Review: Lord of Monsters by John Claude Bemis (guest post + giveaway)

Lord of Monsters
by Jean Claude Bemis
Series: Out of Abaton #2
Published: 6 June 2017
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 320
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Ages: 8-12
Source: Provided by Publisher (THANK YOU!)
My Rating: 5/5!

Pinocchio can’t believe the Moonlit Court is his home. With royal banquets, a regal wardrobe, and a whole new set of rules, Pinocchio has a lot to adjust to in his new life as prester alongside Princess Lazuli. But before they can get comfortable in their thrones, a dinner at the palace is interrupted by an unwelcome guest—a monster. And this isn’t just any monster; it’s a manticore, a beast that was imprisoned centuries earlier. Desperate to locate the prison and make sure none of its other monsters were able to escape, Lazuli, Pinocchio, and their Celestial Brigade set out to save Abaton from these ancient beings.

Their journey requires intelligence, strength, and a dash of the magic. But when Pinocchio tries to use his powers, they have an unintended effect: he is turning back into a wooden automa. And if he’s not careful, he may lose his human form forever.

The second book in the Out of Abaton series continues John Claude Bemis’s reimagining of Pinocchio in an action-packed adventure that celebrates friendship, tolerance, and the power of being yourself.

Purchase: IndieBound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Book Blast: Perfectly Oblivious by Robin Daniels (teaser + giveaway)

Greetings, book lovers! I am pleased to be able to share an excellent teaser and giveaway with you to celebrate the release of Perfectly Oblivious, a debut novel by Robin Daniels! It looks like an absolute blast, I must say. If it looks like a fun to you, and you want to check it out, pick up a digital copy from Amazon today! Also, if you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free. I love free. Anyway, without further ado, here's Perfectly Oblivious!

Perfectly Oblivious
by Robin Daniels
Series:  Perfect Series, Book 1
Publishing date: 1 June 2017
Publisher: Bluefields Publishing
Formats: eBook
Pages: 330
Age Level: Young Adult

Cameron Bates (Cam) could have almost any girl at Franklin High School…except for the one he wants. Unfortunately, Bebe seems to be immune to his flirty charm and good looks, which means one of two things: a) she’s completely oblivious to how he feels, or b) she’s just not into him. If that’s the case, declaring his love would be disastrous for their friendship.

Bianca Barnes (Bebe) has a huge problem: the universe hates her. Every time she admits feelings for a boy, he ends up falling for her sweet, popular, and beautiful sister Beth. To avoid a broken heart, Bebe has sworn herself to secrecy. Nobody can ever know how she feels about Cam…Ever!

Neither person wants to confess their feelings, but the universe has its own plan. Out of the blue, Bebe is courted by a secret admirer. Cam has to step up his game and Bebe has to make a choice. Play it safe and accept the affections of her mystery man or challenge fate and take a chance on the boy she loves.

Purchase Perfectly Oblivious on Amazon!

Blog Tour: Soleri by Michael Johnston (guest post + giveaway)

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Soleri by Michael Johnston! I am so glad to be part of this tour hosted by Jean Book Nerd Tours. I am lucky enough to be hosting a guest post written by the author himself, so check that out, then follow the tour links at the end of this post (or click the banner above), enter the giveaway, and enjoy hearing all about the world of Soleri! Happy reading, Dreamers!

Soleri
by Michael Johnston
Publish Date: 13 June 2017
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 368
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Age Range: Adult

Michael Johnston brings you the first in a new epic fantasy series inspired by ancient Egyptian history and King Lear.

The ruling family of the Soleri Empire has been in power longer than even the calendars that stretch back 2,826 years. Those records tell a history of conquest and domination by a people descended from gods, older than anything in the known world. No living person has seen them for centuries, yet their grip on their four subjugate kingdoms remains tighter than ever.

On the day of the annual eclipse, the Harkan king, Arko-Hark Wadi, sets off on a hunt and shirks his duty rather than bow to the emperor. Ren, his son and heir, is a prisoner in the capital, while his daughters struggle against their own chains. Merit, the eldest, has found a way to stand against imperial law and marry the man she desires, but needs her sister’s help, and Kepi has her own ideas.

Meanwhile, Sarra Amunet, Mother Priestess of the sun god’s cult, holds the keys to the end of an empire and a past betrayal that could shatter her family.

Detailed and historical, vast in scope and intricate in conception, Soleri bristles with primal magic and unexpected violence. It is a world of ancient and elaborate rites, of unseen power and kingdoms ravaged by war, where victory comes with a price, and every truth conceals a deeper secret.

Purchase: IndieBound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Book Blast: Firebrand by A. J. Hartley (+giveaway)

Welcome to the Nerd Blast for Firebrand by A. J. Hartley! This blast is hosted by Jean Book Nerd Tours. This book is the second in the Steeplejack series. If you've yet to start this series, definitely give the first one, Steeplejack, a read! In the meantime, check out Firebrand and enter to win a giveaway for BOTH books at the bottom! Happy reading, Dreamers!

Firebrand
by A. J. Hartley
Series:  Steeplejack #2
Publishing date: 6 June 2017
Publisher: Tor Teen
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 336
Age Level: Young Adult

New York Times bestselling author A. J. Hartley returns to his intriguing, 19th-century South African-inspired fantasy world in another adrenaline-pounding adventure.

Once a steeplejack, Anglet Sutonga is used to scaling the heights of Bar-Selehm. Nowadays she assists politician Josiah Willinghouse behind the scenes of Parliament. The latest threat to the city-state: Government plans for a secret weapon are stolen and feared to be sold to the rival nation of Grappoli. The investigation leads right to the doorsteps of Elitus, one of the most exclusive social clubs in the city. In order to catch the thief, Ang must pretend to be a foreign princess and infiltrate Elitus. But Ang is far from royal material, so Willinghouse enlists help from the exacting Madam Nahreem.

Yet Ang has other things on her mind. Refugees are trickling into the city, fleeing Grappoli-fueled conflicts in the north. A demagogue in Parliament is proposing extreme measures to get rid of them, and she soon discovers that one theft could spark a conflagration of conspiracy that threatens the most vulnerable of Bar-Selehm. Unless she can stop it.

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

Book Blast: Roar by Cora Carmack (+giveaway)

Welcome to the Nerd Blast for Roar by Cora Cormack! This blast is hosted by Jean Book Nerd Tours. First of all, I have to mention how gorgeous that cover is! She looks awesome and fierce, and we can't even see her face. Moving on... celebrate with us as we share Roar and don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post. Happy reading, Dreamers!

Roar
by Cora Carmack
Series: Stormheart #1
Publishing date: 16 May 2017
Publisher: Tor Teen
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 384
Age Level: Young Adult

In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.

Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.

To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.

Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.

She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.

Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

Blog Tour: Wild Cards VII: Dead Man's Hand by George R. R. Martin and John Jos. Miller (excerpt +giveaway)

I am beyond excited to welcome everyone to the Official Blog Tour for Wild Cards VII: Dead Man's Hand by George R. R. Martin and John Jos. Miller! This awesome tour is hosted by Jean over at Jean Book Nerd Tours and there are heaps of awesome reviews and excerpts for you to enjoy, so be sure to click on the banner to follow along. Also included is a tour-wide giveaway in which ten (10!) readers can win a copy! Woo hoo! So check out the details - including some awesome news about the rest of the series and an exciting TV announcement - and enjoy this tour for Dead Man's Hand! Happy reading, Dreamers!

Dead Man's Hand
by George R. R. Martin and John Jos. Miller
Series: Wild Cards, book 7
Publish Date: 13 June 2017
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 252
Format: Paperback
Age Range: Adult

Wild Cards now in development for TV! Dead Man's Hand combines the writing talents of George R. R. Martin & John Jos. Miller.

Chrysalis, the glass-skinned queen of the Joker underworld, has been found brutally murdered in her popular restaurant, the Crystal Palace. New two men are out to find her killer: Jay Ackroyd, the Ace private investigator who discovered her ruined body, and the vigilante archer known as the Yeoman, who has been framed for the crime.

Their quest leads them on a nightmare odyssey of madness, violence, passion, and political intrigue that will forever alter the fates of Aces and Jokers everywhere.

Experience this gripping tale of mystery and suspense, brought to you from the incredible imaginations of George R. R. Martin and John Jos. Miller in their first collaborative novel.

Rights to develop Wild Cards for TV have been acquired by Universal Cable Productions, the team that brought you The Magicians and Mr. Robot, with the co-editor of Wild Cards, Melinda Snodgrass as executive producer.

Purchase: IndieBound | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Blog Tour: Beach Party Surf Monkey by Chris Grabenstein (+giveaway)

Welcome to the Book Tour for Welcome to Wonderland: Beach Party Surf Monkey by Chris Grabenstein! Below, you will find all the fun information about the newest addition to the hilarious Welcome to Wonderland series. Not only that, but the publisher is giving my readers the chance to win a copy of their own! So check out everything about this super fun book, the first book in the series (including a goofy video), and enter to win a copy of Beach Party Surf Monkey below! Happy silly reading, Dreamers!

Beach Party Surf Monkey
by Chris Grabenstein
Series: Welcome to Wonderland #2
Publishing date: 23 May 2017
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 320
Age Level: Middle Grade (ages 8-12)

From Chris Grabenstein, the bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and coauthor with James Patterson of I Funny, House of Robots, and Treasure Hunters, comes the second hilarious, fun-in-the-sun adventure in his new illustrated series about all the wacky things that happen when you live in a motel!

There's always something wacky happening when you live in a motel, and P.T. (named after P. T. Barnum, of course) has grown up at the world's wackiest! When word gets out that the hottest teen idols in Hollywood (plus current YouTube sensation Kevin the Monkey!) will be filming their next movie—Beach Party Surf Monkey—right in St. Pete's Beach, Florida, P.T. and his friend Gloria know that the Wonderland would be the perfect location. Now they just have to convince the producers!

But when things start to go wrong (crazed fans? missing stars?), it will take all of Gloria's business genius and P.T.'s wild stories to save the movie before both it and the Wonderland are all washed up!

BONUS: Includes fun extras like P.T. and Gloria's Famous Fact-or-Fiction Quiz: Movie Edition

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

Book Blast: Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell Boyce (excerpt + giveaway)

Welcome to the Nerd Blast for Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell Boyce! This book looks like it is going to be an absolute blast! Also, that cover is positively adorable. Am I right? You know I am! Now, this blast is hosted by Jean of Jean Book Nerd Tours and contains not only a cute little excerpt, but a great giveaway. So check out the deets for Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth and enter the giveaway! Happy reading, Dreamers!