The Mystery of Hollow Places Tour: Review + Giveaway

The Mystery of Hollow Places
Author: Rebecca Podos
Genre: YA Contemporary/Mystery
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Rating: 3.5 Stars!

Synopsis:

All Imogene Scott knows of her mother is the bedtime story her father told her as a child. It's the story of how her parents met: he, a forensic pathologist, she, a mysterious woman who came to identify a body. A woman who left Imogene and her father when she was a baby, a woman who was always possessed by a powerful loneliness, a woman who many referred to as troubled waters.

When Imogene is seventeen, her father, now a famous author of medical mysteries, strikes out in the middle of the night and doesn't come back. Neither Imogene's stepmother nor the police know where he could've gone, but Imogene is convinced he's looking for her mother. She decides to put to use the skills she's gleaned from a lifetime of her father's books to track down a woman she's never known, in order to find him and, perhaps, the answer to the question she's carried with her for her entire life.

Rebecca Podos' debut is a powerful, affecting story of the pieces of ourselves that remain mysteries even to us - the desperate search through empty spaces for something to hold on to.

The Mystery of Hollow Places is a realistic young adult contemporary novel that blends two types of mysteries - the main plot, where Imogene's father is missing and she must try to find him; and the underlying story that points out the fact that we all hide pieces of ourselves - memories, fears, hopes and dreams, etc., from the world around us and even to our own minds. This book has an interesting storyline and is really good for a debut. The plot has been done similarly before, but isn't tired out. The book is full of intrigue, mystery, complicated social themes, and likeable characters. Imogene was a realistic main character that I could empathize with early on in the story. I enjoyed watching her character grow while learning things about her parents - and even about herself - as she tries desperately to find her father. I don't normally read YA contemporary fiction, but since this was labeled as a mystery, I thought I'd give it a chance. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed that the story was focused more on the contemporary aspects than the actual mystery that was trying to be solved. This is solely my own opinion - and I mean nothing bad by it at all. Other readers are going to have completely different experiences with the book - these are just my personal thoughts and feelings. Overall, the writing was solid and the book had a good story that was engaging and interesting. One bigt thing for me was the use of the first person point of view. I'm always a big advocate for this style of writing because it allows the reader to get to know the narrator on a very personal level that just isn't possible with any other perspective. I love that the author chose to write the book from Imogene's perspective - it helped give it the extra bump that kept me reading. While this book didn’t exactly blow me away - it was a good story on several levels and helped to show the author's talent. It was a solid debut - I certainly wouldn't have guessed it was the author's first novel by just reading it. Recommended for fans of YA contemporary fiction, realistic fiction, and mystery fans.

Read an excerpt of THE MYSTERY OF HOLLOW PLACES on Epic Reads:

The Mystery Of Hollow Places | Books | Epic Reads

Follow the The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Rebecca Podos' debut YA novel, THE MYSTERY OF HOLLOW PLACES, is forthcoming from Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins) on 1/26/16. A graduate of the Writing, Literature and Publishing program at Emerson College where she won the M.F.A. Award for Best Thesis, her fiction has been published in Glimmer Train, Glyph, CAJE, Paper Darts, Bellows American Review, and Smokelong Quarterly. Past Awards include the Helman Award for Short Fiction, the David Dornstein Memorial Creative Writing Prize for Young Adult Writers, and the Hillerman-McGarrity Scholarship for Creative Writing. She works as a YA and MG agent at the Rees Literary Agency in Boston.

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Review: The Good, the Bad, and the Grace of God by Jep & Jessica Robertson

The Good, the Bad, and the Grace of God: What Honesty and Pain Taught Us About Faith, Family, and Forgiveness

Authors: Jep Robertson and Jessica Robertson with Susy Flory 
Genre: Nonfiction/Biography/Memoir/Christianity
Release Date: June 23, 2015
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Description:

A Moving Story of Redemption and Second Chances
 
Jep Robertson, the youngest son of Duck Commander Phil Robertson, and his wife, Jessica, open up about their personal trials, their early years together, and the challenges that might have destroyed them both had the grace of God not intervened. Jep describes being molested as a child and his reluctance to tell anyone until only a few years ago, his downward spiral into drug and alcohol abuse, and the eventual intervention of his family. 

Jessica shares about the difficult failure of her first marriage while still a teenager and the hurt that came along with it, much of it from the church. Her insecurities spun out of control as she wondered whether she would ever be good enough or pretty enough. This book is their love story but, more importantly, their love story for God.
 
"We are desperate to let people know that no matter what you've done; no matter what you've lived through, you can come out of it. You can be washed clean. You are redeemed."  

The Good, the Bad, and the Grace of God is a very personal look inside the lives of TV celebrities Jep and Jessica Robertson, who are known from Duck Dynasty. If you've ever seen the show or read any of the other books that other members of the Robertson clan have written, you know that they aren't shy about their Christian faith. In this memoir, the youngest of the Robertson brothers - Jep - and his wife - Jessica - speak about some of the hard life lessons they've had to learn throughout the years and how even these tough situations brought them closer to their family and to God.

The book is told in a very natural, laid-back manner - which allows the reader to easily identify with Jep and Jessica from early on. It also reminds us that these 'larger than life' celebrities are just normal people like us, who have struggled with several common issues and who are still learning and growing as they go through life. Being a woman, I found it easier to identify with Jessica's stories - especially the ones dealing with her insecurities. Jep's stories were intriguing and showed me a side of his life I never would have guessed about. Hearing about the horrific events he had to go through - like being molested as a child and keeping it inside for so many years - as well as his drug and alcohol issues - made my heart break a little bit. I haven't been through these situations myself, but having Jep tell his story made me realize how lucky I am and how much worse other people's lives are without you even knowing it. Overall, this was an engaging memoir on Jep and Jessica's trials and suffering, along with their faith in each other and in God. As a fan of the show, I like knowing more about them and now I'll remember what they've gone through and overcome. I definitely recommend this to fans of Christianity nonfiction, biographies, and memoirs, along with fans of the Duck Dynasty franchise.

 *I received a copy of the book from the BookLook Bloggers Program in exchange for an honest review.*

 

It's All Your Fault Tour: Review + Giveaway

 

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for It's All Your Fault! I have my review of the book to share with you today - and don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway! To follow the rest of the tour, check out the schedule at the bottom of the post.

It's All Your Fault
Author: Paul Rudnick
Genre: YA Contemporary
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Format: Hardcover; ebook; audiobook
304 pages

Description:

One last chance. One wild weekend. Flat out the funniest book of the year. 

My name is Caitlin and up until forty-eight hours ago I had never: 

Tasted alcohol, kissed a boy, sang in public at the top of my lungs, kidnapped anyone or--WHAT? STOLEN A CONVERTIBLE? 

Now I'm in jail and I have no idea what I'm going to tell: 

The police, my parents, the mayor, all of those camera crews and everyone on Twitter. 

I have just noticed that: 

My nose is pierced and I have-WAIT? IS THAT A TATTOO? 

I blame one person for this entire insane weekend: 

My famous cousin. 

Who is also my former best friend. 

Who I have HATED for the past four years. 

Who I miss like crazy. NO I DON'T!!!! 

IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, HELLER HARRIGAN!!!!

Praise:

“Paul Rudnick is one of the funniest people out there and he’s on fire with It’s All Your Fault. This book is as fun and crazy as a wild night out. I had to know what happened next.” — Andy Cohen, host of Watch What Happen Live 

  

“Paul Rudnick makes me screech with laughter and sob with fury that I can’t write the way he does.” – E. Lockhart, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Liars 

  

“Caution: Do not read in public. Will cause you to laugh (and possibly cry) out loud, sometimes at the same time. Screamingly funny and yet warmly touching. Buy multiple copies: You’ll want to share this one with friends.” – Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries and Mediator series 

  

«“Hilarious, irresistible, and oh so timely.” — Kirkus, starred review https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/paul-rudnick/its-all-your-fault/ 

  

“Eschewing common sense and exhibiting a great deal of heart, this is one riotously good read.” 

— Booklist http://www.booklistonline.com/It-s-All-Your-Fault-Paul-Rudnick/pid=7749796 

  

“[A] whirlwind, laugh-a-minute escapade about a girl swept far outside her comfort zone, 

with real heart beneath the acid humor.” — Publishers Weekly http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-545-46428-4

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

 

It's All Your Fault is a quick and fun young adult contemporary novel that will leave readers laughing - even after they've finished the book. The story is about one epic weekend that led  "good girl"Caitlin to do things she never thought she was capable of - like getting a tattoo, getting put in jail, and stealing a car - to name a few. She doesn't know what to tell everyone who's asking her a million questions - her parents, the cops, the mayor of her town, her church's reverend, and a ton of lawyers, news reporters and paparazzi. 

This was a really fast and funny YA contemporary novel that I ended up reading in a few hours. I'm not a big fan of the genre, but this book sounded fun and interesting - kind of a breath of fresh air for me. I'm so glad I took the chance and read this book! The story is told by Caitlin, our main character, as she goes over all of the events and situations that have occurred during the past weekend. I'm a big advocate for first person point of view, and I'm so glad that the author chose to write the book this way. I loved getting to know Caitlin and hearing about all of the craziness that she was involved in over the weekend in question. Since it's written in first person, we get a really personal connection with Caitlin and are privy to her every thought, her fears and other emotions, and memories. Caitlin is a realistic main character and I immediately loved her from the first page of the book. The plot is fun, ridiculous, and inventive. I've never read a novel like this before. It seemed like Caitlin was telling me the story of what happened (or like I was right there beside her the entire time). There's so many little things about the book that I loved - I can't even begin to talk about them all. I'm pretty much a "good girl" too, just like Caitlin, so I could easily relate to her thoughts and feelings - and appreciate how out of character and ridiculous the things she did were. I can't really say much more about the book - you need to pick up a copy and experience it yourself. It's a great story that made me laugh out loud (which doesn't happen often) and is the perfect read for when you're having a bad day. The chapters are short, the pace is natural but quick and easy to read, and the story is truly fun. I highly recommend this book to fans of the genre, as well as readers who are looking for a light read or something different from the norm. Pick up this book now!

Paul Rudnick is a critically acclaimed novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. His screenplays include In&Out and Addams Family Values, and he’s written for Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, Vanity Fair, and the New Yorker. His plays, including I Hate Hamlet and Jeffrey, have been produced both on and off Broadway and around the world. His first young adult novel, Gorgeous, was called a “wicked good time” by the New York Times Book Review. Under the pen name Libby Gelman-Waxner, he is also the world’s most beloved and irresponsible film critic. Paul lives in New York City. Find him online at http://paulrudnick.com/ and on Twitter @PaulRudnickNY. 

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway Details: 

(5) winners will receive a finished copy of IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT - US Only!

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Tour Schedule: 

Week One: 

1/18/2016- The Cover Contessa- Interview 

1/19/2016- Zach's YA Reviews- Review 

1/20/2016- Swoony Boys Podcast- Guest Post 

1/21/2016- Book Briefs- Review 

1/22/2016- In Wonderland- Interview 

  

Week Two: 

1/25/2016- The Best Books Ever - Review 

1/26/2016- Avid Reader - Guest Post 

1/27/2016- Eli to the nth- Review 

1/28/2016- BookHounds YA- Interview 

1/29/2016- A Dream Within A Dream- Review 

 

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Where Lightning Strikes by A.L. Jackson

I am so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for A.L. Jackson's upcoming WHERE LIGHTNING STRIKES releasing March 22, 2016.

       

Do you know what it feels like right before lightning strikes? How you can feel the current running through your veins? The trembles of warning that ripple through the air? It was a thrill Tamar King chased all her life until it became the very thing she had to escape.  

For the last four years, Tamar King has hidden herself in an isolated world she created. She was safe. No one could touch her. Until Lyrik West walked through her door. 

He’s the lead guitarist for Sunder and everything she can never have. The dark and beautiful rock star becomes everything she craves. 

Lyrik’s life has been devoted to his band and that success has cost him. Bitter, hard, and filled with regret, he refuses to lose himself again, but from the moment he sees her, he wants one night with Tamar King. 

The gorgeous bartender is more than he bargained for. Their attraction is consuming. Their desire overpowering. With one touch, they ignite. 

But is it worth the cost of getting burned? 

She’s a gorgeous nightmare and he’s a wicked dream… 

WHERE LIGHTNING STRIKES, a Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel  

Exclusive Pre-Order on iBooks

ADD TO GOODREADS

       

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary and new adult romance.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life. 

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. 

Connect with A.L. Jackson online:www.aljacksonauthor.com   

To stay up to date with important news on A.L. Jackson, including new releases, sales, and exclusive specials and excerpts, text “jackson” to 96000 to subscribe! 

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What do you think of the cover? Leave a comment!