Review: Chasing Midnight by Courtney King Walker with Giveaway

CHASING MIDNIGHT

by Courtney King Walker

Cedar Fort, Inc.

YA Fantasy

256 pages

WISH LIST

1.      The biggest, fanciest house on Sea View Drive.

2.      Nike Flyknits.

3.      A ski-jump nose.

4.      My own car. A new BMW.

5.      Be a total pro at the piano.

6.      James Odera to like me. Be James Odera’s girlfriend.

7.      Get Spencer’s lungs fixed.

Mackenzie Love dreams of being a “lucky one”—someone who has the perfect life. Someone who doesn’t have to worry about money, a sick brother, or her high school status. So when a mysterious visitor offers to make all her wishes come true, Mackenzie jumps at the chance. But the royal lifestyle may cost more than Mackenzie is willing to pay in this modern twist on the classic Cinderella story.

Chasing Midnight: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY TIDBITS

I've been getting my thrill on fairy tale re-tellings lately, so I was all smiles when I got my hands on this one. My first thoughts: this is not as magical as I thought it might be. And that's a good thing. . .at least, as far as this tale is concerned.

The main character, Mackenzie, doesn't have a perfect life. Sure, she has people who love her and the bestie best friend ever, but her popularity is on the bottom and her family is battling issues, which would weigh anyone down. My favorite thing about her is that she has a good heart. Mackenzie would love nothing more than to change her life into luck. Not only in the sense of popularity and money, but she'd do anything to save the life of her sick brother.

There is a dash of magic, and it blends it nicely with the 'real' feel of the story--just a hint and never too much. The author does a fantastic job of taking Mackenzie on the trip of her dreams while still keeping the entire thing based in a 'normal' teenage setting. The dialogue and scenery comes to life and feels natural. It's no problem to fall into Mackenzie's world and feel as if you're right beside her as she battles her way through her magical problem.

The other characters are just as easy to sympathize with, and the problems between them reflect things teenagers can easily sympathize with. I appreciated the layers (good and bad) each character had, and the way the author was able to weave secrets behind every facade. Although the book maintains a nice sense of humor, there are several serious messages and lessons worked in as well. But this never feels preachy. As in every good fairy tale, the main character has a lesson to learn, and Mackenzie isn't any different.

Although there are several hints at the Cinderella theme, they are only lightly hit upon, leaving the plot and characters with a fresh and modern tone. There's never a boring moment, and it was never clear what problems she'd run into next...or how to solve them when she did figure out what was going on.

Summed up, this is a retelling with a very modern, high school feel. I can recommend this to YA readers, who like just a tiny touch of magic in a normal, high school setting. With a little romance. A little chaos. And a lot of heart.

And here she is. . .

COURTNEY KING WALKER!!!

Courtney King Walker grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area building rocket ships and rafts out of
cardboard, hoping to make it the moon or at least Niagara Falls. But a trip across the border to Tijuana was as exciting as it ever got, so she decided writing about adventure was the next best thing. She now lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and four children, and still dreams of flying to the moon. She is the author of the young adult novel, ON THE FRINGE, and middle grade novel MOLLY PEPPER AND THE NIGHT TRAIN. Her next YA novel, CHASING MIDNIGHT, will be published January 12, 2016 by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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Go ahead and follow the tour! So many other goodies to see.

Monday, Jan 11th – Lost in Ever After – Guest Post

Tuesday, Jan 12th – Release Day Launch!

Wednesday, Jan 13th – The Book Dragon – Top 10 & Review

Friday, Jan 15th – Worth Reading It? – Review

Monday, Jan 18th – 5 Girl Book Reviews – Review

Wednesday, Jan 20th – 21st Century Once Upon a Time – Author Interview & Review

Friday, Jan 22nd – Bookworm for Kids – Review

Monday, Jan 25th – Books are Love – Review

Wednesday, Jan 27th – Reader Girls – Guest Post

Friday, Jan 29th – A Book and a Latte – Top 10

Review: Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth

COGLING

by Jordan Elizabeth

Curiosity Quills Press

Middle Grade Fantasy

Date of Release: January 25, 2016

Cover Artist: Mandie Manzano

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

When fifteen-year-old Edna Mather tears an expensive and unfamiliar pocket watch off her little brother’s neck, he crumbles into a pile of cogs right before her eyes. Horrified, Edna flees for help, but encounters Ike, a thief who attempts to steal the watch before he realizes what it is: a device to power Coglings—clockwork changelings left in place of stolen children who have been forced to work in factories.

Desperate to rescue her brother, Edna sets off across the kingdom to the hags’ swamp, with Ike in tow. There, they learn Coglings are also replacing nobility so the hags can stage a rebellion and rule over humanity. Edna and Ike must stop the revolt, but the populace believes hags are helpful godmothers and healers. No one wants to believe a lowly servant and a thief, especially when Ike has secrets that label them both as traitors.

Together, Edna and Ike must make the kingdom trust them or stop the hags themselves, even if Ike is forced to embrace his dark heritage and Edna must surrender her family.

MY TIDBITS

I've had the pleasure of reading several of this author's books, and although I was sure this would be a fun, steampunk adventure, I was surprised to find that it was so much more than that.

This book opens up to a wondrous, fantastical world, where hags, magic, kings, humans and all sorts of other amazing things fall into place as naturally as if this world had always been there. Even new creatures fall smoothly into place, never feeling forced or foreign. And the characters. . .well, let's just say they are a real treat.

Edna Mather had my complete attention from the very first page. Her background is one of courage, hardship and love. She has a fighting spirit and is ready to sacrifice all to save her brother. It's impossible not to cheer her on as she storms off against all odds to save him, but still, never really takes on an overly self-assured role. She has moments of doubt, moments of weakness, and a secret which she's sure will ruin everything if ever found out. Her reactions are always level-headed, and there are times where fear almost gets the better of her. In other words, she feels very real and is one of those characters which burrows their way into a reader's heart.

There's also a heroic young man, Ike, who never wavers from Edna's side...one that will have girls reading this wrapped around his finger. Rachel is a girl Edna will never come to terms with but fate seems to have fun with the idea that they might. And there's the brother, a sibling even the reader's will want to protect. Even the other characters, and there are many of them, each have their own personality and add a nice touch whenever they appear. I've found favorites among them too.

This is an adventurous story with lots of action, danger and simply tense scenes. I was so drawn in that I couldn't put this book down until I hit the very last page. There were tons of twists and turns, unexpected moments where I sat on the edge of my seat, insurmountable odds and times when it seemed like the main characters might just have to give up. 

Readers ages 10 and especially tweens will enjoy this. I wouldn't recommended it to readers younger than this due to a few gruesome scenes. But the older end of the middle grade audience will appreciate the sweet romance, slightly older characters (15 and 17), and the longer story length. 

Summed up, this was a read that not only met my expectations but blew them away. The steampunk elements are present, but there are so many other magical and mystical creatures involved that it takes on more of a fairy tale feeling. Readers ages 10+ who enjoy getting lost in fantasy worlds with princes and magic and heroines with hearts of gold will love getting lost in these pages. I hope there are more adventures like this one to come.

And here she is. . .

JORDAN ELIZABETH!!!

Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, writes down her nightmares in order to live her dreams. With an eclectic job history of working as a college professor; historic costumed interpreter at Fort Stanwix, Victorian Leisure Fair, and Mayfaire on the Green; office specialist; sales clerk; election inspector; and trainer, she is now diving into the world of author.It happens to be her favorite one.

When she’s not creating art or searching for lost history in the woods, she’s updating her blog, Kissed by Literature. Jordan is the president of the Utica Writers Club and maintains JordanElizabethMierek.com.

She roams Central New York, but she loves to travel. A great deal of time has been spent in a rural town very similar to Arnn, the setting of her novel ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW.

Find the author Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Curiosity Quills Press (CQ) is a small hybrid publishing company specializing in genre fiction of the highest quality. With 150+ titles in our catalog already and approximately 6 new books coming out each month, there’s never a dull moment at CQ. We work with major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible to ensure that you, the reader, can find whatever you are looking for at your convenience.

Founded in 2011 by Eugene Teplitsky and Lisa Gus, CQ was initially a resource portal for writing and publishing, created in an effort to help writers, like themselves, survive the publishing industry. After rapid success, CQ morphed into publishing press that over time has solidified its share in the market. Now we spend our days searching for the next great escape!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: Kingdom Beneath the Well by Mark Couturier

THE KINGDOM BENEATH THE WELL

by M.D. Couturier

Middle Grade Fantasy

242 pages

Friendless and unhappy, eleven-year-old Christina longs for her estranged father, fights with her mother, and gets teased at school for being different. Fairy tales and fantasy novels provide her only escape, and when she falls into an enchanted well one day, she is transported to a magnificent kingdom inhabited by dragons, flying unicorns, and other wondrous creatures. With the help of an ancient order, Christina embarks upon a quest to destroy an evil king...only to discover that things aren't what they seem. An even greater struggle awaits her—and a far more terrible enemy.

MY TIDBITS

In some ways, this story reminded me a bit of the WIZARD OF OZ. The main character, Christina, isn't exactly happy with her life and winds up in a fantastical world. 

One of my favorite parts of this book is the fantasy. It's rich, diverse and reels in with all of the wonderful creatures and surroundings. Around every corner, there's a surprise. . .and it's hard to guess what might come next.

This book is for middle grade audiences, however, some parts of it might be a little much for the younger end of this group. There are several subjects and messages touched upon, which I personally feel are still a bit much for 8-9 year olds. Plus, the length and vocabulary is more fitting to ages 10 and up. 

The character herself is a girl easy to sympathize with. She's loving, clever and definitely adventure seeking in her own way. She and her new found friends come up against pretty rough adversaries, and I often wondered how she'd make it through. In other words, there are twists, turns and tension to keep the reader guessing until the very end. The plot has a nice pace, and the descriptions never lead into the realm of boring, making sure kids aren't tempted to lay it down.

The writing itself is fitting of the age group. The vocabulary does challenge at times, but I'd never call this a bad thing. The only thing that bothered me a little was the speed at which some things happened. It would have been nice to see and experience things more than simply be told that they were so. It breaks up the flow at times, and made the writing feel a little rough.

But I don't believe kids will be bothered by this as much as I an adult am. I'm sure kids will thoroughly enjoy the fantasy and love diving into this fantastic world.  

And here he is. . .

M.D. COUTURIER!!!

Born in South Korea, M.D. Couturier was raised in Michigan. Couturier, who is legally blind, once spent a month as an aid worker in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he unloaded supplies for an American dentist who was setting up a clinic there. When he’s not writing, Couturier enjoys listening to history books and watching movies. 

Review: A London Art Chase by Natalie Grant

LONDON ART CHASE

Faithgirlz/Glimmer Girls, Book 1

by Natalie Grant

Zonderkidz

Middle Grade Fiction

ages 8 - 12

208 pages

Available January 26th!!!

In London Art Chase, the first title in the new Faithgirlz Glimmer Girls series, readers meet 10-year-old twins Mia and Maddie and their adorable little sister, LuLu. All the girls are smart, sassy, and unique in their own way, each with a special little something that adds to great family adventures.


There is pure excitement in the family as the group heads to London for the first time to watch mom, famous singer Gloria Glimmer, perform. But on a day trip to the National Gallery, Maddie witnesses what she believes to be an art theft and takes her sisters and their beloved and wacky nanny Miss Julia, on a wild and crazy adventure as they follow the supposed thief to his lair. Will the Glimmer Girls save the day? And will Maddie find what makes her shine?

MY TIDBITS

The lovely cover and series title, Glimmer Girls, caught my attention on this one, since this is exactly something that would grab the attention of my youngest daughter. The fact that it's Christian fiction only sweetened the deal.

The three main characters are a bundle of joy. The older two are twins (giving them a special bond) and the youngest, Lulu, is boisterous and cute as a button. Their energy and vibrant personalities leap off the pages, displaying a fun loving attitude which is very contagious.

This is a feel good story through and through. Even when problems arise, they are approached with a more than healthy attitude. I appreciated this positive feeling and the warmth it displays. Some of the so-called problems, however, were a bit too quick to solve which puffed a bit of the possible mystery and excitement away. Still, the girl's never ending curiosity keeps the plot on its toes.

There's never a dull moment in this tale and the setting, London, is well done. Little tidbits, descriptions and explanations are peppered throughout the book, helping readers to discover a little bit more about London themselves. This information blends in masterfully with the rest of the story, making it feel natural and not forced.

The writing and dialogue are very natural, and the girls came across as regular girls should...and very happy ones at that. Despite all of the fun and lovely banter in the Glimmer family, it did seem to take awhile before a 'real' plot took hold. And even then, all the activities and sights tended to over-shadow it at times.

One of my favorite things about this book was the illustrations. Bonus points to those! They are scattered rather frequently through the chapters and are a real treat.

Summed up, this is a fun read. The Glimmer Girls are best friend material, and their messages are wholesome and easy for middle graders to relate to. The plot isn't clear-cut, but the girls are endearing and all the attention. I can't wait to see where this group of siblings goes from here.

Review: Every Big & Little Wish by E.C. Moore with Giveaway

EVERY BIG & LITTLE WISH

by E.C. Moore

Booktrope Editions

YA Romance

244 pages

E.C. Moore’s young adult novel, Every Big and Little Wish, opens in late spring 1970. Sixteen-year-old Jacy Wilbert’s Mom got promoted, so her parents sold their Victorian home in California and moved to a townhouse in Oregon.

Torn away from the only home she’s ever known, forced to leave her beloved German shepherd behind, Jacy feels misplaced. Exacerbating an already terrible situation, her dad runs off with the bombshell real estate agent who sold them their townhouse. And, just when it seems things can’t get any worse, her mom loses the stupid job they left California for in the first place and begins to drown her sorrows with pink wine, night after night. Jacy’s caught in the middle, struggling to maintain a relationship with her AWOL dad while tolerating his annoying, much-younger girlfriend.

Missing old friends back in California, and feeling like an outsider, Jacy needs to build a new social life in a new school. Not the sort of girl to wait around for what she wants to come her way, she sets her sights on Neil Wilder, the best-looking boy around.

Everything changes when Jacy Wilbert knocks on the wrong door.

MY TIDBITS

I expected this to be a sweet, high school romance with a main character battling a bit of family baggage. Boy, did I fall short of everything this tale involves.

Jacy is a sixteen-year-old girl with a ton of weight on her shoulders. Her family life is a disaster (although she deals pretty well with her drunken mom), she's struggling with all the battles of a new school, and now she's got a crush on a new boy in town. Add a stalker, brats at school and a lot of other craziness to it, and you've got a teenage girl who needs more than a flotation device to stay afloat.

Jacy is a fun character--sweet, snarky, snippy, forgiving, understanding and determined. There's so much to life about her, and I was caught up in her character right away. I rooted for her as she faced high school drama, and hoped she'd win her heart-throb over. But with all the other things added to this, I began to wonder if things weren't going overboard.

There are tons of strands woven through this story, and although it's not hard to follow, I almost found it too much. Jacy is great, and her reactions very fitting, but it stretches the boundaries of what a girl can realistically handle... or have thrown at her. Still, everything swings together keeping the pace steady and interesting, and I never had the urge to set this book down.

Summed up, this is more than a simple, high school romance. It's the story of a girl, finding herself in a world turned upside down...in so many ways.



And here she is. . .

E.C. Moore!!!

When Elizabeth’s not writing feverishly, you will find her out walking or sightseeing. She’s crazy about coffee, books, cooking, good wine, cairn terriers, miniature ponies, historical houses, tapas, and witty people.

She resides in a fifties bungalow in Southern California, with her creative-director, hubba-hubba husband, a yappy blonde dog, and one feisty Chihuahua.

Author links:

http://www.ecmooreauthor.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8776496.E_C_Moore

https://www.facebook.com/e.c.mooreauthor?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/ecmooreauthor

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