Saturday, July 2, 2016

SUMMER READING: What's in Your Beach Bag? Attack of the Ebooks!



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(read/sing to Summer Lovin' from GREASE)

Summer readin' had me a blast!
Summer readin' pages go FAST!
Made some friends BOOK crazy like me!
Created to read lists...no less than three!
Summer days driftin' away, but OH...
THOSE BOOKISH NIGHTS!







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That's right!
It's that time of year again.
Time to put away the pencils and textbooks, in exchange for late movie nights, long days in the sun, and reading JUST FOR FUN!  Who's with me?  ^-^  But, wonder of wonders...how to decide just WHAT to read?

 No worries! I'm here to help along with a plethora of amazing author talent and publishing house know how to bringing to the spotlight a few titles that just might be your best friend for a few days, or few hours this season.  So grab your beach towel, some sunscreen, and pull up a chair, it's time to dive into a pool of bookish fun!  Today's category is...

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EBOOKS!



Yes, ebooks.
Typically my arch-nemesis but a format I delve into on occasion depending upon the available options for review or purchase.  What can I say?  If a book sounds THAT good, I'm gonna read it...format be darned, so long as I have the time.  Ebooks typically take me longer than print books...no, can't explain why, they just do...so I try not to load my schedule up with them, plus my preference for print and adoration of getting some time "unplugged" lead me that route as well.  Anywho, as I stated there are times I indulge and today I'm shining the spotlight on a few recent e-reads that would make fabulous additions to your summer reading.  So, delete a few of those hanger on titles you've been meaning to read but never will if you must, because today's picks are gonna help you stock right back up.  With selections from Children's Fiction to Young Adult, there's a little something for every taste. 


A Brilliant Collection Destined to be Eagerly Finished by Girls and boys Having time for Interesting Jumps into Kick-butt Literary Manuscripts that Need no Overly Pompous Quirky Riotous introductions Since The Unbelievably Vivacious and Wordy titles create a Xanadu You'll grab faster than a Zamboni can smooth ice.

Whew!  That was harder than it looked!
Seriously though, or rather not because the majority of the tales within these epages are anything but serious, there is much fun to be had in this series, but also some surprising lessons to be learned along the way..  From monster tomatoes that try to take over the city to magical mayonnaise given as a prize for saving an ant from a torturous end, discover the horribly horrible WEREsnails as well as the secret agent hiding out in your school, and so many other mind boggling mutations, miracles, and mayhem that you'll be speaking in same letter sentences for at least a month!  A great pick to read straight through as some of the stories do pick up characters from other books, or even for a quick afternoon break, no matter how you slice it, you're in for a book-load of fun!




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Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest (Zaria Fierce, #1) Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword (Zaria Fierce, #2)

Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest
Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword
Zaria Fierce Series, Book 1 & 2
by
Keira Gillett

This was actually quite an exciting read and a great way for Children's Fiction readers of all ages to indulge in Fantasy that's not quite Harry Potter nor LOTR, but a mix of magic, mayhem, and lore that will really capture the imagination.  With very human characters (and some that are decidedly NOT so human), it's easy to relate to all that transpires no matter how fantastical it may seem.  I mean, it's not every day you meet a troll while out walking that makes a deal to not eat you in exchange for other tasty morsels, though the consequences if the bargain is not adhered to are pretty dire.  You don't discover every summer that one of your best friends is actually a Changeling with some pretty cool powers thanks to a doting Grandmother's gift.  It's not often you embark on a journey that will test your strength of will, conscience, endurance, and heart all in the same number of days.  No, siree.  These are strange happenings for most but for Zaria and company, they're becoming the norm...

I really enjoyed getting to know this young lady with more courage and compassion than she realizes.  Her past may be hidden from her but her future with friends by her side, and hope in her heart, is nothing if not golden...provided she survives the trials ahead.  *gulp*  Along her journey she walks hand in hand with danger and knowing just where it's coming from can be difficult, but learning to trust her instincts and her friends will be a more valuable lesson than the pitfalls ahead.  Throughout the story, there are illustrations that I simply can not close without mentioning. MY favorites were of the creatures encountered, especially the trolls, because of the amount of detail included.  They really felt like they could walk right off the page...err, screen.  Oh and if you're one of those readers whose preference is to not start a series/trilogy until all the pieces are available, fret not!  All THREE books (the final releasing just yesterday) are available now for your weekend binge reading.


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Everlasting (Everlasting Trilogy #1)

Everlasting
Everlasting Trilogy, Book 1
by
L.K. Kuhl

Okay, so the synopsis doesn't do a WHOLE lot for the book.  The description of our leading lady, Sophia, getting itchy every time a boy comes around sounded a bit under age for the targeted audience (it's a YA title), BUT don't let that put you off the book for in the end, it was rather good!

I enjoyed the overall story line, sort of a mix between Twilight and My Sister's Reaper, the characters were mysterious enough yet likable (or not depending upon whom we're speaking of), and the ending cliffhanger enough to make you want to seek out the next book but not so much that you felt cheated out of a complete story (hate it when that happens).  I will say that you'll want to pay close attention to the details because a lot is divulged there before it's ever spelled out in neon lights, and the feels are all there, even if some are more tragic and ill-fated than others.

Alas, I did have two issues with the story:  the see through nature of one particularly LARGE plot point (can't tell you what because it's still a pretty cool concept even if I did suspect), and Sophia's change in character in the latter half of the tale (I still say from what we knew of her character, she'd NEVER have gone with that slick weasel!).  While neither stopped me from reading, they were two areas that I did wish for something more...then again, perhaps it is because I read so much that it's easier to identify some things from the detail crumb trail left behind.  Hmm...something to think about.  In any case, I would recommend it for Young Adult Fiction fans of all ages.  It's got mystery, romance, loss, danger, and secrets that may be best left undisturbed but are punching their way to the spotlight.


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Special thanks to Bald Guy, Keira Gillett, and L.K. Kuhl for the ebooks for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on any titles we featured today, the authors, or publishers, feel free to click through the links provided above.  All books listed are available now, so be on the lookout for them on a virtual shelf/retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!







2 comments:

  1. There's a lot going on in this book and it sounds like I could really sink my teeth in exciting adventurous a delight for the senses

    ReplyDelete