Benotripia: The Rescue by McKenzie Wagner

Benotripia: The Rescue

Author: McKenzie Wagner

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: September 11, 2012

Paperback: 136 pages

ISBN13: 9781462110148

Genre: Middle grade fantasy

FTC FYI: Received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review

Goodreads Summary: When her mother---the ruler of Benotripia---goes missing, Roseabelle knows she'll need the help of her best friends and their combined powers to survive the perilous journey ahead of her, rescue her mother, and save Benotripia! Written by a young author, this exciting adventure story pulls you into a true fantasy world. A suspenseful and addicting read!

My Review

Benotripia: The Rescue is a very fun, fast-paced story for middle grade readers looking for an adventure.  The author has created a world full of fun characters and creative magical elements.  Roseabelle is in a magical school where each child has unique gifts.  She can hop through shadows that transport her to different places when needed, along with other gifts.  Her best friends Jessicana and Astro have special powers too. Jessicana can turn herself into a parrot, and Astro has fun with lightning.

Roseabelle's mother is taken.  She and her friends risk everything to find her, while learning about their country's past along the way, and the enemies they have.

3 out of 5 stars.  McKenzie is a very talented author for her age, and has great potential.  The Rescue is book 1 in a series of 3.  I'm excited to read the next book.  I met McKenzie last Saturday at Authorpalooza.  She is very outgoing and sweet.  I was impressed by her kind demeanor, and enthusiasm.  My daughter added Benotripia to her own personal library.  Find out more about McKenzie here.  Follow her on Facebook.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE

Winner of Tres Leches Cupcakes by Josi S. Kilpack

Thanks to Random.org, the winner of Tres Leches Cupcakes by Josi S. Kilpack is...

Jen Coccimiglio

I will be in touch!

Congratulations and thank you to all who entered.

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back

Author: Sariah Wilson

Publisher: Fire & Ice Books

Published: August 15, 2012

ebook: 194 pages

Genre: YA General

ASIN: B008YIE740

FTC FYI: Review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary:  Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.

But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?

Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.

Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.

Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.
And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.

My Review

I was asked to read The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah before it came out in July.  Even just reading the first page, I knew I would enjoy it immensely!  The characters were so well written and very fun.  Mattie was so funny, oh, the things that went through her head sometimes.  Jake and Mattie end up in detention together, and he thinks he can use his charms to get Mattie to do something for him.  Boy, was he wrong.  I liked Mattie because she was strong, and she doesn't let herself be taken for granted.  Even by the guy who she has liked for years.  As much as I liked Mattie though, Ella stole the show for me.  She is genuinely a great person, and such a sweetheart.  I laughed out loud many times, and smiled throughout.  I also asked Sariah if my teenage daughter could read it too, and she loved it just as much as I did.  Here is what Michalla had to say.

"The characters were fun to get to know.  I laughed a ton.  It was so fun to read, and I loved every minute of it."

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.  Everything about this book is fun and anything that makes you smile this much is worth it.  What I liked most were the strong female characters.  Sariah has written several books.  Find out more about her on Goodreads and her Blog.  Sariah is graciously giving TWO copies of The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back, either by an Amazon coupon or Smashwords.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE / IBOOKS / SMASHWORDS / KOBO

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Tres Leches Cupcakes by Josi S. Kilpack

Tres Leches Cupcakes

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: September 10, 2012

Paperback: 384 pages

ISBN13: 9781609071707

FTC FYI: Review copy which did not effect my review

Backcover summary: For Sadie Hollmiller, going undercover as an informant for the Bureau of Land Management on an archeological site in Santa Fe, New Mexico, seems like the perfect way to stay safe and busy while a threat against her life remains unsolved.  Sadie's days are spent digging up artifacts in the middle of nowhere, but she's also digging up information on her fellow "dirt geeks."  With the help of her baking prowess and Pete's cousin, Caro, who takes to the detective work wholeheartedly, Sadie is finding herself again.

But when recent burials are found on an ancient site, Sadie finds herself in the middle of an unexpected--and unwanted--investigation. The more she digs for the truth, the more secrets she uncovers--secrets that people would kill to keep hidden.

Before Sadie knows it, she's arrested for starting a bar fight (which was totally not her fault), her new friend is missing, and she's worn out her welcome in Santa Fe in more ways than one.  A trip to the annual hot air balloon fiesta in Albuquerque is supposed to give her a brea, but before long, she learns that when you're dealing with the black market antiquity trade, you're not really safe anywhere.

My Review

What I am going to do when Josi stops writing this series?  I love these books, and Tres Leches Cupcakes is no exception.  I enjoyed the whole book immensely, but the last half, there was excitement on every page.  When Josi throws in Sadie's humor and inner voice, which I love, I can't stop reading.  Add a little Pete to  the mix, and you've got yourself another awesome Sadie Hoffmiller thriller.

Sadie almost is back to her old self in this book, and I missed her.  But, I did appreciate the journey that she has taken in each book, and her experiences have made her a better person.  I loved reading about the things she has learned, and when she's in situations similar to past adventures, she can get keep her head and focus.  I loved everything about this book, and I can't wait for Baked Alaska next Spring.

5 out of 5 stars.  You will be on the edge of your seat, and finally able to breath again when you reach the end.  I loved Pete's cousin Caro.  She was a delightful character, and a great new friend for Sadie.

Josi S. Kilpack is the author of the 6 other books in the Sadie Hoffmiller series, and several other novels.  Including Daisy, from the Newport Ladies Book Club series.  Find out more about Josi on her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE / DESERET BOOK / SEAGULL BOOK

I am giving away a copy of Tres Leches Cupcakes.  Thank you Deseret Book. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

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Winner of Paige by Annette Lyon

Thanks for all who entered my contest for Paige by Annette Lyon.

The winner is...

Allison Lloyd!

Congrats, I will be in touch.

Paige by Annette Lyon

GIVEAWAY!

Paige

Author: Annette Lyon

Publisher: Covenant

Published: August 2012

ISBN-13: 978-1-60861-946-7

Genre: general fiction

Paperback: 238 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy, which did not affect my review

Backcover Summary: After a bitter divorce from her unfaithful husband, Paige moves from Utah to California with her two little boys and vows to make a fresh start.  She finds a job at a dental practice that helps her get back on her feet, but it's the friends she makes at her new book club who help her realize how strong she is and who give her support to carry on as she faces the challenges of being a single mom.  She also meets Derryl, a wonderful, kind, attentive man who treats her right--something her ex never did.  Yet, Paige struggles to figure out who she is a s woman rather than a wife, how to help  her boys adjust to a broken home, and whether she can ever trust a man or love again.  As Paige leans on the book club ladies and Derryl's ever present care, one thing becomes clear:  healing from the past requires more than a change of address.

My Review

Paige is another strong offering from Annette Lyon and for The Newport Ladies Book Club.  From Olivia, and Daisy I was able to catch a glimpse of the woman that Paige was, and I really liked her then.  Reading her own story made me appreciate her even more, and also the other ladies through Paige's eyes.  At the first book club meeting there is always the first impressions of each character.  I love going back to those meetings through a different character's view point, to see what she thought of someone that first night, and after that.  It shows each of their journeys, and it helps me appreciate each character more.

Paige was hesitant to go to book club.  One of my favorite quotes from her is on page 20:

"For years, I'd pretty much lived in the bubble of being Doug's wife.  I hadn't met any new friend in--I couldn't remember how long.  Since the divorce, I'd turned that bubble into a cocoon.  And here I was, forcing myself out of it.  Meeting new people would be good for me.  I knew this on an intellectual level;  however, emotionally, the idea made me want to drive right back home."

Each of the ladies from the book club came to book club for different reasons, but they seem to have one in common, to find a friend.

There are some fun things that happen to Paige, some sad, and heart wrenching.  Christmas was hard for her.  I was able to really see what a loving character she was during the times with her sons.  She's a great mom, and Paige finds she may need to make some difficult choices.

4 out of 5 stars.  Annette is an amazing writer.  She recently wrote a blog post about the series, and how each author would write their characters, or how the others gals would write it for them.  I laughed a lot.  Check it out.  Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, her blog, and The Newport Ladies Book Club.  The next book in the series is Athena by Heather Moore.  It comes out in November.

AMAZON / DESERET BOOK / SEAGULL BOOK

I have an extra copy of Paige for one lucky winner.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below. US ONLY

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The Winner of Delivering Hope

The Winner is:

Donna Weaver.  Thank you to all who entered.

I currently have a giveaway on LDSWBR. A hardcover copy of DEMONS by Heather Frost. 

The next books that I am giving away here are Paige by Annette Lyon, 

and Tres Leches Cupcakes by Josi S. Kilpack

Have a great day!