The F.I.G. Mysteries ~ Series Spotlight

Series Details:

Book Title:  The F.I.G. Mysteries by Barbara Casey
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17)
Genre:  Mystery, Fantasy
Publisher:  Gauthier Publications (Hungry Goat Press)
Release dates:   The Cadence of Gypsies (2011); The Wish Rider (2016); The Clock Flower (2018); The Nightjar's Promise (2020)
Content Rating:  PG. There are some themes that deal with the Jewish Holocaust and some frightening scenes appropriate for young adult and adult readers.

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Book Details:

Book Title: The Cadence of Gypsies (The F.I.G. Mysteries) by Barbara Casey
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 200 pages
Genre:  Mystery, Fantasy
Publisher:  Gauthier Publications (Hungry Goat Press)
Release date:   The Cadence of Gypsies (2011)
Content Rating:  PG. There are some themes that deal with the Jewish Holocaust and some frightening scenes appropriate for young adult and adult readers.

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Book Description:
Three high-spirited 17 year-olds, with intelligent quotients in the genius range, accompany their teacher and mentor, Carolina Lovel, to Frascati, Italy, a few weeks before they are to graduate from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women. Carolina's purpose in planning the trip is to remove her gifted, creative students from the Wood Rose campus located in Raleigh, North Carolina, so they can't cause any more problems ("expressions of creativity") for the headmaster, faculty, and other students – which they do with regularity. Carolina also wants to visit the Villa Mondragone where the Voynich Manuscript, the most mysterious document in the world was first discovered and search how it is related to a paper written in the same script she received on her 18th birthday when she was told that she was adopted – a search that will fill in all of the missing pieces of her past and help each of her students to discover something meaningful within themselves.

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Book Details:

Book Title: The Wish Rider (The F.I.G. Mysteries) by Barbara Casey
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 220 pages
Genre:  Mystery, Fantasy
Publisher:  Gauthier Publications (Hungry Goat Press)
Release date:   The Wish Rider (2016)
Content Rating:  PG. There are some themes that deal with the Jewish Holocaust and some frightening scenes appropriate for young adult and adult readers.

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Book Description:

Seventeen-year-old Dara Roux and her two best friends, Mackenzie Yarborough and Jennifer Torres, the three collectively referred to as the FIGs (Females of Intellectual Genius) because each has an intelligence quotient in the genius range, have just returned from Frascati, Italy. It was there that their much-loved teacher and mentor, Carolina Lovel discovered that her birth parents were gypsies and that she had a connection to the Voynich Manuscript, the most mysterious document in the world. Now, with graduation from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women behind them, Dara asks Mackenzie, Jennifer, and Carolina to help her locate her birth mother when she learns that she might be living in New York City. All the young women have to work with are five addresses, and when Mackenzie prepares a grid showing the location of all five addresses, four of the locations form a square with the fifth in the middle—which is also Grand Central Terminal. Relying on Dara’s gift for speaking and understanding foreign languages, the black and white images that stir musical cadences in Jennifer’s mind, and Mackenzie’s mathematical calculations that normally provide numerical solutions and answers to life’s most difficult questions but now keep showing the number “61”, the determined young women tirelessly go from one address to another in search of Dara’s mother. Their determination turns to desperation, however, and they ignore caution and the dissonant chords Jennifer frantically scribbles on her eight-stave musical paper as they pursue one final address—the one located in the middle of Mackenzie’s grid. Encountering a dark hidden society and sub culture more dangerous and terrifying than they could have imagined, it is there that Dara learns why she was abandoned as a seven-year-old in a candy store all those years ago.

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Book Details:

Book Title: The Clock Flower (The F.I.G. Mysteries) by Barbara Casey
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 180 pages
Genre:  Mystery, Fantasy
Publisher:  Gauthier Publications (Hungry Goat Press)
Release date:   The Clock Flower (2018)
Content Rating:  PG. There are some themes that deal with the Jewish Holocaust and some frightening scenes appropriate for young adult and adult readers.

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Book Description:

The three FIGs—Females of Intellectual Genius—as they are called, have graduated from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women after returning from New York City where Dara learned why her mother abandoned her all those years ago, and they are now attending universities where they can further their special talents. This means they will be separated from each other and from Carolina, their much-loved mentor and teacher who is “one of them,” for the first time in their young lives. They vow to try living apart for one semester, in the so-called real world that doesn’t include the orphanage; but if things don’t work out, they will come up with another plan—a plan where they can be together once again. Dara is invited through Yale University to take part in an exciting archeological project in China. Jennifer, once again visualizing black and white images and the unusual sounds of another cadence that seem to be connected to Mackenzie, is engrossed in creating her next symphony at Juilliard. Mackenzie, because of her genius at problem-solving, is personally chosen by a US Senator to get involved in a mysterious, secret research project involving immortality that is being conducted in a small village in China—not too far from where Dara is involved with the archeological site. Once there, however, she finds herself facing a terrifying death from the blood-dripping teeth of an ancient evil dragon. Her best friends, the FIGs and Carolina, rely on their own unique genius and special talents to save her as she discovers the truth of her birth parents.

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Book Details:

Book Title:  The Nightjar's Promise (Book 4 of The F.I.G. Mysteries) by Barbara Casey
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  130 pages
Genre:  Mystery, Fantasy
Publisher:  Gauthier Publications (Hungry Goat Press)
Release date:   April, 2020
Content Rating:  PG. There are some themes that deal with the Jewish Holocaust and some frightening scenes appropriate for young adult and adult readers.

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Book Description:

Jennifer Torres, one of the three FIGs (Females of Intellectual Genius) who is a genius in both music and art, is the last to leave the closed rehearsal for her upcoming performance over Thanksgiving break at Carnegie Hall when she hears something in the darkened Hall. Recognizing the tilt of the woman’s head and the slight limp of the man as they hurry out an exit door, she realizes it is her parents who were supposedly killed in a terrible car accident when she was 15 years old. Devastated and feeling betrayed, she sends a text to Carolina and the other two FIGs—THURGOOD. It is the code word they all agreed to use if ever one of them got into trouble or something happened that was too difficult to handle. They would all meet back at Carolina’s bungalow at Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women to figure it out.

As soon as they receive the text, because of their genius, Dara starts thinking of words in ancient Hebrew, German, and Yiddish, while Mackenzie’s visions of unique math formulae keep bringing up the date October 11, 1943. That is the date during World War II when the Nazis—the Kunstschutz—looted the paintings of targeted wealthy Jewish families and hid them away under Hitler’s orders. And as Carolina waits for the FIGs to return to Wood Rose, she hears warnings from Lyuba, her gypsy mother, to watch for the nightjar, the ancient name for the whip-poor-will.

As they search for “The Nightjar’s Promise” and the truth surrounding it, Carolina and the FIGs come face to face with evil that threatens to destroy not only their genius, but their very lives.

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Coming Soon to Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Bookstores Everywhere! 

 

Meet the Author:

Originally from Carrollton, Illinois, author/agent/publisher Barbara Casey attended the University of North Carolina, N.C. State University, and N.C. Wesleyan College where she received a BA degree, summa cum laude, with a double major in English and history. In 1978 she left her position as Director of Public Relations and Vice President of Development at North Carolina Wesleyan College to write full time and develop her own manuscript evaluation and editorial service. In 1995 she established the Barbara Casey Agency and since that time has represented authors from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. In 2014, she became a partner with Strategic Media Books, an independent nonfiction publisher of true crime, where she oversees acquisitions, day-to-day operations, and book production.

Ms. Casey has written over a dozen award-winning books of fiction and nonfiction for both young adults and adults. The awards include the National Association of University Women Literary Award, the Sir Walter Raleigh Literary Award, the Independent Publisher Book Award, the Dana Award for Outstanding Novel, the IP Best Book for Regional Fiction, among others. Two of her nonfiction books have been optioned for major films, one of which is under contract.

Her award-winning articles, short stories, and poetry for adults have appeared in both national and international publications including the North Carolina Christian Advocate Magazine, The New East Magazine, the Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer, the Rocky Mount (N.C.) Sunday Telegram, Dog Fancy, ByLine, The Christian Record, Skirt! Magazine, and True Story. A thirty-minute television special which Ms. Casey wrote and coordinated was broadcast on WRAL, Channel 5, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She also received special recognition for her editorial work on the English translations of Albanian children’s stories. Her award-winning science fiction short stories for adults are featured in The Cosmic Unicorn and CrossTime science fiction anthologies. Ms. Casey's essays and other works appear in The Chrysalis Reader, the international literary journal of the Swedenborg Foundation, 221 One-Minute Monologues from Literature (Smith and Kraus Publishers), and A Cup of Comfort (Adams Media Corporation).

Ms. Casey is a former director of BookFest of the Palm Beaches, Florida, where she served as a guest author and panelist. She has served as a judge for the Pathfinder Literary Awards in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida, and was the Florida Regional Advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators from 1991 through 2003. In 2018 Ms. Casey received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and Top Professional Award for her extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the field of publishing and other areas. She makes her home on the top of a mountain in northwest Georgia with her husband and three cats who adopted her, Homer, Reese, and Earl Gray - Reese’s best friend.

Connect with the author:  Website~ Goodreads ~ Facebook

Tour Schedule:

May 25 – KC Beanie Boos Collection – series spotlight
May 26 – Nighttime Reading Center – series spotlight / giveaway
May 26 - Sefina Hawke's Books – series spotlight
May 27 – T's Stuff – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 27 - Book Corner News and Reviews – series spotlight / giveaway
May 28 – Locks, Hooks and Books – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 28 - Library of Clean Reads – series spotlight / giveaway
May 29 – Jazzy Book Reviews – series spotlight / giveaway
May 29 - La libreria di Beppe – series spotlight / giveaway
June 1 – My Reading Journeys – series spotlight / giveaway
June 2 – Bookworm for Kids – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
June 2 - @momfluenster – series spotlight / giveaway
June 2 - Stephanie Jane – series spotlight / giveaway
June 3 – Splashes of Joy – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
June 4 – Celticlady's Reviews – series spotlight / giveaway
June 4 - Blooming with Books – series spotlight / giveaway
June 5 – Writer with Wanderlust – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
June 5 - Books for Books – series spotlight

Enter the Giveaway:

Win 1 of 3 print or 1 of 3 ebooks of 

THE F.I.G. MYSTERY series,

or a $25 Amazon Gift Card

(open USA & Canada) 

(7 winners) 

(ends 06/12/2020)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Freaky in Fresno ~ Review

Freaky in Fresno
By Laurie Boyle Crompton
Narrated by Madison Lawrence

Freaky in Fresno is a fun book that features two former BFF cousins as they get an eye-opening day learning just what the other's life really is like. Ricki and Lana used to do almost everything together. But after a road trip with their moms and aunt, everything changed.

When Aunt May gifts the two teens with a pink convertible, sparks are sure to fly. But the flying sparks are going to make the next day one that neither Ricki or Lana is about to forget anytime soon. And both are about to have a day that will find Ricki living Lana's life and Lana living Ricki's which is a BIG problem as each has the event of the summer occurring in just a few hours. Can they figure out how to get back to their own bodies before it is too late and they ruin the other's life? And the only one who notices anything is a chihuahua with a major attitude problem (actually reminds me of a couple of dachshunds I know and love).

I really found this book a fun deviation from my normal fare. This is totally teen girl fun and at places totally over-the-top craziness. And throw in a couple of boyfriends you are looking at a relationship disaster waiting to happen. If you are looking for an escape from the stress of your day-to-day with some unbelievable family dynamics look no further.

Now I didn't read this book but rather listened to it in audiobook form. It is narrated by Madison Lawrence who did a good job presenting the story. (I listened to it at 1.25 speed so it went a little faster than the 8 hours and 16 minutes listed time)

If you are familiar with Laurie Boyles Crompton's previous title Pretty In Punxsutawney you will enjoy this one and there is more movie fun involved in this one too. No school situations with this one as it takes place towards the end of summer vacation. But this time it is a drive-in rather than a theater. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Libro.fm with no expectations but to provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Influencers. Movie nerds. Beauty queens. And one pink convertible. 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend a day in her shoes? Two estranged cousins—geeky horror movie fanatic Ricki and makeup guru Lana—accidentally switch bodies for a fateful summer road trip that is part Freaky Friday, part romcom, and all heart.

Ricki has one goal: save the Starlight Drive-in movie theater from going dark forever. Okay, make that two goals … she may also want a first kiss from her cinema-rescuing partner and major crush, Jake. Lana definitely has only one goal: grow her online makeup channel to keep her momager off her back, even if the posts attract ugly internet trolls.

The two cousins couldn’t be more different, but their opposite personalities come crashing to a head when their aunt gifts the girls a vintage cotton-candy-pink convertible. To share. Ricki wants the convertible for the drive-in’s grand reopening, but it’s the same day as Digifest, a huge event where Lana needs to shine. After a major fight and a minor electric shock while wrestling over the wheel, Ricki wakes up as Lana, and Lana wakes up as Ricki.

Ricki and Lana have only a day to un-Freaky Friday themselves, a task made even more difficult as they try to keep up appearances on Lana’s channel and with Ricki’s hopefully soon-to-be-kissed crush. But it turns out experiencing a day as each other—with a mini road trip and Chihuahua wrangling—may be the one thing that helps the cousins see each other and themselves more clearly.

Thirst ~ Review

Thirst
Thirst Duology #1
By Jill Williamson

Eli McShane and his friends have been taking part in a wilderness survival adventure, never realizing that the skills they had learned would be needed just hours later. During the 2-weeks they were gone the world changed forever and people are dying everywhere. And it is into this unknown that they are about to enter.

Thirst is aptly named as the world's water supply has almost overnight become contaminated and there are no known means to purify it. Bathing, cooking, if your water comes from any source other than bottled water your hours are coming to a painful end if you use it.

Unprepared for his role as a leader, Eli does the best he can to secure supplies and gather what friends he has left on a trek back to the La Plata Mountain region of Colorado that they had been in when everything began (or ended).  But hundreds of miles lie between them and their destination and there are unknown dangers that could very well cost them their lives. Along the way, he is forced to decide whether or not to help those he comes across.

Thirst keeps the reader in an almost continuous state of peril and suspense. For those who are familiar with Jill Williamson's previous works, this is the first book in a duology that is the origins story for her Safe Lands series. If you have not yet read any of her books this book is the perfect introduction as you do not need to have any familiarity with previous books to enjoy this action-packed thriller. If you like dystopian, Speculative, or thriller fiction this brings all three together in a well-balanced offering that will leave you wanting more!

I received a complimentary early proof from the author with no expectations - all thoughts expressed are my own honest opinion. I have since purchased a copy of this book.

About the Book:

The end of the world is only the beginning...

A waterborne disease has contaminated the world’s fresh water, decimating the human race. Seventeen-year-old Eli McShane and his friends flee the chaos and violence in Phoenix and journey north toward the rumored location of a safe water source. They add several to their number, including the mysterious Hannah, who is being hunted by a dangerous man. Desperation brings out the worst in many of the travelers, infecting even those closest to Eli. When division comes, will he be able to hold his group together or will each fall victim to their own thirst for survival?

Join us old friends from Glenrock and Jack's Peak in this thrilling first book of the Thirst Duology. Best-selling author Jill Williamson has brought back the breathtaking suspense of The Safe Lands series in this chilling prequel that will leave readers thirsting for the next installment.

Hereafter ~ Review

Hereafter
The Lost Princesses #3
By Jody Hedlund

Emmeline has always known she was one of the lost princesses of Mercia. For the last 18 years, she has been raised by the very people who saved her and her sisters from the blade of King Ethelwulf. But the time has come to leave all she's known and join with her sisters in their attempt to reclaim the throne that rightfully belongs to Queen Adelaide Constance. But Emmeline fears that she hasn't the courage to face the coming war, she wants nothing more than to continue living the life she has always known. But change is coming whether she wants it to or not.

Prince Ethelrex (Rex), as the elder son of King Ethelwulf, is heir to the throne of the united Kingdom of Bryttania. But to secure his position and to stop the rebellion, Rex has been tasked by his father to secure the remaining princess and marry Emmeline upon capturing her. But finding this hidden away princess is no easy task as he is in a race against Queen Adelaide's rebels in securing her and her key to the ancient treasure of Solomon.

Forced into a marriage she doesn't want Emmeline wonders if this is her purpose to be a means to bring peace to the land and avoid the bloodshed war is sure to bring. Or is she merely a tool to be manipulated by King Ethelwulf to destroy her sisters? And Rex's promise that he meant his marriage vows - manipulation or truth? Emmeline's future and her heart depend on who Rex truly is.

Hereafter is the conclusion to the Lost Princess series and it is a series that must be read in order as each book builds upon what came before. For those who have read Always, we get to catch up on the life that Felicia and Lance took to protect the three princesses. The book and series end in such a way that it should prove satisfactory to almost everyone. And yes this book continues the clean YA standard those familiar with Jody Hedlund's YA works expect and appreciate. This is one series you don't want to miss.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

The third lost princess. 

The final key to the treasure. 

And a battle for the throne.

Growing up deep in the forest as a poor charcoal burner’s daughter, Emmeline has always known her identity as a princess of Mercia, and she lives in fear of being caught and killed. When her adopted father returns from town with news regarding the imminence of war, Emmeline has no wish to join the rebellion against King Ethelwulf.

Prince Ethelrex, the strongest warrior in the land, has done everything he can to prove his loyalty to his father, including searching for the last lost princess. When Ethelrex finally captures Emmeline, the king commands his son to marry the princess in order to win the support of the people and undermine the rebellion.

Forced into marriage, Emmeline has one goal—to escape. But Ethelrex takes his marriage vows seriously, including his promise to love and cherish his wife, and has no intention of letting Emmeline get away. As the battle for the throne rages, will the prince be able to win the battle for Emmeline’s heart?

Thirst ~ Cover Reveal

Anyone who is familiar with Jill Williamson's work has most likely heard or read her Safe Lands trilogy. And if you have read it, you, like me, have wondered about the outbreak that brought about this world. Well, wonder no more as we are about to be introduced to this world.

Thirst by Jill Williamson is coming soon and we are about to see the cover of the first book in the prequel duology. 

But first a little about the book and then the cover.

The end of the world is only the beginning. A waterborne disease has contaminated the world’s freshwater, decimating the human race. Seventeen-year-old Eli McShane and his friends flee the chaos and violence in Phoenix and journey north toward the rumored location of a safe water source. They add several to their number, including the mysterious Hannah, who is being hunted by a dangerous man. Desperation brings out the worst in many of the travelers, infecting even those closest to Eli. When division comes, will he be able to hold his group together or will each fall victim to their own thirst for survival. 

Join some old friends from Glenrock and Jack's Peak in this thrilling first book of the Thirst Duology. Best-selling author Jill Williamson has brought back the breathtaking suspense of The Safe Lands series in this chilling prequel that will leave readers panting for the next installment.

And now the cover which Jill has been kind enough to share. 

You can preorder at http://jillwilliamson.com/thirst  

It is coming in November!

#thirstduology #jillwilliamson #coverreveal #coverlove #yabookstagram #ireadya  

Foremost ~ Review

Foremost
The Lost Princesses #2
By Jody Hedlund

Maribel's only memories are of life within the isolated abbey hidden away in the Highlands away from the eyes of all save those who call it home. She is anticipating the day when she can take her vows and become a nun. Her healing skills are a gift from God and only as a nun will she be allowed to treat those in need. She knows that she along with her two best friends Edmund and Colette were orphans of noble families that were slaughtered when King Ethelwulf invaded Mercia.

But Maribel's world is shaken when a visitor arrives declaring that she is one of the Lost Princesses of Mercia. Worse she is being hunted by King Ethelwulf's Elite Guard in an attempt to secure his hold upon Mercia forever. Maribel is determined to reunite with the sisters she never knew she had but she isn't willing to give up her desire to take her vows.

Time is against them and all too soon Maribel and her appointed protector Edmund are on the run from Ethelwulf's troops. Can the pair stay ahead of their enemy and make their way to Norland and the presence of Queen Adelaide Constance?

Maribel's protector Edmund Chambers has loved Maribel as long as he's known her though he knows she sees him as just a friend or perhaps a brother. And he is willing to do anything to keep her safe even if it costs him his life! And to get this Lost Princess away from the clutches of Ethelwulf he just might pay it.

Foremost is the second book in the Lost Princesses series and it is just as good if not better than the first book Evermore. Now you absolutely must read the prequel novella Always and Evermore before starting Foremost. The books must be read in order to fully enjoy the series and to understand what exactly is taking place. And seriously they will look great on your bookshelf lined up together.

Those familiar with Jody Hedlund's YA books will enjoy this latest offering that offers enough twists and teases to capture the reader's attention from cover to cover. And the ending gives just enough of a hint of what is to come that the reader will be anticipating book 3 which is releasing at the end of  October 2019.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

A second princess. 

Another key to the treasure. 

And a cruel king desperate to squelch the growing rebellion.

Raised in an isolated abbey, Lady Maribel desires nothing more than to become a nun and continue practicing her healing arts. She’s carefree and happy with her life…until a visitor comes to the abbey and reveals her true identity as one of the lost princesses.

When he was a young boy, Edmund Chambers helplessly watched King Ethelwulf murder his family. Edmund escaped and has lived in the abbey ever since, uniquely trained to work with wild animals. Secretly, he loves Maribel and desperately hopes she doesn’t complete her holy order vows.

When King Ethelwulf’s army arrives at the abbey to capture Maribel, she flees with Edmund across the desolate Highlands in an attempt to reach Adelaide’s rebel army. Edmund can no longer hide his love, but can Maribel give up her dreams of becoming a nun to love him in return?

Available for purchase on Amazon

Add to your to-be-read Goodreads list

Learn more at Jody's website

Evermore ~ Review

Evermore
The Lost Princesses #1
By Jody Hedlund

Adelaide has a life that she loves though since Uncle Whelan's death life has been more difficult. And with Aunt Susanna's deteriorating health Adelaide's life is about to change especially when the truth about who she is is revealed. The long-lost Princess Constance didn't die when King Ethelwulf seized the throne of Mercia instead she was hidden away at Langley for the last 17 years and the time to lay claim to her throne has come.

But Adelaide has no desire to change her life and claim what she doesn't know. But when she sees the suffering of the people that she should be queen over she knows that she has little choice in the matter. She owes it to those who her parents ruled to become the ruler that they desired her to be.

But King Ethelwulf is determined to hold onto his united kingdom of Bryttania (the reunion of Mercia and Warwick) and he will do whatever he can to keep Adelaide from laying claim to what he believes is his and his family's by right. And the "cousins" who love her will do all in their power to keep her safe even if it costs them everything. Christopher wants Adelaide to lead the rebellion that has grown over the years, the rebellion that he left home 5 years ago to join. While Mitchell wants to protect Adelaide and fulfill the vow he made upon his mother's deathbed.

Evermore is the first book in the Lost Princesses series but it isn't the beginning, to learn how Adelaide escaped from King Ethelwulf you will need to read the prequel novella Always. But Always isn't necessary to read and enjoy Evermore, though knowing the backstory is always nice. Evermore is the beginning of the quest to restore what was lost and the first step is Adelaide laying claim to the throne that was stolen and then to find the sisters she has lost uniting with them to find a long lost treasure. Evermore is the first step and it is a delightful book that is complete in itself and one can anticipate the next book without being left hanging from a cliff. One knows more is coming but it is a satisfying ending.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

An ancient key. 

A secret treasure. 

And a princess destined to use them both to fight evil and restore peace. 

Raised by a noble family, Lady Adelaide has always known she’s an orphan. Little does she realize she’s one of the lost princesses and the true heir to Mercia’s throne…until a visitor arrives at her family estate, reveals her birthright as queen, and thrusts her into a quest for the throne whether she’s ready or not.

Unable to tolerate King Ethelwulf’s cruelty and lawlessness, Christopher Langley left Mercia years earlier, training a group of rebels in neighboring Norland. When he returns home after his mother’s death, he discovers that not only is Adelaide all grown up, but she’s also the rightful queen of Mercia.

When King Ethelwulf discovers Adelaide’s location, he’ll stop at nothing to capture her and the key she holds to the ancient treasure. Christopher is just as determined to protect Adelaide so she can lead the growing rebellion. When feelings ignite between the two old friends, forces threaten to destroy their love and rip them apart forever.

Always ~ Review

Always
The Lost Princesses: Prequel
By Jody Hedlund

King Ethelwulf of Warwick has determined that the Kingdom Mercia is rightfully his and nothing will stand in his way. And King Ethelwulf will show no mercy having employed the fierce and fearsome Saracens to fight against the Mercian troops.

As Ethelwulf lays siege to the castle Queen Aurora accepts Lady Felicia's vow to save the lives of her children - 3-year-old crown princess Constance, and the twin daughters that she has just birthed. At just 17 years Felicia is unsure how she will accomplish such a task but she has pledged everything to fulfill her promise to the dying queen.

King Francis of Mercia has entrusted the safety of his family and the future of Mercia into the hands of his most trusted member of the Elite Guard - Lance. Lance has been entrusted with the princesses and the means of proving their heritage when the time to reclaim what has been lost is upon them. Equipped to battle the enemy Lance has no skills with caring for children much less just born babes. And the noble young woman who has the princesses isn't about to hand them over.

With the enemy just behind them, Lance and Felicia must make their escape from the castle and reach a place of safety to protect their charges. But Ethelwulf wants none left alive who may make a claim to the throne of Mercia and so escape may be more challenging than they are prepared for. And are they willing to give up all that they have known for three princesses who may never reclaim their heritage?

Just a warning the ending will leave you wanting more - fortunately, the first book of the series releases just a few days later so there won't be a long wait. This is yet another lovely read for the YA audience who wants clean reading. Those familiar with Jody Hedlund's previous YA series Noble Knights will love this new world that is opening with this novella. With a nod to medieval history as the setting this is a unique story that will keep the reader's attention. This is one of those just one more chapter books that one just can't put down until the last word.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.



About the Book:

A fierce elite guard. 

A loyal lady in waiting. 

They must work together to save 

three princesses from certain death.

On the verge of dying after giving birth to twins, the queen of Mercia pleads with Lady Felicia to save her infant daughters. With the castle overrun by King Ethelwulf’s invading army, Lady Felicia vows to do whatever she can to take the newborn princesses and their three-year old sister to safety, even though it means sacrificing everything she holds dear, possibly her own life.

Gravely wounded in battle and knowing all is lost to his enemy, the king of Mercia tasks Lance, one of his fiercest elite guards, to protect his family along with keys to an ancient treasure. As Lance makes plans to sneak the princesses out of the capital city, he doesn’t need or want Lady Felicia’s help.

With the dark enemy in pursuit, Lance and Felicia must put aside their differences to outrun King Ethelwulf and prevent him from killing the princesses. In a desperate attempt to hide the young girls, Lance and Felicia agree to a marriage of convenience, a decision that will change their lives—and hearts—forever.

Coding for Kids: Scratch ~ Review

Coding for Kids: Scratch 
Learn Coding Skills, Create 10 Fun Games, and Master Scratch
By Matthew Highland

Coding for Kids is aimed at kids 6 years and older. The basics of coding and Scratch are laid out in easy to understand language that assumes you are starting this book with no previous knowledge from which to draw upon. Younger kids will need a parent (or another adult) to help them out when they first start using Scratch - but with this book, even the coding novice parent will be able to help their child navigate this new world,

I really think this is easiest to understand book on coding I have ever picked up and examined. If you can only get one book this is the one to go with. The text is straightforward and not confusing and the numerous illustrations allow you to verify that you are indeed on the right track with what you are doing.  I like that there is a glossary of terms in the back of the book - mark it with a tab - trust me you will make frequent trips to this page until the terms become familiar. The knowledge that you gain from this book is well worth the price.

*You will need access to a computer or tablet with an internet connection so if you don't have this at home check with your local library as many offer public access computers that you may be able to use and as your work in Scratch is saved in your account you will be able to use it anywhere.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Learn to code and make awesome games with Scratch!

Learn coding concepts and skills and start creating your own games right away! Coding for Kids: Scratch is a complete guide that makes mastering this programming language fun and easy for children (ages 6+).

From sprites and code blocks to scripts and scorekeeping, Coding for Kids: Scratch helps you discover everything you need to know to create 10 amazing games that you and your friends can play. Watch your confidence grow with step-by-step instructions and clear directions that keep things simple―even as the games you’re making get more challenging. Game on!

Coding for Kids: Scratch includes:

• Coding for kids―Learn Scratch terms and concepts, then use them to build games you can start playing immediately.
• Create 10 games―Cake Clicker, Dino Hunt, Crystal Keeper, and more―code, play, and share 10 cool games.
• Master Scratch―Simple directions, full-color screenshots, and projects that get more difficult make mastering Scratch a breeze.

The Lady and the Wish ~ Review

The Lady and the Wish
Faraway Castle #4
By J.M. Stengl

Lady Gillian Montmorency is determined to win a prince's heart. So far all her plans have gone awry but this year will be different - this year she won't lose to a maid or a mermaid - this year she'll win the heart of a prince. This year her target is Prince Fidelio - there is just one little problem people keep interfering with her plans. First, there is Fidelio's cousin, whose name escapes her thanks to that monstrosity of a bird's nest that he calls a beard! Then there is Prince Max who is anything but charming and so obnoxious, acting as if she is nothing more than an expensive and naturally gorgeous accessory to be obtained.

But when everything goes wrong and the wrong man proposes Gillian is shocked that she has become the bartering piece in saving her family from ruin and scandal. Of course, no one bothered to inform her of anything until it is too late. Now her refusal is costing her a year - a year in which she'll play companion to an old eccentric lady who lives far from the social life Gillian has grown accustomed to. But to save her family and her own future Gillian agrees to serve as a companion for a year.

Lady Beneventi is not what Gillian expected - there is something mysterious going on at her villa and Gillian is not exactly sure what it is but it seems to have taken a dislike to her. There are doors that disappear, multiplying dogs, and other things that are but shouldn't be. This is going to be a very long year!

Those who have read the previous books in the Faraway Castle series will remember Gillian and not have fond memories of her and her less than kind antics. Well, this time we get to really meet Gillian and at the beginning of the story, she's just as unlikable as she appeared to be. But as the story progresses Gillian begins to grow as a person. Being without what was familiar allows her to see the world differently, allows her to people as who they are rather than what they are. Who knew a Lady could become friends with those in positions of service? Well, this is just one of the many things Gillian is about to discover. And she just might find a heart that will lead her to her future rather than the ambitions that before controlled her every action and thought.

Another enjoyable read from J.M. Stengl that provides a contemporary twist on a beloved fairytale that is appropriate for all but the youngest readers. This book has some humorous scenes that just have to be read to be believed. If you are looking for something that will take you out of your ordinary for a few hours you've found it with The Lady and the Wish.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but my honest feedback - all thoughts expressed are my own. In full disclosure, I have since purchased a copy of this book as the copy I read was a prerelease edition.
   


About the Book:
Gillian set her heart on marrying a prince.

Lady Gillian Montmorency is determined to win Prince Fidelio’s heart, but her plans are crashing around her ears. First, Fidelio’s older cousin with a beard like a bird’s nest proposes to her. Next, intimidating Prince Max insists she will be his next trophy.

But the worst of all, her parents reveal a financial scandal. To pay off her father’s debt, Gillian must agree to work one year as companion to an old lady at some remote and ramshackle villa.

Fine. She’ll go. But she doesn’t have to like it.

Something strange is going on at Lady Beneventi’s villa. Ghostly people appear, doors vanish, statues come to life . . . and the old lady herself despises Gillian. With the help of a handsome but hostile construction worker, can Gillian solve the mystery of the wishes and return to her proper place in high society? Can she finally snare a prince to marry?

Or might love play a part in changing her plans?

A King Thrushbeard Romance

To Best the Boys ~ Review

To Best the Boys
By Mary Weber

Rhen Tellur has never been like other girls her mind is consumed with matters of intelligence and thinking (GASP!!!) And she wants nothing more than to continue her education but higher education is only for boys. But Rhen is determined to find the cure for the illness that the poor of her town are succumbing to.

As more of the Lowers fall ill the Uppers act as if their disease is due to lack of basic cleanliness and that poverty is just another symptom of their substandard intelligence. But Rhen knows if those in power and with the means to fund the research would listen this growing danger could be cured.  But as a young woman, her voice is just ignored by the Upper men.

This year Rhen is going to make everyone take notice and listen to her concerns - this year she is going to best the boys and win the scholarship to Stemwick University, an all-male institute. She is going to get the education she needs and find a cure to the crippling illness before time runs out for her mother. But to do this she'll need to disguise herself as a boy and hope no one notices her before she enters the labyrinth. And then there is a little matter of surviving the labyrinth which is a test of one's intelligence, knowledge, common sense, ability to think under pressure, and character. Does hiding your identity count as a strike against character? Only time and the labyrinth will tell.

To Best the Boys is an exciting fantasy read that will keep the reader turning the pages as the story progresses. This is a blend of realistic with factors that tend towards superstition and old wives tales - sirens and ghouls which I have to say are more than a little creepy.  There is also a class dispute brewing between the Lowers and the Uppers and Rhen is in the middle of it thanks to her background which has her in both worlds and yet in neither. Actions have consequences and nothing can remain hidden forever as Rhen is about to discover firsthand.

Change is coming to the kingdom of Caldon...and it is about to start in the Labyrinth.

I received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.     



About the Book:

The task is simple:

Don a disguise.

Survive the labyrinth.

Best the boys.

In a thrilling new fantasy from the bestselling author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, one girl makes a stand against society and enters a world made exclusively for boys.

Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port have received a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. The poorer residents look to see if their names are on the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink and parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope.

In the province of Caldon, where women train in wifely duties and men pursue collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands—through the annual all-male scholarship competition.

With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone is ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the deadly maze.

Welcome to the labyrinth.

We Were Beautiful ~ Review

We Were Beautiful
By Heather Hepler

She can't remember,

She can't forget...

Nearly a year has passed since the night Mia killed her sister. She doesn't remember it but she was driving and Rachel is dead. Her family has become as scarred as Mia's face and nothing will be able to repair the damage of that night. And now Mia is being sent to spend the summer with a grandmother she has never before met.

But this summer may just offer Mia a chance to live again but there are the dreams that refuse to let her go and yet they keep the memories from truly surfacing. And then there is the job her grandmother arranged for her - I mean who wants to get up before the sun and go to work during summer vacation. But Brunelli's Diner is just the place for Mia, especially after she meets Fig a personality that just may make her Mia's closest friend.

As Fig introduces Mia to her closest friends Mia is about to see the world through new eyes seeing beyond the surface to that which is inside. Sometimes to start healing we need to see the pain of others and this is just what Mia is about to do. And when you throw in the Brunelli family one has no choice but to heal with all the love they share.

This is an emotionally charged book that shows the different ways we can confront pain and loss. No one person handles it the same as evidenced by Mia, her parents and how dealt with the loss of Rachel differently. Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself and this what several characters in this book are dealing with. The guilt one heaps upon one's self is not usually in proportion to what happened but we are left with "if only's" that get magnified as we look back.

This is definitely a teen book with all the issues it deals with. Issues that will leave the reader thinking "How would I have handled this situation?" And the best fiction that stays with us has a way of making us look past the normal that we are comfortable with and thinking and empathizing with the characters we are being introduced to. This would be an excellent teen book club selection if you are looking for a title to add to your list of possibilities.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

It’s been a year since fifteen-year-old Mia Hopkins was in the car crash that killed her older sister and left her terribly scarred. The doctors tell her she was lucky to survive. Her therapist says it will take time to heal. The police reports claim there were trace amounts of alcohol in her bloodstream. But no matter how much she tries to reconstruct the events of that fateful night, Mia’s memory is spotty at best. She’s left with accusations, rumors, and guilt so powerful it could consume her.

As the rest of Mia’s family struggles with their own grief, Mia is sent to New York City to spend the summer with a grandmother she’s never met. All Mia wants to do is hide from the world, but instead she’s stuck with a summer job in the bustling kitchens of the café down the street. There she meets Fig—blue-haired, friendly, and vivacious—who takes Mia under her wing. As Mia gets to know Fig and her friends—including Cooper, the artistic boy who is always on Mia’s mind—she realizes that she’s not the only one with a painful past.

Over the summer, Mia begins to learn that redemption isn’t as impossible as she once thought, but her scars inside run deep and aren’t nearly so simple to heal … especially when Mia finally pieces together her memories of the night Rachel died.

From acclaimed author Heather Hepler comes We Were Beautiful, a poignant young adult novel about tragedy, forgiveness, and love. Perfect for fans of Robyn Schneider and Justina Chen.

Paperback: 304 Pages
Publisher: Blink (April 2, 2019)

Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Coming of Age

ISBN: 978-0-0310-76643-8

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

Heather Hepler is the author of several books for teens and tweens, including Frosted Kisses, Love? Maybe, and The Cupcake Queen. Having lived in East Texas, Alaska, and Death Valley, she currently resides with her son, their two spoiled cats, and their ridiculously smart dog in Maine.

Connect with Heather

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Heather Hepler’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, April 1st: @booksbeforebedtime and Books Before Bedtime

Tuesday, April 2nd: Book Fidelity

Wednesday, April 3rd: @createexploreread

Friday, April 5th: Not in Jersey

Monday, April 8th: A Bookish Way of Life

Tuesday, April 9th: Teachers Who Read

Wednesday, April 10th: Blooming with Books

Thursday, April 11th: Christian Chick’s Thoughts

Monday, April 15th: @diaryofaclosetreader

Wednesday, April 17th: @librarycutie

Thursday, April 18th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Monday, April 22nd: Book by Book

Tuesday, April 23rd: Bookworm for Kids

Wednesday, April 24th: Amy’s Book-et List

Thursday, April 25th: View from the Birdhouse