Saturday, May 15, 2021

Book Review - Willa of Dark Hollow by Robert Beatty + Giveaway

 

Willa and her clan are the last of the Faeran species. They are an ancient race of forest people that have lived in the Great Smoky Mountain since the trees have grown there.  However, a crew of human loggers have arrived and are cutting down and destroying the forest she loves at an alarming rate. Willa feels powerless as she is unable to stop them. She doesn't know how she will be able to stop them as they have powerful machines and she is just one girl.

Willa tries to get a closer look at the loggers and tries to devise a plan to stop the deforestation. She comes across these mysterious creatures that are beautiful and elusive until, she realizes they are hunting humans. Willa struggles to decide if unleashing these dangerous spirits is the only course of action she has to stopping the loggers. She will have to find a way to save the people and animals she loves while taking a stand against the loggers and the darkness that is threatening to destroy her world.

This is the second novel in the series but, I felt that this novel can be read as a standalone. The book is heartbreaking and an exciting read. The book has many great lessons including, respecting nature and focusing on the group mindset instead of thinking of only yourself. I liked all the characters and thought they were beautifully written including, Charka. I hope this isn't the end of the series and that they make a series from the book!

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

  

About the Book:

Title: WILLA OF DARK HOLLOW

Author: Robert Beatty

Pub. Date: May 4, 2021

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, KindleAudibleB&NiBooks, KoboTBD, Bookshop.org

Young nightspirit Willa discovers an ancient, powerful magic deep in the forest in the enchanting companion to Robert Beatty's instant #1 New York Times best-seller, Willa of the Wood.

This enchanting companion to Robert Beatty's instant #1 New York Times bestseller Willa of the Wood is perfect for any reader who cares deeply about the natural world. 

Willa and her clan are the last of the Faeran, an ancient race of forest people who have lived in the Great Smoky Mountains for as long as the trees have grown there. But as crews of newly arrived humans start cutting down great swaths of the forest she loves, she is helpless to stop them. How can she fight the destroyers of the forest and their powerful machines?

When Willa discovers a mysterious dark hollow filled with strange and beautiful creatures, she comes to realize that it contains a terrifying force that seems to be hunting humans. Is unleashing these dangerous spirits the key to stopping the loggers? Willa must find a way to save the people and animals she loves and take a stand against a consuming darkness that threatens to destroy her world.

Praise for Willa of the Wood:

"Willa of the Wood will grip readers from its first page... Willa is... an admirable protagonist."—Culturess

"A moving, atmospheric journey of hope."—Kirkus Reviews

"Beatty conjures up a resourceful, compassionate heroine. Full of atmospheric details and richly described magic... this well-paced tale asks insightful questions about the relationship between nature and humans."—Publishers Weekly

"The heroine is an appealing character... and her anguish is clear as she wavers between frightened self-preservation and her desire to help her friends."—School Library Journal

"Willa is a strong and likable creature of the natural world, and seamlessly represents themes of loyalty, tradition, family, and stewardship of the Earth in this engaging story."—School Library Connection

Accolades:

2018 Goodreads Choice Awards: Middle Grade, finalist

2018 Cybils Award, Elementary Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Nominee

Amazon: Best Children's Books of 2018, ages 9-12

Imagination Soup: Best Middle Grade Chapter Books of 2018

BNKids: July's Best Books for Young Readers, selection (2018)

Brightly: 9 Middle Grade Books for Environmentally Conscious Kids, selection (2018)

PopSugar: The Best books for Kids in 2018, as Voted by Actual Kids and Parents Who Read Them, selection

A Mighty Girl: 2018 Books of the Year, ages 9-12

 


GRAB WILLA OF THE WOOD NOW!

 


Willa of the Wood and Willa of Dark Hollow are being adapted into a multi-season, live-action television series!

 

About Robert:

Robert Beatty is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Serafina series and the Willa of the Wood series published by Disney Hyperion. Loved by young readers and adults alike, the Serafina and Willa books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide and have been translated into over 22 languages. Robert lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Robert was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year. When asked about the inspiration for his books, Robert said, “The Serafina and Willa books grew out of my desire to write stories about unusual and heroic young girls for my three daughters."

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of WILLA OF DARK HOLLOW, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/1/2021

BookHounds YA

Excerpt

Week Two:

5/2/2021

Log Cabin Library

Excerpt

5/3/2021

jillpiscitello

Excerpt

5/4/2021

YA Books Central

Excerpt

5/5/2021

Nerdophiles

Review

5/6/2021

Jenguerdy

Review

5/7/2021

booksaremagictoo

Review

5/8/2021

Amani’s Reviews

Review

Week Three:

5/9/2021

Little Red Reads

Review

5/10/2021

The Bookwyrm's Den

Review

5/11/2021

A Court of Coffee and Books

Review

5/12/2021

Emelie's Books

Review

5/13/2021

Books and Zebras

Review

5/14/2021

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt

5/15/2021

michellemengsbookblog

Review

Week Four:

5/16/2021

two points of interest

Review

5/17/2021

History from a Woman’s Perspective

Review

5/18/2021

Rajiv's Reviews

Review

5/19/2021

Lifestyle of Me

Review

5/20/2021

Haunted By Books

Review

5/21/2021

The Momma Spot

Review

5/22/2021

Fyrekatz Blog

Review

Week Five:

5/23/2021

The Try Everything

Excerpt

5/24/2021

Musing of Souls

Review

5/25/2021

Popthebutterfly

Review

5/26/2021

more.books.yes.please

Review

5/27/2021

DearRivarie

Review

5/28/2021

Momfluenster

Review

5/29/2021

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

Week Six:

5/30/2021

Lady Hawkeye

Excerpt

5/31/2021

Do You Dog-ear?

Review


Thursday, May 13, 2021

May Haul 2021!

 

I can't believe May is half way over! Although, I am looking forward to Halloween :D Mostly for the candy. I didn't go crazy this month but, I did get a few new things I am excited to use.

I got two new body washes from BBW. I already own the lotion version from of the body washes. I got the Stress Relief and Sleep varieties. I got another Fenty Beauty in Unlocked. It's a beautiful magenta color. I got a nice dark Oxblood color from Stila Cosmetics in Rubino. I got two new MAC lipsticks in Russian Red (I heard this is a fan favorite) and Sweet Sakura. Tarte has a new brand line called Sugar Rush. I got this cute gloss in Passion Fruit, that I am really looking forward to using it.

I have tried a few Bliss skincare items. I got a new rose gold rescue moisturizer. The stuff I have used I had good results with. I got a few new Milk Makeup skincare items. I got another watermelon mask, a new melatonin overnight serum, and a vegan milk moisturizer from their line. I got a new ampoule collection from Babor. I have used one of the other ones from them and loved it. I saw results right away.

Have you gotten anything this month that you are excited to use?


Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Book Review - The Power of Piggie Bear by Mara James + Giveaway

 

The cute illustrated book helps little readers understand and process their feelings in a fun and loving way. Piggie Bear helps little ones recognize their feelings and how to use words to express themselves. The book includes self-calming exercises that they can utilize. I thought the book was a cute and fun read along with being an important resource for little ones. The book will help enable young children to put their feelings into words and help them process their feelings.

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

 

 

About the Book:

Title: THE POWER OF PIGGY BEAR

Author: Mara James, Matthew Mew (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: March 2, 2021

Publisher: Brown Books Kids

Formats: Hardcover

Pages: 32

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

Extraordinary Lives Foundation Founder and CEO Mara James releases her debut children’s picture book to promote Mental Health Awareness and Wellness!

Do you ever feel sad, lonely, or worried? What about angry, or scared? These feelings can be hard to fell, can't they? It would be much easier to just feel happy all the time! But everyone feels these ways sometimes, and it's nothing to be scared or worried about. As long as you know helpful ways to handle your feelings, everything will be OK! And that is what Piggie Bear is for! Piggie Bear shows children everywhere just how amazing they are, each and everyone. And Piggie Bear also shows children different techniques they can use to work through emotions that are hard to feel and understand. The Power of Piggie Bear is an important emotional tool, created for young children to learn how to identify, process, and manage their own feelings in a healthy way.

Mara Reads THE POWER OF PIGGY BEAR

 

 

About Mara James:

Originally from New York, Mara James relocated to California with her husband and her three children in 2007. They established Dr. James’s OBGYN practice, and for seven years, Mara managed the busy office. Then, in 2014, Mara unexpectedly experienced a manic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Through her battle with mental health, many wellness professionals helped Mara heal and transform her life. Mara established the Extraordinary Lives Foundation and created Piggie Bear to promote mental health awareness and provide both children and their parents with the resources needed to pursue holistic wellness. Mara lives with her family in Orange County, California.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 


About the Illustrator Mathew Mew:

Matthew Mew has been working with children’s books and materials as an author and illustrator for over thirty-five years. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in design, he worked for six years as a character illustrator in the Disneyland Creative Services Department. For the past thirty years, he has been a freelancer, designing and illustrating children’s products and print media for companies both large and small.

 

Website | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will win a finished copy of THE POWER OF PIGGY BEAR, US Only.



Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/3/2021

TravelersWife4Life

Excerpt

5/4/2021

YA Books Central

Interview

5/5/2021

Jill Piscitello

Excerpt

5/6/2021

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt

5/7/2021

cindysloveofbooks 

Review

Week Two:

5/10/2021

Little Red Reads

Review

5/11/2021

Rajiv's Reviews

Review

5/12/2021

@minnesota_mailer

Review

5/13/2021

Midnightbooklover

Review

5/14/2021

two points of interest

Review

Week Three:

5/17/2021

michellemengsbookblog

Review

5/18/2021

Jazzy Book Reviews

Review

5/19/2021

BookHounds Ya

Review

5/20/2021

The Momma Spot

Review

5/21/2021

Momfluenster

Review

Week Four:

5/24/2021

@bookshelfmomma

Review/Spotlight

5/25/2021

She Just Loves Books

Review

5/26/2021

Simply Daniel Radcliffe

Review

5/27/2021

Jaime's World

Excerpt

5/28/2021

I'm Shelfish

Review

Week Five:

5/31/2021

Nerdophiles

Review


Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Book Review - 'Round Midnight by Laura McBride

 

Twenty-one-year-old June Stein is bored of her safe world and decides to move from New Jersey to Las Vegas in the 1950s. In the span of 60 years, June tries to live her life as she pleases and she tries to push boundaries. She goes against the norm for what she believes in.

June's story intertwines with three strangers: a woman who was a mail-order bride from the Philippines, a young mother who is working as a hotel maid, and a high school music teacher. The three women are connected by a secret June has kept.

I wasn't a fan of this novel. I felt like the story had too many characters and it seemed pointless and jumbled together.  The story had tons of random details that sometimes made the story hard to follow.  I did like the premise of the story but, I felt like the execution wasn't great.

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Book Spotlight - America by Mike Bond + Giveaway




ASIN : B08XDZCJ4Q
Publisher : Mike Bond Books (May 4, 2021)
Publication date : May 4, 2021
Language : English

Praise for MIKE BOND

"Master of the existential thriller" —BBC

“One of the 21st Century’s most exciting authors … spellbinding readers with a writing style that pits hard-boiled, force of nature-like characters against politically adept, staccato-paced plots.” —Washington Times

“One of America’s best thriller writers.” —Culture Buzz

“A master of the storytelling craft.” —Midwest Book Review

“Bond never loses the reader’s attention … working that fatalistic margin where life and death are one and the existential reality leaves one caring only to survive.” —Sunday Oregonian

“One of the best thriller writers, in the same league as Gerald Seymour and Frederick Forsyth.” —NetGalley

“Mike Bond is not only an acclaimed novelist… His intellect and creativity dance together on the pages, braiding fiction into deeper truths about ourselves, our nature, our government, our history and our future.” —Where Truth Meets Fiction

“Bond touches on the vast and eerie depths that lie under the thin crust of civilization and the base instinct within man to survive.” —Nottingham Observer (UK)

“Mike Bond’s books are a national treasure.” —Art Zuckerman, WVOX

“Bond uses his gift for fiction to teach us hard truths about religion, human nature, and warfare.” —Masterful Book Reviews

“A highly distinctive writer.” —Liverpool Daily Post (UK)


A decade that transformed America

The Sixties shook America to its foundation – the assassination of an idealistic young president, a tragic and unpopular war, a battle for civil rights, a cosmic clash of riots and burning cities, and an explosion of sex, drugs and rock’n roll.

For four young people, the Sixties is a decade of promise and freedom. For orphaned Troy, it’s the joy of living with his new family and exploring the world of flight and outer space. For Tara, the girl he loves, the power of song as she evolves into a rock’n roll star. For his new brother, Mick, a football hero and rebel, a time to question everything, including the fast-growing war in Vietnam. And for Daisy, the girl Mick loves, a chance to fight for equality, join the Peace Corps, and expand her study of the human mind.

America is the first of Mike Bond’s seven-volume historical novel series, capturing the victories and heartbreaks of the last 70 years and of our nation’s most profound upheavals since the Civil War – a time that defined the end of the 20th Century and where we are today.

Through the wild, joyous, heartbroken and visionary lives of four young people and many others, the Sixties come alive again, as do its questions: what is life? What is freedom? What was lost, what was won?

You can purchase America at the following Retailers:
  

Photo Content from Mike Bond

Bestselling novelist MIKE BOND has worked in many dangerous and war-torn regions of the world. His critically acclaimed novels portray the innate hunger of the human heart for good, the intense joys of love, the terror and fury of battle, the sinister conspiracies of dictators, corporations and politicians, and the beauty of the vanishing natural world.

    
WEEK ONE
MAY 3rd MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW
MAY 4th TUESDAY Pages and Pugs EXCERPT
MAY 5th WEDNESDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW
MAY 6th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW
MAY 7th FRIDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW
MAY 8th SATURDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW
MAY 9th SUNDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

WEEK TWO
MAY 10th MONDAY A Dream Within A Dream REVIEW
MAY 11th TUESDAY Rajiv's Review REVIEW
MAY 12th WEDNESDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW
MAY 13th THURSDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW
MAY 14th FRIDAY TTC Books and More REVIEW
MAY 15th SATURDAY Movies, Shows, & Books REVIEW
MAY 16th SUNDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

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

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