[Giveaway & Blog Hop] The Jingle Book Blog Hop

 

The Jingle Book Blog Hop

Happy holidays to you readers! For this Jingle Book Blog Hop (hosted by Fire and Ice Book Promos) I wasn't quite sure what to write that was Christmas related. I've never really been one to have the Christmas spirit or be excited for the holidays. Maybe that has something to do with growing up Catholic and having it shoved down my throat every year. 

But then I realize, one of my all time favorite family traditions was a Christmas one and I'm going to share it with you. 

I'll start off by saying that I started reading at a really early age. I somehow convinced my Dad to teach me to read at around 4 years old, before I even went to school. From there, I read everything I could get my hands on. Even to this day, I just love to learn. I would read shampoo bottles and soup can ingredients and junk mail and everything in between. 

Growing up, I only ever had one living grandparent and only one Christmas to go to each year. For our gifts each year, we got to choose one $20 gift card to any place of our choosing. Most of my cousins would choose places to get clothes or sporting goods stores. I've always been the youngest by more than 5 years and I was always a bit of a copier. But when it came to my Christmas gift, every year my grandmother would ask me what I wanted, and every year I would tell her the same thing: I was a gift card to Barnes & Noble. It was the only bookstore close to us. 

So even though I knew what I was getting in my little card each year, I would still be over the moon. It was the only time I was allowed to buy books for myself and I'd beg my mother to take me to the bookstore within days of getting the gift card for it. She would take me, and it would always be the last stop of the day. I'd sometimes spend hours deciding what to get and doing the math to see just how many I could take home. My wonderful mother would patiently wait the entire time without a word because I only got to do it once I year. 

And on the way home we would always stop and grandma's house so I could show her each book I picked out and what they were about. I was just so enthusiastic about getting new books I couldn't help but gush about what I was going to read first. Even to this day, my grandma and I share a special bond over books. I even recently taught her how to use her knew Kindle that she got a few Christmases ago, but she's decided to stick to real books.  I guess we know which side of the debate she landed on. 

I hope you all have a great holiday and enjoy the great prizes being offer on this blog hop. For mine, I'm offering any ebook you like (up to $10) for you to enjoy this holiday season.  

My Givaway

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Grandprize Giveaway

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[Giveaway & Blog Hop] Best of 2015

2015 was a good year for me. I read a ton of great books, moved into a new house and made some great new friends. So to celebrate the year, I've jumped on the Best of 2015 Giveaway Hop hosted by Bookhounds. There were two books this year that topped my list. Whoever wins this giveaway will get to chose which one they would like to receive of the two.

Ferran's Map (The Cat's Eye #4) by T.L. Shreffler

The bloodmage Volcrian is dead, but a new enemy lurks in the shadows. The Shade, a fanatical cult of demonic assassins, is trying to resurrect the Dark God and unleash His power back into the world. In their wake, a deadly plague is spreading across the land.

Sora and her companions are the only ones who know of the plague’s true source. As the disease spreads, Sora must journey to the City of Crowns to retrieve The Book of the Named, her only hope of stopping The Shade. She and her companions arrive just in time for the winter solstice festival, a notorious two-weeks of fine wines, grand parties and legendary debauchery. Sora must don the guise of a noblewoman and infiltrate the First Tier nobility to stop The Shade before it’s too late.

Meanwhile, the assassin Crash is confronted by a ghost from his past. As he uncovers more of the Shade’s plot, he finds himself face-to-face with his old Grandmaster, the one who both trained and betrayed him. Can Crash lay to rest his past, or will he succumb to his inner demon and rejoin the man who once made him a killer?

My reviews of the books in this series: Sora's Quest & Viper's Creed, Volcrian's Hunt, Ferran's Map



Chase the Dark (Steel & Stone #1) by Annette Marie

Piper Griffiths wants one thing in life: To become a Consul, a keeper of the peace between humans and daemons. There are precisely three obstacles in her way.The first is Lyre. Incubus. Hotter than hell and with a wicked streak to match. His greatest mission in life is to get Piper into bed and otherwise annoy the crap out of her. The second is Ash. Draconian. Powerful. Dangerous. He knows too much and reveals nothing. Also, disturbingly attractive — and scary. Did she mention scary?

The third is the Sahar Stone. Top secret magical weapon of mass destruction. Previously hidden in her Consulate until thieves broke in, went on a murder spree, and disappeared with the weapon.


And they left Piper to take the fall for their crimes.


Now she’s on the run, her dreams of becoming a Consul shattered and every daemon in the city gunning to kill her. She’s dead on her own, but there’s no one she can trust — no one except two entirely untrustworthy daemons... See problems one and two.

Piper Griffiths wants one thing in life: To become a Consul, a keeper of the peace between humans and daemons. There are precisely three obstacles in her way.

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[Blitz] Mystical

Mystical (Mystical, #1)

by Michael Weekly 

Release Date: December 8, 2015
Limitless Publishing
240 pages
 
Summary from Goodreads:

When Eliza Rose found out she was a witch, she thought she’d be casting spells…

However, it turns out Eliza is on her way to becoming a mystical assassin. But first she has to start college with her best friend Dawn Roberts and her feline familiar Jared. If you think college is stressful, try finding your best friend being seduced—nearly to death—by a venomous fairy. Something is horribly wrong, and Eliza must find out what it is.

Knowing who’s who in the Mystical world can be a burden—or save her life…

Murderous mermaids, seductive fairies, and manipulative elves are terrifying enough, but pure witches can become corrupt…and they’re the most dangerous creatures of all. Eliza struggles to discover the source of this chaos, but is repeatedly attacked—and saved by a shadowy figure. On a very personal note, Eliza must learn whether corruption is beginning to claim her mother.

Her strongest ally might be handsome, enigmatic Donovan—but he is hiding a shocking secret…

Donovan wants nothing to do with his old gang—not after the things they’d made him do. But when he meets Eliza, he’s both frustrated by her amateur skills and impressed by her emerging strength, and he feels compelled to help her grow into the assassin she’s meant to be.

Every answer has a price, and there are beings born to corrupt the pure.

Eliza fights to master her skills before it’s too late, while Donovan must determine whether Eliza can be saved…or if she must die to keep her out of the hands of those who would use her powers to reign over all of Mystical.


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Excerpt

 
I don’t know what caused me to not be afraid of falling to my death, but my reflexes were just dying to be used and enabled me to react swiftly. I see David’s fangs above me as he darts for my chest. I roll over as the sharp teeth pierce the stairway I was just at seconds before.

I cover my head with my purse to block his next attack. Venom seeps through my bag’s fabric. I side kick the monster’s body and proceed to climb down the staircase as fast as I can, but I trip over my heels and stumble down the steps.

I feel wetness around the knuckles of my fingers. The feeling burns and sizzles my skin. I glance at my hands and see David’s slender tongue around them. He tightens his grip and flings me off the handles I’m holding on to. I grunt as I land on my back with my head slamming into the metal underneath me.

He slams his thick tail through the air, aiming for my body. His tail begins to coil around my body, constricting me. I close my eyes and roll to my side. I am too slow and begin to choke from the intense pain he is causing me.

My dagger is on the ground next to me. I glance at my weapon and at David. Stacy is out of sight. She must have run away. I reach out for my weapon, managing to get it before he snaps my thin body. His venomous slobber falls down on the ground. Hi
s eyes are filled with corruption, evil, confusion, and anger. He watches my every m
ove. Then he releases me and swings his tail, breaking another piece off the stairs.

I feel like we’re going to fall and he’s breaking the staircase on purpose. He might survive this, but I know I won’t, so I need to stop his plan. I twirl my dagger between my fingers. My bushy hair flows behind me as I run.

I dive for him, aiming for his throat.

His sharp tail wraps around my sides and holds me in the air. He makes a sound as if he is laughing. I grunt in pain as he holds me. My eyes are burning. I
smell David’s vinegar flesh tearing apart. His grip loosens as I stab the back of his
head.

The mystic falls down against me as the staircase rips apart.

About Michael Weekly

Michael believes he is a mad scientist experimenting with his own imagination. He enjoys world building and having alluring conversations with his stubborn characters.

He is your author of The Mystical Trilogy, Casso and TESTED. Specializing in many genres such as Fantasy, Urban Fiction, Dystopian, Young and New Adult. Most of his inspirations come from fairy-tales, music, and his curious what ifs.

You can find him anywhere to snuggling in a comfy seat with hot cocoa Netflix binging, or taking a soothing walk along the forest lines. Possibly diving in a tank with sharks, but that would be too insane.

He is a shopaholic east coaster living in Virginia with his fury companion Coco. Where the two live happily ever after.

Author Links:
Website│Goodreads│Twitter

Giveaway

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Blitz organized by YA Bound Book Tours

 

2015 year in review survey

So I stumbled upon this fun little end of the year survey created by Perpetual Page Turner. Click to link to check out the other participants or if you want to do the survey yourself. 2015 has been an interesting year for me and it's nice to look back and what I've done and how to improve in the next year. Links are either to my own reviews or to their Goodreads summaries. 

2015 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read: 55 so far
Number of Re-Reads: About 10. I tend to re-read when I can't decide on something new, or if I'm sticking to a budget.
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy

Best in books

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?
Ferran's Map by T.L. Shreffler

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
The Sin Eater's Daughter. I actually DNF'ed it. I seem to be one of the few people who didn't like it, but there are no words to describe my level of disappointment in this book.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
Poison by Lan Chan. I thought I knew where this book was going, but I was just so wrong. *applause*

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
I'm pretty sure no one listens to me. But if anyone did listen to any of my recommendations, thank you!

5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?
Steel & Stone by Annette Marie

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?
Elise Kova (Air Awakens)

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
Touch by Melissa Haag. I don't usually do Paranormal Romance.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Poison by Lan Chan

9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
The Storyspinner by Becky Wallace. I'm eagerly awaiting book two.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?
Storm Siren by Mary Weber

11. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?
Nothing really knocked me off my feet this year.

12. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read?
Masque of Red Death by Bethany Griffin. It was on my TBR list forever but I always passed on it for some reason. Definitely should have read it sooner.

13. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?
"I will learn the truth. Even if I have to destroy him to get it." - The Wrath & The Dawn

14.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?
Shortest: Drip Drop Teardrop by Samantha Young
Longest: The Queen of the Tearling by Erica Johansen

15. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
Sora and Crash of the Cat's Eye series will always have a place in my heart.

16. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:
The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker

17. Best 2015 debut you read?
From the Ashes by Shelby K. Morrison

18. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
Harbinger by Peta Crake

19. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?
The Beastly Tales series by M.J. Haag. It was heartbreaking, but in a good way.

20. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
Forbidden by Selene Charles

21. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?
The Last Necromancer by C.J. Archer. The author managed to weave fantasy, sci fi and the tale of Frankenstein all into one novel.

22. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Fire Falling by Elise Kova. I'm mad I have to wait until 2016 to find out what happens. That cliffhanger!! Why, Elise? WHYYY?

Your blogging/bookish life

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?
Olivia's Catastophe

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?
Ferran's Map by T.L. Shreffler

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?
10 tips for asking a blogger to review your book

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)? Memorial Day Read-A-Thon. It was the first Read-A-Thon I've ever done, and even thought I failed miserably, it was a lot of fun.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015? Winning 12 books from the Spring Fling YA giveaway. That's right... TWELVE

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year? I am an over-commiter. I work full time, part time, just launched a freelance editing business, play in three sports leagues, have a new puppy and somehow I think I can still manage to post to the blog on daily basis.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)? 10 tips for asking a blogger to review your book

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
My birthday post!

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)? I discovered the amazing public library system my cities have. I say cities because it's a group of four cities divided by the Mississippi river, two are on the Iowa side and two in Illinois. A single library card gains you access to about 10 different public libraries, regardless of which city you live in.

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year? I failed miserable at everything I signed up for. #2016goals

Looking ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?
The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
Burning Glass by Katheryn Purdie

 4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?
The Skylighter by Becky Wallace

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016? My biggest goal during 2016 is to be consistency with posting and to be realistic with how many books I can read and review.

6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone: I've only read two books set to be published in 2016. I wouldn't recommend either.