Luminescence by Braden Bell -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

Luminescence (Middle School Magic #3)

Author: Braden Bell

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: March 2014

Paperback: 308 pages

ISBN13: 978-1-4621-1405-4

Middle Grade fantasy

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 Goodreads Summary

Determined to rescue their favorite teacher, Conner, Lexa, and Melanie confront their worst fears and use their powers in unexpected ways to defeat Lady Nightwing, the treacherous Darkhand leader. But when the trio makes a terrible choice to save Dr. Timberi, their powers may not be enough to keep everyone alive. A thrilling conclusion to the Middle School Magic series!

My Review

Friendship, love, and sacrifice.  These three words came to my mind many times while I was reading this enjoyable book by Mr. Bell.  Conner, Lexa, and Melanie had a lot to overcome between each other before they were able to start to help to rescue Dr. Timberi.  I loved that part of it.  All three were harboring harsh feelings towards each other and once they were able to get over themselves, they were able to function more as a unit.  There are many secrets revealed, a wonderful back story, and many surprises along the way in this very enjoyable book.  The ending had me in tears, well, the tears came sooner at some points, but the last few chapters were my favorite.  So many exciting events take place through the whole book.  Once I got to a certain point while reading, I couldn't stop until I was finished.  Not only will your kids enjoy this series, you will too.

5 out of 5 stars.  If you new to this series, I would suggest starting with book one, The Kindling.  Then with book two, Penumbras.  You will better familiar with the characters and terms.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

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Second to No One by Natalie Palmer -- Blog Tour

Second to No One

Author: Natalie Palmer

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Published: November 19th, 2013

ISBN: 9781627468

Paperback: 253 pages

Genre: YA

Goodreads Summary

Available now through www.nataliepalmerbooks.blogspot.com and tatepublishing.com. Will be released to online bookstores November 19, 2013!

“Things change. People change. Jess and I weren’t above it.”

Gemma’s first year of high school isn’t starting out the way she hoped. Jess is back from California and before she can memorize her class schedule their summer romance comes to a screeching halt. To add to her misery the gorgeous new girl in school also has eyes for Jess and despite Gemma’s unfailing attempts to win him back she keeps finding herself alone.

But when a late night car crash lands her a three month grounding and twenty hours of community service she discovers that there’s more to life than just romance and boyfriends.

Unpredictable and heart wrenching, Second to No One is the perfect continuation to the magical beginning of the Gemma and Jess romance.

My Review

Second to No One is a very enjoyable, clean book with lots of heart and lessons for the characters.  I really liked Gemma this time around.  Jess was a favorite too.  The author did a great job of writing with a teenage voice and some of the things Gemma thought in her mind made me laugh out loud.  All the characters were well written.  Drew gave me a smile lots of times.  I really enjoyed the journey Gemma takes in this book.  I loved the lessons that she learns too.  She gets to know her sister better, steps out of her comfort zone, and most importantly gets to know herself.  Gemma has to complete some community service after a late night accident and I loved the scenes at the nursing home and what came from them.

4 out of 5 stars.  When Gemma and Jess finally figure things out, they are thrown with more twists and the ending was very surprising.  I was not expecting it, and am eagerly waiting for the next book.  Second to No One is the sequel to Second Kiss.  The author does a great job at catching the reader up, but I would definitely read Second Kiss first.

Author Links

Tour Stops / Blog / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Tate Publishing / Blog / Amazon / Barnes and Noble 

Author Bio

I am a writer. But more importantly, I'm a mom, which is the best thing I could have ever hoped for in my life. I have three kids who amaze me every day with their little quips of humor and intelligence.  I can't really applaud myself for how great they are, though, since I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing when it comes to mothering children.  But the fact that they're turning out so awesome and I'm the one that hangs out with them all day makes me feel pretty good about myself.

I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah where I was spoiled to have the huge Wasatch Mountains in my backyard.  I graduated from the University of Utah with a major in English Literature but that's boring.  The exciting part was when I met and fell in love with the boy of my dreams. He wasn’t my first or second kiss but he was by far my favorite and it didn't take us long to figure out that life could never be as good apart as it was together. So we got married and have been living happily ever after ever since.

When I’m not attending to my homemaking and writing duties I love to exercise because it’s the only time that I have an excuse to listen to my music uninterrupted and as loud as I want.  I love all different genres of music but I run extra fast when I hear Dashboard Confessionals, Cold Play or Owl City on my iPod.  Besides music I love anything that has to do with water including but not limited to drinking it, skiing on it (in liquid or powder form), basking in the sun while boating on it and (these days) lazily dreaming while my kids play in it for hours on end.
So there you have it. I'm a wife, mother, writer and iPod blasting mermaid.  While my husband works his brains out I take care of our kids and conjure up storylines and characters and romantic turns of events.  And someday, if we're lucky, we'll be as happy as we are now.

Daisy by Josi S. Kilpack

I am giving away a copy of Daisy!

Daisy: The Newport Ladies Book Club

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: April 2012

ISBN13: 9781609070083

Paperback: 269 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy

Goodreads Summary:  Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. And no one knows that better than Daisy. Raising two kids as a divorced, single mom, Daisy has faced each and every one of the obstacles in her life with courage and determination.

Now with her oldest daughter ready to have a baby of her own, her youngest daughter ready to graduate from high school, and her new husband, Paul, ready to embrace the life of an empty-nester, Daisy feels like she might finally be able to check "motherhood" off her list of things to do.

Except life often has a mind of its own. When, at age of forty-six, Daisy suddenly finds herself facing a very different future than the one she had planned--and an uncomfortable evaluation of the past she thought she understood--she realizes that there is still some growing up she needs to do.

Looking for a distraction to escape the growing tension at home, Daisy joins the Newport Ladies Book Club, where she meets Paige, Athena, and Olivia--unlikely friends who offer encouragement and support when Daisy's perfectly crafted life is turned upside-down.

My Review

Daisy has had a difficult life.  She was pregnant at 17, and never married her daughter December's father.  They broke up, and Daisy went home to her Catholic parents.  She worked, while her mother helped by taking care of December.  She then met Jared about 10 years later, and had Stormy.  They married, but things weren't perfect.  Daisy got pregnant again, and this baby was supposed to save their marriage. Daisy miscarried, and her and Jared divorced.  Daisy knew all about the life of a single mother.

Daisy know has been married to Paul, her "prince", for 3 years.  They both have older kids, and are looking forward to a life without kids and responsibilities they bring.  Every though Paul's daughter Mason is older, as well as Stormy, Daisy seems to be counting the days Stormy moves out, and her and Paul can have the life they have both always dreamed of.

Life doesn't always happen the way you plan...

I loved this book.  I enjoyed getting to know the characters of the Newport Ladies Book Club through Daisy's eyes. Enough time has passed since I read Olivia by Julie Wright, and the details of the book club meetings are now in Daisy's perceptive.  I enjoyed the book club meetings, and it was as if reading them for the first time.  I loved Daisy's character, she is a very strong, smart gal.  I enjoyed her journey, and the lessons she learns about herself, her family, and also the joys of close friendships.  Most of all, how she needed to ask others for help.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.  Read more about the Newport Ladies Book Club.  The next book is Paige by Annette Lyon, and it comes out in August of this year.

Follow Josi S. Kilpack on FACEBOOK and  TWITTER.

DESERET BOOK / AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE / SEAGULL BOOK

I am giving away of copy of Daisy.  Please leave a comment below.  I would love it if you would follow this blog, but it is not required.  Contest ends Wednesday the 4th of July.