Cover Reveal & Contest Too: When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears

Isn't it great? It's the third and final book in the Goblin Wars series.

It will hit the shelves February 2013. Don't quite remember the series?

Book one, Tyger Tyger, was one of my favorite reads of 2010.

What I said: "Run, don't walk, to Tyger Tyger. Yes it is THAT good! It has mythology, folklore, an ancient curse, attraction, and a fairytalesque quest. I could not put it down. It swiftly captured me and held me hostage. My only regret was that it had to end."

Now for the very best part of my news, the authoress Kersten Hamilton is providing one of my lucky readers with a signed copy of the first two books in the series (Tyger Tyger and In the Forests of the Night) AND a pre-order of book three. Fantastic right? All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address below. A winner will be selected and announced September 26, 2012. You must be a resident of the U.S. to enter.

Click here to read my review of Tyger Tyger.

Click here to visit Kersten Hamilton's lovely website.

Click here to visit Tyger Tyger on Goodreads.

Click here to visit In the Forests of the Night on Goodreads.

News Flash: Goodnight Tweetheart Now a Mass Market Paperback

One of my favorite reads of last year, Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros, is now available as a mass market paperback. If you get a chance, snatch it. It's quick and fun. The kind of book you will gobble up and pass on to your mom, sister, bff, or coworker.

What I said: "Goodnight Tweetheart is like candy and a chick flick for the thirsty reader. It's wickedly funny, light, and fast-paced. Don't do Twitter? Don't worry, neither do I. Because honestly you don't have to be a fan of Twitter to enjoy the delicious banter, flirtation, and dialogue full of pop culture references."

Click here to read my review of Goodnight Tweetheart.

Click here to read a teaser of Goodnight Tweetheart.

Click here to read a deleted tweet between Mark and Abby and visit the official Goodnight Tweetheart website.

Audiobook Review: Girl of Nightmares

2¢ Worth: Girl of Nightmares picks up six months later when Cas starts seeing Anna and she is totally not at peace. What unravels is one of the best follow-up novels I have ever encountered. In fact, if I was given one word to convince all Anna Dressed in Blood readers and listeners to grab this book it would be: more. Girl of Nightmares is more complex, layered, in depth, difficult to turn off, and has more at stake. It asks and answers more questions and introduces more characters. Girl of Nightmares is a thrilling, occasionally gruesome and chilling, journey with a brutal battle ending that left me breathless, awed, and thoroughly impressed. In short, Girl of Nightmares is SO whoa!

Words aloud: Having met and adapted to August Ross with Anna Dressed in Blood, I was ready for his "deliberate" and "almost breathy narration style". There was only one point that I wanted him to hurry (that brutal battle ending I told you about) but I am SO glad I listened, rather than read, this one. I know for a fact I would have raced through that ending. August helped me picture and experience all the details and tension I would have cruised right by otherwise. August again manages some great accents.

Writing: Can I get an AMEN for Kendare Blake? She wrote a story that rocks in only two books! Kudos and thank you Kendare. We really do not need another trilogy. Thanks for shattering the mold.

Whippersnappers: Profanity, death, ghosts, witchcraft, voodoo, tortured souls, and more blood make this one something I would recommend to older teens and adults.

Wind-up: Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (published by AudioGo) is read by August Ross and is 10 hours and 3 minutes long. Audiobook rating: 5 stars. Narrator rating: 4 stars.

Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com

Audiobook Review: Three Times Lucky

2¢ Worth: A mystery washes up to cute coastal Tupelo Landing when the town cheapskate curmudgeon pops up dead. Now all the funky fabulous townsfolk are suspects. It's a good thing plucky perceptive Mo LoBeau and her best friend Dale are on the case. Three Times Lucky took awhile to hook me but it was worth the build up. It's full of wonderful eccentric characters and clever snappy dialogue and similes. I applauded and admired Mo's quick wit and sassy tongue.

Whisper: I also really dug the message tucked underneath the story and mystery about family, circumstances, and loving what you've got.

Whippersnappers: There is of course murder and one of the characters is an alcoholic who abuses members of his family. But I would still recommend it to any tweens I know. In fact, it would be a great opportunity to point out how to spot that sort of behavior.

Word love: She used poppycock! Love it.

Whodunit verdict: While the main culprit was evident, his motivations and assistants were a fun surprise I did not see coming.

Words aloud: The best part of Three Times Lucky is the narrator Michal Friedman. She IS Mo. She not only NAILS the spunky oh-so-Southern Mo but she effortlessly and perfectly animates all the other colorful characters of Tupelo Landing, North Carolina. I liked her voice so much that I instantly hit the internet to investigate the gal behind Mo. What I found, honestly broke my heart a bit. After five+ years of trying to have a baby, Michal Friedman died of complications after delivering two healthy babies (by Cesarean) on November 25th 2011. *sigh* It makes my heart hurt every time I think about it. I too tried for years and had my baby via Cesarean. Her babies Reverie and Jackson are being raised by their father Jay Snyder. You can donate and read more about the babies at TheSnyderTwins.com. I know I will be honoring Michal by seeking out more of her audiobooks.

Wind-up: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage (published by Penguin Audio) is read by Michal Friedman and is 7 hours and 57 minutes long. Audiobook rating: 4 stars. Narrator rating: 5 stars.

Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com

Audiobook Review: About Average

2¢ Worth: Poor Jordan. She wants to pop and shine. She thinks, "just being ok doesn't feel ok." She beats herself up a lot. But the more I learned about Jordan the more I kept thinking this gal is smart, clever, organized, responsible, industrious, kind, nice, and brave. She is both easy to relate to and get inspired by. By the end (when a moment of crisis gives Jordan a chance to show her true colors) I was surprised to find a tear in my eye.

Word to the wise: I would recommend About Average to any man or woman who is the parent, teacher, or caregiver of any young lady between 8-12. Every girl at some point questions herself and Jordan is an awesome reminder that if she is talented, strong enough, and brave enough, chances are so are we. Plus she reminds us all that being nice is actually an act of strength.

Words aloud: Celia Keenan-Bolger is a perfect Jordan. She conveys both her youth and insecurities. Her voice is the 4 c's = concise, crisp, clean, and clear.

Whippersnappers: Perfectly safe.

Wind-up: About Average by Andrew Clements (published by Simon & Schuster Audio) is read by Celia Keenan-Bolger and consists of 2 discs (2 hours and 9 minutes). Audiobook rating: 4 stars. Narrator rating: 5 stars.

Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com

Well Said: Words of Wisdom from Three Times Lucky x 2

"...dreams are shapeshifters. Get close and before you can lay a hand on them they change."

~

"...that's black and white thinking", I said.

Miss Lana says nothings really black and white except zebras and old movies."

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage