• Books,  Uncategorized

    2020 New Titles – July 31st

    Lots more books this week. I keep thinking I’m getting close to the end of the list, but there are just so many books! I’m not complaining. This week is books for older audiences. Next week will be books that are picture books – young adult.

    The Chimera Code by Wayne Santos

    EVERYTHING’S FOR HIRE. EVEN MAGIC.

    If you need something done, Cloke’s one of the best; a mercenary with some unusual talents and an attitude to match.But when she’s hired by a virtual construct to destroy the other copies of himself, and the down payment is a new magical skill, she knows this job is going to be a league harder than anything she’s ever done.

    “A full-throttle magical cyberpunk superhero thriller” – Peter McLean

    Buy the Book: https://rebellionpublishing.com/product/the-chimera-code/

    Wayne’s Website: https://www.waynesantos.com/

    Seven Settings by Watt Morgan

    It’s been a year since they graduated high school, and to celebrate their reunion, eight old friends take off to a cabin by the lake. And despite threatening omens from the locals, the party must go on. Until, one by one, the friends begin dying off in horrible ways. Are they the victims of a science experiment–one with the potential to destroy the fabric of reality itself? Will they be able to survive at the hands of the masked Hazmat? Or will they succumb to their own stoned and drunken idiocy? Prepare to simultaneously laugh and cringe with this comedy-horror novella.

    Watt’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheWattMorgan

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084FQGV4Z

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    From Ashes to Magic (A Supernatural Beings Anthology Book 1)

    It’s when they creep out of the shadows that you should beware. The good ones will hold your hand when you’re having a nightmare; the bad ones BECOME your nightmare, seeping into your very soul and burrowing in the darkness until they’ve completely taken over.

    Ten authors. Ten stories. Many supernatural beings you’ve come to know and love.

    Once you plunge into these pages, you won’t want to leave.

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Ashes-Magic-Supernatural-Beings-Anthology-ebook/dp/B07YMTM4LW

    Mikki Noble’s Website: https://www.mikkinoble.com/

    Jennifer C. Covin’s Website: https://twitter.com/JennWritesVamps

    Nita Pan’s Website: https://nitapanwrites.com/

    Melony Paradise’s Books: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melony-paradise

    Adi Denner’s Website: https://adidenner.com/

    Abby Paul’s Website: https://twitter.com/APaulWrites

    Carmen Adam’s Amazon page:  https://www.amazon.com/Carmen-Adams/e/B07ZXL2GWY/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_7

    Ryen Lesli’s Website: https://ryenlesli.com/

    Evelyn Chartres’ Website: http://evelynchartres.com/

    Ari Meghlen’s Website: https://arimeghlen.co.uk/

     

    The Jealousy of Jalice (A Disaster of Dokojin Book 1) by Jesse Nolan Bailey

    The Realms have split apart, the Stones of Elation have been hidden, and warnings of dokojin drift among the tribes.

    The land and its people are corrupted. The Sachem, chief of the Unified Tribes, is to blame.

    It is this conviction that drives Annilasia and Delilee to risk their lives. Afraid of the aether magic he wields, they enact a subtler scheme: kidnap his wife. In her place, Delilee will pretend to be the chieftess and spy on the Sachem.

    Unaware of this plot against her husband, Jalice is whisked away by Annilasia. Pleading with her captor proves futile, and she rejects Annilasia’s delusional accusations against the chief. After all, the Sachem has brought peace to the land.

    Yet a dangerous truth hides in Jalice’s past. As she and Annilasia flee through a forest of insidious threats, they must confront the evil plaguing the tribes and the events that unleashed it.

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085BCZDT5

    Jesse’s Weblinks: https://linktr.ee/JesseNBailey

     

     

     

     

     

    Buried Alive: A Story of Hate and Acceptance by A. James

    This remarkable true story of adolescent sexual abuse, survival and triumph offers realistic hope to all victims of abuse – both for recovery, and for a fulfilling life no longer defined by an abusive past. The author’s courageous struggle to achieve insight and awareness, and eventually see justice done, points a way for others to overcome childhood trauma and victimisation.

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TJSRWF

    A. James’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajames_buriedalive/

     

    The Ups and Downs of Norman Drudge by Iain Dalgleish

    A story of loneliness, friendship, love and a library.

    Twenty-five year old Gemma Davies lives alone in her flat in Ealing where she likes to read and watch old movies. On weekdays, she works at the local library and on Saturdays works at the nearby charity shop.

    Her only friend is recently widowed Mrs Dawson, a seventy-something-year-old pensioner who visits every Thursday on Gemma’s day off when they put the world to rights, drink tea from china cups, watch an old film or visit the nearby duck pond.

    Sitting in Gemma’s kitchen window, they become obsessed with a neighbour whose life seems to involve just looking out onto the street while drinking tea and eating biscuits. They nickname him ‘Norman Drudge.’

    When the local council decides that the library has to close, Gemma and Mrs Dawson hatch a plan to save it.

    Meanwhile, Gemma finds herself falling for the local shopkeeper, Mr Patel.

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Ups-Downs-Norman-Drudge-ebook/dp/B084VBR6XQ/

    Iain’s Twitter: https://www.amazon.com/Ups-Downs-Norman-Drudge-ebook/dp/B084VBR6XQ/

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Elowyn of Avalon: Tales of Avalon: Chronicles of a Forgotten Land by Wallace R. Hanson

    Elowyn is an ordinary girl: studious, bright, and pious, an asset to her community and a willing volunteer to join the Youth of Promise, an elite group of ecclesiastical students. She leaves for her education and is trailed by her headstrong sister Windine, who is punished for her transgression with a secret quest in the Mother Land south of Avalon. Both sisters experience a swift and brutal crisis of faith due to corrupt leadership, aggrandized world views, and an introduction to a society and people they had been sheltered from. Elowyn finds herself gifted with enormous power she did not know she had within her and embarks on a worldwide ministry to inform the human race of their own divinity outside of the rule of heaven. Danger stirs in the west as Avalon’s sister country Atlantis mounts an attack on heaven itself led by Nimrod the Mighty Hunter, whose affront to the deities may mean the destruction of the entire world.

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087RC7LB6

    Wallace’s Website: http://www.wallacehanson.com/

    Atonement (Heaven Sent Book 1) by JL Rothstein

    To Hell, this world is fractured and faithless, perfectly ripe for the picking. Sent by Heaven, Guardians defend against a malevolent onslaught of demonic intrusion. For hundreds of years the nine siblings of the O’Mara family have been engaged in this merciless battle, fighting to protect the souls of all humanity.


    Heaven and Hell have been waging this infernal war bound only by the rules of a contentious accord. On the anniversary of her husband Gabriel’s disappearance, Genevieve O’Mara’s lingering sorrow manifests into a murderous rage unfurled upon a demon. Vengeance is coming, not just for Genevieve, but for all those she loves.

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088JZQ9LN/

    JL’s Website: https://www.jlrothstein.com/

     

     

     

     

    The Adulterer's Trial by Sam Anthony

    Everyone has a secret. How much would you pay to keep yours?

    Lee wakes from a coma to find himself on trial for double homicide.

    His lover is dead. His wife is dead. His lawyer is hot! His girlfriend is jealous.

    And, to make matters worse, the Alphabet Killer remains at large.

    Find out what ensues in this the fourth instalment of The Adulterer Series.

    Buy the Book

    UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088C5N42V

    US: https://amazon.com/dp/B088C5N42V

    Sam’s Website: https://samanthony.net/

    The Beloved Fire: The Beloved Series: Book 1 by Chelsii Klein

    Mikayla has been stalked by the supernatural all her life. They’ve waited patiently for her 21st birthday. When her one night of freedom goes wrong. Purgatory is where she is taken and she soon discovers the real identities of the dream walking twins, Blake and James. They aren’t her only problem. In her new captive realm she discovers the very real existence of Angels, Demons, and the Magical.

    Purgatory, a mansion filled with endless hallways and doors leading into any souls greatest nightmares, is ran by one irritatingly handsome Anock, Prince of Hell. Finding a way out may not be her only problem once she discovers why the supernatural is after her soul. She will have to put attractions aside if she’s to make it through this game. The world she never knew existed now lays at her feet. However; Purgatory is just the beginning.

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086H54JXY/

    Chelsii’s Website: https://www.authorchelsiiklein.com/

     

     

    Comments Off on 2020 New Titles – July 31st
  • Books

    2020 Book Boost – July 7th

    A new list of books for you today. These books are generally more for adults than kids this week! I still have several books to post. I’m going to be switching this up to Fridays. So the next post you’ll see from me on 2020 books will be on the 17th. 

    Little Book of Video Games by Melissa Brinks, Illustrated by Paulina Ganucheau
    Revisit your favorites, find something new, or play your way through this light-hearted guide to the most celebrated and iconic arcade, console, and computer games from the 1950s to the 2000s.
     
    An accessible, informative look at the history and evolution some of the most popular and iconic video games from their early beginnings up to the 2000s. Author Melissa Brinks explores each influential game and its impact on they would have on the games that would follow, with brief, engaging profiles and surprising trivia that is perfect for fans of all levels.
     

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Video-Games-Classics/dp/0762496576

    Melissa’s Website: https://melissabrinks.com/

    Paulina’s Website: https://paulinaganucheau.com/

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Sebastian the In-Between by Vanessa Dun

    Sebastian is an outsider bullied by everyone because he is very different than us. There has always been something off about him. His best friend is his overprotective mother, Samantha. She is all the family that he has, or so he thought. At the age of 13, he witnesses a gruesome murder by a supernatural being that no one else can see, but him. That night he learns of his abilities, about what he really is, and about his mother’s lies. As his world crumbles, Sebastian’s newfound gift quickly becomes a curse, when he realizes that he can’t control his growing powers. Especially when he almost kills his mother. Now he doesn’t know who to trust, especially himself, which forces him into hiding with a stranger, who is the only one that understands him, but has an evil past of her own. Sebastian realizes that he must evolve from a shy, newly angry outcast to a fierce warrior–or die trying. As an old enemy stays close in the shadows to exterminate him, and everyone in his bloodline. Everyone that is an In-Between.

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B086JTZH4K

    Vanessa’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/VanAspacia

    Touch of Pestilence Series by V.K. Pasanen 

    About The Accidental Healer: Mears County, Colorado, is locked down following deaths from an unknown biological agent. A mysterious woman rescued from a local lake appears to be the source. Now her rescuer, Ryan Mender, a descendant of a legendary Ute medicine man, finds himself and his family caught in a terrorist conspiracy. But more than that, he finds himself altered in ways he doesn’t understand.

    Visions of the woman’s past now haunt him. Compulsion to protect her consumes him. And dark thoughts and dreams of her strangle his sanity. What follows shakes reality to its core and sends Ryan, the woman, and everyone he loves on a collision course with Destiny and Death.

    Buy the Books: https://www.amazon.com/V-K-Pasanen/e/B084T85TX9/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

    V.K. Pasanen’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/PasanenVk 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Deviously Sincere (Demented Minds Collection Book 1) by Alayna Hallward

    The media has compared the FBI’s current serial killer to Jack the Ripper. Not because of the way he kills, but because he can evade law enforcement. This killer has an agenda, he believes his acts will purify women right down to their corrupt souls. While his work is well known, the FBI still cannot do anything. That is until Agent Tilda Wain decides to think outside of the box. The best way to catch a serial killer is to seek out the help of another. The only killer that can be of assistance is one that holds the same beliefs. Even though Hyde is their ideal helper, his views and time in the asylum make him unreliable. While Hyde does hate women, Tilda knows a way around such trivial matters. In her attempt to gain more information, Tilda soon finds herself in the line of fire. If she persists in her search, more than her honor will be lost.

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085VXYYZX/

    Alayna’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ahallward1

     

     

     

     

    Dreamland by Barry Z. Brunswick

    Eric now has to travel across Dreamland to find the other two Dream Queens and complete his training. The only trouble is, the Dark Lord Hermantrude and his Nightmares have a plan to take Dreamland before Eric’s training is complete. Will the boy’s biggest test be his last?

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B086JTZH4K

    Barry’s Website: https://imaginationgeneration.fun/

     

     

     

    Blurred Lines by Remy Marie

    Every great love story needs a beginning. This is theirs…

    Jake Johnson is running from his horrible past as a New Orleans police officer. He thinks starting fresh in Norfolk will get his mind off the mistake that still haunts him. Commended for his bravery in the field, Jake gets promoted to go undercover as a member of the Ragin Cajun MC to take down the notorious drug kingpin, DeAndre King.

    Aaliyah Washington’s life isn’t the best. She’s trapped in a low paying job and living in the projects of Norfolk. Her one beacon of hope is her best friend, Jada. However, when she losses her best friend in a drive by shooting, she vows revenge. After finding out the person who ordered the hit was her ex-boyfriend, DeAndre, she takes matters in her own hands to avenge her fallen friend.

    After the same ruthless criminal, the two cross paths. Unexpectedly, they are forced to share a bed together by the one person they’re both after. Little did they know that their one sensual night together will be the foundation of their powerful relationship. As their love builds, so does the tension from Jake’s secret of being a cop. Will this secret ruin their relationship before it has a change to begin? Or will their love overcome all obstacles?



    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088Y9MKJ5/

    Remy’s Website: https://remymarieromance.blogspot.com/

     

    Unsettled by Jennifer Mooney

    When things get difficult, the best thing is to run away from your problems. At least, that’s what Ainsley thought.
    It’s much harder to come back and face all of your demons.
    Coming back to Tennessee to handle some family issues was so much more than she expected. There were so many memories and then her first love in her space was enough to make her run again. There were also new friends that welcomed her with open arms and offered something that she’d been missing for so long.
    Would she make it here this time?
    Would the past be too much to bear?
    Could she find love underneath the scars on her heart?

    Jennifer lives in Northern California with her small family that includes a teenager and three cats. She has been writing her entire life in one form or another and this is her debut book.
    Thank you for reading!

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Unsettled-Jennifer-Mooney-ebook/dp/B087ZPYS2H 

    Jennifer’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/WritergirlJ

     

     

    The Dying Lamp by Shashank Singh

    As we advance as a civilization, we are in a state of perpetual regress as a culture and as a race. Tales of war, revolution, reminiscence, religious fanaticism bedeck this collection, as the author highlights the dehumanization of Man, who has been reduced to a being consumed by his vices, viz. gluttony, avarice and bloodlust.
    Has the lamp died out? Let us find out!

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088F2QHQD

    The Tattler: Cancelled by Chad Descoteaux

    The 3rd book in ‘The Tattler’ series…
    In just a few years, The Tattler has grown from a small print tabloid publication, reporting on strange phenomena few believed (aliens, Big Foot, unicorns etc.), into an online news streaming network. This is mostly thanks to Nikki Graves, the mastermind behind TTLR News. But also, because Earth has gotten much, much stranger since the invasion.
    A mysterious time traveler has been helping President Lee Finn hunt down monsters, made from a mineral that can repair the alien invaders’ home world. Barry Young has quit TTLR News to pursue a career in artsy photography, leaving Nikki with unresolved feelings. Will Barry and Nikki get back together? Will the aliens go home? And what of seductive, snake-haired media mogul Lenee Medusa, who wants to add both TTLR and Barry to her list of conquests?

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086HWJC3K

     

     

     

     

    A Fire That Whispers by Cully Mack

    War has begun, and the destined Voice of Thunder foretold to save the world is nowhere in sight.

    Mirah is an elemental wielder whose extraordinary magic has proved too powerful for the Immortal Watchers to ignore.

    Captured, they demand she destroys their portals. If she yields, it will trap her friends in the immortal realm forever.

    As shocking discoveries unfold, it forces Mirah further under her enemies’ control. Flames once thought dead arise and test the bonds of love and sacrifice.

    But not everyone once trusted is pure; not everyone once despised is vile… and Mirah must unravel the lies.

    One truth she knows: The Shadow Beast lurks beyond the portals. The Immortals dread its arrival, but is the Beast more of a danger to them or to herself?

    A Fire That Whispers is the third novel in the Voice that Thunders epic fantasy series wherein hope hides in the darkest of places and honour-bound promises seal your fate.

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0847ND935

    Cully’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/CullyMack

    Comments Off on 2020 Book Boost – July 7th
  • Books,  Spring into Writing

    Black Lives Matter

    In Support of Black Lives Matter I’m posting about books by Black authors/illustrators. (I will be posting the rest of the books on my list later.) Right now Black creators need our support. This list are books I’d like to read and are mostly 2020 releases. There are so many more new books out there this year so follow these people on Twitter, because they are constantly posting great Black reads this year!

    The first book is by Kacen Callender is about and written by a trans Black person. Recently the trans community received a big hit by JKR’s comments on Twitter. This isn’t right and it’s caused a lot of pain. I want to show my support, respect and love to trans people! 

    ————

    On My TBR Pile

    Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender (Queer, Trans, Romance, YA)

    Felix Love has never been in love–and, yes, he’s painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it’s like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. What’s worse is that, even though he is proud of his identity, Felix also secretly fears that he’s one marginalization too many–Black, queer, and transgender–to ever get his own happily-ever-after.

    When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages–after publicly posting Felix’s deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned–Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. What he didn’t count on: his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi-love triangle….

    But as he navigates his complicated feelings, Felix begins a journey of questioning and self-discovery that helps redefine his most important relationship: how he feels about himself.

    Felix Ever After is an honest and layered story about identity, falling in love, and recognizing the love you deserve.

    Buy The Book: https://bookshop.org/books/felix-ever-after/9780062820259

    Kacen’s Website: https://www.kacencallender.com/

    Kacen’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/kacencallender

     

     

     

     

    The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow (Sci-fi, YA)

    Two years ago, a misunderstanding between the leaders of Earth and the invading Ilori resulted in the deaths of one-third of the world’s population.

    Today, seventeen-year-old Ellie Baker survives in an Ilori-controlled center in New York City. With humans deemed dangerously volatile because of their initial reaction to the invasion, emotional expression can be grounds for execution. Music, art and books are illegal, but Ellie still keeps a secret library.

    When young Ilori commander M0Rr1S finds Ellie’s library, he’s duty-bound to deliver her for execution. The trouble is, he finds himself drawn to human music and in desperate need of more.

    Humanity’s fate rests in the hands of an alien Ellie should fear, but M0Rr1S has a potential solution–thousands of miles away. The two embark on a wild and dangerous journey with a bag of books and their favorite albums, all the while creating a story and a song of their own that just might save them both.

    Get the Book: Signed + Swag: https://www.onemorepagebooks.com/book/9781335911551

    For more places to buy the book go here: https://twitter.com/alechiawrites/status/1238622395856019456

    Alechia’s Website: https://www.alechiadow.com/

    Alechia’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/alechiawrites

    Given by Nandi Taylor (Fantasy, YA)

    As a princess of the Yirba, Yenni is all-but-engaged to the prince of a neighboring tribe. She knows it’s her duty to ensure peace for her people, but as her father’s stubborn illness steadily worsens, she sets out on a sacred journey to the empire of Cresh, determined to find a way to save him at any cost, even though failure could mean the wrath of her gods and ruin for her people. One further complication? On the day she arrives at the Prevan Academy for Battle and Magical Arts, she meets an arrogant dragon-shifter named Weysh who claims she’s his “Given”, or destined mate. Muscular, beautiful (and completely infuriating), he’s exactly the kind of distraction Yenni can’t afford while her father’s life hangs in the balance.

    But while Yenni would like nothing more than to toss Weysh the man into the nearest river, Weysh the dragon quickly becomes a much-needed friend in the confusing northern empire. Yet when her affection for the dragon starts to transfer to the man, Yenni must reconcile her duty to her tribe with the call of her own heart.

    Buy The Book: https://hypel.ink/given

    Nandi’s Website: https://nanditaylor.com/

    Nandi’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/nandi_taylor

     

    You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson (Queer, Romance, YA)

    Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it’s okay — Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

    But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz’s plans come crashing down… until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen. There’s nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.

    The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She’s smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams—or make them come true?

    Buy The Book: https://linktr.ee/byleahjohnson

    Leah’s Website: https://www.byleahjohnson.com/

    Leah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/byleahjohnson

    A Song Below Water by Bethany Morrow (Fantasy, YA)

    Tavia is already at odds with the world, forced to keep her siren identity under wraps in a society that wants to keep her kind under lock and key. Nevermind she’s also stuck in Portland, Oregon, a city with only a handful of black folk and even fewer of those with magical powers. At least she has her bestie Effie by her side as they tackle high school drama, family secrets, and unrequited crushes. But everything changes in the aftermath of a siren murder trial that rocks the nation; the girls’ favorite Internet fashion icon reveals she’s also a siren, and the news rips through their community. Tensions escalate when Effie starts being haunted by demons from her past, and Tavia accidentally lets out her magical voice during a police stop. No secret seems safe anymore―soon Portland won’t be either.

    Buy the Book: https://bookshop.org/books/a-song-below-water/9781250315328?aid=4807

    Bethany’s Website: https://www.bethanycmorrow.com/

    Bethany’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCMorrow 

     

    A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown (Fantasy, YA)

    In a world inspired by West and North African mythology, where magic and spirits lurk behind every corner, two teens on opposite sides of a thousand-year-old conflict must kill each other to save the ones they love —even if it means fighting the blossoming connection that ties them together.

    An explosive new Young Adult Fantasy novel by Roseanne A. Brown, perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone and Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes!

    Buy The Book: 

    Signed copy of the book: https://bookswithapast.com/home/bookdetailsin/0062891499

    Other places to get the book: https://roseanneabrown.com/books

    Rosanne’s Website: https://roseanneabrown.com/

    Rosanne’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosiesrambles

    The Gilded Ones by Namia Forna (Fantasy, YA)

    Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

    But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

    Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki–near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire’s greatest threat.

    Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she’s ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be–not even Deka herself.

    Buy the Book: https://www.getunderlined.com/books/600179/the-gilded-ones-by-namina-forna/

    Namia’s Website: https://naminaforna.com/

    Namia’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaminaForna

     

     

     

     

     

    Manifique Noir by Briana Lawerence (Fantasy Graphic Novel)

    “It’s all fun and games until you question the magic.”

    Our favorite magical girl squad is back for their regularly scheduled program.

    Kind of.

    After the last colossal battle, Marianna, Bree, and Lonnie are trying their best to recover, but the daily monsters don’t give a lick about self-doubt and personal struggles. Fortunately, Prism Pink is there to lend a hand, turning the trio into a courageous group of girls who can take on whatever threat comes their way.There’s just one problem: they still don’t know who Prism Pink is or where she came from.

    In fact, where did any of this come from?

    The monsters. The magical powers. What does any of it mean? It’s time to start getting answers, but are the girls ready to hear the truth? Knowledge is power, as they say, but power is fickle and can be corrupted so easily. After all, Blaze never said what happened to the previous generation of magnifiqueNOIR, did she? 

    Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0999398326

    Signed Copy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/706866544/magnifiquenoir-you-are-magical-book-2

    Magnifique Noir Website: http://www.magnifiquenoir.com/

    Brianna’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrichibiTweets

     

    Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett (Fiction, Queer, YA)

    Simone Garcia-Hampton is absolutely positive that having a crush is more dangerous than having HIV; after all, she’s got her viral load under control. Simone knows that her status isn’t a death sentence, as long as she remembers to take her medication and go to her doctor’s appointments, she can live a long, healthy life. There’s just one problem: she wants to have sex. Badly.

    She knows abstinence is the safest policy, she’s heard it almost every day of her life from her sweet and well-meaning Dads, and up until now, she’s been able to handle it herself, but Miles Austin has ruined that. He’s hot! He plays lacrosse! He asks Simone about her favorite plays because of how it lights her face up! What’s a horny (but responsible) teenage girl to do!?

    Simone is already agonizing about how to tell Miles about her status, but she’s been burned before when she told people that she loved that she was positive—she even had to switch schools over it, leaving her boarding school when there was a huge public outcry from uneducated parents, not to mention a scarring shunning from the people she cared about most. She’s determined to keep her status a secret, but the cardinal rule of dating-while-positive is disclosure. Allowing herself to get close to Miles would be a gigantic risk.

    Before she’s able to figure out what to do, Simone finds a threatening note left in her locker: I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know, too.

    Buy the Book: https://www.camryngarrett.com/full-disclosure

    Camyrn’s Website: https://www.camryngarrett.com/

    Camyrn’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/dancingofpens

     

     

     

     

    Books I've Read and Love

     

     

     

    Clyde the Hippo: Clyde Goes to School by Keith Marantz, Illustrated by Larissa Marantz (Fiction, Picture Book)

    Meet Clyde, a lively (and often worried) hippo with a heart of gold who’s always eager to go on new adventures, in this fun-filled 8×8!

    Clyde can’t believe his mom is making him go to school. He has so much fun at home—what could a classroom possibly have to offer? As his mom lists all the activities he’ll get to do, Clyde only imagines the worst possible outcomes. He’s so caught up in what could go wrong that he’s determined to turn around and go home. But when he comes across his kind teacher and the butterfly habitat she’s carrying inside, it might just be enough to convince him to stay!

    Buy the Book/Clyde’s Website: http://www.clydethehippo.com/index.html

    Larissa’s Website: http://larissamarantz.com/index.html

    Larissa’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarissaMarantz

    Odd One Out by Nic Stone (Fiction, Queer, YA)

    Courtney Cooper and Jupiter Sanchez (Coop & Jupe!) have been next-door neighbors and best friends since they were seven-years-old. She’s his partner-in-crime and other half. But lately, Cooper can’t ignore he might want something more than friendship from Jupiter.

    When Rae Chin moves to town she can’t believe how lucky she is to find Coop and Jupe. Being the new kid is usually synonymous with pariah, but around these two, she finally feels like she belongs. She’s so grateful she wants to kiss him…and her.Jupiter has always liked girls.

    But when Rae starts dating Cooper, Jupe realizes that the only girl she ever really imagined by his side was her.


    One story. Three sides. No easy answers.

     

    Buy the Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/534051/odd-one-out-by-nic-stone/9781101939567/

    Nic’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/getnicced

    Nic’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicstone/

     

     

     

  • Books

    Odd One Out

    Nic Stone’s, “Odd One Out” isn’t what I expected. Mostly unexpected because when Matthew Winner talked with Nic about her book on his podcast I missed the part about the book being divided into three point of views. It threw me off, but the story is put together so well! Once I realized this it was fantastic, though I do want to hear more from each character’s POV. I have heard there will be a sequel! If you want to hear Matthew Winner’s Children’s Book Podcast #508 with Nic Stone go here: http://www.matthewcwinner.com/single-post/Nic-Stone

    Story

    There are three main characters in this story. They are Courtney, Rae and Juniper. Courney is a basketball player and off season cheerleader. He starts off the story and it’s soon revealed that he compares all girls he dates to Juniper. Rae loves word puzzles and becomes a flyer with a bit of help from Courney. She’s had a boyfriend in the past and is most likely straight, but that doesn’t stop Juniper from crushing on her. Juniper is confident and loves music. She is determined to only give the charms of her bracelet (each representing an intimate act) to the right girl. 

    OOO
    inside book

    The story has all the elements of an average love triangle in this book, but this is not your average love triangle. In your average love triangle A likes B, and B likes C and sometimes C likes A or B. In this love triangle Courtney likes Juniper. Juniper likes Rae. But does C like B, or A? Could B like A even though B just likes girls? There is a lot of questions characters ask themselves about their sexuality. The answers to these questions aren’t as clear as they might appear at the beginning of the book. While lots of things are explained, none of the answers feel set in stone at the end. 

    There is so much that Nic packed into one book. All of the characters are dealing with lots of different life issues outside of romance. I feel like each character goes through a full journey of self discovery that’s intertwined and also independent of the other characters. 

    The characters are all fully developed in this book. There are side characters that may seem shallow at first, but all of the side characters feel real. Nic Stone does an amazing job making the teens in the book feel like real teens and their actions make sense.  There were things in the book that made me scream at the book “DON’T DO THAT” and the characters don’t listen. Sex does happen. Bad things happen. “Odd One Out” is such a good read!

    I am overwhelmed with how much I liked this book. I wish I had books like this when I was younger. It’s definitely one of my MUST READ books for everyone. If you’ll excuse me I’m going to go order “Dear Martin” from my library.

    Buy the Book

    Buy the Book: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781101939567?aff=penguinrandom

    Nic Stone’s Website: http://www.nicstone.info/

    More about the book: https://www.getunderlined.com/books/534051/odd-one-out-by-nic-stone/

    If you can’t afford to buy this book consider leaving a review or requesting your library buy this book!

    book back