Books Read-2018 – Page 3 – Cindy's Love Of Books

Review/ Monster Mayhem

Posted on September 8, 2018September 7, 2018 by Cindy

Monster Mayhem by Christopher Eliopoulos
Published by Dial Books on August 28, 2018
Pages: 216
Goodreads

In this funny, action-packed graphic novel adventure, a science-obsessed girl finds herself in the middle of one of her favorite monster movies. Can she invent her way out of disaster while also saving the monster who has become her friend?
Zoe's favorite thing to do--besides invent and build robots--is watch classic monster movies. She has never been comfortable with kids her own age, and so she pretends she doesn't need friends while inside she's longing for connection. And then one day, Zoe finds a mysterious ring on her way home from school. She puts it on, gives it a twist, and--FRZAAKK! There's a massive burst of light! The next morning, a familiar monster appears at Zoe's window. He's from one of her favorite kaiju movies, and he likes Zoe--he wants to be her friend. Has her secret wish been fulfilled? But it turns out that Zoe's ring has brought more than just this friendly monster to life. More monsters have arrived, and they are hungry! Now she'll need to reach out to other people to help her save her town from destruction. Good thing she's a robotics genius!

Recently I was sent a little surprise package from Penguin Random House Canada and inside was this super cute and fun to read graphic novel that I am under no obligation to review but I have chosen to read and review it because I am sure this would appeal to all middle grade kids who love to have a laugh and read graphic novels.

If you read my blog on a regular bases you know that I don’t tend to review a lot of graphic novels and mainly that is because its not something I buy or get sent to review but I am hoping that will change from this point forward.

Graphic novels are such a fun and almost quick read. I was able to finish this up within a few hours. The graphics are amazing and eye catching. I loved reading this. I think this would appeal to both girls and boys just because it covers robots and monsters. Plus I loved the theme behind it, yes its okay to do things on your own and its okay to admit that when you need help you can ask for it.

Our main character is Zoe. She is super smart when it comes to doing robotics and to her that is all she needs in life because any friend she has made has always ended up hurting her in someway. She wants nothing to do with that heart ache. That is her perfect world. But in reality we all need that one true friend who will be there for us and you can help but root that it will happen for Zoe.

Zoe is content until she finds this ring which she thinks is just a ring but soon realizes there is more to it and soon realizes that the ring has summoned a monster who loves to eat. He thinks he is there to help and before long more monsters arrive, Before long Zoe is in over her head. How will she react? What will she do?

I really enjoyed reading this it was such a fun and cute read.

Review & Blog Tour/ The Ghost Road

Posted on September 7, 2018September 7, 2018 by Cindy

The Ghost Road by Charis Cotter
Published by Tundra Books (NY) on September 4, 2018
Pages: 368
Goodreads

Ghosts, a family curse, buried secrets -- and two girls who have to figure it all out. A new book from an acclaimed author, for fans of Coraline, Doll Bones and The Night Gardener.
For the first time, Ruth is heading to Newfoundland to stay with family she's never met instead of spending the summer traveling with her dad. When she arrives, she finds Newfoundland is very different from her life in Toronto--people there are much more friendly, but also superstitious, believing in ghosts and The Sight and family curses. Ruth's cousin Ruby is also staying for the summer, and the two discover they have a lot in common: they both lost their moms when they were two years old, they're the same age and they even like the same food. But while Ruby believes in spirits and fairies, Ruth believes in science and cold, hard facts.
When they find ominous information on some tombstones in the local cemetery, Ruth and Ruby start investigating their family's past and discover that twin girls are born in every generation, and every set of twins dies young, leaving their children without mothers. What's more, one of the twins always has The Sight and can see the Ghost Road that leads to the mysterious lost settlement of Slippers Cove. What happened there? What does it have to do with their family? And who is the ghostly presence that keeps visiting Ruth late at night?
The answers lie somewhere along the Ghost Road . . . if they can only find it.

Before I begin my review I quickly have to thank Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a arc of The Ghost Road to read and for allowing me to be a part of this book tour.

Earlier this summer I was asked if I wanted to be a part of this blog tour and after reading the synopsis I knew I wanted to read it because I am attempting to read more Canadian authors (and promote them) plus this takes place in Newfoundland (sadly I have never been and don’t know why since I grew up in New Brunswick) and because this sounds like it will be a fun and exciting read.

The Ghost Road is a middle grade story and I have to say that when I started to read it I don’t know what to expect so let me say that I was pleasantly surprised. This does not read like a middle grade read. I was instantly sucked in. Charis’s writing is beautiful. This is definitely suited for all ages in my opinion.

The more I looked at the cover the more I started to love it and I have to say that this was one of those arc’s I fell in love with. The pages were different from any other arc I have read. The whole arc was smooth. I know that this has nothing to do with the review but I just have to say it. LOL

Ruth is our main character (the story is told in her point of view) and she is spending her first summer (she lives in Toronto) away from her father (who is on his honeymoon with his new wife) since her mother has passed away in Newfoundland with family she didn’t really know anything about until now. Ruth was very young when her mother passed away. There is so much about Ruth’s mother that comes to a surprise to her but she embraces this new found knowledge and is curious about not only this new found family but about the folk lore of Newfoundland as well. My heart broke for poor Ruth because as the story progresses Ruth realizes there is so much about her mother that she had no clue about. Its like her mother was secretive for a reason but why?

I mentioned that there was so much about Ruth’s mother that Ruth didn’t know about so imagine her surprise when she learns that her cousin Ruby looks exactly like her and I wanted to know how that was. Ruby knows so much about the family and history. This is where I began to be instantly sucked into the story. I am sure I was just like Ruth shocked at what I was learning about the whole family and this is what made it interesting. So many questions kept popping up in my mind as I was reading.

This was definitely a fantastic read for me this week and I pretty much devoured it in a two day span. If I could have stayed up all night reading it I definitely would have. The chapters are short and the pacing is perfect just enough action and suspense to keep you reading.

I have never been to Newfoundland so I can’t attest to the climate or what it looks like but Charis described it in what I imagine Newfoundland to be like and from what I heard. She made it sound eerie and beautiful at the same time. This is the perfect book to curl up on the couch with on a damp rainy day.

I know I say I normally don’t reread books but this is definitely one that I will have to reread again.

Review/ Love and Other Secrets

Posted on September 7, 2018September 7, 2018 by Cindy

Love and Other Secrets by Christina Mandelski
Publication Date: September 3, 2018
Publisher: Entangled Teen Crush

Star lacrosse player Alex “Kov” Koviak has it all. Or so everyone thinks. He’s real good at pretending his life is perfect…until he meets Bailey. The girl challenges him and pushes him and makes him laugh like he’s never laughed before. Their friendship is their little secret, and he’s happy to keep her to himself.

Between school, two jobs, and trying to get into NYU film school, Bailey Banfield has zero time for a social life. But then she meets Alex in her express lane at the grocery store, and their secret friendship becomes the only place she can breathe. She refuses to complicate that with more. No matter how charming Alex can be.

When Bailey decides to film outrageous promposals for her NYU application, she enlists Alex’s help to plan an over-the-top, epic promposal to someone else. Too bad the only prom date Alex wants anywhere near Bailey is him.

For a guy who seems to have it all, he’s about to lose the only thing he’s ever wanted.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Crush contains a cocky lacrosse player in over his head with his secret best friend, unexpected midnight kisses, swoon-worthy slow dancing, and movie-night cuddling that’ll make you ache. You’re going to want an Alex of your own!

I quickly have to thank MaryAnn from Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours for allowing me to be a part of the book tour for Love and Other Secrets by Christina Mandelski. I was graciously provided with a eARC to read for my review today.

I just have to say that Entangled Crush has the best young adult books. I have enjoyed each and everyone that I have read. They are super cute and such fun quick reads. I wish I would have had these when I was a teen.

Alex and Bailey are “secret” friends. They hang around outside of school. Alex is a lacrosse player for the high school team. He is also cute, popular and rich. Bailey is the exact opposite. She works two jobs and lives in a travel park. She is by far not a rich popular girl.

We learn fairly early that Bailey wants to be a film producer and is working hard to achieve that (she has her life planned out) while Alex is sort of laid back and no goals or ambitions in life.

The book opens up one month before prom and Alex has decided the only person he wants to go to prom with is Bailey and for the first time he is doing the asking and that is a big deal to Alex because in the past its always been the girl asking Alex to the prom. He is all set to ask her when she blurts out that she needs Alex’s help to do a promposal because he is the Love Guru and if anyone knows anything about promposal its Alex.

Alex decides to struggle through it and help Bailey with the promposal even though its killing him inside. He wants Bailey to be happy but he always wants Bailey. Will all go according to plan or will this blow up in their faces?

Looking back at my prom (many, many, many years ago) you realize how quickly things have changed. I mean back them you either asked or the guy asked, nothing fancy like it is today. How was it when you went to prom?

I really enjoyed reading this and devoured it in one sitting. I will definitely be checking more books out by this author. It was a super fun and cute read. The perfect book to get lost in for a few hours and dream about or think about prom.

Review/ Owl Diaries Series

Posted on September 1, 2018September 1, 2018 by Cindy

I can’t recall how I stumbled upon the Owl Diaries series because its been some time now but I must have spotted it on a shelf at Chapters and flipped through it and instantly feel in love with our main character Eva. These books are an automatic buy and read for me.

Eva is just your typical little owl trying to make it through her day to day life and even though she is just an owl she struggles with things and situations like most kids do but with the help of her friends she manages to get through it.

I know I am not the demographic age for this series since its geared towards 1st and 2nd graders but this series is too cute not to pass up and read. The illustrations are bright and colorful and draw you in to each and every page. With its easy to read text with speech bubbles even. The story lines moves at a good pace and you walk away with a little message at the end of each book. Plus a added bonus at the end of the book there is a few questions that are asked to see how much you remember from reading it and I think that is great because it forces you to remember what you just read.

You don’t have to read these in order as each can be read on its own and I highly recommend this series to new readers. I even managed to get a dad who was looking for books for his daughter to pick up a few books in the series as I am sure she will love it.

I personally can’t pick out a favorite because I truly enjoyed them all. Eva is just the cutest owl is she not? To date their is only 9 books in the series and the 10th is coming out in 2019.

Review/ Fresh Ink

Posted on August 29, 2018August 28, 2018 by Cindy

About the Book:

Title: FRESH INK Anthology

Author: Lamar Giles, Nicola Yoon, Malinda Lo, Melissa de la Cruz, Sara Farizan, Eric Gansworth, Walter Dean Myers, Daniel José Older, Thien Pham, Jason Reynolds, Gene Luen Yang, Sharon G. Flake, Schuyler Bailar, Aminah Mae Safi

Pub. Date: August 14, 2018

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 208

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books, thirteen of the most recognizable, diverse authors come together in this remarkable YA anthology featuring ten short stories, a graphic short story, and a one-act play from Walter Dean Myers never before in-print.

All it takes to rewrite the rules is a little fresh ink in this remarkable YA anthology from thirteen of the most recognizable, diverse authors writing today including Nicola Yoon, Jason Reynolds, Melissa de la Cruz, and many more, and published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books. This collection features ten short stories, a graphic short story, and a one-act play from Walter Dean Myers never before in-print. It will give readers the opportunity to discover how the next chapter is up to them.

Careful–you are holding fresh ink. And not hot-off-the-press, still-drying-in-your-hands ink. Instead, you are holding twelve stories with endings that are still being written–whose next chapters are up to you.

Because these stories are meant to be read. And shared.

Thirteen of the most accomplished YA authors deliver a label-defying anthology that includes ten short stories, a graphic novel, and a one-act play. This collection will inspire you to break conventions, bend the rules, and color outside the lines. All you need is fresh ink.

“I absolutely love this mix of established and newer talents, and I’m really intrigued and excited by the mixed formats.” –BookRiot

“A powerful and varied collection…”—Booklist, starred review

“The stories are distinct in themes, subjects, genres, and formats, creating an inclusive, authentic, and incredible collection”—School Library Journal, starred review

Quickly have to thank Rockstar Book Tour for allowing me to be a part of this book tour and for allowing me to read and review the book.

Fresh Ink is a young adult short story anthology. The Anthology consists of 10 short stories, a graphic novel short story and a never before published one act play. So a little bit of everything by 13 amazing young adult authors.

I was super excited to dig into Fresh Ink and read it cover to cover. As a reader and a book lover there needs to be more diverse books out there for people to read and I know I try to read diverse books.

We are no longer in a taboo generation and we need authors who will hit the nail on the head when they write about the important things that affect our kids and our society. Race and gender have always been issues in the world and I think we need people to be more accepting of this. Why can’t we just love someone for who they are deep down inside themselves?

My reviews for each story is going to be short and sweet and that is because I want you to go and pick up this book to read as I think everyone needs to read this.

Tattoo Eraser by Jason Reynolds

This short story is about two teenagers who are madly in love buy sadly one of them is having to move away and they both wonder if their love will stand the test of time. Will it? I think this would make for an excellent book on its own. I would love to know more about these characters and what happens next.

Meet Cute by Malinda Lu

What happens when two girls meet at a Denver Sci Fi & Fantasy Convention who are dressed as Sully and a gender flipped Sulu and are stuck in a power outage? Could a friendship be formed? Maybe something more? I must admit I am not into Star Trek or the X Files but I still got the references that were made.

Don’t Pass Me By by Eric Gansworth

What happens when you live on a reservation but have to go to school outside of it? This was interesting and I went to school with kids who lived on a reservation and went to school outside of it and never knew it until they said something.

Be Cool For Once by Aminsh Mae safi

What happens when you run into your crush and your favorite concert? This was a cute story about a muslim girl named Shirin and her best friend Francesca, spots her secret crush at her favorite bands concert. Will he come over and say something? This was a lot of fun and you wanted to root for Shirin the whole time.

Tags by Walter Dean Myers

This one was interesting because it was told in a play format and one that I don’t read a lot of so it was fun to read a short story this way. At first I was a little confused but it quickly came to me and I actually ended up reading this one a second time and it hit me. One of my faves

Why I learned to Cook by Sara Farizan

Another cute story about a girl trying to figure out a way to tell her grandmother about her girlfriend and the only way she knows how is asking her grandmother to teach her how to cook.

A Stranger at the Bochinche by Daniel José Older

Wasn’t quite sure about this or when it takes place exactly but it involves dinosaurs and Brooklyn. Need I say more?

A Boy’s Duty by Sharon G. Flake

This is a historical fiction that takes place during WW 2 and involves a boy named Zakary who is living in a cafe. This was one I wish had more to it because I was curious about a few things in the story.

One Voice: A Something in-between Story by Melissa De La Cruz

Jasmine is a undocumented college student. The main thing that happens is that there is a incident at the school with racist slurs being painted on a school building and Jasmine’s reactions to it. This was by far one of my favorites because it discusses an important topic that is currently happening in the world with hate speech.

Super Human by Nicola Yoon

This is about a super hero who is fed up with they way people are treated especially the ones in the position of authority. I know no one is perfect but to be brutal against someone who is not of your face is wrong and it bothers me.

Catch, Pull, Drive by Schuyler Bailar

Tommy is a transgender swimmer and has decided to come out making his first day unbearable. The coach and other kids all have something to say and its not the best thing to say. Its almost if you don’t have anything nice to say then say nothing at all but we all know people aren’t like that. This bothers me to no end but then you have someone who stands up and speaks the truth and doesn’t care what anyone thinks or says about them and I wish we had more kids who would do that instead of going with the flow

Paladin/Samurai by Gene Leun Yang and illustrations by Thien Pham

This is told in a comic book/graphic novel way and I wanted to love this story line but it felt like something was missing from it.

This is the perfect book for everyone to read and I think everyone should read this.

Review/ Unleashed

Posted on August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 by Cindy

Format: eARC

About the Book:

Title: UNLEASHED
Author: Bella Jacobs
Pub. Date: August 17, 2018
Publisher: Bella Jacobs Books
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 298

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Amazon UK

One woman on the run. Four dangerously sexy bodyguards. And a war brewing that will change the shifter world forever…

I’m living on borrowed time, fighting for survival against a deadly new virus that has no cure and a cult doing its best to brainwash me. But when a mysterious note shows up on my windowsill one night, its chilling message–Run, Wren–launches me out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Within hours, everything I thought I knew about my life, my family, and my origins is obliterated, and I’m racking up enemies at an alarming rate. Between the cult I’ve just escaped, a violent shifter faction out for my blood, and an ancient evil who eats “chosen ones” like me for breakfast, my last hope is to join forces with four dangerous-looking men who claim they were sent to guard my life.

Luke, a werewolf with a rap sheet. Creedence, a lynx shifter who never met a mark he couldn’t con. Kite, a bear kin with a mean right hook and heart of gold. And Dust, my childhood best friend and dude voted least likely to be a secret shape-shifting griffin.

But are these men really what they seem?

Or are my alpha guardians hiding a secret agenda of their own?

I’m not sure, but one thing is for certain—choosing the right allies will mean the difference between life and death. For me, and everyone I love.

UNLEASHED is book one in the Dark Moon Shifter’s series. It is a true reverse harem featuring one woman and her four mates.

Before beginning my review I quickly have to thank Rockstar Book Tour for allowing me to be a part of the book tour and for sending me a eArc of the book to read for my review today.

Unleashed is the first book in the upcoming Dark Moon Shifter’s series by Bella Jacob and I do believe that this is a debut novel, please correct me if I am wrong. I have to say that I am really excited to continue this series.

As you know from reading my blog I don’t read a lot of urban fantasy books with the exception here and there and I honestly don’t know why I don’t read more of it because what I read I really enjoy.

As I mentioned above I really enjoyed Unleashed. It hooked me in right away and had me hanging on the whole ride. I had a hard time to put the book down when I had to put it down and if I was 20 years younger I would have stayed up all night to finish it but sadly I didn’t as sleep is just a little bit more important but once I woke up I picked it up again and managed to read this in basically two sittings.

I have only read one other author we writes shifter books and Unleashed is completely different in a good way. I really wanted to know why Wren has four mates when most shifter books only has the one.

Unleashed is going to leave you feeling all kinds of feelings so be prepared for this wild ride. It starts in the first chapter and continues all the way through to the very end.

We quickly realize that Wren is dying with a terminal illness and you are instantly drawn to her not only because of her illness but because she is actually one of the good guys. She is caring and compassionate, she is a woman who loves what she does and her family. Things are changing in the world and its not for good. Wren has been sick since she was born. She has the same illness that took her sister. She is on all sorts of medication basically to prolong this disease. Then out of the blue she founds out she is a candidate for a new procedure that basically can save her life but before she can begin she is kidnapped.

Who has taken her and why?

This is where I am going to say if you want to know more then go and get the book, You will not be disappointed. I know if I sit here longer I will tell you all about the book and I don’t want to spoil it for you. Trust me I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Review/ The Girl On Camera

Posted on August 20, 2018August 20, 2018 by Cindy

This is my stop during the blog tour for The Girl on Camera by Morgan Dun-Campbell. This blog tour is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 6 till 26 August. See the tour schedule here.

The Girl on Camera
By Morgan Dun-Campbell
Genre: Thriller
Age category: New adult, Adult
Release Date: March 14, 2018

Blurb:
Reality TV is about to get real…

“Are you ready to win the heart of the nation? Compete with seven other contestants for the cash prize? Change your life forever?”

Twenty-six-year old Rory Stevens is thrilled to be selected as one of eight contestants for new reality show: The Retreat.

However, on the second day of filming – during a televised broadcast from the show’s host – all power shuts off with no explanation: leaving the contestants, quite literally, in the dark.

Completely stranded, it is now up to Rory and her seven companions to figure out what is happening.

And then one of them disappears…

For fans of Naomi Alderman, Dave Eggers and John Marrs.

I quickly have to thank Lola’s Blog Tour for allowing me to be a part of this tour and for sending me a copy of the book to read.

You might not know this about me but in real life I love watching reality tv. Everything from the Amazing Race to Big Brother which I am currently watching the US version and Celebrity Big Brother from the UK online and I honestly have to say that the CBB is so much better. It just started so I am only 3 episodes in and its so much different from the US version. Kristie Alley is actually one of the contestants on this.

Anyways back to my review.

The Girl on Camera is a reality based book that has contestants auditioning to be a part of the show. They have no clue what the show is about but once you get into the book its really hard to put down. At first I wasn’t quite sure what was going on, if it was actually real or if it was a part of the show.

Our main character Rory its fed up with her mother who is constantly telling her what to do and basically how to do it and a basically boring boyfriend. Deciding that enough is enough Rory decides she needs to take back control of her life and put her foot down and the first step is breaking up with her boyfriend and then to audition for the show. She is scared and nervous but figures what does she have to lose. Weeks after the audition Rory begins to realize that she wasn’t selected and decides that perhaps going back to school is what she is meant to do and become and adult like her mother wants her to.

Then out of the blue she gets a call from the show, she was selected as one of the 8 contestants. She is to arrive at a hotel to be debriefed. She will be locked away from society for 3 weeks and live with 7 complete strangers. They aren’t allowed to say anything as secrecy is a must for the success of the show.

Once everyone is locked into The Retreat the house guest all start to get to know each other and you know before long that drama and conflict is bound to happen but in this case it happens really suddenly and unexpected that brings a new twist to reality tv how will everyone react?

Without getting further into the book and giving it away I will just say that I was totally shocked and hooked, I needed to know if what was happening was really happening or if it was all part of the show and literally spent one afternoon to finish it up once I got to this point. I could not put the book down.

I think if you like Big Brother then you might enjoy this book.