Book Review - Only If You Dare: 13 Stories of Darkness and Doom by Josh Allen + Giveaway

 

The novel is a collection of thirteen short scary stories. I found most of the stories to be entertaining and clever. The stories were well written and reminded me of R.L. Stine.  The book is perfect for young readers who want to have a bit of thrill without being terrified.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy in exchange for an honest opinion**

 

About The Book:

Title: ONLY IF YOU DARE: 13 STORIES OF DARKNESS AND DOOM

Author: Josh Allen, illustrated by Sarah J. Coleman

Pub. Date: August 31, 2021

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 208

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

Thirteen chilling short stories to keep you up at night--but only if you dare.

You never know what's out to get you. Though you might think you're safe from monsters and menaces, everyday objects can turn against you, too. A mysterious microwave. A threatening board game. A snowman that refuses to melt. Even your own heartbeat has its secrets. Thu-thump. Thu-thump. When you stop to listen, each beat sounds more menacing than the last.

Master storyteller Josh Allen brings thirteen nightmare scenarios to life in this page-turning collection that's perfect for budding horror junkies. In his wondrous world, danger waits behind every doorway . . . even in the most ordinary places.

Eerie illustrations by award-winning artist Sarah Coleman accompany the stories, packaged in a stunning hardcover edition complete with glow-in-the-dark jacket. Readers will sleep with one eye open! 

Reviews:

★ "Allen has cemented himself as the heir-apparent of ­Alvin Schwartz; this is the new quick pick for patrons who want more after reading all the classic ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.’. . .A chilling anthology of memorable scares that will leave even the biggest ­horror buffs sleeping with the light on."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

"Thirteen illustrated short stories range from eerie to totally terrifying. Each tale stands completely alone, but a strong sense of foreboding, unease, and utterly chilling twists runs through the collection. . . . intrepid tweens and teens who enjoy a thrill will be thoroughly sucked in."—The Horn Book

"Twisty, terrifying, and oh-so fun! Just when you think you’re safe, Josh Allen brings on the scares. From monstrous microwaves to carnivorous pillows, you’ll never look at life the same way again."—Kim Ventrella, author of The Secret Life of Sam

"Horror fans will enjoy this spine-tingling selection. . . ."—Publishers Weekly

"This delightfully dark and spine-tingling anthology will keep young readers and horror lovers on the edge of their seats."—Booklist

"An excellent offering for young people looking for real scares that don’t condescend to them or pander to adult anxieties about what might be ‘too scary.’ This book will fly off the shelves."—Kirkus Reviews

 

About Josh Allen: 

Josh Allen checks under his bed before switching off the light each night. During the day, he teaches creative writing and literature at Brigham Young University-Idaho. His debut book for young readers, Out to Get You, received two starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild selection. He lives in Idaho with his family.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

About Sarah Coleman: 

Sarah Coleman was an early pioneer of hand lettering and has illustrated covers for many renowned books, including the 50th anniversary edition of To Kill a Mockingbird and Newbery Honor-winner Wolf Hollow. Her design clients range from Coca Cola and Starbucks to The New York Times. She lives in the UK.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram |Goodreads

 

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of ONLY IF YOU DARE: 13 STORIES OF DARKNESS AND DOOM, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/27/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
9/27/2021	Pick a good book	Excerpt
9/28/2021	YA Books Central	Excerpt
9/28/2021	The Pages In-Between	Review
9/29/2021	popthebutterfly reads	Review
9/29/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
9/30/2021	Nerdophiles	Review
9/30/2021	@coffeebooksandmascara	Review
10/1/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
10/1/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review

Week Two:

10/4/2021	FyreKatz Blog	Review
10/4/2021	two points of interest	Review
10/5/2021	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
10/5/2021	@bookisheclectic	Review
10/6/2021	Jazzy Book Reviews	Review
10/6/2021	hauntedbybooks	Review
10/7/2021	@jypsylynn	Review
10/7/2021	@amysbooknook8	IG Post
10/8/2021	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review
10/8/2021	My Fictional Oasis	Review

Book Review - Bluebird by Sharon Cameron + Giveaway

 

In  1946, Eva was given the opportunity to leave behind the rubble of Berlin for the streets of New York City. Eva managed to escape the aftermath of the war but, ends up being a pawn in a struggle for power and intelligence. Eva knows the details behind a secret powerful project called Bluebird. Project Bluebird encapsulates the knowledge gained from performing mind experiments on people in the concentration camps. The knowledge can be deadly and tip the scale of power if landed in the wrong hands. Both the Americans and the Soviets want the details of the project and are willing to stop at nothing to get it.

Eva didn't come to America to be a pawn for the Americans or the Soviets. She doesn't want a new life either. She wants justice against one specific Nazi that managed to escape justice for their crimes. Eva is willing to put everything on the line to get it.

I thought the book was an interesting historic read. I never knew about project Bluebird specifically so, it was interesting to learn more about it from the author's notes. The narrative and the character interactions were confusing at times to follow along and long winded. I felt that some of the interaction between Eva and Jake didn't feel authentic at times. Overall, it's a good book for readers who love historic fiction novels.

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

 

 

 About the Book:

Title: BLUEBIRD

Author: Sharon Cameron

Pub. Date: October 5, 2021

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Pages: 464

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

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

Author of Reese's Book Club YA Pick The Light in Hidden Places, Sharon Cameron, delivers an emotionally gripping and utterly immersive thriller, perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys's Salt to the Sea.

A historical novel, set in postwar New York City.

In 1946, Eva leaves behind the rubble of Berlin for the streets of New York City, stepping from the fiery aftermath of one war into another, far colder one, where power is more important than principles, and lies are more plentiful than the truth. Eva holds the key to a deadly secret: Project Bluebird -- a horrific experiment of the concentration camps, capable of tipping the balance of world power. Both the Americans and the Soviets want Bluebird, and it is something that neither should ever be allowed to possess.

But Eva hasn't come to America for secrets or power. She hasn't even come for a new life. She has come to America for one thing: justice. And the Nazi that has escaped its net.

 

Grab The Light in Hidden Places now!

  

About Sharon:

SHARON CAMERON’s debut novel The Dark Unwinding was awarded the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' Sue Alexander Award for Most Promising New Work and the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and was named a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection. Sharon is also the author of its sequel, A Spark Unseen; Rook, which was selected as an Indiebound Indie Next List Top Ten selection, a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection, and a Parents' Choice gold medalist; and The Forgetting, a #1 New York Times bestseller and an Indie Next Pick of the List selection, and its companion novel, The Knowing. The Light in Hidden Places received two starred reviews, was a Reese's YA Book Club pick, and received fantastic media coverage for Sharon's strong research and affecting prose. It has sold in 14 languages. Sharon lives with her family in Nashville, Tennessee and can be found at sharoncameronbooks.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of BLUEBIRD. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/21/2021	YA Books Central	Excerpt
9/22/2021	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
9/22/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
9/23/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
9/23/2021	Sometimes Leelynn Reads	Review
9/24/2021	Book-Keeping	Review
9/25/2021	Just Another Reader	Review

Week Two:

9/26/2021	Review Thick & Thin	Review
9/27/2021	Balancing Books and Bottles with	Review
9/28/2021	Fire and Ice	Review
9/28/2021	The Pages In-Between	Review
9/29/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Review
9/30/2021	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
9/30/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
10/1/2021	Momfluenster	Review
10/1/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
10/2/2021	@Curlygrannylovestoread	Review

Week Three:

10/3/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review
10/4/2021	Lisa Loves Literature	Review
10/4/2021	@minnesota_mailer	Review

September 2021 Haul Part 2!

  

I felt like the first half of the year went by slowly and now, its already the end of the year! Time really does fly when you are having fun. Honestly, I haven't do anything fun in the last two years so, I have no idea what I am even talking about.

I got a few sheet masks that I am excited to try. I got  the new Facetory dream garden camellia mask. So far, all the masks I have tried from their newer "more expensive" line has been great. They do have "everyday" masks that are also a good value. I like the packaging of Needly's Peony jelly mask. It looks like a deflated ghost.

CBD has been popping up in beauty products a lot more recently. I have tried a few and the jury is out because a lot of "experts" say CBD has no effect in skincare products. I am not sure if the CBD actually makes a difference or the product itself is good without it. I got this new lip butter that has CBD in it and I am excited. It has a nice tropical scent and its called Truly Pineaple Haze CBD Glossy Lip Butter. Upon further inspection, I just noticed this product doesn't third party seal to verify their CBD claims. I have read that a lot of companies claim that their products have a certain level or grade but, without the third party verification service its hard to prove how true that is. However, I will still try the lip balm but, I would need to be better at read the labels in the future.

I heard great things about the brand called Nudestix. I got this new lip glaze in nude cherry. It is the perfect shade of red. I got a tinted lip balm from Honest Beauty. I have tried their lip balms and lotions and thought they were okay. They weren't anything noteworthy compared to other similar brands. 

Lastly, I got three new  masks that I am excited to try.  I got the new Glow Recipe watermelon glow pore tight facial. I had mixed results with this brand but, I do love how good it smells. I got a cream mask from Sandawha and it just looks so pretty. I got another GlamGlow mask. I had mixed results with this one before. Hopefully, I get some Hollywood results this time around.

Did you get anything new this month that you are excited to try?

Book Spotlight - Spirit Fire by Susan McCauley + Giveaway

About the Book

Title: SPIRIT FIRE (Ghost Hunters #3)

Author: Susan McCauley

Pub. Date: September 28, 2021

Publisher: Celtic Sea Publishing

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

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

Kindle Unlimited members will be able to read this for FREE!

Who—or what—is causing the fires in the French Quarter? A little girl? A long-dead prisoner? An evil presence calling to those beyond the grave?

In this spooky, fast-paced adventure, twelve-year-old Alex must fight smoke, flames, and ghostly prisoners to stop whatever’s causing the blazes—before more lives are lost.

 

Haven’t started the series yet? Grab books 1 & 2, BONES IN THE WALL & PIRATE’S CURSE for FREE with a KU subscription! Or get the audiobook for book 1 for FREE on Audible!

 

BONES IN THE WALL: Kindle, Audible

PIRATE’S CURSE: Kindle

 

About Susan:

Susan is an award winning author of paranormal, fantasy, and horror for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers. She first fell in love with the paranormal when she was three years old and scared witless on Disney's Haunted Mansion ride, but begged her parents to ride again and again!

Susan has lived on all three coasts of the United States, as well as having spent a few years in the U.K. She loves to travel, scuba dive, practice taekwondo (she's not a black belt - yet!), read, see movies, and go to the theatre. She's also passionate about animals and has a special place in her heart for cats. You can visit her on the web at www.sbmccauley.com

Sign up for Susan’s Newsletter!

 

Website  | Facebook  | Twitter  | Instagram | TikTok |  Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a finished copy of book 1 in the GHOST HUNTERS series & swag (Ghost Hunters bag, Evil Eye pendant from Turkey, series branded bookmark), US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/6/2021	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
9/7/2021	A Dream Within A Dream	Guest Post
9/8/2021	Lexijava	Excerpt
9/9/2021	Writer of Wrongs	Guest Post
9/10/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
9/11/2021	Jazzy Book Reviews	Excerpt

Week Two:

9/12/2021	bellesmiddlegrade	Review
9/13/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
9/14/2021	YA Books Central	Excerpt
9/15/2021	Rockstar Book Tours	IG Post
9/16/2021	Wottaread	Excerpt
9/17/2021	Amy's Book Nook	Review
9/18/2021	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review

Week Three:

9/19/2021	dinipandareads	Review
9/20/2021	Don't Judge, Read	Excerpt
9/21/2021	I'm Shelfish	Excerpt
9/22/2021	Jaime's World	Excerpt
9/23/2021	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
9/24/2021	hauntedbybooks	Review
9/25/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Review

Week Four:

9/26/2021	@Curlygrannylovestoread	Review
9/27/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
9/28/2021	Books and Zebras @jypsylynn	Review
9/29/2021	The Momma Spot	Review
9/30/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review