Bad Girls: Sirens, Jezebels, Murderesses, Thieves, & Other Female Villains

Author: Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple

Illustrator: Rebecca Guay
Title:Bad Girls: Sirens, Jezebels, Murderesses, Thieves, & Other Female Villains

Publication: February 1, 2013

Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing

Genre: Illustrated, Historical, Biography

Pages: 172

Audience: 10 and up

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from the Amazon.com): 
Meet twenty-six of history's most notorious women. Each bad girl has a rotten reputation, but there are two sides to every tale. Decide whether Tituba was really a conspiring witch or just a humble housemaid. Analyze the evidence stacked for and against Lizzie Borden. And what made the brazen Cleopatra so dishonorable . . . or honorable? Each chapter ends with comic panels featuring caricatures of the authors discussing the women, with Heidi arguing as the prosecution and Jane arguing for context.

My thoughts:
 I picked this book up from the library thinking it was something different. I thought the book would have a comic strip about the lady in question and explain how she was considered a bad girl. Instead, this book introduces a woman from history, gives a quick synopsis of her life and why she is considered a bad girl. The comic strip at the end is an illustration of the authors conducting "research" and arguing if the woman was truly bad or not. My undergraduate degree was in history, specifically focusing on women, so I knew most of the women in the book, but there were a few I had never heard of. So I did learn a couple of new things from this book. It was not a bad read. If you know someone who is interested in women's history then this may be a cute, quick read for them. I would suggest it to a middle school aged kid (particularly girls) to maybe help pique an interest in history.

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Michael by Annabell Cadiz

Michael (Sons of Old Trilogy, #2)
Author: Annabell Cadiz
Genre: New Adult, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Estimated Publication Date: August 2013

Synopsis: Zahara Faraday looks like a normal eighteen-year-old and lives in a quiet neighborhood with her overprotective parents. She works at a bookstore and hangs out with her best friend Becca King on a daily basis. But underneath the normal lies a secret life filled with dangerous supernaturals. Zahara belongs to a world made of Light Witches, rogue Imagoes (supernatural creatures with super strength, speed), fallen angels, and Nephilim (hybrid children born half-human, half-angel). Where her father Solomon Faraday is human, her mother Mia and her Aunt Catalina are Light Witches. They help protect the human world by hunting down rogue supernaturals who commit heinous acts against humans.

What they never expected was the possibility of having to hunt down the one rogue coven they had befriended and come to trust in their battle against Lucifer. Rekesh Saint-Louis is the leader of the most powerful Imago coven in Florida and now he’s the most wanted. Supernatural bodies are starting to pile up with an ancient ritual long forbade being used to murder them and the symbol, one large cross with four smaller crosses around it, which represents Rekesh’s coven, being left behind. Rekesh and the Elders of his coven set out to find who is behind the murders and clearing his name before a war between the covens begins. To make matters more difficult, Rekesh also has to deal with the return of someone he would rather preferred stayed away.

Meanwhile, Zahara and Becca are spending more time brushing up on their training, knowing an attack from Lucifer can come at any moment. Between patrolling neighborhoods and hanging at the boarding school created by Charles Stephens—a fallen angel who created the school to protect the children of rogue supernaturals—they are introduced to an old friend of Charles, Michael. Zahara begins to develop a closer bond with Jason as they train and chase down clues to clear Rekesh’s name. Jason also starts to develop a close bond with Michael, protecting a very powerful secret.

But Rekesh’s coven being set up isn’t the only danger. A new powerful and lethal drug has emerged from the shadows of the supernatural world called Inferi. A side effect of the drug: it leaves the supernatural hungering for blood—both human and supernatural. 

Lucifer is on the move and he will stop at nothing to get his hands on Zahara and complete the first act of his plan.

A battle is about to begin. 

One that may cost the Faraday family everything they hold most dear.

About the Author:
Annabell Cadiz was born in the sweltering heat of South Florida. She was raised surrounded by Puerto Rican chefs and band of siblings that weren’t all related to her. A self-proclaimed nerd and book-a-holic (her room does hold much evidence to prove her claims are justifiable), she created TeamNerd Reviews to showcase her EXTREME love for novels where, along with her best friend, Bridget Strahin, she hosts book reviews, interviews, giveaways, Indie Shoutouts and much more. She also blog tour services for authors. She also had the pleasure of being published in three separate issue of Suspense Magazine. She also adores Cinnamon Teddy Grahams, has an addiction to Minute Maid Orange juice, and is a proud Jesus Freak. She is working on getting LUCIFER, the first book in SONS OF OLD TRILOGY ready to be published.
Website | Goodreads | TeamNerd Reviews | Twitter |Pinterest

Sons of Old Trilogy Giveaway

**Opened to U.S. and International Fans**

**Must be 13 or older to participate**

**Winner will be selected on MAY 31, 2013 and have 24 HOURS to respond before another winner is selected**

Ten Lucky Winners Will Receive

E-Copy of Lucifer (Sons of Old Trilogy, #1)  and ARC of Michael (Sons of Old Trilogy, #2) (once its ready)

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One Lucky Winner Will Receive

E-Copy of Lucifer (Sons of Old Trilogy, #1) by Annabell Cadiz
A cupcake keychain
Body wash from Bath and Body Works in the scent of Pin Chiffon
Girls Rock Wristband
Mini Notebook

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Review: Wish by Beth Bracken & Kay Fraser

Title: Wish (Faerieground #1)

Author: Beth Bracken & Kay Fraser

Illustrator: Odessa Sawyer

Publication: May 2013

Publisher: Stone Arch Book

Source: Author/Publisher

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade

Audience: 9+

Website|Amazon

Synopsis: Two friends, torn apart. Soli and Lucy argue, and then Lucy disappears, taken by the faeries who live in the forest near their homes. Can Soli save her friend, even if it means facing the biggest dangers she's ever experienced?

My Thoughts: Soli and Lucy have been best friends for as long as they can remember. One action changes everything and sends them to a forgotten land. This leaves Soli and Lucy in reversed roles. 

My 7 y/o loves what she has read of this book. I really like this story as well. It's a really quick read that is perfect for Middle Grade readers. My favorite part of the book is when Soli decides to do something brave. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and I'm sure my daughter will be too.     

Author Bio:

Beth Bracken is a children's book editor. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband, Steve, and their son, Sam. When she's not reading, writing, or editing books, Beth spends most of her time knitting endlessly while watching reruns of old TV shows and drinking lots of tea. 

Kay Fraser is from Buenos Aires. She left home at eighteen and moved to North Dakota—basically the exact opposite of Argentina. These days, she designs books, writes, makes tea for her husband, and drives her daughters to their dance lessons.

About the Illustrator:
Odessa Sawyer is an illustrator from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She works mainly in digital mixed media, utilizing digital painting, photography, and traditional pen and ink. Odessa's work has graced book covers from many top publishing houses, and she has also done work for various film and television projects, posters, and album covers. Highly influenced by fantasy, fairy tales, fashion, and classic horror, Odessa's work celebrates a whimsical, dreamy, and vibrant quality.

Tour:The Storm Bottle by Nick Green

The Storm Bottle Swimming with dolphins is said to be the number one thing to do before you die. For 12-year-old Michael, it very nearly is. A secret boat trip has gone tragically wrong, and now he lies unconscious in hospital. But when Michael finally wakes up, he seems different. His step sister Bibi is soon convinced that he is not who he appears to be. Meanwhile, in the ocean beyond Bermuda’s reefs, a group of bottlenose dolphins are astonished to discover a stranger in their midst – a boy lost and desperate to return home. Bermuda is a place of mysteries. Some believe its seas are enchanted, and the sun-drenched islands conceal a darker past, haunted with tales of lost ships. Now Bibi and Michael are finding themselves in the most extraordinary tale of all.

 

Praise 'I loved it... An absolute winner.' - LA Weatherly, author of the Angel Burn trilogy 'A writer who knows how to grip the imagination, make you sit on the edge of your chair, and make you laugh out loud.' - Michelle Lovric, author of The Undrowned Child, The Mourning Emporium and The Book of Human Skin 'If you only ever buy one Kindle book in your life (although that sounds a bit unlikely, now that I stop and think) this has to be it.' - The Bookwitch blog.

Excerpt

I went to Michael’s room. He was propped up in bed. With his broken ribs he had to rest a lot. Music was playing, a choir all holy and echoey, with a boy’s solo voice soaring over it. Laura had been putting this CD on for him, hoping it would help. The soloist was Michael Brook.

            I turned the volume down. Michael’s eyes looked at me. I took a deep breath.

            ‘You’re not Michael, are you?’

            The bedclothes crinkled around him.

            ‘Are you… Were you…’ I made myself say it. ‘Are you a dolphin?’

            A huge sigh.

‘Yes. I’m a dolphin.’

‘But how –?’

‘A rainvoice,’ he added. ‘We call ourselves rainvoices.’

‘Why?’

            It wasn’t top of my list of questions, but hey.

Author Nick Green Nick Green is a UK children's and YA author, best known for his trilogy The Cat Kin, published in the UK by Strident Publishing and in Germany by Ravensburger, and also as a BBC audiobook. He has appeared on BBC radio talking about his books, and has been shortlisted for two UK children's book awards. He regularly does school visits and other children's literary events. The Storm Bottle is his first straight-to-Kindle novel.

Twitter * Website

 

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/26/13

 

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Excerpt, Interview & Giveaway: The Haunting Season by Michelle Muto

Title: The Haunting Season
Author: Michelle Muto
Publication: December 21st 2012
Publisher: Dreamscapes, Ink
Genre: NA Paranormal/Ghosts

Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Goodreads

Synopsis:

Be careful what you let in…

Siler House has stood silent beneath Savannah’s moss-draped oaks for decades. Notoriously haunted, it has remained empty until college-bound Jess Perry and three of her peers gather to take part in a month-long study on the paranormal. Jess, who talks to ghosts, quickly bonds with her fellow test subjects. One is a girl possessed. Another just wants to forget. The third is a guy who really knows how to turn up the August heat, not to mention Jess’s heart rate…when he’s not resurrecting the dead.

The study soon turns into something far more sinister when they discover that Siler House and the dark forces within are determined to keep them forever. In order to escape, Jess and the others will have to open themselves up to the true horror of Siler House and channel the very evil that has welcomed them all.

Interview:

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

During a trip to Savannah, I visited the Sorrel-Weed house, which is reported to be Savannah’s most haunted house.

What is different about this book compared to others you’ve written?

For starters, The Haunting Season is New Adult. Secondly, the main characters are not supernatural beings.

Most unique or unusual research you’ve ever done for The Haunting Season?

Besides visiting the Sorrel-Weed house? Asking a former mortician about embalming methods in the early to mid 1900’s and how embalming and burial procedures have changed and why. It’s both fascinating and a bit gruesome.

What is the hardest part about writing?

Keeping my butt in the chair for as many hours as I need to per day. Resisting the urge to jump on the internet when I’m having difficulty with a scene.

If you could meet any author who is no longer living, who would it be?

Tough call. Edgar Allan Poe, probably. But I’d also like to meet Rod Serling and Alfred Hitchcock.

Can you tell us a little about your next project?

It’s a adult dark fantasy novel with action, castles, and gargoyles.  It’ll be out early this summer.

If you could do one thing over again in regards to writing, what would it be?

Write faster.

Vanilla or chocolate?

Chocolate.

Food you like the most? The least?

I tend to like Italian food the most. I can’t stand brussel sprouts or peas.

Favorite television show?

Supernatural

What weapon would you choose in the zombie apocalypse?

Harry Potter’s wand or maybe Dean Winchester. He’d be a formidable weapon against zombies, right? <grin>

What scares you?

Humanity. The way people treat others, animals, or the environment.

Excerpt: 

Something stirred under the bed again and she took a few safe steps away from the bedskirt.

“Jess!” a child’s voice whispered. Her heart in her throat, Jess bent down and carefully lifted the bedskirt, nearly tumbling backward at the sight. Gracie looked out from under the bed, then slid the Ouija board forward.

She wasn’t afraid of the girls, but that didn’t make her any less nervous. Jess still rationalized that good ghosts could be trapped in the same location as evil ones. If Grams appeared inside Siler House right now, Jess would still be jumpy. No, what scared her was that the girls had shown up under the bed.

“Geez, Gracie! You scared the crap out of me!”

Gracie’s bottom lip took on a pout. “We didn’t mean to scare you. But she scares us. We’re sorry Allison won’t help you. She doesn’t want to help us, either.”

Jess took in a steadying breath. “It’s okay. I’m fine now. Hey, we were just talking—”

“We said we’d help,” Gracie interrupted, still staring unblinkingly at Jess. She pushed the board forward another inch. “Don’t be mad we took it.”

Jess’s hands shook slightly as she took the Ouija board and planchette Gracie offered her. She’d explain about taking the board to Dr. Brandt later. Maybe he wouldn’t notice if it was gone for a few hours. “Thanks,” Jess managed to say.

Gracie smiled, then scooted backward, disappearing behind the bedskirt. From underneath the mattress came the sound of Gracie and Emma’s echoing laughter.

Author Bio:

Michelle Muto lives in northeast Georgia with her husband and two dogs. She loves changes of season, dogs, and all things geeky. Currently, she’s hard at work on her next book.

Website|Goodreads|Facebook|Twitter

Giveaway: This giveaway is for an ebook copy of The Haunting Season and open Internationally. Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter for a chance to win.

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Blitz: The Forgoten Ones by Laura Howard

Help us welcome author Laura Howard as her first book The Forgotten Ones is out for purchase today!  This book already has a Goodreads rating of 4.20  with over 40 reviews you are sure not to forget this one! 

Blurb Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.
What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Google+  Follow The Release Day Blitz!
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Interview with Lee Wilson, Author of "The Last Hybrid: Bloodline of Angels."

Lee Wilson co-authored two books with best-selling author Joe Beam before writing The Last Hybrid. In addition to being an author, Lee is an actor who has been seen in film and television. He has spoken at the Pepperdine University Lectureships and has ghost written for major national publications. 
You can follow him on  Twitter | Facebook |Website 

Interview With Lee Wilson, Author of "The Last Hybrid: Bloodline of
Angels."

Tell us about The Last Hybrid: Bloodline of Angels?
Hannah made good grades all through high school, but after starting
college, she rebelled against her disciplined life. She lost her
scholarship. She went back to her parents house and worked in fast food
for a few years before deciding to try college again. This time she'll be
focused. This time she'll stack up to the expectations her parents have
for her. That is, unless she falls in love with a sexy, half-angel,
vampire-fighting blond named Daniel.

What inspired you to write in this genre?
I've always enjoyed paranormal stories because it entertains the idea that
there are other types of life or existence in the universe. And of course,
it's fun to imagine having abilities or powers beyond what we think humans
normally have. And in some ways, romance is a paranormal experience. The
person we're attracted to has some trait that we can't quite define that
draws us in. As though they have power over us.

Are there any similarities between you and your characters?
I based a lot of Daniel's character on how I think I'd react in certain
situations. The other characters are either loosely based on people I know
or a combination. Either way, they're imaginary.

Favorite scene from your book?
The tornado scene was a fun one to see in my head as I wrote.

Has a character surprised you by doing something totally unexpected?
If so, can you tell us what or which character it was?
Yes, they really take on a life of their own in my head and sometimes it
just seems like I'm watching them and writing what I see. A character
named Natalie shows kindness to one of her enemies and that shows her good
heart even though it's often difficult to determine whose side she's on.

When you're not writing, what do you do to have fun?
Golf. Pool. Karaoke.

And I hear that people can register to win a free copy of The Last
Hybrid when it releases. Where can they do that and what other ways can
they keep up with you and this story?
Go to http://www.TheLastHybrid.com/email.php to register to win a FREE
copy, like us on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/LastHybrid and follow
us on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/TheLastHybrid. You can also follow
me on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/LeeWilsonTalks

About the Book
When Hannah dropped out of college after losing her scholarship she spent five years weaning herself of alpha males and alcohol, but when she decides to return to finish her degree she finds those things rolled into one in the intoxicating blue eyes of fellow student Daniel Keith.

What she soon learns is that her newfound addiction to Daniel's bad-boy edge impairs her judgment beyond any mixed drink a frat boy could have handed her. She should have left when he cut his arm with a car key to show her his white blood. Or when he had a run-in with a dark angel on one of their dates. But Hannah stays, entranced by this man who remains a mystery to her.

Is Daniel really a Nephilim, the son of an angel father and a human mother? And why does the small town of Spring Hill, Tennessee seem to summon his enemies? As romance lures Hannah further into a shadowy world most people never see, she realizes she's gotten herself in deeper than she knew possible. And this time there's no option of dropping out.