Book Review - Orphan Eleven by Gennifer Choldenko + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Four orphans eagerly wait for an opportunity to escape from the Home for Friendless Children. Lucy, one of the orphans, used to love to talk and sing. Now, she no longer speaks as she believes silence is the only way to protect herself.

After a tumultuous journey, the orphans find work and new friends aboard a traveling circus. Lucy loves being able to take care of the elephants but, for her to secure the job of the elephant handler, she will need to speak to the elephants and warn others of danger. If Lucy doesn't cope with her fear of speaking, she will lose her chance to join the circus. Meanwhile, the matrons of the orphanage are eager to get Lucy back at the orphanage.

The book was a fun and cute read. It was nerve-wracking following the orphans' journey for a home and a place to belong. I liked that the author included a section about notes on the book. It was shocking to find out how much of Lucy's story was based on horrifying events. The novel was a heartwarming and enjoyable read and perfect for fans of the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

 

About the Book:

Title: ORPHAN ELEVEN

Author: Gennifer Choldenko

Pub. Date: May 26, 2020

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 320

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Four orphans have escaped from the Home for Friendless Children. One is Lucy, who used to talk and sing. No one knows why she doesn't speak anymore; silence is her protection.

The orphans find work and new friends at a traveling circus. Lucy loves caring for the elephants, but she must be able to speak to them, and to warn others of danger. If Lucy doesn't find her voice, she'll be left behind when the circus goes on the rails. Meanwhile, people are searching for Lucy, and her puzzling past is about to catch up with her.

About Gennifer:

With more than 2 and a half million books sold, Choldenko’s best known Tales from Alcatraz series, has been called “A cornerstone series in contemporary children’s literature.” Al Capone Does My Shirts—the first book in the series—was a Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of twenty other awards. All four books in the series were Junior Library Guild selections and garnered many starred reviews. Gennifer’s newest novel: Orphan Eleven will be out May 26. Publisher’s Weekly has said this about Orphan Eleven: “This uplifting tale of hope, survival and belonging has all the ingredients to become a beloved middle grade book.” Gennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her loyal husband and naughty dog.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of ORPHAN ELEVEN, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21120/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/13/2020	Twirling Book Princess	Excerpt
7/13/2020	Forever Lost in Literature	Excerpt
7/14/2020	For the Love of KidLit	Excerpt
7/14/2020	Trapped Inside Stories	Excerpt
7/15/2020	Little Red Reads	Review
7/15/2020	Jazzy Book Reviews	Excerpt
7/16/2020	JaimeRockstarBookTours	Instagram Stop
7/16/2020	Jaime's World	Excerpt
7/17/2020	TheReadingCornerforAll	Review
7/17/2020	Two Chicks on Books	Interview

Week Two:

7/20/2020	Lifestyle of Me	Review
7/20/2020	popthebutterfly	Review
7/21/2020	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
7/21/2020	Krisha's cosy corner	Review
7/22/2020	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
7/22/2020	BookHounds YA	Interview
7/23/2020	Two Points of Interest	Review
7/23/2020	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
7/24/2020	Books and Zebras @jypsylynn	Review
7/24/2020	Hurn Publications	Excerpt

 

Book Review - Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley + Listicle - Circus Character Names

Photo Credit - Amazon

Micah Tuttle knows magic is real. He needs to believe in magic if he is going to save his dying Grandpa Ephraim. When his grandfather takes a turn for the worst, his great-aunt Gertrudis steps in to help take care of Micah and Grandpa Ephraim. Micah believes the stories of the magical Circus Mirandus of the invisible tiger protecting the circus, a woman who flies with birds, and the Man Who Bends Light. One day, Grandpa Ephraim lets Micah on a secret, the Circus is real! And the Lightbender owes Grandpa Ephraim a miracle. Micah believes the miracle will save his grandfather except, the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise. With the help of his friend Jenny Mendoza, Micah will need the Lightbender to keep his word.

Ah, this book...I loved it! I love books with themes of magic and circuses. It just makes me feel even though the world is crumbling around you, believing in something will make it better. Most of the characters were lovable though flawed. There was a scene that was slightly disturbing about a child having their belief questioned and then they got hurt. However, I found the book enjoyable and can't wait for the sequel!

Topic - Fun Circus Names -

I thought it would be a fun treat to create a few imaginary circus names! After all, who doesn't love a fun + silly name?! Leave your favorites in the comments!

- Ivy Flowers
- Snow Melt
- Tsumani
- Fire Eater
- Whirlwind
- Creepy Curlie Charlie
- Reptile Ralph
- Flaming Aces
- Hairy Albert
- Gwen the Gnome
- Vesper the Sand Maker
- Fierce Bob


  **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Revealed by Elaine Manders + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Katherine Levinson put her life on hold while taking care of her sick mother after her father dies. She and her mother face eviction if they can't pay rent. After all other sources of income dry up, she has no choice but, to reach out to estrange wealthy brother, Rhyan Cason. However, her ill mother refuses to contact Rhyan.

When Katherine and her mother move to the cattle ranch, Sollano, they are met with whispers and scorn. Katherine learns of her parents' buried past and secrets are revealed. With Rhyan being busy with cattle rustlers, Katherine turns to Colt Holliman, a calm neighboring rancher, for comfort. However, Colt is promised to another woman, Charley Ryder but, he feels drawn to Katherine. Will Colt be able to follow his heart? What secrets are buried in Katherine's past?

I found the novel to be a good read. I like the parts with Charley performing stunts and portraying her as a strong female character. I enjoyed that there wasn't a lot of deny of each other's feelings. Such as, "Oh, she's not good enough" or "He's a bad boy" back and forth. I haven't read the other stories in the series but, I found this still to be an enjoyable read.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

About the Book

Title: Revealed
Author: Elaine Manders
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: December 27, 2018

Nothing can be hidden that won’t be revealed.

When her father dies, Katherine Levinson discovers her parents have kept secrets that render her happy childhood a farce. She and her gravely ill mother face eviction, and she has no choice but to appeal to the brother she’s never seen, the famous cattle baron, Rhyan Cason. Over her gravely ill mother’s objections, they move to Nebraska and the sprawling cattle ranch, Sollano.

Instead of the warm welcome Katherine expects, she and her mother are met with whispers and scorn in the little prairie town near Sollano. Gradually, the sins of her parents’ past surface, and Katherine begins to doubt her very identify. With her brother busy with cattle rustlers and her mother too ill to be bothered, Katherine turns to Colt Holliman, a soft-spoken neighboring rancher, for comfort.

Tired of waiting for the right woman to come along, Colt has promised to wait for Charley Ryder, an acclaimed female sharp shooter and equestrian acrobat with the Wild West Show, but it’s becoming clear Charley loves the show more than him. As his attraction to Katherine grows, he finds himself spiritually conflicted. How can he break from past commitments and follow his heart?

Then unexpected danger strikes, testing Katherine’s and Colt’s faith in God—and each other.

About the Author

 

Elaine Manders writes wholesome Christian romance and suspense about the bold, capable women of history and the strong, dependable men who love them. Her stories twist, turn, and surprise, told by characters who aren’t afraid to show their love for God and each other. She grew up a small town country girl and now lives in Central Georgia with her fur baby. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, sewing, crafts, and spending time with her family.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elaine is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! 

https://promosimple.com/ps/cee6/revealed-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review - Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Genevieve Flannery is used to her mother, Delia's sudden outbursts and when she starts talking to herself. Geni is also accustomed to the circus life that she and her mother are apart of along with daily workouts of acrobatics. On a day that seems to be like any other performance, something goes horribly wrong and Delia dies during her performance.  While still reeling from the tragedy, Geni receives a package from her mother that is filled with more mystery than answers. Suddenly, Geni is also able to see visions into a time that isn't her own. Are the package and Geni's visions related? What was behind Delia's death?

I always loved stories about the circus and this one didn't disappoint. I found all the characters to be interesting and relatable but my favorite character was the baby elephant, Houdini. Houdini was definitely a treat to read about and enjoyed every single scene he was in. I am a little disappointed he didn't have more scenes but honestly, it probably wouldn't have added much to the story. I found the novel to be interesting and it had a few surprises. There were a few things I  didn't like was that there wasn't much detail about the circus life and the bad guy's identity was outed after a few characters in without much fanfare along with why didn't Delia seek help sooner from same people who help Geni. It was a fun read and would definitely read the second book if the author decided to make this a sequel.

About The Book:

Title: SLEIGHT 

Author: Jennifer Sommersby

Pub. Date: April 24, 2018

Publisher: Sky Pony Press 

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 424

Find it: Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD, Goodreads

Delia smiles at the shadow only she sees—

Something slams into her. The lyra whirls like a half-dollar spinning on its edge.

My mother is thrown backward.

And she falls.

Growing up in the Cinzio Traveling Players Company, Genevieve Flannery is accustomed to a life most teenagers could never imagine: daily workouts of extravagant acrobatics; an extended family of clowns; wild animals for pets; and her mother, Delia, whose mind has always been tortured by visions—but whose love Geni never questions. In a world of performers who astonish and amaze on a daily basis, Delia’s ghostly hallucinations never seemed all that strange . . . until the evening Geni and her mother are performing an aerial routine they’ve done hundreds of times, and Delia falls to her death.

That night, a dark curtain in Geni’s life opens. Everything has changed.

Still reeling from the tragedy, the Cinzio Traveling Players are also adjusting to the circus’s new owner: a generous, mysterious man whose connection to the circus—Geni suspects—has a dark and dangerous history. And suddenly Geni is stumbling into a new reality of her own, her life interrupted daily by the terrors only Delia used to be able to see.

As the visions around her grow stronger, Geni isn’t sure who she can trust. Even worse, she’s starting to question whether she can trust her own mind.

About Jennifer:

I am a writer, copy/line editor, bibliophile, and mom of four living in the Great White North.

Represented by Victoria Doherty Munro at Writers House.

Romantic comedies under Eliza Gordon.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details: International

3 winners will receive a SLEIGHT Prize Pack including a finished copy of the book and swag! International.

Ends on May 4th at Midnight EST!

 

Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2721/?

Week One:

4/2/2018- Novel Novice- Guest Post

4/3/2018- Adventures Thru Wonderland- Review

4/4/2018- For the Love of KidLit- Interview

4/5/2018- Two Points of Interest- Review

4/6/2018- BookHounds YA- Interview