#BookReview: Geekerella (Once Upon a Con #1) by @ashposton

Title: Geekerella

Series: Once Upon a Con
Author: Ashley Poston
Genres: Young Adult, Retellings
Pages: Hardcover, 320
Published: April 4, 2017
Publisher: Quirk Books
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis:  Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic science-fiction series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck and her dad's old costume, Elle's determined to win - unless her stepsisters get there first.

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons - before he was famous. Now they're nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he has ever wanted, but Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake - until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise. But when she disappears at midnight, will he ever be able to find her again?

Part-romance, part-love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom.

#BookReview & #Giveaway of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children:The Graphic Novel (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children & Hollow City) by Ransom Riggs, Cassandra Jean

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.

A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

#Review of Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio

    Meet Warren the 13th, a cursed 12-year-old Victorian bellhop who’s terribly unlucky . . . yet perpetually optimistic, hard-working, and curious. Orphan Warren’s pride and joy is his family’s hotel, but he’s been miserable ever since his evil Aunt Anaconda took over the management. Anaconda believes a mysterious treasure known as the All-Seeing Eye is hidden somewhere on the grounds, and she’ll do anything to find it. If Warren wants to preserve his family’s legacy, he’ll need to find the treasure first—if the hotel’s many strange and wacky guests don’t beat him to it! This middle-grade adventure features gorgeous two-color illustrations on every page and a lavish two-column Victorian design that will pull young readers into a spooky and delightful mystery. 

#Review of The Thorn and the Blossom by @theodoragoss & #Giveaway via @quirkbooks

One enchanting romance. Two lovers keeping secrets. And a uniquely crafted book that binds their stories forever.

When Evelyn Morgan walked into the village bookstore, she didn’t know she would meet the love of her life. When Brendan Thorne handed her a medieval romance, he didn’t know it would change the course of his future. It was almost as if they were the cursed lovers in the old book itself . . .

The Thorn and the Blossom is a remarkable literary artifact: You can open the book in either direction to decide whether you’ll first read Brendan’s, or Evelyn’s account of the mysterious love affair. Choose a side, read it like a regular novel—and when you get to the end, you’ll find yourself at a whole new beginning.

#Review #Giveaway of Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge: A Novel by @notlikefreddy #thanks @quirkbooks

    A sharp and funny urban fantasy for “new adults” about a secret society of bartenders who fight monsters with alcohol fueled magic.

College grad Bailey Chen has a few demons: no job, no parental support, and a rocky relationship with Zane, the only friend who’s around when she moves back home. But when Zane introduces Bailey to his cadre of monster-fighting bartenders, her demons get a lot more literal. Like, soul-sucking hell-beast literal. Soon, it’s up to Bailey and the ragtag band of magical mixologists to take on whatever—or whoever—is behind the mysterious rash of gruesome deaths in Chicago, and complete the lost recipes of an ancient tome of cocktail lore.

@quirkbooks #Review #Giveaway Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies #1) by Jane Austen, @sethgs

Published By: Quirk Books Release Date: December 15th 2015  Genres: Historical Fiction, Retelling Pages: 355 Source: Publisher Add it to Goodreads The New York Times Best Seller is now a major motion picture starring Lily James and Sam Riley, with Matt Smith, Charles Dance, and Lena Headey. 
 
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a bold reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic novel. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life. Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she’s soon distracted by the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the bloodsoaked battlefield. Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is an audacious retelling of English literature’s most enduring novel. 

This movie tie-in edition features 16 pages of color stills from the film, a reading group discussion guide, and other bonus materials.

Meet @ransomriggs on the Library of Souls #STAYPECULIAR TOUR SWEEPSTAKES via @quirkbooks

Hello, hello!

Believe it or not we're a mere 50 days out from the release of Library of Souls: The Third Novel of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children. Are you excited? I know I am!

Did you see Ransom Riggs's tour announcement last week? If not, he's headed out on a 5-city LIBRARY OF SOULS #STAYPECULIAR TOUR visiting NYC, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. Each event will have surprises and awesome guests. And since Ransom's only visiting 5-cities and we know not everyone lives close by, Quirk is running a sweepstakes for a chance to win a VIP trip to see Ransom at one of his tour cities! It's an easy sweepstakes to enter, peculiarize yourself, post it on Instagram, Twitter, etc with #staypeculiar, and share your link with Quirk at www.quirkbooks.com/los. 

But since not everyone can be fortune enough to win you can enter this giveaway that is exclusive to this tour. So what do you win?  You can win a #StayPeculiar Tote Bag! So enter both! 

#Review World of Trouble (Last Policeman #3) by @BenHWinters

Critically acclaimed author Ben H. Winters delivers this explosive final installment in the Edgar Award winning Last Policeman series. With the doomsday asteroid looming, Detective Hank Palace has found sanctuary in the woods of New England, secure in a well-stocked safe house with other onetime members of the Concord police force. But with time ticking away before the asteroid makes landfall, Hank’s safety is only relative, and his only relative—his sister Nico—isn’t safe. Soon, it’s clear that there’s more than one earth-shattering revelation on the horizon, and it’s up to Hank to solve the puzzle before time runs out . . . for everyone.

#Review of Righteous Fury (Die Legenden der Albae #1) by Markus Heitz

The elves, dwarves and humans all know the älfar to be dark, relentless warriors. This is their time.
In Dson Faïmon, the realm of the älfar, the warriors are planning a military campaign. Caphalor and Sinthoras are looking to enlist a powerful demon to strengthen their army - but the two älfar have very different goals. While Caphalor is determined to defend the borders of their empire and no more, the ambitious Sinthoras is intent on invasion: and he has the kingdoms of dwarves, elves and men firmly in his sights.

#Review of Horrorstor: A Novel by @grady_hendrix

Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring wardrobes, shattered Brooka glassware, and vandalized Liripip sofa beds—clearly, someone or something is up to no good. To unravel the mystery, five young employees volunteer for a long dusk-till-dawn shift—and they encounter horrors that defy imagination. Along the way, author Grady Hendrix infuses sly social commentary on the nature of work in the new twenty-first century economy.
A traditional haunted house story in a contemporary setting (and full of current fears), Horrorstör comes conveniently packaged in the form of a retail catalog, complete with illustrations of ready-to-assemble furniture and other, more sinister accessories. We promise you’ve never seen anything quite like it!

Finished

#Review of How to Make Your Baby an Internet Celebrity by Rick Chillot, Dustin Fenstermacher

Quirk’s How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity showed cat lovers everywhere how to become global multimedia entrepreneurs. Now new parents can share the wealth thanks to this delightful companion volume. Armed with this handy, tongue-in-cheek guide, you’ll learn how to spot your baby’s potential and document each potentially adorable move—from wobbly first steps to refusals to eat “bwoccoli.” Plus, you’ll get advice for dealing with tantrums (yours or theirs) and sticky tax situations (“it’s for her college fund, I swear!”). Filled with hilarious advice and adorable photography, it’s the perfect gift for new parents with an eye for talent.

Finished

#Review of Nick and Tesla's Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove by Bob Pflugfelder, Steve Hockensmith #Published @quirkbooks

Bright siblings—and amateur inventors—Nick and Tesla Holt are back in this fourth installment of their whiz-bang middle-grade series. This time, the twins are out to save science itself, as they race against the clock to figure out why a robotic assortment of history’s greatest scientists and inventors keeps going haywire. Is this sabotage, robo-geddon…or something more sinister? To unravel the mystery, they’ll have to keep adding all-new gadgets to their cyborg glove as they stay one step ahead of a hidden adversary. Together with zany scientist Uncle Newt and their friends Silas and DeMarco, Nick and Tesla won’t give up until an answer is found…but can they do it before time runs out? In this book, readers will learn how to construct a super-cyborg gadget glove that has four incredible functions: LED signal light, ultra-loud emergency alarm, handy sound recorder, and UV secret message revealer. Science and electronics have never been so much fun!

Finished

#Review of Countdown City (Last Policeman #2) by @BenHWinters #Published @QuirkBooks

There are just 74 days to go before a deadly asteroid collides with Earth, and Detective Hank Palace is out of a job. With the Concord police force operating under the auspices of the U.S. Justice Department, Hank's days of solving crimes are over...until a woman from his past begs for help finding her missing husband.

Brett Cavatone disappeared without a trace—an easy feat in a world with no phones, no cars, and no way to tell whether someone’s gone “bucket list” or just gone. With society falling to shambles, Hank pieces together what few clues he can, on a search that leads him from a college-campus-turned-anarchist-encampment to a crumbling coastal landscape where anti-immigrant militia fend off “impact zone” refugees.

The second novel in the critically acclaimed Last Policeman trilogy,Countdown City presents a fascinating mystery set on brink of an apocalypse--and once again, Hank Palace confronts questions way beyond "whodunit." What do we as human beings owe to one another? And what does it mean to be civilized when civilization is collapsing all around you?

#Review of The Last Policeman (Last Policeman #1) by @BenHWinters #Published @QuirkBooks

What’s the point in solving murders if we’re all going to die soon, anyway?

Detective Hank Palace has faced this question ever since asteroid 2011GV1 hovered into view. There’s no chance left. No hope. Just six precious months until impact.

The Last Policeman presents a fascinating portrait of a pre-apocalyptic United States. The economy spirals downward while crops rot in the fields. Churches and synagogues are packed. People all over the world are walking off the job—but not Hank Palace. He’s investigating a death by hanging in a city that sees a dozen suicides every week—except this one feels suspicious, and Palace is the only cop who cares.

The first in a trilogy, The Last Policeman offers a mystery set on the brink of an apocalypse. As Palace’s investigation plays out under the shadow of 2011GV1, we’re confronted by hard questions way beyond “whodunit.”What basis does civilization rest upon? What is life worth? What would any of us do, what would we really do, if our days were numbered?

#Review How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying by #Published @QuirkBooks

For many years, television comedy was an exclusive all boys’ club—until a brilliant comedian named Carol Leifer came along, blazing a trail for funny women everywhere. From Late Night with David Letterman andSaturday Night Live to Seinfeld, The Ellen Show, and Modern Family, Carol has written for and/or performed on some of the best TV comedies of all time.

This hilarious collection of essays charts her extraordinary three-decade journey through show business, illuminating her many triumphs and some missteps along the way—and offering valuable lessons for women and men in any profession. Part memoir, part guide to life, and all incredibly funny, How to Succeed in Business without Really Cryingoffers tips and tricks for getting ahead, finding your way, and opening locked doors—even if you have to use a sledgehammer.

Amazon

Carol Leifer is an accomplished stand-up comedian and an Emmy-nominated writer and producer for her work on such television shows as Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show, Saturday Night Live, and the Academy Awards. She has starred in several of her own comedy specials, which have aired on HBO, Showtime, and Comedy Central. Her 'big break' came when David Letterman unexpectedly showed up one night at the Comic Strip in New York City and caught Carol's show. His visit led to her making twenty-five guest appearances on Late Night with David Letterman. Carol has also been seen on The Tonight Show, Real Time with Bill Maher, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She starred in and created the WB sitcom Alright Already. She lives in Santa Monica with her partner, their son, and their seven rescue dogs.

This book will make you laugh. I have never heard of this author before this book. But I will be picking up more soon.  This book is filled with great tips that can be used in just about any job.  And I really enjoyed getting a peek inside her life along with all of the pictures.

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. OR I purchased the book on my own."

Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.

#Review of How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity by Patricia Carlin #Published @QuirkBooks

The Internet offers an unprecedented opportunity for cats to become superstar “personalities” with revenue-generating multimedia brands—but only if you know how to cash in. With How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity, readers can unlock the secrets of grooming your kitty for success, creating a terrific viral video, managing your cat’s burgeoning stardom, and much more. Packed with practical tips and helpful diagrams, this indispensable resource shows how ordinary housecats can follow in the venerable pawprints of the Internet’s brightest stars.

Ok so this book was a hoot and a half.  In our world today we have tons and tons of what?  YES! Cat Videos.  This book is the sure fire way to make money off of your cat!  Its short and filled with cute stories, pictures, etc.  Once you start it, you won't be able to put it down.

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. OR I purchased the book on my own."

Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information. SaveSave

{Review} Peculiar Children Graphic Novel by @ransomriggs {Giveaway} @quirkbooks

Ransom Riggs's haunting fantasy bestseller adapted to a graphic novel! 
As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive.

› Visit Amazon's Ransom Riggs Page

Biography

Ransom Riggs grew up in Florida, where he spent his formative years making silly movies with his friends in their various backyards, snorkeling, and complaining about the heat. He studied English at Kenyon College and film at the University of Southern California. He lives in Los Angeles. He makes films you can watch on his YouTube page: www.youtube.com/ransriggs. He enjoys traveling to exotic lands and complaining about the heat. He would like to thank you for reading this short biography.

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#12 in Books > Teens

A very interesting concept.  A lot of books are being turned into Graphic Novels and I love the idea.  My one daughter will read anything that is Graphic Novel.  She sucks them up and spits them out in about 30 minutes.  And this one was no different.  As soon as it came she stoled it and it was great!

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."

Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.

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{Review} Hollow City by @ransomriggs {Giveaway} @quirkbooks

The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London the peculiar capital of the world. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. Like its predecessor, this second novel in the Peculiar Children series blends thrilling fantasy with never-before-published vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind reacting experience.

› Visit Amazon's Ransom Riggs Page

Biography

Ransom Riggs grew up in Florida, where he spent his formative years making silly movies with his friends in their various backyards, snorkeling, and complaining about the heat. He studied English at Kenyon College and film at the University of Southern California. He lives in Los Angeles. He makes films you can watch on his YouTube page: www.youtube.com/ransriggs. He enjoys traveling to exotic lands and complaining about the heat. He would like to thank you for reading this short biography.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#12 in Books > Teens

This book two just blew me away!  It was even better than book one with even creepier/spookier pictures.  And don't worry folks each picture ties into the book just wonderfully.  And although the little girl on the from is missing something. This book is deff not missing anything!  It was a creepy continuation of book one and I so can't wait for more!


"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."

Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.

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{Review} Peculiar Children by @ransomriggs {Giveaway} @quirkbooks

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

› Visit Amazon's Ransom Riggs Page

Biography

Ransom Riggs grew up in Florida, where he spent his formative years making silly movies with his friends in their various backyards, snorkeling, and complaining about the heat. He studied English at Kenyon College and film at the University of Southern California. He lives in Los Angeles. He makes films you can watch on his YouTube page: www.youtube.com/ransriggs. He enjoys traveling to exotic lands and complaining about the heat. He would like to thank you for reading this short biography.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#12 in Books > Teens

This book was all over the place for me. Which for this one that was great!  Fantasy, adventure, photos, and just plain creepies enchant and engage readers of all ages in this one!  It is deff a one of a kind book!  Magical, spooky, and just yummy this one will have you reading into the wee hours of the night!


"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."

Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information. a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Review} Princesses Behaving Badly @LinRod @quirkbooks

You think you know her story. You’ve read the Brothers Grimm, you’ve watched the Disney cartoons, you cheered as these virtuous women lived happily ever after. But the lives of real princesses couldn’t be more different. Sure, many were graceful and benevolent leaders—but just as many were ruthless in their quest for power, and all of them had skeletons rattling in their royal closets. Princess Stephanie von Hohenlohe was a Nazi spy. Empress Elizabeth of the Austro-Hungarian empire slept wearing a mask of raw veal. Princess Olga of Kiev murdered thousands of men, and Princess Rani Lakshmibai waged war on the battlefield, charging into combat with her toddler son strapped to her back. Princesses Behaving Badly offers minibiographies of all these princesses and dozens more. It’s a fascinating read for history buffs, feminists, and anyone seeking a different kind of bedtime story.

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Linda Rodriguez McRobbie is an American writer and journalist living in London, England. She's written about everything from the history of toilet paper to the story of the Ouija Board and has, so far, never met a topic that didn't sound utterly fascinating.

After graduating from Columbia School of Journalism in 2004, Linda began her career in Boston, first at the City Desk of the Boston Herald, fielding phone calls from irate readers and would-be tipsters with probable mental illness, and writing articles. From there, she moved to the South End News, paper of record for the South End of Boston, and Bay Windows, paper of record for New England's GLBTQ community. After four years in the trenches of community journalism, Linda decided to both move to London and become a fulltime freelance journalist. Neither decision turned to out be as easy as they sounded.

Once in London, Linda became the editor of The Periscope Post, an online news site that specialised in highlighting the most interesting and important commentary of the day. In November 2012, she left the Post to begin work on her first book, Princesses Behaving Badly, published by Quirk Books (order now!).

Back in the freelance saddle, Linda has been writing primarily for Smithsonian.com and Mental Floss, both the magazine and the web. Her work has also appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, CNN Money, US News & World Report, and others.

She's married to graphic designer Chris McRobbie and they have one son and one cat.

(biography taken from Linda's official website)

5 Stars

This book is a collection of short stories about princesses and women that really lived. And although they are not the Disney princesses that we have all come to love and adore. These women from history are some of the most interesting stories. From warriors to floozies there a princess for everyone! A DEFF must read for someone I treated to learn about real live princesses. 

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."

Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.