First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

From the New York Times bestselling author of Garden Spells comes a story of the Waverley family, in a novel as sparkling as the first dusting of frost on new-fallen leaves...

It's October in Bascom, North Carolina, and autumn will not go quietly. As temperatures drop and leaves begin to turn, the Waverley women are made restless by the whims of their mischievous apple tree... and all the magic that swirls around it. But this year, first frost has much more in store.

Claire Waverley has started a successful new venture, Waverley’s Candies. Though her handcrafted confections—rose to recall lost love, lavender to promote happiness and lemon verbena to soothe throats and minds—are singularly effective, the business of selling them is costing her the everyday joys of her family, and her belief in her own precious gifts.

Sydney Waverley, too, is losing her balance. With each passing day she longs more for a baby— a namesake for her wonderful Henry. Yet the longer she tries, the more her desire becomes an unquenchable thirst, stealing the pleasure out of the life she already has.

Sydney’s daughter, Bay, has lost her heart to the boy she knows it belongs to…if only he could see it, too. But how can he, when he is so far outside her grasp that he appears to her as little more than a puff of smoke?

When a mysterious stranger shows up and challenges the very heart of their family, each of them must make choices they have never confronted before. And through it all, the Waverley sisters must search for a way to hold their family together through their troublesome season of change, waiting for that extraordinary event that is First Frost.

Lose yourself in Sarah Addison Allen's enchanting world and fall for her charmed characters in this captivating story that proves that a happily-ever-after is never the real ending to a story. It’s where the real story begins.


Goodreads Summary

Sarah Addison Allen's books lend a bit of magic, hope, and happiness to my life when I read them.  I loved reading this book and imagining I was Bay.  I love how each of the Waverly sisters has a magical quality to them and their past relatives, also mentioned in the book, also have special gifts.  Claire makes candies, but her business is taking up all of her time and becoming too commercialized.  Sydney desperately wants a baby with her husband and worries about it constantly.  Bay knows that she belongs to a certain man, but he isn't reciprocating her affections.  The reader will get to know and love all three of these characters as well as seeing the world through the lenses of their perspectives.

Family can make for great characters and the Waverleys are no exception.  I liked how the author incorporated familiar interactions and relationships that many books do not focus on or bother with.  I thought it was hilarious that the men the Waverlys married either ignore and/or respect their wives' gifts without question.  I thought the changing seasons theme was perfect for this book and loved the antics and problems the sisters encountered and were challenged by before the First Frost rolled around.  This book is highly recommended to young adult/adult readers.

5 Stars


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Guest Post: Sofia Quintero!

If you’re a fan of Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, or Usher, nine will get you ten that you also love Michael Jackson, whether you’re fifteen or fifty. Even though all these artists have their own sound and style, MJ’s influence on them is undeniable. That’s what a great artist does—creates work that reaches across generations.

That doesn’t mean, however, that younger audiences are familiar with the artists who have inspired their current faves. We older heads tend to get angry at them for not knowing when it’s our fault for not teaching them. In writing my young adult novel SHOW AND PROVE, which is set in New York City during the summer of 1983, I hope that readers will research the influential artists I mention throughout the story because I suspect they’ll easily draw connections with current stars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Bruno Mars. Here are just three examples from the novel.

Fans of Vin Diesel should check out the earlier movies of Sylvester “Sly” Stallone.

These two actors have something more in common than distinct voices, muscular frames, and action franchises. Both Diesel and Stallone made their own break by writing the films that launched their careers. While a struggling actor, Stallone wrote the screenplay for Rocky and refused to sell it unless he was cast in the lead. The movie went on to become a hit that and garnered several Academy Awards. Inspired by the book Feature Filmmaking at Used-Car Prices, Diesel wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the independent movie Strays. When Steven Spielberg saw the film, he cast Diesel in Saving Private Ryan in a role Spielberg had written just for him.

If you love Beyoncé, learn more about Diana Ross.

Just like Beyoncé, Diana Ross started her career as the lead singer of a hit-making trio called The Supremes and then went on to be a successful solo artist. Diana also branched out into film roles and fashion design. She herself was influenced by Billie Holiday and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for portraying the jazz legend in the biopic Lady Sings the Blues. She is the mother of actors Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends and Black-ish) and Evan Ross (The Hunger Games) and, at the age of 71, still tours. Beyoncé herself has said, “Diana Ross is a big inspiration to all of us. We all grew up watching everything about her—her mike placement, her grace, her style, and her class.”

Almost every hip-hop artist claims Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five as an inspiration.

You really can’t boast that you know and love hip-hop if you’re not familiar with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Their biggest hit, “The Message,” is a hip-hop classic that continues to inspire contemporary artists, both artistically and politically. This group is an enduring reminder that the best rap music can make you dance, feel, and think.

Grandmaster Flash - The Message by hushhush112

For more, listen to the Show and Prove playlist on YouTube and when you find a recording artist you like, put their name into Music Bloodline to discover who influenced them and who is following in their artistic footsteps. And if an old song sounds familiar, run the title through the and find out which artists have used elements of that song in their current music. You’d be surprised how many of today’s most popular songs rework old hits.  

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss

Welcome to the crazy world of Gerald McGrew who dreams of transforming his local zoo into a madcap menagerie of weird andwonderful beasts.

By combining the funniest stories, craziest creatures and zaniestpictures with his unique blend of rhyme, rhythm and repetition, Dr Seuss helps children of all ages and abilities learn to read.

Goodreads Summary

Dr. Seuss is ever-imaginative and this book certainly delivers.  For me, this book was a childhood favorite as well as a pipedream that I might run a zoo one day only I want all the animals to roam free! I loved the lyrical rhymes and light-hearted drawings.  I honestly felt bad for the animals and there were a few questionable lines in the book.  The color scheme is bright and eye-catching and the book is an overall fast-read.  This book captures a child's imagination perfectly.

4 Stars

ABOUT DR. SEUSS

Theodor “Seuss” Geisel is one of the most beloved children’s book authors of all time. His long list of awards includes Caldecott Honors for McElligot’s Pool, If I Ran the Zoo, and Bartholomew and the Oobleck, the Pulitzer Prize, and eight honorary doctorates. Works based on his original stories have won three Oscars, three Emmys, three Grammys and a Peabody. Geisel wrote and illustrated 45 books during his lifetime, and his books have sold more than 650 million copies worldwide. Though Theodor Geisel died on September 24, 1991, Dr. Seuss lives on, inspiring generations of children of all ages to explore the joys of reading. For more information about Dr. Seuss and his works, visit Seussville.com.

ABOUT WHAT PET SHOULD I GET?

In the Fall of 2013, an original manuscript with accompanying sketches by Dr. Seuss, aka Ted Geisel, was discovered in the La Jolla, California home of the late beloved children’s author. That complete manuscript was for the picture book, WHAT PET SHOULD I GET?, and will be published by Random House Children’s Books on July 28, 2015. It is the first original new Dr. Seuss book since the publication of the last book of Dr. Seuss’s career, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! in 1990. WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? captures the excitement of a classic childhood moment—choosing a pet—and features the brother and sister characters that Dr. Seuss drew inOne Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Danger is hard to resist in this sexy thriller from Becca Fitzpatrick, theNew York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush saga.

Brit Pheiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants;but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

Britt is forced to guide the men off the mountain, and knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds a chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there and in uncovering this, she may become the killer's next target.

But nothing is as it seems, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

Black Ice is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick's riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous.

Goodreads Summary

I have wondered what it might be like to backpack across a mountain area before, but I have yet to try!  Britt and her ex-boyfriend (seems weird, doesn't it?) decide to backpack across the Teton Range.  I think the reader should be able to tell that between backpacking and ex-boyfriend...things are going to go wrong.  She looks for a place to stay and instead finds a place to hide a body...literally.  Britt has to decide how to outsmart her possibly murderous captives while figuring out the motives of Mason, a captor who seems to be overly kind.  

I did like Britt's character though I thought she was a bit silly, at times.  She doesn't always make the best decisions, she is resourceful, and she is resilient.  It seems weird to me to explore feelings for a captor.  I don't get why she wants her ex-boyfriend around (though I have no exes so maybe I just don't understand).  The other characters were interesting and complex and added to the story.  The book does have a very fast-paced plot.  Overall, I would recommend this to young adult/teen readers.

4 Stars



This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Guest Post: Caroline B Cooney!

⋆ “Cooney’s knack for distinctive characterizations grounds the story firmly in the familiar world, while the third-person narration strikes an enticing balance between intimacy and cool detachment.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Veteran author Cooney has written another cleverly plotted novel rooted in suspense—suspense that only escalates as more facts are revealed about the case. . . . Mystery fans will be delighted by Cooney’s latest.” —Booklist

“No one writes suspense like Cooney. . . . Haunting, harrowing, and hard to put down.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the author of the multimillion-copy bestseller The Face on the Milk Carton comes the riveting thriller NO SUCH PERSON (Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers| On sale July 14, 2015 | Ages 12 and up) by Caroline B. Cooney. Set against the backdrop of a bucolic summer town on the Connecticut River, NO SUCH PERSON will have readers guessing until the very last page, as a seemingly innocent sibling rivalry and newfound young love turn into something much more devastating than anyone could ever have imagined.

Miranda and Lander Allerdon are sisters. Miranda is younger, a dreamer, and floating her way through life. Lander is older, focused, and determined to succeed. As the girls and their parents begin another summer at their cottage on the Connecticut River, Miranda and Lander’s sibling rivalry is in high gear. Lander plans to start medical school in the fall, and Miranda feels cast in her shadow. When the Allerdons become entangled in an unimaginable tragedy, the playing field is suddenly leveled. As facts are revealed, the significance of what has happened weighs heavily on all. How can the family prepare for what the future may hold?

NO SUCH PERSON is a killer of a mystery: With unpredictable twists and turns, lyrical prose, and an unforgettable ending, bestselling, award-winning, and critically acclaimed author Caroline B. Cooney has outdone herself.

CAROLINE B. COONEY is the author of the Janie series, which includes the bestselling The Face on the Milk Carton. She has also written Code Orange and Diamonds in the Shadow, as well as hundreds of other mystery and thriller novels.

GUEST POST!

I like action.

A book needs some dialogue, some description, and of course good characters—but I like books where stuff happens. Give me a good car chase and I’m happy.

I had a little red cottage perched on a bluff over the Connecticut River. In the summer it was busy with motorboats, kayaks, sailboats, and tugs pushing or pulling oil barges. One day I saw a boy in a small speedboat playing chicken with a barge the size of half a football field. I thought, You could murder a water-skier that way. Tow him in front of the barge, ease up on your speed, drop him in the water, and here comes the barge. He’s cooked.

And then I thought, What if you are looking out on the river one beautiful day, and you and your sister both stand helplessly watching this terrifying event? But you are watching it from different heights and different perspectives. You know immediately that the driver of the boat planned and executed the death of his friend. But your sister doesn’t see it that way. She is filled with compassion for the driver, who is guilty only of carelessness. What if your sister now begins to date that young man? A man you believe to be a murderer?

No Such Person was very exciting to write. It’s a double narrative, with each sister in a separate but overlapping nightmare. I’ve written more than ninety books, but I don’t think I’ve written one in the present tense before, let alone two different first persons. It was very exciting but also very confining. It was work. It was also intense to find myself with sisters who don’t actually like each other. I mostly write about families where the kids get along pretty well. So there I was with an unexpected theme: Is sisterly love deeper and wider than passing judgments or scornful remarks?

I’m one of the lucky writers. I love writing. I usually wake up very early, ready to dash to my computer and start up again. Lots of what I write won’t be good enough to keep. It’s not unusual for me to write a dozen versions of a chapter, but I write fast and I enjoy it all, even the discards. Thanks for asking me to share on Krystal’s blog.

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life. 

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . .

Goodreads Summary

Elyse used to be a lovely singer.  Now, she is still younger, but she can no longer sing.  When she meets Christian, she isn't sure if she should let herself fall in love or if she should try to avoid the self-professed "playboy."  Their romance isn't instant, but it is a little funny to me that books sometimes portray females in books as falling in love rather frequently.  I thought Elyse deserved better than Christian, but he did step up to the plate when it was called for.  

I loved Elyse's character.  She was easy to relate to and came off as intelligent and sweet.  I loved the setting of Tobago and would have loved it if more of the book had taken place there.  The author cleverly wove in the mermaid mythology and endeared Sebastian, Christian's brother, to me via his deep belief that Elyse is a mermaid.  The plot is fast-paced and the book is hard to put down, but easy to savor.  This book is recommended to young adult/teen readers.

4 Stars

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Forever For a Year by b.t. gottfred: Blog Tour and Giveaway!

When Carolina and Trevor meet on their first day of school, something draws them to each other.  They gradually share first kisses, first touches, first sexual experiences.  When they’re together, nothing else matters. But one of them will make a choice, and the other a mistake, that will break what they thought was unbreakable. Both will wish that they could fall in love again for the first time . . . but first love, by definition, can’t happen twice.

Told in Carolina and Trevor's alternating voices, this is an up-close-and-personal story of two teenagers falling in love for the first time, and discovering it might not last forever.

Goodreads Summary

Firsts are hard.  Caroline and Trevor become fast friends...then something more than that...then finally lovers.  It's a unique experience and the reader will get the chance to experience their firsts along with them and possibly reminisce about his/her own.  I really liked how sweet and innocent the whole "love" started.  I hated that I already knew that it wasn't going to end well.  Caroline and Trevor are imperfect characters who are growing continually throughout the novel.  The author really made me feel like I was back in high school (and it wasn't that long ago!).  I can honestly say I was nothing like these characters though.  

I enjoyed the feel of the high school atmosphere and that the author created the characters realistically.  Caroline and Trevor reminded me of people I could have met back when I was 14.  I would have thought they were way ahead of me in certain ways though!  There were a lot of sex scenes and the author stuck to realism when it came to unprotected teen sex.  Overall, this book is recommended to young adult readers.


4 Stars

The rest of the tour can be found here!

GIVEAWAY:

Leave a comment with your name and email for a chance to win a copy of this book! (USA) 

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang

On the day Liz Emerson tries to die, they had reviewed Newton’s laws of motion in physics class. Then, after school, she put them into practice by running her Mercedes off the road.

Why? Why did Liz Emerson decide that the world would be better off without her? Why did she give up? Vividly told by an unexpected and surprising narrator, this heartbreaking and nonlinear novel pieces together the short and devastating life of Meridian High’s most popular junior girl. Mass, acceleration, momentum, force—Liz didn’t understand it in physics, and even as her Mercedes hurtles toward the tree, she doesn’t understand it now. How do we impact one another? How do our actions reverberate? What does it mean to be a friend? To love someone? To be a daughter? Or a mother? Is life truly more than cause and effect? Amy Zhang’s haunting and universal story will appeal to fans of Lauren Oliver, Gayle Forman, and Jay Asher. 

Goodreads Summary

Although this book is depressing, it was also fascinating to read a book about suicide from the point of view from several characters including Liz.  I definitely didn't like all the characters and wouldn't like them in real life, but I still enjoyed their stories and found that their flaws made them more human than the typical female characters usually written about.  I loved how the author wove physical physics with "emotional" physics.  It was interesting to read and place how Liz's attempted suicide affected this person and that person and how they were all related to her in some way; it was similar to the individual strands in a spider web.  

The book covers an array of typical and atypical teen problems.  Teens can be cruel and bullying is an issue for many people in high school; suicide and abortion affected people for life.  Liz's character was selfish, yes, but I do feel bad for anyone who feels that to end his/her life is the only option.  I think people who think that people who attempt suicide are selfish haven't experienced the same feelings and issues.  Some people are "softer" and more easily affected by things than others.  Liz comes off as cold and Queen B in attitude, but she is more easily affected than she lets on.  I loved how the author maintained a flowing writing style and this will make me seek out the author in the future.  This book is recommended to young adult/teen readers.

4 Star



This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Someday Home by Lauraine Snelling

A heartwarming story that celebrates how life-changing friendships can be found in all seasons of life.

The sprawling lake home Lynn Lundberg built with her husband has been an epicenter of joyful family life, from summer holidays spent around the water, to cookies baked in the kitchen with grandchildren in the fall. But since her husband's sudden passing two years ago, Lynn has been lost in the grief and solitude she feels without him at home. She doesn't want to sell the big family place, but she can't exist there on her own much longer. 

After hearing of a new way of living--where single women share responsibilities as housemates--Lynn thinks she's found the answer to her prayers. Soon she meets two ladies with whom she could begin this journey. Angela Bishop, a successful real estate agent accustomed to the finer things in life, has just been jilted by her husband of twenty-five-years. Judith Rutherford, who has devoted her adulthood to caring for her ailing father, must leave the only home she's known now that he has passed. 

These three women seek a place to grieve, to laugh, and to be renewed. But coming from such differing circumstances, will the new challenges they face undo their plans? Or will they begin a friendship to see them through the years to come in this SOMEDAY HOME? 

Goodreads Summary

Completely changing the way that you live your life can be a difficult thing, especially when you are forced into it by something like a death in the family. Lynn is lost after the death of her husband and doesn't know what to do so she turns to trying to live life in a different way to cope. Hopefully Lynn can turn her life around and use her new situation to find some clarity in life.

You hear about house sharing sometimes these days with how many divorces there are in the world these days. Money can be tight and this is a solution for some that get into binds when they don't want to give up the nice home that they are so used to. The author spins a heartwarming story that brings three women of different lives together. All of them have very strong personalities, and are pretty set in their ways, so one could only imagine the trouble that could be in store for them coming together into one home. The characters are very well developed with very human flaws, which leads to this book feeling very real and extremely relate-able to people of all walks of life. All women can find something in this book that will warm their heart and keep them reading attentively from beginning to end.

3.5 Stars

Reviewed by Chris    Find this book:

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1SOl07e

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GANtoC

Indiebound.org: http://bit.ly/1J8qF3E

GIVEAWAY:

To win a paperback copy please leave your email and a comment!

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

The Cage by Megan Shepherd

The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in this gripping new series about teens held captive in a human zoo by an otherworldly race. From Megan Shepherd, the acclaimed author of The Madman's Daughter trilogy.

When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.

Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.

As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage? 

Goodreads Summary


What would you do if you were placed in a sort of ever-changing "enviro-dome?"  Cora wakes up and realizes that she can walk from a desert to a farm, etc...  She's with other teens her own age and no of them know how they ended up together or where they are.  When Cassian arrives on the scene, Cora finds herself oddly drawn to him.  She discovers more about her current surroundings and what happened to Earth (according to aliens, however).  She needs to figure out an escape plan and she must do it soon.

Although the reader begins the novel with Cora, he/she is quickly introduced to four other perspectives (the fifth dies immediately).  The story is told from the perspective of five teens.  I found it very difficult to like just about anyone except Cora and I felt neutrally towards her.  They just weren't my favorite people to read about.  I thought that the instant attraction that developed between Cora and Cassian was both unusual (Stockholm syndrome?) and obnoxious.  I didn't like of Nok at all and Leon and Rolf struck me as overly aggressive.  Lucky, Cora's expected lover and father of her future children (in the environment the aliens placed them), falls for her quickly.  Cora doesn't really reciprocate his love and they have a bit of a strained relationship, at times.

I thought it was interesting that the aliens were trying to breed the humans and insisting that their home was obliterated with no evidence to prove this.  I didn't particularly care for any of the characters and I didn't understand their decisions in the novel.  Overall, this book is recommended to young adult/teen readers.

3 1/2 Stars


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

The Single Game: Promo and Giveaway!

We all remember high school. It's angsty and hormonal. That mixed with the pressure of typical teenage party games—Spin the Bottle, Truth or Dare, 7 Minutes in Heaven—equals super awkward social situations.

Erotic romance author Amanda Black is bringing us back to that wonderful time with her newest, stand-alone installment in The Apartment Novels saga: THE SINGLE GAME, an erotic, new adult story formerly of Twilight fanfiction fame.

Eden is a confident high school senior at a new school, and she wants a boyfriend. Jilted by her cheating ex, she’s looking for an "eager virgin, ready for training." Her two best friends are all too willing to help. They bring her to a senior class rager, convinced that all Eden needs to find her match is—you guessed it—the Single Game.

Logan doesn’t usually participate in the Single Game, but he’s been crushing on Eden since she moved into town. This time, he’s in. Thanks to meddling friends, Eden and Logan are matched up and draw the most well-known dare: spend ten minutes together in a dark closet.

And…well, you can guess what happens from there ;)

So grab a copy of The Single Game today and take a walk down memory lane!

P.S. Want to win a print copy of the story that started it all? If you order The Single Game, you can enter to win The Apartment:The Complete Affair bind-up! So do yourself a favor and enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

The Midnight Witch by Paula Brackston

"The dead are seldom silent. All that is required for them to be heard is that someone be willing to listen. I have been listening to the dead all my life."

Lilith is the daughter of the sixth Duke of Radnor. She is one of the most beautiful young women in London and engaged to the city’s most eligible bachelor. She is also a witch.

When her father dies, her hapless brother Freddie takes the title. But it is Lilith, instructed in the art of necromancy, who inherits their father’s role as Head Witch of the Lazarus Coven. And it is Lilith who must face the threat of the Sentinels, a powerful group of sorcerers intent on reclaiming the Elixir from the coven’s guardianship for their own dark purposes. Lilith knows the Lazarus creed: secrecy and silence. To abandon either would put both the coven and all she holds dear in grave danger. She has spent her life honoring it, right down to her charming fiancé and fellow witch, Viscount Louis Harcourt. 

Until the day she meets Bram, a talented artist who is neither a witch nor a member of her class. With him, she must not be secret and silent. Despite her loyalty to the coven and duty to her family, Lilith cannot keep her life as a witch hidden from the man she loves. 

To tell him will risk everything.

Spanning the opulence of Edwardian London and the dark days of World War I, The Midnight Witch is the third novel from New York Timesbestselling author Paula Brackston.

Goodreads Summary

This is a great thrilling book for you lovers of paranormal adventures filled with witches and fully enveloped in exploration of the afterlife. If you had a simple drink that could bring people back to life, what would you do to get a hold of it. Would you want to use it on a loved one or an old pet? Possibly you would revive one of the great leaders of history like George Washington. If you were a good witch, you would guard this drink from people who would use it for evil purposes like taking over the world. Enter Lilith, the guardian of this elixir.

What is great about this book, is that you get all of the great elements of a well developed witch coven story, with a few new fresh twists to keep it new and exciting. Specifically the ideas of reanimation are what fascinated me the most in the story. I would not imagine being Lilith with the daunting task of guarding an elixir with so much power that so many people want. I would not want that responsibility, especially when leading a double life where you are sworn to secrecy. This book has everything that great literature needs. Awesome characters, an interesting plot line, and a great  
intertwining of the real world and the supernatural.

3.5 Stars

Reviewed by Chris

This is product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

SWEET AND SAVORY SATURDAY

GET YOUR BAKE ON: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FROM MY HOME TO YOURS

Brian Emmett

May 26, 2015

ISBN: 9781476772561

Price: $18.00

Paperback

Gallery Books

“Emmett, winner of CBS's The American Baking Competition, shares 75 recipes that have been passed down through the generations of his family. Dessert classics, such as lemon meringue pie and a yellow cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, are offset with savories including chicken pot pie, Chicago and New York–style pizzas, and a "Mile-High" quiche. Fans of The American Baking Competition will recognize the "Petit Four Flag Cake"…Emmett offers clear instructions on his popular "Peanut-Vanilla Chiffon Roll with Peanut Praline and Gold-Dusted Peanuts" and carefully walks home bakers through the multiple steps, including making a chocolate-peanut mousse, chocolate ganache glaze, peanut praline, and gold-dusted peanuts. His down-to-earth tone makes this a good buy for those new to baking.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Distinguished by its ease of use and down-home midwestern ’tude…[with] family-type-introductions to each type of dish…Good tips on techniques precede every chapter…The proof of his talent is in the collection: For the most part, the inclusions are standard Americana, often with a twist.  Try oatmeal muffins for a breakfast differentiator, maple mascarpone frosting on a carrot, and poppy-seed sugar-plum rolls (translation: filled donuts).  Demyth-ifying the craft of baking.”

—Booklist

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Whip up some delicious down-home goodness with GET YOUR BAKE ON: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FROM MY HOME TO YOURS, a cookbook of sweet and savory recipes from Brian Emmett, who burst onto the culinary scene with his charm, confidence, and superior baking and cooking skills on CBS’s The American Baking Competition™.  He won the hearts of Americans nationwide, who watched this enthusiastic husband and father immerse himself in his passion—and, ultimately, take home the illustrious title of America’s Best Amateur Baker.

Now in GET YOUR BAKE ON, Brian shares over seventy-five recipes that leave no doubt as to why he was crowned champion of the show.  This cookbook encompasses a hearty mixture of The American Baking Competition favorites, brand-new concoctions, and Emmett family recipes passed down for generations.  Staying true to the show’s theme, there are plenty of sweets.  From Poppy Seed Sugar Plum Rolls to his famous Cakey Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brian’s baked goods are sure to satisfy even the most demanding of sweet tooths.

GET YOUR BAKE ON also features a strong savory element with classic, feel-good recipes such as Sunday Brunch Strata and Sky-High Cheese and Chive Soufflés.  Some of these delicious treats include:

·         Pies and Tarts…Lemon Meringue Pie

·         Scones, Muffins, and Biscuits…Blueberry and Almond Scones

·         Breads and Pizzas…Focaccia with Fresh Thyme

·         Cookies, Bars, Biscotti, and Brownies…Salted Peanut Cookies

·         Cakes…Cheesecake with Caramel-Apple Topping

·         Pastry and Pie Dough…Apple Cider-Spiked Pie Dough

·         Soufflés and Custards…Sunday Brunch Strata

“This is by far one of the favorites with my family and friends, but not just for brunch!  It’s a hit for tailgating, Bunco night, bowling leagues, housewarming parties, baby showers…you are sure to be the MVP at any event if you show up with this amazing casserole.  It’s great because you can assemble all the ingredients the day before, refrigerate, and then bake fresh in the morning.  It’s also easy to change up the ingredients, use different cheeses, substitute the meats with seasonal vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, or spinach, or add fresh herbs such as chopped parsley or basil as garnish for a beautiful presentation.”

With Brian Emmett’s GET YOUR BAKE ON, readers are expertly equipped to gather with friends and family for any occasion and enjoy the most savory food.  So grab a spoon, America—Brian’s back, and he’s ready to dish!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brian Emmett, the ultimate foodie and home entertainer, has been baking, cooking, serving, and designing unique culinary experiences for family and friends for over twenty years.  He lives near Chicago with his wife and daughters. 

Facebook: brianemmettbake

Twitter: @BrianEmmettBake

Website: brianemmetbake.com

Hallmark’s Home & Family (7/10/15):

COME MEET BRIAN!

Saturday, August 22^nd, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Barnes & Noble

7200 Harrison Avenue

Rockford, IL 61112

Friday, November 13^th

America’s Baking and Sweet Show

Chicago, IL

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ