Blog Tour: Deadly Little Scandals

Title: DEADLY LITTLE SCANDALS (Debutantes #2)

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Pub. Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Freeform
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 352
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B and N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

"Think of the White Gloves like the Junior League-by way of Skull and Bones?"

Reluctant debutante Sawyer Taft joined Southern high society for one reason and one reason alone: to identify and locate her biological father. But the answers Sawyer found during her debutante year only left her with more questions and one potentially life-ruining secret. When her cousin Lily ropes her into pledging a mysterious, elite, and all-female secret society called the White Gloves, Sawyer soon discovers that someone in the group's ranks may have the answers she's looking for. Things are looking up... until Sawyer and the White Gloves make a disturbing discover near the family's summer home--and uncover a twisted secret, decades in the making.

No one is quite who they seem to be in this twisty, soapy, gasp-inducing sequel to Jennifer Lynn Barnes' unputdownable Little White Lies. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the three timelines, the short chapters, and the twisty plot. This one kept me guessing and just when I thought I'd figured something out, there was another new plot twist. I love the friendships and how the girls stuck together. I loved the secret society. I enjoyed the strong family ties and loyalty - even if it was sometimes misplaced. I loved the ending for this book - it was perfect. And tied in nicely to the newly designed cover!

Missed the First Book?
It's a mix of Gilmore Girls crossed with Pretty Little Liars

Title: LITTLE WHITE LIES (Debutantes #1)

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Pub. Date: November 6, 2018
Publisher: Freeform
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 390
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B and N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

"I'm not saying this is Sawyer's fault," the prim and proper one said delicately. "But."

Eighteen-year-old auto mechanic Sawyer Taft did not expect her estranged grandmother to show up at her apartment door and offer her a six-figure contract to participate in debutante season. And she definitely never imagined she would accept. But when she realizes that immersing herself in her grandmother's "society" might mean discovering the answer to the biggest mystery of her life-her father's identity-she signs on the dotted line and braces herself for a year of makeovers, big dresses, bigger egos, and a whole lot of bless your heart. The one thing she doesn't expect to find is friendship, but as she's drawn into a group of debutantes with scandalous, dangerous secrets of their own, Sawyer quickly discovers that her family isn't the only mainstay of high society with skeletons in their closet. There are people in her grandmother's glittering world who are not what they appear, and no one wants Sawyer poking her nose into the past. As she navigates the twisted relationships between her new friends and their powerful parents, Sawyer's search for the truth about her own origins is just the beginning.

Set in the world of debutante balls, grand estates and rolling green hills, Little White Lies combines a charming setting, a classic fish-out-of-water story, and the sort of layered mystery only author Jennifer Lynn Barnes can pull off. 

Read my review here. 

About Jennifer: 
Jennifer Lynn Barnes (who mostly goes by Jen) is the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed young adult novels. She has advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science, including graduate degrees from Cambridge University, where she was a Fulbright Scholar, and Yale University, where she received her Ph.D. in 2012. Jen wrote her first published novel when she was nineteen-years-old and sold her first five books while still in college. In additional to writing YA novels, Jen has also written original pilot scripts for television networks like USA and MTV, and she is one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of fandom and the cognitive science of fiction and the imagination more broadly. Jen is an Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma, where she holds a dual appointment in Psychology and Professional Writing.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads 


Follow the Tour:

11/18/2019	Lisa Loves Literature	Review
11/19/2019	A Gingerly Review	Review
11/20/2019	Confessions of a YA Reader	Excerpt
11/21/2019	YA Book Nerd	Review
11/22/2019	THE BOOK NUT	Review

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of DEADLY LITTLE SCANDALS, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas Picture Book Review (1)

Christmas books are some of my favorite picture books. I bought several news ones this year fort he library. These posts are mix of books purchased and books sent for review. The books that I really love I've marked as making a wonderful gift.

Merry Christmas Baby (board book)

This is a sweet story with cozy charming illustrations.

The parents wish for the baby to have the happiness and magic of Christmas all year round. 

* Makes a wonderful Gift

** Book sent for review

Santa Mouse

Mouse wishes to give Santa a present. Santa is very appreciative and gives the little mouse both a name and job. Old Fashioned illustrations and a song lyrics round out this Christmas tale.

** Book sent for review

Christmas is Here (I Can Read)

Snoopy can't wait to spend the day with Woodstock. But nothing goes according to plan in this funny book about Christmas activities, the meaning of family, and friendship.

** Book sent for review

Dasher

Dasher has a big wish - she doesn't want to spend her life with the circus. She wants to be at the North Pole with snow. When an opportunity comes along, she grabs it.

Wonderful illustrations accompany this feel good story about saving yourself, being brave, and the power of a Christmas wish.

* Makes a wonderful Gift

A Very Fiona Christmas

It's Fiona's first Christmas and she struggles to understand the meaning of Christmas. Her friends at the zoo help share what Christmas means to them. A sweet story about sharing, kindness, finding the Christmas spirit, and new friends. 

* Written in connection with the Cincinnati Zoo 

A Christmas Gift for Santa

Santa - he's just like us. After coming home from spreading Christmas cheer, he looks for his own present, but he has a hard time finding it. This sweet bedtime story has fantastic illustrations, cute moments, and a look around the North Pole.

* Makes a wonderful Gift

Ho Ho Homework

When the substitute teacher arrives, he looks just like Santa. Jack isn't sure about him. But he does have a special Chirstmas wish that he's hoping will come true. One thing's for sure, Mr. Clausen helps spread cheer and kindness throughout the classroom. A fun story about the magic of Christmas.

Top Ten Tuesday: Reading Life

This week's topic is all about changes in your reading lives.

This blog has been around for 11 years and in that time, I've gone through some different reading habits.

I guess the biggest one is that I read more adult books now. 

When I first started this blog, it was probably 75/25. It's now closer to 50/50.

The majority of my reading used to be teen books and while I still reading them, I also reading adult books.

For the adult books, I mostly read romance novels with some women's fiction thrown in from some favorite authors. I read romances before bed because the world is on fire and reading romance soothes me. Not to mentioned they're just good books.

Occasionally there are some cozies and some fantasy books.

I also read more picture books now - partly because they're fun reads and partly for my job.

How has your reading life changed over the years?

Movie Review: Christmas Wish

Kat Decker could use a miracle this Christmas. She's stuck living with her horrific stepmother and stepsisters for the next four months. After she turns 18, she will inherit the money her father left her. Until then, she hands over the tips she makes working and takes care of the entire household. The two bright spots in her life: her adorable dog and her super supportive best friend. 

Kate has big dreams. She wants to write songs and perform them. And not just at Santa Land. Could this be the year that all her dreams come true?

This retelling of Cinderella at Christmastime is exactly how you'd imagine it to be: sweet, a little cheesy, and full of holiday fun. I loved that Kat dreamed big, even though most of her life wasn't easy. Her best friend was fantastic and supportive. Her dog was the sweetest and very helpful. The moments at Santa Land stole the movie for me. The songs are fun, the friendship is solid, and the romance is sweet. A fun movie to get you into the holiday spirit. 

Grab this one for your public libraries - families will enjoy watching it!

* Source: Given a copy to review.

** This is the fifth installment in the A Cinderella Story movie series, and first one with a Christmas theme. Other titles include A Cinderella Story (Hilary Duff), Another Cinderella Story (Selena Gomez), A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song (Lucy Hale) and A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits (Sofia Carson). The film is produced in association with Blue Ribbon Content for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

On Your Radar: Tweet Cute (34)

Title: Tweet Cute

Author: Emma Lord

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release Date: January 21, 2020

Why It Should Be On Your Radar:

You've Got Mail inspired

Grilled Cheese

Baked Goods

Baking Blog

Family Drama

Twitter War

Snarky

Friendship

Secrets

Romance

Swim Team

Shipping

If you're having a hard time waiting for this book, check out these other books:

Blog Tour: Legacy

I am super excited to be hosting a stop on the blog tour for LEGACY by Shannon Messenger! I love this series and if you haven't read it yet, you're in luck. Check out the giveaway below.

About the Book:

Title: LEGACY (Keeper of the Lost Cities #8)

Author: Shannon Messenger

Pub. Date: November 5, 2019

Publisher: Aladdin

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 816

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B and N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Illusions shatter—and Sophie and her friends face impossible choices—in this astonishing eighth book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series.

Only this first edition includes an exclusive extra scene from Tam’s point of view as well as beautiful illustrated endpapers from Shannon Messenger.

Sophie Foster wants answers. But after a lifetime of lies, sometimes the truth is the most dangerous discovery. Even the smallest secret comes with terrifying new responsibilities.

And Sophie’s not the only one with blank spots in her past, or mysteries surrounding her family. She and her friends are part of something much bigger than they imagined—and their roles have already been chosen for them.

Every clue drags them deeper into the conspiracy. Every memory forces them to question everything—especially one another. And the harder they fight, the more the lines blur between friend and enemy. 

The series:

My Thoughts:

I've loved this series since reading an ARC of the first book, Keeper of the Lost Cities. Check out my previous reviews. It's a series that I love recommending to middle grade readers. And I love it when they come back and ask for the next book in the series. It's addictive!

I was lucky enough to meet Shannon during her last book tour. She's super sweet.

About Shannon:

SHANNON MESSENGER graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts where she learned—among other things—that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and film production, but realized her real passion was writing stories for children. She’s the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many different languages. She lives in Southern California with an embarrassing number of cats. Visit her online at shannonmessenger.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @sw_messenger and on Facebook @KepperOfTheLostCities.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

 Follow the Tour:

11/11/2019	The Book Tower	Spotlight
11/12/2019	Lisa-Queen of Random	Spotlight
11/13/2019	Character Madness and Musings	Spotlight
11/14/2019	Sometimes Leelynn Reads	Spotlight
11/15/2019	YA Book Nerd	Spotlight

Giveaway Details:

4 winners will receive FULL hardcover sets of THE KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES Series, US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas Book Review: Royal Holiday

 * Book 4 in the Wedding Date series * 

When Maddie's job takes her to England for Christmas, she asks her mom to accompany her. Vivian's excited to travel, especially since after the first of the year, things will drastically change at work. This will be her last vacation for a while. She's also proud of her daughter for her accomplishments. While Maddie's helping the Duchess, she'll be able to relax.

When she meets the Queen's Royal Secretary - the two of them hit it off. Soon, he taking her on private tours of the estate, horseback riding, and more.

Malcolm and Vivian talk for hours, spending as much time together as they can. But what happens when the clock strikes midnight and Vivian must return home? 

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved the Christmas moments and the festivities. I loved learning more about Maddie's mom. I loved her romance with Malcom. I loved the royal moments - meeting the Queen, seeing the palace, moments with the Duchess. I loved how Vivian and Malcolm couldn't keep away from each other, enjoyed their conversations, and helped each other with family and job drama. Another fun book in this series. 

Cover Thoughts: Seriously cute

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Grab this holiday novel for your romance collection