Dizneeee's World of Books

Trouble With Toads Book Blast

Once upon a time a young girl wanted revenge. But first, she wanted to be beautiful.

Twelve-year-old Bettony has read enough stories that begin with ‘Once upon a time’ to know what happens to the ugly stepsisters at the end, and she’s determined to escape that fate by any means necessary—even by magic.

Unfortunately, when it comes to magic, there is no place for regret, refunds, or exchanges. Even if you accidentally turn your older sister into a toad.

If Bettony wants her Happily Ever After to end well, she’s going to have to find a way to turn her sister back into a person before their mother finds out she’s been dabbling with magic and grounds her for life.

Tracking down the family magic turns out to be surprisingly easy. Now, if only it came with directions . . .

THE TROUBLE WITH TOADS (45,000 words) is the first book in a new upper MG series The Secret Stepsister Society. The second book will be released Summer 2013.

Amazon

Author Danyelle Leafty

Danyelle Leafty writes upper MG and YA fantasy, and is the author of THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA series. Danyelle has always loved fairy tales, and prefers stories where someone gets eaten, or at the very least, transmogrified. Much of her inspiration has come from fairy tales, because as G.K. Chesterton so aptly states, "Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."

In her spare time, she collects dragons, talking frogs, and fairy godmothers. She also collects books, and one day hopes to make a house out of them. She enjoys learning languages, fiddling with her harp, and perfecting the fine art of mothering. (It's a lot like trying to herd chickens during a lightning storm while a goat stampede is going on.)

One of her heroes is Albert Einstein, particularly for the following quote: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The most important thing is not to stop questioning."

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Blog

Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/10/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $50 US.

Review: All I Need

Title: All I Need
Author: Susane Colasanti Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads
Source: Netgalley e-ARC
Publisher: Penguin/Viking
Pages: 240

Goodreads Summary & Cover:

The last night of summer is only the beginning.

Skye wants to meet the boy who will change her life forever. Seth feels their instant connection the second he sees her. When Seth starts talking to Skye at the last beach party of the summer, it’s obvious to both of them that this is something real. But when Seth leaves for college before they exchange contact info, Skye wonders if he felt the same way she did—and if she will ever see him again. Even if they find their way back to each other, can they make a long-distance relationship work despite trust issues, ex drama, and some serious background differences?

Teen favorite Susane Colasanti returns to the alternating-voice style of her beloved debut When It Happens in this Serendipity-inspired story about summer, soul mates, and the moments that change our lives forever.

Thoughts:
ALL I NEED is a book about girl sees boy, boy sees girl, they have an instant connection. This type of storyline can ~~sometimes~~ often be frustrating. However, it was the perfect and ideal meeting for Skye and Seth. If not for that connection and the day that they spent together, there wouldn't have been a story.

One day together and then an accidental parting, without information exchanged, led to a year of wondering and frustration for our two main characters. Skye was sure that Seth was "the one" and Seth was convinced of the same. Let me tell you, when Skye and Seth met again the following summer at the beach, I grinned from ear to ear! The way that they could joke and get along so well without feeling uncomfortable was amazing! I was quite jealous, actually.

They finally spent time together and seriously fell in love. They promised to call and travel to see each other since they weren't really that far from each other. Skye was still in high school and Seth was in college. They did talk on the phone a lot and traveled to see each other, but just wasn't as often as they thought they would be able to do due to Seth's courses and job.

Their relationship furthers and they manage to see each other when they can. I did appreciate that Colasanti held off on the sex part until after Skye was 18. I thought it was considerate and mature.

As the saying goes, everything changes after sex. Relationships change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for worse. Skye and Seth hit a rough patch and some issues were brought up: gross roommate, major decisions made without discussing with each other, silly high school drama, money, etc...

When the ending of the book came, I was crying. The ending earned my tears!

I really loved the optimism, true love/soul mate idea, and the want and need to make the relationship work in this story. It was refreshing and honest without being cheesy or unbelievable. It was all just so sweet!

Rating:

Lovely Contemporary read that I was in need of reading. Hopeful and optimistic with lots of humor, 80s references, and some tears.

Challenge: Standalone Reading Challenge

Review: School Spirits

Title: School Spirits

Author: Rachel Hawkins Website // Twitter

Source: Netgalley e-ARC

Publisher: Disney Book Group/Hyperion

Pages: 304

Date Released: May 14, 2013

Goodreads Summary & Cover:

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?

Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as the New York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!

Thoughts:
First of all, let me just say how happy I am that a new Rachel Hawkins book is out for us to read! I enjoyed the Hex Hall series so much and it seems like such a long time has passed since the Hawkins humor and snark have been a part of my life!

Like Hex Hall, I can tell that I am going to enjoy this new series, School Spirits! We met Izzy in the final Hex Hall book, Spellbound. I'm so thankful that the story of Sophie Mercer isn't over, even though she's not active in this new book. She was mentioned a couple of times, but this series is all about Izzy, Sophie's feisty cousin!

The humor is definitely with us through Izzy's first book. The characters in School Spirits were great! The idea of having a "ghost club"...errr..."PMS," absolutely cracked me up and caused a giggle or two when "PMS" was mentioned. Izzy couldn't have stumbled across better friends if she had tried.

Romy, Anderson, and Dex were friends and in this club together. They welcomed Izzy with open arms and they all hit it off...especially after Izzy accidently dislocated a mean boy's shoulder during dodge ball. (LOL!!!)

Izzy's plan wasn't to make friends. It was to find the ghost and get rid of it. No matter how hard she tried and reminded herself that she was there for a job, and nothing more, she needed her friends in the end. She didn't realize what she had been missing out on since she didn't attend school and only had her mom and sister in her life.

A sidestory, and I'm guessing what will be the plot for the remaining books, is the story of Izzy's sister, Finley. She had disappeared before this story began. I'm guessing the remainder of the series will be Izzy, her mom, and a new friend (hint, hint) trying to find Finley.

I thoroughly enjoyed School Spirits! This is definitely a series I am looking forward to reading. I'll be at my local bookstore on release days!

Rating:

School Spirits is full of humor and lots of laughing happened. There were a couple of moments where my eyes got a little watery, and you'll see why when you read it! You HAVE to read School Spirits!

Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop

Love in Bloom

Giveaway Hop

Featuring Lighthearted/Contemporary Young Adult Romance

& Sweet, Clean Adult Romance

Welcome to my stop for the Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Portrait of a Book.

This giveaway is International, as long as the Book Depository ships to your location.
Anyone 13 years or older may enter.
Contest begins at 5:00PM EST on May 15 and ends at 11:59PM EST on May 22.
Prize up for grabs -- ANY book (including any available for pre-order) from the following authors:

Jennifer L. Armentrout (list)
Deb Caletti (list)
Sarah Dessen (list)
Jennifer Echols (list)
Miranda Kenneally (list)
Jessi Kirby (list)
Stephanie Perkins (list)
Jennifer E. Smith (list)

Yes, I do mean a book from one of the authors listed in the previous bullet in this post.
If you win, you may choose hardback, paperback, or an ebook; whatever is available and your favorite format.
Don't be a goober and try to cheat. I will disqualify you if you do. I promise!

Enter the Rafflecopter below and make sure to follow the rest of the hop! A lot of blogs are offering lots of love books! Hooray for loooooove!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hop along for more love!

May Kindle Fire Giveaway

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER SPONSORED GIVEAWAY!

Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).

Ends 5/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Trouble With Toads Book Blast

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Review: All I Need

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Review: School Spirits

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Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop

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May Kindle Fire Giveaway