NIGHTMARE’S EVE BLOG TOUR, REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

June 6, 2018June 6, 2018 / Amie's Book Reviews / 3 Comments

Title: NIGHTMARE’S EVE

Author: STEPHEN H. PROVOST

Release Date: FEBRUARY 22, 2018

Genre: HORROR, YOUNG ADULT FICTION

Received From: XPRESSO BOOK TOURS

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

SYNOPSIS:

A collection of 16 short stories and 10 dark poems in the tradition of “The Twilight Zone.”

Trapped for eight centuries in a space no larger than a shoebox. What would you do to escape? How far would you go to rid yourself of that parasite in your brain that feeds off the worst of your nightmares? What if the person closest to you were fated to die – and you were powerless to stop it?

What if your savior were also your greatest fear? Would you trade years of your life for a chance at redemption? Would you slay or spare the dragon whose eyes gaze up at you pleadingly in the final moments of its life?

These are the questions that run through the mind when twilight fades and eyelids grow heavy. Fight the onset of sleep. Thrash beneath the covers in futile defiance of what lies beyond. This is the between-time of Nightmare’s Eve, those brief but lingering moments between the waking world and the abyss. It will have you. It’s only a matter of time.

MY REVIEW:

The first word that comes to mind after reading this awesome collection of horror poems and stories written for Young Adults, is WOW.

Not only will you be entertained by reading this book, you will also be challenged. How could you be challenged by a work of fiction? The answer to that lies in the way the stories and poems are told.

Readers are challenged to look inside themselves and to determine what they would do if placed in the character’s shoes.

I love this type of book. I especially love it when it is written for Young Adults. It forces the reader to REALLY think about what actions they might take and what the consequences of those actions could be.

I rate NIGHTMARE’S EVE as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

** Thanks you to XPRESSO BOOK TOURS for providing me with a free copy of this book. **

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Stephen H. Provost is a veteran editor, reporter and columnists with more than 30 years of experience at daily newspapers in California. He’s currently the managing editor of The Cambrian on the Central Coast, as well as a columnist and assistant city editor for The Tribune in San Luis Obispo.
As an author, he has written historical nonfiction (“Fresno Growing Up” and “Highway 99: The History of California’s Main Street”), novels (“Memortality” and “Identity Break”), while also exploring the realms of mythology, fable and ancient history.

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

GIVEAWAY:

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)

Win a signed Copy

Enter HERE

Giveaway Ends: June 14, 2018

Signed copy of Nightmare’s Eve

RELEASE DAY IS TODAY for FISH-BOY – AN INUIT FOLK TALE by Vanita Oelschlager – 4.5 STARS

May 8, 2018January 12, 2018 / Amie's Book Reviews / Leave a comment

Title: FISH-BOY

Subtitle: AN INUIT FOLK TALE

Author: VANITA OELSCHLAGER

Illustrator: MIKE BLANC

Genre: CHILDREN’S FICTION, MULTICULTURAL BOOKS, INUIT STORIES

Length: 25 PAGES

Publisher: VANITA BOOKS

Received From: NETGALLEY

Release Date: MAY 1, 2018 – TODAY

ISBN: 978-1-938164-20-0 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1- 938164-21-7 (Paperback)

Price: (HARDCOVER) $15.95 USD

Rating: 4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

DESCRIPTION:

The Arctic region of North America is a land of long days, icy cold, hardy people and peculiar creatures. The Inuit people there have made traditional use of remarkable folk tales to find truth and explain the mysteries of an astonishing world.

In Fish-Boy, An Inuit Folk Tale, Vanita Oelschlager retells a tale passed down by a wise old Inuit.

Fish-Boy is an origin story involving an odd young boy who has a big heart. On a journey with his new father, he must confront misfortune and the malice of cold hearted villagers. But he has a way… and a lesson for all in the virtues of kindness and hospitality.

MY REVIEW:

I have always been fascinated by folk-tales and those told by Aboriginal or Inuit storytellers are some of the very best.

There were two main reasons that traditional Inuit stories were told. Firstly, stories were used to explain the world around them, and secondly, they were used to teach traditional values to the next generation.

The cover of this book is so beautifully illustrated that I was immediately drawn to it. I believe that children will be drawn to it as well. In fact, the illustration of the boy with the puffin on his head brings to mind Disney illustrations. Mike Blanc is obviously a very talented individual.

FISH-BOY is the story of “… why there are so many sea-parrots on the stony islands of the far North.”

It is the story of a lame Inuit fisherman who one day saw a fish that was unlike anything he had seen before. “It appeared] to have a head like a man and feet behind its tail.” To the fisherman’s surprise, the fish spoke to him saying, “Do not spear me. I am not a fish. I am Fish-Boy … I have no parents, and I am very lonely. I want you to be my father.”

The fisherman was lame, but he had found a way to survive. He wasn’t sure what use an armless Fish-Boy would be, but out of kindness, he took him in and Fish-Boy became his son.

This act of kindness changed both their lives for the better and the pair had amazing adventures.

You will need to read this book to discover exactly what adventures they had, what trials and tribulations they faced and to discover how their story finally reveals the reason that there are so many sea-parrots on the stony islands today. I promise that this is a story worth reading.

I love that this book not only tells the story of Fish-Boy, but also includes details of traditional Inuit life. Also included at the back of the book are definitions of some of the story’s less commonly known words.

In addition to being a fantastic story, another wonderful thing about not only this book, but all books published by Vanita Books is that they donate ALL net profits to “charities where people help people help themselves.” Ten percent of the net profits for FISH-BOY will be donated to The Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis, the other ninety percent will go to other charities.

I rate this book as 4.5 out of 5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

* Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC (Advance Review Copy) of this book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

VANITA OELSCHLAGER is a wife, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, former teacher, current caregiver, author and poet.

She is a graduate of the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, where she currently serves as Trustee. Vanita is also Writer in Residence for the Literacy Program at the University of Akron.

She and her husband Jim received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 2006. Vanita also won the Congressional Angels Adoption Award for the State of Ohio in 2007 and was named National Volunteer of the Year by the MS Society in 2008.

To learn more about this author visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

TWITTER
FACEBOOK

AMAZON

CHAPTERS

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:

MIKE BLANC is an author and an award-winning illustrator of children’s literature.

His artwork has illuminated countless publications for both corporate and public interests, worldwide. Mike contributes creative direction and illustration.

He lives with his wife, Gail, in sunny Doylestown, Ohio. They enjoy their four children, and five grandchildren.

To learn more about this amazing illustrator, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

AMAZON

CHAPTERS

REAL LIFE EVIL by KIM CRESSWELL – AUDIOBOOK REVIEW – Fascinating and Apalling in equal measure.

April 9, 2018April 9, 2018 / Amie's Book Reviews / 1 Comment

Title: REAL LIFE EVIL

Series: A TRUE CRIME QUICKIE:BOOK ONE

Author: KIM CRESSWELL

Narrator: JASON FELLA

Genre: NON-FICTION, TRUE CRIME

Length: 52 MINUTES

Type of Book: AUDIOBOOK

Received From: THE AUTHOR

Release Date: JULY 14, 2017

Rating: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐

DESCRIPTION:

Many serial murders go unsolved, others take decades to unravel but one thing is certain…serial killers walk among us—hiding in plain sight. Real Life Evil is a compelling collection of two true crime short stories:

“Hiding in Plain Sight” is the chilling account of serial killer Jack Unterweger, one of the most clever, manipulative predators of the twentieth century…and the most dangerous.

“A Message from the Grave” examines the events surrounding the unsolved Gilgo Beach murders, a case which would spawn the largest murder investigation in Long Island, New York’s history as an elusive serial killer continues to elude authorities.

MY REVIEW:

The details are in the subtitle. This is a True Crime Quickie. This Audiobook is only 52 minutes long and can easily be listened to during a person’s commute to work or even on your lunch hour. Well…maybe not during your lunch hour since you might just lose your appetite.

There are two stories about serial killers contained in this audiobook, one I had never heard of before and one that I had.

The first story details the crimes of Jack Unterweger whose crimes took place in Europe during the time that everyone in North America was fixated on the OJ murder trial. This man, Jack Unterweger was a true sicko and listeners will be shocked at the failure of the justice system in his case. It is actually fascinating and well written.

The second serial killer highlighted in this audiobook is possibly scarier than the first one. Why? He (or she – but statistically probably a he) has never been caught. This is about the Gilgo Beach Murders, also known as the “Long Island Killer.”

This audiobook will both fascinate and apal reads in equal measure. Be forewarned that this book is not for the faint of heart.

I rate this audiobook as 4 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐. The book itself deserves a 5 Star rating, however, the reason I did not give this a five star rating has to do with the narration. It was good, but I believe it could have been better. When detailing the deaths of the women involved, the narrator’s voice was flat. It did not seem to radiate the empathy one would expect to hear.

With that said, I do recommend this book to anyone interested in true crime and in serial killers in general.

***Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of this Audiobook.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

To keep up-to-date with all the author’s releases, subscribe to her quarterly newsletter HERE.

Kim Cresswell resides in Ontario, Canada and is the bestselling and award-winning author of the action-packed WHITNEY STEEL series. Kim recently signed a 3-book German translation deal with LUZIFER Verlag for the first three books in the series: Reflection, Retribution and Resurrect. The popular series will be published in German beginning in 2018.

Her debut romantic suspense, REFLECTION (A Whitney Steel Novel – Book One), has won numerous awards: RomCon®’s 2014 Readers’ Crown Finalist (Romantic Suspense), InD’tale Magazine 2014 Rone Award Finalist (Suspense/Thriller), UP Authors Fiction Challenge Winner (2013), Silicon Valley’s Romance Writers of America (RWA) “Gotcha!” Romantic Suspense Winner (2004), Honourable Mention in Calgary’s (RWA) The Writer’s Voice Contest (2006).

LETHAL JOURNEY won RomCon®’s 2014 Readers’ Crown (Thriller) and was a finalist in From the Heart Romance Writers (FTHRW) Golden Gate Contest (2003).

She also published two Kindle Worlds novellas (Jet: Oblivion and Jet: Duplicity) featuring characters from her Whitney Steel series and JET from Russell Blake’s New York Times bestselling JET action thriller series. You can read Russell Blake’s interview with Kim HERE.

The Assassin Chronicles TV series is in development with Council Tree Productions, a feature film and TV production company located in Los Angeles, California. The TV series: THE ASSASSIN CHRONICLES is based on Kim’s upcoming 4-book paranormal/supernatural suspense thriller series: Deadly Shadow (May 2018), Assassin’s Prophecy, Invisible Truth, and Vision of Fire.

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

INSTAGRAM

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN

AUTHOR’S DEN

GOOGLE BOOKS

ABOUT THE NARRATOR:

Jason Fella worked for several years providing a wide range of audio materials for students of English. Dialogue, narration, whatever is needed. According to his bio, he is hungry, eager, and ready to really get into this seriously. I’m ready to work! My “normal” voice is clear, distinct, and professional, ideal for documentaries, audiobooks, etc. Comfortable with medical terminology and the Japanese language

Languages
English (North American), Japanese

Accent
North American

Ages
Middle Aged, Young Adult

Special Skills
Audiobooks, Business, Cartoons, Documentaries, Educational, Internet, Movie Trailers, Podcasting, Radio, Telephone, Television

Experience
Narrating stories and articles for Japanese students of English.

CREDENTIALS
Education
Private voice lessons with Anthony Reece.

To learn more about this Narrator, visit the following links:

VOICES.COM

WATCH A VIDEO OF THE AUTHOR:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlrLo_ZFzqY

I am joining the Bookish Reading Challenge and YOU Should Too – Read On For Details

March 30, 2018 / Amie's Book Reviews / Leave a comment

Here at Bookish, reading isn’t just a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a religion. We’re never without a book in our hands, and we know that you aren’t either. To ensure that your 2018 is packed with diverse new books, we’ve put together our biggest reading challenge yet! This year we’ve listed 52 individual challenges, one for each week of the year.

Join in the conversation and share your reading challenge progress by using #killyourtbr on social media.

1. A book whose title uses alliteration

2. A book written by a trans author

3. A book you regret not reading last year

4. A book with the moon or stars on the cover

5. The first book in a series

6. A novel told in verse

7. A book published the year you were born

8. A book featuring a character with a disability

9. A book you picked up based on the title

10. A book recommended by a librarian

11. A book won in a BookishFirst raffle

12. A book told through letters

13. A book from an independent publisher

14. A book with an LGBTQ romance

15. A book with a five-word title

16. A book that has been translated

17. An #ownvoices book

18. A book whose cover features nature

19. A book written by an immigrant

20. A book you’ve lied about reading

21. A book that has fewer than 200 pages

22. A book whose title begins with K, Q, J, X, or Z

23. A book given to you by a friend

24. A book you bought for the cover

25. A book written by an author who wrote one of your favorite 2017 books

26. A graphic memoir

27. A book that addresses mental illness

28. Listen to an audiobook

29. A book with a one-word title

30. A book by an author from your state

31. A book whose cover is your favorite color

32. A collection of short stories from a genre you are unfamiliar with

33. An author’s debut book

34. A book with a pun in the title

35. A book with a biracial main character

36. A book by an author who uses a pen name

37. A book with an LGBTQ character on the cover

38. A book inspired by Asian mythology or folklore

39. A book with a number in the title

40. A book by a South American author

41. A book whose cover uses three or fewer colors

42. A book that explores the concept of beauty

43. A book about intersectional feminism

44. A book that has more than 500 pages

45. A book with an animal on the cover

46. A book with a character’s name in the title

47. A book set in a country you’ve never been to

48. A novel inspired by true events

49. A book written by a Native American author

50. A book with a character of color on the cover

51. A book that has been banned in your state

52. A book whose title includes an ampersand

I think this #tbrchallenge and the hashtag #KIllyourTBR will lead to finding some terrific new books to discover.

**If you are interested in joining this Challenge, you can find the original post on BOOKISH.

CRUISE WITH AN ADORABLE FAT GIRL BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAY

March 15, 2018March 14, 2018 / Amie's Book Reviews / 1 Comment

Cruise with an Adorable Fat Girl Blog Tour, Review and GIVEAWAY

.
Title: CRUISE WITH AN ADORABLE FAT GIRL

Author: BERNICE BLOOM

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

SYNOPSIS:

Mary Brown – our full-figured heroine – is off on a cruise. It’s the trip of a lifetime…featuring eat-all-you-can buffets and a trek through Europe with a 96-year-old widower called Frank and a flamboyant Spanish dancer called Juan Pedro in attendance. Then there’s the desperately handsome captain, the appearance of an ex-boyfriend on the ship, the time she’s mistaken for a Hollywood film star in Lisbon and tonnes of clothes shopping all over Europe.

Purchase from Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cruise-Adorable-Fat-Girl-frolicks-ebook/dp/B077Y5XZWK/

MY REVIEW:

CRUISE ADORABLE FAT GIRL

Mary Brown is: THE ADORABLE FAT GIRL. She may be fat, but that is only one small part of who she is. In this installment of her life’s journeys, Mary has been invited along on a Mediterranean cruise. Her friend Dawn is a blogger and has been given a free cruise for two in exchange for being featured on her blog.

A FREE 20 day Mediterranean cruise. Who could possibly resist? Not Mary. She is as excited as a toddler receiving its first ice cream cone. Of course, the “Eat-All-You-Can Buffet” is a huge bonus.

When boarding the ship, Mary meets the gorgeous Captain of the Angel of the Seas – Will Homarus. He is so strikingly gorgeous that Mary thinks to herself; “I knew instantly that I would have to keep right away from this guy when I’d had a few glasses of wine or I’d be wrapping my legs round his neck and asking him to marry me.”

Mary’s first night on the ship passes in a blur and when she wakes up in the morning she cannot remember what she did the night before. But, she learns a bit about it in the morning when one of the men sharing her table says: “Yes, the captain was telling that you were performing YMCA last night and doing high kicks to New York, New York. You were quite the party animal by the sound of it…The captain said your Elvis impersonation was one of the best he’d ever seen.”

I laughed out loud at this.

I do not want to give too much more away because I am excited to let readers discover all the hilarious hijinks when they read this book. It is filled with colorful characters, wondrous scenery and is. incredibly hilarious.

I rate this book as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and I highly recommend it. This would be the perfect beach read or even a winter weekend read to remind readers that summer is coming.

BEST QUOTES FROM THE BOOK:

My favorite line in the entire book is the following:

“I don’t know a great deal about politics: only that Theresa May wears great shoes and Donald Trump is a giant orange loon-bucket and no one knows how he was elected.”
.
“Always a joy to meet someone who doesn’t take life too seriously… Life’s supposed to be full of surprises, Mary Brown. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hello, my name is Bernice Bloom and I am a writer (I write light-hearted rom-com style novels and also work as a magazine journalist and advertising copywriter) and jewellery designer. My recent series of novels is called ‘Adorable Fat Girl’ and it features a heavily overweight woman called Mary Brown. She is bright, funny, friendly and bonkers. She’s also fat. The books blend the comedy of her efforts to lose weight with a more serious backstory about what happened to her in the past that had led to the issues that make her prone to over-eating. I’m fascinated that there are so few overweight heroines in literature. Women can be manipulative, evil, even murderers in fiction, but not fat! Certainly not fat and beautiful with loads of friends! Then along came Mary and she’s developed quite a fan base of people who love the fact that the heroine is large. She gets lots of letters and I have ended up taking her on lots of adventures!

To learn more about this author visit the following links:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

ENTER TO WIN:

Giveaway – Win a Daisy Bracelet and Earring set created by Bernice Bloom (Open Internationally).

Giveaway – Win a Daisy Bracelet and Earring set created by Bernice Bloom (Open Internationally).

*Terms and Conditions

–Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

ENTER BY CLICKING THE FOLLOWING LINK:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c6949470/

DIARY OF AN ADORABLE FAT GIRL BLOG TOUR, REVIEW and JEWELLERY GIVEAWAY

March 14, 2018March 14, 2018 / Amie's Book Reviews / Leave a comment

Title: Diary of an Adorable Fat Girl: The Complete, Full-length Novel

Author: BERNICE BLOOM

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

SYNOPSIS

Mary Brown is funny, gorgeous and bonkers. She’s also about six stone overweight. When she realises she can’t cross her legs, has trouble bending over to tie her shoelaces without wheezing like an elderly chain-smoker, and discovers that even her hands and feet look fat, it’s time to take action. But what action? She’s tried every diet under the sun.

This is the hysterical story of what happens when Mary joins ‘Fat Club‘ where she meets a cast of funny characters and one particular man who catches her eye.
The story is laugh-out-loud funny and will resonate with anyone who has dieted, tried to keep up with any sort of exercise programme or spent 10 minutes in a changing room trying to extricate herself from a way too-small garment that she ambitiously tried on and is now completely stuck in.
Bernice Bloom is the big, new name in comedy writing…this is the first full-length novel after her series of laugh-out-loud mini books.

Purchase from Amazon UK

MY REVIEW:

I have a new favorite heroine. Her name is Mary Brown and guess what, she is F-A-T and she relishes it.

The ADORABLE FAT GIRL SERIES by hilarious author BERNICE BLOOM features real people. There are no blonde barbie dolls who look like they might die if they so much as look at a cheeseburger. Nope. Mary Brown is FAT and in this series, fat is not a bad word.

If you are in the mood for a good laugh, this is the book for you!

I rate DIARY OF AN ADORABLE FAT GIRL as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

To learn more about this author visit the following links:

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

AMAZON

Giveaway – Win a Daisy Bracelet and Earring set created by Bernice Bloom (Open Internationally).

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

@rararesources

ENTER TO WIN:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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SPARROW SQUADRON BOOK BLOG TOUR, REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

March 7, 2018March 7, 2018 / Amie's Book Reviews / 5 Comments

This blog tour is organized by:

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Sparrow Squadron
by D.L. Jung
Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Action-Adventure
Release Date: February 2018

Summary:

“There was a time when flying didn’t mean looking over my shoulder for death coming at me.”

World War II. June 1941. Hitler’s war machine turns to the Soviet Union.

Escaping her hometown ahead of the Nazis, 16-year-old Aelya Makarova seizes a chance to live her dream. Obsessed with flying, she joins a women’s fighter squadron to defend her homeland against the invaders. She’ll go faster and higher than she’s ever gone before.

But the harsh reality of Air Force life shatters her expectations and forces her to grow up fast. The squadron is split by petty rivalries, male pilots treat them like a joke, and the ideal country she thought she was fighting for doesn’t really exist.

Finally given a chance to prove herself in battle, Aelya is pushed to breaking point. With all her talent, the help of her comrades, and a lot of luck, she might just make it through. But will there be anything left of her humanity?

With fast-paced action and a heart-rending mix of humour and tragedy, Sparrow Squadron is an adventure novel for young adults that brings an overlooked episode of history to life.

Title: SPARROW SQUADRON

Series: AELITA’S WAR, BOOK ONE

Author: D L JUNG

Genre: YOUNG ADULT FICTION, HISTORICAL FICTION, CANADIAN AUTHOR

Length: 334 PAGES

Publisher: XINLISHI PRESS

Type of Book: SOFTCOVER ARC – UNCORRECTED PROOF

Received From: THE AUTHOR

ISBN: 978-1-9834455-4-5 (ARC)

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

MY REVIEW:

Russian involvement in fighting against Hitler’s fascist regime is a topic that is often overlooked by North American authors. This is a travesty. We hear and read about the U.S. involvement in the war often through both Fiction and Non-fiction. Why is Russia so often overlooked? Is it because in the years since WWII Russia had been consistently seen as the ‘bad guy?’

Whatever the reason, I was very glad to read this book and to learn about Russia and especially about its female fighter pilots.

I enjoyed the story of how one young girl follows her dreams in Communist Russia despite the many roadblocks and obstacles placed in her path which Aelya must overcome.

Aeyla’s progression from naive young girl to hardened fighter pilot is an interesting part of the story.

At the beginning, Aeyla’s believes all the Communist propaganda she has been taught her whole life.

The author has done an incredible job of humanizing people whom history deems as evil. For example, The German fighter pilot that is captured and questioned.

Author D.L. Jung has also used this wonderfully written work of fiction as a tool to inform his readers about the horrors of war.

Action packed and full of interesting characters and set in a time in history where emotions often overruled good sense, SPARROW SQUADRON is a MUST READ novel, not only for Young Adults but also for everyone else. I rate this book as 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

GIVEAWAY:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

DL Jung has been an enthusiastic student of history since grade school, when he spent lazy afternoons flipping through an old Encyclopedia Britannica set. He enjoys blogging about history and writing historical fiction. He also writes fantasy and horror fiction as Darius Jung.

Jung is married, with two children, and lives in Toronto, Canada. They are lucky enough to spend part of the time in New Zealand. Outside of writing, he has tried stints as an industrial engineer, a film and TV script supervisor, an IT consultant, a professional game show contestant, and a grossly under-qualified business wear model. Sparrow Squadron is his debut novel.

Author Links:

Blog Tour Schedule –

March 5^th

Booked http://BookedLQ.wordpress.com Review

The Reading Life http://anneclarence.wixsite.com/thereadinglife Promo Post

Katie’s Stories https://kjhstories.blogspot.com/ Promo PPos

March 6
Bibliobibuli YA

SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS by Alisha Sevigny is the Young Adult equivalent to a Nicholas Sparks book. It is the perfect beach read.

December 30, 2017December 30, 2017 / Amie's Book Reviews / Leave a comment

Title: SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS

Author: ALISHA SEVIGNY

Genre: FICTION, YOUNG ADULT, ENVIRONMENTAL

Length: 264 PAGES

Publisher: KIDS CAN PRESS

Received From: THE AUTHOR

Release Date: MAY 1, 2018

Ages: 14 – 18

Grades: 9 – 12

ISBN: 978-1-77138-929-7 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-5253-0043-1 (Paperback)

Price: $17.99 USD / $18.99 CDN (Hardcover)

Price: $10.99 USD / $12.99 CDN (Paperback)

Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DESCRIPTION:

Julia is so ready for summer. Now that her little brother has finally recovered from a serious illness, all she wants to do is enjoy peak season at the lakeside campground her family owns.

Then Julia’s Mom completely blindsided her: a wealthy developer thinks their campground property is the perfect spot for a casino. They have to consider the offer, Julia’s Mom says, because of their crushing medical bills.

Leave the lake? The only home she’s ever known? Heartbroken and afraid, Julia takes her telescope down to the dock one night, seeking solace in the stars.

That’s when she has a chance encounter with Nick, a hot guy who offers some surprisingly sage advice.

Too bad this guitar-strumming stranger is the developer’s son…

As plans for the sale move forward, Julia is desperate to find a way out. Nick, in turn, is desperate to separate himself from his family’s business. Together, he promises, they can save the campground.

But can Julia trust him to conspire against his own father? And could she ever trust him with her heart?

MY REVIEW:

The cover for this wonderful young adult novel evokes thoughts of warm summer nights and burgeoning young love. The cover is 100% perfect for this story.

Poor Julia. In the first chapter alone we discover that just after graduating from high school, her best friend is leaving for the entire summer. Add to that the fact the guy she’s had a crush on since age twelve,and with whom she had gotten close the summer before, has arrived at the campground with his gorgeous new girlfriend in tow. Pile that on top of the fact that she’s worried about her nine year old brother Caleb’s health since he is recovering from a serious bout of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. In fact, it had been so serious that Caleb had spent months hooked up to machines and tubes. And, worst of all, because of their outrageous medical bills, her mother is seriously considering selling their family campground to a developer who wants to erect a casino on the site. All in all, Julia is having a really crappy week.

As Julia seeks comfort from the stars, readers will start to realize just how amazing and special the campground property is.

If you have never been so far into the wilderness that there was no light pollution at all, you are missing out on an incredible experience. Those of us who have been there, will recognize the author’s authenticity. It is impossible to fake a proper description of the vastness of the summer sky at night if you’ve never seen it with your own eyes. This setting is the perfect place for romance to bloom.

The characters are three dimensional and have real world problems. Yes, there is a rich boy, but the main character is a normal girl.

Although the storyline is not rocket-science, it isn’t supposed to be. This is a feel good tale about overcoming adversity when the odds are stacked against you, with a side of young love that will have teen readers sighing with anticipation and older readers looking back at that time in their lives with nostalgia.

I rate this book as 4.5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and recommend it to readers looking for a book that can be read in a single weekend or for the perfect vacation or beach read.

**I received a free copy of this book from the author.**

My favorite quote from SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS:

“A book always has value, even when it is old and worn.”

*** Alisha is also the author of KISSING FROGS which she discusses in the following video:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alisha Sevigny holds a degree in Professional Writing and Sociology from the University of Victoria, is a film school graduate, former literary agent and hot yoga lover. A shameless romantic, Alisha and her husband have travelled the world together. On a trip to Panama she fell in love with the country, culture, and their national emblem, the Golden Frog and was inspired to write her first Young Adult novel, KISSING FROGS.

Her second book, SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS is about a young woman fighting to save her family campground while trying not to fall in love, comes out May 1, 2018 with KCP Loft.

Born and raised in Kitimat, British Columbia, Alisha has always had a strong connection to the environment and conservationist spirit. She now lives in Toronto with her family.

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

WATTPAD

YOUTUBE

CHAPTERS

AMAZON

PUBLISHER’S WEBSITE

THE BEDTIMEASNAURUS by Mike Bayliss is one of the best children’s books I have read in a LONG time. 5 Stars and a BLOG TOUR

November 13, 2017November 13, 2017 / Amie's Book Reviews / Leave a comment

Title: THE BEDTIMEASNAURUS

Author: MIKE BAYLISS

Illustrator: MEGAN EGAN

Genre: CHILDREN’S FICTION

Length: 26 LARGE PAGES

ISBN: 978-1-9998572-0-2

Produced By: IMAGINATE CREATIVE LTD

Printed By: LEMON PRESS

Release Date: November 14, 2017

Buy this amazing children’s book online at AMAZON US

DESCRIPTION:

A charming collection of gorgeously illustrated poems to encourage fun and bedtime bonding between parents and their children.

The bright pink flamingoasaurus spends its day standing on one leg looking for something to eat.

The round and delicious tomotoasaurus sings a tune while soaking up the sun.

These are just two of the imaginative and amusing dinosaurs dreamed up in The Bedtimeasnaurus, the sometimes naughty and always hilarious poetry collection for children by Mike Bayliss.

Developing the idea for over thirty years while working on other projects , Bayliss was encouraged to publish his collection after being diagnosed with stage IV non – Hodgkin lymphoma in April 2017, using his work as a positive outlet for his energy as he worked to battle the illness.

Complimented by charming illustrations, opportunities for kids to draw their own dinosaur creations and simple quizzes on each of the characters, The Bedtimeasnaurus not only provides an entertaining read for young children before they go to sleep but also offers a valuable chance for parents to connect and engage.

Purchase from Amazon UK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mike Bayliss was born in Walsaill West Midland, UK, Bayliss is an entrepreneur that owns companies in several industries including building supply and property development. He also owns Bespoke Brewery, which opened in 2012 and has since won a number of awards for its craft beer. He lives with his wife and three children in Forest Dean, UK. This is his first book.

Check it out on Facebook

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:

(Copied from her website)

DESIGNER, ILLUSTRATOR AND PAINTBRUSH-WIELDING VANDAL.

Hi there! My name is Megan Egan, and I’m a Brummie who just loves to create!

Creative Soul and Daydreamer, forged at Imaginate Creative in Leamington Spa, evolving into an Art Director at School of Communication Arts 2.0 in London.

I like drawing, pens, cats, big cities, drum & bass, spray paint, trainers, wine, weird clothes, clouds, graffiti, stickers, books, touchy-feely things, seals, cider, nice packaging, funky lights, bright orange, bare brick walls, scarves, abandoned buildings, olives, colouring in, bones, big windows, untouched snow, scribbling, pizza, fresh bedsheets, the smell of petrol, coffee… and I just bloody LOVE neon!

To learn more about this illustrator visit the following links:

INSTAGRAM

This blog tour was organized by RACHEL’S RANDOM RESOURCES

WIN A $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD and Check out the new release EARTHLY CONCERNS by Xavier Axelson

September 13, 2017 / Amie's Book Reviews / Leave a comment

The Incident

by Xavier Axelson
Publication Date: August 18, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, M/M Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Publisher

Michael Carmac is a small-town cop on the verge of a breakdown. After a split-second decision leaves an innocent child dead, Michael’s reality unravels. Suffering from PTSD, he finds comfort in a bottle while struggling to find forgiveness. Fellow officer Bertram Angel offers Michael support, and what starts as friendship turns into something deeper–two men looking to find love, forgiveness and acceptance while moving forward and healing wounds that don’t always show.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This is an extensively re-edited and expanded title.

Earthly Concerns

by Xavier Axelson
Publication Date: September 2, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, M/M Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Publisher

It was a peaceful night when Barrett and his daughter were driving home … then something happened. Something sinister.

Something took Barrett’s daughter from him.

Now the only person Barrett can turn to for help is Anson, a man gifted with psychic abilities beyond reason. But Anson is also his ex-boyfriend, a man whose heart he’d already broken.

As Anson delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding Barrett’s accident, he begins to realize he’s in a race against time. Whatever has taken Barrett’s daughter is a force of evil beyond anything either man has ever encountered. Can both men put aside their heartaches and past to save Barrett’s daughter from an entity that has the power to destroy them all?

Dutch’s Boy

by Xavier Axelson
Publication Date: September 8, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, M/M Romance

Purchase: Amazon – coming soon! | Publisher

Fulfilling your dream isn’t easy, especially if you’re the son of well-known rodeo rider Dutch Reynolds. Dutch doesn’t want to see his son Harry leave the family ranch until he feels Harry is ready. But for Harry, his dream of riding broncos at the rodeo seems to be passing him by. With the moral support of his best friend Reb, Harry takes his life in his own hands and leaves the ranch before Dutch can stop him. Chance encounters, sex and love soon teach the young cowboy life lessons that he will not forget.

The Birches

by Xavier Axelson
Publication Date: August 5, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, M/M Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Publisher

Perfection isn’t everything, although it’s everything Leo wants. His desire to become the perfect chef may keep him at the top of his class, but it drives his friends and family crazy while keeping love and passion on the back burner.

Then Leo meets Dock, owner and chef of the new and popular restaurant, The Birches.

Although Dock isn’t a trained chef, Leo finds the food he cooks delectable and the man behind the food irresistible. The lessons taught at the hands of an untrained cook may be just what this uptight chef needs to let go.

About Xavier Axelson

Xavier Axelson is a writer and columnist living in Los Angeles. Xavier’s work has been featured in various erotic and horror anthologies.

Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

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Amie's Book Reviews

This blog is the place where I post reviews of the books I have read. I review audiobooks, regular books and eBooks for authors and publishers as well as any other book or audiobook that catches my eye.

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SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS by Alisha Sevigny is the Young Adult equivalent to a Nicholas Sparks book. It is the perfect beach read.

THE BEDTIMEASNAURUS by Mike Bayliss is one of the best children’s books I have read in a LONG time. 5 Stars and a BLOG TOUR

WIN A $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD and Check out the new release EARTHLY CONCERNS by Xavier Axelson

The Incident

Earthly Concerns

Dutch’s Boy

The Birches

About Xavier Axelson

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Cruise with an Adorable Fat Girl Blog Tour, Review and GIVEAWAY

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The Incident

Earthly Concerns

Dutch’s Boy

The Birches

About Xavier Axelson

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