Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Book Review - A Penny Lost by Aspen Bassett + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Penny Grace is the forgotten twin, especially when compared to her perfect twin sister, Dinah. To make matters worse, she has a special ability to see into a person's soul. Her family has a hard time accepting her abilities since Penny is the only one who has the superpower. One day Penny senses a human-shaped void in the surrounding aura. She decides to investigate the source but she is thrown into the past through an energy portal. The void seems to be following Penny as she time travels. What is the void that keeps following Penny? Will Penny be able to return home?

The book had an interesting concept but I found some to be confusing. I wish there was more time spent explaining how her abilities work and why. I did enjoy the time travel portions of the book especially when Penny and her companion try to figure out what they should do. It was a fast-paced novel with many mini twists that was fun to read.

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

Book Details:

Book Title:  A Penny Lost by Aspen Bassett
Category:  YA Fiction, 232 pages
Genre:  Urban Fantasy
Publisher:  World Castle Publishing
Release date:  Jan 13, 2018
Content Rating: PG (There's a kiss and some mild violence)

Book Description:

Penelope Grace, usually forgotten under the shadow of her twin sister's perfection, tries her hardest to hide her freakish ability to see into anyone's soul.

Until she senses an unusual energy like a human-shaped void in the universe. When Penny investigates the source, she gets tossed through a crack in time along with the cute boy next door. The Void follows them through history, increasing the dangers as if testing Penny. But what is it testing for? And why does it claim to know her better than even she knows herself? Even as Penny searches for answers, she must fight to survive the tragedies of both the past and future in order to get back home.

Buy the Book:
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Picture Meet the Author:

Aspen Bassett works at a library, telling stories and suggesting books. When she's not working, she's usually sipping hot cocoa and wondering what would happen if she had superpowers. She's been published in multiple anthologies including Oomph: A Little Super Goes a Long Way and Inaccurate Realities.

Aspen grew up learning about chakras and auras and the true power of imagination which slips into her writing whether she intend it to or not. In college, when she wasn't busy working on her degree in Creative Writing, Aspen also got her certificate in Women's Meditation (basically general energy work). Now, she's working toward a diploma in Integrated Healing Arts with a certificate in Hypnotherapy.


Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Book Review - Captain Superlative by J. S. Puller + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Janey Silverman is used to being ignored and treated like she doesn't exist. But when a student dons a blue wig, red mask, and silver swimsuit to impart a kindness on citizens, Janey is both in awe and confused by the masked hero, Captain Superlative. She is used to being in the shadows, but when she is accidentally pulled into the spotlight, Janey is unsure how to react. When Janey starts a friendship with the budding superhero, she is pulled out from her comfort zone. She starts to define who she wants to be in life. However, her newfound friendship causes Janey to be a target of the school's bully, Dagmar. When Janey discovers her superhero's dark secret, she questions their mission and their friendship. Will Janey and Captain Superlative be able to stay friends or will the secret tear them apart?

The novel was an emotional and wonderful read. While Captain Superlative's dark secret was a bit predictable, it was done with an emotional pull that made readers bond with the characters. The story showed readers a different way people can deal with tragedy along with delicate nature of friendships.  The novel shows how people have the power to chose their own destiny instead of having one specific trait define them. I found the novel to be an inspiring read with a satisfying ending.

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


About the Book:
Title: CAPTAIN SUPERLATIVE
Author: J.S. Puller
Pub. Date: May 8, 2018
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 256
Find it: AmazonB&NiBooksTBDGoodreads

"Have no fear, citizens! Captain Superlative is here to make all troubles disappear!"

Red mask, blue wig, silver swimsuit, rubber gloves, torn tights, high top sneakers and . . . a cape? Who would run through the halls of Deerwood Park Middle School dressed like this? And why?

Janey-quick to stay in the shadows-can't resist the urge to uncover the truth behind the mask. The answer pulls invisible Janey into the spotlight and leads her to an unexpected friendship with a superhero like no other. Fearless even in the face of school bully extraordinaire, Dagmar Hagen, no good deed is too small for the incomparable Captain Superlative and her new sidekick, Janey.

But superheroes hold secrets and Captain Superlative is no exception. When Janey unearths what's truly at stake, she's forced to face her own dark secrets and discover what it truly means to be a hero . . . and a friend.

About J.S.: 
J. S. Puller a playwright and debut author from the Windy City, Chicago. She has a master's degree in elementary education and a bachelor's degree in theatre from Northwestern University. She is an award-winning member of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education and is actively involved in researching the social-emotional benefits of arts education with the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. When not writing, she can usually be found in the theatre. Her play, WOMEN WHO WEAVE, was published by Playscripts, Inc.


Giveaway Details:


a Rafflecopter giveaway  

3 winners will receive a finished copy of CAPTAIN SUPERLATIVE, US Only.


Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/30/2018- BookHounds YAInterview

5/1/2018- Two Points of InterestReview
5/2/2018- RhythmicBooktrovert - Review
5/3/2018- Wonder StruckReview
5/4/2018- A Dream Within A DreamExcerpt