Now in My Bookbag: The Treemakers by Christina Rozelle

This is a very interesting and intense view of the dystopian world. It is not a book for teen readers due to adult content, including rape and other violence.

Author Christina Rozelle infuses this story with her vivid imagination. The concept is well thought out and the flow is excellent. Her characters are so real, and Joy is the kind of strong leader needed by the children who are forced to work in the Treemaking Factory.

I am conflicted about the progression of Jax and Joy’s story. Once you read The Treemakers, you will understand my reasons. The mysteries sprinkled throughout the book remain mostly unanswered, which means that waiting for the next book, The Soultakers, is driving me crazy.

The Treemakers is a great beginning to this dystopian trilogy. It is an exciting read that riveting and full of twists. I highly recommend this book.

4 3/4 stars

My Favorite Things by My Bookbag

It has been brought to my attention that the link previously provided did not open the Rafflecopter for this Giveaway. Here is the correct link for the week #1 giveaway: My Favorite Things Week #1

Starting on Thanksgiving Day, I will be running a Giveaway of My Favorite Things. There will be one giveaway per week for 5 weeks… the fifth week culminating on December 30, 2015.

Week #1 is open from Thanksgiving Day until Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Week #2 is open from Thursday, December 3 until Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Week #3 is open from Thursday, December 10 until Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Week #4 is open from Thursday, December 17 until Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Week #5 is open from Thursday, December 24 until Wednesday, December 30, 2015

The prize each week will be a signed book by one of my favorite authors. Once a winner is notified, that person should send a pm, to Karen Metcalf, indicating a genre preference from the following:
1. Young Adult-Paranormal
2. New Adult-Paranormal
3. Contemporary Fiction
4. Contemporary Romance
5. Dystopian
6. Adult-Paranormal
From there, you will be asked to choose a number from those randomly assigned to the authors in your chosen genre. This is how your random author/book combo will be chosen.

I can not wait to share some of my favorites with you!

Again in My Bookbag: Inescapable by Amy Bartol (Premonition Series #1)

As many times as I have read this book, I should be ashamed that I haven’t done a review before now.

Inescapable kicks off the Premonition series in style, giving birth to an extremely popular world by author Amy Bartol. She builds fantastic characters with whom I develop a deep connection.

I love Evie. Her backstory has already made her independent, smart, caring and open-minded. Russell is sweet and kind, with a big heart. Reed is more than he seems, and becomes better understood as the story progresses. They are but three of the wonderfully written characters.

The first time I read this story I laughed, cried, and found it impossible to put down. Now, a couple of years and several rereads later, I am stilled moved and entertained by this spellbinding book. 5 stars

Now in My Bookbag: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

This is a great book for many different reasons. The characters really come to life through the words of author Colleen Hoover. She also has a wonderful way of building a story layer by layer, making it complex enough to draw me into the world of Sydney and Ridge.

It starts as a story about strangers and their shared love of music. This is all it takes for Hoover to develop an intimacy through songwriting that has nothing to do with the physical… only the emotional.

There is much more I can not say without giving the plot away… and I do not do spoilers. I am thrilled to have read Maybe Someday. Hoover evokes a lot of emotions through it, and I enjoy every one of them. 4 3/4 stars

Now in My Bookbag: (Dis)Content by Melissa Haag (Judgement of the Six #5)

(Dis)Content exemplifies the extraordinary storytelling that I have come to expect from author Melissa Haag. Each of her Judgement characters are so different, yet Haag can understand them all, and bring them to life.

Isabelle’s character isn’t always easy to like. I love the way that Haag develops Isabelle throughout the story, adding layers of her past and present, creating a complex and detailed character.

I can honestly say that there is a part of this book that makes me “ugly cry.” I think that, no matter how many times I read this part, I will still “ugly cry.” I can also say that the tears are worth it because they are born of an episode that (I believe) will help the 6 in the end.

This is the type of emotional rollercoaster I love to ride, masterfully built with twists, turns and vertical drops. This is a 5 star book.

I was given an Arc of (Dis)Content for an honest review.

Now in My Bookbag: Thanksgiving in Sweetwater County by Ciara Knight

This addition to the Sweetwater County series is a sweet, second-chance romance. However, it is so much more than that.

There is a fantastic focus on a special needs little girl who “steals the show,” so to speak. The information and attention to detail that author Ciara Knight is fabulous. She definitely shows a side of autism that many choose not to see.

The story itself is a joy to read, even though there are tough life experiences exposed.

I really liked this Sweetwater County novella and recommend it as a light, holiday read. 4 stars

Thanksgiving in Sweetwater County on Amazon

Now in My Bookbag: A Matter of Forever by Heather Lyons

This book is one of those rare finds. It delivers on my expectations yet completely surprises me at the same time. Lyons manages to explain so many things as she brings conflicts to a head and gives the story a form of closure. After I cried and screamed at my Kindle, I can finally accept the way things had to end.

The overall story arc, from A Matter of Fate to A Matter of Forever, is very complex. The main characters are well developed. The ancillary characters are  fairly developed as well. It may even be possible to write a spin-off series constructed around one or two of them.

Lyons has produced an excellent read in A Matter of Forever. 5 stars

Now in My Bookbag: A Matter of Truth by Heather Lyons (A Fate Series Novel)

This book is unbelievably good. The story, which is a continuation from the previous two books of the series, brings an unexpected twist for the first half of the novel. The fact that Author Heather Lyons transitions this story from one reality to another, and back again, is extraordinary.

There are so many things that Chloe is able to learn, and discover about herself. There are lessons about family and the importance of love. There is an obvious maturity that develops during this book. It is a critical part of who Chloe is… who she must become.

This story is told masterfully. Lyons uses a cleverly designed plot to further the story and broaden the story-lines. Her mix of the magical with the everyday makes the perfect blend for a really great read.

Now in My Bookbag: A Matter of Heart by Heather Lyons (A Fate Novel)

I have to say that, although I like this book, it has a bit too much angst for me.

As the Council’s newest Creator, Chloe faces accusations, hatred, and bullying.  She becomes someone almost unrecognizable in her indulgences and lies. This story is not truly a happy one, though it has its moments. The wreckage that Fate has caused in all lives involved is tragic, and the ending is both heartbreaking and infuriating.

This is definitely a complex story, and Chloe is a complex character whom Fate has treated cruelly. Author Heather Lyons delivers a solid second book for the Fate Series. It just does not quite reach the bar she set with A Matter of Fate. 4 stars

Now in My Bookbag: A Matter of Fate by Heather Lyons (A Fate Novel)

“Everything is dictated by the nebulous yet all-important Fate.” (Chloe Lillywhite, A Matter of Fate)

Author Heather Lyons has created an awesome world hidden within the world I know. Her imaginative story, (about Magicals, Fate and the importance they play in all the worlds), provides a fascinating escape.

After drawing me in, Lyons provides me with lovable characters, an enchanting story and the most interesting love triangle I have ever read. I am drawn to Chloe from the very beginning… her designated title of Creator, her feelings of being smothered, the unexpected situations in her life, and the angst she experiences combine to make her a character ruled by Fate. Her journey is complex and engaging… from cover to cover.

Jonah and Kellan are also very interesting and complex characters, and their importance to Chloe’s journey can not be overstated. So many other characters, of varying importance, help Chloe along the way.

“Fate may suck sometimes, but in other instances, it can be so wonderful that I would get down on my knees and offer thanks if I could.” (Chloe Lillywhite, A Matter of Fate)

Lyon definitely showcases her masterful storytelling abilities in A Matter of Fate. Well done… 4 1/2 stars

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(DIS)CONTENT RELEASE BLITZ GIVEAWAY!!

Up for grabs is one (1) ebook set of the complete Judgement of the Six series, (books 1-5), by Melissa Haag. The giveaway is open internationally, and entries are accepted until 11:59 pm, Monday, November 9th. The winner will be notified on Tuesday, November 10th, and the prize will be awarded after November 12th.

There will be a pinned post on the My Bookbag facebook page with instructions about how to enter.

https://www.facebook.com/readerreviewbookbag/

Links to my reviews for books 1-4 in the Judgement of the Six Series”

Hope(less)

(Mis)Fortune

(Un)Wise

(Un)Bidden

Now in My Bookbag: Possession of Souls by Lacey Weatherford (Of Witches and Warlocks #5)

This is a solid ending for this series. The story provides a lot of conflict, a lot of love, a lot of loss, and a very evil villain. Weatherford provides more close relationships in this book, something that was sorely missing from the last book.

Here, she writes a complex story that is emotionally exhausting because the range of feelings elicited span from smiles to sobs, and everything between. The ending is unexpected and leaves certain questions unanswered. This read is interesting and enjoyable. 4 stars

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Now in My Bookbag: The Dark Rising by Lacey Weatherford (Of Witches and Warlocks #4)

Having loved the last book in this series, I am disappointed in this one. It lacks the one element that makes the previous books special and strong. The close relationships are very important to the fabric of this series, at least they are for me. The writing is full of heart-wrenching moments, pure evil, and very little happiness.

The book does have a few interesting twists. Meeting Hex is one of the better things in this story. He is a marvelous character who does care a lot about Portia. In my eyes, he provides a bit of the familial closeness missing from this story.

I am afraid that this book does very little to further my enchantment with this series. 3 stars