'Til Next Tuesday #6: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

'Til Next Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here @Little Library Muse. It's allows me to share my love of books and showcase new releases. It's inspired by my work developing the young adult collection.

I'm spotlighting The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, mostly because I was drawn to the cover but the story also appeals to me. 

Expected Release: March 6, 2018

Publisher: HarperTeen

A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo.

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself.

So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.


Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.


Upcoming Releases this month!

Blood Of A Thousand Stars by Rhoda Belleza

Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller

Hooper by Geoff Herbach

The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Mercy Rule by Tom Leveen

Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda

I'm eager to hear about any other new books that I should consider for my library, feel free to share!

Giveaway & Excerpt: Miss Leslie's Secret by Jennifer Moore

      

Miss Leslie's Secret by Jennifer Moore
Decorated war hero Conall Stewart has spent ten years envisioning his return to his beloved Scottish Highlands. But now, with the days of battle finally behind him, it seems that his dreams of home have been in vain: the land of his youth lies in ruins, and his family is gone. Though he will never stop searching for his kin, Conall knows he must begin again. But when he takes on a rented farm in a nearby town, he finds far more than the fresh start he was looking for . . . After catching a mischievous local lad stealing, Conall returns young Jamie to his mother, Aileen Leslie—and finds the woman’s coddling of the child maddening. What Conall does not realize is that Aileen hides a frightening secret: her devoted protection of Jamie is all that shelters them from discovery by a dangerous man from their past. Drawn together by circumstance, Conall soon develops a fatherly relationship with Jamie—as well as romantic feelings for Aileen. But even as the couple accepts their growing affection for one another, time runs out for Aileen and her son: after years of hiding, they have been found. Conall lost his family once—he will do all in his power not to let history repeat itself . . ..   

      
 Jennifer Moore never disappoints. She's one of my go-to authors. I order all her new books no matter what. This one was wonderful. I loved the setting, the characters, and the story.   Five full stars. This story was perfect. A Scottish small town, families trying to survive and reconnect after wars and displacement, a mother's love for an adopted son, keeping a secret to protect loved ones, and the entrance into Leslie's precarious life of a returning soldier who inspires hero worship (and a male role model) in Leslie's son. Beautifully done. One of my new favorites by Jennifer Moore!  

 

 

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Narrator: Amanda Leigh Cobb

Title: A Court of Wings and Ruin

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #3

Format: Unabridged Audio CD

Length: 25 hrs and 9 mins

Publication: 2017

Publisher: Recorded Books

Source: Audiobookjukebox

Website | Twitter 

Looming war threatens all Feyre holds dear in the third volume of the #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit – and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords – and hunt for allies in unexpected places. 

In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.

Review

Feyre has grown so much since the first book, she's stronger and learning to settle in her new home until Tamlin betrays them to get he back. He still believes she belongs to him and has her back in the Spring Court with him despite her bond to the High Lord of the Night Court. She's now a spy within his court trying to find a way to cripple him before he discovers where her heart truly lies. One thing she doesn't plan for is that she may lose what she loves most in this battle of love and war. 

Rhys has so much more depth to him than Tamlin to me in the sense that his vulnerability is his strength. Tamlin comes off as sexist and sees Feyre as an object that belongs to him. He has some serious control and anger issues, which made me feel no sympathy to his situation. He's so obsessed with Rhys being a monster that he doesn't see the one within him. I was on the verge of tears throughout this entire book, some moments I could completely relate to Feyre and other characters as well about what they were feeling in those moments.  they dreamed of. 

This book is about family, love and doing what's right even when told that it's wrong. It's about sacrifice in the face of much adversity. It's bloody but filled with so many emotional ups and downs that by the time it ended I felt bared open and not ready to part with these characters and this dream of peace. Now, a couple of times I had to remember I was listening to a young adult book because things got pretty steamy and reminded me of the romance novels I used to read. I wonder if Maas intends to write an adult romance since she knows how to bring the heat to a story and my cheeks. 

I think this book translated well into audio format and Cobb does a great job of bringing the story and characters to life. She maintains a steady pace and differentiates the voices of each character to give them distinction from one another. Cobb's voice works well with this book and was able to make me feel all the emotional aspects of the plot. In the beginning I could hear her breath every time she spoke but after a while it stopped and it didn't distract too much from the plot. The sound was clear and crisp other than that minor issue. Overall, I feel Cobb matched well for the narration of this book and she made it easy to visualize some very touching scenes that I didn't want to get out of the car at times. This is one that I could I listen to again. 

My Sunday Post #50

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
I'm also linking up to Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Review this week.

Last Week on the Blog

      My Sunday Post #49
      Blitz & Giveaway: Mistress Grim by Jane Redd

      'Til Next Tuesday #5: Defy the World by Claudia Gray
      Cover Reveal: Olympian Challenger by Astrid Arditi

      Excerpt & Giveaway: I'm With You by Taylor Dean

      Giveaway & Excerpt: The Kiss Thief by Rachelle J. Christensen
      Cover Reveal: If I Could Stay by Annette K. Larsen

Tenative Schedule for this week 

      My Sunday Post #50
      Audio Review: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

      Giveaway & Excerpt: Miss Leslie's Secret by Jennifer Moore

     'Til Next Tuesday #6: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
      Excerpt & Giveaway: Blue Moon Kisses by Cindy Roland Anderson 

      Review: Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
      Excerpt & Giveaway: Illegally Wedded by Jennifer Griffith 
      Mini Review: Sightwitch by Susan Dennard

Giveaways

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 2/23/18
Giveaway: Romance is in the Air ~$100 Amazon Gift Code or Paypal Cash   Ends 2/28/18
Romance is in the Air Featured Authors ~Giveaway

Reading and/or Listening to Now

New This Week 

FOR REVIEW CONSIDERATION

 Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

Notes

I work two jobs still and I'm exhausted this week. Everyone keeps asking about tax forms, which is so frustrating because they get mad if we don't have them. Ugh! This is my least favorite time of the season and my most asked reference question. I only have one off day a week and so ready for Spring Break. So far, I've avoided the crude this week that has been floating around and hoping it stays that way. On happier note, this is my anniversary month and I'm trying to figure out what to get my husband for that and Valentine's Day. He says don't buy him anything but I can't help wanting to spoil him just a little bit. 

This year looks to be off to a good start. I've managed to have content for this week and even had to shuffle a few things to this upcoming week.  I have started a meme called 'Til Next Tuesday to highlight new releases instead of doing a widget like I used to before, which was a hassle to do. I thought of this because I process the new books at my library and they always come out on Tuesdays, hence the name. Hope you all have a great week! 

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: If I Could Stay by Annette K. Larsen

Coming February 22, 2018

 If I Could Stay by Annette K. Larsen

They killed her mother, and if they find her, Leila could be next. Being pursued from one state to another, she has learned to constantly look over her shoulder, and when necessary, to become someone new. She’s burned through four cities and four identities, always managing to stay one step ahead. Now Leila is left with nothing. No car, no money, and no choice but to trust the man who finds her, half frozen, wandering the back roads of Missouri. Despite the fact that Jack seems to genuinely care about her, Leila knows all too well the danger she poses to anyone brave enough to get close to her. Her growing feelings for Jack force her to make a choice. She could risk staying and hope she’s not found, or she could do what she’s always done, and disappear.  

    

Excerpt

I don’t know how long we sat in that pickup truck, two strangers wrapped around each other. One desperate for help, the other willing to give it without a thought for himself. But it was long enough that my shaking stopped, and my breathing slowed, and I started to feel very, very tired. “You falling asleep on me?” he asked. “Maybe,” I whispered. “So you can talk.” I cleared my throat and took a deep breath, realizing for the first time how good he smelled. “Yeah. I can talk.” “You got a name?” Hmm. I hadn’t decided on a new name yet. Now was as good a time as any. “Celeste.” It came out sounding like a question. “You sure?” I let out a little chuckle. “No, I’m not sure. What do you think my name should be?” I was feeling a little bit floaty, safe, like everything was suddenly fine. He grunted. “Angel seems appropriate.” My brow furrowed in confusion. I wasn’t an angel. I might not have been sure of much right then, but I did know that. “Why?” I asked as I was finally able to unlock my arms and wrap them around him. “That’s what you looked like, standing in the middle of the road. Your hair looked like it was glowing. Though that might have been frost.” I was guessing my white blouse, beige pants, blonde hair and pale skin all added to the image. He cleared his throat. “Wow, that sounded cheesy. I swear I’m not trying to hit on you.” I smiled, knowing that was true. “What’s your name?” “Jack.” “Nice to meet you, Jack. I’m pretty sure you saved my life.” 

Author Annette K Larsen 

 I was born in Utah, but migrated to Arizona, Missouri, and Virginia before settling in Idaho. Though I dabbled in writing throughout school, being an author seemed like an unattainable dream. It took me seven years to write my first book, Just Ella. During that time, I taught myself how to write a novel. Not the most time effective method, but it gave me an education I wouldn’t have received from a class or a how-to book. Something about the struggle of writing without a formula or rules worked for me. I write clean romance because I love it. Jane Eyre is the hero of my youth and taught me that clinging to your convictions will be hard, but will bring you more genuine happiness than giving in ever can. I love chocolate, Into the Woods, ocean waves, my husband, and my five littles. And I love books that leave me with a sigh of contentment.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Also by Annette K. Larsen

 

  Giveaway Details 

 $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 2/23/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway & Excerpt: The Kiss Thief by Rachelle J. Christensen

  

  

The Kiss Thief by Rachelle J. Christensen
 As the head librarian of the Echo Ridge Library, Britta Klein thrives on order and categorization. Unfortunately, the old church-turned-library is in desperate need of a renovation. The Harvest Hurrah fundraiser seems to be the answer, but plans keep going awry. With help from Milo Geissler, accomplished musician, piano tuner, and kiss thief, each catastrophe is narrowly avoided. When Milo goes to great lengths to help Britta find a key classic book, she begins to wonder if there is more to life than books and order. Can she allow this man who speaks the language of music to tune her heart to a new song? Welcome to Echo Ridge, New York where romance finds its way into the hearts and lives of the people who walk the streets of the close-knit community.  

   

 “Kisses Between the Lines is the perfect book to get lost in on a cool autumn night. It's full of toe curling kisses and sigh worthy moments. If you enjoy sweet romance then do yourself a favor and pick up this latest edition in the Echo Ridge Anthologies.” Jennifer Peel - Award Winning and Bestselling Author of the Women of Merryton Series. “I love Rachelle Christensen's writings. She has such a way with crafting a story as well as creating these characters that you can't help but love and connect to. I loved reading and "watching" all the layers unfold around Britta and seeing her true self revealed.” --Julie C., Reviewer  

   

Excerpt & Giveaway: I'm With You by Taylor Dean

I'm With You by Taylor Dean

Can three little words irrevocably change your life?

When the doctors inform Chloe Brennan that her pregnancy is “incompatible with life,” her subsequent choices will change her path forever.

She becomes one of the quiet, unsung heroes of this world, incredibly strong, yet somehow wrongly looked upon as damaged.

Three people will pierce Chloe’s existence: her husband, a stranger, and a precious baby.

One will say goodbye, one will say hello, and one will say both at the same time.

I’m With You is a novel about selfless love and the sacredness of life.

Please note: While this book is a romance novel, it also deals with the sensitive issue of baby loss grief. The emotions are real, and sometimes dark. If you are sensitive to this issue, this may not be the book for you.