Monthly Wrap-Up: October 2016

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oct16monthly-wrapupFall is flying by! In Central FL, it’s finally cool enough to walk to your car without breaking a sweat. I’m gearing up to go to YALLFEST in Charleston next month, so I’m super excited about that. I’m sure I’ll be tweeting and will write up a post about my experience there afterward. If you’re going to be there, leave me a comment! I’d love to meet up.

This month, I received a few more books in the mail. Actually, I’m kind of cheating here, because I received Every Exquisite Thing and The Secret of Goldenrod a couple of months ago and somehow they never made it into my calendar of books for review. So I’m including them … Continue reading →

My Steampunk Book Fairy Costume

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For my birthday this year, my mom surprised me with something incredible. She made a costume for me! Not only is it a pretty freaking awesome outfit, she also incorporated some of the authors and stories that most inspire me, and even a reference to my own recently completed manuscript. So today I’m going to show off my spectacular gift and talk a little about each piece.

Newsboy Cap and Steampunk Goggles

Book Fairy Steampunk Goggles

We already had the newsboy cap, but the steampunk goggles are made using this tutorial from Dark Revette. I love the gears and chains on the sides of them.

Steampunk Story Choker Necklace

Book Fairy Steampunk Choker Necklace Continue reading →

Review: Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon

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bone-sparrowBone Sparrow
Zana Fraillon
Disney-Hyperion
Available November 1, 2016

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Every night, Subhi slips out of the compound in the refugee camp and finds the treasures he believes the magical Night Sea brings him from his far away father. Every morning he shows the gifts to his mother, now barely responsive. Subhi has only known life within the fences of the permanent detention center. Up the hill from the center lives a girl named Jimmie who bears her own grief. She comforts herself with her mother’s necklace pendant, a sparrow carved from bone. She meets Subhi, and begs him to read her mother’s journal to her. Subhi shares the pages, filled with stories and songs … Continue reading →

Review: Ghost Maven by Tony Lee Moral

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Ghost Maven by Tony Lee MoralGhost Maven
Tony Lee Moral
Saturn’s Moon Press
Available October 3, 2016

Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

After Alice’s mom dies, Alice, her sister, and her dad move to Monterey, California. There Alice tries to confront her fear of water by kayaking in the bay. A sudden storm drags her out to sea, and a mysterious boy rescues her. Alice can’t stop thinking about Henry, the young sailor who came to her rescue. Then she learns that Henry has been dead for over one hundred years, bound by a curse which can only be undone when he atones for wrongs he committed in his life. Henry warns her that their love … Continue reading →

Top Ten Movies, Songs, and Stories that Inspired The Rift Uprising by Amy S. Foster

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Author Amy S. Foster joins me today to talk about what inspired her to write The Rift Uprising, a new teen sci-fi that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats. I know I’m anxious to read it! Also, be sure you stop by the bottom of this post to enter for a chance to win one of three giveaway copies of The Rift Uprising! There are also links to the other blogs on the tour to check out and some other information about the book. First I’ll let Amy share with us the top ten movies, songs, and stories that inspired her to create her novel. Here’s the list…

Top Ten Movies, Songs and Stories that Inspired The Rift Uprising

1. Red Dawn (Movie)

2. Sliding Doors (Movie)

3. “2-1” by Imogene Heap (Song)

4. Legend by Marie Lu

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Review: The Friendship Experiment by Erin Teagan

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friendship-experimentThe Friendship Experiment
Erin Teagan
HMH Books for Young Readers
Available November 1, 2016

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Middle school isn’t at all what Maddie hoped it would be. Not when her best friend has changed schools. Not without the calm, sure presence of her grandfather. If only friendships were as simple, as reliable as science. Though she finds herself surrounded by new potential friends, Maddie can’t help but think about all the reasons those students are wrong or annoying. To cope with her losses, she writes Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in her journal. When Maddie’s new would-be friends read some of the SOPs that features how to escape them, they feel hurt and betrayed. Maddie realizes … Continue reading →