The Peculiar Night of the Blue Heart by Lauren DeStefano

Title: The Peculiar Night of the Blue Heart
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: September 13th 2016
Source: ARC from the publisher. Thank you Bloomsbury!

Summary from Goodreads:

Lionel is a wild boy, who doesn’t much like to be around other people. He’d rather be a purring cat or a wolf stalking the woods.

Marybeth is a nice girl. She doesn’t need to be told to comb her hair or brush her teeth, and she’s kind to everyone at the orphanage . . . Lionel most of all.

Different though they are, Lionel and Marybeth are best friends in a world that has forgotten about them. So when a mysterious blue spirit possesses Marybeth—and starts to take control—they know they must stop it before the real Marybeth fades away forever.

Review

The Peculiar Night was a well written, attention-grabbing middle grade story. DeStefano weaves a delicate story about two young children and their peculiar encounter. The young friendship between the two characters is heart warming. I love that each character has such a different personality. I think it is important to show that young kids and friendships come in all forms and the bond between two friends can so strong.

Lionel is so different; I just want to hug him for being him. His unrelenting fight for Marybeth and her safety really makes the story. Even though he would rather be an animal then a human boy because of a troubled past he never loses faith in his friend.

The Peculiar Night, while a shorter book, really draws the reader into this journey of friendship, mystery, tragedy, and family. Readers of all ages can enjoy this book!

The Minpins by Roald Dahl - Road Dahl's 100th Birthday Blog Tour

Title: The Minpins
Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Publisher: Puffin Books

Summary from Goodreads:

Come deep into the forest if you dare...but beware the Terrible Bloodsuckling Toothpluckling Stonechuckling Spittler!

Amazon  | Barnes & Noble

Review

Oh, Roald Dahl, how I love your writing.  Starting from the first page I was grinning from ear to ear.  Dahl is an amazing storyteller.  The illustrations beautifully compliments the fun story.

Little Billy is to be a 'good boy' but after always being a good boy he really wants to explore.  He sneaks out and what started as a simple journey ended up being a life-changing adventure.  Little Billy encounters the fire-breathing creature while also meeting the Minpins.

The Minpins provide Little Billy adventure and friendship.  The ending feels a bit rushed, like there should be more story there but overall The Minpins was a great read and would serve as a great book to read aloud!

About the Author

Roald Dahl (1916–1990) was one of the world’s most imaginative, successful and beloved storytellers. He was born in Wales of Norwegian parents and spent much of his childhood in England. After establishing himself as a writer for adults with short story collections such as Kiss Kiss and Tales of the Unexpected, Roald Dahl began writing children's stories in 1960 while living with his family in both the U.S. and in England. His first stories were written as entertainment for his own children, to whom many of his books are dedicated.

Roald Dahl’s first children’s story, The Gremlins, was a story about little creatures that were responsible for the various mechanical failures on airplanes. The Gremlins came to the attention of both First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who loved to read the story to her grandchildren, and Walt Disney, with whom Roald Dahl had discussions about the production of a movie.

Roald Dahl was inspired by American culture and by many of the most quintessential American landmarks to write some of his most memorable passages, such as the thrilling final scenes in James and the Giant Peach - when the peach lands on the Empire State Building! Upon the publication of James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl began work on the story that would later be published as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and today, Roald Dahl’s stories are available in 58 languages and, by a conservative estimate, have sold more than 200 million copies.

Roald Dahl also enjoyed great success for the screenplays he wrote for both the James Bond film You Only Live Twice in 1967 and for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, released one year later, which went on to become a beloved family film. Roald Dahl’s popularity continues to increase as his fantastic novels, including James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, The BFG, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, delight an ever-growing legion of fans.

Two charities have been founded in Roald Dahl’s memory: the first charity, Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, created in 1991, focuses on making life better for seriously ill children through the funding of specialist nurses, innovative medical training, hospitals, and individual families across the UK.

The second charity, The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre – a unique cultural, literary and education hub – opened in June 2005 in Great Missenden where Roald Dahl lived and wrote many of his best-loved works. 10% of income from Roald Dahl books and adaptations are donated to the two Roald Dahl charities.

On September 13, 2006, the first national Roald Dahl Day was celebrated, on what would have been the author’s 90th birthday. The event proved such a success that Roald Dahl Day is now marked annually all over the world. September 13, 2016 is Roald Dahl 100, marking 100 years since the birth of the world’s number one storyteller. There will be celebrations for Roald Dahl 100 throughout 2016, delivering a year packed with gloriumptious treats and surprises for everyone.

Giveaway:

1 winner can pick 5 books from the Roald Dahl collection! US Only.

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Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl- Roald Dahl 100th Celebratory Blog Tour

Title: Danny the Champion of the World
Author: Roald Dahl
Publisher: Puffin

Summary from Goodreads:

Can Danny and his father outsmart the villainous Mr. Hazell?

Danny has a life any boy would love—his home is a gypsy caravan, he's the youngest master car mechanic around, and his best friend is his dad, who never runs out of wonderful stories to tell. But one night Danny discovers a shocking secret that his father has kept hidden for years. Soon Danny finds himself the mastermind behind the most incredible plot ever attempted against nasty Victor Hazell, a wealthy landowner with a bad attitude. Can they pull it off? If so, Danny will truly be the champion of the world.

Review

Danny the Champion of the World was a fantastically fun read.  I remember reading Roald Dahl as a kid and really enjoying this book so I was excited to reread it as an adult.  It is still 100% the same book, still a wonderful read even as an adult.  Dahl truly is a storytelling master.

Danny is raised by is loving father in a unique environment; the live in a small quiet caravan and live a relatively peaceful life.  That is until Danny learns that his father is a poacher!  Together they plan a crazy scheme to get the biggest poach ever.  The plot is crazy and when they both go to pull it off, I was nervous for them!  The story builds a wonderful amount of tension that flows right into the laugh out loud ending.

My favorite part is the ending, everything about the ending was well done, from the humor, to the interaction with the villian Victor Hazel, to the final pages that fit the story so well.  I highly recommend Danny the Champion of the World to any reader both young and old that want a fun, imaginative, laugh out loud story!

About the Author

Roald Dahl (1916–1990) was one of the world’s most imaginative, successful and beloved storytellers. He was born in Wales of Norwegian parents and spent much of his childhood in England. After establishing himself as a writer for adults with short story collections such as Kiss Kiss and Tales of the Unexpected, Roald Dahl began writing children's stories in 1960 while living with his family in both the U.S. and in England. His first stories were written as entertainment for his own children, to whom many of his books are dedicated.

Roald Dahl’s first children’s story, The Gremlins, was a story about little creatures that were responsible for the various mechanical failures on airplanes. The Gremlins came to the attention of both First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who loved to read the story to her grandchildren, and Walt Disney, with whom Roald Dahl had discussions about the production of a movie.

Roald Dahl was inspired by American culture and by many of the most quintessential American landmarks to write some of his most memorable passages, such as the thrilling final scenes in James and the Giant Peach - when the peach lands on the Empire State Building! Upon the publication of James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl began work on the story that would later be published as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and today, Roald Dahl’s stories are available in 58 languages and, by a conservative estimate, have sold more than 200 million copies.

Roald Dahl also enjoyed great success for the screenplays he wrote for both the James Bond film You Only Live Twice in 1967 and for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, released one year later, which went on to become a beloved family film. Roald Dahl’s popularity continues to increase as his fantastic novels, including James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, The BFG, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, delight an ever-growing legion of fans.

Two charities have been founded in Roald Dahl’s memory: the first charity, Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, created in 1991, focuses on making life better for seriously ill children through the funding of specialist nurses, innovative medical training, hospitals, and individual families across the UK.

The second charity, The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre – a unique cultural, literary and education hub – opened in June 2005 in Great Missenden where Roald Dahl lived and wrote many of his best-loved works. 10% of income from Roald Dahl books and adaptations are donated to the two Roald Dahl charities.

On September 13, 2006, the first national Roald Dahl Day was celebrated, on what would have been the author’s 90th birthday. The event proved such a success that Roald Dahl Day is now marked annually all over the world. September 13, 2016 is Roald Dahl 100, marking 100 years since the birth of the world’s number one storyteller. There will be celebrations for Roald Dahl 100 throughout 2016, delivering a year packed with gloriumptious treats and surprises for everyone.

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Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Title: Nowhere But Here
Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: May 26th 2015
Source: BEA!

Summary from Goodreads:

An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

Review

It says a lot when I dislike an audio book's narrator yet continued with the book. Nowhere But Here was worth the read/listen.  While the narrator's voice didn't sit well with me, the story was great and I had to continue.

Nowhere But Here teleported me into what felt like a TV drama (in a good way).  At times the motorcycle club drama seemed a bit excessive but it worked.  I was drawn into this vastly different world.  It all seemed so foreign  to me but the main character was having the same feelings so it was easy to relate in that sense.  Oz is the picture perfect bad boy; he is rough around the edges, has a strong protective nature, and loves fiercely.

The dynamic between Emily and Oz is cute and slow building with no love triangle.  Emily's choices at times and her overall attitude was not always my favorite.  Oz, on the other hand, I really liked him as a character.  The family of both main characters play a huge role in the overarching plot.  There are a lot of pieces in this motorcycle club territory battle/love story.  Nowhere But Here reminded me a bit of Jay Crownover's book in their plot execution and characters, just with a younger MC.

Overall there were a lot of pieces to this story that had me engaged from start to finish. I look forward to the next companion novel!

Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton

Title: Diplomatic Immunity
Author: Brodi Ashton
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date:  September 6th 2016
Source: E-ARC from the publisher! Thank you Balzer & Bray

Summary from Goodreads:

Aspiring reporter Piper Baird decides to write a scathing exposé on the overprivileged students at an elite Washington, DC, school, only for her life to change when she begins to fall for the story's main subject, in this new realistic contemporary romance from Brodi Ashton, the author of the Everneath trilogy.

Raucous parties, privileged attitudes, underage drinking, and diplomatic immunity...it’s all part of student life on Embassy Row.

Piper Baird has always dreamed of becoming a journalist. So when she scores a scholarship to exclusive Chiswick Academy in Washington, DC, she knows it’s her big opportunity. Chiswick offers the country’s most competitive prize for teen journalists—the Bennington scholarship—and winning will ensure her acceptance to one of the best schools in the country.

Piper isn’t at Chiswick for two days before she witnesses the intense competition in the journalism program—and the extreme privilege of the young and wealthy elite who attend her school. And Piper knows access to these untouchable students just might give her the edge she’ll need to blow the lid off life at the school in a scathing and unforgettable exposé worthy of the Bennington.

The key to the whole story lies with Rafael Amador, the son of the Spanish ambassador—and the boy at the center of the most explosive secrets and scandals on Embassy Row. Rafael is big trouble—and when he drops into her bedroom window one night, asking for help, it’s Piper’s chance to get the full scoop. But as they spend time together, Piper discovers that despite his dark streak, Rafael is smart, kind, funny, and gorgeous—and she might have real feelings for him. How can she break the story of a lifetime if it could destroy the boy she just might love?

Review

Diplomatic Immunity was an entertaining, easy to read story. I was hoping for a bit more mystery and drama surrounding Embassy Row.  The drama that was present seemed to be unrealistic and hard to believe and slightly impacted my overall enjoyment of the story.  It felt rather over the top at times.

Aside from a couple points, I felt like the love story was also predictable.  It was rather easy to know what was coming and while I still was entertained while reading it did take away some of the excitement.  There are other aspects of the story like a few of the secondary characters that I felt like were forced into roles and were not fully developed.  The main character is not really a like-able character making it hard to relate to her struggles.

The plot does pick up and it was easy to finish the book in just a couple days.  I can't say I was not entertained while reading it; this a book that you cannot nit-pick on the small details.  In the end, even though it was an cute contemporary romance, the characters, the predictability of the love story, and the forced secondary characters made the book just an okay read.

The Vanishing Throne by Elizabeth May

Title: The Vanishing Throne
Author: Elizabeth May
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Release Date: June 21st 2016
Source: E-arc from the publisher.  Thank you Chronicle Books! 

Summary from Goodreads:

The second book in the Falconer trilogy is packed with surprises and suspense.

Aileana Kameron, the Falconer, disappeared through the portal that she was trying to close forever. Now she wakes up in the fae world, trapped and tortured by the evil Lonnrach. With the help of an unexpected ally, Aileana re-enters the human world, only to find everything irrevocably changed. Edinburgh has been destroyed, and the few human survivors are living in an uneasy truce with the fae, while both worlds are in danger of disappearing altogether. Aileana holds the key to saving both worlds, but in order to do so she must awaken her latent Falconer powers. And the price of doing that might be her life.

Rich with imaginative detail, action, fae lore, and romance, The Vanishing Throne is a thrilling sequel to The Falconer.

Review

The Falconer came out of nowhere for me. It sounded up my alley so I gave it a try and loved it. But there was one of the worst cliff hangers, so I patiently had to wait for The Vanishing Throne. The Vanishing Throne picked up right where The Falconer left off. (I found it helpful to reread The Falconer before starting The Vanishing Throne.)

Aileana is one kick butt female lead. She faces some serious struggles; she is held captive, tortured, learns ugly truths, and has to fight bad guys all while dealing with the destruction of her home. Kiaran- what a character, he is good but then he is bad, he has no feelings but then he is passionate. He is all over the place in some ways but based on his background that is understandable. The reader learns more about Kiaran and pieces start to fall into place. I admire that he remains fairly honest, he does not hide away from his character or his brutal past. These two characters truly make the story worth reading.  The secondary characters are a nice addition as well but Aileana and Kiaran are fantastic.

If I were to describe The Vanishing Throne in a couple of words it would be action-packed and high intensity. I was almost taken back by the amount of fighting and intense scenes. Elizabeth May throws the reader right into battle with Aileana; you feel nervous, worried, and powerful with her. I cannot wait to see what the next book holds!

Asa (Marked Men #6) by Jay Crownover

Title: Asa
Series: Marked Men #6
Author: Jay Crownover
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: April 21st 2015

Summary from Goodreads:

Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one luscious arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best.

Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.

A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make.

Review

This is a sad review to write, as it signifies the end of a great series. I actually listened to the audio book versions of the entire series.  Let me tell you, that is the way to go; the variety in narrators and multiple narrators in each story really got me into the book.  Plus if you are a fan of a Southern accent, Asa has a wonderful one.

Asa grew on me, his troubled past and previous lack of care for others did not sit well with me.  It did give him plenty of room to grow though and that he did.  He eventually grew on me as a character and as a part of the crew's family.

The hurdle/issue Asa and Royal had to overcome was a difficult issue and kind of intense and hard to wrap my head around.  I could not really imagine being in that situation ; the whole thing made me rather uncomfortable.  Aside from that aspect of the plot, Asa was a great read and ended the series in a wonderful way.  I loved not only hearing Royal and Asa's story but also hearing all the other happy endings.