Sep 242014
 

 

Rewind to You Tour

Blog Tour Schedule

 

Rewind to You CoverRewind to You

One last summer before college on beautiful Tybee Island is supposed to help Sienna forget. But how can she? This is where her family spent every summer before everything changed, before the world as she knew it was ripped away.

But the past isn’t easily left behind. Especially when Sienna keeps having episodes that take her back to the night she wants to forget. Even when she meets the mysterious Austin Dobbs, the guy with the intense blue eyes, athlete’s body, and weakness for pralines who scooped her out of trouble when she blacked out on River Street.

When she’s with Austin, Sienna feels a whole new world opening up to her. Austin has secrets, and she has history. But caught between the past and the future, Sienna can still choose what happens now…

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

Laura Rewind to You AuthorAuthor Laura Johnston

Laura Johnston lives in Utah with her husband and two children. Growing up with five siblings, a few horses, peach trees, beehives and gardens, she developed an active imagination and always loved a good story. She fell in love with the young adult genre both through her experience in high school as well as her job later as a high school teacher. Laura enjoys running, playing tennis, sewing, traveling, writing, and above all, spending time with her husband and kids. REWIND TO YOU is her debut novel.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

 

Mindy’s Review

Sienna is having trouble coping with losing her father after his death in an accident where she was driving.  Austin is just getting by, trying to stay away from trouble.  They meet as Austin is helping Sienna out a rough situation and become fast friends.  Right away there is an instant connection, but there are obstacles.  Mostly, Sienna is just visiting for the summer and leaving for college soon.  Austin is also leaving (but I don’t want to say why, no spoilers here).  They are both trying to come to terms with the cards they’ve been dealt in life and find that they have found peace in each other.

I really, really liked this book!  The characters are so well-written.  I loved the point of view switches.  I felt I was really able to get to know Sienna and Austin better as I saw them through each other’s eyes.  Austin was adorable, I instantly liked him.  I loved getting to know him better and all that he did to make others feel good (even if they didn’t know it at first).  He truly is a great kid.  Austin also has a sad back story and I loved how it plays out. It even made me cry at the end.  Sienna has a lot going on too.  She keeps fainting and rewinding back to times when she was most happiest with her dad.  She finds she wants to see her dad, but needs to figure out the cause.

4 out of 5 stars.  I have said this a million times, but I LOVE a great story that is clean and enjoyable and something I can pass to my girls.  This book is fantastic and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Praise for the Book

“Johnston’s debut spotlights romance and familial relationships, including themes like grief and self-sacrifice. It’s an ideal story for readers looking for a deep-rooted YA love story with the emotional ups and downs and poignancy of a Nicholas Sparks contemporary. There’s also a touch of wit and a sigh-worthy hero – a definite on your TBR list.” – RT Book Reviews

 

“This is contemporary YA fiction at its best! –Kay Lynn Mangum, author of The Secret Journal of Brett Colton

 

Rewind to You will steal your hear away.” –Kelly Nelson, author of The Keeper’s Saga
Excerpt 

Dad shifts his gaze to the sunset just visible above the thick trees. “You know, Sienna, there aren’t too many moments quite like this.”

I nod, because whatever is happening right now is definitely not normal. It feels so real. I wish it would last forever.

Let’s make a pact,” he says and I feel seven again, making a promise with a best friend. “Let’s remember it, okay? This moment. And when times get rough, we can rewind to this moment and remember the taste of a job well done. We can remember how great this day was.”

A lump swells in my throat as I recall who was behind the wheel that night: me. “Okay, it’s a pact.”

Blog Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 10/13/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an iTunes Gift Code or River Street Sweets Gift Card. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Apr 092013
 

ablindeyeA Blind Eye

Author: Julie Daines

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: January 2013

Softcover: 176 pages

Genre: YA Suspense

ISBN# 978-1-62108-252-1

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Life has dealt Christian Morris one blow too many. After his mother’s untimely death left him in the care of his distant, workaholic father, family life became anything but happy. Now, after eight years of neglect and loneliness, he can’t think of a reason to stay. The promise of a new beginning beckons, and with bags packed, Christian embarks on what he anticipates will be an uneventful road trip to Canada and freedom from his pain. But in a twist of fate, his plans take a drastic detour in the form of a beautiful and frightened girl. Scarlett, a British teenager, suddenly appears in his life and she’s in trouble.

Blind since birth, Scarlett Becket has virtually been abandoned. Following her completion of school, Scarlett’s world is shattered the night she’s abducted from her temporary London flat. Unable to see her kidnappers, she is uncertain as to who they are or why they chose her. What she does know is that in a series of vivid dreams, much like those she has had before, she has foreseen a grisly murder and this time, she’s the victim. Scarlett’s narrow escape and encounter with Christian has provided her a temporary refuge, but it’s only a matter of time before her captors pick up her trail.

Determined to protect Scarlett, whatever the price, Christian embarks on a dangerous course as he fights to keep her alive. And in entering the twisted maze of betrayal and redemption, he quickly realizes that life looks different when you may not live to see tomorrow.

Review

I was intrigued as soon as I read the summary for A Blind Eye. I enjoyed this story about a conflicted young man, a strong-yet-vulnerable young woman with a unique ability, and an interesting storyline that kept me reading.

I really liked both main characters and several secondary characters as well. With a little more page space some of them could have been a bit more fleshed out. Considering the fast-moving plot, that extra character development would have been nice but not necessary and it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.

The conflict between Christian and his father was well-developed and the reader is left with a realistic “resolution” considering their relationship. I loved the way the setting of the story came full circle.

A Blind Eye was a quick, suspense-filled read that adults will enjoy as much as their older teenagers. Though the book doesn’t hit 200 pages, it didn’t feel short or rushed. I believe this is Julie’s debut novel and I can honestly say I look forward to reading more from her.

Visit Julie: 

BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS

Find A Blind Eye

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | BARNES & NOBLE | GOODREADS

Watch the trailer for A Blind Eye (click through to watch if you aren’t reading this post on the LDSWBR blog):

 

Dec 132012
 

inDIVISIBLE

Author: Ryan Hunter

Publisher: self

Published: September 1, 2012

ISBN13: 9781479215409

Genre: YA Dystopian

FTC FYI: I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Brynn Aberdie had everything: a loving family, security and an electronic implant that monitored every move.

Brynn had everything but freedom.

When her father’s life is taken Brynn vows to find that freedom, but it’s a task that puts her life at stake. She’s tagged as a terrorist and put on an Alliance kill list, forcing her to leave her home and become the rebel they already believe her to be.

Brynn learns a lesson many in One United have already learned – by failing to protect they’re rights, Citizens have forfeited their lives with little hope to ever recover their own identities.

My Review

Brynn Aberdie returns home to find security vehicles outside her entry door. Her father has been killed by terrorists. She has many questions and doesn’t know where to get answers. While she is in mourning, she receives a coded message from someone from her past. T finds Brynn and he tells her her life in One United is not what she thinks it is. Her whole life is being watched and recorded.

I really enjoyed reading inDIVISIBLE. The characters were strong and liked the journey the story took. A couple times, though, I thought the pacing could have been faster, with some scenes being cut down a little. However, it did not effect how I felt about the story. Brynn is a great character, who learns a lot about herself during her journey for freedom. I am hoping there is a sequel planned. The ending was exciting, but sad.

4 out of 5 stars. This is Ryan Hunter’s second book.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

 

Dec 042012
 

21 days until Christmas

 

Chantele Sedgwick grew up playing the harp and singing. Little did anyone know, she always had stories floating around in her head. After she had her second child, she finally realized she should probably write them down. Pursuing publication was something she only dreamed about, but now her dream is coming true.

The discovery of first love, first kisses, and the many emotions teens go through, pushed Chantele to find her niche in writing teen fiction. Some of her stories share a few of her own experiences, but most of them are just fantasies she wished happened to her as a teen. She’s a sucker for a great love story and always enjoys a happy ending. She tends to have a thing for the “bad boys” in books, unless they’re total jerks. Then she’ll root for the good guy.

When she’s not writing, Chantele can be found spending time with her husband and four beautiful kids, or driving her sisters crazy with random story ideas.

Visit Chantele: WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

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LDSWBR: Do you top your Christmas tree with a star, angel, or something else? Does it have special meaning to you?

CHANTELE: We top our tree with a star. It doesn’t have any meaning, we bought it when we were newlyweds because it was cheap… Ha ha. It still works though and the kids like it. :)

LDSWBR: What is your favorite Christmas movie? Why is it your favorite?

CHANTELE: I LOVE Elf. It’s so hilarious and such a feel good movie for the whole family. And I love to laugh, so it works. :)

LDSWBR: What Christmas gift have you been most excited to give?

CHANTELE: I gave my hubby the Harry Potter audiobooks one year. He wanted them because he hates to read, so I surprised him with the whole set. He loved them and has listened to them twice now! :) I know, not that cool, but I was excited!

LDSWBR: No, that’s pretty cool. Thank you, Chantele!

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Purchase Not Your Average Fairy Tale

AMAZON | KINDLE | BARNES & NOBLE | NOOK

 Ash Summerland has it all-good looks, popularity, and the best grades at The Academy of Magical Beings. Ready to complete his last assignment in order to graduate, Ash is confident he will get the apprenticeship he wants. but when he opens the letter from the Council, he is shocked to discover he has been assigned to apprentice Lady Shenelle, Keeper of Happy Endings- aka the head fairy godmother. Ash is forced to grant three wishes to a troubled human girl named Kendall, and ultimately give her a “happy ever after.” But Kendall turns out to be more than he bargained for. Still grieving over her father’s death, she doesn’t want anything to do with Ash. And worst of all, she doesn’t believe in happy endings.

 Do you like listening to audiobooks? Do you have a favorite that you could listen to again and again?

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas 2012, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Be sure to comment on each Countdown to Christmas 2012 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions below.

If you don’t already follow LDSWBR through email, Facebook or Twitter (those cute little book buttons on the sidebar) you may want to consider doing so during the contest so you don’t miss any posts or chances to enter the drawing. Following LDSWBR is not required but it is nice to know that our book reviews are useful to other readers. :)

If one of our LDSWBR reviews has ever helped you find a book you enjoyed, perhaps you would consider helping us spread the word about the LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas 2012. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

By leaving a comment and entering the Countdown to Christmas 2012, you agree to the contest rules below:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins December 3, 2012 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight December 23, 2012 Mountain Time; to enter, complete the required entry on each post and any additional entries of your choice if listed; LDS Women’s Book Review reserves the right to determine what is considered a thoughtful comment as per each posts required entry; giveaway prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and a variety of book prizes donated by featured authors; the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning; LDS Women’s Book Review is not liable for technical problems which may affect entry into the giveaway; winner identity will be verified by email address; winner will be selected December 27, 2012 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winner will have until January 3, 2013 to claim their prize; if any prize winner forfeits or does not claim prize, prize will be re-awarded to next winner in sequence; all prizes will be awarded; limit of two prizes per entrant; this contest/giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified; by entering the giveaway you give LDS Women’s Book Review the right to publicize your name on the LDS Women’s Book Review blog; winner agrees to release LDS Women’s Book Review from any liability as a result of winning; email comments & questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Book Prizes (as of December 4, 2012 – more to be added to this list!)

  • Tres Leches Cupcakes by Josi S. Kilpack (signed paperback copy)
  • Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele Sedgwick (paperback or ebook)

Previous Countdown to Christmas 2012 posts:

 

Nov 062012
 

Everbound (Everneath #2)

Author: Brodi Ashton

Publisher: Balzer + Bray/Harper Collins

Published Date: January 2013

Softcover ARC; 368 pages

Genre: YA Paranormal

ISBN# 978-0-06-207116-3

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: read a softcover ARC which was then passed on to another reviewer

****Summary contains possible spoilers for Everneath. Read at your own risk.****

Summary

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

Review

Nikki is struggling. She puts on a good front, doing what she’s expected to, but her heart’s not in it. She’s desperately looking for Cole, the Everliving who fed off of her for a hundred years. He has the answers she needs. He knows how to help her. She doesn’t think he will, but she’s got to try.

Then Cole is there, standing right behind her, speaking her name. From that point on I was hooked, anxious to see what would happen, sure there was no way this would end well yet knowing there must be a way or what would be the point of these 300+ pages.

I loved Everbound. I was sucked into the story, surprised more than once by twists I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I’m glad to be part of the Everbound ARC tour, but now I’ve put myself in a torturous situation. Reading Everbound almost four months before it’s released to the public means that I have to wait that much longer, in suspense, for book three. Why do I do this to myself?

Well done, Brodi. P.S.- Type faster.

Content

Language- some swearing (no f-bombs)

Sexual- kissing, nothing graphic; no sex

Violence- some fighting; a few events that were a little disturbing but I didn’t find them excessively graphic

Drug Use- no illicit drug use; we learn one character had been drinking prior to the scene

Find Everbound:

GOODREADS | AMAZON (Pre-order) | KINDLE (Pre-order)

 

 

 

 

 

Aug 072012
 

Young Adult Giveaway Hop

August 8 – 14

Hosted by I’m a Reader, Not a Writer and Reading Teen

 

LDS Women’s Book Review is participating in the Young Adult Giveaway Hop and giving you the chance to win your choice of one of the great young adult books by Utah authors below.

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Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.

He was wrong.

Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.

Where breaking the rules equals death.

But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape–his only real hope for survival–may be impossible.

Read our review of VARIANT.

Dragons exist. They’re ferocious. And they’re smart: Before they were killed off by slayer-knights, they rendered a select group of eggs dormant, so their offspring would survive. Only a handful of people know about this, let alone believe it – these “Slayers” are descended from the original knights, and are now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator’s daughter who didn’t sign up to save the world.

The dragon eggs have fallen into the wrong hands. The Slayers must work together to stop the eggs from hatching. They will fight; they will fall in love. But will they survive?

Read Shanda’s review of SLAYERS.

 

After bouncing from foster home to foster home, Magdalene Mae is transferred to what should be her last foster home in the tiny town of Silver City, New Mexico. Now that she’s eighteen and has only a year left in high school, she’s determined to stay out of trouble and just be normal.

Agreeing to go to the prom with Bridger O’Connell is a good first step. Fitting in has never been her strong suit, but it’s not for the reasons most people would expect-it all has to do with the deep secret that she is a shape shifter. But even in her new home danger lurks, waiting in the shadows to pounce. They are the Skinwalkers of Navajo legend, who have traded their souls to become the animal whose skin they wear-and Maggie is their next target.

Full of romance, mysticism, and intrigue, this dark take on Navajo legend will haunt readers to the final page.

Find SHIFTING on Goodreads.

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All you need to do to enter is fill out the form below to make it easier for me to find you if you win, and then leave a comment below telling me what book you would choose and why.

***Don’t forget to leave a comment below telling me what book you would choose and why, otherwise your entry is incomplete.***

It is not a requirement to follow LDSWBR, however, if you like good clean reads, consider following us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or subscribing by email at the top of the sidebar. Thanks!

After you enter, be sure to visit I’m a Reader, Not a Writer for a list of participating blogs where you can enter to win even more prizes. Good luck!