Castle of Sighs || It’s Release Day!

Hello Readers!

Apologies on my absence on the blog as of late. Life is CRAZY and I’m drowning in assignments these last few weeks haha. I may not get a writing post up Wednesday but I will try to get it up sometime this week 😀 But for now….It’s time for a release day celebration!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Castle of Sighs
(Forest of Whispers #2)
Author: Jennifer Murgia
Release Date: September 15th, 2015
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

SYNOPSIS:

In this sequel to FOREST OF WHISPERS, Some secrets cannot be kept—in life or in death. Months have passed since Rune has heard a single whisper from her long-dead mother, the great witch of Bavaria. But the absence of one evil has only made room for another.
After rightfully inheriting her ancestral home, Pyrmont Castle, Rune settles into a quiet life taking care of two orphans left in the wake of the terrible witch hunt that claimed dozens of lives in the nearby village. As the days grow colder, the castle’s secrets beckon and Rune finds herself roaming where no one has set foot in a long time. In the bowels of the fortress is a locked room full of memories that hang like cobwebs—shelves stacked with jars, strange specimens, putrid liquids, and scrolls of spells. Rune is undeniably drawn to what she finds there, and she begins to dabble in the possibilities of magic, hoping to find a cure for the strangeness overwhelming the castle.
As secrets unspool, the delicate thread of Rune’s world is threatened when she realizes the key may lie in the dark forest she once called home and the boy she thought she knew

BOOK LINKS

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

PRAISE FOR FOREST OF WHISPERS

“FOREST OF WHISPERS drew me in from the very first page! Rune is a capable and empathetic heroine who had me rooting for her from the start. Fans of witch and rune-lore will enjoy this darkly woven tale.” ~Amalie Howard, author of critically acclaimed Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kids’ INDIE NEXT title.

 

“NOT your average teenage witch! Jennifer Murgia’s FOREST OF WHISPERS is a dark, brooding mystery/thriller that captures the paranoid, plague-driven frenzy of 17th Century Europe with the speed and power of a galloping stallion. Rune, a 16-year old with formidable abilities that she herself can barely understand, must fight her own inner demons as well as what seems to be a whole world gone awry with bloodlust for her kind. This is a thrilling read.” ~ Molly Cochran, author of LEGACY & POISON

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Murgia writes moody fiction for teens—from paranormal fantasy (Angel Star, Lemniscate, The Bliss), to contemporary gut-punchers (Between These Lines). Her latest, Forest of Whispers, a 17th century historical mystery (about witches!) was a School Library Journal Fall 2014 HOT TITLE, and a 2014 Moonbeam Children’s Literature Award Winner. Look for the sequel,​Castle of Sighs, to hit shelves 9.15.15 from Spencer Hill Press. In 2012, Jennifer Co-Founded YA FEST with YA author/friend, Cyn Balog. She coordinates this unique annual festival, bringing teens and fellow Young Adult authors together at her hometown library in Easton, PA.

WEBSITE | EMAIL | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST

Publicity inquiries: brooke@spencerhillpress.com

GIVEAWAY

1 Winner will get a key necklace and special spell kit (US Only)

 

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Release Day Celebration and ARC Review|| The Sound of Diamonds

Hello Readers!

As I told you a while ago, I’m back with a review of such a wonderful book that releases today! YAY! And, because of that, before I start the review I must say this: HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, RACHELLE REA!

 

Cake for everyone to enjoy while you read the review!

 

So, remember a while ago, I mentioned how Heather Manning’s first book got me hooked on historical novels? Well, this book did something even better than get me hooked on a certain genre of books. The Sound of Diamonds fed my newfound addiction and I am very much okay with that!

 

The Sound of Diamonds is an AMAZING book, you guys! Like, you NEED this in your life.I just cannot deal! It’s too amazing!

 

*excuse me while I go cry over the beauty of this book*

In Reformation-era England, a converted rogue wants to restore his honor at whatever cost. Running from a tortured past, Dirk Godfrey knows he has only one chance at redemption.
An independent Catholic maiden seeking refuge in the Low Countries finds herself at the center of the Iconoclastic Fury. Jaded by tragedy, Gwyneth’s only hope of getting home is to trust the man she hates, and she soon discovers her poor vision is not the only thing that has been blinding her.
But the home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, will the saint and the sinner hold to hope…or be overcome?

*takes a deep breath so I can control my fangirling somewhat so this all makes sense*

Anyways. This book was absolutely amazing. I was instantly hooked and dragged right into the beautiful and amazing story.

What I loved most of all was how well Rachelle wrote Gwyneth’s struggle and the fight that went on in her mind as the journey went on. We were really shown how Gwyneth’s feelings towards the situation she finds herself in and towards other characters in the story and it all came out to be realistic and I really felt Gwyneth’s pain and her struggles. It was perfectly done.

While I’m here kind of tlaking about the characters, I must say that I LOVED them. Each character was unique and important and some were totally worthy of being fangirled over…I’m just sayin. (Oh how I want to give you all exact examples but it would ruin everything.)

As you might have gathered from the description, The Sound of Diamonds is set in the 1500s. At a time where, not only was the Reformation in full swing in Europe, but modern-day Holland was launching the Dutch Revolution because they no longer wanted to be ruled by Spain. The Sound of Diamonds starts right there in the turmoil of religious upheaval and political intrigue. The setting was amazing and I loved how within opening the book I was pulled right into the action of the story without fail. It is very rare I get into a story that quickly. Usually it takes me the first chapter to be completely hooked…but not with The Sound of Diamonds. With this book I was hooked within the first page.

Now, I can’t say I’ve been reading Historical Fiction for long..but I can say The Sound of Diamonds is my favourite Historical novel so far. I can also say that you also need a copy of this book right now.

And obviously, instead of stars, I must rate this book with Diamonds…I mean it’s fitting, is it not?

Happy Bookish Birthday to Sam Maggs || Fangirls Guide to the Galaxy Book Review

Hello Readers!

My book review is finally here! Today, I’m going to be reviewing Sam Maggs ‘The Fangirl’s Guide To The Galaxy’ since this lovely book released yesterday! I was going to post the review yesterday but didn’t finish by the time my family and I watched ‘The Flash’ cause homework took so long. (Sorry people but ‘The Flash’ is my favourite and I cannot miss a single episode!)

So, I must show you the book trailer for this wonderful book before we get started because it’s awesome.

Okay. Now that you’ve seen the book trailer, it’s time to review!

Fanfic, cosplay, cons, books, memes, podcasts, vlogs, OTPs and RPGs and MMOs and more—it’s never been a better time to be a girl geek. The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy is the ultimate handbook for ladies living the nerdy life, a fun and feminist take on the often male-dominated world of geekdom. With delightful illustrations and an unabashed love for all the in(ternet)s and outs of geek culture, this book is packed with tips, playthroughs, and cheat codes for everything from starting an online fan community to planning a convention visit to supporting fellow female geeks in the wild.

 

This book was…not what I expected. BUT I LOVED IT.

So, at first, I was worried it was going to have a very strong feminist view throughout the whole book. Now, before you all come charging at me with your pitchforks and torches and taking things the wrong way, let me explain. The reason I was worried about that was because there are just so many different points of view, opinions, and approaches to feminism that I really wasn’t sure what to think. But my worries were soon put to rest. Because….

THIS BOOK WAS SUPER FANTASTIC! Like so fantastic I underlined and highlighted the crap out of that book. Never once have I done that to a book but this book, there are highlights, underlines and sticky note bookmarked pages. (That’s how awesome it was people. So awesome that I actually UNDERLINED things in a book) Tons of quotable stuff or things I wanted to remember.

Want to know some awesome reasons that this book was so fantastic? Alright. Here is a list of why.

1. SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT.

I was so happy that someone brought up the topic of how the media protrays women and/or relationships in a bad way that so clearly hint at the relationships being abusive and the girls themselves being abused. (Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey were a couple examples given.)

 

2. Con Survival

This book provided lists of Comic Convention survival and all the things you will need and should take with you as well as rules for conventions, things you must check out at a con and cosplay tips.

 

3. Comic Convention List

Basically, this book is like the ultimate fangirl checklist. This book had a whole chapter on different kinds of conventions! You like Anime? Its got a list. YA Books? Its got a list. Comics and Videogames? Another list of conventions

 

 

4. How To Meet Fellow Nerds/Geeks

Not only have I found many awesome authors or actresses who are fellow fangirls to follow on Social Media BUT I was also provided with tips (for my anti-social little self) on where to find other fangirls/geeks like myself! Fun stuff right? ….Though. I didn’t see Go Teen Writers on the list for the writers category…Hmmm.

 

5. Tips for FanFic Writing

…or just writing in general.

This awesome list had different options for the feel of a story, setting and characters. It’s almost like a mix and match generator and I shall be using it for my writing.

 

Who Here Loves Strong Heroines?

I do! Thats for sure. Another awesome thing about this wonderful book is that there is a long list of many different heroines from anime, video games, comics, and movies. And get this. All these heroines are strong, kick-butt characters who are just plain old awesome.

 

So basically, this book is awesome. Think no one understands you as a Fangirl? Yeah. THINK AGAIN.

 

Soaring Through Stars RELEASE DAY CELEBRATION & GIVEAWAY

 

 

 

 

SOARING THROUGH STARS

Author: Rajdeep Paulus
Release Date: April 23^rd, 2015
Publisher: Birch House Press

SYNOPSIS:

“I live in the in between. Between holding on and letting go. Hurt clings to me. Hope teases me. Home. I can’t explain it, but sometimes, I just want to go home.”

Talia and Jesse Vanderbilt have escaped a childhood full of abuse, and when they have a chance to put their father behind bars, setbacks arise from every direction. The siblings can’t help but consider the option to walk away and move on with their lives.

Then someone unexpected brings his own secrets, forcing the Vanderbilt teens to revisit their pasts and rethink their plans. Through it all, Lagan and Talia’s Post-it love story blossoms, while Jesse and Summer hit roadblocks. 

From the award-winning author of Swimming Through Clouds and Seeing Through Stones comes a powerful story of freedom and belonging in this final book of the young adult trilogy that began with an invitation on a little Post-it note. 

BOOK LINKS

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25001605-soaring-through-stars?from_search=true&search_version=legacy

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Soaring-Through-Stars-Contemporary-Swimming/dp/0996180117/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429549858&sr=8-1&keywords=soaring+through+stars

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soaring-through-stars-rajdeep-paulus/1121760182?ean=9780996180115

 

PRAISE FOR SOARING THROUGH STARS

“Soaring through Stars is a beautiful, perfect ending to a truly exceptional series… Don’t miss this one.”
~USA Today’s HEA Blog, Serena Chase

“Rajdeep Paulus writes young adult fiction with a new kind of hero… compassionate at moments when it would be much easier to stand by and do nothing.”
~Amazon Author Success Story

“The Swimming Through Clouds series is an incredible story of the strength of true love and the power of courage. Talia, Lagan, and Jesse will sneak into your heart and stay there long after you read the last line.” ~Amalie Howard, bestselling IndieNext author of Alpha Goddess
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rajdeep Paulus is an Award-winning author of SwimmingThrough Clouds and Seeing Through Stones. Rajdeep studied English Literature at Northwestern and lives in New York with her Sunshine and four princesses.

Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, Amazon Author Page

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY!!!!

1 Winner wins Blue Swarovski crystal heart charm on silver chain (U.S. Residents Only)

1 Winner wins Paperbacks of the trilogy – THREE BOOKS (U.S. Residents Only)

3 Winners win Ebooks of Swimming Through Clouds (Book One)

Click the link to enter the giveaway!! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3cb06a6e293/