{Review} {Interview} The Merchant of Venice Beach (The Venice Beach Romance #1) @celiabonaduce {Hosted} @itchingforbooks

Title: The Merchant of Venice Beach
Author: Celia Bonaduce
Series: The Venice Beach Romance
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Comp.
Release Date: August 1, 2013
Pages: 230
Format Read: Finished Print
Source: Publisher/Tour

Description:

The Rollicking Bun--Home of the Epic Scone--is the center of Suzanna Wolf's life. Part tea shop, part bookstore, part home, it's everything she's ever wanted right on the Venice Beach boardwalk, including partnership with her two best friends from high school, Eric and Fernando. But with thirty-three just around the corner, suddenly Suzanna wants something more--something strictly her own. Salsa lessons, especially with a gorgeous instructor, seem like a good start--a harmless secret, and just maybe the start of a fling. But before she knows it, Suzanna is learning steps she never imagined--and dancing her way into confusion.

About the Author

Currently a Field Producer on HGTV’s House Hunters, Celia Bonaduce's TV credits cover a lot of ground - everything from field-producing ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to writing for many of Nickelodeon’s animated series, including Hey, Arnold and Chalkzone. An avid reader, entering the world of books has always been always a lifelong ambition.

www.celiabonaduce.com | twitter.com/celiabonaduce

Very delightful, sweet, funny read.  This book was fast paced and wonderful.  Friendships and love rock this story set in California.  Although this has a romance in it, it is more like Bridget Jones Diary with a cast of strong friends and less of why am I single. The one almost sex scene has a very funny twist, is not explicit, and ends with the heroine being embarrassed. So all in all this book was very comical at times and is just a fun light read. Great for the coming spring!  Or something to take with you at the beach.

"*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} Enders (Starters #2) by @Lissa_Price {Giveaway}@NightOwlReviews {Published} @randomhousekids @dana_kaye

Title: Enders
Author: Lissa Price
Series: Starters
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
Source: Night Owl Reviews
Rating: 5 Stars
Description:

With the Prime Destinations body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to rent herself out to creepy Enders. But Enders can still get inside her mind and make her do things she doesn't want to do. Like hurt someone she loves. Having the chip removed could save Callie's life - but it could also silence the voice in her head that might belong to her father. Callie has flashes of her ex-renter Helena's memories, too ...and the Old Man is back, filling her with fear. Who is real and who is masquerading in a teen body? This is the thrilling sequel to "Starters".

› Amazon | Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Lissa Price’s debut novel STARTERS is an award-winning, international bestseller published in over thirty countries. Dean Koontz called this YA futuristic thriller “a smart, swift, inventive, altogether gripping story.” The LA Times said it is “Dystopian science-fiction at its best,” and “Readers who have been waiting for a worthy successor to ‘The Hunger Games’ will find it here.” 

STARTERS was a Barnes & Noble pick of the month and one of only four debuts on the B&N Best Teen Books of 2012. It was awarded the its Eselsohr for Best YA Book in 2012, selected by a jury of teens in Germany, and was chosen as a top ten favorite book of 2012 by both French and German readers. It won the Crimezone Award for Best YA Thriller and is one of the LAPL's and Chicago Public Library's Best Teen Books of 2012.

Starters was chosen for the IRA Reading List and is the only book nominated for both the Florida Teens Read List and the SSYRA Middle School List 2013-14.

In Germany, Starters launched a brand-new YA imprint of the established Piper Verlag publisher called IVI. Audiobooks have been recorded in English and German.

See the book trailer that played in front of the Hunger Games film in selected theaters in the US and abroad at her site. The release dates for Enders will be announced by the publishers of each country, with some starting in May 2013.

Enders was shorter than Starters but so much better.  We find even more twists and turns and a surprise ending.  It is even set up to come back for a book three if the author so chooses to do so.  I love that fact that there could be a book three or a spin off.  As this world of Starters and Enders is getting really good and it draws you in and makes you want to know more.  As I had said before I would love to have a prequel to learn about their world before the wars.  But in Enders you find out who is the real enemy and who you can trust.  And maybe not all middles died.  This is deff a book that you need to read!! If you love mystery, dynastopian, and a little romance, then this is deff the book for you!


"*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} A Mad, Wicked Folly by @sbiggswaller {Giveaway} @NightOwlReviews @VikingChildrens

This title will be released on January 23, 2014

Preorder Now!

Title: A Mad, Wicked Folly
Author: Sharon Biggs Waller
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: January 23, 2014  
Pages: 448 
Format: Print ARC 
Source: Night Owl Reviews  
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Description:
Welcome to the world of the fabulously wealthy in London, 1909, where dresses and houses are overwhelmingly opulent, social class means everything, and women are taught to be nothing more than wives and mothers. Into this world comes seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling, who wants only to be an artist—a nearly impossible dream for a girl.
            
After Vicky poses nude for her illicit art class, she is expelled from her French finishing school. Shamed and scandalized, her parents try to marry her off to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky has other things on her mind: her clandestine application to the Royal College of Art; her participation in the suffragette movement; and her growing attraction to a working-class boy who may be her muse—or may be the love of her life. As the world of debutante balls, corsets, and high society obligations closes in around her, Vicky must figure out: just how much is she willing to sacrifice to pursue her dreams?                                      

                                       

› Visit Amazon's Sharon Biggs Waller Page | Pinterest | Instagram | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

Biography

Sharon Biggs Waller grew up around artists and developed a passion for Edwardian history and the Pre-Raphaelites when she moved to England in 2000. She did extensive research on the British suffragettes for her novel when she wasn't working as a riding instructor at the Royal Mews in Buckingham Palace and as a freelance magazine writer. She is the author of three non-fiction books about horses under her maiden name, Sharon Biggs. She is a dressage rider and trainer and lives on a 10-acre sustainable farm in Northwest Indiana with her British husband, Mark. Visit her at www.sharonbiggswaller.com. 

In a time where if you were born a girl that was all you were. Vicky darling wants more. She want to go to art school and further her craft. But since she was born a girl one single action of posing nude for other artists gets her kicked out of her finishing school. Now her parents want to marry her off to his the scandal  But Vicky has other plans. Selling a ring of her grandmothers she buys new art supplies finds friends in the oddest places. And finds her voice in a time when women didn't have any rights at all. With the help of other Women Of the WSPU (women social and political union) Vicky finds that she doesn't need a man to go to collage she can do it on her own. 

I love how Vicky always tries to see the best in her family. Even when time after time all they do is shove the your a girl back in her face. 

Vicky was born in the wrong time period. It is so scary how this book set in 1909 is so different from ours. If our children could drawl like her at the age of 17/18 we would be calling Juilliard or the like and encouraging our child to reach for the stars regardless of their gender. 

This book was very inspirational for all woman of any age and I think it should be added to the books for those in high school.  I think the teens there would find more to talk about in this novel vs. The Scarlet Letter and the Lord of the Flies which are two of the books that I had to read in 10th grade.

Here are some of the pictures that were talked about in the book.  I was very happy that the author gives you information about the time period at the end.  And I adored the poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson you can find it here via Wiki> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_of_Shalott

It was one of my fav growing up and I even memorized most of it when I was around 15-16.  The painting of this poem via John William Waterhouse was also a fav of my younger years as well as now.  If you go to that link above you will also see it.  As well as the other painting discussed of The Lady of Shalott Looking at Lancelot.

At the very end of the book there is an amazing recipe for Victoria's Favorite Pikelets which we will be trying our hand at later.

"*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."

This book wins our OH Baby Want 2 Read That Award!

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

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Clear Your Shelf {Giveaway} {Hop}

This hop features books that need a new home! 

I know as a reviewer that I get a ton of books!  Well I also end up buying a lot of books to!  And in some cases I buy duplicates by accident.  So not only am I giving away a box of books!  But I have so many books that I will be giving away three of them! 

The Medium and Large boxes are in If It Fits It Ships.
Mystery Box if not smaller than the Medium and may contain unreleased ARCs! 

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{Review} Starters (Starters #1) by @Lissa_Price {Giveaway}@NightOwlReviews {Published} @randomhousekids @dana_kaye

Title: Starters
Author: Lissa Price
Series: Starters
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: July 23, 2013
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Night Owl Reviews
Rating: 5 Stars
Description:

This edition includes Portrait of a Spore, a never-before-published short story that takes place in the world of STARTERS!

You can’t get them out of your head. . . . 

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie.
Callie’s only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie’s head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter.
Callie soon discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations’ plans are more evil than she could ever have imagined. . . .

› Amazon | Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Lissa Price’s debut novel STARTERS is an award-winning, international bestseller published in over thirty countries. Dean Koontz called this YA futuristic thriller “a smart, swift, inventive, altogether gripping story.” The LA Times said it is “Dystopian science-fiction at its best,” and “Readers who have been waiting for a worthy successor to ‘The Hunger Games’ will find it here.” 

STARTERS was a Barnes & Noble pick of the month and one of only four debuts on the B&N Best Teen Books of 2012. It was awarded the its Eselsohr for Best YA Book in 2012, selected by a jury of teens in Germany, and was chosen as a top ten favorite book of 2012 by both French and German readers. It won the Crimezone Award for Best YA Thriller and is one of the LAPL's and Chicago Public Library's Best Teen Books of 2012.

Starters was chosen for the IRA Reading List and is the only book nominated for both the Florida Teens Read List and the SSYRA Middle School List 2013-14.

In Germany, Starters launched a brand-new YA imprint of the established Piper Verlag publisher called IVI. Audiobooks have been recorded in English and German.

See the book trailer that played in front of the Hunger Games film in selected theaters in the US and abroad at her site. The release dates for Enders will be announced by the publishers of each country, with some starting in May 2013.

Although parts of the story were predictable don't let that stop you from reading this amazing dystopian.  I would have to say that it has hints of Cinderella as well as a little romance, and a whole lot of running for your life!!  This plot/story was so complex but simple.  It was never dull and it just makes you want to read more!!  This is deff a series that I am so happy to have book two Enders due out Jan. 7th.  Because if I had to wait for it I would be crying.  Lissa Price is deff. a fav author after this one.  The plot to Starters is a war had broken out and of course it turned chemical.  So they vaccinated the very young and the very old just like they normally do with things like the flu.  So then when the spore hit they killed off anyone that was aged 20-50 give or take. Starters will leave you asking for more!  I do hope that she adds to this Duo-logy as I would love a prequel.

"*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} Passionaries (The Blessed #2) by @TonyaHurley with {Giveaway}

Title: Passionaries  
Author: Tonya Hurley
Series: The Blessed  
Publisher: Simon & Schuster  
Release Date: Jan 7, 2014  
Pages: 400 
Format: eARC/Print ARC
Source: Edelweiss/Publisher  
Description: 
Agnes, Cecelia, and Lucy watched as Sebastian sacrificed himself for what he believed in. Will the girls trust that their destiny as saints and martyrs and perform the miracles as Sebastian instructed? Or lose faith in themselves and each other in his absence? Time is running out for them to make a decision, and the fate of the world lies in the balance.

› Visit Amazon's Tonya Hurley Page | Twitter | Goodreads | Website | Facebook

Biography

New York Times bestselling ghostgirl author, Tonya Hurley, has credits spanning all platforms of teen entertainment including: creating, writing and producing two hit TV series, writing and directing several acclaimed independent films, developing a ground-breaking collection of video games and board games and creating award-winning websites. Hurley's films have premiered in film festivals around the world including TriBeca, LA Independent, and Edinburgh and her work has been featured on ABC, IFC and PBS. She was nominated for the prestigious Rockefeller Foundation Award in film.

Her first novel, ghostgirl, which is now also available in paperback, was an instant best-seller and has received starred reviews from the literary publications Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, VOYA and School Library Journal. Her second book in the series, ghostgirl Homecoming, was featured on Ace of Cakes along with Harry Potter and was released July 1, 2009. ghostgirl Lovesick, the third book in teh series, will be released July 12, 2010. The ghostgirl audiobooks, narrated by Parker Posey with original music by Vince Clarke, are available for digital download at www.audible.com.

Ms. Hurley lives in New York with her husband and daughter. Her Web site is www.ghostgirl.com.

This one has ties from The DaVinci Code via that the girls are now hunted by an Opus-Dei like faction of the Catholic Church.  I have to say that this one really did redeem The Precious Ones aka The Blessed. Passionaries does NOT suffer from second book itis.  It is a great second installment in this trilogy!  And a Deff. Must Read!

"*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."

So why not leave one?

"*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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{ReadOn} with @Yelena_Casale @Tina_Moss Enter to #Win

@Tina_Moss 

Tina Moss is an author of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and New Adult novels.  She lives in NYC with a supportive husband and alpha corgi, though both males hog the bed and refuse to share the covers. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching cheesy horror flicks, traveling, and karate. As a 5'1" Shotokan black belt, she firmly believes that fierce things come in small packages. Amazon

@Yelena_Casale

Yelena Casale was born in Kiev, Ukraine and came to New York when she was 13, which, gave her a great perspective into two very different cultures. Being very curious and inquisitive, Yelena has always been an avid reader with a wide range of literary interests. Writing has been her passion since she first learned to write, and it only grew over time. Yelena is especially fond of reading and writing urban fantasy and paranormal romance.   Amazon 

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2013

Cassie’s working for a tightwad boss at a pretentious NYC diner, dealing with paralyzing pain that doctors can’t diagnose, and trying to hide her hands that glow purple whenever she ...well, whenever.

So, when a mysterious stranger walks out of her dreams and into her life to spout some nonsense about her being a mythical creature, she chalks it up to one more crazy thing to add to her it’s-a-crappy-life list. Yet, when the stranger’s predictions start to come true, she discovers a world that could shake up her humdrum existence

Want to win a copy of A Touch of Darkness please comment below!!
Don't forget to watch the show to get the super secret word!!

{Review} Precious Blood (The Blessed #1) by @tonyahurley with {Giveaway}

Title: Precious Blood formerly The Blessed
Author: Tonya Hurley
Series: The Blessed
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Pages: 432
Format: Hardback/Ebook
Source: Purchased
Rated: 3 Stars
Description:
From the author of the New York Times bestselling ghostgirl series, the start to a dark and thrilling trilogy about three girls who become entangled with an enigmatic boy. Previously published as The Blessed.

What if martyrs and saints lived among us? And what if you were told you were one of them?

Meet Agnes, Cecilia, and Lucy. Three lost girls, each searching for something. But what they find is Beyond Belief.

› Visit Amazon's Tonya Hurley Page | Twitter | Goodreads | Website | Facebook

Biography

New York Times bestselling ghostgirl author, Tonya Hurley, has credits spanning all platforms of teen entertainment including: creating, writing and producing two hit TV series, writing and directing several acclaimed independent films, developing a ground-breaking collection of video games and board games and creating award-winning websites. Hurley's films have premiered in film festivals around the world including TriBeca, LA Independent, and Edinburgh and her work has been featured on ABC, IFC and PBS. She was nominated for the prestigious Rockefeller Foundation Award in film.

Her first novel, ghostgirl, which is now also available in paperback, was an instant best-seller and has received starred reviews from the literary publications Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, VOYA and School Library Journal. Her second book in the series, ghostgirl Homecoming, was featured on Ace of Cakes along with Harry Potter and was released July 1, 2009. ghostgirl Lovesick, the third book in teh series, will be released July 12, 2010. The ghostgirl audiobooks, narrated by Parker Posey with original music by Vince Clarke, are available for digital download at www.audible.com.

Ms. Hurley lives in New York with her husband and daughter. Her Web site is www.ghostgirl.com.

This one I was so excited to be able to finally read. I had gotten the copy with the old cover from BAM when it was on sale.  Then it was stashed away like most of the books I buy.  So when I received book two Passionaries to review I jumped at the chance.  So I started reading The Blessed and found that after 25% into the book nothing had really happened.  So I gave it another 25% and well it was still very slow and dull.  You have three separate stories going on at the same time and that was great.  Hurley had a great voice in The Blessed.  Its just the plot/story was very slow.  All the action happened at the very end.  So while I am starting Passionaries I really hope that this series is redeemed in book 2.


"*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."

So why not leave one?

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

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{Review} Prophecy @elloecho

Title: Prophecy
Author: Ellen Oh
Series: The Dragon King Chronicles
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: Jan. 2, 2013
Pages: 312
Format: Hardback
Source: Purchased/Own
Rating: 3 Stars
Description:
The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms... is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.

@elloecho

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

› Visit Amazon's Ellen Oh Page

Biography

Writer, lawyer, college instructor, donut-slayer, chocolate lover. Addicted to diet coke. Likes to quote extensively from the Princess Bride, Monty Python and Godfather movies. Never leaves home without her iphone, chapstick, a book and her American Express card. For a more detailed bio, please check out her website at ellenoh.com

4 STARS

Prophecy was pretty good.  Not a OMG you have to stop what you are doing and go buy this but It was worth the read.  Al though a little predictable.  I didn't connect with any of the characters as I had hoped and I wished that the prince would have been a little older.  But all in all this was a good story from the Korean pantheon. So if you like magic and are looking for something different than pick this one up!    

"*I own this one!"

So why not leave one!

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

The Year 2013 for Me!

The year 2013 was a year unlike any other.  So here is a list of 5 things that happened to me and mine this year. 

1. One of the biggest things that happened was that I have been married for 3 years.  This surpasses my first marriage by two years.  We still fight every now and then and argue. But its the make ups and the good times that make it all worth while.  I love my husband and family with all my heart. 

2. We again got passes this year to both Disney and Universal but after trying to go to both we ended up sticking with Universal and that was a great choice.  We have had so much family fun going riding the rides and spending time together. 

3. My site as you have seen has gone through a few changes.  From templates to how I post. And of course it just had another one a few weeks ago.  I am learning so much more about HTML and hope to get even better in 2014! 

4. My site has also blown up with the addition of Keep Calm and Read On live web show.  We have gotten to talk with a ton of both huge and little authors.  And we have a great line up coming this 2014.  We so can't wait!  

5. Books!  It has been a cray cray year for getting books!!!  I have more than likely almost doubled my book collection!  I hope to do even more in the coming year!  Now all I need is a house! 

So as you can see I lead a pretty boring life. lol.  But here are 5 things that I hope to accomplish in 2014 and yes you can help me get there!

1. I hope to have my google+ circles up to match that of my Facebook likes.  Currently my Facebook is over 4,000 likes (this is as of Dec. 23)  So If you have liked my Facebook page but not added me to your circles than please do!  Ill add you back! 

2. More Print ARCs from other publishers.  There are still a few publishers out there that I don't get ARCs from.  I hope to add them to my list this year.  

3. More shows!  I hope to get to meet more authors!  Via BEA in May, or just book signings that are near me.  I hope to get to more of them!!  If.....OK WHEN I DO!! Ill be sure to post them here!  

4. Active!  I hope to be more active in my offline life.  I have already started walking twice a day.  Where I live we have a road that goes down a hill then back up one.  So we have been walking that twice a day back and forth one full time.  So far its been killing me.  But I hope to get even more active as the year goes by.  

5. Parks!  We haven't decided where we want to go next year.  We are still debating if we are going to go anywhere.  Right now it is me, husband, 2 kids, my mom, my grams. All living together dealing with the bills.  And well this winter my grams hasn't been doing so well and she will be turning the 90 this year!!  So we know that it will happen sometime. That she will pass on.  So we don't know if we want to spend the extra money going to one of the parks if we end up needing it to survive on.  It sucks and we will miss her dearly but its the truth.  And the truth sucks.  She is a touch old lady that we keep saying that she will outlive us all.  

So again you can see that this year I have a very short list of things we want to get done.  2014 is set to be a very interesting year.  Next up is my New Years Resolutions. 

1. I would like to get down back into the 100's I'm not assumed to tell you all that I am currently around 267lbs.  And its killer in the heat here in Florida.  So I'm trying to stay active and get some of it off!!

2. It would be neat to win the lottery (over 100,000) ya this one is more of a wish!  But hey! 

3.  Buying a house It would be nice to get all of the bills paid and be able to start thinking about buying a house. 

4. Get my girls active.  I want to get them off their phones and iPads and get them outside!!

5. Have another baby.  I don't really want to HAVE another baby.  But I would love to have the funds to adopt!!