BOOK TAG: Pokemon Go

Disclaimer:  Pokemon Go belongs to Niantic and Nintendo, please don’t sue me.

I found this book tag via Jess Hearts Books, although originally created by Read at Midnight and it looked like so much fun! I'm slightly addicted to Pokemon Go.... well more than slightly and I thought this would be a fun little (not so little) book tag to do as I've not done one in a LONG time. I hope you enjoy! 

Rules:

• NIL. Link back to original blog Read at Midnight is appreciated but optional. Feel free to use the original graphics. Tag people, don’t tag people, whatever. Just have fun!

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket was the book(s) that got me into reading for fun rather than just because my teacher told me to. I read the first 8 of the series in 2 weeks and I was hooked... I can't say my love really continued part book 8 but I finished the series eventually and I will always be happy they started my love for reading. 

Harry Potter all the way!! I'll admit the second and five instillment had a few flaws but I can't get enough of these books and I've been reading them since they were first published... well when they were first published my mum read them to me, I was like 5. 

Game of Thrones... I know, I know so please don't kill me! I do love the TV show and the books but sometimes I just get a little tired of it because it is constantly in my face and sometimes I do want a Game of Thrones free night. 

Divergent, The Hunger Games, Maze Runner... I love them all but they do all sometimes blur into one. Divergent is still one of my all time favourite books and that will never change but when a genre becomes popular every story seems to interlink and reminds me of something I've read before. 

The last book in both the City of Bones series and Discovery of Witches series. Both books would kill someone if you hit you on the head and as much as I love both series I can't quite bring myself to read these last instillments. 

The Hunger Games! That was the first book I just could not put down. I remember having school the next day but stayed up until 5am reading it. I called in sick for school and finished it that afternoon. But shhh don't tell on me.

Oh jeez! Where to start, there are way way way too many to pick from... Although i'd have to say Ron and Hermione from Harry Potter are the all time OTP for me.

Harry Potter! Any possible connection to the wizarding world keeps me very happy! 

The Chemical Gardens trilogy by Lauren DeStefano was a surprising one for me. I picked up the book before the cover of Wither is bootiful! But as the story progressed and the books came out I got more and more enthralled but them.

I feel like this is a tag where I see how many times I can fit Harry Potter into the category... to be fair it's fit in most. It's THE series of my generation and I still get excited over it... It's no secret I'm a massive potter head!

I already have one special addition of this book but there is another collectors edition that I'd love to get my hands on and that's FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell. I can't get enough of this book and every edition they release is so pretty!

Ah... okay confession time! It's been so long since I really got into the blogging game that I haven't a clue who's got debut novels out soon. *hangs head in shame* 

ALTHOUGH Cherry by Lindsey Rosin is a recent debut that I absolutely loved! Fingers crossed that redeems me a little bit...

I have a couple of these... Rainbow Rowell, Giovanna Fletcher, J.K. Rowling, Danielle Paige and most recently added to the list Dawn Kurtagich. 

CARVE THE MARK!!! Veronica Roth gave us Divergent and now she's giving us a new series and I can't wait!! Just like 4 months to go... I can cope... I think! 

REVIEW: CHERRY

CHERRY

by Lindsey Rosin

Pages: 356 

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Publication Date: 25th August 2016

ISBN: 1471405761
Received From:  Hot Key Books

Summary 

There's a first time for everything . . .
Layla, Alexis, Zoe and Emma are four best friends with not a lot in common. Well, except one thing . . . But they're determined to lose 'that thing' by the time they graduate high school. Yes, the time has come to Do It. To make love. To have all the sex. It's momentous, it's huge, it's important and it's life-changing. Or . . . is it?
Although each of the girls sets out with a pretty certain idea of what the Big Moment will be like, as they'll discover, life doesn't always work out the way you expect. And in their search for something huge, important and life-changing, they'll discover that they already have it - in each other

Review

Okay so I can't explain why I wanted to read this one but something about it was pulling at my metaphorical jumped like a little kid that wants attention so I HAD to read it and I'm so so so happy I did!! I was worried that it would be a sugar coated representation of high school but it turned out to be quite an honest account of a girls first time and the journey we go through emotionally before, during and after we pop our cherry. Although i'm getting ahead of myself... lets start at the beginning.

Cherry is a story about 4 friends, Layla, Zoe, Emma and Alex, on the lead up to there high school graduation. They have the normal everyday things to deal with like family, friends, classes and actually making it to graduation but in addition to this Layla decides they also need to loose their virginities. Throughout the book you follow all four girls as the make their way through the last few terms of high school and try to loose their V-cards at the same time... and in the form of a sex pact no less! For Layla it's all planned out, valentines day with her boyfriend Logan but for the others it's not that simple. Alex has already had sex... or at least that's what everyone thinks and the other two girls have to figure out the whole mine field that is dating before they can even think about the pact.

I think the reason I loved this book was because of the characters. I found all of the girls relatable in one way or another and it made me care about what happened to each of them. It is so easy for a YA novel that is based around sex to come across contrite or become more NA than YA but with Cherry, as much as sex plays a big part in the story the actual book is more to do with the girls becoming women. It becomes a story of four girls finding themselves and figuring out what they want from themselves as well as a relationship. 

I think the only real flaw I found was it was a little on the predictable side, I knew who was going to end up with who and there wasn't any real shocking twists to the story. However, in an odd way I think it made it more relatable. Yes I could tell what was coming but that's because I've been though similar situations to some of the girls. That was because the story lines were realistic and I think most people who dated throughout high school and their early twenties will connect to one part or another. 

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I didn't put it down. I actually lost a Tuesday to this book but it was totally worth it! I would recommend it to anyone!! It is honest, it is real, it is funny and sad and all in all it is an enjoyable and easy read. 

**I received this book as an ARC from Hot Key Books to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

BOOK BLITZ: DOTS

Dots
by Angie M. Brashears

Publication date: October 1st 2016

Genres: Adult, Contemporary

This is a story about two strangers with nothing but grief in common.
Mason is great at connecting dots in other people’s life’s, but not so much in his own. His website, The F#ck it List, is all about connecting sexual requests. Matching never have I ever’s like a pair of socks. Efficiently. All in an effort to raise money for charity. That’s all he wants, to give. Why is that so hard?
Chloe’s in denial, but that’s not going to make the cancer go away. When her doctor gives her an expiration date, she can’t deny it any longer. It’s time to break the news to family and her best friend. She thought she’d have more time. There’s things she needs to say. She needs to be heard, but not by her loved ones. They’ve got enough on their plates with the diagnosis.
Two Months? Not long enough to do anything except…dig the hole.
It’s time.
This is Chloe’s story and how she copes with the end.
Just as there is a song for every occasion, Chloe has a friend for every occasion.
A pity party friend.
A truth friend.
A fixer friend.
And an end friend. Mason.
Mason and Chloe have nothing in common but grief. Two dots, floating in a sea of sorrow.
He’s lost his mother. She’s losing the fight.
When the end is near, is it too late for a new friend?
One woman’s end journey. Even when it’s time to get your affairs in order, it’s never too late for an “end” friend. Someone that will listen? Share your burden, so the family doesn’t have to. Help with the mess she’s created by keeping secrets. Be there for her best friend, a shoulder to cry on when the time comes.
It’s one thing to donate money to a cause.
What about your time, heart and soul? How much should you be expected to give?
If a stranger asked, could you be an end friend?

Goodreads / Amazon / Angie M. Brashears Pre-Order Form

Until October 1, 2016  50% or 5.00 from each print book goes to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer!

EXCERPT

All your weight, it falls on me. It brings me down.Truer words have never been spoken. My family and their feelings, that’s the weight of my world on my shoulders right now. How am I supposed to tell my overprotective mother, who freaks out over a sniffle…that, I’m…dying? My brother, Ronny, out doing his job, protecting us, battling on the front lines. Is it fair to distract him from his task at hand? Maybe he gets killed, or maybe his buddy takes a bullet? Why, so I can feel better? What about dad? Thoughts of the man that stuffs a pink can of mace and rape whistle in my stocking every year, and my burden just got heavier. And last but not least, my best friend, Lola. We’ve been the odd couple since the tampon video in fourth grade. Neat as pin, she never has loose ends, never commits to anything, no tangles no mess. That’s where I come in. I’m a friggin mess. Everything I touch gets smudged. Or at least, I’ve been told that, since as far back as I can even remember leaving a mess. Possibly, Lola’s bored with her muted tones life, maybe that’s why she steps into my sunshine and rainbows. Cluttered with dust motes, dancing on sun rays, like spritely fairies. Could be. So, what happens when I tell her I’m taking the sun with me? Some days, I can’t get off this sagging futon. Between the pain, the isolation, the guilt, the secret… I just can’t. I look at the website again. The F#ck It List. A place to put your Never have I ever… and you’ll be matched with the right person for you. I’m not interested in the sexual stuff. I’m so over that, and besides, my boyfriend, well, not boyfriend, stops by twice a week and we’re compatible enough as it is. And he’s another one. I broke up with him, so I wouldn’t have to paste a smile on twice a week and pretend like my world’s not falling apart. I love him, but man, does he need a lot of coddling. I haven’t brought myself to click past the privacy screen. That’s not what I’m interested in. The thing my nurse keeps talking to me about. My chemo nurse, Courtney, whispered to me. “You need someone to talk to, get things off your chest. I know you don’t want to burden your family, Chloe, but who takes your burden?” I shrugged, not really caring one way or the other. “I’ll be dead soon, so who cares? They can bury it with me.” She smacked my hand, the one without the IV. She was the one who had to poke around for an hour to find it, so she was protecting it like gold. But her words were kind. “Just like that. Who do you get to say those things too? You’re too worried about acting normal for your chemo buddy over there.” Em’s on her phone. She hates needles. I do too. “You need someone to hear you and not your cancer, you got me?” Her eyes look so compassionate, so loving I nod. She rests her hand on top of mine. I didn’t realize I was crying. “It’s my first time, I’m still a rookie.” I blubber out. She produces a tissue box from thin air and rubs my hand. “I have a friend; grandson has a website.” She lowers her voice. “It’s like a sex something or other,” then she’s back to full volume, “but that’s just to raise money for charity. I know she said he’s always looking for people with illnesses to help. “I guess my face must look funny, because she feels the need to add, “not like murder or anything like that.” I laugh. “Honestly, I was just wondering when this nausea would start to go away.” She nods, and squeezes my hand. “It doesn’t.” Later, when I’m pumped full of poison, she presents me with a gift bag. It’s got Band-Aids and syringes all over it. “Wow, Courtney how’d you know it was my birthday?” She laughs, “Well it kind of is. It’s your Chemo-day. You’re very first. Congratulations, kiddo, you made it through. Enjoy. Inside is the softest, most luxurious cashmere blanket. Pink, with raised dots. “Very chic, Courtney. I love it!” She hugs me and wraps it around my shoulders. “For the chills,” she whispers in my ear and I nod. She reaches in the bag and takes out a box of masks. “Remember your nadir.” There’s hard candies to suck on, for when my mouths dry. And an oral bag! With a rainbow toothbrush. “Thanks so much, I would’ve never thought of any of this. On the very bottom, a free month membership to Netflix. “For when you can’t make it out, but still want to watch something.” “I’m touched, really.” I use my new blanket, to wipe away a tear. “But I’ll have to read up on the rules, I don’t know a thing about Netflix.” As I leave, in search of my chemo buddy, who I haven’t seen in the last thirty minutes, Courtney calls out to me. “Chloe, did you want me to check on that thing, Mason’s website?” I think about it. I’ve got nothing better to do. “Sure.” That was four months ago. I’ll never see her again, chemo’s done dude. I’ll miss her. But not in the add another brick to the pile way. No, I’ll miss having someone who listens with their whole self. Two dots, connected by Courtney.

Author Bio

Angie M Brashears is a lover of everything books. When not writing, she's reading anything she can get her hands on. She grew up in Southern California, and loves the mountains, hiking with her dogs, the beach, and of course, Disneyland! She loves music, and loves singing along to the radio, loud and off-key, performing for anyone unlucky enough to be in the passenger seat.
Angie loves dark and twisted, which she refers to as Dark Ever After books, but is known to read an occasional HEA story as well. When she's not writing, she working, saving lives. A busy Trauma ER nurse for over twenty years, she gets enough reality in her life, and is always looking for a story to take her away from the harsh reality of Emergency Nursing.
If there's football on, she sure to have a huge party going on to cheer her team on...Go Patriots!
As a new author, she'd love to hear from you!

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BLOG TOUR: Black Flowers, White Lies

Today I am taking part in the Black Flowers, White Lies by Yvonne Ventresca blog tour hosted by Jen Halligan PR. Hope you enjoy! 

BLACK FLOWERS, WHITE LIES

by Yvonne Ventresca

Pages: 272 (Hardback)

Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Publication Date: 4th October

ISBN: 978-1510709881
Received From:  Jen Halligan

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound   

Summary 

Her father died before she was born, but Ella Benton knows they have a supernatural connection. Since her mother discourages these beliefs, Ella keeps her cemetery visits secret. But she may not be the only one with secrets. Ella’s mother might be lying about how Dad died sixteen years ago. Newfound evidence points to his death in a psychiatric hospital, not as a result of a tragic car accident as her mother always claimed. After a lifetime of just the two of them, Mom suddenly feels like a stranger.

When a handprint much like the one Ella left on her father’s tombstone mysteriously appears on the bathroom mirror, at first she wonders if Dad is warning her of danger as he did once before. If it’s not a warning, could her new too-good-to-be-true boyfriend be responsible for the strange occurrences? Or maybe it’s the grieving building superintendent whose dead daughter strongly resembles Ella? As the unexplained events become more frequent and more sinister, Ella becomes terrified about who—or what—might harm her.

Soon the evidence points to someone else entirely: Ella herself. What if, like her father, she’s suffering from a breakdown? In this second novel from award-winning author Yvonne Ventresca, Ella desperately needs to find answers, no matter how disturbing the truth might be.

Review

I had heard a little bit about Black Flowers, White Lies before this blog tour came about. The story line sounded exciting and compelling, not to mention that cover! Something about this book screamed "read me," so when I saw Jen was hosting a tour I NEEDED to be on it! Oh, and FYI Black Flowers, White Lies did not disappoint! This is one of those times where I have to try and write a review without giving too much away, expect a lot of gifs and gushing! You have been warned.

Lets get started!

Black Flowers, White Lies is one of those books where you start of thinking you're reading one thing and then by the end realise you were reading something else entirely... think Hans in Frozen, I mean who saw that coming?!? The story follows Ella, a fifteen year old girl on summer vacation as her life gets flipped upside down. A new chapter in her life is about to begin with her mother's marriage to good old Stanley. Along with his son Blake Ella's mother daughter duo is becoming a whole different kind of family. However, nothing is as it seems and Ella has to navigate her way through more than a few obstacles, like the possibility of her long-dead Dad's spirit making a reappearance and a new boy on the scene.

I love this book! I read it within 48 hours of having it and I only put it down when the outside world made me. It is intense and shocking and moving... so many more 'ing' words I can't write them all! It took me a little while after finishing this book to realise why I loved it so much, I mean I had figured out where the story was going about half way through but what I think I really liked was the fact I never knew HOW it was going to happen.

The story turns from one of teenage troubles to supernatural possibilities to something so heartbreakingly dark I read the last third of the book with my hand over my mouth and my heart aching for Ella. There are so many different things to say about this book and I can't say most of them without spoilers!! But what I do want to say is at the heart of the book is a young girl that fights to survive as she discovers away to accept the past and fine herself in the process.

I completely recommend reading this one when it comes out on the 4th of October! It's the perfect book for this time of year, especially with the lead up to Halloween. No it's not scary but its full of dark twistedness that I hope you all love as much as I did.

A special round of applause for this one!

**I received this book as an ARC from Sky Pony Press via Jen Halligan PR to read & review as part of a Blog Tour. This is a 100% honest review.**

FUN FACT

Each stop on the tour will give you a fun little behind the scenes fact from the author. This is the one I was given but make sure to spot at all the tour posts to know more! 

In Black Flowers, White Lies, Ella’s mother owns a fictional bookstore on Newark Street. There were no independent stores in Hoboken when Yvonne first wrote the story. Since then, Little City Books has opened on First and Bloomfield.

About Yvonne

Yvonne Ventresca’s latest young adult novel, BLACK FLOWERS, WHITE LIES will be published by Sky Pony Press in October 2016.

Her debut YA novel, PANDEMIC, won a 2015 Crystal Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. In PANDEMIC, a teen struggles to survive not only a deadly outbreak and its real-life consequences, but also her own personal demons. Ventresca's other works include the short story “Escape to Orange Blossom,” which was selected for the dystopian anthology PREP FOR DOOM, along with two nonfiction books, PUBLISHING (Careers for the 21st Century) and AVRIL LAVIGNE (People in the News).

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GIVEAWAY

Prize pack includes a three panel rustic chalkboard with a $25 Amex gift card, a $25 Sephora gift card, and a signed copy of Black Flowers, White Lies! 

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BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE 

Sep 7th - Falling For YA

Sep 8th - The YA's Nightstand

Sep 9th - YA Book Madness

Sep 12th - Bibliobibuli YA

Sep 14th - Still Dreaming of Manderley

Sep 16th - Lost in Ever After

Sep 19th - With Love for Books

Sep 21st - YA Book Central

Sep 23rd - Bean's Bookshelf and Coffee Break

Sep 26th - The Fake Steph

Sep 28th - Books, Dreams, Life

Sep 30th - All For Love of the Word

Oct 1st - The Silver Dagger Scriptorium

Oct 3rd - Book Lovers Life