Spotlight Post: Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty

Hey everyone! Willa of the Wood (Willa #1 – Disney-Hyperion) released one week ago today! Have YOU picked it up???

Escape into the story of a brave and unusual girl brimming with the ancient powers of the forest. From Robert Beatty, the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling Serafina books, comes a thrilling new series filled with the history, mystery, and magic of the Great Smoky Mountains. Kirkus Reviews described WILLA OF THE WOOD as “A moving, atmospheric journey of hope.”

Move without a sound. Steal without a trace.

Willa, a young night-spirit, is her clan’s best thief. She creeps into the cabins of the day-folk under cover of darkness and takes what they won’t miss. It’s dangerous work–the day-folk kill whatever they don’t understand–but Willa will do anything to win the approval of the padaran, the charismatic leader of the Faeran people.

When Willa’s curiosity leaves her hurt and stranded in the day-folk world, she calls upon the old powers of her beloved grandmother, and the unbreakable bonds of her forest allies, to escape. Only then does she begin to discover the shocking truth: that not all of her day-folk enemies are the same, and that the foundations of her own Faeran society are crumbling. What do you do when you realize that the society you were born and raised in is rife with evil? Do you raise your voice? Do you stand up against it?

As forces of unfathomable destruction encroach on her forest home, Willa must decide who she truly is, facing deadly force with warmest compassion, sinister corruption with trusted alliance, and finding a home for her longing heart.

Find out more about the book on Goodreads, or buy it from any of the below retailers:

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Robert Beatty is the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling Serafina series published by Disney Hyperion, a spooky mystery-thriller about a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate.

Serafina and the Black Cloak was a #1 New York Times best seller, has been on the list for more than 60 weeks, and won the prestigious 2016 Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. The second book in the series, Serafina and the Twisted Staff, became a #1 New York Times best seller in the first week of its launch and earned a “Starred Review” from Kirkus Reviews, which said, “Even better than its predecessor, a sequel that delivers nonstop thrills from beginning to end.” Enjoyed by both young readers and adults, the books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide. The third book in the series, Serafina and the Splintered Heart, launched in July 2017 to much acclaim.

Robert Beatty lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters, who help create and refine his stories. He loves to explore Biltmore Estate and the darkened forest trails where his novels take place. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Robert was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative Magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year. When asked about the inspiration for his books, Robert said, “The Serafina and Willa novels grew out of my desire to write stories about unusual and heroic young girls for my three daughters.”

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Spotlight Post: Milla Takes Charge (Daring Dreamers Club #1) by Erin Soderberg

Jun16

Hey everyone! Milla Takes Charge, the first book in the new diverse middle grade series, Daring Dreamers Club – inspired by Disney’s “Dream Big, Princess” Campaign – released on June 5th! Have you checked it out yet???

When you follow your dreams, the possibilities are endless!

Milla loves nothing more than imagining grand adventures in the great wide somewhere, just like Belle. She dreams of traveling the world and writing about her incredible discoveries. Unfortunately, there is nothing pretend about the fifth-grade overnight and Milla’s fear that her moms won’t let her go.

Enter Piper, Mariana, Zahra, and Ruby. Together with Milla, they form the Daring Dreamers Club and become best friends. But can they help Milla believe she’s ready for this real grand adventure?

Diverse, talented, and smart–these five girls found each other because they all had one thing in common: big dreams. Touching on everyday dramas and the ups and downs of friendship, this series will enchant all readers who are princesses at heart.

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Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Book Depository | IndieBound | Indigo

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Praise for MILLA TAKES CHARGE:

“Though core issues of identity, independence, and teamwork ground the novel, Disney Princess devotees will likely be the most charmed.” — Publishers Weekly

“I cannot wait to “hear” the stories of all the other girls! Brava Erin SD for kicking off a new series for the younger MG set! Positive messages for kids!” — Goodreads Praise

“Young readers will be able to relate to the story, there is a positive message, and the characters provide a model of friendship, showing how friends work together and support on another. Loved meeting these girls!” — Goodreads Praise

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About the Author:

ERIN SODERBERG has written many books for kids, tweens, and young adults, including THE QUIRKS and PUPPY PIRATES series.

Before turning to writing full time, Erin worked as a children’s book editor and marketer, spent a few months as a cookie inventor, and also worked for Nickelodeon. She lives, writes, and eats out in Minneapolis with her husband, three hilarious kids, and a mischievous goldendoodle named Wally.

Erin Soderberg also writes as Erin Downing. More information about her books can be found on her website.

Twitter | Facebook

Blog Tour: What I Leave Behind by Alison McGhee (Spotlight Post)

May12

Hey everyone! I’m excited to be on the blog tour for What I Leave Behind by Alison McGhee (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books – May 15, 2018)! Check out the book below and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

After his dad commits suicide, Will tries to overcome his own misery by secretly helping the people around him in this story made up of one hundred chapters of one hundred words each.

Sixteen-year-old Will spends most of his days the same way: Working at the Dollar Only store, trying to replicate his late father’s famous cornbread recipe, and walking the streets of Los Angeles. Will started walking after his father committed suicide, and three years later he hasn’t stopped. But there are some places Will can’t walk by: The blessings store with the chest of 100 Chinese blessings in the back, the bridge on Fourth Street where his father died, and his childhood friend Playa’s house.

When Will learns Playa was raped at a party—a party he was at, where he saw Playa, and where he believes he could have stopped the worst from happening if he hadn’t left early—it spurs Will to stop being complacent in his own sadness and do some good in the world. He begins to leave small gifts for everyone in his life, from Superman the homeless guy he passes on his way to work, to the Little Butterfly Dude he walks by on the way home, to Playa herself. And it is through those acts of kindness that Will is finally able to push past his own trauma and truly begin to live his life again. Oh, and discover the truth about that cornbread.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository
Kobo | IndieBound | iBooks

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And now for the giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a copy of What I Leave Behind! Giveawa is US only, runs 5/8-5/22/18! To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author:

Alison McGhee writes novels, picture books, poems, and essays for all ages, including the forthcoming novel Never Coming Back (out in October 2017) and the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller SOMEDAY, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her work has been translated into more than 20 languages. She lives in Minneapolis, California and Vermont.

Website
Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Be sure to follow the rest of the blog tour – the schedule can be found here!

Spotlight Post: Crash: The Great Depression and the Fall and Rise of America in the 1930s by Marc Favreau (Giveaway)

Apr18

Hey everyone! Today, I have an amazing giveaway to share with you! Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, one lucky winner (US only) will receive a copy of Crash: The Great Depression and the Fall and Rise of America in the 1930s by Marc Favreau (April 10, 2018 – Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)! First, here’s more about the book:

The true story of how Americans from all walks of life weathered one of the most turbulent periods in our nation’s history–the Great Depression–and emerged triumphant.

Crash tells the story of the Great Depression, from the sweeping fallout of the market collapse to the more personal stories of those caught up in the aftermath. Packed with photographs, primary documents, and firsthand accounts, Crash shines a spotlight on pivotal moments and figures across ethnic, gender, racial, social, and geographic divides, reflecting many different experiences of one of the most turbulent decades in American history.

Goodreads | Amazon
Book Depository | Kobo | IndieBound

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And now for the giveaway! Again, thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, one lucky winner will receive a copy of Crash: The Great Depression and the Fall and Rise of America in the 1930s by Marc Favreau (April 10, 2018 – Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)! This giveaway is US only!

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Birthday: Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert

Apr10

Happy Book Birthday to Kelly Loy Gilbert and Picture Us in the Light!!

Danny Cheng has always known his parents have secrets. But when he discovers a taped-up box in his father’s closet filled with old letters and a file on a powerful Silicon Valley family, he realizes there’s much more to his family’s past than he ever imagined.

Danny has been an artist for as long as he can remember and it seems his path is set, with a scholarship to RISD and his family’s blessing to pursue the career he’s always dreamed of. Still, contemplating a future without his best friend, Harry Wong, by his side makes Danny feel a panic he can barely put into words. Harry and Danny’s lives are deeply intertwined and as they approach the one-year anniversary of a tragedy that shook their friend group to its core, Danny can’t stop asking himself if Harry is truly in love with his girlfriend, Regina Chan.

When Danny digs deeper into his parents’ past, he uncovers a secret that disturbs the foundations of his family history and the carefully constructed facade his parents have maintained begins to crumble. With everything he loves in danger of being stripped away, Danny must face the ghosts of the past in order to build a future that belongs to him.

Goodreads | Amazon | Kobo
The Book Depository | IndieBound

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About the Author:

KELLY LOY GILBERT believes deeply in the power of stories to illuminate a shared humanity and give voice to complex, broken people. She is the author of Conviction, a William C. Morris Award finalist, and lives in the SF Bay Area.

Visit her on her website or on Twitter.

Spotlight Post: Laura & Emma by Kate Greathead (Giveaway)

Mar14

Hey everyone! Today, I have an amazing giveaway to share with you! Thanks to Simon & Schuster, one lucky winner (US only) will receive a copy of Laura & Emma by Kate Greathead (March 13, 2018 by Simon Schuster)! First, here’s more about the book:

A tender, witty debut novel about a single mother raising her daughter among the upper crust of New York City society in the late twentieth century from a nine-time Moth StorySLAM champion.

Laura hails from the Upper East Side of Manhattan, born into old money, drifting aimlessly into her early thirties. One weekend in 1981 she meets Jefferson. The two sleep together. He vanishes. And Laura realizes she’s pregnant.

Enter: Emma.

Despite her progressive values, Laura raises Emma by herself in the same blue-blood world of private schools and summer homes she grew up in, buoyed by a host of indelible characters, including her eccentric mother, who informs her society friends and Emma herself that she was fathered by a Swedish sperm donor; her brother, whose childhood stutter reappears in the presence of their forbidding father; an exceptionally kind male pediatrician; and her overbearing best friend, whose life has followed the Park Avenue script in every way except for childbearing. Meanwhile, the apple falls far from the tree with Emma, who begins to question her environment in a way her mother never could.

Told in vignettes that mine the profound from the mundane, with meditations on everything from sex and death to insomnia and the catharsis of crying on the subway, a textured portrait emerges of a woman struggling to understand herself, her daughter, and the changing landscape of New York City in the eighties and nineties.

Goodreads | Amazon

Book Depository | Kobo | IndieBound

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And now for the giveaway! Again, thanks to Simon & Schuster, one lucky winner will receive a copy of Laura & Emma by Kate Greathead (March 13, 2018 by Simon Schuster)! This giveaway is US only!

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author:

Kate Greathead is a graduate of Wesleyan University and the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Vanity Fair, and on NPR’s Moth Radio Hour. She was a subject in the American version of the British Up documentary series. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, the writer Teddy Wayne. Laura & Emma is her first novel.

Spotlight Post: Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne is out in one week!

Oct31

Hey everyone! In just one week, Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne (November 7, 2017 – Disney-Hyperion) will be released to the masses! It looks incredible and I can’t wait to read it! If you haven’t heard about it yet, check out more details below!

A healer who cannot be healed . . .

When Zivah falls prey to the deadly rose plague, she knows it’s only a matter of time before she fully succumbs. Now she’s destined to live her last days in isolation, cut off from her people and unable to practice her art—until a threat to her village creates a need that only she can fill.

A soldier shattered by war . . .

Broken by torture at the hands of the Amparan Empire, Dineas thirsts for revenge against his captors. Now escaped and reunited with his tribe, he’ll do anything to free them from Amparan rule—even if it means undertaking a plan that risks not only his life but his very self.

Thrust together on a high-stakes mission to spy on the capital, the two couldn’t be more different: Zivah, deeply committed to her vow of healing, and Dineas, yearning for vengeance. But as they grow closer, they must find common ground to protect those they love. And amidst the constant fear of discovery, the two grapple with a mutual attraction that could break both of their carefully guarded hearts.

This smart, sweeping fantasy with a political edge and a slow-burning romance will capture fans of The Lumatere Chronicles and An Ember in the Ashes.

Goodreads | Amazon
The Book Depository | Kobo | IndieBound

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About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Livia Blackburne wrote her first novel while she was a PhD student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she conducted research on the neuroscience of reading acquisition in children. Upon graduation, she switched to writing full time, which also involves getting into people’s heads but without the help of a three tesla MRI scanner.

Website | Twitter
Facebook | Instagram | Wattpad

Spotlight Post: Surviving Book Conventions

Oct30

Hey everyone! I have something fun for you today! As a book blogger and publicist, I’ve been to a handful of book conventions, including BEA and ALA Midwinter. So when Vegas.com contacted me, asking if I’d share my tips for surviving conventions, I jumped on the idea!

Love N. Vegas is an annual book convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to their website, it’s a “prominent book signing convention, bringing influential authors together in one location.” The 2017 convention took place this past weekend (Oct. 27th-29th). If you missed it, check out my tips below and then head over to Love N. Vegas’s website to find out more about the 2018 convention! And definitely check out deals for traveling to Vegas if you decide to attend another convention or expo in the big city!

Please note: This is a sponsored/non-paid post. Love N. Vegas simply provided the post idea and I took it from there. With that being said, let’s get started!!

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1. Dress professionally (or at least appropriately), but wear comfortable shoes. You never know who you might meet at conventions, or who you could potentially network with – you want people to remember you for the RIGHT reasons, just in case your paths cross again! However, convention center floors are typically made of concrete and SUPER uncomfortable, and you’re going to be on your feet for hours. So if you don’t wear something comfy on your feet, you’ll DEFINITELY regret it.

2. Bring an external battery charger. Convention centers typically don’t have a large number of outlets for personal use, if any at all. And public charging stations are often packed – and can sometimes be dangerous. Not to mention, it seems that most convention centers are black holes that suck out all your phone’s battery within an hour or less. Plus, if you use your phone to take pictures or share things on social media, your battery will drain even faster. Since your phone is your lifeline for meeting up with friends and tracking any last-minute signing time/location changes, you’ll be in trouble if it dies on you.

3. Bring snacks!!! Convention center food is – often but not always – yucky and over-priced. Plus, you’ll be spending a LOT of time waiting in signing lines, and you might have to rush from one signing to another, with no time for food in between. Bring granola bars, dried fruit, trail mix, candy bars – whatever will be yummy and satisfying. Personally, I like granola bars that have peanut butter and lots of protein because they’re filling. Also, while water is your absolute best option, some drinks like Gatorade and Vitamin Water do have electrolytes, which also help keep you from becoming dehydrated.

4. Remember that authors are people, too. They’re going to be signing hundreds of books for hundreds of people, sometimes for hours at a time. Don’t get upset if an author looks/sounds tired or isn’t up for chatting or taking pictures. Be kind and respectful to them and thank them for their time. They’ll remember that kindness and appreciate it! (Personal story: At BEA one year, an author had an hour signing that ended up lasting four hours! At some point, she begged our forgiveness and ran for a bathroom break. She came back and finished signing. No one gave her a hard time).

5. Don’t be an ARC/book/swag hog. I know it’s tempting to grab every single free item you can get your hands on, just because you can. But ARCs/books are often in short supply, as is swag. What if you grab something you’re only mildly interested in and, because of that, someone who was dying for it can’t get a copy? Better yet, what if YOU desperately want something and every copy is gone by the time you try to get it because every person who was mildly interested in it just grabbed it? Also, equally (if not more) important: Don’t grab multiple copies of the same book, or multiple pieces of the same piece of swag! Same logic – it deprives others who might desperately want it.

6. Be polite and respectful to everyone you meet (see also: avoid foul language and inappropriate jokes). Remember, conventions are busy/crazy/hectic. Everyone is running around, going from signing to signing and panel to panel. Workers are trying to keep chaos to a minimum. Sometimes, adrenaline can run high and tempers can be easily triggered. But everyone wants the same thing – to enjoy the convention and have fun!

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So there you have it! My advice to you on how to survive a convention! Now go forth and become convention pros! Also, if you’ve attended any conventions, let me know in the comments, and share any advice you have for convention newbies!

Spotlight Post: Dream Reading Nook

Oct25

Hey everyone! Today, I have something a little bit different to share with you. I was recently given a post idea that I just had to say yes to – a discussion of my dream reading nook! First off, if you haven’t heard of Arhaus, they were founded in 1986 with “a passion to provide unique, high quality, well designed home furnishings.”

After checking out their site, I fell in love with a few pieces, which fueled my desire to write this post! All the pieces pictured below can be found on their website.

Please note: This is a sponsored/non-paid post. Arhaus simply provided the post idea and I took it from there. With that being said, let’s get started!!

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When I picture my dream reading nook, I think about having one whole room as a library. I picture one wall with two oversize windows, so there’s plenty of natural light. Between those two windows, I see

If this doesn’t give you Belle’s Library feels, you aren’t a true Disney Book Nerd. This bookcase is absolutely stunning! It has this old english library feel to it, and I can see my bookish decor fitting perfectly on the end units.

On the wall opposite the windows, I would place this gorgeous, comfy looking
The Arhaus website description of this piece includes the following: “Luxurious yet extremely durable Belgian linen envelopes our exclusive, spring-supported, down-blend cushions, creating deep, “sink-into” seating.” I used to be able to read in bed, but in the last few years, the most comfortable place for me to read is on the couch. So this “sink-into” couch with an extra long end piece for reclining is EXACTLY what I need. I can picture myself curling into this couch with fluffy blankets, bookish pillows, and a cup of hot chocolate on a cold, rainy day, and doing nothing but read for hours on end. Arhaus has a HUGE selection of bookshelf being a perfect fit:

The color is sleek and elegant. and would display my absolute favorite, most precious books.

One of the empty walls would house all my bookish posters, bookmarks, postcards, prints, etc. Then, the final wall would be home to this stunning

This shelf is gorgeous and would fit in well with the other pieces. I love the cabinets, which would be great to keep blankets and pillows when not in use.

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And there you have it – my dream reading nook! What’s YOUR dream reading nook?
What pieces would you want? Where would you place them? Share in the comments below!

Spotlight Special: All About Havenly

Sep11

Hey everyone! Today, I have something a little bit different to share with you. I was recently given a post idea that I just had to say yes to – a discussion of my favorite bookish decor! First off, if you haven’t heard of Havenly, they’re an online interior design company with a variety of decorating ideas. After checking out their site, I decided to take the small piece of inspiration in my own direction, and make this post simply as a fun way to show off my bookish decor. I might not have a huge collection of bookish décor, but the small amount I DO have is very precious to me!

So let’s get started!! Right now, my bookish décor really just consists of some candles and some mugs that I show off on my bookshelf… So I guess it’s more like bookish swag than décor, but I still think it counts, hehe :) I do have a few posters, but they aren’t hanging up yet (I just moved and I’m still unpacking!), so those will be shown off another day! For now, I’ll start with my candles:

This candle is my absolute favorite, and comes from IceyDesigns. Those of you who know me, know that I LOVED A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. And this quote speaks to my soul on so many levels! I have this quote on a mug – which I’ll show you in a minute! – and on my phone’s lock screen, thanks to IceyBooks (yes, both shops are owned by the same person!).

Next are these pretties, which I’ve been getting from my SpearCraft Book Box subscription. I don’t remember which shops these are from because I can’t find the content cards from my boxes (stupid move), but I’m sure SpearCraft has that info on their website, so go check it out!! (And once I find my content cards from each box, I’ll update this post with all the correct info, too!). I strongly urge you to go buy these, because they smell AMAZING!!!!! My favorite is the Vampire Diaries one, which smells like fruit punch or something – I don’t even know but it’s amazing!

This candle was given to me by a good friend, and it smells incredible, as well! I’m not sure where she got it, but it’s just perfection! Also, it’s sitting next to my beloved Stars Hollow sign, which I got from the actual town that inspired Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls!

And here’s that mug I mentioned above!!! Again, this is from my SpearCraft Book Box subscription and I can’t find my content cards to give you shop details, but I’ll find it as soon as I can and let you know!

This is another mug from my SpearCraft Book Box subscription and it’s epic beyond words. I’m obsessed with mermaids, have been ever since I was a little girl and saw The Little Mermaid. So this mug = my patronus!

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And there you have it! My favorite bookish décor! As I mentioned a few times, once I find the content cards for each SpearCraft Book Box, I’ll update shop info so you can go support these incredible shops!

So, what bookish décor do you have? What pieces are your favorite? What bookish décor are you dying to buy? Which shops are your favorite to get bookish décor from? Tell me in the comments!