The Moon Stealers and the Quest for the Silver Bough By Tim Flanagan

               The Moon Stealers and the Quest for the Silver Bough
                                              By: Tim Flanagan 

Book Description (taken from goodreads.com) 

The first in a series of four books that complete the story of The Moon Stealers. In the small Yorkshire town of Parsley Bottom, Peter Crisp, a boy with an unusual gift of being able to see things that others cannot, goes missing after spending the night in a graveyard. Two of Peters school friends, attempt to find him but come across some mysterious engravings which propel them on an adventure beyond their imagination. By unravelling codes and riddles they journey within the bowels of Edinburgh Castle as they attempt to find the key to Peter’s disappearance. Meanwhile MI6 operative Steven Knight is sent from London to investigate a meteorite landing which contains a living and evolving alien bacteria within its core. The bacteria quickly evolves into a deadly threat. The children not only need to save Peter, they need to save the world while they’re at it.



My Opinion:


My Opinion of this book was that I found it very interesting. It was something I haven't read about like sci-fi aspect. Not my cup of tea but this was one of best books I read on that subject so far! A lot of adventures and some parts kept my guessing. Then there was points that was not gross but I dont know what the right word would be lol just gross we can stick to that for now. It seems to put some pressure on the main character sometimes to keep the story alive but that is the purpose of main characters in books. I found the descriptive words of each character very telling and the story itself "the plot" was great. I would think that this book is more aimed for teenagers/young adults. I think it will be a big hit with the boys due to the gross aspect parts of this book.
 All in all a very great read! I will read the next in this series and will look forward to reading the entire series! Great job to Tim Flanagan nice start to this series :)

Places where you can buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008EE2DZE/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-moon-stealers-and-the-quest-for-the-silver-bough-tim-flanagan/1111979170?ean=9781478136705

Stalker pages for author:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6445729.Tim_Flanagan


http://www.facebook.com/timflanaganauthor

Embrace (The Gryphon Series) by: Stacey Rourke

                                                     Embrace ( The Gryphon Series) by Stacey Rourke




Author's Bio:

Writing is something I have always done.  I can remember in elementary school creating stories that I would stand up and read aloud to my classmates…whether they liked it or not.   As I grew older I didn’t flaunt my writing as freely.  It became something I did just for me  to vent my teenage angst, or chronicle my journey to adulthood.  I never thought about becoming a writer because that title prompted the visual of a grey-haired man in a tweed smoking jacket with suede elbow patches, slaving over an old fashion typewriter while puffing away on a pipe.  No way was that stuffy kind of life for me.  (Plus tweed is itchy.)  Instead I wanted to be in the spotlight!  I wanted to be–pause for dramatic effect–an actress!  I gave it my best shot, too.  Got about as far as any aspiring actress can get in Flint, Michigan.  Which is exactly no where.  But I did get two great things out of my time delving into the theatrical world; I gained the ability to act out the scenes I write to make sure they’re believable (yes, I really do that and no, you can’t watch) and I met my amazing husband.

My theater ambitions behind me, I decided to do the “mature,” “grown up” thing and went back to college.  As I worked toward my Bachelor’s degree in marketing I did a lot of writing.   Essays, research papers, PowerPoint presentations.  All of it mandatory, none of it what I would ever call fun.  Even then, becoming a writer never entered my mind.  No, then I was going to be a business tycoon…or somethin’.

Truth be told, I never picked writing.  It picked me.  During my time as a stay at home mom I needed an outlet to give me a mental break from diapers, formula and midnight feedings.  That’s when my hands found their way back to the keyboard.  Story ideas began coming at such an incessant rate that my rapidly clicking fingers couldn’t keep up.  Post-It notes and scrapes of paper with story ideas decorated every inch of our house.  In mid-conversation with my husband I would dart off to jot down things that would come to me.  Sweet guy my hubby is, he would just shake his head at my obvious rudeness and hold my place in the conversation.

My first book was completed for an entire year before I told anyone about it.  I outed myself as an author and then sent out my first round of query letters to literary agents.  Surely, it would be picked up immediately and become an overnight success!  Yeah, not so much.  For two years I got rejection, after rejection, after rejection, after rejection…you get the idea.  Thankfully with the ever increasing pile of rejections came feedback.  I digested all the suggestions and applied the usable ones to my manuscript.  Little by little, the rough edges were chipped away and the diamond shone through.  The work paid off when I received an email from a publisher offering me a contract on The Conduit.

It’s been a long road, and it ain’t over yet.  But now, at thirty-mumble, mumble years old I finally know what I wanna be when I grow up–-a writer.




Book Description (taken from Goodreads):


Whether she likes it or not, eighteen year old Celeste Garrett has come to terms with being the Chosen One. She knew having a “normal life” would be tricky, between intense training sessions and epic demonic battles, but she didn’t know at what cost it would come. That is, until a dear friend is harmed by the malicious forces hunting her. 

Now, she’d like nothing more than to retreat into a hermit lifestyle to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. But startling revelations, amazing new abilities, and mortifying moments in front of insanely hot guys won’t allow time for that. Soon, Celeste finds herself surrounded by darkness and wondering who she can trust—if anyone.


My Opinion:

This second book in the Gryphon series was most certainly worth the wait! But now that I read this one I want the next book in this amazing series! There was so many great things about this book, I dont know where to start. Let's see there there was finding out what happens to Alec which what was bugging me the most about the first book LOL. Then you have Celeste and her great comebacks! She made me laugh every time she did that. You also have this new character Caleb, which was amazing hot and who had a secret of his own. All the twist and turns in this book sometimes had my head spinning and me going back and reading some parts to make sure that that is really what happened because it was mind blowing. The ONLY thing that I had a problem with this book well with this series is the cliff hangers!! They will drive you crazy!! Stacey did a cliff hanger at the end of the first book now there was one at the ending of this book. But knowing and loving Stacey's writing I am sure that she will make the 3rd book just as amazing!! Which I am anxiously awaiting til November when it comes out, thankfully it's not to far away.


Stars:


5 out of 5 stars






Embrace blog tour stops and dates are as follows
August 1st http://www.delphinareadstoomuch.com/ (Review)
August 2nd http://andisyoungadult.blogspot.com/ (Review)
August 3rd http://youngadultbookaddict.blogspot.com.au/ (Author interview)
August 4th http://paranormalbooks.blogspot.com/ (Character interview)
August 5th http://www.curiositykey.blogspot.com/  (Review)
August 6th http://addicted2bookreviews.blogspot.com/ (Review)
August 7th http://jennswiger.blogspot.com/   (Character interview)






Follow Stacey
http://www.facebook.com/staceyrourkeauthor
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5309409.Stacey_Rourke
https://twitter.com/Rourkewrites
http://www.staceyrourke.com/
http://www.diaryofasemi-crazyauthor.blogspot.com/

Buy Links for Embrace
http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-The-Gryphon-Series-ebook/dp/B0080GLL5Y/ref=as_li_tf_mfw?&linkCode=wey&tag=phenoparanrev-20

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embrace-gryphon-series-book-2-stacey-rourke/1112134874?ean=2940044697713

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/170451








a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Conduit by Stacey Rourke

                                                                  The Conduit
                                                                     By: Stacey Rourke

Book Blurb (taken from amazon):

All 18-year-old Celeste Garrett wants is to head off to college and make those fun, yet ill-advised, choices college kids are known for. And maybe to spend some time with the hot cameraman she just met. Instead, because of a pact her ancestors made in the 17th century with a mythical creature, she has to save the world.

While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon. She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop. Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.

Okay, little side note here. If a psychopathic killer asks if you want to see a trick, say no. That’s the smart thing to do. I, on the other hand, responded, “Bring it.”
-excerpt from THE CONDUIT




My Opinion:


I thought at first this book was really slow, I couldn't get into it but once I got into it I couldn't put it down. All throughout the book there was humor which I love in a book and there was also parts in it with family and then you have demons! That makes up for the slow start, some people disagree with me about the slow start but I need my books to start off right in the beginning with action.  There was also some hope for love in some parts you saw the potential for love.  As the book continued I got more and more into it.  This author includes so many different things that her writing was perfect for this kind of story, which is a compliment I promise.  The next book of hers will be great!




Stars:
 5 out of 5 stars




Where to buy the book:


 http://www.amazon.com/Conduit-Gryphon-1-Stacey-Rourke/dp/0985266325/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344197202&sr=1-1&keywords=the+conduit

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-conduit-stacey-rourke/1107395872?ean=2940044687929

Stalker pages:

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5309409.Stacey_Rourke

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/staceyrourkeauthor

40 Signed paperback books and $50 up for grabs from Evolved Publishing!

There is a great giveaway happening on this page! Something I think you should check out :) Lots of great books that are being given away!


http://kimberlykinrade.com/2012/08/40-signed-paperback-books-and-50-up-for-grabs-from-evolved-publishing/

Free Ebooks alert!!!

All the books I am about to post below are free and I wanted to make sure everyone got them :)

http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Blood-Born-Immortal-ebook/dp/B008E4BMUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343858789&sr=8-1&keywords=midnight+blood

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ETB85G/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

http://www.amazon.com/The-Vampire-Hunters-Daughter-ebook/dp/B005GSS26K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1343859472&sr=1-1&keywords=the+vampire+hunters+daughter

Shadow Eyes by Dusty Crabtree

Shadow Eyes by Dusty Crabtree 

                                          Publication Date: February 2, 2012

Book Description (taken from amazon.com):

Iris Kohl lives in a world populated by murky shadows that surround, harass, and entice unsuspecting individuals toward evil. But she is the only one who can see them. She’s had this ability to see the shadows, as well as brilliantly glowing light figures, ever since an obscure, tragic incident on her fourteenth birthday three years earlier. 

Although she’s learned to cope, the view of her world begins to shift upon the arrival of three mysterious characters. First, a handsome new teacher whose presence scares away shadows; second, a new friend with an awe-inspiring aura; and third, a mysterious and alluring new student whom Iris has a hard time resisting despite already having a boyfriend.

As the shadows invade and terrorize her own life and family, she must ultimately revisit the most horrific event of her life in order to learn her true identity and become the hero she was meant to be.




My Opinion:

    This book had so many emotions in it and it took me for a roller coaster ride even with me being pregnant I still believe I would have cried and laughed as much as if I wasn't pregnant. Iris Kohl has to grow up so fast at such a young age of 14. There was such a horrible tragic event that happened on her birthday, that when it comes to her mother and sister aren't sure if they should mention to Iris on her birthday happy birthday. This book also reminded me of high school, you have a hot new teacher, 2 best friends that you can spend all day together but they don't know your deepest darkest secret, a new student you aren't sure about and a boy you like. 


 Dusty Crabtree has an amazing talent when it comes to writing. I hope to read more of her work soon. She goes into details of each character, doesn't have any boring or anything like that in her book. She also makes you relate to her writing on a personal level like I did in high school. Thank you to Dusty Crabtree for giving me this chance to read her work and I apologize for me taking to long to get this review up. I above everyone else is kicking myself for taking so logn to read this because I love it!


Stars:
5 out of 5 stars


Where to buy the book: 


http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Eyes-ebook/dp/B0074VOH16/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadow-eyes-dusty-crabtree/1107226298?ean=2940014754057

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/129501

Goodreads page:


http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15733491-shadow-eyes

It Takes a Witch (A Wishcraft Mystery #1) by Heather Blake

It Takes a Witch (A Wishcraft Mystery #1)

by Heather Blake

                                                                               Review

I couldnt even finish this book thats how much I didn't like it. Some of the parts that I got to were like " really your talking about your arm while you are running" who cares! Boring! I wouldnt even donate this book I would burn it!

I'm sorry to this author but, I really didn't like your book. 

                                                                         Rating     

                                                                      0 out of 5 stars 

If you would like to check out this book here is the buying link:

http://www.amazon.com/Takes-Witch-Wishcraft-Mystery/dp/0451235525/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343160185&sr=1-1&keywords=It+takes+a+witch