Mundie Moms

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

TOP 10 FAVORITE CHARACTERS I'D DRESS UP AS FOR HALLOWEEN #TopTenTuesday


Happy Halloween! Welcome to this week's Top Ten Tuesday post. I love that this week's post was a Halloween freebie. I went with my Top Ten Favorite Characters I'd Dress Up As For Halloween. You can check out my previous TTT posts here


What's not to love about dressing up and pretending to be your favorite character. Below are a few of my favorite fictional (book) characters I would love to dress up as. From a Jedi, to a Wizard, Pirate, Shadowhunters, to Wonder Woman, a Queen and more. If I could create a costume that I visualize in my mind, I'd totally make one. However, picturing it in my mind is one thing, and making it is a totally different thing. It never turns out the same. lol 

  1. Rey from Star Wars: The Force Awakens; I should also add Princess Leia, because it's Leia, but I also love Rey. 
  2. Hermione (or really anyone from) from Harry Potter / Mrs Weasley because she's just awesome (image source)
  1. Tessa from the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare
  2. Alina from The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
  3. Alosa from Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

  • Fallon from The Valiant by Lesley Livingston 
  • Amani al'Hiza from Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton
  • Gauri from A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi

    1. Wonder Woman; I loved dressing up as her as a kid
    2. This one is for Sophie. Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. Though let's be honest, we'd be more likely to dress up as these the characters from Austenland by Shannon Hale. LOL 

    There are just a few of the many characters I think it would be fun to dress up. Not to mention, some of them have some awesome costumes too. From the frilly to the kick butt kind of outfit you'd except them to be in; coming up with ideas was a lot of fun for this list. Now if only I had the talent and the time to create these.....   

    Which characters would you add to your list? We hope you have a fun, safe, and Happy Halloween! 

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

    Image sources: here & here

    We want to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!
    We hope you have a fabulous day and safe Halloween night. 


    OUT TODAY! 10/31/17 New YA Releases


    Happy Halloween! Happy Book Birthday to today's newest YA releases. Here's what you can now pick up from bookstore shelves:
    Which new releases are you looking forward to reading?

    Monday, October 30, 2017

    NEMESIS by Brendan Reichs / Book Review #Nemesis


    By: Brendan Reichs
    Published by: Putnam
    Released on: March 21st, 2017 - TODAY
    Series: Project Nemesis #1
    Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
    Add it to Goodreads

    Rating: 4 stars
    Source: arc from publisher to review in exchange for my honest review

    Orphan Black meets Lord of the Flies in this riveting new thriller from the co-author of the Virals series.

    It’s been happening since Min was eight. Every two years, on her birthday, a strange man finds her and murders her in cold blood. But hours later, she wakes up in a clearing just outside her tiny Idaho hometown—alone, unhurt, and with all evidence of the horrifying crime erased.

    Across the valley, Noah just wants to be like everyone else. But he’s not. Nightmares of murder and death plague him, though he does his best to hide the signs. But when the world around him begins to spiral toward panic and destruction, Noah discovers that people have been lying to him his whole life. Everything changes in an eye blink.

    For the planet has a bigger problem. The Anvil, an enormous asteroid threatening all life on Earth, leaves little room for two troubled teens. Yet on her sixteenth birthday, as she cowers in her bedroom, hoping not to die for the fifth time, Min has had enough. She vows to discover what is happening in Fire Lake and uncovers a lifetime of lies: a vast conspiracy involving the sixty-four students of her sophomore class, one that may be even more sinister than the murders.


    A suspenseful, thrilling read from beginning to end. NEMESIS is action packed, full of twists, and turns you won't see coming. An addictive read I couldn't put down, this book was not what I was excepting. I can't wait to read the sequel.

    Min can't seem to catch a break. Each year on her birthday, she has to relive the same horrifying experience. Her own death. Only each year she's killed differently, only to wake up later in the middle of the woods. Each time she's killed by the same mysterious man. What's worst, no one believes her. That is until she meets Noah. 

    Noah and Min not only share the same birthday, they both have one more thing in common. Noah and Min both get killed on their birthdays. Min each year, and Noah over other year. Both run in two different circles of friends, but once these two cross paths, and start to uncover more of the secrets surrounding themselves, there's no going back to how things used to be. 

    Min and Noah couldn't be more different, yet there's something about both of them I liked from the get go. I absolutely love Min's best friend Tack. Tack plays a big role in Min's life, as well as helping uncover what's going on. The more they dig into the mystery, the more questions they have. Getting to bottom of this craziness is just the beginning for these three. 

    The character banter in this book is great. I love a book with good character banter. It was interesting watching the character interactions through out the entire story, and see how they all work together to solve the mystery. It was definitely easy to like some characters more than others, yet, I felt like each of the characters definitely had a purpose in this story, whether good or bad. I liked getting to see their individual progressions as the story continued. I'm curious to see what happens with each of them in the sequel.

    The setting and the atmosphere of this story were great. Both really set the mood for the story perfectly. Fire Lake definitely felt more like a character than just a setting. I love it when that happens. It felt like it definitely had it's own personality to add to the story. One of my favorite parts of the story is the setting itself. 


    The writing was definitely engaging. I really liked that this story is told from two different points of views. Having the story told from both Min and Noah's povs added a lot more to the story. It definitely allows for readers to not only get to know Min and Noah more, but we also get a better look into their worlds, and all that's going on. I don't think this story would have worked had it been written any other way. 

    The plot was awesome! Sure, there are some slower moments to the story, but over all this story kept me hooked with all the twists and turns. There's so much to it, and I still NEED ANSWERS! Through out the entire story, just as I think I have it all figured out it takes another turn that not only leaves me trying to figure out how I didn't see that new revelation coming, but also predict what will happen next. Trust me, there's no predicting this story's outcome. 

    While some questions are answered, in the end I'm left wondering how I couldn't figure it out, and now I have more questions that need to be answered. I look forward to reading this sequel! This is one YA thriller worth picking up. It definitely makes a for a good Halloween read. Be sure to check out my interview with Brendan about Nemsis here.

    Thursday, October 26, 2017

    . @cassieclare Shares a Tiny Snippet from QUEEN OF AIR AND DARKNESS #Shadowhunters


    Check it out Shadowhunters fans, Cassie has shared a tiny snippet from the cover for Queen of Air and Darkness! I am dying to see this cover. I can not wait for it's reveal at the upcoming Yallfest. Check out what Cassie said about it's upcoming reveal below:

    Check out a tiny snippet from the cover of QUEEN OF AIR AND DARKNESS! The full cover AND release date will be revealed during my keynote event at Yallfest w/Marissa Meyer in Charleston Saturday Nov 11 at 5pm! The reveal will also be streamed on social media; more info soon! Tickets to the keynote are available at link in my bio or here: http://yallfest.citypapertickets.com/events/46169004/closing-keynote-marissa-meyer-and-cassandra-clare


    Who's all going to YallFest? I wish I was. I look forward to seeing all the pictures from this epic, upcoming event, including this cover!


    Wednesday, October 25, 2017

    The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo Book Review


    By: Leigh Bardugo
    Illustrations by: Sara Kipin 
    Published By: Imprint / McMillian
    Released on: 26th Sept 2017
    Purchase from: Amazon B&N
    Add on Goodreads
    Rating: 5 stars
    Source: own book

    Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.
    Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.
    Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, no. 1 New York Times-bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.
    Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans of the Grishaverse.

    After discovering Leigh Barugo's Grisha world last year when Crooked Kingdom was released, I have been a huge fan of her writing of this world ever since. I devoured both of her Grisha series in a short space of time and was very excited to hear we would have more from this world. The fairytales and folklore in this series of short stories are a perfect addition to the Grisha world. But you don't have to have read any of the other books to still enjoy these stories.

    I wish I had this to read to my children (now older teens) when they were younger. I think this would be a great book to read to middle grade aged children who have almost grown out of being read to out loud. With nods to Hans Christian Anderson and Aslops Fabels but with a slightly more darker or maybe more realistic twist, I never seemed to see the end coming of each tale. Something I think readers will really enjoy. A beautiful book with beautiful illistrations as well that really add to the story.

    I enjoyed each story individually as much as I enjoyed the whole book. Sometimes short stories are good for busy lifes and also for reluctant readers. I liked how even though each story was set in the Grisha world, each story was very different. I especially liked the strong female characters represented and how the girls didnt always require a man to save the day.

    THE GENESIS FLAME by Ryan Dalton / Cover Reveal & Giveaway #TheGensisFlame

    Hello and welcome to today's cover reveal! I'm thrilled to team up with North Star / Jolly Fish press to share the cover for Ryan Dalton's third book in the Time Shift Trilogy, THE GENESIS FLAME! Along with today's cover reveal, is a giveaway! Be sure to check it out at the end of this post. Now, 

    CHECK OUT THIS COVER!


    That is a seriously awesome looking flame on the cover. I'd definitely pick up the book based on the cover. Does this cover have you wanting to know what's going on? I've not read this series, but based on the cover and title alone, I'm totally intrigued by this book. What do you think of the cover?

    RYAN'S THOUGHTS ON THE COVER

    It was early morning, not long ago, when I rolled out of bed and groggily picked up my phone. A morning like any other. Half-asleep fingers tapped a familiar pattern on the screen, running on habit and muscle memory. Then I opened my email . . . and there it was. It hit me right between the eyes, dramatic and evocative and dangerous. Exactly what I'd been hoping for, and more.
    My trilogy is a series of time travel mysteries, but each book also has an underlying elemental theme that ties in with the story. For THE YEAR OF LIGHTNING, it was of course lightning and suspiciously powerful storms. For THE BLACK TEMPEST, it was ice that didn't behave like ice should. Now for THE GENESIS FLAME the elemental theme is, not normal fire, but the unnatural fire that occurs when Time itself is destroyed. 

    My awesome partners at North Star have managed to outdo themselves with every cover in the Time Shift Trilogy, and this final cover is no different. I'm excited and proud to share it with you now.


    ABOUT THE BOOK

    By: Ryan Dalton
    Published by: North Star / Jolly Fish Press
    To Be Released on: April 24th, 2018
    Pre-Order from: Amazon 
    Add it to Goodreads

    The timeline is burning. No one knows why.

    Teenage twins Malcolm and Valentine Gilbert have defeated doomsday machines, ice monsters, and time-traveling supervillains. Yet their full potential remains out of reach. The Chrona is elusive, and without her guidance they struggle to grow in their abilities and to choose the course of their lives.

    When an enemy invades from the future, he brands the twins as war criminals. Amidst a war between ages, the twins must uncover the real truth about themselves, their accuser, and the secrets that brought him to their town. At all costs, they must unlock their true power before the enemy breaks the timeline completely. If they fail, it could mean the end of Time itself.


    OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES




    ABOUT THE AUTHOR


    When he's not wearing a cape and fighting crime, Ryan Dalton sits in his awesome red captain's chair and thinks up fun stories to share with the world. A lifelong geek, a trained stage vocalist, and a pretty decent amateur chef, he knew at the age of ten that he would one day take over the world publish novels to stir the heart and spark the imagination. And then take over the world. Yep, definitely just the heart and imagination thing. Ryan lives in an invisible spaceship that is currently hovering above Phoenix, Arizona.

    Connect with Ryan online: Website| Twitter | Facebook


    ENTER TO WIN!

    Thank you to the publisher, 3 winners will each receive (1) advanced reader copy of THE GENESIS FLAME. US only. To enter, please fill out the form below:

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    RETRIBUTION RAILS by Erin Bowman / Waiting On Wednesday #RetributionRails


    By: Erin Bowman
    Published by: HMH Books for Young Readers 
    To Be Released on: November 7th, 2017
    Series: Vengeance Road #2
    Pre-Order from: Amazon | B&N
    Add it Goodreads

    REDEMPTION IS NEVER FREE

    When Reece Murphy is forcibly dragged into the Rose Riders gang  because of a mysterious gold coin in his possession, he vows to find the man who gave him the piece and turn him over to the gang in exchange for freedom. Never does he expect a lead to come from an aspiring female journalist. But when Reece's path crosses with Charlotte Vaughn after a botched train robbery and she mentions a promising rumor about a gunslinger from Prescott, it becomes apparent that she will be his ticket to freedom—or a noose. As the two manipulate each other for their own ends, past secrets are unearthed, reviving a decade-old quest for revenge that may be impossible to settle.

    In this thrilling companion to Vengeance Road, dangerous alliances are formed, old friends meet new enemies, and the West is wilder than ever.


    I can not wait for this book to be out! Vengeance Road was one of all time favorite reads the year it was out, and this sequel is one I've been waiting to get my hands on for sometime now. I absolutely LOVE this cover too! I'm looking forward to reading this book when it's out in two weeks. I've had it pre-ordered for what feels like forever now. What book are you waiting to get your hands on?

    Tuesday, October 24, 2017

    Top Ten Unique Book Titles #TopTenTuesday


    Welcome to this week's Top Ten Tuesday post. It's been awhile since I've posted a TTT post. You can check out my previous TTT posts here. This week's top is TOP TEN UNIQUE BOOK TITLES



    This is such a fun topic. There are so many book titles to choose from. Often times when I go on a reading binge, I find that titles start blending together. I choose titles that weren't only unique, but ones that stood out among book titles that all seem to have similar sounding titles or over use certain words way too much. Since I had a few favorites, below's lists features 2017 releases. 

    TEN NEW RELEASES WITH UNIQUE BOOK TITLES



    1. Turtles All The Way Down by John Green
    2. Brooding YA Hero: Becoming A Main Character (Almost) As Awesome As Me by Carrie Ann DiRisio
    3. Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows
    4. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
    5. Forrest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao
    6. All The Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater
    7. They Both Die At The End by Adam Silva
    8. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
    9. The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo
    10. Roar by Cora Carmack
    11. Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor
    12. Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody
    SOME OF OUR FAVORITE READS WITH UNIQUE TITLES

    As you know by now, I can't just make one list (sorry, not sorry). Here's a list with a few of my favorite reads, that all have unique, stand out titles.  
    • Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
    • Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Andieh
    • Shadow and Bone by Leigh Barudgo 
    • City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
    • City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
    • Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
    • Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
    • Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
    • The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
    • Flame In The Mist by Renee Andieh
    • Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman
    What are some titles you'd add to this list? I swear I know there's a lot more, but I can't think of them off the top my head like I did with these. 

    OUT TODAY! 10/24/17 New YA Releases


    Happy book birthday to today's newest YA releases. Check out what's new to book store shelves: 
    Which new releases are you looking forward to picking up?

    Monday, October 23, 2017

    October Must Reads #FallIntoReading


    This month is flying by, and I'm starting to realize there is not enough days in this month to read all the books I want to read. There are some fantastic reads that have been released this fall so far. Here are a few of the books I'd recommend picking up this month. This is a list I shared on Instagram (follow us here), but I'm also adding a few more to that list. Check out the full list below: 

    1. The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo
    2. Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows
    3. The Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao
    4. Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco 
    5. The Witch's Kiss by Katharine Carr & Elizabeth Carr

    1. Berserker by Emmy Laybourne
    2. The Midnight Dance by Nikki Katz
    3. Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel
    4. There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
    5. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson


    There are a lot of great new reads to pick up this fall. These are just a few of the ones I'd recommend checking out. They range from a good afternoon read, to ones I absolutely loved. What are some titles you'd add to this list?

    *Book photographs taken by Mundie Moms

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