In My Mailbox (8)

January 29, 2012January 11, 2014 Kathryn Cooper

In My Mailbox, hosted by The Story Siren, is a weekly post where bloggers list the books they received this week. The books can be from anywhere: publishers, authors, won in a giveaway, bought, borrowed from the library. This is not to brag but to showcase books that we may never get the chance to review.

Click the book’s title to view on goodreads or amazon!

FOR REVIEW:
Thank you Opal from Astraea Press, Amy from Inkberry Press, and Rebecca Gober for my review copies!

Pride and Popularity
by Jenni James
My Review is already up!

Northanger Alibi
by Jenni James
My Review is already up!

Night Marchers
by Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckles

Legend of the Inero Dragon
by J.F. Jenkins

Spell Check
by Ariella Moon

Book Review: Northanger Alibi

January 28, 2012 Kathryn Cooper

Title: Northanger Alibi
Author: Jenni James
Publisher: Inkberry Press
Release Date: February 3, 2012
Pages: 254
Series: The Jane Austen Diaries #2
4 STARS: I Really Liked It

Seattle Washington, and the Russo family, are no match for Claire Hart and her savvy knowledge of all things vampire related. Thanks to her obsession with the Twilight series–if there is anyone who would know a vampire when she saw one, it’s Claire. And she’s positive totally hot Tony Russo is a vampire, she just has to prove it! Follow Claire’s hilarious journey on her first summer adventure away from home, where she learns everything isn’t what it seems, and in some instances, reality is way better than anything she’d ever find in a book.

My Thoughts:
Another great book in The Jane Austen Diaries! Just reading the summary made me laugh. A book about a girl who loves the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer and gets to go to Washington where she thinks she finds a real vampire sounded hilarious. Yes, it was super fun to read and very funny. I was laughing out loud.

Claire is the younger sister of Chloe from Pride and Popularity. This book takes place a few years later. We didn’t get to know Claire very well in the first book so it was fun to learn more about her and to see her quirky parents and other older sister Cassidy again.

I’m embarrassed to admit this but after I saw the first Twilight movie I drove home on some country roads in the dark, and I was totally scared some vampire was going to jump on my car. LOL! So I can see where Claire is coming from when she gets wrapped up in her fictional world. The boy she thinks is a vampire happens to be cute, and she thinks she’s found her Edward. This is such a fun book.

Northanger Alibi comes out February 3rd! It would be a fun Valentine’s Day gift for a friend or maybe yourself. 😉

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual Content: very mild ( kissing )
Language: none
Violence: none

*I received an ARC (Advanced Reader’s Copy) from Amy at Inkberry Press. Thank you! I do not get paid for any of my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.*

cobbogoth, giveaway

Young Adult GIVEAWAY Hop!

January 26, 2012 Kathryn Cooper

I am happy to be a part of the Young Adult Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Down the Rabbit Hole.

Thanks to author Hannah L. Clark I will be giving away a copy of her wonderful new book Cobbogoth. I loved it! Read My Review!

Giveaway is open to US only due to shipping. Please fill out the rafflecopter form. The winner will be notified by email with 48 hours to respond with their name and address. Good luck!

/*{literal}{/literal}*/ a Rafflecopter giveaway&lt;a href=”http://rafl.es/enable-js”&gt;You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway&lt;/a&gt;.
Here is the list of other blogs to hop to!

Book Review, jane austen diaries, pride and popularity

Book Review: Pride and Popularity

January 24, 2012 Kathryn Cooper

Title: Pride and Popularity
Author: Jenni James
Publisher: Inkberry Press
Release Date: May 2011
Pages: 240
Series: The Jane Austen Diaries #1
5 STARS: I LOVED IT!!!

Taylor always gets what he wants—until now.
Chloe Elizabeth Hart despises the conceited antics of the popular crowd, or more importantly, one very annoying self-possessed guy, Taylor Anderson, who seems determined to make her the president of his fan club! As if! Every girl in the whole city of Farmington, New Mexico, is in love with him, but he seems to be only interested in Chloe.
This modern high school adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is a battle of wits as Chloe desperately tries to remain the only girl who can avoid the inevitable—falling for Taylor.

My Thoughts:
I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book for review. When it came in the mail yesterday I paused the book I had been reading to start this immediately. Once my kids were in bed at 7:30 last night I started reading Pride and Popularity and couldn’t put it down! I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning to finish. I’ve never been happier to lose sleep. I was still happy this morning. You can’t help but be happy when reading this feel good book. Thank you Jenni for the fun night!

I know I’ve said this before, but let me remind you. I love retellings! There is something peaceful and relaxing about knowing how a book will end but not knowing how it will get there. I love Jane Austen books and her characters. Before I began reading I knew I would love the “Elizabeth” and “Darcy” characters, and I was right. Chloe and Taylor are so fun!

The chemistry between Chloe and Taylor is amazing! Don’t worry, it wasn’t steamy or anything. 🙂 I loved every scene with Chloe and Taylor whether they were hating or loving each other. The tension was so great. Chloe was fiery, prideful, and afraid of getting hurt. She surprised and mesmerized Taylor. I don’t think I’ll say any more about how these two change throughout the book; I’ll let you read and find out for yourself.

This was a fun, light, clean read that I loved! If you’re in the mood for a light-hearted fiesty romance go read this book!

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between the ( ) to see details
Sexual Content: very mild ( kissing )
Language: none
Violence: none

*I received a copy of this book from Amy at Inkberry Press. Thank you! I do not get paid for any of my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.*

in my mailbox

In My Mailbox (7)

January 20, 2012January 11, 2014 Kathryn Cooper

FOR REVIEW:
Thank you E. Kaiser, Steve Vernon, Istuan Szabo, and L.C. Smith for my review copies!

Jeweler’s Apprentice
by E. Kaiser

Falling
by L.C. Smith

Sinking Deeper
by Steve Vernon

Crystal Shade: Angeni
by Istvan Szabo

FROM LIBRARY:

Just Your Average Princess
by Kristina Springer
My Review is already up!

Zombie Queen of Newbury High
by Amanda Ashby

Dreaming Anastasia
by Joy Preble

Fins are Forever
by Tera Lynn Childs

The Princess and the Bear
by Mette Ivie Harrison

The Princess and the Snowbird
by Mette Ivie Harrison

Book Review, vengeance

Book Review: Vengeance

January 20, 2012January 11, 2014 Kathryn Cooper

THIS IS THE SECOND BOOK OF THE SERIES. Remembrance is the first book in the Transcend Time Saga. My Review of Remembrance.

Title: Vengeance
Author: Michelle Madow
Publisher:
Release Date:
Pages:
Series: Transcend Time #2
4 STARS: I Really Liked It

When Chelsea Givens discovered that her ex-boyfriend Drew dumped her to be with her former best friend Lizzie, she’d never felt so betrayed in her life. Then her new friend Shannon tells her she can help set things right. Chelsea’s willing to listen, but what Shannon wants her to believe — that she shared a past life with Drew — is impossible. And what she wants her to do to get him back … well, it’s downright crazy.
Could Shannon be telling the truth? And if she is, what lengths will Chelsea go if it means making Lizzie pay?
Find out in Vengeance, the second part of the Transcend Time Saga.
*Vengeance is the short story that bridges the events in Remembrance and the final novel in the Saga.

My Thoughts:
I liked that this book was short. It felt like a sneak peak into the third and final book of the saga. It was Lizzie’s story in the first book, and this book gave us her ex-best friend Chelsea’s perspective. I was pretty frustrated with Chelsea’s reaction at the end of Remembrance, but this book helped me understand where she was coming from. Chelsea had conflicting emotions throughout Vengeance. My heart ached for Chelsea and the misunderstandings going on between her and Lizzie. A boy is no reason to throw away a longtime friendship! I’m really curious to see how things play out in book three.

If you’ve read Remembrance you need to read this book. If you haven’t read Remembrance. . . you’re missing out! Go read it right now! You’ll love it.

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: none
Language: none
Violence: none

Book Review, just your average princess

Book Review: Just Your Average Princess

January 20, 2012 Kathryn Cooper

Title: Just Your Average Princess
Author: Kristina Springer
Publisher: Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux
Release Date: October 2011
Pages: 208
Series: none
3 STARS: I Liked It

Jamie Edwards has loved everything about growing up on a pumpkin patch, but ever since her cousin Milan Woods arrived, things have really stunk. Jamie can’t imagine it was easy for Milan to leave her life back in Los Angeles and move to Average, Illinois, population one thousand. But it’s kind of hard to feel sorry for her since (a) Milan’s drop-dead gorgeous; (b) she’s the daughter of two of Hollywood’s hottest film stars; (c) she’s captured the attention of everyone in town, including Danny, Jamie’s crush since forever; and (d) she’s about to steal the title of Pumpkin Princess right out from underneath Jamie!

My Thoughts:
This was a really cute book. I enjoyed the small town feel even though I don’t live in that small of town, but I do live in Texas and can appreciate the beauty of small town living.

Jamie is a likable character. She seems so sweet and down to earth. Her cousin Milan is sent to live with her and she isn’t exactly down to earth. It’s interesting to see how Jamie reacts to Milan’s city girl ways. I love that Jamie lives on a Pumpkin Patch. The scenery sounds beautiful. It made me want to get out in the fresh air and launch a pumpkin at a target. No really, that would be awesome!

Kristina Springer wrote a fun, light, entertaining read. If you’re in the mood for a funny country contemporary fiction go get this book. 🙂

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: mild ( kiss, mention of sex tape and some mild dialogue )
Language: mild ( God- 20, h***- 1 )
Violence: none

blog tour, Book Review, noah zarc

Blog Tour: Noah Zarc

January 16, 2012 Kathryn Cooper

Title: Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble
Author: D. Robert Pease
Publisher: Walking Stick Books
Release Date: August 2011
Pages: 320
Series: Noah Zarc #1
3 STARS: I Liked It

Noah lives for piloting spaceships through time, dodging killer robots and saving Earth’s animals from extinction. Life couldn’t be better. However, the twelve-year-old time traveler soon learns it could be a whole lot worse. His mom is abducted and taken to thirty-first century Mars; his dad becomes stranded in the Ice Age; and Noah is attacked at every turn by a foe bent on destroying a newly habitable, post-apocalyptic Earth.

Traveling through time in the family’s immense spaceship, Noah, a paraplegic from birth, must somehow care for the thousands of animals on board, while finding a way to rescue his parents. Along the way, he discovers his mother and father aren’t who he thought they were, and there is strength inside him he didn’t know he had.

My Review:
This book was fun! I rarely read sci-fi or books with characters that are twelve, but I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this book.

Noah is physically a unique character because he was born without the use of his legs. He would be in a wheelchair, but since this book is set in the future he has something much cooler than that. His magchair hovers and gives him great mobility. He can also wear a kind of suit that allows him to walk and move around.

Noah is a great twelve year old kid who is an amazing pilot. He has two older siblings 14 and 16 years old who also help on the A.R.C. The A.R.C. is a gigantic space ship where all the animal pairs live. All the animals on earth had died in the future, and humans had to move to Venus or Mars. Noah and his family go back in time to rescue two of every animal species. Their goal is to eventually release the animals on earth.

A quarter of the way through the book a character named Adina enters the scene. This is where things really started picking up for me. Adina is also twelve, fun, smart, and strong. She is looking for adventure and a great friend to Noah. I felt like before Adina entered the scene Noah was lonely which wasn’t as fun to read.

I recommend this book to tweens and young teens boy or girl. Parents you should read it too because you’ll enjoy it. Get this book for your kids that want to read a futuristic adventure in space.

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to see details
Sexual Content: none
Language: none
Violence: mild ( some fight scenes )

*I received a copy of Noah Zarc from the author. Thank you! I do not get paid for any of my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.*

Blog Tour Notes

Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble OVERVIEW
Noah lives for piloting spaceships through time, dodging killer robots and saving Earth’s animals from extinction.
Life couldn’t be better.
But the twelve-year-old time traveler learns it could be a whole lot worse. His mom is kidnapped and taken to Mars; his dad is stranded in the Ice Age; and Noah is attacked at every turn by a foe bent on destroying Earth… for the second time.
Get your copy today by visiting Amazon.com (available in paperback or as an eBook) or the online retailer of your choice (more links below).
CASH PRIZES
Guess what? You could win a $50 Amazon gift card as part of this special blog tour. That’s right! Just leave a comment below saying something about the post you just read, and you’ll be entered into the raffle. I could win $50 too by having the most comments. So tell your friends to stop by and comment on this post too!
GIVEAWAY
Win 1 of 5 copies of the paperback version of Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble by entering the giveaway on GoodReads.
THE AUTHOR
D. Robert Pease has been interested in creating worlds since childhood. From building in the sandbox behind his house, to drawing fantastical worlds with paper and pencil, there has hardly been a time he hasn’t been off on some adventure in his mind, to the dismay of parents and teachers alike. Also, since the moment he could read, books have consumed vast swaths of his life. From The Mouse and the Motorcycle, to The Lord of the Rings, worlds just beyond reality have called to him like Homer’s Sirens. It’s not surprising then he chose to write stories of his own. Each filled with worlds just beyond reach, but close enough we can all catch a glimpse of ourselves in the characters.
Discover ways to connect with the author by visiting his site at www.drobertpease.com
BOOK TRAILER

THANK YOU! for visiting. And don’t forget to comment below for that chance to win the $50 Amazon gift card. And of course head on over to your favorite online book store and buy a copy of Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble, for you or for the kids in your life.
Amazon Paperback | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble Nook | Apple iBookstore | Smashwords | Diesel eBook Store | CreateSpace Paperback | Amazon UK | Amazon France | Amazon Germany

Book Review, Flashback Friday, magyk

Flashback Friday: Magyk

January 13, 2012January 11, 2014 Kathryn Cooper

Happy Friday everyone! Flashback Friday is when I post a book I loved but haven’t read in awhile. Just so you know these reviews will be lacking in the details department since I have a TERRIBLE book memory. I can remember the characters, but I couldn’t tell you what happened to them or even how it ends sometimes. Hey, it makes re-reading fun and just as exciting as the first read. 🙂

Title: Magyk
Author: Angie Sage
Publisher: Katherine Teagan Books
Release Date: March 2005
Pages: 564 (I think the print is bigger with smaller pages)
Series: Septimus Heap #1
4 STARS: I Really Liked It

The seventh son of the seventh son, aptly named Septimus Heap, is stolen the night he is born by a midwife who pronounces him dead. That same night, the baby’s father, Silas Heap, comes across a bundle in the snow containing a new born girl with violet eyes. The Heaps take this helpless newborn into their home, name her Jenna, and raise her as their own. But who is this mysterious baby girl, and what really happened to their beloved son Septimus?

The first book in this enthralling new series by Angie Sage leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters and magykal charms, potions, and spells. Magyk is an original story of lost and rediscovered identities, rich with humor and heart.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book and the entire series. It’s been at least five years since I read Magyk. I read five of the six books. This book is great for young teens and old. It’s for anyone who wants to read a light, fun, exciting fantasy. Go read it, have your kids read it, you’ll love it. I think I’ll go re-read it too.

This post is really to just introduce you to this great book even though I can’t remember what happens. That’s embarrassing. =P

Happy Reading!

Content Ratings: highlight between the ( ) to see details
Sexual Content: none
Language: none
Violence: very mild ( I can’t remember, but I think there was mild action/ suspense. )

northanger alibi, waiting on wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday: Northanger Alibi

January 12, 2012January 11, 2014 Kathryn Cooper

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly post, hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, where we spotlight a book we are anxiously waiting to be published.

Northanger Alibi
by Jenni James
Release date is February 2012.

This modern Gothic remake of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, and nod to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Series, will leave you in stitches–literally.
Seattle Washington, and the Russo family, are no match for Claire Hart and her savvy knowledge of all things vampire related. Thanks to her obsession with the Twilight series–if there is anyone who would know a vampire when she saw one, it’s Claire. And she’s positive totally hot Tony Russo is a vampire, she just has to prove it! Follow Claire’s hilarious journey on her first summer adventure away from home, where she learns everything isn’t what it seems, and in some instances, reality is way better than anything she’d ever find in a book.

I can’t wait to read this whole series. The Jane Austen Diaries sound so fun. I need to read Pride and Popularity too which was released in 2011. Northanger Abbey was my least favorite of Jane Austen’s books actually, but this retelling sounds hilarious!! After seeing the first Twilight movie in the theater I was totally looking for vampires in the dark to jump on my car on the way home! Weren’t you?!

What are you waiting on?