Gidget Girl Reading

YA Book Reviews

[rifflechildrens]

Love and Hugs: Picture Books for Valentines Day

Check out @gidgetgrlsreading‘s fantastic Valentines list about love in all its forms <3

Lots of hugs to all my kidlit-loving followers as well!

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

Into The Dim

By Janet Taylor

Publication March 1, 2015

Can I give this book more than 5 stars, please! I loved each and every minute I read this book. Into the Dim is a wonderful time traveling, action - adventure, mystery, historical, and love story all rolled into one. I was on the edge of my seat and sneaking moments here and there to read more of it. I was so sad to see the story end. I love the world building and there was a lot and the author did a fabulous job. The characters were great and many times she took you on such a roller coaster ride. I didn't know which way this was going to end. I know this is book 1 so there will be a book to and I hope I don't have to wait long for it to come out. Into the Dim is fine for readers as young as middle grade all the way through YA and adults. I can now say enough about this book. This will be at the top of my list of books I loved in 2016. It comes out March 1st and while I've already read this book I will buy a hardback copy and I know it will be one of my go to re-read books.

summary: “Seventy-two hours, then we have to be back at the clearing. Sunrise on the third day.”

Being “the homeschooled girl,” in a small town, Hope Walton's crippling phobias and photographic memory don't help her fit in with her adoptive dad's perfectly blonde Southern family. But when her mother is killed in a natural disaster thousands of miles from home, Hope's secluded world crumbles. After an aunt she's never met invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Hope discovers that her mother was more than a brilliant academic. She's a member of a secret society of time travelers, and is actually trapped in the twelfth century in the age of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Now Hope must conquer her numerous fears and travel back in time to help rescue her mother before she's lost for good. Along the way, she'll discover more family secrets, and a mysterious boy who could be vital to setting her mother free… or the key to Hope's undoing.

Addictive, romantic, and rich with historical detail, Into the Dim is an Outlander for teens.

Thank you Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for allowing me to read Into the Dim. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the free book.

[penguinteen]

Spend your summer with Sarah Dessen and DREAMLAND! 

[papertownsmovie]

Hey Show Me State, show us that you want the ‘Get Lost Get Found’ tour to stop by Missouri. Favorite and reblog to vote! One note = one vote!

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

Spelled

by Betsy Schow Sourcebooks Fire Release Date: June 2, 2015 Grab your copy now: Amazon | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | Kindle |  Nook

Fairy Tale Survival Rule #32: If you find yourself at the mercy of a wicked witch, sing a romantic ballad and wait for your Prince Charming to save the day. Yeah, no thanks. Dorthea is completely princed out. Sure being the crown princess of Emerald has its perks--like Glenda Original ball gowns and Hans Christian Louboutin heels. But a forced marriage to the not-so-charming prince Kato is so not what Dorthea had in mind for her enchanted future. Talk about unhappily ever after.Trying to fix her prince problem by wishing on a (cursed) star royally backfires, leaving the kingdom in chaos and her parents stuck in some place called “Kansas.” Now it’s up to Dorthea and her pixed off prince to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz and undo the curse…before it releases the wickedest witch of all and spells The End for the world of Story. Oh my stars is Spelled such a fun read. Spelled is a mash up of all fairy tales and Dorthea is the belle of the ball so to speak. She is about to unleash something so big and all heck is about to break loose. This book is so puny/funny with all the puns sprinkled in, and your going to be laughing a lot while reading this little gem.  This book really shows how one mad childish wish in the fit of anger can really go all wrong. The saying be careful what you wish for is the main theme of Spelled. Dorthea goes from spoiled mean girl to a girl who realizes just how much she had. If you have a teen girl who use to love a good old fairytale story than Spelled is for her. If you liked reading those sweet fairytale picture books to her when she was little than Spelled is for you. Really even if you or your teen was never really a princess girl you will still love this hilarious story! This book is 100% perfect for some light hearted summer reading. Great characters, great story, story with a good message, puns like you wouldn't believe! thank you Sourcebooks Fire and Besty Schow for allowing me to read Spelled. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the free book. 

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

Things We Know By Heart

by Jessi Kirby Harper Teen

After Quinn's boyfriend, Trent, dies in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the fragments of her now-unrecognizable life. But whoever received Trent's heart has mysteriously remained silent. The essence of a person, Quinn has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent's, then in a way she still has a piece of him.

Risking everything to find peace once and for all, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she's falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she's lost . . . and all that 

Things We Know By Heart starts off right away with the accident that takes Trent away from Quinn. While the author talks a little about him you don't really get to know him. Things We Know By Heart would be a sweet happy ending The Fault In Our Stars for this summer. This is the second book I've read about heart transplants and organ donation. Guess the authors are trying to make people aware of this issue and cause.  Over all Things We Know By Heart is a sweet summer read that YA girls will be sure to love. Colton is that surfer guy with a heart of gold that all girls would love to fall for. Quinn is the girl conflicted and not sure if she is falling for Colton or still in love with Trent's heart. Quinn's family is starting to unravel and if this summer is going to turn out half way decent she needs to get it together, figure out what she really wants for her life and go for it! She also needs to tell Colton the truth and that she found him because he has Trent's heart. That's not going to go well, but if their love is true than they can overcome this right?!

Grab a copy of Things We Know By Heart and really any of Jessi Kirby's books they are all great. This is perfect for some sweet romance summer reading. 

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

The Forgetting

by Nicole Maggi Sourcebooks Fire

When Georgie Kendrick wakes up after a heart transplant she feels...different. The organ beating in her chest isn't in tune with the rest of her body. Like it still belongs to someone else. Someone with terrible memories...memories that are slowly replacing her own. A dark room, a man in the shadows, the sharp taste of adrenaline—these are her donor's final memories. Pieces of a deadly puzzle. And if Georgie doesn't want them to be the last thing she remembers, she has to find out the truth behind her donor's death...before she loses herself completely. The Forgetting is a very raw book that tackles a very taboo subject. It has language and it has some very sensitive topics and not for the tender hearted. However it is a very good book that I think will open teen's (and adults) eyes to a problem that is going on every where in America as well as the world: Human Trafficking. At first glance you will be thinking what no this books about organ transplants and it is about that but the real story in The Forgetting is about all the lost teens on the streets and how so many of them are used and sold in human trafficking rings. There is language in this book and  the F work is used quite a bit and I usually won't even continue a book with that word. However in this book it didn't bother me. Nicole Maggi does a great job at presenting a very scary issue. Georgie and Nate are on a mission to save as many girls as they can and finish what Anna started. To quote the author " Trafficked children are hiding in plain sight" and they are! The organization she has Nate and eventually Georgie volunteering at FAIR girls is a real organization with chapters in almost every big city. If you would like to support this worthy cause they sell lots of really pretty jewelry at their store JewelGirls . The Forgetting is a book you won't forget about, the issue and cause that the book explores is one that will stay with the reader well after they turn the last page. While this definitely isn't light summer reading it is one that I would put on a list of must reads this summer.  My soon to be 9th grader is reading this one right now and while I usually don't let her read stuff like this it was one she wanted to read and I'm OK with that. I've read it so I'm here is she has any questions or things she'd like to talk about. 

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

Some Kind Of Normal

by Juliana Stone

Sourcebooks Fire

Praise for Juliana Stone

“Just what readers need.” –School Library Journal

“A contemporary romance with a conscience…Stone writes it with confidence and style.” –Kirkus

“The classic miscommunication, the emotional pushing and pulling, the ‘will she?’ and ‘won’t he?’ of the destined-to-be-in-love. Readers of Miranda Kenneally, Jenny Han, and Susane Colasanti will enjoy Stone.” –VOYA

“A story of family, first love, and forgiveness. I couldn’t stop reading. I loved it!” –Miranda Kenneally, author ofCatching Jordan

Book Info:

What is normal? For Trevor, normal was playing fast guitar licks, catching game-winning passes, and partying all night. Until a car accident leaves him with no band, no teammates, and no chance of graduating. It’s kind of hard to ace your finals when you’ve been in a coma. The last thing he needs is stuck-up Everly Jenkins as his new tutor, those beautiful blue eyes catching every flaw.

For Everly, normal was a perfect family around the dinner table, playing piano at Sunday service, and sunning by the pool. Until she discovers her whole life is a lie. Now the perfect pastor’s daughter is hiding a life-changing secret, one that is slowly tearing her family apart. And spending the summer with notorious flirt Trevor Lewis means her darkest secret could be exposed.

This achingly beautiful story about two damaged teens struggling through pain and loss to redefine who they are, to their family, to themselves, and to each other is sure to melt your heart.

Amazon| Apple | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | Kindle

Juliana Stone:

USA Today bestselling author Juliana Stone fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she split her time between baseball, books, and music—three passions that carried over into adulthood. When she’s not singing with her band, she’s thrilled to be writing young adult and adult contemporary romance, and does so from her home in Canada.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

My Short but Sweet Review: 

I wasn't to sure about this one when I first got it. I'm not a big fan of the back and forth stories where every chapter is told from a different characters perspective. However Some Kind of Normal was pretty good. While the character's are each battling their own issues and trying to heal from them this book is not a heavy book. I would place Some Kind of Normal in a realistic fiction genre since it is based on real life issues. While not every child will go through these issues I'm sure the reader would know someone who has to some degree. Good solid character development and fast flowing story makes this a good summer reading book. 

Excerpt from Some Kind of Normal: 

“You got any?” he asked.

“Any what?”

“Tattoos?”

“Me?” I had to laugh at that. Wow. Before last year that would have been grounds for major punishment. Heck, up until my senior year, I hadn’t been allowed to wear lip gloss. Now I wasn’t so sure that my mom would even notice, and since I avoided my dad whenever I could…

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “My skin is untouched.”

His eyes widened a bit, and I felt heat creep up my neck. Great. Now I was blushing again.

“Untouched,” he said with that lopsided smile that made my stomach dip. “I like that.”

“You do?” “Yep. A clean slate. There’s something almost poetic about that, you know? Tragic too. How many people get a do--over?”

Trevor reached for my hand, and though my first instinct was to snatch it back, his long fingers enveloped mine before I had the chance. He turned my hand over so that my palm faced up and then traced the little blue lines that ran down my wrist.

I can’t lie. It felt weird and good, and my heart took off once more, so fast that I was surprised he couldn’t hear it.

“This is…kind of…like ink,” he said, his words a little slow as if he was thinking hard. “But it’s alive.”

He glanced up again, and all I could do was nod before my eyes dropped to his hand. Mine was still there, small and pale next to his large palm and tanned skin. I saw the thin blue veins that ran down my wrist, the ones that carried blood from my heart, electrifying my cells and feeding my body.

His thumb rested just beneath my pulse, and I swallowed thickly. Crap, he was going to feel how fast it was, and that would be embarrassing.

“Your fingers are rough.” I blushed harder and thought that there was no way I could sound any more like an idiot. Not even if I was trying.

“Yeah,” he answered. “It’s from playing guitar. I practice a lot so my calluses are nice and strong.”

“I used to play piano.”

Wow. Good comeback. I guess it was better than a clarinet or trombone, but really. Dork much?

…Had he always looked this intense?

“What?” he asked. He smiled again and I thought that on a scale of one to ten, his smile was a total eleven. “You’re into the classics. That’s cool. Didn’t picture that.”

“Really. What exactly did you picture?” Shoot. Did I really want to hear this?

“I don’t know. PBS and that Jane Austen?”

Okay. First off, I was impressed that he knew who Jane Austen was, and secondly…he knew who Jane Austen was!

I dropped my eyes, because I was pretty sure that my cheeks were as red as the roses planted just outside the library. Trevor Lewis wasn’t anything like what I thought he’d be. He wasn’t stupid and he wasn’t arrogant. He wasn’t slow or weird.

He seemed pretty normal to me. You know, for a guy with tattoos and blue hair.

a Rafflecopter giveaway <i>thank you Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to review Some Kind of Normal. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are no way influenced by the free book.  <i> <div class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3463" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3462"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3461" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Also by Juliana Stone:<div class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3468" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3467"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3466"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3465" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">NEW IN PAPERBACK!<div class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3473" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3472"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3471"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3470" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Boys Like You<div class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3476" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3475" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Sourcebooks Fire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3e7m3XJ2L50/VV3b9VL9-rI/AAAAAAAAQF0/BAZDqTatHKw/s1600/boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3e7m3XJ2L50/VV3b9VL9-rI/AAAAAAAAQF0/BAZDqTatHKw/s320/boys.jpg" width="240" /><div class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3476" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> <div class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Two Broken souls…one hot summer<div class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Nate Everet’s life was all about acoustic guitar, girls in short shorts, and hot Southern nights.Until the accident.<div class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3432" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3431" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Monroe Blackwell’s life was full of soccer goals, flirty skirts, and bright city lights. Until the accident.<div class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3444" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3443" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Now Nate has a best friend who might never wake up, a summer of community service, and enough guilt to drown him. Monroe has a family that’s falling apart, a summer of banishment to her grandma’s, and a choking grief that makes it hard to breathe.<div class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3429" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3428" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Nate and Monroe are two lost souls struggling with grief and guilt. But together, they have a chance at acceptance and finally finding the forgiveness they crave.<div align="center" class="yiv6880854570MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3426" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.9499998092651px; margin-bottom: 10pt; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3459" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Like-You-Juliana-Stone/dp/1492603295/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon | <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/juliana-stone/id364570710?mt=11&bookPage=2#bookPage" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Apple | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/boys-like-you-juliana-stone/1116882560?ean=9781492603290" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">B&N | <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Boys-Like/Juliana-Stone/9781492603290?id=6237796562254" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">BAM |<a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/boys-like-you/9781492603290-item.html" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">!ndigo|  <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781492603290" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">IndieBound | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Like-You-Juliana-Stone-ebook/dp/B00HUTVG2U/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Kindle | <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/boys-like-you" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Kobo |  <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/boys-like-you-juliana-stone/1116882560?ean=9781402291487" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3458" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; color: purple; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432212394583_3457" style="color: blue;">Nook

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

Spelled

by Betsy Schow Sourcebooks Fire June 2, 2015

Advance Praise for Spelled

“A cute adventure with romance set in a world full of fairy-tale mash-ups. Readers will love Dorthea’s evolution from spoiled princess to strong, confident heroine… For Oz fans, this work is a great clean-read alternative to Danielle Paige’s Dorothy Must Die.” -School Library Journal

“This wickedly funny, fast-paced adventure has it all: brains, courage, and heart.(Plus a kickin’ pair of heels.) .” --Jen Calonita, author of The Secrets of My Hollywood Lifeand Fairy Tale Reform School series

“Fairy tale survival rule #1, do NOT read this book late at night. You will wake up your entire family with loud laughter. Fairy tale survival rule #2, if you love the Wizard of Oz, clever fairy tale mash-ups, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing what will happen until the very end, you MUST read Spelled.” --J Scott Savage, award winning author of Farworld, Case File 13, and the Mysteries of Cove series.

“A hilarious and snarky reimagining of the world of Oz, along with many other fairy tales injected throughout, "Spelled" is one fabulous read…Kick off those silver slippers and tuck in with this wonderful tale!” —Senator Sipes, Lil Book Bug (Palmdale, CA)

Book Info:

Talk about unhappily ever after. Dorthea is completely princed out. Sure being the crown princess of Emerald has its perks—like Glenda Original ball gowns and Hans Christian Louboutin heels. But a forced marriage to the not-so-charming prince Kato is so not what Dorthea had in mind for her enchanted future.

Trying to fix her prince problem by wishing on a (cursed) star royally backfires, leaving Dorthea with hair made up of emerald flames and the kingdom in chaos. Her parents and everyone she loves are stuck in some place called “Kansas.” Now it’s up to Dorthea and her pixed-off prince to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz and undo the curse…before it releases the wickedest witch of all and spells The End for the world of Story.

Amazon | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | Kindle |  Nook

Betsy Schow:

Betsy Schow is the author of the memoir Finished Being Fat, and has been featured on The Today Show and in The Wall Street Journal. She lives in Utah, but travels the country with Color Me Rad 5k, and partners with nonprofits to teach kids creative thinking and how to reach their goals.

Website| Twitter

Excerpt from Spelled:

Most of the crowd had dispersed. The final few stragglers looked at me with the all­too-common look of fear mixed with trepidation. Pix ’em. They were just servants. It wasn’t like their opinion mattered.

Only one remained, watching me with open curiosity. He looked to be in his late teens or was magically enhanced to appear so. He could have been a hundred for all I knew. I’d never seen him before in my life. He was handsome enough, for a commoner, even in his worn leather pants and cracked work boots. A foreigner, his hair was unruly and dark auburn, which complemented his tanned but dirt-smudged complexion, though the tall, dark stranger vibe was ruined by his piercing pale blue eyes.

Well, I’d had enough of being a sideshow for the day. “If you’re the new gardener, the hedges are overgrown and in need of a trim.” I pointed in the direction of my father. “While you’re there, you can help the king with the wisps.”

The young man’s expression clouded over, but he didn’t move.

I stamped my foot and pointed more forcefully. “Off with you. Courtyard’s that way. Be sure to clean those awful boots before coming back in.”

“Someone told me I’d find a princess of great worth here. One with the strength to be the hero this realm needs.” He stared at me with those unsettling blue eyes. They were cold, like ice water—made me shiver from head to toe. Then his gaze seemed to search even deeper. Finally, he looked through me, like I was nothing.

In brisk steps, he strode across the marble to the courtyard. But before crossing the threshold, he turned back to glare at me with his lip curled ever so slightly. “It seems she was mistaken.”

Just like that, I had been sifted, weighed, and found wanting.

I felt my own lip curl in response. How rude! Who the Grimm was this peasant to judge me? I was wearing a Glenda original. Original! Not some fairy-godmother knockoff worn by those servant girls turned royal. I was a crown princess, for the love of fairy, and no one dismissed me.

Before I could put the boy in his place—down in the dirt, where he belonged—a clatter came from behind, making me nearly jump out of my shoes. I checked and was relieved that Sterling had simply dropped his sword. By the time I looked back, the gardener was gone.

After stowing his blade, Sterling held up his shield, not in defense of the entrance but so he could look at his reflection. “Clearly he’s blind and doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

I didn’t ask for Sterling’s opinion, but it made me feel better.

Until he opened his mouth again. “Worth, pffft. I mean, look around at all the jewels. Your palace has everything you could ever want. Honestly, I don’t know what you’re fussing about. Why would anyone want to leave?”

Because a cage is still a cage, no matter how big or glittering the bars are.

And I would find a way free, no matter the cost.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

Daughter of Deep Silence

by Carrie Ryan publication date: May 26 2015

I’m the daughter of murdered parents.I’m the friend of a dead girl.I’m the lover of my enemy.And I will have my revenge. In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process. Wow, Wow, Wow Daughter of Deep Silence is quite the mystery and thriller. Not in the way you might be thinking, it is a edge of your seat thriller that slowly unravels and has you going oh my stars. First off I have to say look at this pretty book cover! Love it, and it doesn't give away anything but definitely draws you to pick up the book.   Frances is out for revenge and she will not rest till someone pays for killing everyone she has loved. I can't even imagine witnessing what she saw and being 14. Carrie Ryan did an excellent job at character development and having the reader really fall into the world she created for Daughter of Deep Silence. I loved how each character  had their own back story not just Frances/Libby. You really got to know the main characters and she even developed great little back stories for the minor characters. My favorite besides Frances/Libby was Shepherd. I really like him! The ending is not what I expected and I loved it. This book is absolutely perfect for summer reading. However don't plan on doing much else than just reading this book. Trust me I speak from experience, I love books that grab you and don't want to let go of the book till you finish it. This book would be perfect for a movie (hint, hint) it kinda reminds me of Revenge for YA readers. It is really pretty clean minus a few kisses and talking about wanting to kiss someone, no bad language or adult situations.  thank you First to Read for the e-book to read. I know this is one I'm going to buy when it comes out so I have it on my bookshelf to read again and again. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the free book. 

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

The Summer After You and Me

by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Sourcebooks Fire

May 2015 ● ISBN: 9781492619031

Trade paper/$9.99 ● Ages 14+

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1bdZCrJ

Apple: http://apple.co/1GZ6qq1

BAM: http://bit.ly/1wWFUdw

B&N: http://bit.ly/1ABV3x6

Chapters: http://bit.ly/1EnXK6R

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1EtSUr9

Will it be a summer of fresh starts or second chances? For Lucy, the Jersey Shore isn't just the perfect summer escape, it's home. As a local girls, she knows not to get attached to the tourists. They breeze in during Memorial Day weekend, crowding her coastal town and stealing moonlight kisses, only to pack up their beach umbrellas and empty promises on Labor Day. Still she can't help but crush on charming Connor Malloy. His family spends every summer next door, and she longs for their friendship to turn into something deeper. Then Superstorm Sandy sweeps up the coast, bringing Lucy and Connor together for a few intense hours. Except nothing is the same in the wake of the storm, and Lucy is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and her broken hoome. Time may heal all wounds, but with Memorial Day approaching and Connor returning, Lucy's summer is sure to be filled with fireworks. 

The Summer After You and Me was a wonderful fast read. I enjoyed every minute of it. The cast of characters from Lucy, Liam, Conner, and more are likable and relate-able. The story is well developed with the normal teen drama we all have in our teen years. The back story of Superstorm Sandy is very well developed and intertwined through out the book. I loved that Lucy and Liam the twin siblings had moments of being very close only to have a big blowout sibling fight. So many books don't do sibling fights and rivalry as well as Jennifer Salvato Doktorski has! Lucy's love of marine life was fun to read about and I loved the tidbits of information at the beginning of each chapter. While there was some adult situations that were discussed throughout the story it  was not the main focus and it was only a sentence or two here and there. No graphic details or major talk. There was no bad language in this book and for the most part was fairly clean. The Summer After You and Me is perfect for summer reading for your YA reader. This is listed as 14+ and I would say that is about right. Many kids have read TFIOS and other books that briefly talked about adult situations and did so light enough that 6th - 8th graders read them. This is fine for 14+, and if you are not sure you could read it first. 

This is the first book I've read by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski and I will be seeing if my library has her other 2 books. Since I enjoyed this one so much. Between the characters, location and some great lines that had me thinking Yes she totally writes teen girls perfectly. I loved Lucy's friends and family, and the dynamics of them and how they bounced off of each other. The Summer After You and Me is about love: both lost and found again, family, rebuilding after a tragedy, friendship: both lost and found again, siblings, and growing up and finding oneself and capturing those moments. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway thank you so much Sourcebooks: Fire for allowing me to review this great book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were no way influenced by the free book. 

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

The Summer After You and Me {spotlight post}

by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Sourcebooks Fire

May 2015 ● ISBN: 9781492619031

Trade paper/$9.99 ● Ages 14+

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1bdZCrJ

Apple: http://apple.co/1GZ6qq1

BAM: http://bit.ly/1wWFUdw

B&N: http://bit.ly/1ABV3x6

Chapters: http://bit.ly/1EnXK6R

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1EtSUr9

Will it be a summer of fresh starts or second chances?

For Lucy, the Jersey Shore isn’t just the perfect summer escape, it’s home. As a local girl, she knows not to get attached to the tourists. They breeze in during Memorial Day weekend, crowding her costal town and stealing moonlit kisses, only to pack up their beach umbrellas and empty promises on Labor Day. Still, she can’t help but crush on charming Connor Malloy. His family spends every summer next door, and she longs for their friendship to turn into something deeper.

Then Superstorm Sandy sweeps up the coast, bringing Lucy and Connor together for a few intense hours. Except nothing is the same in the wake of the storm, and Lucy is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and her broken home. Time may heal all wounds, but with Memorial Day approaching and Connor returning, Lucy’s summer is sure to be filled with fireworks.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Salvato Doktorski is the author of two YA  novels and is a freelance nonfiction writer. Her first paid writing gig was at The North Jersey Herald & News, where she wrote obituaries and began her lifelong love of news and coffee. She lives in New Jersey with her family.

An Excerpt

Connor opened the gorgeous double doors, each with half-moon stained-glass windows on the top, and motioned me inside. “After you.”

The house had that distinct yet hard-to-describe smell of a beach home that had been closed up for a while. I walked to the center of the high-ceilinged foyer and immediately pic­tured pine garland and twinkling white lights wrapped around the sweeping banister.

“Wow. I’d love to spend Christmas here,” I said and immedi­ately regretted being so sappy.

Connor smiled. “You could fit a twelve-foot tree in this hallway.”

I admit, over the years I’ve had my share of Connor-centric fantasies. However the image of him watching his children pad down the stairs on Christmas morning had never been one of them…until that very second. I liked thinking about Connor that way.

“Come on. You’ve got to see the master bedroom.”

The wholesome image of a Malloy family Christmas van­ished. Aha, I thought. That was the Connor I knew.

“Uh-uh,” I said. “The widow’s walk. I want to go there first.”

“Race you,” he said and took off running.

He beat me up the two flights and was waiting for me in the third-floor hallway toward the back of the house. Off the hallway was an art studio, with a drafting table and a bookcase. There was also a telescope standing near the window.

“Follow me.” He crossed the studio and unlocked the dead­bolt to the narrow door leading outside.

“You’ve already been up there?”

“First thing I did when I got here,” Connor said.

“Not the master bedroom?”

“Nah, that’s the first thing I wanted to do when you got here.”

I thought it was just more flirty banter, but Connor’s flushed cheeks looked as warm as my body felt. He stared at me for a beat too long and my throat constricted. I was suddenly aware that I’d left the house with slept-on hair and no mascara. The look on Connor’s face told me he hadn’t noticed. His eyes never left mine.

Finally he said, “Come on, Luce. I’ll follow you.” The space was tight when I passed in front of him, and the closeness of his body gave me the shivers. I opened the door and stepped outside onto a small patio. I walked toward the wrought-iron spiral staircase that lead to the widow’s walk on the roof and placed my hand on the railing. My knees felt shaky as I began the climb, but I never looked back.

a Rafflecopter giveaway *** Review Coming This Weekend***

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

Ice Kissed {spotlight and author interview}

by Amanda Hocking The Kanin Chronicles book 2

Amazon: http://smarturl.it/IceKissedAmz

Barnes & Noble: http://smarturl.it/IceKissedBN

iBooks: http://smarturl.it/IceKissedApp

Indiebound: http://smarturl.it/IceKissedIB

In the majestic halls of a crystal palace lies a secret that could destroy an entire kingdom…

Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It's a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…the glittering palace of the Skojare. 

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that's been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it's also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing the mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level--one neither of them is prepared for. 

As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it'll change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves.

Oh my how I've loved Frostfire and Ice Kissed. The world of Kanin is so magical! The Kanin Chronicles series is fun to read and I would love to see this made into a movie series. The author Amanda Hocking does a great job at keeping the reader informed in case they pick Ice Kissed up not realizing that it is a series. Ice Kissed is leading up to Bryn in the final book and how all her tough decisions will impact the Kingdom of Kanin. I can't wait for Crystal Kingdom to come out. I do not want to give away to much but I enjoted this book very much and read it in under 2 days! However I will be sad when the magical land that not only has royalty but also trolls comes to an end. This summer grab a copy of Ice Kissed and Frostfire and enjoy some summer reading! I was so happy to be able to ask Amanda Hocking a few questions:

Book 3 Crystal Kingdom comes out in August I read that it is a trilogy were you sad to finish writing about this enchanting land?  

I actually finished writing Crystal Kingdom in late 2014, so I’ve had time to come to terms with it being over. For me, it’s always a bit of a relief finishing a series. Even though I’ve enjoyed the characters and my time in their world, I’m always happiest when things are finished.

I love that Frostfire and Ice Kissed has royalty as well as trolls, how did you create the Kingdom of Kanin?

The Kanin Chronicles was most directly inspired by the works of Alexandre Dumas, particularly The Three Musketeers. I’ve always really loved tales of princesses and knights. I also looked to actually historic monarchies, most notably Sweden since the Kanin are based on Scandinavian folklore. I wanted the Kanin to be a somewhat rigid and old-school kingdom, with royalty in castles, and I built their society around that idea.

There are a long of strong girl power book characters out there and Bryn is a strong girl power character that is fighting with some tough decisions she must make, was she easy to create and keep strong or was her journey harder to write about as the books progressed?

For me, characters always get easier to write as I go along because I know them better. With that said, it is trickier writing characters who are strong because they need to show vulnerability and growth, without appearing weak or ignorant. Bryn’s journey was a lot of fun for me, though, because she really learns who she and what she wants, while still kicking butt.

AMANDA HOCKING is The New York Times bestselling author of the Trylle trilogy and a lifelong Minnesotan. After selling over a million copies of her books, primarily in eBook format, she became the exemplar of self-publishing success in the digital age.

Website: http://smarturl.it/AHWebsite

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandahockingfans?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_hocking

Tumblr: http://amandahocking.tumblr.com/

thank you St Martins Press and Amanda Hocking for allowing me to review Ice Kissed. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were no way influenced by the free books. All links are to the book and I'm not an affiliate so I will receive no money if you decide to buy from a link. 

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

What Waits In The Woods

by Kieran Scott Point Publishing, an imprint of Scholastic

A hiking trip in the woods in upstate New York is out of the comfort zone for sixteen-year-old city girl Callie Velasquez, but she wants to bond with her new friends Lissa and Penelope, not to mention her new boyfriend, Jeremy. However, nothing could have prepared her for the true human darkness that waits for her in the wood. I grabbed this from the library, man I love the library; anyway this was a must read. My 8th grader grabbed it and told me she was reading it first. It took all of 3 days and that was only because she had so much homework. She handed it to me and was like I was floored at who did it. I can't wait to see what you think. It took me 2 days to read and I Loved it just as much as her. We love a good thriller/mystery! What Waits In The Woods is a real edge our seat thriller that will keep you guessing. The author has a great catchy writting style and builds a great story with likable characters. I enjoyed her Shadowlands trilogy that she wrote under the pen name Kate Brian. So it was no surprise that I enjoyed What Waits In the Woods. I don't really want to say much about the book for fear I might give away spoilers. If you love spooky thrillers than grab a copy of What Waits In The Woods you won't be disappointed!

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

Lois Lane: A Real Work of Art and Cloudy with A Chance of Destruction {free teaser short stories}

by Gwenda Bond Series: Lois Lane A Real Work of Art:

In high school art class, Lois Lane demonstrates her undeniable talent . . . but not for painting.This is an official teaser short story for the young adult novel LOIS LANE: FALLOUT that takes place before Lois moves to Metropolis. In this first teaser short story you get to meet Lois Lane as she enters a new school. You also get to see her investigative side. This one is super short coming in at around 17 pages or so. I loved it and really wanted more. You even get to catch a glimpse of her best online buddy that lives in Smallville! I have never been a superman fan movie wise but I did really enjoy the show Smallville. So this was really fun and I love that we get to know more about Lois Lane!  Cloudy With A Chance of Destruction

In a high school science class, Lois Lane must deal with some bad chemistry. . .This is an official teaser short story for the young adult novel LOIS LANE: FALLOUT that takes place before Lois moves to Metropolis. FALLOUT is forthcoming from Switch Press in May 2015. Cloudy With A Chance of Destruction gives us an even bigger glimpse into Lois Lane's high school life, along with more from that mysterious Smallville friend! This one a bit longer coming in at under 25 pages. You get to see her quick acting wits and intelligence in this short. She isn't afraid to take the fall for the team in order to divert a disaster. You also get to see how she relies on her online buddy Smallville Guy to help her figure out just what might be going down in her school  The Lois Lane shorts are fast reads and leave you really wanting more. Lois Lane: Fallout is book 1 in the Lois Lane series. It comes out in May 1st which is just a few weeks away. Making it perfect for some summer reading. I will be at the bookstore May 1st to grab a copy. If it is anything like these wonderful teaser shorts it is going to be good!  Want to read A Real Work of Art and Cloudy With A Chance of Destruction you can for free! Hop on over to Switch Press and download the PDF's for free. But reader beware it will cause you to want to buy the book. However I don't think that is a bad thing! Click Here and scroll down a bit, you will see the these covers that are available for download.  thank you netgalley and Switch Press for allowing me to read these wonderful teaser shorts for the  upcoming series Lois Lane. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the free books. 

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

The Truth About Us {spotlight and giveaway post}

by Janet Gurtler published by Sourcebooks: Fire April 7, 2015 Read my Review of The Truth About Us

Praise for Janet Gurtler

                                “Just right for fans of Sarah Dessen and Jodi Picoult.” –Booklist

“Powerful…a gripping read.” VOYA

Book Info:

Flynn’s from the wrong side of the tracks, but he may be just right for Jess…

The truth is that Jess knows she’s screwed up. She’s made mistakes, even betrayed her best friend, and now she’s paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

The truth is that she wishes she was the carefree party girl everyone thinks she is. She pretends it’s all fine. That her “perfect” family is fine. But it’s not. And no one notices the lie…until she meets Flynn. He’s the only one who really sees her. The only one who really listens.

The truth is that Jess is falling apart, and no one seems to care. But Flynn is the definition of “the wrong side of the tracks.” When Jess’s parents look at him, they only see their differences, not how much she and Flynn need each other. They don’t get that the person who shouldn’t fit into your world might just be the one who makes you feel like you belong.

Amazon | Apple | B&N | BAM |!ndigo| IndieBound | Kindle

JANET GURTLER:

RITA Award finalist Janet Gurtler’s young adult books have been chosen for the Junior Library Guild Selection and as Best Books For Teens from the Canadian Children’s Book Center. She has had her writing compared to Judy Blume and Jodi Picoult and that makes her happy. She has volunteered at a few soup kitchens and hopes to do more. Giving back is so important. Janet lives in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada, with her husband, son, and a chubby black Chihuahua named Bruce.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Excerpt:

The greenhouse is sort of shaped like an old barn. It’s opaque with plastic and steel siding. The door is open, and I follow Wilf inside and pause and then breathe it in. The smell nourishes me. Moist air fills my lungs. I’ve forgotten how much the scents of greenery soothe me. It reminds me of different times. Simpler times.

“Nice,” I tell him, looking around at rows of plants on tabletops and plants stacked on the floor. I realize I’ve missed the satisfaction of nurturing plants. There’s a man on a ladder in the middle of the greenhouse, fixing a shelf, with his back to us. A little boy stands at the bottom of the ladder, watching. Wilf walks over and pats his head and kneels down to his level. “How are ya, big guy?”

The little boy stands taller and giggles and holds out his hand. He’s got it wrapped tightly around a plastic blue train. The man on the ladder turns and looks down at me. My heart stops. It’s not a man at all. It’s him. Flynn.

My face burns.

“What are you doing here?” he asks. Wilf frowns and then looks at me. “What’s up with you kids these days? In my time, we treated nice--looking young ladies with respect,” he says to Flynn gruffly. “Flynn, this is Jess. She volunteers here.”

I say a silent thank--you to him for calling me nice--looking and glance back at Flynn. “Since when?” he asks. “Since now. How about, ‘hello, nice to meet you’?” Wilf says to prompt both of us. “Is that so hard?” 

“We’ve already met,” Flynn says. My cheeks stay on fire as he climbs down the ladder. “The shelf is fixed,” he says to Wilf. “Slumming?” he adds to me as he jumps to the floor. He folds up the ladder and then leans it against a counter lined with plants. The little boy stares back and forth.

I try to think of something light and witty to save the moment, but my mind is blank. Instead, I panic. “What’d you do to get stuck working at this place?” I say, channeling my inner Nance. “What’d I do?” He stares at me and then his lips turn up. “I didn’t have the right daddy, I guess. I’m here to have lunch. With my little brother. I’m not a volunteer.” 

My stomach drops. Fail. Epic fail.

Now you have a chance to enter the giveaway for a copy of The Truth About Us. Good Luck! If you don't win grab a copy at your local library or bookstore. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[gidgetgrlsreading-blog]

The Truth About Us

by Janet Gurtler Published by Sourcebooks Fire Upper Middle School YA Readers Enter the Giveaway for The Truth About Us

The truth is that Jess knows she screwed up. She's made mistakes, betrayed her best friend, and now she's paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

The truth is she wishes she was the care-free party-girl everyone thinks she is. She pretends it's all fine. That her "perfect" family is fine. But it's not. And no one notices the lie...until she meets Flynn. He's the only one who really sees her. The only one who listens.

The truth is that Jess is falling apart—and no one seems to care. But Flynn is the definition of "the wrong side of the tracks." When Jess's parents look at him they only see the differences—not how much they need each other. They don't get that the person who shouldn't fit in your world...might just be the one to make you feel like you belong.

The Truth About Us was a really good book. Kinda a reverse Cinderella but with a more in depth story. Flynn who I have to say I really enjoyed his character is a kid that is also the man of the house now. He's had a rough life and he has some walls built up but you can tell he has a heart of gold.  He takes care of his little brother Kyle. They are not made of money and live paycheck to paycheck so he isn't your typical teenage boy. However he has fallen and hard for Jess. Jess is a spoiled girl who really I didn't like much in the beginning but by the end of the book I liked the way Jess was acting. She had matured working at the soup kitchen and learning that life was not always about her. Wilf is the sweet loving grandfather figure that really the fatherly type figure to these 3 kids and he is just what they need.

The Truth About Us is a great book for upper middle school and high school readers. There is language in it with a few cuss words here and there but it won't be anything your kid probably hasn't heard so far. It has some kissing but nothing goes to far. I would allow my 8th grader to read this with no worries. This is a good contemporary fiction that handles many issues that come up in the book is a realistic manner. There was only one thing I didn't like the ending wrapped up to fast I wanted it to last a little longer, I wasn't ready for it to end.That being said I still loved the book and the ending. I just wish it could have gone on for a few more chapters. You will laugh out loud, you will get mad at Jess and Flynn and some of the other characters, and they will make you smile! Grab a copy of The Truth About Us for your YA reader (or for you) for some fun summer (or spring) reading.  thank you Sourcebook:Fire and Janet Gurtler for allowing me to review The Truth About Us. I really enjoyed it and will pass it on to my YA reader. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were no way influenced by the free book.