Search This Blog







2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

2025 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado (3)
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida (1)
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (1)
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York (2)
- North Carolina (1)
- North Dakota
- Ohio (1)
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont (1)
- Virginia
- Washington (1)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.* (1)
International:
- Australia (1)
- England (3)
- France (1)
- Puerto Rico (1)
- Scotland (1)


2025 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge



2025 Build Your Library Reading Challenge









Thursday, October 08, 2015
Cover Reveal: Spark by Holly Schindler
1:30 AM
I've loved Holly Schindler ever since I read her debut novel, A Blue So Dark. It is a haunting, memorable story told in vivid, skilled prose. It made me want to read everything she wrote. I'm a little behind on that goal, but I've continued to enjoy the author's books over the years. Holly's not just a talented writer, but she's also a great champion of book bloggers. Really, what's not to love about her?
Naturally, I was thrilled to be a part of the cover reveal for Holly's forthcoming YA novel, Spark. Published by HarperCollins, it comes out on May 17, 2016. You can pre-order it now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Isn't it pretty?
When the right hearts come to the Avery Theater—at the right time—the magic will return. The Avery will come back from the dead.
Naturally, I was thrilled to be a part of the cover reveal for Holly's forthcoming YA novel, Spark. Published by HarperCollins, it comes out on May 17, 2016. You can pre-order it now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Isn't it pretty?
When the right hearts come to the Avery Theater—at the right time—the magic will return. The Avery will come back from the dead.
Or so Quin’s great-grandmother predicted many years
ago on Verona, Missouri’s most tragic night, when Nick and Emma, two
star-crossed teenage lovers, died on the stage. It was the night that the
Avery’s marquee lights went out forever.
It sounds like urban legend, but one that high
school senior Quin is now starting to believe, especially when her best friend,
Cass, and their classmate Dylan step onto the stage and sparks fly. It seems
that magic can still unfold at the old Avery Theater and a happier ending can
still be had—one that will align the stars and revive not only the decrepit
theater, but also the decaying town. However, it hinges on one thing—that Quin
gets the story right this time around.
Holly Schindler brings the magic of the theater to
life in this tale of family ties, fate, love, and one girl’s quest to rewrite
history.
Sounds incredible, right? I think so. May, come quick!
Mormon Mentions: Melissa DeCarlo
1:05 AM

--
In The Art of Crash Landing by Melissa DeCarlo, Mattie Wallace and her friend go to visit a man, looking for information about Mattie's mother. He invites them in. Then:
Mr. Hambly clears his throat, "Latter Day Saints? Jehovah's Witnesses?"
Luke and I both laugh. I think he's laughing out of surprise, but I'm laughing because Luke, in his white dress shirt and dark tie, really does look like a religious door-knocker, which is probably what gained us entrance into the Hambly home in the first place.
(Quote taken from Page 258 of an uncorrected proof)
-- The Church's missionary program is legendary all around the world. Mormon missionaries are easily recognizable by their white shirts and ties (men), conservative skirts and blouses (women), and black name tags (all). They're also well-known for going door-to-door delivering messages about Jesus Christ. Or trying to, anyway. Mattie's assumption that she and Luke are allowed inside because they're religious representatives is pretty optimistic, since I'm pretty sure most people run and hide when they see the LDS missionaries (or Jehovah's Witnesses) coming. A pity, since everyone can benefit from an uplifting religious discussion. Unless, of course, your visitors are of the Mattie/Luke variety—people who look like missionaries, but are actually nosy strangers wanting to know all your secrets ...
Wickedly Funny Family Secrets Novel Surprisingly Poignant
1:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)

The good news: Mattie has inherited her mother's family home. The bad: she can't take possession of it for several months. With the Malibu out of commission, she's stuck in Gandy until she can find the money to get it repaired. A kind paralegal allows her to squat in her grandmother's house, but that only solves one of Mattie's problems. As she tries to straighten out her many dilemmas, Mattie settles into the rhythm of life in Gandy. Thanks to the quirky townspeople, her days are filled with plenty of drama and entertainment. Still, the only story she really wants told is that of her mother. Why did Genie Wallace, a pretty young woman with a bright future, suddenly up and leave Gandy? Why did she never return? How did the popular, well-loved Genie turn into the broken, boozed-up woman who raised Mattie?
With more questions than answers, Mattie determines to shake the truth about her mother out of the reticent Gandy-ans. Considering how shaky her relationship with Genie was, Mattie's surprised by how much she wants to know who her mother really was. But how many people will she have to hurt in order to get the real story? And what does it matter, after all, when the real problem is what to do about Mattie's own downward spiral? As Mattie unearths clues about her family's past, she finds shocking revelations—astonishing truths that might be the keys to salvaging her own future.
As you probably know by now, I'm a sucker for a good homecoming/family secrets story. The Art of Crash Landing, a debut novel by Melissa DeCarlo, certainly fits the bill, although it's a far cry from the Kate Morton-ish fare I usually read. Feisty Mattie is the kind of irascible character that shouldn't be as likable as she is. Still, her wicked sense of humor; her bold, reckless personality; and her refusal to back down make her a fun heroine. Her pain, so authentic and raw, makes her sympathetic. I couldn't help but love her. Mattie's madcap adventures made me laugh, while her family mystery made me race through the pages, eager to see how the puzzle pieces all fit together. Although our heroine (anti-heroine?) is undeniably hilarious, The Art of Crash Landing isn't a light, fun kind of novel. Not by a long shot. It's a sad, poignant read, but one that manages to be both real and hopeful. Despite the excessive profanity and other R-rated bits, I surprised myself by enjoying this novel quite thoroughly.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't really think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, sexual content, violence, and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Art of Crash Landing from the generous folks at HarperCollins via those at TLC Book Tours. Thank you!
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)


Reading
Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce

Listening
The Brightwood Code by Monica Hesse


Followin' with Bloglovin'

-
Which Kindle Should I Buy? A Kindle Comparison29 minutes ago
-
-
-
-
-
Blood Over Bright Haven8 hours ago
-
Dream home?9 hours ago
-
-
14. First State of Being16 hours ago
-
Top Ten Tuesday ~ Established Couples17 hours ago
-
-
Rajasthan Trip19 hours ago
-
Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook by Celia Rees20 hours ago
-
-
-
Top Ten Tuesday-Valentine's Reads23 hours ago
-
The Classics Club: The Classics Spin #4023 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb1 day ago
-
-
-
-
Review: We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes5 days ago
-
Sunday Post #5615 days ago
-
January 2025 Reading Wrap Up1 week ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
I'm Still Reading - This Was My October2 months ago
-
Review: The Duke and I5 months ago
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus6 months ago
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?1 year ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
-

Grab my Button!


Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)