The Mortician's Daughter by C. C. Hunter

Title: The Mortician's Daughter
Author: C.C. Hunter
Publication: October 31st 2017
Buy: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

Her dad’s an alcoholic. Her mom passed away when she was young. She sees dead people. Can seventeen-year-old Riley Smith’s life get any crazier? Yes it can.

When Riley’s attempt to help a spirit leads her to the discovery that the young woman’s death wasn’t an accident, she finds herself face-to-face with the killer. And just when things seem like they couldn’t get any more complicated, she’s visited by another ghost, a boy her age, whose smile makes her melt. Her job is to convince him to pass over, but her heart doesn’t want to let him go.

The Mortician’s Daughter by C.C. Hunter was a great read. A great plot and sweet romance. Along with other characters that round out the story.

I loved the plot. Riley is someone who can talk to and see spirits of people who have unfinished business. As a Mortician’s daughter this gives the spirits easy access to her as they often follow her father home. She might not like her dad’s job (My FIL has the same job ha, so my husband lived over a funeral home) but it gives her an opportunity to help people. I think as much as she thinks it’s embarrassing, she also sees the good of it.

I like that a parent figure is very present and not only are we seeing Riley’s struggles with teenage life. We also get to see how she deals with being the daughter of a single dad. They have their ups and downs and disagreements but they also have a very strong bond. They are for the most part, a team. So when Riley has some concerns about her dad it’s hard for her to cope. She doesn’t have another parent to talk it over with or even to help her understand. I liked how this aspect of her life is shown.

I don’t want to compare this series to Shadow Falls but some of the things I love about the Shadow Falls series continue on. I love that C.C. Hunter always has strong female friendships in her stories. The Mortician’s Daughter is no exception. Riley is starting at a new school and of course feeling lonely but she soon finds companionship in the friends she makes. One of them being Kelsey. They just click and understand each other easily.

So I had my suspicions about Hayden from the get go and I wasn’t surprised that they turned out to be correct. I really like him though and the way he reacts with Riley. He understands a part of her that would not be easy for other people. Maybe with time they would but he doesn’t need evidence and there is no room for doubt with him. They fill a hole for each other.

So of course another boy and of course he’s a good guy so I have no idea to root for! It’s not situation where she is leading anyone on. It’s not that kind of love triangle. It fits well with the story and the way the plot is going and it was like ahh this is so hard!

I really enjoyed the story and that it had a mix of mystery and romance. While still dealing with teenage and family issues.

Gray Wolf Island by Tracey Neithercott

Title: Gray Wolf Island
Author: Tracey Neithercott
Published: October 10th 2017 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Right before Sadie died, she begged her sister, Ruby, to do the one thing she could never do herself: Find the treasure on Gray Wolf Island.

With just a mysterious treasure map as a guide, Ruby reluctantly allows some friends to join her on the hunt, each of whom is touched by magic: a boy allegedly born to a virgin, a girl who never sleeps, a boy who can foresee his own death, and a boy with deep ties to the island. Each of them is also keeping a secret—something they’ll have to reveal in order to reach the treasure.

As the secrets come to light, Ruby will have to decide: Can she make peace with her friends’ troubled pasts and continue to trust them? Can she forgive herself for doing the unspeakable? Deep in the wilderness of Gray Wolf Island, Ruby’s choices will determine if they make it out with the treasure—or merely with their lives.

From debut author Tracey Neithercott comes a darkly compelling tale of profound friendship, adventure, and finding the strength to tell the truth.

Amazon : Book Depository : Barnes & Noble

Interview

1. How many drafts did you go through before you settled on a copy to submit?

I believe I went through three or four drafts before submitting to editors. The first I did immediately
after finishing the book, and it was the most expansive revision. I did another based on critique
partner comments, and another for my agent. I’m pretty sure I did a second, smaller revision for my
agent, too. On a whole, the revision process was fairly easy.

The drafting? Anything but. I think part of the reason revisions went so well for me was because I did
a lot of editing and revising while drafting.

2. How do you outline? (paper, post-its, google docs)

Clutter completely stresses me out, so I have no papers or Post-Its or note cards in my workspace.
Instead, I work exclusively in Scrivener. Using the corkboard function, I create note cards for the big
points in the story, then build from there. Once I start writing, I can see each chapter’s note card
(and any other notes) right in the sidebar. I love having a single contained space for everything
related to the story—it keeps me from forgetting any ideas.

3. How did you celebrate the news that your book would be published?

I can’t remember, but I bet it was with pizza. All of my best celebrations include pizza.

4. Did you do research before writing?

I did a bit of research before writing, for those aspects I knew for sure would shape the characters,
setting, and plot. But I find I do a lot more research while drafting and before and during the first
revision. That’s when I have a better idea of what exactly the plot entails and who the characters
really are.

5. If you could have any talent/job in the world besides writing, what would it be?

I’d love to have some kind of musical talent. I’m hopelessly tone deaf and find myself in awe of pretty
much anyone who can play an instrument or carry a tune. Honestly, I’d even take the ability play hot-
crossed buns on the recorder.

6. What genre do you typically read for enjoyment?

I find I most often reach for contemporary or fantasy novels (maybe that’s why my stories tend to be
contemporary with elements of fantasy), but I’ll pretty much read any genre. I love being surprised by
a fantastic book in one of my lesser-read genres. That usually kicks off a spree of reading similar
Books.

7. Did you have any input into your cover?

A teensy bit! The first version of the cover was very close to the finished cover, but the water was a
darker, more foreboding blue, the title blood red, and the island ominously dark. My agent, editor,
and I all agreed the book felt like a thriller or horror novel. This lighter version still carries the same
sense of mystery, but it’s clearer this is a character-driven treasure hunt—not the next Stephen King
Novel.

8. What was your favorite scene or character to write?

It turns out I most enjoy writing two types of scenes: kissing and killing. I’m incredibly weird. But
here’s the thing: Both murder and make-out scenes are packed with emotion—and that, to me, is the
most fun to write.

For Gray Wolf Island, there are two deaths in particular that were so intensely emotional to
write—but also made for two of my very favorite scenes. I can’t say more than that because of
spoilers, but I hope readers will feel those deaths in their gut the way I did.
And then there’s a certain first kiss that I had so much fun writing. It’s kind of goofy and adorable, but
it’s the characters’ conversation just before the kiss that makes the scene one of my favorites.

9. Describe your book in 5 words.

Things aren’t as they seem.

Tracey Neithercott’s first book was written by hand and illustrated with some really fancy colored pencils. It was highly acclaimed by her mother. Now, she writes YA stories of friendship, love, murder, and magic. (None of which she illustrates—you’re welcome.) She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, who suggests improving her novels by adding Star Wars characters.

Blog : Twitter : Goodreads : Instagram

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10/8 Tour Stops

Review - Roecker Reviews

Interview  - Notoriously Lay Low

Review - A Thousand Words A Million Books

10/15  Tour Stops

Review - YA and Wine

Review -Morrisa Reads

Guest Post - Fafa's Book Corner

10/22  Tour Stops

Interview - The Hermit Librarian

Guest Post - Flyleaf Chronicles

Review - Here's To Happy Endings

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Interview -  Library of a Book Witch

Review - Book Stacks Amber

Seize Today by Pintip Dunn

Title: Seize Today
Author: Pintip Dunn
Release Date: Oct 3, 2017
Publisher: Entangled TEEN
Buy: Goodreads : Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Kobo :  Book Depository : Books-A-Million

Conclusion to the New York Times bestselling and award-winning series, Forget Tomorrow.

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Dresden is a precognitive. Since different versions of people’s futures flicker before her eyes, she doesn’t have to believe in human decency. She can see the way for everyone to be their best self-if only they would make the right decisions. No one is more conflicted than her mother, and Olivia can only watch as Chairwoman Dresden chooses the dark, destructive course every time. Yet Olivia remains fiercely loyal to the woman her mother could be.

But when the chairwoman captures Ryder Russell, the striking and strong-willed boy from the rebel Underground, Olivia sees a vision of her own imminent death…at Ryder’s hand. Despite her bleak fate, she rescues Ryder and flees with him, drawing her mother’s fury and sparking a romance as doomed as Olivia herself. As the full extent of Chairwoman Dresden’s gruesome plan is revealed, Olivia must find the courage to live in the present-and stop her mother before she destroys the world.
I'm excited to be able to share an excerpt with you today from Seize Today. I have loved this series since the beginning and how it unique it is that each book follows a different character.

The thing about the Forget Tomorrow series that makes it so great is not only the awesome writing (I love the writing) but that we get to see the plot from different perspectives per book. We started with Callie, then her sister Jenna and now the own chairwoman’s daughter Olivia. Seize Today really pulls everything together.

I found Olivia’s story to be the most intriguing because the way your perspective of her changes throughout the other books as well. So the Olivia we meet in Forget Tomorrow is not the same girl we see in Seize Today. Each story I’m always surprised how much I bond with the character. I was a loyal Callie girl but I think Olivia is my favorite character. She has so much in her that nobody sees and it makes me sad. She is also very very strong to have put up with the things she has and you just can’t help but root for her. Her decisions are not purposely cruel and are sometimes the only option she sees. She wants to save everyone because she sits on this line between the world and her mother.

I can’t remember what I thought of Ryder in Remember Yesterday but I did like him now. Even with his trust issues, unlike his father Mickey he can see beyond himself. I think he starts to understand that in order to get trust you have to put a little of yourself out there too. I love love how he sees Olivia for who she is. Not just what she is expected to be. There blooming friendship/relationship is very cute and heartwarming.

Did I hate Mickey before? I can’t remember I think I might have but if I didn’t I really hate him in this book. He shouldn’t be in charge of anything, he doesn’t have a clear enough head. He is also too bias. Maybe I am too hard on him but he just gets to me.

So the plot ahh the plot. I don’t want to give anything away and now that all three books are out I think it’s a perfect series to binge. I just kept thinking, no how can this turn this way or that way or upside down. So many things so many things. Also so much action. You never feel a lull just a need to know how they are going to get out their situations.

I loved this series. I think it’s a great lighter Sci-fi for someone who might be hesitant with the genre. I also loved all of the relationships the characters develop. Not just with their significant others but with each other. It was interesting to see it through the whole series. The perfect binge series.

Pintip Dunn is a New York Times bestselling author of YA fiction. She graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B. in English Literature and Language. She received her J.D. at Yale Law School.

Pintip’s novel, FORGET TOMORROW, won the RWA RITA® for Best First Book. It is also a finalist for the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire, the Japanese Sakura Medal, the MASL Truman Award, and the Tome Society It list. In addition, THE DARKEST LIE was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her other books include REMEMBER YESTERDAY, SEIZE TODAY, and GIRL ON THE VERGE.
She lives with her husband and children in Maryland.

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Last Star Burning by Caitlin Sangster

Title: Last Star Burning
Author: Caitlin Sangster
Published: October 10th 2017 by Simon Pulse
Buy: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

Sev is branded with the mark of a criminal—a star burned into her hand. That’s the penalty for being the daughter of the woman who betrayed their entire nation.

Now her mother’s body is displayed above Traitor’s Arch, kept in a paralyzed half sleep by the same plague that destroyed the rest of the world. And as further punishment, Sev is forced to do hard labor to prove that she’s more valuable alive than dead.

When the government blames Sev for a horrific bombing, she must escape the city or face the chopping block. Unimaginable dangers lurk outside the city walls, and Sev’s only hope of survival lies with the most unlikely person—Howl, the chairman’s son. Though he promises to lead her to safety, Howl has secrets, and Sev can’t help but wonder if he knows more about her past—and her mother’s crimes—than he lets on.

But in a hostile world, trust is a luxury. Even when Sev’s life and the lives of everyone she loves may hang in the balance.

Last Star Burning is kind of like that book I didn’t know I was looking for. The story reminds me of many different dystopia smashed together to make it’s own thing. I really enjoyed the story and the way the book takes you on a topsy turvy ride through the whole thing.

So when the book first started I was a little confused by the star rankings and things that happened but it quickly found it’s footing and I got a grasp of the world. It was interesting to learn the reasoning that the city is created and why it stays that way. There are times when you are like what, because you never really know what is true and what isn’t. I felt like I was navigating the story hand in hand with Sevvy. I wasn’t like oh I know what’s going to happen because I was too focused on what was occurring that moment. Which made me really like it. After I finished reading I kind of sat and pondered the whole picture, fitting all the pieces you found along the way together.

I loved Sevvy. She is smart but also cautious. She’s also very very angry. She had so many things taken away from her. Is constantly treated like dirt. So I love when she’s presented with something else and told everything she believes is a lie. She has the, are you serious, do you think I’m going to just believe you. In that sense she is strong. It also makes her more aware and she goes off people’s actions. She chooses to believe someone based on what she has seen of the person herself. I liked this about her but that doesn’t mean she can’t get burned. While I was reading I just really wanted to Sevvy to find her own piece of happiness.

My second favorite character is June. She someone that is so fierce that we don’t know enough about.

So there is also Tai-ge and Howl. Tai-ge has been Sevvy’s friend since she was 8 years old. Even though he shouldn’t be because of their class status. He is very sweet and kind to her. I love their friendship. Then there is Howl who is kind to Sevvy but always seem to be hiding more than he is letting on. They fall into an easy relationship as they spend time together. She let’s her guard down with him.

I really enjoyed the book. I felt like it was fast paced and you never really knew what was around the corner. Which also leaves me to not try to spoil anything. The ending is kind of one of those weird cliffhanger/not cliffhangers. I do need the next book as soon as possible though. I want to know where things go from here.

Seize Today by Pintip Dunn

Title: Seize Today
Author: Pintip Dunn
Release Date: Oct 3, 2017
Publisher: Entangled TEEN
Buy: Goodreads : Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Kobo :  Book Depository : Books-A-Million

Conclusion to the New York Times bestselling and award-winning series, Forget Tomorrow.

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Dresden is a precognitive. Since different versions of people’s futures flicker before her eyes, she doesn’t have to believe in human decency. She can see the way for everyone to be their best self-if only they would make the right decisions. No one is more conflicted than her mother, and Olivia can only watch as Chairwoman Dresden chooses the dark, destructive course every time. Yet Olivia remains fiercely loyal to the woman her mother could be.

But when the chairwoman captures Ryder Russell, the striking and strong-willed boy from the rebel Underground, Olivia sees a vision of her own imminent death…at Ryder’s hand. Despite her bleak fate, she rescues Ryder and flees with him, drawing her mother’s fury and sparking a romance as doomed as Olivia herself. As the full extent of Chairwoman Dresden’s gruesome plan is revealed, Olivia must find the courage to live in the present-and stop her mother before she destroys the world.
I'm excited to be able to share an excerpt with you today from Seize Today. I have loved this series since the beginning and how it unique it is that each book follows a different character.

Excerpt 1:

Eleven years earlier…

I pull the lever of the cage, switching the tunnel onto a different track, trying to confuse the mice.

I know exactly how the future will play out, of course. I know which mice will fall down the trap and which ones will smack into the see-through glass wall. I know which mice will get hopelessly lost. I even know which ones will run the maze correctly on the very first try.

I like watching them anyway. They wriggle over one another like worms, and their whiskers twitch when they're at a corner between two paths. But what I like most is how they come to me when I call.

Picking up a mouse, I run my fingers over its soft fur and warm body. It looks at me with unblinking pink eyes, and I think it could be my friend.

Of course, I can see which mice will come, so I know which ones to call. Rodents are predictable like that. Humans, not so much. They have too many wants, too many feelings. I don't see any one future for people. Rather, I see them all—every single pathway their futures might take, flickering before my eyes.

So I have to guess which of my human classmates will want to play with me. Most of the time, I guess wrong.

"Are you bothering my mice again?" a little boy's voice says. "Fates, Livvy. How many times do I have to tell you? Leave them alone!"

Startled, I let go of the mouse and look up at Tanner Callahan, the other six-year-old who hangs around the scientists' labs. I'm here because my mom's the head of the Future Memory Agency, or FuMA, and he's here…I guess ’cause he has nowhere else to be.

He's got black hair that pokes up in the back, and his skin sticks too closely to his bones. I thought this meant he wasn't eating enough, but MK, our child-minder, said that grief over his parents' deaths had burrowed holes through his resources.

This makes me think of the mice digging through the straw, and my chest aches. I flash forward to his futures. He still has hundreds of branches remaining, but in most of them, one thing is the same: he will be sad and lonely until he kisses our classmate Jessa ten years in the future.

I don't know why kissing should change anything. But I do know how it feels to be lonely and sad.

We don't have to be like this. I could be his friend. I just have to figure out the right thing to say.

"Jessa and I are going to rule the world one day." It can't hurt to bring up the girl he smushes lips with. Maybe if he thinks she and I are friends, he'll like me, too. "You know Jessa, right? The girl with the teardrop eyes? She's my best friend." Not true. I think Jessa only talks to me because she’s nice. But he doesn't have to know that.

"Oh yeah? Well someday, I'm going to be the inventor of future memory," he shoots back. "And then we'll see who's more important."

I bite my lip. That wasn't what I meant. I wasn't trying to brag or compare or compete. The futures containing our friendship begin to fall away, one by one. I guessed wrong once again.

 

Pintip Dunn is a New York Times bestselling author of YA fiction. She graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B. in English Literature and Language. She received her J.D. at Yale Law School.

Pintip’s novel, FORGET TOMORROW, won the RWA RITA® for Best First Book. It is also a finalist for the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire, the Japanese Sakura Medal, the MASL Truman Award, and the Tome Society It list. In addition, THE DARKEST LIE was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her other books include REMEMBER YESTERDAY, SEIZE TODAY, and GIRL ON THE VERGE.
She lives with her husband and children in Maryland.

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Boomerang Boyfriend by Chris Cannon

Title: Boomerang Boyfriend
Author: Chris Cannon
Published: September 11th 2017 by Entangled Publishing, LLC
Buy: Amazon : Goodreads

Working with her best friend’s brother at Betty’s Burgers, free-spirited Delia starts to see Jack in a new light. Not only has Jack-the-Jerk turned into a hottie, he’s even acting like a nice guy, who rescues dogs and knows how she likes her coffee. But if Jack is into her, then why is he keeping her a secret? Of course, if her best friend doesn’t approve, Delia could lose the only family she’s ever known.
Seeing Delia in her retro waitress uniform throws Jack’s world out of whack. She’s always been just another pain in the butt little sister…not a datable female. But she’s rockin’ the Pie Princess tiara, and even her hot-pink striped hair is sexy. What’s that about? He needs to get his head on straight, because artsy, funky Delia and her nonconformist ways don’t fit in his safe and ordered world.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains kisses that make the world fall away and snarky humor that may cause you to LOL in public places.

Boomerang Boyfriend was such a cute story and just what I needed to get a break from heavier issues.

I love this kind of story. Two people who have known eachother forever and have now just realized they both have grown up. In this case it’s Delia and her best friends brother. Which brings a layer of complications since Delia is like part of their family already.

There were times that Delia’s personality was a little too much for me but at the same time I really liked that she didn’t care what people thought of her. She’s willing to be adventurous and fun and go after what she wants. She doesn’t wait for a guy to make the move, she’s not afraid to put herself out there so that she doesn’t waste her energy on something not worth it.

Jack was kind of a jerk and sourpuss in the beginning but he also lost his dad and grandpa. I think he was just struggling to living with all girls and dealing with his grief. He was rough around the edges but I think he has a good heart and Delia brings out a fun side to him. Although he was a little bit on the jealous side.

I live in Chicagoland but the setting of Canton, IL sounded familiar and I realized my husband was actually born in Canton. I actually have family that lives a little southwest from there so it is always to fun to have a setting in an area you are familiar with.

The story has some great side characters. It would be nice to see more books featuring them in their own stories. Maybe finding their own loves. I really liked how involved the parents are as well. Even Delia’s parents who work too much still have a presence. It’s always nice to see.

I really enjoyed this book and it was the fun light read I was looking for.