Bout of Books Read-a-thon #14: Goals and Updates! #boutofbooks

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 17th and runs through Sunday, August 23rd in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 14 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.

Welcome everyone! Starting today is the Bout of Books Read-a-thon #14!  

As many of you know I just adore doing read-a-thons! It's such a fun way to challenge yourself into reading more outside your comfort zone, as well as participating in mini-challenges, and meeting new people. I always have a blast each time and I'd love to see some of my blog readers join in on the fun! Here's the deets if you'd like to join. 

The sign up for will remain open today and tomorrow. You can join via a blog, Goodreads, facebook, twitter, etc. As long as you have a way of posting your updates throughout the readathon. For more into, mini-challenge schedule, and to sign up, click here. 

Time Devoted to Reading -

• I will be reading from August 17th-23rd

Goals:

• Read 3-5 books.
• Do mini-challenges.
• READ MORE, GET DISTRACTED LESS! 
• Do Twitter chats
• Meets new people, make friends, but most of all have fun!
• Be more proactive with posting daily updates on the blog, twitter and leaving comments on other read-a-thon participants blogs.

Books I will be reading - 
 - Note: All books below I will be trying to read or want to read.  My book choices may change, thus an update will be supplied.

Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay -  reading now

An Age of License: a travelogue by Lucy Knisley - Finished

Relish: My Life in The Kitchen by Lucy Knisley

The Rules by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie - Finished

Gaia by Karen Ann Hopkins (ARC) - Finished

Day One Updates: August 17th, 2015

Number of books read today: 1

Total Pages Read today: 195

Mini Challenges Completed Today: 1

Number of books read in Total: 1

Day Two Updates: August 18th, 2015

Number of books read today: 0

Total Pages Read today: 130

Mini Challenges Completed Today: 1

Number of books read in Total: 1

Day Three Updates: August 19th, 2015

Number of books read today: 0

Total Pages Read today: 60

Mini Challenges Completed Today: 0

Number of books read in Total: 1

Day Four Updates: August 20th, 2015

Number of books read today: 1

Total Pages Read today: 156

Mini Challenges Completed Today: 1

Number of books read in Total: 2

Day Five Updates: August 21st, 2015

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Day Six Updates: August 22nd, 2015

Number of books read today: 

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Day Seven Updates: August 23rd, 2015

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Challenge #1: Day 1 - Fictional World Travel Challenge 

hosted by Between Library Shelves

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Challenge #2: Day 2 - SCAVENGER HUNT hosted by The Book Monsters

You can find all of my choices on my Instagram page!

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Challenge #4: Day 4 - Four Seasons in Book Covers Challenge

hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads

For this challenge, you need to convey the four seasons in book covers – through color, title, cover, etc. You can be literal or take a more creative approach. Anything goes! 

Here is mine:

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Challenge #4: Day 4 - What to Read Next Challenge

hosted by Sarah Reads Too Much

For this Challenge, you need to recommend 3 books (and only 3 books) that you have read this year that you think should be recognized as something great - something everyone should have on their TBR list for this fall.  If you can, say a short little something about why you recommend these books. 

1. The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender (my review)

     I just recently did a review for this book and as you can tell by my review (if you have read it) I LOVED everything about this amazing novel! Want to know more about why I think this book should be on everyone's TBR list? Read my review. ;)

2. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover 

    This year I discovered a new author Colleen Hoover. I am SO glad I did. Her books are one of my favorite books I have EVER read like in all 36 years I've been alive. Maybe, Someday has been my favorite so far. 

3. Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

    This whole series is simply amazing! Anything Jennifer L. Armentrout is amazing! Enough, said! ;)

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Thank you for stopping by to check out my Bout of Books readathon post! I'd love hear your thoughts on what I'm reading, a supportive Good Luck or even a Hi! Leave me a comment if you'd like and if your participating as well then leave me a link to your post and I will be sure to stop by to visit you!

Audiobook Review: Until the Beginning by Amy Plum

Title: Until the Beginning

Author: Amy Plum
Series: After the End #2
Publisher: HarperTeen on May 5th 2015
Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: Audiobook

Listening Time: 8 hrs and 30 mins
Read by: Emily Rankin & Graham Hamilton 

Source: Scribd
Find on Goodreads

When Juneau's clan disappeared, she lost so much more than her friends and family. She soon discovered everything she thought she knew about her life was a lie. Her people's gifts were actually secret abilities that others wanted, desperately enough to kidnap an entire village.
Juneau and her new companion Miles's cross-country journey to find her clan has led them to a game preserve in New Mexico. Now Juneau's people are finally within reach, and she will stop at nothing to save them. But she has a target on her back too, because unbeknownst to her she is the key to unlocking everything. To rescue her people - and herself - Juneau must discover what she, and her abilities, are truly capable of.

Purchase

Amazon | Audible

Until the Beginning, the second book in the After the End series continues the cliffhanger in the first book. Juneau and Miles are on the run, Miles is shot and Juneau had to perform The Right on him to save his life. At this point, Juneau is also discovering her powers and the reasons behind them. I’m not sure how to review this book. I think it’s a love it/hate it type of thing because I think there is nothing that is going on for the most part of the book.

What I love about the book:

• We get answers! Yes, after that first cliffhanger, I wanted to get answers stat and some of those questions were answered in this book.
• Juneau and Miles’ relationship. I love the chemistry between them especially when Miles changes and starts to fall for Juneau.
• I thought the sexy times part was age appropriate. Very PG 13, I think.

What I hate about the book:

• I miss Miles’ sarcasm. I really wish I he could have kept his sarcasm but I since his sarcasm was directed at some of the things Juneau did in After the End, I am semi-glad that this is not the case now.
• There is nothing going on in this book, well the middle part anyway. It starts at a high then slowly goes downhill from there and then picks up again by the last few chapters. If this weren’t an audiobook, I probably would have stopped in the middle.
• Miles’ dad. I mean. Please. E V I L.
• There was animal killings. I know it’s part of the plot but – !
• I still have questions! Well, despite enjoying the book, there are still unanswered questions. And I’m not even sure if there is a third book in the series!

The Verdict:
All in all Until the Beginning was an enjoyable listen. I’m not sure about reading it, but I definitely recommend the audiobook. Oh, and the cover? Yes, I definitely love it!

Totally Awesome! I loved it, would read again.

Book Blitz: Lumière by Jacqueline Garlick + Giveaway!

Hello everyone and welcome to the book blitz for Lumière by Jacqueline Garlick! Be sure to enter in the giveaways below to win some awesome prizes. Enjoy!

Lumière by Jacqueline Garlick 

Series: The Illumination Paradox #1
Publication Date: December 12th 2013
Genres: Steampunk, Young Adult

Even in a land of eternal twilight, secrets can’t stay hidden forever.

Seventeen-year-old Eyelet Elsworth is no stranger to living in the dark. She’s hidden her secret affliction all of her life—a life that would be in danger if superstitious townspeople ever guessed the truth. After her mother is accused and executed for a crime that she didn’t commit, the now-orphaned Eyelet has no choice but to track down the machine—her last hope for a cure. But Eyelet’s late father’s most prized invention, the Illuminator, has been missing since the day of the mysterious flash—a day that saw the sun wiped out over Brethren forever.

Alone and on the run, she finds the Illuminator—only to witness a young man hauling it away. Determined to follow the thief and recover the machine, she ventures into the deepest, darkest, most dangerous part of her twisted world.

Purchase at Amazon | B&N

Book 2 in the series is coming out August 18th. 

Pre-order your copy at Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

I'm Jacqueline Garlick, author of young adult and new adult fiction. I love strong heroines, despise whiny sidekicks, and adore a good story about a triumphant underdog. (Don't you?) 

I love to read, write, paint (walls and paper). I have a love/hate relationship with chocolate, grammar, and technology and would rather hang out with a dog, than a cat. I prefer creating things to cleaning things, and believe laughter is a one-stop-shop solution to all that ails you. You will always find a purple wall (or two) in my house (currently in my writing room), and there may or may not be a hidden passageway that leads to a mystery room. (Okay, so you won't find a hidden passageway, but a girl can dream, can't she?) Oh, and tea. There will always be tea. 

My writing style has been described as edgy and rule-breaking, and by some--a touch Tim Burton-esque. Because of this, I am often referred to as the Quentin Tarantino of YA among writing friends. 

In my former life, I was a teacher (both grade school and college-don't ask), but more recently I've been a graduate of Ellen Hopkin's Nevada Mentor Program and a student of James Scott Bell, Christopher Vogler and Don Maass. An excerpt from Lumière earned me the 2012 Don Maass Break Out Novel Intensive Scholarship. 

Lumière--A Romantic Steampunk Fantasy--my debut novel, is the recipient of an indieBRAG Medallion!!! B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree October 15, 2014) I am so proud! (LUMIERE by Jacqueline E. Garlick is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!) Book II of the ILLUMINATION PARADOX SERIES, is out  now on pre-order.

Also, check out my young adult contemporary romantic/mystery serial, IF ONLY, where reluctant telepathic sleuth Kyla Cooper must embrace her powers and risks all to solve the mystery of what happened to her boyfriend Denver Munro, becoming his voice of truth, before he has no voice at all...

I love hearing from READERS! Please contact me, either at my website: www.jacquelinegarlick.com, or catch up with me on twitter @garlick books, or on facebook: http://bit.ly/jegarlickfb

It's giveaway time! Yippee! =D

There are two giveaways you can enter below. The first one is for my blog readers only in which you can win an ecopy of Lumière and the second one is a tour-wide giveaway where you can win a signed copy of LUMIERE, a signed copy of NOIR, and Swag (necklace with matching earrings and some collector’s cards with excerpts on them) Both giveaways are open internationally! Everyone can enter. 

Giveaway #1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway #2

a Rafflecopter giveaway