The Book Bag

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

WWW Wednesdays July 17, 2013

WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading

To play along, just answer the following three questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

Clicking on the book covers will take you to Goodreads
for more information about the books listed below.

What are you currently reading?

The Hole in the Middle by Kate Hilton
I just started this one but I am enjoying it so far.

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

I have heard so many good things about this book. I am going to be listening to it on audio-book.

What did you recently finish reading?

HEIST by Laura Pauling
Very interesting premise. I will be posting my thoughts soon.

Suffocate and Choke
(The Breathless Series #1 and #2)
by S.R Johannes
Seriously, if you have not read these yet, you really should! Amazing! My thoughts are here.

What do you think you will read next?

True Love's First Kiss by Heidi Garrett
This is books 1-3 of the Queen of the Realm of Faerie series. It should be a good one to read on my road trip next week.

What's on your WWW this week?

Leave me a comment and

I'll stop by to check out your reads.

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Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The Breathless Series by S.R. Johannes: Suffocate (#1) and Choke (#2)

Suffocate is the first novelette in The Breathless series. It is a 15,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres.

For centuries, the world outside the Biome has been unlivable. Today, marks the first time anyone will attempt to leave the suffocating ecosphere. Eria is not worried because her scientist father has successfully tested the new Bio-Suit many times.

It's a celebratory day until something goes horribly wrong. In the midst of tragedy, Eria uncovers a deep conspiracy in her perfect bubble. If those responsible find out what she knows, they won't stop hunting her until she takes her last breath.

The 2nd novelette in the series, Choke, is scheduled for June 2013. The 3rd, Exhale, is scheduled for Winter 2013. ~~ synopsis from Goodreads

Print Length: 46 pages
Publisher: Coleman and Stott (May 16, 2012)

When Eria escapes her home in the Biome, she uncovers more about her features and specifications as a HumaNot. Following her father's instructions, Eria embarks on a journey into a dangerous and unpredictable world.

Along the way, she encounters a young rebel, Dirk, who explains he's from the Anarchy, an underground human resistance rising up against the BOTs--advanced man-made robots gone wild. Together, Dirk and Eria battle underground serpents, desert dingos, sand storms, and advanced Bots that are always hot on their trail. As they become closer, Dirk reveals his hatred of machines, forcing Eria to hide the secret of what and who she really is.

When the truth of her identity comes out, Eria is forced to become the very thing she hates the most.

This novelette is about 20,000 words and is the 2nd in the YA Breathless novelette series. Exhale (#3) is scheduled for Nov 2013. ~~ synopsis from Goodreads

Print Length: 74 pages
Publisher: Coleman and Stott (June 19, 2013)

My thoughts about Suffocate and Choke ~~

OMG! I love this series! Suffocate totally drew me in and I couldn't do anything else but read until I was done with this amazing story. It is so intense I could not put it down. I also had Choke downloaded on my Kindle so when I got done with Suffocate, I looked at the time and decided,what the heck, I still had time to get it read too. So what if I had to get up to go to work in the morning? I had to find out what happened to Eria.

I don't know what else to say other that these stories are so intense. And I just had to keep reading. And I love them! I will be so excited in November when book #3 comes out.

About the author

When Shelli was younger, she spent all her time outdoors, hiking, camping and living the Girl Scout Way.

Somewhere along the way, she got away from nature and earned an MBA in Marketing, kicking off an 18-year marketing career in Corporate America.

Eventually, Shelli traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She started her own marketing & communications business, www.bilaninc.com, where she worked with Spanx, Goody Hair Products, Chick Filet, and the Boys & Girls Club of America.

In addition to juggling nap schedules and client meetings, Shelli focuses on her writing. She is a frequent speaker on marketing and book publicity at SCBWI conferences across the U.S, and runs a popular book marketing blog, Market My Words (www.faeriality.blogspot.com).

In her spare time (yeah right!) and if the kids allow (yeah right!), Shelli obsesses over movies, reads children’s books (over and over), and still dreams of sleeping in on the weekends. But most importantly, she is finally getting back to her roots by running her own Girl Scout Troop in Atlanta, helping girls get back to nature.

She currently lives in Atlanta with her dog (Charley), British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess that someday will change the world.

Connect with Shelli

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

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Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Taking Back Forever (Kindrily #2) by Karen Amanda Hooper

Forever is worth the fight.

Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn't erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it.

Maryah's power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn't big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. Heaven help anyone who stands in her way. ~~ synopsis from Goodreads

*Recommended for ages 15 and older due to mature content.*

Paperback: 366 pages
Publisher: Starry Sky Publishing (May 31, 2013)

My thoughts about Taking Back Forever ~~

I recently read and posted my thoughts about the first book in this series, Grasping at Eternity. You can read them here. I loved it and was so glad that I had book #2 sitting on my Kindle waiting to be read! I loved that I was able to jump right back into the Kindrily world that I fell in love with in book #1.

The story is once again filled with the wonderful characters that I enjoyed getting to know in Grasping. Their quest to find Gregory, Harmony's soul mate and to help Maryah remember her past kept me enthralled. I felt like I was there with all of them, trying to help them figure everything out. I felt like I was a part of their Kindrily family.

I truly loved being in this world that Karen has created. I love the people, their special abilities, the closeness of the family, and the idea of reincarnation and soul mates. I love the good guys and the bad guys, especially when they get what's coming to them. I just love everything about it.

Karen recommends that readers should read these books in order because she does not 'rehash' book 1 at the beginning of book 2. The reader is supposed to have all of the back story already. I appreciate that. Then we get more of the new story! This could be a problem if I have to wait too long for book #3. Oh well, I just may find myself re-reading books 1 and 2 as I prepare myself for book 3. And that would not be a bad thing, having to relive those stories all over again. Karen is currently working on book #3.

About the author

Author of YA paranormal and fantasy. Tangled Tides by Rhemalda Publishing. The Kindrily series by Starry Sky Publishing.

I was born and bred in Baltimore, frolicked and froze in Colorado for a couple of years and I'm currently sunning and splashing around Florida with my two sweet and adorable dogs. I'm addicted to coffee, chocolate and complicated happily-ever-afters.

If a book is on my Read list then I enjoyed it (3-5 stars). I only rate 5 star books (those I loved so much I will read again and/or because they are by authors I know personally and adore) because I usually don't do reviews and I'd feel bad giving an author 3 or 4 stars without explaining why.

Feel free to friend me. I love meeting other book lovers and I like seeing what people are reading!

Connect with Karen

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

Follow The Book Bag on bloglovin'
or by email (option on the sidebar)

Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Book Spotlight and a Giveaway! Emerge (Evolve Series #1) by S.E. Hall

Emerge
(Evolve Series #1)

Laney Walker is a quick witted, athletic, southern tomboy who lets few get too close, using her sarcastic zingers to deflect. She also has no idea how others view her, Evan having protected and coveted her since they were children. But college puts a gap between Laney and Evan that neither of them were prepared for- old relationships are tested, new ones are formed and nothing will ever be the same.

Especially when in walks one Dane Kendrick, not at all the familiar, southern charmer of home, but an animal all his own.

A story of growing up, friendship, loyalty, first love, primal love...and life.

Mature content
Print Length: 278 pages
Publisher: S.E.Hall; 1 edition (May 15, 2013)

About the author

S.E. Hall resides in Arkansas with her husband of 17 years and 3 beautiful daughters. When not in the stands watching her ladies play softball, she enjoys reading YA and NA romance.

Watch her Facebook page for contests

and BOOK TWO TEASERS!!!!