Author: jilljemmett
Jill lives in Toronto, Canada. She has studied English, Creative Writing, and Publishing. Jill is the creator and content producer of Jill’s Book Blog, where she has published a blog post every day for the last four years, including 5-7 book reviews a week. She can usually be found with her nose in a book.
Release Day Celebration: Submerge
Welcome to the Release Day Celebration for
Submerge (Mer Chronicles #2)
by Tobie Easton
presented by Month9Books!
Mermaid fans, this one’s for you!
Grab your copy today!
Happy Book Birthday, Tobie!
Now that Lia and Clay’s love has broken the Little Mermaid’s curse, everything has changed. Will Lia’s family remain on land, leading the only life she and her sisters have ever known, or will they move below the waves, to the sparkling new capital city? Lia is adamant about staying on land with Clay for her senior year. But at Melusine and her father’s trial, new revelations threaten what Lia holds most dear.
The verdict will shake Lia’s whole world, calling into question her future with Clay, her feelings for Caspian, and the fate of all Merkind. As she wonders who to trust, Lia sets out on a treacherous path that will lead her away from her sheltered Malibu home to a remote and mysterious school for Mermaids—Mermaids who may hold the secret to ancient magic Lia can use to either get back all she’s lost or to embark on a thrilling and dangerous journey.
Submerge (Mer Chronicles #2)
by Tobie Easton
Publication Date: September 12, 2017
Publisher: Month9Books
Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Tobie Easton was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she’s grown from a little girl who dreamed about magic to a twenty-something who writes about it. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern California, Tobie hosts book clubs for tweens and teens. She and her very kissable husband enjoy traveling the globe and fostering packs of rescue puppies. Learn more about Tobie and her upcoming books on www.TobieEaston.com.
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Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
Review: Shadow and Bone
Title: Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Source: Purchased
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.
Review:
Well this book was well worth the hype!
It follows the typical YA fantasy storyline of a girl from poor circumstances who suddenly discovers she has powers. But this story was much more special than most.
I loved Leigh Bardugo’s writing style. It sounded so natural and was paced really well. It was so easy to read!
Alina was a powerful character, not only with her summoning powers, but also mentally. She stood up for herself when she needed to. She was also clever in wanting to blend in with the other summoners when she first arrived, rather than being put on a pedestal above them.
I was really surprised at the ending. I didn’t want it to end but I was satisfied with what happened. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I recommend this book for YA readers! You may think it’s like the other popular fantasy series, but it’s amazing in its own way!
TBR Thursday #3
TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.
My pick this week is Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer.
I absolutely loved The Lunar Chronicles. I was only holding off on buying this one because it never seemed to go on sale. But I finally bought it this week! The next book in the series is coming out this fall. I’m super excited to finally read this one!
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
Cover Reveal: HAVEN
Today Mary Lindsey and Rockstar Book
Tours are revealing the cover and an exclusive excerpt for HAVEN, which
releases November 7, 2017! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to win an ARC!
Tours are revealing the cover and an exclusive excerpt for HAVEN, which
releases November 7, 2017! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to win an ARC!
On to the reveal!
Title: HAVEN
Author: Mary Lindsey
Pub. Date: November 7, 2017
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Formats: Hardcover,
eBook
eBook
Pages: 400
Find it: Amazon, B&N, TBD, iBooks, Kobo, Google
Play Books, Indiebound, Goodreads
Play Books, Indiebound, Goodreads
Sometimes beauty is the beast…
“We all hold a beast inside. The only
difference is what form it takes when freed.”
difference is what form it takes when freed.”
Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere.
He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating
size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in,
and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike
Burkhart.
He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating
size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in,
and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike
Burkhart.
Freddie isn’t like normal teen girls,
though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far
away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from
trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth
living for. Worth dying for.
though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far
away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from
trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth
living for. Worth dying for.
Early Praise:
“Dangerous, dark and a definite
page turner. Mary Lindsey rocks this book.”
page turner. Mary Lindsey rocks this book.”
– New York Times bestselling author C.C. Hunter
“A smoking hot hero and spine-chilling
mystery = total win.”
mystery = total win.”
– #1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer
L. Armentrout
L. Armentrout
“This electrifying tale will take
you on an unexpected journey into a secret world of witchcraft and shape
shifters. Romance, adventure, and magic! Lindsey leaves you breathless and
wanting more.”
you on an unexpected journey into a secret world of witchcraft and shape
shifters. Romance, adventure, and magic! Lindsey leaves you breathless and
wanting more.”
– Adriana Mather, #1 New York Times bestselling
author of How to Hang a Witch
author of How to Hang a Witch
“This is not your mama’s
paranormal! Sexy, dark and intense. Unputdownable!”
paranormal! Sexy, dark and intense. Unputdownable!”
– Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling
author of Firelight
author of Firelight
“Lindsey writes a hero with fire
and gasoline. Then she lights a match with break-neck pacing, and scorches a
path to readers’ hearts. Don’t blink for a moment.”
and gasoline. Then she lights a match with break-neck pacing, and scorches a
path to readers’ hearts. Don’t blink for a moment.”
– Victoria Scott, bestselling author of Fire
& Flood
& Flood
“Gripping and gritty, HAVEN had me
glued to the pages from beginning to end! Rain is the best kind of hero —
tough, sexy, sweet, loyal. He charges through this action-packed tale that had
me tearing up more than once, and I was
perfectly happy to follow!”
glued to the pages from beginning to end! Rain is the best kind of hero —
tough, sexy, sweet, loyal. He charges through this action-packed tale that had
me tearing up more than once, and I was
perfectly happy to follow!”
– Pintip Dunn, New York Times bestselling author
of Forget Tomorrow.
of Forget Tomorrow.
“An utterly gritty and satisfying
resurrection of the monster genre.Rain is an intense narrator and you won’t
know whether to scream or swoon. Haven is an instant classic!”
resurrection of the monster genre.Rain is an intense narrator and you won’t
know whether to scream or swoon. Haven is an instant classic!”
– Courtney Moulton, author of Angelfire
“Darkly compelling and deliciously
chilling, Haven hooks you from the first line and never lets up. Gritty,
spine-tingling, and full of nail-biting tension.”
chilling, Haven hooks you from the first line and never lets up. Gritty,
spine-tingling, and full of nail-biting tension.”
– Amalie Howard, bestselling author of
Bloodspell
Bloodspell
“Dark, different, sexy, and
edge-of-your-seat intense.”
edge-of-your-seat intense.”
– Shawna Stringer, bookseller
Exclusive Excerpt!
When Rain turned back to Freddie, he bit
down a gasp of surprise. She’d stripped off her shirt and tipped her face to
the moon, eyes closed, like one would do to the sun at the beach. And here he’d
thought the landscape was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
down a gasp of surprise. She’d stripped off her shirt and tipped her face to
the moon, eyes closed, like one would do to the sun at the beach. And here he’d
thought the landscape was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
The air was still. Eerily still, and her
smooth skin appeared to glow from inside in the moonlight—her black lace bra
sheer enough to make him a little dizzy.
smooth skin appeared to glow from inside in the moonlight—her black lace bra
sheer enough to make him a little dizzy.
Without opening her eyes, she said,
“Take off your shirt.”
“Take off your shirt.”
No way in hell was he going to argue
with that. He yanked off his shirt, clutching it in his fist, waiting for his
next instruction.
with that. He yanked off his shirt, clutching it in his fist, waiting for his
next instruction.
He forgot how to breathe when she opened
her pale eyes and moved toward him. Her gaze wasn’t focused on his face,
though. It was on his chest. Stopping in front of him, she traced her fingers
over the ink.
her pale eyes and moved toward him. Her gaze wasn’t focused on his face,
though. It was on his chest. Stopping in front of him, she traced her fingers
over the ink.
“Raindrops?” she asked, finger outlining
one of the shapes.
one of the shapes.
“Tears,” he replied, again light-headed
as she ran her fingertips over his pec.
as she ran her fingertips over his pec.
“For your mom?”
“No. For all of us.”
She stepped back and, for a long time,
stared at the tattoo comprised of dozens of drops in a random pattern over his
chest, spilling down his ribs.
stared at the tattoo comprised of dozens of drops in a random pattern over his
chest, spilling down his ribs.
She traced a scar on his side with the
tip of her finger. One of many marring his body from fights. “Your life has
been sad.”
tip of her finger. One of many marring his body from fights. “Your life has
been sad.”
And so had hers recently. Maybe that was
why he felt so connected to her. Their shared grief, their shared stand against
a harsh, unfeeling, screwed-up world. Their shared solitude.
why he felt so connected to her. Their shared grief, their shared stand against
a harsh, unfeeling, screwed-up world. Their shared solitude.
She turned back to the moon and raised
her arms. “Do you feel it?”
her arms. “Do you feel it?”
Well, that was a wide-open question. He
was feeling lots of things.
was feeling lots of things.
“The moon,” she said. “It’s like aloe
when you’re sunburned. Try it.”
when you’re sunburned. Try it.”
He imitated her posture, head back, arms
out, but felt nothing other than the throbbing hardness he always felt around
her.
out, but felt nothing other than the throbbing hardness he always felt around
her.
“So, what do you think about that legend
your aunt told you?” she asked.
your aunt told you?” she asked.
He opened his eyes to find her studying
him. “That the rock can turn men into beasts?” His mind raced, wondering what
would prompt that question and what answer she was looking for. Men were
beasts. Horrible monsters at times. He’d seen it firsthand. “I believe we all
hide a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed.”
him. “That the rock can turn men into beasts?” His mind raced, wondering what
would prompt that question and what answer she was looking for. Men were
beasts. Horrible monsters at times. He’d seen it firsthand. “I believe we all
hide a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed.”
There it was again. That strange warm
pull in his chest while she studied him. Like she totally got him—something no
one else had ever bothered to do. He’d never been understood or accepted.
People saw his size and found out his background and immediately wrote him off
as dangerous or not worth the trouble. Not Freddie.
pull in his chest while she studied him. Like she totally got him—something no
one else had ever bothered to do. He’d never been understood or accepted.
People saw his size and found out his background and immediately wrote him off
as dangerous or not worth the trouble. Not Freddie.
She obviously found his answer
acceptable, because she wound her fingers in his hair and hauled him against
her for another kiss. Raw, open-mouthed, and hungry. He’d never met anyone like
this, who made him burn so hot he thought he might die from need. Recovering
from surprise, he placed his hands on either side of her bare rib cage, feeling
her body expand and contract with each quick breath. Bones and hard muscle
working beneath smooth, soft skin. Skin he wanted to touch all over.
acceptable, because she wound her fingers in his hair and hauled him against
her for another kiss. Raw, open-mouthed, and hungry. He’d never met anyone like
this, who made him burn so hot he thought he might die from need. Recovering
from surprise, he placed his hands on either side of her bare rib cage, feeling
her body expand and contract with each quick breath. Bones and hard muscle
working beneath smooth, soft skin. Skin he wanted to touch all over.
“I like you, Rain Ryland,” she said,
dragging her nails down his back.
dragging her nails down his back.
“Like” didn’t even come close. He was on
fire for her. Had thought of her night and day since he first saw those eerily
pale eyes and badass attitude. She was smart, strong, and terribly, terribly
dangerous, which turned him on like crazy. “I like you, too.”
fire for her. Had thought of her night and day since he first saw those eerily
pale eyes and badass attitude. She was smart, strong, and terribly, terribly
dangerous, which turned him on like crazy. “I like you, too.”
“How much?”
Something was going on here. Something
other than foreplay. “More than I’ve ever liked anyone.” Which was true and
unexpected. This was more than physical, which was a terrifying thought for
him. Maybe this time he could stay. Maybe this time he’d actually found a home
and wouldn’t have to leave everything behind.
other than foreplay. “More than I’ve ever liked anyone.” Which was true and
unexpected. This was more than physical, which was a terrifying thought for
him. Maybe this time he could stay. Maybe this time he’d actually found a home
and wouldn’t have to leave everything behind.
He kissed her again, not wanting to
think about legends, or leaving, or anything else for that matter. He wanted to
just live in this moment as long as it lasted. Running his hands lower, his
thumb brushed the unmistakable shape of a condom in her back pocket. He froze,
and she smiled against his lips.
think about legends, or leaving, or anything else for that matter. He wanted to
just live in this moment as long as it lasted. Running his hands lower, his
thumb brushed the unmistakable shape of a condom in her back pocket. He froze,
and she smiled against his lips.
“You scared, Sprinkles?”
“Yes.”
“Of me?” It was like she wanted him to
fear her.
fear her.
“No.” He pulled back, amazed at how her
eyes reflected the moon like clear glass. “Of this.” He gestured to the space
he’d put between them. “Of whatever this is.” The intensity of it. The urgency.
And worse, much worse—the potential loss of it. He’d never feared losing
something before because he’d never had anything worth keeping. This girl,
though. She was different. And he wanted her.
eyes reflected the moon like clear glass. “Of this.” He gestured to the space
he’d put between them. “Of whatever this is.” The intensity of it. The urgency.
And worse, much worse—the potential loss of it. He’d never feared losing
something before because he’d never had anything worth keeping. This girl,
though. She was different. And he wanted her.
About Mary:
Mary Lindsey is a multi award-winning,
RITA® nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on an island
in the middle of a river. Seriously, she does. When not writing, she wrangles
her rowdy pack of three teens, two Cairn Terriers, and one husband.
RITA® nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on an island
in the middle of a river. Seriously, she does. When not writing, she wrangles
her rowdy pack of three teens, two Cairn Terriers, and one husband.
Inexplicably, her favorite animal is the
giant anteater and at one point, she had over 200 “pet” Madagascar
Hissing Cockroaches. The roaches are a long story involving three
science-crazed kids and a soft spot for rescue animals. The good news is, the
“pet” roaches found a home… somewhere else.
giant anteater and at one point, she had over 200 “pet” Madagascar
Hissing Cockroaches. The roaches are a long story involving three
science-crazed kids and a soft spot for rescue animals. The good news is, the
“pet” roaches found a home… somewhere else.
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Giveaway Details:
5 winners will receive an ARC of HAVEN,
US Only.
US Only.
‘Waiting on’ Wednesday #3
This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.
The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is Harley Quinn, Volume 3: Red Meat.
I just finished Volume 2 in the Harley Quinn rebirth series and I loved it. She’s quickly becoming my favourite superhero.
What books are you waiting on this week?
Review: Hotel Transylvania Graphic Novel Vol. 1: “Kakieland Katastrophe”
Title: Hotel Transylvania Graphic Novel Vol. 1: “Kakieland Katastrophe”
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Genre: Children’s, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Papercutz
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: September 12, 2017
Rating: ★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
In this all-new excerpt from the graphic novel based on the hit Sony Picture Animation movie series, Drac, Mavis, and the Drac Pack are back! The hotel faces a PR nightmare when nearby Kakieland theme park owner, Stephen Cling, visits Hotel Transylvania with a devious mission to reunite the monsters with their monstrous reputation by catching Drac in the act. Will Drac be caught behaving badly? Sink your teeth into this adventure!
Review:
This summer I watched Hotel Transylvania with my cousin for the first time. There was a short animation from it that played in the theatre before The Emoji Movie (which I also loved despite all the negative reviews) so I wanted to watch the full movie when we got home. I really liked it. When I saw that there was a graphic novel available on NetGalley, I had to have it!
This is a great graphic novel for kids. It had a lot of slapstick comedy which kids love. The characters stayed true to the movie, with similar humour, such as Drac getting words mixed up.
I also liked the way that the battle between monsters and humans was portrayed. It takes on a racial discrimination quality. This happens when Drac’s grandson has to wonder if he should hate himself because he is half-monster, and the humans are supposed to hate monsters.
I kind of wondered if the villain, Stephen Cling, is named after another famous writer. His name sounds suspiciously like my favourite horror author…
I really enjoyed this book. Kids who love Hotel Transylvania should definitely read it!
Indigo Event: Becky Albertalli, Angie Thomas, and Julie Murphy
Monday night I went to an Indigo event at Yorkdale in Toronto featuring Becky Albertalli, Angie Thomas, and Julie Murphy. This is the first time I’ve gone to a signing with three authors. It was longer than most author events but it was so amazing!
The stories they told about their books were so fascinating. They described their characters and their inspiration. Some of Angie’s stories gave me goosebumps, they were so good!
This was a fabulous event! I’m so glad I went. I’ll be reading and reviewing these books in the coming weeks!
Blog Tour: Joined
Title: Joined
Author: Mara Gan
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Source: YA Bound Book Tours
Release Date: September 12, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Duty and prophecy get in the way of everything.
All I ever wanted todo was read my books, play my sports, and help people. Life and prophecy had other things in mind. Helping people is what I do; asan empath and semi-frequent telepath, I can easily sense and understand people’s needs and emotions. Sometimes even before they do. Being able to read everyone’s thoughts and feelings all the time can drive me crazy with anxiety, but that moment when I can finally make someone’s life better makes everything worth it. Unfortunately, I’m also the next in line to rule the galaxy, I’m the only diplomat most planets will listen to, assassins try to kill meonan annoyingly regular basis, and a much-vaunted Prophecy has decreed that I’m going to die. Oh, and someone blew up my home planet. Kind of a lot to deal with, right? Too bad I just got another problem: a big, irritating, overbearing bodyguard with serious anger management issues.
And I think I’m falling for him.
Review:
This is an awesome story!
It reminded me of popular YA fantasy stories, such as Throne of Glass. However, this story has a princess who gets a protector.
Though this is a stereotypical story (of the princess being saved), Meda is very rebellious. She is a multidimensional character: she has flaws. But I really liked her.
The story was fast-paced. Some parts were repetitive because Meda kept acting up in the same way, which was frustrating. But the action moved quickly, so I was never stuck in one place too long.
I really liked this story and recommend it for YA fantasy readers.
About the Author:
A Pacific Northwesterner by birth and disposition, Mara has lived in Washington DC, Oregon, Japan, and most recently the beautiful Pacific Grove, California, before returning to her roots in Seattle. By day she teaches history to unsuspecting teenagers, and by night she writes books and travels to far-flung places. She loves to be with animals, read, play sports, and drink more London Fogs than is likely good for her.
Connect with Mara on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maraganbooks
Giveaway:
Book Tour Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours
Thank you to YA Bound Book Tours for letting me participate in this blog tour.
Top Ten Tuesday – Favourite Childhood Books
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s theme is a throwback freebie. I have chosen to do my favourite books from when I was a kid (10 and under). Each of these books or series can be credited for encouraging my love of reading.
Here’s my list:
Berenstain Bears
Little Critter
Harry Potter
Mole and Shrew
Golden Books
Magic Tree House
Baby Sitters Club Little Sister
Junie B. Jones
Animal Ark
Dolphin Diaries
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them?
(All images taken from Goodreads)
Jill's Book Blog 
