IT'S COMING!!

TERA LYNN CHILDS

SWEET SHADOWS

9/4/12

THE STORY

Gretchen may have known she was a descendant of Medusa long before her sisters—after all, she’s spent her life fighting the monsters that escape the abyss—but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to teach the other girls the ropes. Can she rely on Grace and Greer, or even trust herself to keep them safe?

Greer has pressing social commitments on her plate and precious little time to train in her newfound powers. But that wretched second sight won’t leave her alone, and her fabled heritage seems to be creeping into her fashionable life.

Grace has worries closer to home—like why her brother, Thane, has disappeared. He’s hiding something. Could it possibly be related to the secret heritage the triplets share?

With the warring factions among the gods of Olympus coming for them, the creatures of the abyss pushing into their world, and the boys in their lives hiding secrets at every turn, the three girls must figure out where their fate will take them and how to embrace the shadows of their legacy.

REMEMBER THE DATE

9/4/12

PRE ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!

amazon

Barnes&Noble

received from author for honest review

(received on Aug 28th- reviewed on Aug 29th- that should indicate how much I liked this book)

about the book:

Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.

But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?

Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.

Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.

Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.

And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.

MY REVIEW:

It's been quite a while since I've stayed up half the night to finish a book.  I did that tonight.  

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back is a fun roller coaster ride. 

I wanted to hate Ella, I really did.  I mean, who likes perfect people?  Only other perfect people, right?  Well, Ella may be the perfect stepsister, but Mattie is a hoot.  I loved her from the first page.  Both sisters (stepsisters) have their good and bad points.  Ella is petite, blonde, popular and has the schools #1 hot guy as a boyfriend.  Mattie is tall, artistic, and willing to fight for a cause.  Mattie is jealous of Ella, who wouldn't be?  Well, things aren't as they appear.  Each is jealous of the other.   The two learn to work together to achieve a goal. We do get our fair share of antagonistic characters.  Mercedes Bentley....what do you think a girl named after two expensive cars would be like?  If you said a witch with a capital "B", you are correct.  We all knew someone like Mercedes in school.  Mercedes' boyfriend Scott is no prize either.  Both characters are easy to dislike.  That brings us to Trent and Jake.  Trent is a friend of Mattie's.  A nice guy who lives in the periphery, easy going, stays out of the limelight.  Jake, however, is the star jock of the school.  The best looking guy, loved by all.  He's Ella's boyfriend and the secret love of Mattie.   

This book has such amazing character development.  We see the characters do a complete 360 during the course of the story.  Characters you love from the beginning, or characters who grow on you.  And yes, I wanted to hate Ella...Couldn't do it.  She really is a great stepsister.  

There is a lot of tenderness throughout this book.  Some strange relationships.  The one I found most puzzling is Mattie with her mom...interesting but puzzling.  Dad, aka Henry VIIIth, more than makes up for an emotionally bankrupt mother.  We see warm, gentle relationships form.  

Overall, I loved this book.  I would recommend it to anyone who would like a quick, fun read.  

Sariah Wilson, you've done a fabulous job with this book.  Please, please...I want to read more.  What happens to Mattie, Ella, Jake and Trent?  I'm even interested in finding out what happens to Scott and Mercedes.   (hint...I'd like to see them knocked down a few pegs).  Looking forward to another book.

received from author for honest review

about the book (Goodreads)

Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England ... but she doesn't know it yet.

Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's high school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can't stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she get him out of her mind?

Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, fighting fate isn't going to be easy

MY THOUGHTS

Thank you Michelle Madow. This is an incredible book you've written. I loved it!

Have you often wondered about your past lives?  Do you even believe in past lives?  Well, I do.  And I've wondered about them.  Sometimes you meet someone and feel an instant connection with them.  This book is based on the idea of a past connection.   Unique idea for a Young Adult genre book.  

I was instantly drawn by the cover.  I know, it's about time I read this book.  It's been around for what, a year?  Well, let me tell you, I'm putting in my preorder for the next one.  

I loved Lizzie and Drew.  To say their relationship is magical doesn't do it justice.  It's complicated.  Lizzie is with Jeremy.  Her best friend is with Drew.  I told you, messy and complicated.  The characters are wonderfully delightful.  You cannot read this book and not fall in love with Lizzie.  She's an amazing person.

I enjoyed going back in time. Transcend Time Saga is an incredible name for this book.  

5 stars 

http://www.goodreads.com/Michelle_Madow

http://www.michellemadow.com

TIMELESS

cover reveal

visit Michelle's website for a chance

to win 

A signed copy of Remembrance, a signed copy of Vengeance, a signed copy of Timeless (to be sent after Timeless releases), three signed Remembrance bookmarks, a mask that looks like the one on the cover of Remembrance, and a mention in the acknowledgments section of Timeless. The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!

http://blog.michellemadow.com/2012/08/timeless-cover-reveal-and-giveaway.html

Yesterday, Taylor and Wes turned a boring field trip to their local library into a grand adventure when they found a mysterious portal leading into the fabled Land of Oz.

But that was yesterday.

Today they've learned their actions have had grave consequences. Not only did they alter the Oz mythos, but their deeds may have had unexplained repercussions in the real world as well. Taylor's returned home to find she's living a life that isn't her own. Nothing's as she left it. Her normally warm father has become cold and distant. Her grades have fallen overnight. Teachers who once saw her as their favorite student, now consider her their most problematic pupil. Only Wesley remembers Taylor as she truly is, and together, he and Tay return to Oz hoping they can undo the damage and restore both worlds to the way they were.

But the children quickly find they're in way over their heads. Not only has the Wicked Witch taken control of Oz, but Douglas Stanford has stayed behind to build a small army of storybook villains to help him obtain the magic hidden within Astoria's library. The librarian's returned to stop him, but the old man may need the children's help as the fate of every known world hangs in the balance.

The adventure continues in this action-packed continuation of The Librarian Saga! Exclusive to Amazon's Kindle, The Librarian is a thrilling new series that provides kids an opportunity to experience the world’s most beloved fantasy novels in a brand new way – through the eyes of children just like them. And the fun doesn't stop there! Librarian author Eric Hobbs has teamed with The Sylvan Learning Center to launch The Librarian Book Club. Toward the back of the book, each copy of The Librarian contains an exclusive invitation to join. Open to students in grades K-8, the club will bring kids together from around the globe to compete in a monthly reading contest where they’ll have a chance to win exciting prizes: gift cards, autographed books, new toys, video games, DVDs, iPods…even a brand new Kindle Fire! All kids have to do is answer questions about the books they’re currently reading! That’s it! It’s that easy! Pick up the book and join the book club today!

MY THOUGHTS

I received a copy of Unhappily Ever After from the author for an honest review.

Unhappily Ever After begins with Tay and Wes's return to the 'real' world. Unhappily is a perfect way to explain their return. Both kids keep saying things are 'off'. A quick return to the library offers an explanation and once again the kids are going back to Oz. Except, everything is different. Oz is a much darker place. 

The story is wonderful. Ms. Hobbs has included aspects of Oz that are unique to the book, things not from the movie. I loved the way in which we saw both Wes and Tay grow as characters. These are not the same kids we saw in the first book. These kids are well aware their actions caused horrible consequences. All the changes in Oz are a result of their visit. They must fix the problems. 

We see some familiar characters, Scarecrow, Tinman and of course (my favorite) the Lion. Alas, Dorothy is no longer around. The Wicked Witch controls Oz, along with her flying monkeys. 

If you enjoyed the first book The Librarian, you will enjoy the continued adventures of Wes and Tay. This is not the end of the story. I look forward to the third book. I would love to see Wes and Tay resolve the problems they have created. By the way, I went back and reread my copy of The Wizard of Oz...Enjoyed it much more after reading Eric Hobbs books.

AS A REMINDER:

Wesley Bates thinks his life pretty much sucks. He's landed at the bottom of his school's popularity ladder, and bully Randy Stanford seems to be waiting around every corner.

The troubled teen thinks he's found a way to escape his real-world problems when he stumbles upon strange doorways in Astoria's local library that seem to lead into the extraordinary worlds from all his favorite books. Oz, Neverland, Wonderland -- they're all a reality with Wesley's new discovery. Wesley teams with best friend Taylor Williams to embark on a great adventure, both ready to leave the drama of middle school behind.

But the two kids quickly find themselves embroiled in a centuries-old battle for the library and the magic hiding within. Now, fighting alongside the eccentric old man who's vowed to protect the building's power, the pair must help ward off an attack by a shadowy group with a strange tie to Wesley's nemesis, forcing Wesley to face the fears he's been dodging... and one of the most terrifying bullies of all time!

MY REVIEW

What a wonderful, original, well written story! I was enthralled from the beginning. As a lover of reading, and a parent who reads to my child, this was an incredible book. I received it from LibraryThings Member giveaways but I will gladly pay for the next in the series. The author, Eric Hobbs, is masterful at telling a story. The main characters, Wes and Taylor, are easy to relate to and (smiling as I write this) just plain fun! I want to go to this Library!!! Reminded me somewhat of a movie I saw years ago, The Pagemaster, only this book is much better than any movie could be. I highly recommend this book. Eric Hobbs, you kept me entertained, and kept my attention from page one.