#MMBlogTour and contest

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“Which Spellbound Character Would YOU Most Likely Be?”


This giveaway is open internationally! So let’s tell the blogging world!

Hi everyone, I’m Sherry Soule—waving from Castro Valley, California, where it gets foggy even during the summer months. But even with the fog burning off by afternoon, I’m relaxing on the sofa and blabbering on Twitter about my life-long obsession with books.

It’s a real honor to be a guest today as part of my epic tour this summer and meet all these awesome booklovers.

To celebrate the release of author, Sherry Soule’s newest paranormal novel, MOONLIGHT MAYHEM, the second book in the epic Spellbound Series, take this super fun quiz to see which character in the Spellbound universe you’d mostly be similar to, and score a Kindle or Nook version of the first book in this unforgettable YA series, Beautifully Broken!

1. What’s your favorite season?
a) Winter - Cloudy, Chilly, Rainy, Stormy

b) Fall - Windy, Misty, Foggy, Mild

c) Summer - Hot, Dry, No Wind, Sunny

d) Spring – Warm, Breezy, Greenery, Brisk



2. I detest using labels, but what would others call you at school?

a) Normal or Jock/ Cheerleader

b) Preppy/ Student Counsel

c) Amateur Fashionista

d) Girlish tomboy



3. Which of the following best describes your personality?
a) Snobbish, Eccentric, Perky

b) Haughty, Moody, Smart

c) Tough, Snarky, Weird

d) Playful, Vivacious, Straightforward



4. Which genre do you read most often?
a) Urban Fantasy

b) Horror / Dark YA

c) Paranormal Romance

d) Dystopia



5. You are at school and witness a student bullying someone. What do you do?
a) Run in the opposite direction before they pick on you

b) Laugh and join in on the fun

c) Stop and tell the bully to knock it off or else!

d) Go tell a teacher what’s going on



6. What’s your hairstyle?
a) Short and sassy

b) Long and straight

c) Medium with highlights

d) Curly or wavy



7. What’s your typical breakfast?

a) Eggs and bacon

b) Oatmeal and orange juice

c) Coffee and a Pop tart

d) Heaping bowl of my fav cereal



8. What type of pet would you like to have or do you own?

a) Hamster

b) Small Dog

c) Shade

d) Cat



9. How often do you shop or hit the mall?

a) Only on sale days

b) Once or twice a month

c) Every week—duh

d) Hardly ever



If you answered...



Mostly a's: You and Kayla are a lot alike! You both love a good sale, and you’re energetic and sassy.

Mostly b's: Ashley and you could be sisters. You each enjoy autumn days, hanging at the mall, abut you can be a tad moody.

Mostly c's: Shiloh and you could be besties! You both love to shop for the newest trends, enjoy reading paranormal romance novels, and you even have a snarky-side.

Mostly d's: Sounds like you and Ariana have a lot in common. You each love to read YA books, adore cats, and can often be straightforward, but super fun.

Must Monday

Must Monday is a feature where I talk spotlight a book I want to read that has not been released yet.

Forget Me Not

Carolee Dean

Simon Pulse

10/2/2012

Synopsis:

    Ally is devastated when a scandalous photo of her is texted around school. With her reputation in shambles and her life essentially over, she hides out in a back hallway, trying to figure out where everything went wrong.

    Elijah has spent time in that hallway too. He landed there after taking a whole bottle of sleeping pills. Now he can see ghosts, and he knows what Ally has yet to suspect—that she’s already half dead, and one choice away from never coming back. Elijah has loved Ally for years and would do anything to save her from the in-between place. But if she’s going to live, Ally must face her inner demons and find the will to save herself.

Why I want to read it:

    This sounds dark but so good. It is written in verse, which is usually very enjoyable.

Can I Get An Amen?

                                            

Title: Can I Get An Amen?  
Author: Sarah Healy           
Publisher: Penguin             
Release: 6/5/2012              
Source: Publisher               

Grade: B                         
Audience: Adult               




Synopsis:
    Growing up, Ellen Carlisle was a Christian: she went to Jesus camp, downed stale Nilla wafers at Sunday school, and never, ever played with Ouija boards. Now, years later, when infertility prevents her from giving her ambitious attorney husband a family, she finds herself on the brink of divorce, unemployed, and living with her right-wing, Born Again Christian parents in her suburban New Jersey hometown. There the schools are private, the past is public, and blessings come in lump sums.

    Then Ellen meets a man to whom she believes she can open her heart, and she begins to think that maybe it’s true what they say, that everything happens for a reason… Until all that was going well starts going very badly, and Ellen is finally forced to dig down deep to find her own brand of faith.


My thoughts:
    I have been trying to make a dent in my adult review pile, which is why you have seen so many adult reviews lately. I will admit I am getting a bit burnt out on adult books, even before I started reading this one so it is probably time I take a nice break with some more YA.

    This sounded like a book I could connect with. I was pretty excited to review it. Ellen had a childhood similar to mine. I grew up going to church camp and Sunday school. I never had a desire to mess with a Ouija board but I was banned from playing "fib finder". As I grew up I had to find my own faith, as did Ellen. That being said I had every reason to believe I would find a connection. I did not though. That is the only reason I would bring my grade from an "A" to a "B" for this book. There was just something about her that bugged me. 

    The plot was interesting and it moved at a good pace. There was a wonderful mix of hurt and love within the story. I honestly felt every emotion imaginable while reading this book. For that I applaud the author. It takes talent to do that successfully.

    I recommend this book to my adult readers who can look past Ellen and want a story full of mixed emotions. It is not "too religious" so do not let that be what keeps you away.

Life Without Parole

                                                                                              

Title: Life Without Parole      

 Author: Clare O'Donohue     

 Publisher: Penguin             

 Release date: 4/24/2012     

 Source: Publisher                

Grade: A                          

Audience: Adults              

Synopsis:
    After the death of her ex-husband, things are finally returning to normal for Kate Conway—so normal that she’s gotten a little bored. Out of the blue, the television producer is offered a documentary gig about lifers in a state prison. Kate jumps at the chance. The only problem is that she’s also just been asked to produce a reality show about the opening of a new restaurant—one backed by Vera, her dead husband’s mistress. Reluctantly, she agrees to both.

    But when one of the restaurant’s investors is murdered and Vera is the chief suspect, Kate must ride a treacherous psychological edge, relying on the minds of death row killers to help her solve the case.


My Thoughts:
    This sounded like a pretty good book from the moment I began reading an email from the publisher. The mix of murder, mystery and true TV was too good to pass up. When I started reading it I was excited. It was written in a quirky tone that made it a fun read. Kate's voice was that of any of your best friends. That was what drew me in deeper.

    The plot thickened quickly and kept me reading. The pace was one of the best I have seen in an adult book in quite some times. I did not feel talked down to like I often do when reading adult. I was not bored with too many unimportant details. The storyline moved rapidly, yet not so fast that stones were left unturned.

    I truly feel that Kate's voice is what made the story. It is probably the reason I am sitting here and recommending that all my adult readers give this book a try. Even as the mystery developed Kate was still there like your friend that just keeps talking and talking. I just can't see this story without her tone. What a great book.

Who Am I?

Since so many new people have joined in on the fun here lately I figured it was time to tell you a little bit about who I am outside of blogging.

   I'm Ashley, as you know. I am in my second year of pre-nursing and about to be a certified dialysis tech. Yes, I play with blood for a living. I have always know I would end up in the medical world. I originally planned to be an OB/GYN but I really like SOME free time so I changed my mind. I am now working on becoming a Labor and Delivery nurse.

    On my way to the medical field I have done a little bit of everything. I got my first job at a Library back in High School. That is where I met my husband. After that I was a nanny and worked at a well known children's store. I actually still work at the children's store because I love the people I work with so much. I can't leave them no matter how hard I try.

    I got married this past March and so I am busy becoming a wife. I am a crockpot addict and my husband loves seeing what I can make. He says I am the best cook ever, I think he just wants to get out of doing the dishes.

    I live in Oregon. I do not really like it here and someday soon we plan to move. We have not decided between Texas and Georgia yet.

   I love to read (duh!) and my favorites are YA. I like adult books but sometimes I feel belittled by them. Adult authors tend to dumb things down or take 2 pages to describe a tree. I like my books to move at a good pace because I have so many other books to read. I have been reviewing for almost 5 years. I started out reviewing for a company and branched out on my own. I took a large time period off to reestablish my love for reading and basically had to start from the ground up again. I love it though, so it was no big deal. My biggest blogging pet peeve is the people that start for free books and feel entitled. 5 years later I still feel thankful for every book I get.

   If you have any questions or comments for me please contact me! I love to interact with authors and other readers.

Wednesday Wishlist

Wednesday Wishlist is a feature I started 5 years ago when I became a reviewer. I started it on my old blog and carried it over to here. I post about a book that is already out (and some times has been for years). I like to show love to some older books.

Angel's Choice

Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Simon Pulse

12/26/2006

Synopsis:

    All I remember is the sensation of things slipping away from me....

    In one night Angel Hansen's life changes forever: She has sex for the first time. Not that she remembers the act itself — not the pain or the pleasure. But she is left with something that will never let her forget it: an unplanned pregnancy. Angel must make a choice. Abortion? Adoption? Keep it? None of these choices are easy and none of them are perfect. But there is one thing Angel is sure of. Whatever choice she makes, it must be the right one for her. Braced with that knowledge, Angel faces the toughest decision of her life.

Why I want to read it:

    Teen pregnancy is a subject that always has interested me. The psychology behind the choices the teens make and how they handle the emotions is a biggie. This sounds like a good one.

400 Follower Contest

This contest is to celebrate my followers. As long as I reach 400 followers by the time this contest ends I will give one of the following books away. I will be purchasing them and sending it to you through amazon. Since I am a broke college kid and newlywed I can only send to US addresses.

400 followers= 1 Prize
420 followers= 2 Prizes
450 followers= 3 prizes
500 followers= 4 prizes

You may choose from the following:
-Wicked Jealous by Robin Palmer
-Never Enough by Denise Jaden
-Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley
-Ferocity Summer by Alissa Grosso
-What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen
-Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala
-Truth by Julia Karr
-In Too Deep by Amanda Grace


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Must Monday

Must Monday is a feature where I mention a book that is not out yet. This is a book that I am anxiously awaiting the chance to read.

If I Lie

Corrine Jackson

Simon Pulse

8/28/2012

Synopsis:

    Cheater. Traitor. Slut.

    Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Shunned by everyone she knows, Quinn loses her friends, her reputation, and her identity. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s a Marine who’s serving overseas, and beloved by everyone in their small, military town.

    But Quinn didn’t cheat. She could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. So she stays silent, and waits for Carey to come home.
    Then Carey goes MIA, and Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.

Why I want to read it?

    This sounds like a good story about how one choice can change your life and how keep secrets can hurt.