e0b608b5909c405c4b717637">The Romantics by Leah Konen</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1419721933" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Gael Brennan is about to have his heart broken when his first big relationship crumbles on the heels of his parents’ painful separation. Love intervenes with the intention of setting things right—but she doesn’t anticipate the intrusion of her dreaded nemesis: the Rebound. Love’s plans for Gael are sidetracked by Cara, Gael’s hot-sauce-wielding “dream girl.” The more Love meddles, the further Gael drifts from the one girl who can help him mend his heart. Soon Love starts breaking all her own rules—and in order to set Gael’s fate back on course, she has to make some tough decisions about what it means to truly care."- summary from Amazon<br />
<br />
I absolutely adored this book- it was such a clever and interesting way to tell a story. I loved reading Gael's journey through first love, first heartbreak, first broken friendship, first rebound, and the beginnings of a first real relationship. Love's asides and footnotes throughout the book were so funny and on point. The book is a bit open-ended and I kinda want to read a companion book about the guy it ends on (I'll keep the name under wraps so I don't spoil anything). This also made me really want to read Konen's previous book, which I already own but have never gotten around to.<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-60853809564329995042016-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-23T00:00:08.483-05:00Saving Red by Sonya Sones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvN6CG7LiV9F5yB8syzMvopB-SskAOek9dz4LVoCoY8sVDjr1RdUVfN9VOhNY5suS47cJiOvsd2jKFTAG7lnmwQxPpuU9BXJcp4i2eAUjswozV7hzCD1Bcpt0BFm5XhlfMyoyyyUikZI/s1600/28446327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvN6CG7LiV9F5yB8syzMvopB-SskAOek9dz4LVoCoY8sVDjr1RdUVfN9VOhNY5suS47cJiOvsd2jKFTAG7lnmwQxPpuU9BXJcp4i2eAUjswozV7hzCD1Bcpt0BFm5XhlfMyoyyyUikZI/s320/28446327.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062370286/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062370286&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=673d4501fe621a2f7b8583f43dd8bbe3">Saving Red by Sonya Sones</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0062370286" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Right before winter break, fourteen-year-old Molly Rosenberg reluctantly volunteers to participate in Santa Monica’s annual homeless count, just to get her school’s community service requirement out of the way. But when she ends up meeting Red, a spirited homeless girl only a few years older than she is, Molly makes it her mission to reunite her with her family in time for Christmas. This turns out to be extremely difficult—because Red refuses to talk about her past. There are things Molly won’t talk about either. Like the awful thing that happened last winter. She may never be ready to talk about that. Not to Red, or to Cristo, the soulful boy she meets while riding the Ferris wheel one afternoon.<br />
<br />
When Molly realizes that the friends who Red keeps mentioning are nothing more than voices inside Red’s head, she becomes even more concerned about her well-being. How will Molly keep her safe until she can figure out a way to get Red home?"- summary from Amazon<br />
<br />
I'm such a huge fan of Sones' books and always love when a new book comes out from her. This book was very emotional and heartbreaking but extremely hopeful as well. Following along on Molly and Red's journey throughout the book, Molly initially wants to help Red out but through her time with Red, finds a new friend as well as some wisdom from Red for Molly's own past guilt. There's also a small but very sweet romance in the story between Molly and a guy Cristo she meets while searching the streets for Red. Like all of Sones' other books, this one is also told in verse, which she does beautifully and also makes this a very compelling, quick read.<br />
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FTC: Received e-galley from Edelweiss. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-51074682328246765532016-11-21T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-21T00:30:36.877-05:00Nemesis by Anna Banks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLWQkybkrGq4Q74ocqmec-BLM4RMAqwCPXY2zJBUxKaPfGn0hPR0_HWonxnw0sAC1KD1wq7T_wtN6boXsEtST6Vu35gQtRpemj9jMIx-V6yqZ_d6o_AC2Zdmx7IQbs-FeSTG6MKB8mf8/s1600/27414431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLWQkybkrGq4Q74ocqmec-BLM4RMAqwCPXY2zJBUxKaPfGn0hPR0_HWonxnw0sAC1KD1wq7T_wtN6boXsEtST6Vu35gQtRpemj9jMIx-V6yqZ_d6o_AC2Zdmx7IQbs-FeSTG6MKB8mf8/s320/27414431.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250070171/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250070171&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=9fd4c1d197f8b3c2e40b7bda22093203">Nemesis by Anna Banks</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1250070171" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king's servitude.<br />
<br />
Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.<br />
<br />
Sepora's gift could save Tarik's kingdom from the Quiet Plague. But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs?"- summary from Amazon<br />
<br />
This book took me a little bit of time to get into- I've read a lot of fantasy lately and it was becoming a bit paint-by-numbers for me and I almost DNF'd it but I should've known Banks wouldn't let me down. I always enjoy dual perspectives too and this was even more fun since the reader gets to see the slow build in Tarik and Sepora's relationship and the obstacles in their way. Both of them are fantastic main characters and Banks did a great job writing a compelling narrative as well as building a strong world. I had hoped that this was a stand-alone but at least since it's a duology, I don't have to follow along with it (or keep up with the narrative) for two extra years. I'm definitely eager to see how this all turns out.<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-78073013485915390822016-11-18T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-18T00:00:25.609-05:00Three Truths and a Lie by Brent Hartinger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hnmvt_9uQ3wX0thIFnbAMn7-jJNGQj_MZy1LvUCUG9p3bYqTjY3u1YIGgYTp3oA63dRSjOBx8HH1-W5i-lGfObRAUq14fYzeMSsWewkagPFO2TvFmkwVYJg1QfAQ5U6f61afmfaXYx0/s1600/three-truths-and-a-lie-9781481449601_hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hnmvt_9uQ3wX0thIFnbAMn7-jJNGQj_MZy1LvUCUG9p3bYqTjY3u1YIGgYTp3oA63dRSjOBx8HH1-W5i-lGfObRAUq14fYzeMSsWewkagPFO2TvFmkwVYJg1QfAQ5U6f61afmfaXYx0/s320/three-truths-and-a-lie-9781481449601_hr.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481449605/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1481449605&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=ad88378d7b4058391d0b78c37518e652">Three Truths and a Lie by Brent Hartinger</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1481449605" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"A weekend retreat in the woods and an innocent game of three truths and a lie go horribly wrong in this high-octane psychological thriller filled with romantic suspense by a Lambda Award–winning author.<br />
<br />
Deep in the forest, four friends gather for a weekend of fun.<br />
<br />
Truth #1: Rob is thrilled about the weekend trip. It’s the perfect time for him to break out of his shell…to be the person he really, really wants to be.<br />
<br />
Truth #2: Liam, Rob’s boyfriend, is nothing short of perfect. He’s everything Rob could have wanted. They’re perfect together. Perfect.<br />
<br />
Truth #3: Mia has been Liam’s best friend for years…long before Rob came along. They get each other in a way Rob could never, will never, understand.<br />
<br />
Truth #4: Galen, Mia’s boyfriend, is sweet, handsome, and incredibly charming. He’s the definition of a Golden Boy…even with the secrets up his sleeve.<br />
<br />
One of these truths is a lie…and not everyone will live to find out which one it is."- summary from Amazon<br />
<br />
I'm always so excited to read a new Brent Hartinger novel and this one simply blew me away for several reasons. First off, the gay main character- while there have been more and more gay characters being given their own stories nowadays, it's rare to see one featuring a guy who's already out and with a boyfriend. Not only that, but Hartinger doesn't shy away from affection between the two as well as the more sexual aspects of a relationship. It feels very much like a true relationship. The second reason is the twist upon the twist he has in the climax of the book; like literally, my mouth was hanging open for the last 30 pages of the book. It was extremely clever and interesting. Thirdly, Hartinger is generally known for his lighter books, but this one is pretty dark though it has some moments of levity; it was great to see him showing a different side and really doing a fantastic job with it. Highly recommended!<br />
<br />
FTC: Received e-galley from Edelweiss. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-56112194823116631582016-11-16T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-16T00:00:23.848-05:00The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XgwElSUxxZTLx0GebOoEkuBxdZHyMkPnU0W62xucTYflyeFBitd7_BYpkqPZN1H5qiU2dk-F1DtCI03BATNECO09y0I20yHshKJFzqCgGItqqOg-HxPD1d-ZtDY5Q6mbQjFTz70zypk/s1600/27280695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XgwElSUxxZTLx0GebOoEkuBxdZHyMkPnU0W62xucTYflyeFBitd7_BYpkqPZN1H5qiU2dk-F1DtCI03BATNECO09y0I20yHshKJFzqCgGItqqOg-HxPD1d-ZtDY5Q6mbQjFTz70zypk/s320/27280695.jpg" width="214" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250083141/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250083141&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=954f5264aa5da783dbfd9532486d95ee">The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1250083141" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"We are not all created equal.<br />
<br />
Seventeen-year-old Cody and her boyfriend, James, were two of the lucky ones randomly selected before birth to receive genetic engineering.<br />
<br />
Known as the Ones, this one percent of the population is healthy, beautiful, and talented…and to some that's not fair. Mounting fear and jealousy of the Ones’ success leads to the creation of the Equality Movement, which quickly gains enough political traction to demote Cody, James, and others like them to second-class citizens.<br />
<br />
Cody knows even before the brick smashes through her window that it's going to be bad. As their school, the government, and even family and friends turn against them, Cody begins to believe they have no other choice but to protect their own. She draws closer to a group of radical Ones led by the passionate and fevered Kai, and James begins to question just how far she is willing to go for the cause…"- summary from Amazon<br />
<br />
This was a really great, quick thrilling read set in a fairly realistic setting with some dystopian overtures. I read this over two days on the beach when I was vacationing- that's how much of a fast, rollercoaster ride of a book this was. I never finish books that quickly but I could barely put the book down. I was however a little disappointed that this was the beginning of a series; nothing on the book indicated this was part of a series so I went in thinking it was a stand-alone and then toward the end of the book, realizing there's no way this could all end in the amount of pages left. I'll definitely check out the rest of the series though because I'm completely hooked. <br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-32056797070480224352016-11-14T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-14T00:00:10.943-05:00Where Am I Now? by Mara Wilson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHOUr6Pf9LahOKc6_r0p8sKB8Srvs-D3MkH0GshbCw0LakCiEz8ioC4eQqj9fDjzxQJ5XfNl7XByBBL_TTqoKK-ZD4I1tvu36654GP5M3SY35UTkWL8TLmqx2NI-7utQkD-XTT9TkihY/s1600/9780143128229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHOUr6Pf9LahOKc6_r0p8sKB8Srvs-D3MkH0GshbCw0LakCiEz8ioC4eQqj9fDjzxQJ5XfNl7XByBBL_TTqoKK-ZD4I1tvu36654GP5M3SY35UTkWL8TLmqx2NI-7utQkD-XTT9TkihY/s320/9780143128229.jpg" width="213" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143128221/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0143128221&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=aa47ff757310cf87bbe02bb9de66154a">Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame by Mara Wilson</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0143128221" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"A former child actor best known for her starring roles in Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire, Mara Wilson has always felt a little young and out of place: as the only kid on a film set full of adults, the first daughter in a house full of boys, a Valley girl in New York and a neurotic in California, and a grown-up the world still remembers as a little girl. Tackling everything from what she learned about sex on the set of Melrose Place, to discovering in adolescence that she was no longer “cute” enough for Hollywood, these essays chart her journey from accidental fame to relative (but happy) obscurity. They also illuminate universal struggles, like navigating love and loss, and figuring out who you are and where you belong."- summary from Amazon <br />
<br />
I absolutely LOVED this book. When I was given the chance to read an advance copy of this book, I jumped at the offer. I loved Mara in her movies when she was younger and have read an essay or two of hers in the past few years and really enjoyed them. The book is sorta memoir-ish but it focuses on telling certain stories that center around different themes throughout her life. It's not written in a linear format, as Wilson jumps around from story to story. She talks about growing up in the public eye and what that meant for her once she did grow up, having to deal with depression, OCD and anxiety, and how she figured out her life now as a storyteller and writer. It's a fascinating book and Wilson writes very candidly, honestly, and hilariously throughout it. Definitely recommended.<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-61322698651491033492016-11-11T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-11T10:08:25.615-05:00The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Smr24mUxXB3JHunENfWbYqjrf4heeQqR2w3R60GZivo9R4TFp0opJnAK4fmlYE1HhecyiDcIhfpdVcVyCurP02SboAYTUIx232QbIoF1D4oGL1Pqy0yDc7mGjRQOKNkSMQlf_kmXjL0/s1600/27414434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Smr24mUxXB3JHunENfWbYqjrf4heeQqR2w3R60GZivo9R4TFp0opJnAK4fmlYE1HhecyiDcIhfpdVcVyCurP02SboAYTUIx232QbIoF1D4oGL1Pqy0yDc7mGjRQOKNkSMQlf_kmXjL0/s320/27414434.jpg" width="214" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250079195/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250079195&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=5a6f423ddf27871c149c08d69619dc58">The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1250079195" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Seventeen year-old Frankie Devereux would do anything to forget the past. Haunted by the memory of her boyfriend’s death, she lives her life by one dangerous rule: nothing matters. At least, that’s what Frankie tells herself after a reckless mistake forces her to leave her privileged life in the Heights to move in with her dad―an undercover cop. She transfers to public school in the Downs, where fistfights in the halls don’t faze anyone and illegal street racing is more popular than football.<br />
<br />
Marco Leone is the fastest street racer in the Downs. Tough, sexy, and hypnotic, he makes it impossible for Frankie to ignore him…and how he makes her feel. But the risks Marco takes for his family could have devastating consequences for them both. When Frankie discovers his secret, she has to make a choice. Will she let the pain of the past determine her future? Or will she risk what little she has left to follow her heart?"- summary from Amazon<br />
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Garcia's contemporary debut is a hell of a ride- extremely gritty with a fiery romance and various familial issues at the center of it. Frankie's journey takes the reader into the world of street racing and gambling, where sometimes doing the wrong thing for the right reasons is the best thing to do. Marco is the extremely sexy, funny, caring, and strong romantic lead and I have no doubt readers will fall in love with him as Frankie does. The issue of PTSD and trauma are prominent as well since Frankie watched her previous boyfriend get beat to death by a man she can't remember; the mystery of that and her occasional flashbacks to the night provide a compelling narrative that makes the book hard to put down. I've always been a fan of Garcia and this book shows that she does just as great a job in contemporary as she does with her paranormal novels. Highly recommended.<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-25563819209632164082016-11-09T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-09T00:00:21.081-05:00Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUcuCGsWvWkFPkCcvLumn_bZ124Nbf_286xNGdwdRAQnDXLoD6ueJ-PJI_JluxFlBzyo2irLAUTjMyZIQslyUReHARhDC6ngYTXfX1yYfeQCQVQIjQ12tg0sHBMOs0cE11GVBtCZNFRg/s1600/27414452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUcuCGsWvWkFPkCcvLumn_bZ124Nbf_286xNGdwdRAQnDXLoD6ueJ-PJI_JluxFlBzyo2irLAUTjMyZIQslyUReHARhDC6ngYTXfX1yYfeQCQVQIjQ12tg0sHBMOs0cE11GVBtCZNFRg/s320/27414452.jpg" width="214" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626722382/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1626722382&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=c25dc9c1fdc86739ae8c354eab80cecb">Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1626722382" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"When eleven-year-old Dylan Anderson is kidnapped, his subsequent rescue leads to the discovery of fifteen-year-old Ethan Jorgensen, who had gone on a bike ride four years earlier and had never been seen again. Dylan's older sister, Caroline, can't help but wonder what happened to her brother, who has nonverbal autism and is not adjusting well to life back home. There's only one person who knows the truth: Ethan. But Ethan isn't sure how he can help Caroline when he is fighting traumatic memories of his own captivity. Both Caroline and Ethan need a friend, however, and their best option just might be each other."- summary from Amazon<br />
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Just like Mathieu's previous book Devoted, I absolutely loved this one too. And like the previous book, it takes on a heavy subject and deals with it with such empathy and care. The novel goes between Ethan and Caroline's perspectives, which provides different sides to the same trauma. Ethan is going through the personal trauma of having to go through what happened to him while he was gone for four years. Caroline has the trauma of losing her autistic baby brother who, when found and returned, isn't able to properly vocalize what happened to him during those few days he was missing and making it difficult to recover and treat him. It's a quick read though because it's so compelling and seeing the friendship between Caroline and Ethan blossom is a wonderful way of beginning the healing process.<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-32764642887112178602016-11-07T00:00:00.001-05:002016-11-07T00:00:13.674-05:00The Graces by Laure Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdaitLnExbY6zFWXmhiMdBdFZazlOzYKORSz5biXx9t43X-0OjcFiKvOfVwcybAuX1hw55zpPCrh8ndp-PWqjTh4pZdVk1gs-HfBoxwN9OSTan1kLdXHi8gG24FscQBEXJ_bqSzbV4lg/s1600/TheGraces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdaitLnExbY6zFWXmhiMdBdFZazlOzYKORSz5biXx9t43X-0OjcFiKvOfVwcybAuX1hw55zpPCrh8ndp-PWqjTh4pZdVk1gs-HfBoxwN9OSTan1kLdXHi8gG24FscQBEXJ_bqSzbV4lg/s320/TheGraces.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419721232/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1419721232&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=5656a363639622f198857ca22610cc5d">The Graces by Laure Eve</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1419721232" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Everyone loves the Graces. Fenrin, Thalia, and Summer Grace are captivating, wealthy, and glamorous. They’ve managed to cast a spell over not just their high school but also their entire town—and they’re rumored to have powerful connections all over the world. If you’re not in love with one of them, you want to be them. Especially River: the loner, new girl at school. She’s different from her peers, who both revere and fear the Grace family. She wants to be a Grace more than anything. But what the Graces don’t know is that River’s presence in town is no accident."- summary from Amazon<br />
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I really enjoyed this book- it did take a bit of time to get into it, but by at least around 50/75 pages in, I was hooked. I thought it was pretty atmospheric and dark and just very interesting. But then again, I'm always intrigued with books about witches and I liked the mysterious, unspoken nature of it in this book. The novel ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so I'm excited to see what happens in the next book.<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-78158179427261458342016-11-04T00:00:00.000-04:002016-11-04T00:00:14.888-04:00The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NGLe7Xap0PC4g8xJenJYpinD_V2Zd7PlJK84euQDrG_VT6YqCoVVwPWiuN_RW82EDE6f_enqjuaR3SYjJWaHO4frlI2pWY0byCVYrcLPoSrWy7nKbKdCs5WD_RIyCLFxpOoPHmxd4XY/s1600/28763485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NGLe7Xap0PC4g8xJenJYpinD_V2Zd7PlJK84euQDrG_VT6YqCoVVwPWiuN_RW82EDE6f_enqjuaR3SYjJWaHO4frlI2pWY0byCVYrcLPoSrWy7nKbKdCs5WD_RIyCLFxpOoPHmxd4XY/s320/28763485.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553496689/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0553496689&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=5c6ef6a6027770d7ed3bbb47e8604c53">The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0553496689" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.<br />
<br />
Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.<br />
<br />
The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?"- summary from Amazon<br />
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I absolutely loved this new book from Yoon, who's fast becoming one of my go-to authors for emotional, sweeping romantic reads that are full of depth. Her writing style is extremely interesting; while most of the book flips between Natasha and Daniel's perspectives, we also get glimpses into the minor characters that pop up as well as the occasional informational chapter about something pertaining to the story. It makes for a quick, compelling and interesting read, and that ending was something else- simply marvelous.<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-3251588054368324082016-11-02T00:00:00.001-04:002016-11-02T00:00:27.232-04:00The Leaving by Tara Altebrando<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFOMf3irmwbaAD6Apeo8gF6mMTlimGoBlKEC7K7xu7-H3BqU9w7tLsgvuR2uG4A_4qBzhbpmYHk_xVqI61LhdeNK9R7Kkj8vzl2RzXFigh8I3y6r67oVVwXk813JlAG2b0Qqw8ejmW0I/s1600/26073074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFOMf3irmwbaAD6Apeo8gF6mMTlimGoBlKEC7K7xu7-H3BqU9w7tLsgvuR2uG4A_4qBzhbpmYHk_xVqI61LhdeNK9R7Kkj8vzl2RzXFigh8I3y6r67oVVwXk813JlAG2b0Qqw8ejmW0I/s320/26073074.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1619638037/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1619638037&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=4480ee7f376f0c25c66cc0ab7f43607e">The Leaving by Tara Altebrando</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1619638037" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Eleven years ago, six kindergartners went missing without a trace. After all that time, the people left behind moved on, or tried to.<br />
<br />
Until today. Today five of those kids return. They're sixteen, and they are . . . fine. Scarlett comes home and finds a mom she barely recognizes, and doesn't really recognize the person she's supposed to be, either. But she thinks she remembers Lucas. Lucas remembers Scarlett, too, except they're entirely unable to recall where they've been or what happened to them. Neither of them remember the sixth victim, Max--the only one who hasn't come back. Which leaves Max's sister, Avery, wanting answers. She wants to find her brother--dead or alive--and isn't buying this whole memory-loss story. But as details of the disappearance begin to unfold, no one is prepared for the truth."- summary from Amazon<br />
<br />
I'm a huge fan of Tara Altebrando's books and this one is no exception. Full of twists and turns, it's a compelling, suspenseful mystery following 5 kids returned after 11 years away with no memory of where they were (and no memory of the 6th kid who disappeared too). Altebrando knows how to stretch this mystery out, putting little nuggets of information and reveals throughout the book (with most of it coming out in the last 40 pages). The book follows two of the missing kids, Lucas and Scarlett as well as the little sister of the 6th kid who did not return, Avery. Scarlett's narrative is interesting as Altebrando plays around with font, letter/word placement, and drawings; those chapters were my favorite to read. Overall, I highly recommend this thriller mystery!<br />
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FTC: Received e-galley from Netgalley. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-32149178704123233632016-10-31T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-31T00:00:15.868-04:00Frost Like Night by Sara Raasch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW85UiWJ9A8_Nv19mx0qYsk9QQPU4GiM5vcyYb1ZDWADMrLknbXazaW4hdsvm5L7dIOelzgXNIjf_ZVUNuuZWzFsOx0Pb_L5fjTCxU34IPnuYg8mX8_2WHfSunQeIPP60Tw7BN66HLc6w/s1600/F16_FrostLikeNight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW85UiWJ9A8_Nv19mx0qYsk9QQPU4GiM5vcyYb1ZDWADMrLknbXazaW4hdsvm5L7dIOelzgXNIjf_ZVUNuuZWzFsOx0Pb_L5fjTCxU34IPnuYg8mX8_2WHfSunQeIPP60Tw7BN66HLc6w/s320/F16_FrostLikeNight.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062286986/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062286986&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=281c12c69fb69ef1962034c6f30665e9">Frost Like Night by Sara Raasch</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0062286986" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Meira will do anything to save her world. With Angra trying to break through her mental defenses, she desperately needs to learn to control her own magic—so when the leader of a mysterious Order from Paisly offers to teach her, Meira jumps at the chance. But the true solution to stopping the Decay lies in a labyrinth deep beneath the Season Kingdoms. To defeat Angra, Meira will have to enter the labyrinth, destroy the very magic she’s learning to control-- and make the biggest sacrifice of all.<br />
<br />
Mather will do anything to save his queen. He needs to rally the Children of the Thaw, find Meira—and finally tell her how he really feels. But with a plan of attack that leaves no kingdom unscathed and a major betrayal within their ranks, winning the war—and protecting Meira—slips farther and farther out of reach.<br />
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Ceridwen will do anything to save her people. Angra had her brother killed, stole her kingdom, and made her a prisoner. But when she’s freed by an unexpected ally who reveals a shocking truth behind Summer’s slave trade, Ceridwen must take action to save her true love and her kingdom, even if it costs her what little she has left.<br />
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As Angra unleashes the Decay on the world, Meira, Mather, and Ceridwen must bring the kingdoms of Primoria together…or lose everything."- summary from Amazon<br />
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This was an absolutely fantastic, thrilling ending to one of the best fantasy trilogies I've ever read. I loved reading from all three POVs in this- Meira, Mather, and Ceridwin. It was really nice to see from both sides of the Meira/Mather romance, and to get into Ceridwin's head regarding what happened to her brother in the previous book and her complicated romance with Jesse. Also, such a perfect ending. I absolutely adored it, and I cannot wait to see what Raasch does next.<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-5660095582995792502016-10-24T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-24T15:41:06.321-04:00Speed of Life by J.M. Kelly + Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjow7LtFgbVCi6rOBUUVfJRCOT0derTiTquwFlEcW-1OthqLqIAcxcyn5fDZoi-cgs0MNkhfUKn2ZwM69h4vLMVjC_c_Ry9i-vVbs7kzKWyV9xdaoIId7Bga59-_-T4T-WH58FyrexQY/s1600/28114594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjow7LtFgbVCi6rOBUUVfJRCOT0derTiTquwFlEcW-1OthqLqIAcxcyn5fDZoi-cgs0MNkhfUKn2ZwM69h4vLMVjC_c_Ry9i-vVbs7kzKWyV9xdaoIId7Bga59-_-T4T-WH58FyrexQY/s320/28114594.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0544747828/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0544747828&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=d910f618916b9d388d779f043c94a6de">Speed of Life by J.M. Kelly</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0544747828" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Twins Crystal and Amber have the same goal: to be the first in their family to graduate high school and make something of their lives. When one gets pregnant during their junior year, they promise to raise the baby together. It’s not easy, but between their after-school jobs, they’re scraping by. <br />
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Crystal’s grades catch the attention of the new guidance counselor, who tells her about a college that offers a degree in automotive restoration, perfect for the car buff she is. When she secretly applies—and gets in—new opportunities threaten their once-certain plans, and Crystal must make a choice: follow her dreams or stay behind and honor the promise she made to her sister." - summary from Amazon<br />
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I really enjoyed this book by Kelly, and I was surprised at the twist toward the end of the book. I don't usually expect twists in my contemporaries. This offers a glimpse into the life of two small-town teen sisters who are raising a daughter together after one of them gets pregnant. They're part of a low-income family and doing their best to give the baby what she needs and working hard to a better life together. It's one of the most realistic books I've ever read- every character has flaws and there's tension between everyone (just as in most family and friend relationships), but there's also lots of love and sacrifice when it matters most. This was simply a fantastic novel, and if you like contemporary, go and get this now.<br />
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and now here's an interview with the author J.M. Kelly-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhongDpOw42D890rLfz1cDcJv66bdf1ENm2Vkc2Ilj5FlA_hI_pW7PSVOG4icrLJiN4HUIZ-n2i6mvzbjDw0jPMQFhDb8jhCquNulrp2F6TDL6ZrenfyC3bUtpr43QNbBW1jqZ9eCzC1x0/s1600/00150025e2author-photo-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhongDpOw42D890rLfz1cDcJv66bdf1ENm2Vkc2Ilj5FlA_hI_pW7PSVOG4icrLJiN4HUIZ-n2i6mvzbjDw0jPMQFhDb8jhCquNulrp2F6TDL6ZrenfyC3bUtpr43QNbBW1jqZ9eCzC1x0/s320/00150025e2author-photo-small.jpg" width="225" height="320" /></a></div><b>1) How did you get the idea for Speed of Life?</b> <br />
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I generally collect observations that on their own couldn't carry an entire novel, but eventually I see how they can work together and a story starts forming in my head. With this book, I think it started on the bus when I lived in Portland. It seemed like there were so many young mothers with strollers trying to get on and off the bus with babies and toddlers and I would watch them and think, "Wow. If getting on the bus is this much of a struggle (physically, kids crying, trying to pay their fares without losing hold of a baby and three bags of groceries) then what must the rest of their lives be like?" And yet, there they were, getting on with daily life. <br />
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Also, I heard about the car restoration program in an interview with Jay Leno and immediately wished I'd done a program like that (even though I have no experience working on cars, I grew up in an old-car/mechanic family). I thought it would be a great way to mix up gender stereotypes in a YA novel. <br />
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The idea of writing about kids living in poverty came partly from being tired of reading YA about kids trying to get into college. I'd like to see someone work out the statistics for YA characters who get into Ivy League colleges, versus the real numbers because it seems like most of the characters in YA are applying to an Ivy League and getting in. Sure, some of them are getting scholarships, but in lots of books, paying for college doesn't even come up…it's a given the rich parents will foot the bill. Something like 35% of American high school graduates don't even go to college and I'm betting they'd read more books if they saw themselves in them. I think that while we're all throwing around the word "diversity" we should also consider what it means to include economic diversity in YA. <br />
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<b>2) What are you currently working on? Can you tell us anything about it?</b><br />
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I'm trying my hand at an adult novel set in 1962-63 Vancouver, Canada. It's presenting all kinds of challenges I've never faced before, the least of which is I wasn't even alive then! I wouldn't call it a straight-up romance, but it's definitely a love story… I'm about halfway through the first draft. Right now, it's called IN HER LIGHT, which is a reference to photography as it plays a big part in the book. Luckily, my husband is a photographer, still working with film, and so he can answer many of questions. Also, sailing is important to the story, so I'm learning about that in addition to all the other research. Luckily, I live on an island full of people with sailboats.<br />
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<b>3) Do you have any favorite snacks as a reward for writing, or as sustenance while writing?</b><br />
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Well, I eat all the time when I work. I remember Ann Landers (or Dear Abby?) saying that she made it a rule to never eat at her desk, but I'm just the opposite. I'm a very snack-oriented person, in fact, around here we have a made up word we use because snacks are so important…snackage. A typical snackage plate for me (which I have around 11am) includes: 5-6 crackers with goat brie (and roasted tomato if I'm lucky), a few more crackers with artichoke dip, sliced sweet pepper, carrots, dried apricots, a few cashews, a pickle (when I can get my favourites from the States), and a piece of dark chocolate. I usually drink tea with this snack, and then in the afternoon I have espresso with hot milk and a shortbread cookie. Sometimes I forget to eat lunch because I'm working, so snackage is extra important! I also love popcorn about 4pm.<br />
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<b>4) What book(s) are you currently reading, or about to start? Any 2017 titles you're most looking forward to?</b><br />
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Almost every night of my marriage my husband and I go to bed at the same time, but last night I stayed up until 3:30am reading BELGRAVIA by Julian Fellows (Downton Abbey). It is a very long, very soap opera-y novel and not really my usual read, but so deliciously indulgent…just very dramatic and entirely predictable—book candy, really. However, I have recently read the best book I've read in years called A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW. It's literature (which honestly, I don't read a lot of because usually nothing happens), but it's hilarious and just such a fantastic example of how to structure a book where nothing much happens and make it completely fascinating. I loved it so much I am going to buy it and read it again (got it from the library) right away. As for 2017 YA, I'm really looking forward to Sara Zarr's new book, GEM & DIXIE. I always love her writing. And Joelle Charbonneau has a book coming out that looks very exciting called DIVIDING EDEN. I'm a huge Liane Moriarty fan (not so much of her most recent book) and might reread something older again soon. A writer can really learn from her.<br />
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<b>5) Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?</b><br />
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Read. Read. Read. And then read some more. Oh, and be kind to yourself and enjoy the writing because publishing is a long, long road and you need to pace yourself for it!<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-90647148205704079012016-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-21T09:21:46.508-04:00Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVf5wz8hQtTSpvI9R66iGO0uehkPDnv_rkEGJOj8ONK2ZnvhvC5T_c-gp4CGDPmU4YD1et3ea9ChnEc1TmrCzHpb_nBxarfHJuyUoiV63P_Jw_7fqhhWrFDc6HEQJXoUvfqjpRESdDMQ/s1600/25036310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVf5wz8hQtTSpvI9R66iGO0uehkPDnv_rkEGJOj8ONK2ZnvhvC5T_c-gp4CGDPmU4YD1et3ea9ChnEc1TmrCzHpb_nBxarfHJuyUoiV63P_Jw_7fqhhWrFDc6HEQJXoUvfqjpRESdDMQ/s320/25036310.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250085632/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250085632&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=29673f9f5287adb80375920e7e275ccc">Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1250085632" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Flynn's girlfriend, January, is missing. The cops are asking question he can't answer, and her friends are telling stories that don't add up. All eyes are on Flynn―as January's boyfriend, he must know something.<br />
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But Flynn has a secret of his own. And as he struggles to uncover the truth about January's disappearance, he must also face the truth about himself."- summary from Amazon<br />
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Roehrig's debut is a tightly written mystery thriller mixed with the traditional coming-out story. Flynn (which, firstly, is an awesome name) is a great main character having to struggle with the sudden loss of his girlfriend and simultaneously having to come to terms with the fact that he is gay. Roehrig expertly weaves the twists and turns of Flynn's investigation into what happened to January, finding out there was way more to her than he knew, with the more grounded reality of coming out to your parents and friends and dealing with their reactions while also navigating new romantic waters (in the form of January's former co-worker and sexy college boy Kaz). <br />
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It's a fast-paced novel and Roehrig knows how to keep the plot moving at a quick pace while leaving the reader in suspense at times, like ending a chapter on a cliffhanger and starting the next one with an old memory of Flynn's before getting back to the action. Overall, a fantastic read and I am eagerly looking forward to more from him.<br />
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FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865949393701399666.post-22848271668601674142016-10-19T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-19T00:00:11.636-04:00The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuldSvLpW55CnO3kWAU5E8dUTUCUY29rmCp9o31hnOTs5OXZ1IFD5YFHe1ERdjzWVlMtboVRi7sWABGRY17cmLQcOAzTY8DrpZ_6H7zALT1m_3YmuTN3ha03YEtaVUkzLdiicju4hGlgo/s1600/28693701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuldSvLpW55CnO3kWAU5E8dUTUCUY29rmCp9o31hnOTs5OXZ1IFD5YFHe1ERdjzWVlMtboVRi7sWABGRY17cmLQcOAzTY8DrpZ_6H7zALT1m_3YmuTN3ha03YEtaVUkzLdiicju4hGlgo/s320/28693701.jpg" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062378775/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062378775&linkCode=as2&tag=boochi-20&linkId=86b9fc68d5994ffc0b745a8c92011b60">The Boy Is Back by Meg Cabot</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=boochi-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0062378775" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
"Reed Stewart thought he’d left all his small town troubles—including a broken heart—behind when he ditched tiny Bloomville, Indiana, ten years ago to become rich and famous on the professional golf circuit. Then one tiny post on the Internet causes all of those troubles to return . . . with a vengeance.<br />
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Becky Flowers has worked hard to build her successful senior relocation business, but she’s worked even harder to forget Reed Stewart ever existed. She has absolutely no intention of seeing him when he returns—until his family hires her to save his parents.<br />
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Now Reed and Becky can’t avoid one another—or the memories of that one fateful night. And soon everything they thought they knew about themselves (and each other) has been turned upside down, and they—and the entire town of Bloomville—might never be the same, all because The Boy Is Back."- summary from Amazon<br />
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The Boy series is probably my favorite Meg Cabot series; I love the unique way the story is told and in this new installment, there's the usual text messages and emails, but there's also the Bloomville Herald articles and ads, Amazon reviews of random items that fit into the story, and even some picture messaging too! With this unique styling, I just flew through the book and really had a hard time putting it down and making the reading experience last as long as it did. Every time I had a free moment, I wanted to pick it up and keep reading!<br />
<br />
This book is a little different from the previous three in the series, in that it doesn't take place at the New York Journal, but you do see two familiar faces in little bit parts of the book. All of the new characters though are so easy to fall in love with, especially the two main characters Reed and Becky, and feature the usual Cabot humor (and yes, I did laugh out loud many times while reading). There's a darker aspect of life given some page time in the book- hoarding and elder abuse- but it doesn't really bring down the book at all. <br />
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I highly recommend this latest installment in Cabot's Boy series and it's making me want to re-read the previous three again (for the millionth time)!<br />
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FTC: Received signed ARC from author. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.BookChichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03641362399541764523noreply@blogger.com0