The Girl at Midnight {Review}

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Gray

The Girl at Midnight Book #1

Visit the Author's Website HERE

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Publishing Date: April 28, 2015

Goodreads Summary:

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

Tamera Alexander’s To Win Her Favor Blog Tour and Kindle Giveaway

To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander

Belle Meade Plantation Book #2

Visit the Author's Website HERE

Publisher: Zondervan

Publishing Date: May 19, 2015

Goodreads Summary:

A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who can help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing for good.

An Irish-born son far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He’s come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and start a farm, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he’d wagered, especially when Maggie Linden’s father makes him an offer he shouldn't accept yet cannot possibly refuse.

Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the annual Drayton Stakes at Nashville’s racetrack––the richest race run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance, and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder, Maggie’s father––aging, yet wily as ever––makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail––Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself. 

Cullen and Maggie need each other in order to achieve their dreams. But their stubborn, wounded hearts––and the escalating violence from a "secret society" responsible for lynchings and midnight raids––may prove too much for even two determined souls.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Buy a copy today!! 

In Which I Finally Attend a Bookish Event

My county's library system is participating in 'Once Upon a Reader' this month and the book they choose was 'Moo!' by David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka. 

I dragged  invited my husband along with Baby Girl and I to the kick off event one chilly morning. Lucky we got there early, because it was packed. As in, I think they were turning some families away. 

Both the author and the illustrator, David and Mike, were there to read the book and do different activities. My 2 1/2 year old daughter was definitely in the lower age range for the group, but she still enjoyed the reading, the puppet show and the crazy dance time.

The last portion of the event was great interaction time with David and Mike. With the help of the kids, David came up with a new short story about the cow and Mike would add illustrations to a picture. At the end of the exercise they told each child that they could now call themselves 'authors' and 'illustrators'. Adorable and empowering! 

'Moo!' has adorable illustrations that are simple and uncluttered. The idea of a book using only one word seemed sketchy to me. The reasoning was to help prove to kids that they can read books on their own. The story is cute and written to cause a giggle or two. Re-readability is pretty low for an adult, but a child ages 4-6 might get a good kick out of reading the 'moo' in different ways.

Overall, a great event for the library. I'm not sure if they have done anything similiar in the past, but they should consider doing it again next year. For my family, the enjoyment level will only go up as Baby Girl grows up. Throughout the month of April, each library in the county system is holding different events and activities related to the book. So fun when the libraries coordinate like this.

Make sure to check out the Once Upon a Reader website--it is bursting with 'Moo!' extras and fantastic information about the program, libraries, and early learning.

A study of  3- to 5-year-olds who had been read to at least three times per week found the children:

• Two times more likely to recognize all letters.

• Two times more likely to have word-sight recognition.

• Two times more likely to understand words in context.

-According to United for Libraries.

A Heart's Obsession Review + Giveaway

A Heart's Obsession by Colleen Coble

Journey of the Heart Book #2

Visit the Author's website HERE

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publishing Date: April 7, 2015

Goodreads Summary:

Can a woman held captive by her family make it back to the one man she knows she can trust?

When Sarah Montgomery's father succumbs to his long illness, Sarah is faced with a life-altering choice: submit to her brother's will and marry the deceptive Ben Croftner . . . or escape through the dangerous American West to reclaim the heart of her beloved Rand Campbell at Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

From captivity in her family's home, Sarah makes her decision--and begins the perilous journey to Wyoming by train.

But even in the company of Rand's brother, Sarah does not receive the reception she had hoped for. The necessity of a military wife has preempted her, and Rand is already engaged to Jessica DuBois, the seductive daughter of the post commander. With her heart broken and her life in ruins, Sarah has no choice but to remain at Fort Laramie and try to win Rand back. But things will get tougher before they get easier . . . the obsessive Ben Croftner has just shown up in Wyoming.

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Buy a copy today! 

INSPYs Literature for Young People Judge

Is this a dream come true or what? I've been selected to be a judge in the upcoming INSPY Awards! I'm judging the category Literature for Young People!! Could that be any more fantastic??

I really think the INSPY Awards are fantastic. For bloggers, by bloggers, even the books are nominated by bloggers. It is an inspiration to see the community coming together to honor fantastic authors and their works.

Watch for the shortlist announcement April 30th!

-For more information about the INSPYs, check it out HERE

-Meet the other judges in my category and others HERE