Thursday, April 5, 2018

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: AmazonB&NiBooksTBDGoodreads

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.






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 NoviceGuest Post
4/3/2018- Adventures Thru WonderlandReview
4/4/2018- For the Love of KidLitInterview
4/5/2018- Two Points of InterestReview
4/6/2018- BookHounds YAInterview

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Lush Christmas Sweater Bath Bomb




The cinnamon scented bath bomb released intricate layers of red, orange, and maroon color swirls. It had scents of spicy clove bud, Sicilian lemon oils and coriander seed. The scent was relaxing and good for tired muscles, but it reminded me of mulled wine.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Book Review - Bus! Stop! by James Yang

Photo Credit - Amazon
One early morning a little boy misses his bus causing him to yell "Bus! Stop!". Unfortunately, the bus does not stop and he has to wait for the next one. However, the next bus and the ones afterward look nothing like his bus. The little boy is confused on why none of the buses look familiar until he decides to take a chance and try another bus!

I read this cute picture book to the little tots I volunteer with and it wasn't a big hit. The book didn't have much dialogue and drawings were "weird" (according to one child). I personally wasn't a fan of the book on the "base level" because it seemed very sparse but I feel that the underlying message of finding something that fits your personality is worth waiting for or letting children experiment with different things.

Engagement Activities -
1. What are some favorite locations you can go to by bus? 
2. What would your ideal form of transportation look like?
3. Can you draw what your bus would look like?
4. Can you tell us time when you tried something that you didn't like but now enjoy?
5. What is your favorite activity to do on a bus?
6. What is one thing that you didn't like but like now? 

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