Blog Tour: The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand

Rating: 4 stars

Release Date: October 24, 2017

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: young adult contemporary

Format/Source: paperback, from the author

Status: standalone
Links: My Lady Jane blog tour, My Plain Jane blog tour

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as part of the blog tour, which was organized & hosted by Your Book Travels.

Summary:

On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she'd become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways.

She didn't.

And then she died.

Now she's stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge--as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past.

Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly's afterlife has been miserable.

But this year, everything is about to change. . . .

Epic Reads Epic Giveaway

I've been to several really cool author events in the past couple months, and you know what that means: it's time for a random giveaway just because I want to send someone a bunch of books! And since most of the events I've gone to have been signings with HarperCollins authors, you're getting an epic Epic Reads prize pack!

The Prize:

Heart of Thorns - Bree Barton (signed)

Two Dark Reigns - Kendare Blake (signed)
My Plain Jane - Lady Janies

The Towering Sky - Katharine McGee (signed)

As She Ascends - Jodi Meadows

These Rebel Waves - Sara Raasch (signed)

Epic Reads tote bag

View this post on Instagram

Happy Wednesday, friends! I've been lucky to attend a bunch of awesome signings lately & I want to share some of those books with one of you! So head over to my blog (link in bio) & enter to win all these books & this awesome tote bag. Everyone gets a free entry & if you're following me here on IG, that's another! . QOTD: which author or authors are you dying to meet irl? . . . . #bookgiveaway #giveaway #bookish #bookstagram #instabook #bookblogger #bookdragon #bookaholic #bookworm #ilovebooks #readerlife #epicreads #harperteen #balzerandbray #katherinetegenbooks #myplainjane #AsSheAscends #theserebelwaves #twodarkreigns #thetoweringsky #heartofthorns #idratherbereading

A post shared by Mary Had a Little Book Blog (@knoxdiver) on Sep 12, 2018 at 8:02am PDT

The Deets:

One winner will receive all the books above. Open to US. Entrants must be 13+ with parents' permission. Giveaway is open until 12 AM CST October 1. Please enter via Rafflecopter below; winner will be chosen at random, and odds are determined by number of entries. I reserve the right to disqualify any entries that are not in accordance with my giveaway policies as stated in the Review & Site Policies tab at the top of the page. Good luck!

BTW this giveaway is NOT affiliated with HarperCollins & Epic Reads. I just named it that because all the books I have are Harper books. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour & Giveaway: My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, & Jodi Meadows

Today I'm giving the My Plain Jane blog tour an epic (and ghostly) sendoff! Check out my list of the best ghosts and ghost hunters and enter to win a copy of the book. Don't forget to check out the other amazing & creative stops on the tour (Fashion! Food! Famous Janes! Ghost hunting tips! Reviews! Gift guide!), and don't forget to enter to win a My Plain Jane prize pack on Instagram. Details below!

Release Date: June 26, 2018

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: young adult historical/paranormal romance

Format/Source: ARC, from the publisher

Status: Book 2 of the Jane companion series
(the books aren't connected in any way, but they're still the Jane series)

Links: My Lady Jane blog tour

Summary:

Move over, Charlotte Brontë. The authors of the New York Times bestselling My Lady Jane are back with an irreverent spin on Jane Eyre—a tale of mischief, romance, and supernatural mayhem perfect for fans of The Princess Bride or A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.

You may think you know the story. Penniless orphan Jane Eyre begins a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester—and, Reader, she marries him. Or does she?

Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Bronte, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.

Waiting on Wednesday: Allied by Amy Tintera

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Allied
Ruined #3

by Amy Tintera

Coming May 1, 2018

HarperTeen

Summary:

In the final book in the New York Times bestselling Ruined series, the romance of The Selection and the epic stakes of Red Queen come together in a story of revenge, adventure, and unexpected love.

Emelina Flores and her sister, Olivia, were determined to bring peace to the people of Ruina. But as the war for liberation raged on, what triumph and freedom meant to Em and Olivia slowly changed. As Olivia’s violence and thirst for vengeance became her only ambition, Em was left to pick up the pieces.

But it’s not only Em who is upset by Olivia’s increased violence. Other members of the Ruined army are beginning to see the cracks, and soon a small group of them defects from Olivia’s army and joins Em instead. The two sisters are soon pitted against each other in an epic battle for the kingdom and the future, and only one will win.

Why I want it:

So Avenged really destroyed my feels, and I need the final book immediately, please and thank you.

Why I think you should want it:

Since this is the last book in a series, I'll say why I think you should read the Ruined trilogy as a whole. First of all, Ruined is filled with all these really powerful women. Powerful queens (as in plural) and badass princesses (as in plural) literally rule this series. Sure, there's kings and princes, but DANG, the girls are boss. Secondly, along that vein, Amy created a world where sexual assault is just not a thing! Sure, people might try to behead you, but there's no sexual violence, and I love that. Third, tons of amazing action and lots of cool magic. Fourth, KISSING. Fifth, political twisty-ness! And it's easy to see how the action changes the political landscape. Each move the main characters makes directly affects the world of Ruined, the story isn't removed from each country's history and culture, which I like. Finally, the series is just really face-paced and fun. You'll get sucked in super fast, and you won't be able to catch your breath until you finish each book, and even then, you'll only catch it long enough to yell, "WHYYYYYYY" before diving into the next installment.

Review + Giveaway: Avenged by Amy Tintera

Rating: 4 stars

Release Date: May 2, 2017

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: young adult fantasy

Format/Source: ARC, ALA mw

Status: book 2 of the Ruined trilogy

Summary:

In the sequel to Ruined, the romance of The Selection and the epic stakes of Red Queen come together in a story of revenge, adventure, and unexpected love.

Emelina Flores has come home to Ruina. After rescuing her sister Olivia from imprisonment in rival kingdom Lera, Em and Olivia together vow to rebuild Ruina to its former glory. 

But their fight has only begun. Olivia is determined to destroy everyone who acts against Ruina, but Em isn’t as sure. Ever since Em posed as Prince Casimir’s betrothed in Lera, she’s started to see another side to this war. And now that Cas has taken the throne, Em believes a truce is within reach. But Olivia suspects that Em’s romantic feelings for Cas are just coloring her judgement.


Em is determined to bring peace to her home. But when winning the war could mean betraying her family, Em faces an impossible choice between loyalty and love. Em must stay one step ahead of her enemies—and her blood—before she’s the next victim in this battle for sovereignty.

Review: Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra & Dhonielle Clayton

Rating: 4 stars

Pub Date: May 2016, 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: young adult contemporary thriller

Format/Source: hardcover, my own copy

Status: book 1 of the Tiny Pretty Things duology

Summary:

Gigi, Bette, and June, three top students at an exclusive Manhattan ballet school, have seen their fair share of drama. Free-spirited new girl Gigi just wants to dance—but the very act might kill her. Privileged New Yorker Bette's desire to escape the shadow of her ballet star sister brings out a dangerous edge in her. And perfectionist June needs to land a lead role this year or her controlling mother will put an end to her dancing dreams forever. When every dancer is both friend and foe, the girls will sacrifice, manipulate, and backstab to be the best of the best.

Blog Tour: My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows

Rating: 4.5 stars

Pub Date: June 7, 2017

Publisher: Harper Teen

Genre: young adult historical romance/humor/fantasy

Status: standalone (I'm pretty sure)

Summary:

The comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey. In My Lady Jane, coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride, featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help.

At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Jane gets to be Queen of England.

Like that could go wrong.

Blog Tour: Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes

Rating: 5 stars

Pub Date: May 17, 2016

Publisher: Harper Teen

Genre: young adult contemporary romance, realistic fiction

Format/Source: ARC, from the author

Status: standalone

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as part of the blog tour, which was organized & hosted by Irish Banana Tours. 

Summary:

Maguire is bad luck.

No matter how many charms she buys off the internet or good luck rituals she performs each morning, horrible things happen when Maguire is around. Like that time the rollercoaster jumped off its tracks. Or the time the house next door caught on fire. Or that time her brother, father, and uncle were all killed in a car crash—and Maguire walked away with barely a scratch.

It’s safest for Maguire to hide out in her room, where she can cause less damage and avoid meeting new people who she could hurt. But then she meets Jordy, an aspiring tennis star. Jordy is confident, talented, and lucky, and he’s convinced he can help Maguire break her unlucky streak. Maguire knows that the best thing she can do for Jordy is to stay away. But it turns out staying away is harder than she thought.

From author Paula Stokes comes a funny and poignant novel about accepting the past, embracing the future, and learning to make your own luck.

Waiting on Wednesday: A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

We Can Work It Out
Firebird #1

by Claudia Gray

Coming November 4, 2014

Harper Teen

Summary:

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.

Why I Want It:

Is it an Elizabeth Eulberg novel? Yes? I want it. End of story. But is it a sequel? Yes? To The Lonely Hearts Club?!

Why I think you should want it:

The first reason I ever picked up The Lonely Hearts Club is because of its darling title and cover. I saw it across a Barnes & Noble and fell in love. The premise had me hooked! So naturally, I took myself across the street and bought it at Borders (#neverforget). And thus started my love affair with Elizabeth Eulberg's books. In 2012, months before I started blogging, Elizabeth was one of the first authors I ever met at a signing, and she was so incredibly lovely. Seriously, SO NICE. But it's because of her sweet and fun novels that I even went to that signing. All of Elizabeth's novels explore some interesting facet of romance, and The Lonely Hearts Club explored the single ladies part. It's all about girls being empowered by their singledom, but then also learning to be okay with friends' relationships. It's about the balance between friendship maintenance and crushes and dates and boyfriends. I love that! We Can Work It Out promises to be full of the feels as it goes deeper into these themes (I am simultaneously anticipating and dreading the drama!)!

Bonus:

In April, I finally got to see Elizabeth again at TLA, and this time, I went prepared with extra books to be signed! One lucky winner will received a signed copy of The Lonely Hearts Club, the book that started it all! Open to US and Canada.

Blog Tour: Remember Me by Romily Bernard

Rating: 4 stars

Pub Date: September 23, 2014

Publisher: Harper Teen

Genre: young adult contemporary thriller (with a touch of romance, duh)

Format/Source: DRC, Edelweiss

Status: Book 2 of the Find Me/Wick Tate series

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as part of the blog tour, which was organized & hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. The full tour schedule can be found HERE. Please go give my fellow tour hosts some love!

Summary:

In the sequel to Find Me, Wick Tate, sarcastic teen hacker, is back and once again dealing with criminals and corrupt cops…and a brooding new love interest. Will Wick persevere when some secrets refuse to stay hidden?

Wick had thought her troubles were over.

But she should’ve known better.

Not only is she embroiled in a new murder case, which starts with a body with “Remember Me” carved into it and doesn’t stop there, but she also discovers new evidence surrounding her mother’s suicide…which leads her right back to her imprisoned deadbeat dad. And she has to deal with her flirty new hacker friend, Milo, sniffing around—which her boyfriend, Griff, isn’t too happy about.

The pressure might be too much as secrets—including Wick’s own—climb to the surface.

Blog Tour: Don't Touch by Rachel Wilson

Pub Date: September 2, 2014

Publisher: Harper Teen

Genre: young adult contemporary, realistic fiction

Status: standalone

Summary: Step on a crack, break your mother's back,
Touch another person's skin, and Dad's gone for good . . .

Caddie has a history of magical thinking—of playing games in her head to cope with her surroundings—but it's never been this bad before.

When her parents split up, Don't touch becomes Caddie's mantra. Maybe if she keeps from touching another person's skin, Dad will come home. She knows it doesn't make sense, but her games have never been logical. Soon, despite Alabama's humidity, she's covering every inch of her skin and wearing evening gloves to school.

And that's where things get tricky. Even though Caddie's the new girl, it's hard to pass off her compulsions as artistic quirks. Friends notice things. Her drama class is all about interacting with her scene partners, especially Peter, who's auditioning for the role of Hamlet. Caddie desperately wants to play Ophelia, but if she does, she'll have to touch Peter . . . and kiss him. Part of Caddie would love nothing more than to kiss Peter—but the other part isn't sure she's brave enough to let herself fall.

From rising star Rachel M. Wilson comes a powerful, moving debut novel of the friendship and love that are there for us, if only we'll let them in.

Book Buy Links:

   

Advance praise for Don't Touch

“Don’t Touch is fiercely compelling, darkly funny, and hums like a high tension wire with energy.”
— Tim Wynne-Jones, author of Blink & Caution

“A tender love story about the beauty and the risk of showing someone who you really are.”
— Nina LaCour, author of Hold Still and The Disenchantments

Follow the Tour:

Click on the banner to check out all the stops on the Don't Touch blog tour including reviews, guest posts, Q&As with Rachel, playlists, and more!

About the Author:

Rachel M. Wilson is the author of the contemporary YA, DON'T TOUCH, forthcoming from HarperTeen, Sep. 2, 2014.

She graduated from Northwestern University and holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Rachel grew up in Birmingham, AL, and she currently writes, acts, and teaches in Chicago, IL.

Author Links:

  

Giveaway: 

1 signed hardcover of Don't Touch + Caddie's evening gloves

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Waiting on Wednesday: Sophie Jordan double feature!

I missed last week's WoW due to a nasty case of the flu so today, I'm doubling up on one of my favorite authors who has two awesome books I can't wait to read!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Unleashed
Uninvited #2

by Sophie Jordan

Coming February 24, 2015

Harper Teen

Summary:

What if the worst thing you ever did was unforgivable?

Davy’s world fell apart after she tested positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome. She was expelled from her school, dumped by her boyfriend, abandoned by friends, and shipped off to a camp that turns HTS carriers into soldiers. Davy may have escaped, but the damage has already been done. The unthinkable has happened. Now, even worse than having everyone else see her as a monster is the knowledge that they may have been right about her all along. Because Davy has killed.

On the run from government agents, Davy is rescued by Caden, the charismatic leader of an underground group of rebels. Despite Caden’s assurances that the Resistance is made up of carriers like her, Davy isn’t sure she can trust them. Then again, she doesn’t even know if she can trust herself . . . or her growing feelings for Caden. But if she doesn’t belong with Caden and his followers, is there anywhere she can call home?

Why I want it:

I loved how unique Sophie's concept is, and her execution is even better! As this was my first Sophie Jordan novel, I had no expectations going in. With Uneashed, I definitely have expectations, but I also know that Sophie can deliver! Plus, since Sophie's a Texas author, I've had the opportunity to really get to know her this year at a variety of different events. She's a great author and has also become a good friend.

Why I think you should want it:

I think the summary of Unleashed is misleading because it completely ignores Sean. Sean, who spent all of February starring in my dreams.... Oh, right, this is supposed to be why YOU should want to read Unleashed. Well, Sean. Sean's abs (which are supposed to be on prominent display for the first 30 or so pages of Unleashed). Also Davy who, despite being kinda spoiled at the beginning and kinda clueless sometimes and a piano prodigy and oh, yeah, might have a killing gene and all that, is extremely relatable. She's someone I sympathize AND empathize with, which is important at least to me. Combine the very well-rounded and dynamic characters with Sophie's flair for storytelling, a unique premise, and a solid world full of real details that keep everything grounded, and you've got a great book. Can't wait!

----------

Wild
Ivy Chronicles #3

by Sophie Jordan

Coming November 18, 2014

William Morrow

Summary:

A good girl goes fabulously bad in the final book in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s sexy New Adult romance series, in which three Ivy League suite-mates seek higher knowledge of just how far they can go.

Months after her boyfriend dumped her, Georgia can still hear the insults he hurled at her. Boring. Predictable. Tame. Tired of feeling bad, she’s ready to change her image, and go a little wild. What better way to prove her ex wrong than a hot night of sexual adventure at the secret campus kink club?

In the shadowy den of the kink club, she unexpectedly runs into Logan Mulvaney, her friend’s little brother. A player extraordinaire too hot for his own good, he may be younger, but the guy is light years ahead when it comes to sexual experience. Now he’s telling her to go home—“good girls” don’t belong here!

Georgia is tired of having others define her. She’s going to teach Logan a lesson he won’t forget—one white hot, mind-wrecking kiss . . . that leads to another . . . and another . . . and. . . . Realizing she’s way in over her head, Georgia runs.

Only Logan won’t let her go. Everywhere she goes he’s there, making her want every inch of him. Making her forget who she is. Who he is. And just how wrong they are for each other.

Why I want it:

I also want Wild for the same reasons I want Unleashed; Sophie's talented and a friend. However, I also want Wild because she drove me wild with Foreplay and Tease. I'm in my 20s, and while I love ya and will always read it, sometimes I also want characters who are dealing with adult things like I am. I may not be in college anymore, but I still strongly identify with the struggles that Pepper, Hunter, Reece, Emerson, Shaw, Georgia, and Logan are dealing with. I'm particularly excited about Wild because I'm still dealing with a bad previous break-up, and I think I'm really going to relate to Georgia's story.

Why I think you should want it:

I haven't read any of Sophie's straight-up romance novels, but I can tell she's good. Really good. Passion is at the heart of the Ivy Chronicles with a huge helping of sexual tension on the side. Sophie is great at demonstrating beautiful moments of both physical and emotional intimacy, and even the scenes that aren't, um, direct portrayals of smexy times are sexy, sweet, steamy and everything in between. When even Hunter's novella "Crash" (part of the Fifty First Times anthology) makes me crave more of this series, I know I'm hooked. The Ivy Chronicles is a series with something for everyone, and I really think Wild is going to be the best yet!

Will you be reading either Unleashed or Wild? Share your thoughts and your picks for today's WoW in the comments!

 

Cover Reveal: Unleashed by Sophie Jordan

You guys. I am SO HAPPY to help my good friend Sophie Jordan reveal the cover of Unleashed, which is the highly-anticipated sequel to the AH-MAZING Uninvited. Uninvited is one of my top reads for the year so far, and I can't wait to see what happens next! Also, Sean shirtless. Sophie has promised me that Sean is shirtless for a significant portion of Unleashed (or at least the beginning), and I greatly look forward to that beautiful imaginary sight! :D And now, the moment you've all been waiting for:

Unleashed

Uninvited #2
by Sophie Jordan

February 24, 2015

Harper Teen

 

Summary:

What if the worst thing you ever did was unforgivable?

Davy’s world fell apart after she tested positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome. She was expelled from her school, dumped by her boyfriend, abandoned by friends, and shipped off to a camp that turns HTS carriers into soldiers. Davy may have escaped, but the damage has already been done. The unthinkable has happened. Now, even worse than having everyone else see her as a monster is the knowledge that they may have been right about her all along. Because Davy has killed.

On the run from government agents, Davy is rescued by Caden, the charismatic leader of an underground group of rebels. Despite Caden’s assurances that the Resistance is made up of carriers like her, Davy isn’t sure she can trust them. Then again, she doesn’t even know if she can trust herself . . . or her growing feelings for Caden. But if she doesn’t belong with Caden and his followers, is there anywhere she can call home?

Teaser:

I thought being labeled a killer and losing everything—my future, family, boyfriend, friends—was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. It’s not. Finding out they were right. Finding out that’s exactly what I am?

That’s worse.

Pre-Order Links:

 

This cover is so perfect! I loved Uninvited, and I really can't wait until Unleashed is finally in my hands. What do you think? Leave your comments on the cover and the series below!

Davy's story starts by being Uninvited!

Pub Date: February 25, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: young adult paranormal (gargoyles & demons!) romance

Summary: The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

Available from:

   

About the Author

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Avon historical romances. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows. Sophie also writes paranormal romances under the name Sharie Kohler.

Author Links: