Book Review - Estranged #2: The Changeling King by Ethan M. Aldridge + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Changeling Edmund Carter resumed his rightful role as Cinder, king of the World Below after spending years pretending to be human. However, not all of the underworld inhabitants are happy about his return to the throne. Ed is still adjusting to his new human life in the World Above. His birth parents are kind and accepting of him but, he misses his sense of purpose as a knight.

When a new threat threatens the lives of everyone in the World Below, Cinder must rely on his friends and family to assist him. However, Cinder discovers a dark secret at the end of their journey. Will Cinder be able to protect his family and kingdom against all odds?

The graphic novel was illustrated in beautiful watercolor paintings. I enjoyed the first book in the series and the second one didn't disappoint. We got to see the characters learn about themselves and how they fit in with their world. They also learn the importance of friends and family is not only people who are related by blood. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

**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.**

 

 

Series: Estranged (Book 2)
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (October 1, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006265389X
ISBN-13: 978-0062653895

Praise for ESTRANGED Series

“A splendid tale of faery magic and adventurous siblings, all told in gorgeously rendered watercolor panels: this is exactly my kind of thing.” —Ben Hatke, author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Zita the Spacegirl trilogy

“It’s got dragons. It’s got drama. It’s got depth. And it’s got me impatiently awaiting Ethan M. Aldridge’s next eye-popping adventure.” —Tim Federle, award-winning author of Better Nate Than Ever and Five, Six, Seven, Nate!

“A compelling story about finding identity in a world where magic dangers lurk just around the corner. I loved Estranged!” —Molly Ostertag, author-illustrator of The Witch Boy

“As richly imagined in the full-color illustrations, the worldbuilding is both accessible and as familiar as those genre stalwarts… this should easily resonate with preteen and teen fans of both Holly Black and Neil Gaiman.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Worthy of inclusion in any fantasy collection.” —School Library Journal

“[F]un, daring, and dark...with themes and art that fall into the realm of Neil Gaiman, Michael Ende, and Jim Henson. Coupled with the beautifully toned watercolor art, the interdependence of and tension between the two protagonists makes this book stand out.” —Publishers Weekly

“The deliciously captivating start to this adventure series will leave readers hungry for more.” —Booklist

Enter a world of faerie magic and epic adventure in this spellbinding sequel to Estranged—a rich fantasy graphic novel perfect for fans of Amulet.

After years of pretending to be human, the changeling Edmund Carter has assumed his rightful role as Cinder, king of the World Below. But not everyone at the royal palace is happy about his return.

Meanwhile, Ed is adjusting to human life in the World Above. His birth family treats him with a kindness he never knew growing up in the Fay court, but Ed misses the sense of purpose he had as a knight.

When a mysterious new threat emerges in the World Below, Cinder must call on Ed and their older sister, Alexis, for help. But nothing can prepare them for the family secret that awaits at the end of their perilous quest.

With over two hundred pages of gorgeous watercolor paintings, The Changeling King invites readers on an epic journey through a magical world—one they will not soon forget.

You can purchase The Changeling King at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Ethan M. Aldridge 

Ethan M. Aldridge is a bestselling author and illustrator. He is the creator of the fantasy graphic novel ESTRANGED (a Junior Library Guild selection, Indie Bestseller, and YALSA Great Graphic Novel For Teens), and it's follow up THE CHANGELING KING (coming fall 2019).

Ethan was raised in a small town in Utah. Growing up, Ethan’s favorite things to draw were monsters and whatever dinosaur he liked that week. He now does more or less the same thing for a living. Ethan lives in New York City with his husband, Matthew, and their dog, Kitsune.

Ethan has had the pleasure to create work for HarperCollins Publishers, Penguin Random House, and EA Games.

        

WEEK ONE - REVIEWS

DECEMBER 9th MONDAY Insane About Books REVIEW
DECEMBER 10th TUESDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW
DECEMBER 11th WEDNESDAY JeanBookNerd PODCAST
DECEMBER 11th WEDNESDAY Wonder Struck REVIEW
DECEMBER 12th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW
DECEMBER 13th FRIDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW 

WEEK TWO - REVIEW & CREATIVE INSTAGRAM PICTURE
DECEMBER 16th MONDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW
DECEMBER 17th TUESDAY BookHounds YA REVIEW
DECEMBER 18th WEDNESDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW
DECEMBER 19th THURSDAY Life Within The Pages REVIEW
DECEMBER 20th FRIDAY For The Love of Fictional Worlds REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Review - The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Cassie Everson had so many bad dates that she became an expert at escaping them. She has a plan that allows her to escape her date easily. After years of meeting men who try to woo her with the wrong intentions, Cassie is ready to give up hope on having a husband and children.

Firefighter Jett Bentley is content being alone but, when Cassie's online dating profile catches his eye, he remembers her from their high school days. Cassie Everson was the popular girl that Jett had a crush on for years. Hoping to reconnect, Jett sends Cassie a message and invites her on a first date.

After a series of events, Cassie and Jett go on their first date. Surprisingly, they both have a great time and can't wait to see each other. However, fate drops three children on each of them to take care of. They both decide to do the mature thing and hide the kids from each other while they sort out their feelings for each other. Will Jett and Cassie be able to work out their feelings for each other?

The novel was a fun and cute read. I like that even though Cassie was jaded, she still tried to open up her heart to love. I felt like there could have been a bit more character development between the two characters. The novel billed itself as a romantic comedy but, it felt more like a novel about two separate people adopting children and learning to care about others than themselves. Overall, I like the idea of family being people who you choose and not only the ones you are born into.

**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.**

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Dating Charade
By Melissa Ferguson
Contemporary Romance, Christian
Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 336 Pages
December 3rd 2019 by Thomas Nelson

Just when you think you’ve met your match . . . the charade begins.

Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband—and children—altogether.

But fate has other plans, and Cassie’s online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett’s memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game.

No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps—each—they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?

Melissa Ferguson’s hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages—and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | TNZFiction

About the Author

Melissa Ferguson is an adjunct professor for Bible and religion at King University. She lives in the charming town of Bristol, Tennessee, with her husband, twin toddlers, and baby girl. She used to have hobbies like running and backpacking the Appalachian Trail outside her door. Now her hobbies include admiring the Appalachian Trail out her minivan window while singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" en route to the library.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Tour Schedule

Book Review - A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena

Photo Credit - Amazon

Almost newlyweds Karen and Tom Krupp are happily living the American dream. They have a lovely home and a comfortable life together. All that changes when Tom comes home and finds out Karen has disappeared. Her car is gone but, she left her purse and phone at home.

Tom begins to panic and calls their friends and then the police to report Karen's disappearance. The police arrive to take Tom to the hospital because Karen was in a car accident. Karen was speeding through a rough part of town and lost control of her car. Karen suffered a concussion and a few scrapes. When the cops come to ask her about details surrounding her car accident, Karen claims that she lost her memory and has trouble remembering the night before. The police believe her memory loss is very convenient and that she is hiding something.

When Karen returns home, she wants to heal and move on. However, she starts to notice her stuff being moved around in her house. It feels that someone has been in her house. Karen is unsure who she can trust because she has a few dark secrets she wants to keep hidden.

I was excited to read this book because I enjoyed Lapena's debut novel "The Couple Next Door". There were a few twists and unexpected discoveries in the novel but, because I didn't care for any of the characters, I didn't care about anything they were experiencing. However, I am still looking forward to reading more books by the author.

 **Disclosure -  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 - Shine! by J.J. Grabenstein & Chris Grabenstein + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Piper's hero is an astronaut, astronomer, and television host. Piper lives by Nellie Dumont Frisse's motto "Shine on!". However, Piper feels that there are two types of people: those who are born to shine and those who don't. She believes she falls into the latter category. When her dad gets a new job at the elite Chumley Prep, Piper is reminded that everyone is good at something and she isn't. Will Piper be able to find something she can excel in?

The book was a heartwarming read and filled with teachable moments. While the book was a bit predictable, it allowed readers to join a young girl on her journey on learning what type of person she wants to be. The book is packed with valuable lessons for children (and adults!) of all ages!

**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.**

Title: SHINE!

Author: J.J. Grabenstein & Chris Grabenstein

Pub. Date: November 5, 2019

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 210

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

"Inspirational, commonsensical, and a whole lot of fun." --James Patterson

Everyone deserves to shine in this sparkling new book from the New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library , Chris Grabenstein, and coauthor J.J. Grabenstein--just right for fans of Word of Mouse and The Fourteenth Goldfish.

"Who do you want to be?" asks Mr. Van Deusen. "And not when you grow up. Right here, right now."

Shine on! might be the catchphrase of twelve-year-old Piper's hero--astronaut, astronomer, and television host Nellie Dumont Frisse--but Piper knows the truth: some people are born to shine, and she's just not one of them. That fact has never been clearer than now, since her dad's new job has landed them both at Chumley Prep, a posh private school where everyone seems to be the best at something and where Piper definitely doesn't fit in.

Bursting with humor, heart, science, possibilities, and big questions, Shine! is a story about finding your place in the universe--a story about figuring out who you are and who you want to be.

Co-author J.J. Grabenstein reads the first chapter of SHINE!:

Link:

https://vimeo.com/369610019

About JJ & Chris: 

J.J. Grabenstein is the co-author, with her husband, ChrisGrabenstein, of SHINE! This is her first novel as a co-authorbut she has been the "first editor" on everything her husband hasever written, including the award-winning/bestselling ESCAPE FROMMR.LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY series and more than fifty other works.

J.J. and Chris live in New York City with their cat Phoebe Squeak.

CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY, MR. LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY OLYMPICS, THE ISLAND OF DR. LIBRIS, WELCOME TO WONDERLAND: HOME SWEET MOTEL and many other books, as well as the coauthor of numerous fun and funny page-turners with James Patterson, including I FUNNY, HOUSE OF ROBOTS, TREASURE HUNTERS, and JACKY HA-HA. Chris lives in New York City with his wife, J.J., two cats, and a dog named Fred. You can visit Chris at ChrisGrabenstein.com.

Website

Follow JJ!

Goodreads 

Follow Chris!

Twitter | Facebbok | Instagram | Goodreads 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of SHINE!, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21018/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/5/2019	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
11/6/2019	Nerdophiles	Review
11/7/2019	@___nimraaa	Excerpt
11/8/2019	Books_andPoetrii	Excerpt

Week Two:

11/11/2019	Cuz I’m a Nerd	Review
11/12/2019	HBB Reviews	Review
11/13/2019	onemused	Review
11/14/2019	@fictitious.fox	Review
11/15/2019	Twirling Book Princess	Excerpt

Week Three:

11/18/2019	Wonder Struck	Review
11/19/2019	For the Love of KidLit	Excerpt
11/20/2019	Savings in Seconds	Review
11/21/2019	Popthebutterfly	Review
11/22/2019	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt

Week Four:

11/25/2019	Jaime's World	Excerpt
11/26/2019	Southern Girl Bookaholic	Review
11/27/2019	Smada's Book Smack	Excerpt
11/28/2019	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
11/29/2019	Fyrekatz Blog	Review

Week Five:

12/2/2019	BookishRealmReviews	Review
12/3/2019	She Just Loves Books	Excerpt
12/4/2019	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
12/5/2019	Owl Always Be Reading	Excerpt
12/6/2019	Two points of interest	Review