MMGM: EVERBLAZE, BALANCE KEEPERS, and THE MAP TO EVERYWHERE

Today I’m continuing my reading roundup with middle grade books–because of course my reading extravaganza included a few of those. I wish I had the time to give them full reviews, but alas, still speed-reading. Of course I have to start with the book by MMGM founder Shannon Messenger. EVERBLAZE is the third installment (and…

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YA Review & Interview: FORBIDDEN by Kimberley Griffiths Little

Today I’m thrilled to feature an interview with Kimberley Griffiths Little for her new young adult historical, FORBIDDEN, which takes readers much further into history than the typical historical novel. Take a look at this gorgeous trailer for a glimpse. Kimberley graciously answered questions for me about the five things I loved best. 1. When…

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YA Review: THE PERILOUS SEA by Sherry Thomas

I don’t often review the second book in a series because the things I love are the often same things I loved in the first book. But every once in a while I read a second book that completely blows me away in new and different ways and I just have to gush about it….

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MMGM: THE BOY PROJECT by Kami Kinard

A couple of weeks ago I read a post on humor by author Kami Kinard and promptly requested three of the books referenced in her post. Ms. Kinard was actually promoting her second book, but as I hadn’t read the first in the series, I had to read it first and found it thoroughly delightful….

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YA Series Recommendation: The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

Like many others, I decided to read The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare when the previews for the movie came out. Now, I know die-hard fans of the books have mixed feelings about the movie–I blogged about that here–but I’m glad I waited to read this series until almost all of the books were…

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YA Review: THE BURNING SKY by Sherry Thomas

As a writer, I get a lot of books recommended to me during the critique process for various reasons. Sometimes it’s because the author uses a similar technique, others for a similar premise or plot point. Discovering new authors is a great side benefit of the critique process. I’m not sure I would have heard…

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YA Review: STRANGE AND EVER AFTER by Susan Dennard

A few weeks ago I entered Susan Dennard’s giveaway for an ARC of the final book in her SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY series, STRANGE AND EVER AFTER. Imagine my glee when she notified me that I won! The book doesn’t come out until July, so I’m thrilled to be able to feature it here before…

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YA Review: THE PRINCESS IN THE OPAL MASK by Jenny Lundquist

While today’s review is for a young adult novel, it’s an author I discovered through MMGM. Two years ago I won a copy of SEEING CINDERELLA by Jenny Lundquist, and it was my favorite middle grade read of 2012. I also enjoyed her second MG, PLASTIC POLLY, so I was excited to read THE PRINCESS…

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YA Series Recommendation: Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter

I know I’m late to the party here, but I read Ally Carter’s Heist Society series before the Gallagher Girls. So when I went to her St. Louis event in February 2013 for the release of PERFECT SCOUNDRELS, I was a bit shocked by the huge turnout of teenage girls armed with hundreds of questions…

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MMGM Review & Giveaway: PARTNERS IN CRIME by Kim Harrington

Today I have another of my Scholastic Warehouse Sale finds to share with you for MMGM–and to give away! Here’s the description for the first book in Kim Harrington’s Sleuth or Dare series, PARTNERS IN CRIME. When best friends Darcy and Norah have to create a fake business for a school assignment, they come up…

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YA Series Recommendation: HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins

You know how sometimes you start reading a book and you can tell from the first page that you’re going to not just like it but love it? That’s how I felt when I started reading HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins. I was cracking up on page two and devoured the first book in an…

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