Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 245

Blue Tide by Jenna-Lynne Duncan #Blogtour

Blue Tide
Jenna-Lynne Duncan
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: January 9th 2017
Genres: Adventure, Dystopian, Young Adult

An award-winning YA adventure-packed romance steeped in Middle Eastern culture and set in the Asian Pacific amongst dangerous oceans and tropical islands.
Seventeen-year-old refugee Lux plots her escape from the island where her family is stranded, denying that her home was lost in the Floods. Lux is determined to get her old life back by any means possible. But before her feet even leave the sand, she’s taken hostage by a vengeance-driven pirate nearly as young as she is.
Her capture is the key to his freedom…
Captain Draven’s scarf veils more than his face. Underneath, he struggles between morality and survival. When Lux sees deeper into his motivations, she’s torn. She can commit mutiny to escape to a home that may no longer exist, or she can try to help Draven escape the clutches of the person responsible for the deaths of half the world. Staying would mean entrusting her life to a pirate. Helping Draven would mean losing her heart to one.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo—EXCERPT:“You will help him, if it’s the last thing you do.”He had to be bluffing. Lifting my chin, I met his icy gaze straight on. “You can threaten my life, but there is nothing more you can take from me that you haven’t already.”
“Oh, really?”
He stepped forward, towering over me. Wow, he was tall. I resisted every instinct to cower or curl into a small ball. His hand shot out so quickly, I hardly felt the pull around my neck. My hands flew to my chest. My necklace!
The captain held up the chain, his eyes wide with victory. It was clear he was waiting for a reaction, but, except for that first jolt of surprise, I was paralyzed.
Everything fell silent except the slap of waves against the hull and the drum of his boots as he walked to the railing. I clutched my arms to my chest. My heart sped up so fast I couldn’t tell if it was still beating. He held his hand over the side of the ship. The back of my throat ached with a pain so great I thought it would tear out.
“Stop!” One hand still clutched my chest, the other reached out toward the necklace.
“Still think I have nothing I can take from you? There is always something, Princess.”
Desperation replaced all courage. “Please stop. I can help him.”
He shrugged.
“Wait!”
He opened his palm, one finger at a time. The gold chain slid down, dipping closer to the waters below.
“Please, I’ll do anything!” I pressed my fists to the sides of my head.
He drew his fingers in, closing them around the chain. The necklace dangled safely.
I dropped my arms in relief. “Thank—”
With one slow, deliberate move, he opened his palm.
The chain slipped through his fingers.
“No,” I cried, running to the railing. My necklace had disappeared into the roaring waters below. Lost forever.
I choked on the air I strove to inhale. “That was… that was the only thing…” The sound of my heartbeat thrashed in my ears before every emotion was washed away. Every muscle in my body tightened and my eyes twitched as they narrowed. I turned mechanically to face the heartless brute. My face expressionless, my feelings numbed. He would pay for what he’d done.
“You are in no position to negotiate. Make no more requests or the next thing I drop in the water will be prisoners. One. By. One.” He dictated to me without one ounce of regret for what he’d just done. Turning just as easily, he shouted orders behind him. “Ahmed, bring her.”

Author Bio:
Jenna-Lynne Duncan likes to write heart-stopping, page-turning, haunting romance in all YA genres. Her current Young Adult releases are titled Hurricane, Tempest, and Aftermath (Divertir Publishing) and the forthcoming BLUE TIDE (Winter, 2017). Jenna graduated with degrees in Middle Eastern Studies, Political Science, and International Studies. BLUE TIDE was the recent winner of RWA’s Romancing the Lake contest. Besides writing, she loves traveling and children. Preferably together. She welcomes readers to contact her on social media or at JennaLynneDuncan@gmail.com.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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#Review - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Title: A Court of Thorns and RosesBy: Sarah J. MaasGenre: Fantasy / Fairies Release Date: May 5th, 2015Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Summary from Goodreads: When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

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Review: Its been a while since I've been so involved in a book that I can't put it down. I read this book in two days and its definitely going on my favorite book list of 2017.

We follow the story of Feyre, who accidental breaks a sacred law between the Fae and humans. For her punishment she is taken to live with Tamlin beyond the wall that separates the two worlds. Strange things happen, and despite Feyre's best efforts she falls in love with Tamlin. Of course, chaos ensues and Fayre is forced to prove her love for the Fae man, or risk killing them all.

I loved the world and how the romance develops between the two main characters. I loved the mystery in their story, also how strong Feyre is. This story is unique, unlike anything I have ever read.

Sarah J. Maas has enthralled me again. Five stars for A Court of Thorns and Roses.

#WeeklyMenu Week 179

I'm loving the snow, but I wish the kids would go back to school. We've had a lot of time off as a family, but everyone is getting a little restless... Some cabin fever... There is school today, but I have a lot of things to get done and not a lot of time to do it in. I hope your Monday is easy.

Enjoy this weeks menu!

Monday- Cheesy Taco Skillet
Tuesday- Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
Wednesday- Asiago Chicken and Mushroom Soup
Thursday- French Onion Pork Chops
Friday- Mexican Beef and Rice
Saturday- Loaded Chicken Doritos Salad
Sunday
- Tuna Sandwiches

#Review - Catalyst by Kristin Smith

Title: CatalystBy: Kristin SmithGenre: Urban FantasyRelease Date: November 26th, 2016Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Summary from Goodreads: In a crumbling, futuristic Las Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like ordering off a drive-thru menu, seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston doesn’t fit in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teenagers, all of her imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything she’s ever known and loved changes in an instant.
With little skills to help provide for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily—lying and stealing. But not all thief-for-hire assignments go as planned. When a covert exchange of a stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she’s falling for as bait.

In order to rescue her mother, there may only be one option—joining forces with the Fringe, an extremist group, and their young leader who’s too hot to be bad. Problem is, these revolutionaries aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re hiding could be more dangerous than Sienna is prepared for. In the end, she must be willing to risk everything to save the one thing that matters most.

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Review: I really enjoyed this read. Kristin Smith has really come up with something unique and alluring. A world where being genetically modified makes you special and those who are not are treated differently. The story was intense and I just wanted to punch the bad guy in the face. That's the way I like my villains, asses to no end. I also loved the writing style and the love triangle intertwined with in the action. The only thing I wan't to know is, Who does Sienna end up with? Is it Zane or Trey? You can't leave me hanging like that.

I really hope that Ms. Smith comes out with the sequel soon. I will definitely be reading it. Four stars for Catalyst.

  

#WeeklyMenu Week 178

I can't believe its 2017! This last week has been full of family, crafts, and fun times. 
We took the boys to see the movie Sing yesterday. The two older boys did great, munching on their popcorn and gummy candies, but Liam my baby had a hard time sitting still. What do you want from a three year old? Good thing it was a kids movie and the theater was full of loud children. Ronan told me it was his all time favorite movie... Until the next movie he sees of course. Sing was adorable, had amazing music and lots of laughs. Take your kids, go on a date. I would recommend it to everyone. 
Now for this weeks menu. Enjoy!
Monday- BLT Caesar Salad 
Tuesday- Cilantro Lime Chicken and Rice
Wednesday- Philly Cheesesteak Salad
Thursday- Breakfast Scramble 
Friday- French Dip
Saturday- Feta Mushroom Pork
Sunday- Tuna Sandwiches

#Review - Goldenhand by Garth Nix

Title: GoldenhandBy: Garth NixGenre: FantasyRelease Date: October 11th, 2016Publisher: 
Summary from Goodreads: Lirael is no longer a shy Second Assistant Librarian. She is the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, with Dead creatures to battle and Free Magic entities to bind. She’s also a Remembrancer, wielder of the Dark Mirror. Lirael lost one of her hands in the binding of Orannis, but now she has a new hand, one of gilded steel and Charter Magic.
When Lirael finds Nicholas Sayre lying unconscious after being attacked by a hideous Free Magic creature, she uses her powers to save him. But Nicholas is deeply tainted with Free Magic. Fearing it will escape the Charter mark that seals it within his flesh and bones, Lirael seeks help for Nick at her childhood home, the Clayr’s Glacier.

But even as Lirael and Nick return to the Clayr, a young woman from the distant North braves the elements and many enemies in a desperate attempt to deliver a message to Lirael from her long-dead mother, Arielle. Ferin brings a dire warning about the Witch With No Face. But who is the Witch, and what is she planning?

Once more a great danger threatens the Old Kingdom, and it must be forestalled not only in the living world but also in the cold, remorseless river of Death.
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Review: Can we say BAM! I didn't see that coming, but it was awesome. I've read other reviews about how they hated the love story between Lirael and Nic but I didn't mind it so much. It progressed a little quickly, but since it felt like it was a long time coming, it was what it was.
The whole ending where you get to tie all the books together was a total surprise to me. I was at work when I finished the book and I almost jumped out of my seat when I read it. I'm not going to give anything away, but I hope you experience it like I did. There is nothing like a good surprise.
This book just proves why Garth Nix is my favorite author. I hope he continues to write Old Kingdom books. Five stars for Goldenhand.

Crazy Eight: Butter Side Down...

Ah Christmas. The time of year when evergreen trees catch fire, electric bills are through the roof and everyone eats too much and gain a thousand pounds. My favorite! But all of that has nothing to do with this adventure of an ill-fated breakfast.

In the cool morning air, we gathered our presents and piled into the car. Now this wasn't any ordinary SUV, I might add, but one of great value. Something I had been wishing to drive for years. You see, my poor Suzuki had a mishap up on the mountain a few weeks ago, leaving my husband, mom, youngest son, two small nephews and aunt from Florida stranded in the snow. The alternator died, draining the battery in the frigid cold, but that is a story for another day. The car we are going to talk about is a borrowed Porsche Cayenne with an interior the color of diarrhea and mental issues to numerous to count, but it had heated leather seats, so it was fine. We all piled into the Porsche and away we went to our Christmas breakfast with my side of the family.

Christmas carols were blasting from the speakers and I was merrily annoying the whole family with my own rendition of Mariah Cary's All I want for Christmas, when my middle son spoke up. "Mom, I'm done with my toast."

I glanced into the back seat to see a half eaten piece of bread that I wouldn't even consider toast smeared with a fairly good helping of Nutella outstretched in the hand of my six year old.

Quickly, I rolled down the back window and instructed him to throw the rest out into the cool morning air.

"You wan't me to throw my toast out the window?" Asked my six year old.

"Yes... toss it out the window quickly and roll it back up. It's getting cold in here." We were currently traveling at freeway speeds and the temperature was dropping to match the cold thirty-two degrees it was outside. "Just throw it."

My son shrugged and smiled like the wild child that he was and chucked the bread with all his might... Right into the wind. The force of the draft caught the toast, carrying it back into the window, depositing it Nutella-side-down on the window sill.

"OMG, kid. This isn't our car." I flipped around in my seat the best I could while staying buckled, and flicked the toast out the window. To my horror, there was a blob of dark chocolate colored smear on the diarrhea interior. "Don't touch it. I'll clean it up when we get to your aunts house."

Like all good mothers, I believe that my children will listen to me when I tell them to do something. Yeah, no. My oldest chimes in. "Mom, Ronan's licking the car."

I turn around again to see one of the most disturbing things I saw all Christmas. My six year old was attempting to clean up all the Nutella with his tongue, making the mess worse. "I told you not to touch it."

My six year old grinned. "I'm not touching it. I'm licking it."

And that is how we learned that toast always lands butter side down... Especially on Christmas...

#Review - Wanted by Betsy Schow

Title: WantedBy: Betsy SchowGenre: Fantasy / Fairy Tale Release Date: February 7th, 2017Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Summary from Goodreads: In the sequel to Spelled, can Robin Hood's daughter, Rexi, stop the Wicked Witch from finding Excalibur?
Fairy-Tale Survival Rule No. 52:
No matter how difficult the obstacles or all-powerful the evil villain, one can rest assured that the hero of the story never dies. The sidekicks though...they should be worried.
Rexi Hood is proud to be an outlaw. After all, she's the daughter of the infamous Robin Hood. But sidekick? Accomplice? Sorry, that wasn't in her story description. Yeah, she and Princess Dorthea of Emerald have been inseparable since they teamed up to fight the wickedest witch. But if Rexi doesn't figure out how to break the curse that binds them, forget being overshadowed by the spirited princess, Rexi's going to become a Forgotten, wiped from the pages of Story and reduced to a puddle of ink.
Not happening. No way in Spell.
Rexi's plan? Steal the sword Excalibur and use its magic to write her own tale. But Gwenevere has opened a new Academy of Villains in Camelot and danger lurks behind every plot twist. And you know how it goes in Story: keep your friends close and your enemies closer... 

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Review: Whimsical and alluring. Betsy Schow has created a world full of adventure. As we follow Rexi Hood on her journey to find herself, we meet many wonderful story book characters. I loved Robin Hood, Keto, and of course Dumbo.

Now down to the nitty-gritty. I kind of got lost in the story line for the first half of the book. There were so many different scenes that I couldn't keep them straight. The second half of the book though started to focus more on the adventure and I was sucked into the book right away. I loved Rexi's character. She was snarky and smart, definitely someone to get behind. I got the feeling that she got a crappy lot in life and she was struggling to make it better, poor thing.

If you like fairy tale retellings, you will love this quirky book by Betsy Schow. I gave it 3 stars, only because I was a little lost at first, but that could have been just me.

#Review - Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge

Title: Fly by NightBy: Frances HardingeGenre: Historical FantasyRelease Date: May 1st, 2006Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Summary from Goodreads: Twelve-year-old Mosca Mye hasn't got much. Her cruel uncle keeps her locked up in his mill, and her only friend is her pet goose, Saracen, who'll bite anything that crosses his path. But she does have one small, rare thing: the ability to read. She doesn't know it yet, but in a world where books are dangerous things, this gift will change her life.
Enter Eponymous Clent, a smooth-talking con man who seems to love words nearly as much as Mosca herself. Soon Mosca and Clent are living a life of deceit and danger -- discovering secret societies, following shady characters onto floating coffeehouses, and entangling themselves with crazed dukes and double-crossing racketeers. It would be exactly the kind of tale Mosca has always longed to take part in, until she learns that her one true love -- words -- may be the death of her.
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Review: To tell the truth, I wasn't expecting how this story went, but it was a good surprise. We follow Mosca Mye as she tries to escape her dreary life by hooking up with Eponymous Clent. Clent tries to ditch Mosca at every turn, but the girl is resourceful and learns a secret bout Clent that makes her valuable. With this information, Mosca falls in with several dangerous groups, all who want to take out the other. And just when you think you know who is right and who is wrong, Ms. Hardinge throws you a curve.
I was sucked into this old English world where no one can be trusted and everyone has a secret. Serasin the Goose has to be my favorite character, but Mosca came in a close second. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good adventure or mystery. Four stars for Frances Hardinge.

#WeeklyMenu Week 177

Merry Christmas Everyone! We had a wonderful weekend full of family and friends. Christmas Eve spent with the in-laws and Christmas day spent with my family and our own small family fun. There was so much food. Oh, yummy food.
Enjoy this weeks menu and have a wonderful New Year!
Monday- Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops
Tuesday- Doritos Taco Salad
Wednesday- Balsamic Glazed Steak Rolls
Thursday- Deconstructed Pizza
Friday- Taco Soup
Saturday- BLT Caesar Salad
Sunday- Tuna Sandwiches