Weekly Wrap Up, News & Giveaway's!

I decided to try to give a weekly wrap up post a shot.  I stopped doing this sort of thing over a year ago but I think that I'm going to experiment with it and see if I can manage.  When it comes to cutting things down this tends to be a first thing to go, but I would like to have a post that reminds people of the tours I have open or running as well as to remind them of giveaway's.  I have mixed feelings about showing all the books I get through the week, but mostly it's just because it takes so much effort to remember them all. ;)  So I'm thinking I'll spotlight a few, but not them all.  We'll see though, that might change.

Exciting News!
One very exciting thing I was really happy about was I have lots of teachers reading my blog now.  This is a HUGE deal to me and I wouldn't even know about it but one middle grade post was full of teacher's comments.  And these are non-blogger teachers.  I have to say, this made my week!  I love my readers, but it's an even bigger bonus when it's a non blogger reading my blog.  So thank you to my new readers & followers!  I will be doing more and more middle grade and children's books but I may start doing two posts some days so that my YA and adult readers aren't left out.  Something for everyone!

The Full of Grace tour starts Monday and Misty Provencher is going all out! She says:

"Monday starts the Full of Grace Tour and I'd like to blow the walls off! I've got a LOAD of giveaways, awesome tour stopsat all the best blogs, games, and AN OVERLOAD OF FUN is planned! The tour will run for a week (May 20th to the 24th). This page will be our home base, so I would love it if you would give me a hand in sharing it with some of your awesome peeps too. ALL ARE WELCOME! Share if you care!"

Itinerary here: http://mistypro.blogspot.com/
And the Facebook Page where so much happens is HERE.

current giveaway's

Children's Book Week Giveaway: Enter to win 3 books! (US) Ends 5/19
Tales From Lovecraft Middle School 1st 3 books in series (US)
Marked by Kate Flynn or one of her favorites
TEN copies of Generation V by M.L. Brennan (US) Ends 5/21
The Girl With the Iron Touch Tour Wide Giveaway (US)
Kindle Fire Giveaway


New Tour:
I'm excited to announce the review tour for Shah Wharton's NA fantasy, Finding Esta. This tour runs Sept 23rd-27th and is reviews only. Find the tour page with info and sign ups HERE.  You still have lots of time to read this one, so I hope you'll consider joining in!

 Still Needing Hosts:
 I'm still looking for tour hosts for The Exemeus & The Azemeon by Folami and Abeni Morris. This is a YA fantasy for ages 12 to adult.  This tour runs August 25th-31st. 
It is also available for review outside the tour and when you are able. At this point we're mostly looking for reviews of both books (or just the first if you don't want to commit to both).

  Tour Page with Info and sign ups HERE.

  
I'm looking for reviewers for an audio book tour for Ghost Leopard: A Zoe & Zak Adventure, Volume 1 by Lars Guignard. This is a Middle Grade Magic, Fantasy Adventure for ages 8-13

This runs September 9th-20th 2013

This is an audiobook tour with reviews only.

Tour Page with Info HERE.

I have other review opportunities listed HERE if you aren't interested in a tour. Though keep in mind that all of these authors would be happy to get reviews, even outside a tour.  

If you aren't yet signed up to be a tour host please do so HERE, I'd love to have you!

In Other News:

Stephanie Lisa Tara presents Mother Sea Turtle month! Mothers need to stick together; whether scaly, feathered, furry or skinned! And to celebrate this Mother's Day and the release of her newest turtle book, Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book—which is the companion follow-up to her first international bestseller, I'll Follow the Moon—Stephanie Lisa Tara is giving away 2 gorgeous, large plush sea turtles (26"L x 8"H x 16"W) to reviewers!

 Dear Turtle Activists,

I want to thank each and every one of you for your tireless dedication and love to our cause! I have written this book FOR YOU! I dedicate this book TO YOU! 120 pages of fotos, facts and fun!

Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book has a primary goal: SAVING SEA TURTLES FROM EXTINCTION. A portion of proceeds from this book go to charitable organizations like the Turtle Foundation (www.turtle-foundation.org) of whom my first turtle book, I'LL FOLLOW THE MOON—is a proud sponsor.

If you are new to us—please join with us, for together, holding hands, we can effect change. Yes—really! xoxo. SAVE GREEN SEA TURTLES on Facebook (www.facebook.com/.../Save-Green-Sea-T...) is our hugely popular hang-out—tens of thousands of Activists-strong. Please join us!

NOW—prepare for something totally new and amazing!

Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book is not your typical scientific turtle book: my special book is all about having FUN! Enjoy the mini FLIP-BOOK in the corners and create a movie of your own! Click the ebook pages—or thumb through manually in the paperback—YOUR CHOICE!

I've written these chapters in a fun, chatty voice—you know, the one YOU use when talking up your favorite topics! Don't be surprised if you find yourself giggling as you turn pages! Enjoy breathtaking photography, incredible facts, and way-out wow'ing surprises that these millennium-old creatures have to share.

AND: TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE! Yep! Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book is my second turtle book—it's a perfect TWIN to my first international bestseller, I'LL FOLLOW THE MOON: buy BOTH TOGETHER for your shelf. Two little twins; one a fable, one fotos, facts & fun.

So, in closing...please accept this deeply personal gift from me, your faithful sea turtle leader, the turtle-lady, or Stephanie Lisa Turtle - as I was renamed recently by a fan—from my heart to yours.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED THE CAUSE TO SAVE SEA TURTLES FROM EXTINCTION!

Cause pages (each supports a book's vision):

Facebook page for Save the Polar Bears | Facebook Page for Save the Green Turtles | Facebook Page for Save the Redwood Forests

Stephanie Lisa Tara's Personal Sites:

Facebook | Amazon | Website

Giveaway:

15 lucky people will win a copy of Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book. You must be 13 or older to enter. Open to US addresses only.  Giveaway runs from May 12th to June 12, 2013

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  Two lucky reviewers will win a Melissa and Doug Giant Plush Stuffed Sea Turtle that retails at $34.99 and measures 26"L x 8"H x 16"W.  You must review Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book on Amazon to enter.  This giveaway runs from Mothers Day, May 12th to June 12th, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And you can still enter to win a Kindle Fire! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AND, yes, there's MORE! If you purchase Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book (on Amazon HERE) you can get her fiction book, I'll Follow the Moon for FREE!  I have 20 copies sitting right here waiting to get into your hands!  So purchase Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book then email me the receipt to candacesbookblog(at)yahoo(dot)com   

In my mailbox:
I'm not going to list everything I got, I don't think.  But a few that come to mind are:

A Funny Little Bird by Jennifer Yerkes, an ADORABLE children's book.

 Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker in audio. I'm listening to this one right now!

 Wallbanger by Alice Clayton in audio.  I've heard good things!

Happy, Happy, Happy by Phil Robertson and Al Robertson in audio.  We love the show!  

And the most exciting thing of all~ a Kindle Paperwhite!  I have had a Kindle Fire for awhile, but it's very hard on my eyes and it doesn't help my frequent headaches at all.  I've read about 60% of a book on the paperwhite so far and I love it!

I have bloglovin' now, follow me!

Saturday Situation~ Link Up Your Reviews and Giveaway's!

Saturday Situation is hosted by both Lori at Pure Imagination and myself. It's a linky for you to link your book related Giveaways and Reviews (and whatever neglected posts you may have). You'll find the same linky's at Pure Imagination, so don't enter them twice! Keep in mind that you can add your links through the entire week. You can find the newest Saturday Situation posts by the tab at the top of my blog labeled Saturday Situation.

Young Adult Review: Darkness of Light by Stacey Marie Brown

Darkness of Light by Stacey Marie Brown

Paperback and ebook, 298 pages

Published: Feb. 15th, 2013 by Twisted Fairy publishing

Source: Author

DARKNESS OF LIGHT is a Mature YA/New Adult Paranormal Romance


Freak. Witch. Crazy. Schizo.

Ember Brycin has been called them all. She’s always known she’s different. No one has ever called her normal, even under the best circumstances. Bizarre and inexplicable things continually happen to her, and having two different colored eyes, strange hair, and an unusual tattoo only contributes to the gossip about her.

When the latest school explosion lands her in a facility for trouble teens, she meets Eli Dragen, who’s hot as hell and darkly mysterious. Their connection is full of passion, danger, and secrets. Secrets that will not only change her life, but what and who she is—leading her down a path she never imagined possible.

Between Light and Dark, Ember finds a world where truth and knowledge are power and no one can be trusted. But her survival depends on finding out the truth about herself. In her pursuit, she is forced between love and destiny and good and evil, even when the differences between them aren’t always clear. At worst, she will incite a war that could destroy both worlds. At best, she will not only lose her heart but her life and everyone she loves. Once the truth is out, however, there will be no going back. And she’ll definitely wish she could.

Ember, while one who sometimes makes hasty and poor decisions, is a character that will do anything to protect those she loves.  She lives in constant confusion as to what is real and what is not as she sees things that shouldn't be there and when angry, does things she shouldn't be able to do.  She speaks her mind and struggles to hold her tongue, which often gets her in trouble but doesn't allow people to walk all over her.  She has fierce loyalty for her father, who isn't her real father but only married her mother when Ember was younger.  Her mother has passed away and Ember's 'father' is very good to her and very devoted to her well-being.  Through the story we know that Ember is something 'more' or something 'else' but we don't know what until near the end.  I grew a bit impatient waiting but the finale of the book was pretty spectacular, so perhaps the wait was worth it.

While the romance was on the quick side, with an immediate attraction and the two of them being drawn together, I did feel the heat between them and understood Ember's attraction to him. The hot and cold from Eli was often frustrating as it felt like round after round of the same thing.  However I found myself overlooking it as I enjoyed his character so much despite being moody and often rude.  Ember didn't put up with crap from him which allowed this 'relationship' to go round and round, circling back to their undeniable attraction.

Overall I found myself enjoying the story even while at times I found myself thinking that in normal circumstances I would find certain things quite annoying.  What really made things interesting for me is the ending and what I think I'll think of as the beginning because now things will become much more interesting and the focus on the relationship stuff should shift a bit.  I expect it to still be present in the next book, but more on the sidelines than such a focus.

I recommend this to fans of YA and NA paranormal romance.  This book is recommended for mature YA readers, and may not be appropriate for the younger crowd.   

I would rate this one 3.5 stars but am rounding up to 4.

Disclosure: I received this book from the author free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.  All opinions expressed are my own and I was not paid or influenced in any way.