Review: Camelot Code

* First Book in a new series *

Unbeknownst to him, Arthur's big day has finally arrived. Today's the day he will pull the sword from the stone and become King Arthur. But earlier that afternoon, the princess and his best friend accidentally loses a valuable magical item down the well. But his feelings for the princess and his best friend lead him to take the blame for his mistake.

He jumps in the well after the item, accidentally traveling in time to the 21st century, leaving Merlin scrambling. Merlin engages the help of Sophie and Stu who play the video game Camelot Code. Merlin hopes that the three of them can magically fulfill Arthur's destiny and save Britain.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this first book in a new series. I liked the two time periods of the book. I enjoyed watching the people outside of their own time struggle to fit in. I loved the Meg Cabot mention. I loved the Sophie ruled at video games. I liked the friendships in this book. I loved the message about fulfilling your destiny, even if it scares you. Lots of action and humor in this fun read.  I'm eager to read the next book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries 

Review: Princesses, Inc

When their favorite YouTube star announces plans to visit their state, Hailey and her friends would do anything to see him. But the trip to the local comic-con is expensive and their parents aren't willing to pay for it. So the girls come up with a plan - they will become princesses and babysit the neighborhood kids. Babysitting is easy right?

Hailey has another reason for going to the comic-con; she wants to enter a writing contest. She loves writing, especially the fanfiction starring a certain YouTube star. But she needs something more impressive to enter.

In between school work, babysitting, and writing Hailey barely has time to sleep. Can she and her friends pull off their plan or will it be a complete failure?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I felt bad for Hailey because of all the pressure she was under and how she didn't have any time for herself. I enjoyed the babysitting moments - both the sweet and the crazy ones. I loved the magic show in the hospital and how that worked out for the friends. I really liked the writing moments - even the accidental email. The writing advice was great; I loved the different between the fanfiction and the more literary writing. I loved how Hailey and her friends have so many interests: writing, video games, cosplay. And that they get excited about them. Another fun novel from Mari Mancusi.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Fun Fact: I just saw on Facebook that Mari and I have been social media friends for 9 years. I've been reading and loving her books for a long time!

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for both public and school libraries. Hand it out to everyone with a fandom.

Mini Review: Smoked

* The final book in the Scorched trilogy * 

Now that Emmy's secret is out, she's in constant danger. Trinity does what she can to help out her dragon, but the tension between them is high.  Especially due to a secret from Emmy. Could her secret destroy everything they've been fighting against?

The Good:
The return of Emmy and Trinity
The danger
The high emotions that ran through the book
The brothers
The ending

The Bad:
The characters made some pretty bad choices along the way

Cover Thoughts: I liked the other two covers better
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A satisfying ending to a trilogy filled with emotion, danger, action, plot twists, and romance. If you're a fan of dragon books, be sure to check this trilogy out!

Spotlight on Smoked

Title: Smoked

Author: Mari Mancusi

Series: Scorched, #3

Pubdate: September 1^st, 2015

ISBN: 9781402284649

Once upon a time the world burned.

Until a girl and her dragon smothered the flame.

But the spark that ignited the apocalypse never went out.

And the scorch is about to begin…

When Team Dragon rescues Emmy from the government lab, they think the future is finally safe. But they soon discover that Emmy has a secret—a secret so dangerous it could trigger the very apocalypse Connor and Caleb were sent back in time to prevent.

As a dragon hunter, Connor has committed his life to saving the world. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to complete his mission…even if it meant betraying his brother and losing Trinity’s heart. Even if it meant doing the unthinkable.

But a desperate choice meant to prevent The Scorch, may be the spark that sets the world aflame once more.

The epic conclusion to the genre-bending Scorched series, which Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author of the Blue Bloods series, called  "A heart-pounding, twisty, time-travel fantasy.”

I really liked books 1 and 2! I can't wait to read the end of the trilogy!

Character Interview: EMMY

Full Name: Emberlyn

Nickname (if applicable): Emmy

Height: I’m growing bigger every day

Scale Color: Green

Eye Color: blue

Age:  1

Originally from: my egg was unearthed from a melting glacier. 

Describe yourself in 200 words or less:

I’m the world’s last dragon and I’m bonded to my Fire Kissed, Trinity Foxx, who helped me hatch from my egg. I love TV (my favorite show is the BBC’s Merlin) and scratches on my snout and behind my ears. I’m actually very loyal and loving, though many believe I am a monster that should be put down before my kind destroys the world. I also LOVE meat. All meat, but the bloodier/rawer the better. But no, I don’t eat humans so don’t worry!

What matters most to you?

My Fire Kissed, Trinity. Her safety and happiness mean everything to me.

When not trying to save the world, how do you spend your time?

I’m sort of limited in activities, as I have to keep out of sight. I love watching TV and eating though. Simple, satisfying pleasures.

If money was no object and you had 3 weeks of vacation from being on the run what would you do with your time?

I would fly everywhere, stretching my wings and checking out the world. It would be amazing to have that freedom. Unfortunately I don’t think that’s in the cards for me. As I have learned firsthand, the world is not a place for dragons.

An Excerpt
“Okay, Fire Kissed,” he said. “It’s showtime.”Together they jumped out of the truck, slamming the doors behind them. Connor ran around the back, rolling up the door and pulling out a huge box. Trinity helped him heave it onto the loading dock.“Are you okay in there?” she whispered to the box. “Perfect,” Nate assured her from inside. “You guys go on ahead. I should be close enough now to hack into their security cameras and get them offline.” He paused then added, “Good luck. Just don’t forget about me once you have your dragon.”“Never,” Trinity assured him, patting the box. Then she rose to her feet and approached Connor. “Ready?”“As I’ll ever be.”With confident, casual steps, they strode up to the guard, who was propped in a chair by the elevator, his feet up, nose in a book, completely ignoring the chaos around him. Guess deliveries weren’t in his job description. Connor gave him a small smile. “We need the elevator,” he informed him.“Yeah, well, I need my ex-wife to get off my back,” the guard said lazily, snapping his gum. “We’ve all got problems.” Connor’s eyes zeroed in on him. “I don’t think you under- stand,” he said. “We need the elevator. We need to get upstairs. You need to let us in.”Trinity drew in a breath, watching him work. She had to admit, Connor looked particularly hot when he was working to manipulate people’s minds. It was like he got this look in his eyes—those blue, glowing eyes of his—like he was some kind of Jedi Master or something. Truth be told, it kind of made her want to jump his bones. Not that this was the time or the place.Pushing the inappropriate thought down, she turned back to his victim. Sure enough, the man’s face had gone slack, and he was staring up at Connor with vacant eyes. “You need the elevator,” he droned. “You need to get upstairs. You need me to let you in.”Then, to Trinity’s excitement, he slowly rose to his feet, walked over to the elevator in question, and inserted his key. Just like that. A moment later, the doors yawned open. The guard looked at them expectantly.Trin flashed Connor an approving look. You didn’t even need my help for that one, she teased.Yeah, well, it’s all you from here on out, he shot back, but he looked pleased by the compliment all the same.

About the author: Mari Mancusi is a two-time Emmy award-winning television producer and author of novels for adults and teens. A graduate of Boston University, she now lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and young daughter. When not writing or producing she enjoys traveling, snowboarding, reading fantasy novels, and her favorite guilty pleasure: video games.

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What's On My Holds List (86)

My Librarian friend Jess from I Read to Relax came up with a great idea.  It's to highlight the books on hold at the library. I usually have 20-40 items checked out at the library and another 20 items on hold. 

Sequels: I read a lot of books in series. Here are a few I'm waiting on.

Shattered: Dragons - Danger - Potential End of the World - and Romance.

It's in His Kiss: I'm a huge fan of the Lucky Harbor series

Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla - Love the Pink Carnation spy series - lots or action and danger.

Books I'm Dying to Read: September Edition

Here's a list of books I can't wait to get my hands on come September- perfect for fall reading

Jewel: I have this from BEA and it looks super good. Forbidden Romance

Get Even: Tagline = Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars - sold!

Shattered: I really liked the first one and dragons!

Social Media Experiment: A behind the scene look at popularity and what it costs

Death is like a Box of Chocolates: First in a new series - combined book and chocolate store.

Nightmares Can be Murder: First in a new series - where friends meet once a week to talk about their dreams. A murder resembles a recent dream talked about...

Red Pencil: A novel in verse that could be hard to read -but an important read about inner strength 

Little Author Big Woods: Loved the Little House books as a kid, looking forward to learning more about the author.

Sealed with a Lie: Really liked the first one - Kari must now rescue her little brother

Fine Art of Pretending: Aly wants to shred her tomboy image and snag a date for the upcoming dance.

CraftFail: Saw this while browsing at BEA and it looks hilarious. I'm a big lover of Pinterest, but we've all had crafts that fail.

Underwater Puppies: I really liked Underwater Dogs, have no doubt this will be cute too

Illusions of Fate: Donwton Abbey meets Cassandra Clare - sounds good!

Poisoned Apples: Poetry of fairy tales next to a modern world - hard to describe but sounds like a powerful read.

Raging Heat: Love the Castle books - Rook and Heat become at odds over a case 

Stirring the Plot: Book 3 set near Halloween and a spooky soiree turns deadly

Vault of Dreamers: I have this from BEA - what if your dreams were not your own?

Afterworlds: I have this from BEA too - sounds like it has a Pride and Prejudice vibe. It's huge, so I need to set aside of chunk of time to read it. 

He's So Fine: Love Lucky Harbor - so excited for the next trilogy.

In Your Dreams: Love this series! How CUTE is this cover? And it's Jack's story.

Wouldn't it be Deadly: Mystery featuring My Fair Lady characters - yes please!

To Fudge or not to Fudge: 2nd book in the series about a girl trying to keep her family hotel from going under while also making fudge in small tourist town.

Ninja Detectives 2: Really enjoyed the first one - looking forward to the next case.

Balance Keepers: Start of a new MG series with an underground society

Jessica Darling 2: I have this one and can't wait to read more of Jessica Darling and how she navigates 7th grade.

Christmas Bouquet: I adore the O'Brien family books, especially Christmas ones.

Prince who Loved Me: A Scottish Cinderella tale - love that cover

Heir of Fire: Read it - loved it. One of my favorite reads this year and one of my favorite series.

Cover Love: Shattered

Here's the cover for the sequel to Scorched!

Doesn't it look awesome? I can't wait to read this one - loved the first book.

PLUS, Mari's giving away an awesome necklace:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Scorched

Trinity worries about keeping the family museum alive and the bills paid on time She sold her mother's ring for rent money, but instead of paying rent, her grandfather bought an egg for the museum.

It's supposedly a dragon egg. Annoyed, Trinity yells at him and makes him go home while she cleans up for the day.

Almost immediately, she spies a boy about to break the egg. She stops him.  As she's questioning him, men break into the museum. It's not clear what they want, but everyone seems interested in the egg.

The boy helps Trinity escape for the moment. She doesn't understand why she's on the run with this egg and why all these people want her.  Could it have something to do with the voice in her head?

My Thoughts: A start to a new fantasy series that's filled with action, danger, dragons, and a little romance. I like both the brothers - even though they hold very different views. I enjoyed figuring out their relationship. I loved the moments between Trinity and Emmy - especially flying together. The view from the future is horrific, but I love watching Trinity an the brothers struggle to make the world (and the future world) a better place and how they acted upon their ideas. I can't wait for more in this story.

Cover Thoughts: Love it - Love the cover without the jacket more - those scales!
Source: Signed ARC at BEA

Books I'm Dying to Read: September Edition

Here's a list of books I can't wait to get my hands on come September!

Find Me: A hacker determined to find a killer because it just got personal - sounds awesome

Heaven is Paved with Oreos: Sarah's journal as she leaves home and travels to Rome with her grandmother - loved Dairy Queen

Frozen: Looking forward to this new series by Melissa de la Cruz and her husband.

Burning Sky: Saving the world + Forbidden Love sounds like the perfect combination to the start of a trilogy.

Deadly Heat: Love this series - the ending of the previous book killed me.

Bride Wore Size 12: Can't wait to read more in this funny adult mystery series - love Heather and Cooper

Year of Billy Miller: Kevin Henkes read the first chapter at SLJ Day of Dialog. It was funny and charming. Can't wait to read the rest.

Wake up Missing: I really like her previous books -concussions, secret plots, and escape. Sounds like a great combination to me.

Chaos of Stars: Love her previous books - excited for this one, the human daughter of Egyptian gods.

Russian Roulette: The last of the Alex Rider books - love this series.

Two Lies and a Spy: love the title, haven't heard much about it, but it sounds awesome

Sweet Legacy: Loved the first two books, can't wait to see how it ends.

Scorched: You had me a dragons!

True Spies: Really loved the first book, so happy there's a second one!

Lightning Bay: Love this series! (no cover yet according to Goodreads, it's out this month)

Always on My Mind: Love the Lucky Harbor series, currently reading book 7. These books are perfectly wonderful.

Cave of Wonders: I really like this series - I need to catch up on it.

Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit: Learned about this a BEA - sounds really good. 

Secret Pizza Party: Loved Dragons Love Tacos, happy for a new book and who doesn't love pizza?