Just released: November 17, 2015
Publisher: SparkPress
Genre: Childrens, Historical
Hardback: 32 pages
Rating: 5
First sentence(s):
One morning, Georgie went into the kitchen. He poked around the potbellied stove, hoping to find a stray lump of coal.
Brrr! Georgie wakes up to a freezing morning in 1920s Pennsylvania and gets the bad news that there is no coal to heat the farmhouse—and he knows there is no money to buy more, either. Just after he finds this out, along comes his friend Harley, who drags him off on an adventure to find some mysterious “black gold.” Before Georgie can catch his breath, he’s in a pile of trouble—all the way up to his ears! Take a trip back in time and join Georgie in this heartwarming tale of mischief made and lessons learned in America’s storied past.
My two-bits:
Sweet and sentimental book that tugs at the heart.
This tale is also appropriate for the winter season as all can relate to cold weather this time of year.
About the author:
Alane Adams grew up in an old Quaker town called Whittier in Southern California. Adams attended Whittier High School and was active in every possible sport including basketball (proudly claiming the nickname Breakaway Adams!) and swimming and diving. For college, Alane attended the University of Southern California where she wanted to be an English major, but family convinced her to become an accountant to help run a family business. After spending the next few decades helping to build one of the largest recycling companies on the West Coast, Alane left the family business behind to pursue her writing career. Before launching into writing full-time, Alane began teaching full-time at a local university. Finally, the Legends of Orkney series was born when her then 12-year-old son challenged Alane to write a book he could read. She hasn't stopped writing since that day.
Alane's favorite books include any story involving folklore, fantasy and fairytales. When Alane is not writing or teaching, she is hanging out with her three boys, each who have grown up having adventures to rival those of her characters.
Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
~*~
For Review:
Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye: A Novel
by Tania del Rio and Will Staehle
-Middle Grade, Paranormal
courtesy of Quirk Books -Thanks! Amazon | Goodreads | WIN a copy (here)
The Coal Thief
by Alane Adams
-Children, Historical
courtesy of BookSparks -Thanks! Amazon | Goodreads | WIN a copy (here) and (here)
Fathomless
(Redemption's Heir #2)
by Anne M. Pillsworth
courtesy of publisher -Thanks! Amazon | Goodreads
Library:
The Silkworm
(Cormoran Strike #2)
by Robert Galbraith aka J.K. Rowling
-Mystery, Detective Amazon | Goodreads
Private investigator Cormoran Strike returns in a new mystery from Robert Galbraith, author of the #1 international bestseller The Cuckoo's Calling.
When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, Mrs. Quine just thinks her husband has gone off by himself for a few days—as he has done before—and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.
But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realizes. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were to be published, it would ruin lives—meaning that there are a lot of people who might want him silenced.
When Quine is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any Strike has encountered before...
=====> Listening to the audio version which I also did with book one. The narrator portrays the characters well. Reeeeally got into this series after listening to the first book in the series, The Cuckoo's Calling. Loving the main characters and their back stories.
UNBOXING:
From Owlcrate package @owlcrate (details & signup): OwlCrate is a subscription service that sends you magical monthly boxes tailored to a chosen theme. Each OwlCrate will contain one new Young Adult novel, as well as 3-5 other bookish treats to help you get your nerd on.
Box includes:
- Soundless by Richelle Mead and bookmark
- Vampire Academy series tattoos
- Fairytale tea, Snow White from Adagio Teas
- Camp Half-Blood bracelet created by The Colorful Geek
- Castle locket necklace from The Geeky Cauldron
- Pocket mirror (dragon scales) designed by My Clockwork Castle
Soundless
by Richelle Mead
-China, Fantasy, YA Amazon | Goodreads
For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.
When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.
But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.
Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever...
=====> Loved the visuals. A couple dealing with love on the rocks.
45 Years (2015)
Director: Andrew Haigh
Based on short story by: David Constantine
Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay
-Drama, Romance | imdb | my rating: 4.5
In the week leading up to their 45th wedding anniversary, a couple receive an unexpected letter which contains potentially life changing news.
=====> Interesting focus on elderly love. Another couple dealing with love on the rocks.
AND watched: on DVD
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Based on comic by: Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons
Starring: Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson
-Action, Adventure, Comedy, Spy | imdb | my rating: 4
A spy organization recruits an unrefined, but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.
=====> After watching the latest James Bond film, I got into the spy mood. This film had it all and was light and fun.
Dr. No (1962)
Director: Terence Young
Based on book by: Ian Fleming
Starring: Sean Connery
-Action, Adventure, Spy | imdb
A resourceful British government agent seeks answers in a case involving the disappearance of a colleague and the disruption of the American space program.
=====> Decided to go on a James Bond binge and re-watch all films.
From Russia with Love (here)
Goldfinger (here)
Thunderball (here)
You Only Live Twice
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (here)
Diamonds Are Forever
Live and Let Die
The Man with the Golden Gun
the Spy Who Loved Me
Moonraker
For Your Eyes Only
Octopussy
A View to a Kill
The Living Daylights
License to Kill
Golden Eye
Tomorrow Never Dies
The World Is Not Enough
Die Another Day
Casino Royale
Quantum of Solace
Skyfall
Spectre (here)
~*~
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently
* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers
The Coal Thief
by Alane Adams
-just released: November 17, 2015 Amazon | Goodreads
Brrr! Georgie wakes up to a freezing morning in 1920s Pennsylvania and gets the bad news that there is no coal to heat the farmhouse—and he knows there is no money to buy more, either. Just after he finds this out, along comes his friend Harley, who drags him off on an adventure to find some mysterious “black gold.” Before Georgie can catch his breath, he’s in a pile of trouble—all the way up to his ears! Take a trip back in time and join Georgie in this heartwarming tale of mischief made and lessons learned in America’s storied past.
About the author:
Alane Adams grew up in an old Quaker town called Whittier in Southern California. Adams attended Whittier High School and was active in every possible sport including basketball (proudly claiming the nickname Breakaway Adams!) and swimming and diving. For college, Alane attended the University of Southern California where she wanted to be an English major, but family convinced her to become an accountant to help run a family business. After spending the next few decades helping to build one of the largest recycling companies on the West Coast, Alane left the family business behind to pursue her writing career. Before launching into writing full-time, Alane began teaching full-time at a local university. Finally, the Legends of Orkney series was born when her then 12-year-old son challenged Alane to write a book he could read. She hasn't stopped writing since that day.
Alane's favorite books include any story involving folklore, fantasy and fairytales. When Alane is not writing or teaching, she is hanging out with her three boys, each who have grown up having adventures to rival those of her characters.
Just released: August 4, 2015
Publisher: SparkPress
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Hardback: 346 pages
Rating: 4
Legends of Orkney series:
The Red Sun
book 2 -tba
First sentence(s):
The setting sun cast a farewell glow across the green and fertile countryside. Basking in the radiance, Robert Barconian watched the day's end from a window in his new farmhouse on the outskirts of Skara Brae. At thirty-two, Robert had seen his fair share of sunsets, but they never grew old for him.
Zombie sighting: Sam spent the day puzzling over his strange encounter with Ms. Endera. It was like she had turned him into a brain-dead zombie with that fingernail trick.
-chapter 2, page 19
Sam Baron is about to get the shock of his life. First his substitute English teacher claims to have turned his old teacher into a lizard; then a strange dwarf named Rego arrives and claims Sam is from a magical realm called Orkney. When his friends are taken prisoner, it’s up to Sam to save them. Sam embarks on a journey to Orkney through a stonefire to find his friends―but when he arrives, he discovers that an ancient curse has turned the sun a poisonous red and threatens to destroy the land. With only a young witch girl to guide him, Sam must choose: save his friends, or stop the red sun from consuming the land? Drawing on Norse mythology, The Red Sun follows Sam’s journey to uncover the truth about his past―a journey during which he has to overcome the simmering anger inside of him, learn to channel his growing magical powers, and find a way to forgive the father who left him behind.
PeekAbook:
My two-bits:
Nice start to a new YA fantasy series with an ensemble cast with references to Norse mythology and Native American culture and folklore. There is some magic action and a couple revelation moments. But still, mysteries and questions presented that need to be addressed.
The part of the story that kept me curious was in regards to the development of the main character. Sam, the reluctant hero, is a character that is either loved or hated. It took me awhile to warm up to this character. At the midpoint of the book I did not yet know where I stood.
The other characters in the story were colorful including dwarves, witches and other strange creatures (as baddies).
About the author:
"Dear Readers: I wrote this book for my twelve-year-old son who challenged me to write something he would enjoy reading. The Red Sun is filled with exciting characters who struggle to find their true path. Sam learns so much about his past and how to overcome his anger, but will he continue to use his power for good or will he be drawn to the dark side? I hope you enjoy reading the Legends of Orkney series as much as I enjoyed writing them for you. Keep reading!" - Alane Adams
Alane Adams grew up in an old Quaker town called Whittier in Southern California. Adams attended Whittier High School and was active in every possible sport including basketball (proudly claiming the nickname Breakaway Adams!) and swimming and diving. For college, Alane attended the University of Southern California where she wanted to be an English major, but family convinced her to become an accountant to help run a family business. After spending the next few decades helping to build one of the largest recycling companies on the West Coast, Alane left the family business behind to pursue her writing career. Before launching into writing full-time, Alane began teaching full-time at a local university. Finally, the Legends of Orkney series was born when her then 12-year-old son challenged Alane to write a book he could read. She hasn't stopped writing since that day.
Alane's favorite books include any story involving folklore, fantasy and fairytales. When Alane is not writing or teaching, she is hanging out with her three boys, each who have grown up having adventures to rival those of her characters.
~*~
* added this to my Books On The Nightstand Bingo challenge (details) - square: Child on Cover
* added to my COYER challenge/scavenger hunt (details)
* review copy courtesy of BookSparks YA Summer Reading Challenge 2015 (details). @booksparks #ReadingIsBeautiful
Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
~*~
Bought:
The Blue: A Novel
by Lucy Clarke
-Mystery, Thriller Amazon | Goodreads
=====> Looks like a good one and wanted to add this to my Armchair Summer Travel reading list.
For Review:
Beautiful Affliction
by Lene Fogelberg
-Memoir
courtesy of book tour by BookSparks
Thanks ! Amazon | Goodreads
Never Said
by Carol Lynch Williams
-YA
courtesy of BookSparks YA Summer Reading Challenge 2015
Thanks ! Amazon | Goodreads
Summer by Summer
by Heather Burch
-YA
courtesy of BookSparks YA Summer Reading Challenge 2015
Thanks ! Amazon | Goodreads
The Red Sun
by Alane Adams
-Fantasy, YA
courtesy of BookSparks YA Summer Reading Challenge 2015
Thanks ! Amazon | Goodreads
The Looney Experiment
by Luke Reynolds
-YA
courtesy of BookSparks YA Summer Reading Challenge 2015
Thanks ! Amazon | Goodreads
Library:
Beautiful Disaster
by Jamie McGuire
-New Adult, Romance Amazon | Goodreads
My rating: 5
The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand.
Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.
=====> A guilty pleasure kind of read. I inhaled this one and loved it!
UNBOXING:
From Powell's Indiespensable club package (details & signup): Powell's subscription club delivers the best new books, with special attention to independent publishers. Signed first editions. Inventive, original sets. Exclusive printings.... Every six weeks, another installment to read and admire. Plus, every package is stocked with exciting surprises!
This is package #53. (sorry - this is sold out, but you can signup for the next one)
Box includes:
The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty
by Vendela Vida
signed first-edition
in a custom slipcase exclusive to Indiespensable Amazon | Goodreads
Above the Waterfall
by Ron Rash
Release date: September 8, 2015 Amazon | Goodreads
Also in the box:
* A collectible booklet featuring the Powells.com interview and Indiespensable Q&A with Vendela Vida
* Fuller Foods Serious Cheesy Puffs: Sriracha and Cheddar. Just had a couple and YUM. Nice blend and not too spicy.
AND binge watching:
Outlander
tv series, season one, volume one
-Adventure, Romance Amazon | imdb
Follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate relationship is ignited that tears Claire's heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Based on this book...
Outlander
by Diana Gabaldon
-Romance, Scotland Amazon | Goodreads
~*~
* some of these may be offered as giveaways within the next two months
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently
* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers
