Yearly Wrap-Up 2016

The new year is upon us, and with that, we have to let go of the old. 

2016 was an... interesting year. While it had lots of bad, lets take a moment to remember the good.

This year, my university life was absolutely hectic, I had a lot of hard classes and even harder exams, but what I am most proud of, is that I finally learned how to balance blogging/reading with school.

I set some blogging goals for myself last January, and they weren't the best. They were very vague and boring. So I decided to set some new goals for September, and I am very glad I did.

What Were My Goals?

1. Read on the bus

2. Listen to more Audiobooks

3. Schedule posts around exams

4. Be a part of more tours, blitz, and cover reveals

How did I do?

Surprisingly I did fairly well.

While reading on the bus was still challenging (mostly because my bus is super full), I did manage to listen to quite a few audiobooks on the bus, as well as walking my dog. I scheduled posts ahead of time around my midterms and finals so I could focus on my schooling, and I managed to be a part of a lot of more Tours, Blitz and Cover reveals. So I would say, this was a fairly successful year in blogging.

Reading Stats

This year I read 45 books, with a total of 15,635 pages.

I completed my Goodreads Reading Challenge, and beat it by 10 books.

I completed the Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge, and beat it by 9 books.

Favourite book read this year

Honorable Mentions

I'm wishing you guys a safe and happy new year. May 2017 be a lot better than 2016 was.

Thank you so much for visiting and being a part of my blog!

Waiting on Wednesday: Frostblood by Elly Blake

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Series: Frostblood Saga #1
Publication Date: January 17th 2017
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers 
Genre: YA, Fantasy 
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a fireblood who must hide her powers of heat and flame from the cruel frostblood ruling class that wants to destroy all that are left of her kind. So when her mother is killed for protecting her and rebel frostbloods demand her help to kill their rampaging king, she agrees. But Ruby's powers are unpredictable, and she's not sure she's willing to let the rebels and an infuriating (yet irresistible) young man called Arcus use her as their weapon. All she wants is revenge, but before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to take part in the king's tournaments that pit fireblood prisoners against frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who has taken everything from her and from the icy young man she has come to love.

Fast-paced and compelling, Frostblood is the first in a page-turning new young adult three-book series about a world where flame and ice are mortal enemies—but together create a power that could change everything. 

Mini Review: Oblivion by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Lux #1.5
Publication Date: December 1st 2015
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Experience the epic love story of OBSIDIAN as told by its hero, Daemon Black…

I knew the moment Katy Swartz moved in next door, there was going to be trouble. Lots of it.

And trouble’s the last thing I need, since I’m not exactly from around here. My people arrived on Earth from Lux, a planet thirteen billion light years away. Plus, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that humans can’t be trusted. We scare them. We can do things they only dream about, and honestly, we make them look weak as hell. ‘Cuz they are.

But Kat is getting to me in ways no one else has, and I can't stop myself from wanting her—or wanting to use my powers to protect her. She makes me weak, and I’m the strongest of our kind, tasked with protecting us all. So this one simple girl…she can mean the end for us. Because the Luxen have an even bigger enemy—the Arum, and I need to stay on my game.

Falling for Katy—a human—won't just place her in danger. It could get us all killed, and that’s one thing I’ll never let happen... 

My Rating

4/5 stars

My Review

“And I also know that although she wasn’t mine now, she would be one day.”

Oblivion is a must read to anyone who wants to re-read the Obsidian, or wants a step inside Daemons head.

Oblivion is essentially the first book in the Lux series, but told from Daemon's point of view rather than Kat's. You get to see what exactly Daemon was doing when Kat wasn't looking, and everything that was going through his mind.

I absolutely loved Obsidian and Daemon so my love for this book is evident. Even though you knew exactly what was going to happen (if you read the first book that is), it still felt like a brand new book where you have no clue what the main character has up their sleeves. Daemon never disappoints and always keeps you on your toes.

I gave Obsidian a 5/5 star rating, but I only gave this one a 4/5 because no matter how much I loved Daemon and his point of view, it just wasn't the same as seeing things from Kat's eyes.

If you love this series, definitely give this book a try. You will not regret it.

Happy Reading,
Aneta 

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. With this amazing meme, you can check out which books I've gotten this past week.

Sorry guys, I haven't had time to post a StS in a while, so this will consist of everything I've gotten in the past month.

From Netgalley

Curse of Stars by Donna Compositor
Sabi Perez is the last Diamond Crier, only she doesn’t know it. Not until a crazed ruler from another world comes to collect her priceless tears and won’t take no for an answer.

Living in New York, Sabi’s seen some nasty things, but the lengths to which her captor will go to keep his crown are things found only in the darkest nightmares. Afraid and alone, Sabi finds solace in her cellmate, Anya, and Cabal, a fellow Crier who also has powers, a rare combination that buys his favor from the ruler. Only it’s a favor he doesn’t want.

In a fit of rage, power erupts out of Sabi, the same power Cabal has, and a spark of hope ignites. Together they may have a chance at escape, something no other Crier has done. Except a ruler hellbent on draining them of every last diamond tear isn’t their only hurdle. If they escape they’ll be hunted to the ends of the earth, if they survive the trek to safety. If they stay the ruler will leech them dry. Sabi would rather die trying than lie down and die, even if that means running away into even more danger.

"Both original and exciting - with a fierce heroine, a fast-paced plot, and a fascinating world. Fans of dark fantasy - pick this one up!" Mari Mancusi - Award winning author of the Scorched series and the Blood Coven Vampires

". . . vividly imagined and deftly plotted dark fantasy . . ." BookLife Prize in Fiction 

Won from Giveaway 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places. 

Freeks by Amanda Hocking
Welcome to Gideon Davorin’s Traveling Sideshow, where necromancy, magical visions, and pyrokinesis are more than just part of the act…

Mara has always longed for a normal life in a normal town where no one has the ability to levitate or predict the future. Instead, she roams from place to place, cleaning the tiger cage while her friends perform supernatural feats every night.

When the struggling sideshow is miraculously offered the money they need if they set up camp in Caudry, Louisiana, Mara meets local-boy Gabe…and a normal life has never been more appealing.

But before long, performers begin disappearing and bodes are found mauled by an invisible beast. Mara realizes that there’s a sinister presence lurking in the town with its sights set on getting rid of the sideshow freeks. In order to unravel the truth before the attacker kills everyone Mara holds dear, she has seven days to take control of a power she didn’t know she was capable of—one that could change her future forever.

Bestselling author Amanda Hocking draws readers inside the dark and mysterious world of Freeks.

From Author

Slumber by J.L. Weil
There is no such thing as happily ever after.

Everything Charlotte Winston thought she knew has been thrown out the window. From the moment she opens her eyes, the world she remembered ceases to exist, and in its place is a post-apocalyptic realm filled with unimaginable dangers. And one very smoking hot guy who has an uncanny ability to make her blood sing, then boil in a blink of an eye.

Dash Darhk is everything her parents would hate. He’s six feet and two inches of dark temptation and a killer smile, that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in his wake. But her parents are nowhere to be found. Charlotte is alone in this new world. Destroyed by a toxic mist, the land isn’t the only thing altered, but the inhabitants as well.

As Charlotte begins the hunt for her family, gifts she’s never fathom awake inside her. And with the gifts come problems. Enormous ones. Charlotte is running out of options and places to hide. If she can’t figure out who to trust—and fast—she will lose more than her heart.

Fans of Hunger Games, The 100, and Divergent will fall in love with Slumber. 

United - Lost Chapter by Melissa Landers
The lost chapter is a story of Aelyx and Cara around Chapter 11 that never made it into the book.
Follow Melissa Landers on Twitter and read her newsletter for events like this in the future.

What did you guys get this week? Let me know in the comments.

2017 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2017: Sign up

Another year, another Netgalley & Edelweiss Challenge. I believe this is my third year doing this challenge, the first year this was a major fail, last year I almost doubled my goal, so lets see how this year goes. If you're not familiar with this challenge then check out the rule and sign up sheet over at Bookish Things & More. I hope you'll join me on this one!

Since the Bronze level was too easy for me last year, I'm signing up for the Silver level this year, which is a total of 25 book from Netgalley or Edelweiss. 

Let me know if you're joining the challenge with me, maybe we can cheer each other on :)

Cover Reveal: Beautiful Assassin by Skyla Madi

Beautiful Assassin
Skyla Madi
Series: Syndicate #1
Publication date: January 2017
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis: Spoiler alert. I fall in love with the man who comes in the night.
He watches me down the scope of his rifle, and it’s terrifying and exhilarating, not knowing when he’ll squeeze the trigger.
If he’ll squeeze the trigger.
Maybe I’ll die tonight…
…maybe I’ll die next week.
It’s a sick and twisted game, but it’s ours. And just when I think our story ends at a distance, he comes in close, thrusting himself into my life.
We are at war, he and I, and eventually, he’ll have to kill me.
If he doesn’t, someone else will.

Add to Goodreads

*Designed by Deranged Doctor Design*

Author Bio:
Skyla Madi is an Australian writer from Brisbane, Queensland.
She started her writing career fresh out of high school and at 21 she is a giver of both real and fictional life.
Madi is an Aquarian, lover of the written word and author of the #1 BESTSELLING Consumed trilogy.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

2017 Audiobook Challenge: Signup

Welcome back to my blog. Today, I'd like to introduce you to the 2017 Audiobook Challenge, hosted by the lovely Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Hot Listens. The objective of this challenge is to listen to as many audiobooks as you can throughout the year of 2017. Click here for the full set of rules and the sign up page.

Last September I made a "Back to School Reading Goal" of listening to audiobooks when I'm stuck on the bus. Since September I've only managed to listen to four books, but man have I fallen in love with audiobooks.

For the year of 2017, I pledge to listen to 10-15 audiobooks, which enters me in the Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) level.

Here are some of the books I plan to listen to in 2017:

If you're not convinced to join this challenge yet, let me just remind you that participants of this giveaway will be able to enter two giveaways, one in June and the other in December.

Are you a part of 2017 Audiobook Challenge? Let me know

Waiting on Wednesday: You Don't Know My Name by Kristen Orlando

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Series: The Black Angel Chronicles #1
Publication Date: January 10th 2017
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Genre: YA, Contemporary 
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Fighter, Faker, Student, Spy.

Seventeen-year-old Reagan Elizabeth Hillis is used to changing identities overnight, lying to every friend she’s ever had, and pushing away anyone who gets too close. Trained in mortal combat and weaponry her entire life, Reagan is expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps and join the ranks of the most powerful top-secret agency in the world, the Black Angels. Falling in love with the boy next door was never part of the plan.

Now Reagan has to decide: Will she use her incredible talents and lead the dangerous life she was born into, or throw it all away to follow her heart and embrace the normal life she's always wanted? And does she even have a choice at all?

Find out if you are ready to join the Black Angels in the captivating and emotional page-turner, You Don't Know My Name,from debut novelist Kristen Orlando!

Book Blitz & $50 Giveaway: The Battle for Christmas by Jeremy Hinshaw

The Battle for Christmas
by Jeremy Hinshaw
Publication Date: July 25th 2016
Publisher: Westbow Press
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Amazon ~ Goodreads

Synopsis: After training and practicing for the auditions, Andy’s friends excelled. Andy, however, failed miserably. When the positions were posted, his worst fears came true – he was the only angel not given a job for the birth of Lord Jesus.

Would Andy be the only angel not to have an assignment for this climactic event?

How did Heaven defend Bethlehem from the onslaught of Lucifer and his horde of demons?

Praise for the Book 

This was a great book to bring alive the story of Jesus birth, especially for those who have heard it many times before. Although fiction, it challenges us to remember that we are not doing this on our own. There is a whole army of angels at our disposal. Thank you Jeremy for captivating my thoughts and painting such a glorious picture, not often considered when thinking of that blessed day. From the very beginning as you described the landscapes I was hooked. The details breaking out the characters and each one's place in the story are masterfully woven. The story is packed with enough intrigue, adventure, and truth to be enticing to readers of all ages, and especially the youth of today. Compared to other books I have read on the subject, this one takes the cake with its creative story-line that is jam packed with adventure, humor, and close-calls. I recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of adventure. A fresh take on the matter that is certain to wow its readers. Especially those interested in a view behind the veil that we all know exists! I loved The Battle for Christmas. Not only is it a book I’ll read again, but it’s also a book I can’t wait to share with my children and nieces and nephews. In The Battle for Christmas we get a great fantasy paired with reminders of our hope and our faith. Plus, what an adventure! I really liked Andy. He’s the type of character young readers will want to emulate, and one we’ll want our children to emulate. I think his gift is one we all struggle with and one of the most important.

 Excerpt

“We had to send angels to Earth to speak to people in dreams. Because of what was going to happen, some of the humans needed direct communication from Heaven to prepare for His Majesty’s birth. IDTs would be needed as guards for John the Baptist, Elisabeth, and Zechariah, not to mention Herod, the scribes, the wise men, the shepherds, and the …” “The shepherds needed guards?” “What about Mary and Joseph?” “Well, of course, the shepherds needed protection. What would happen if the Heavenly Host showed up to proclaim the Lord’s birth and no one was there? Everyone needed protection. The day Lucifer tricked Eve, the Lord Almighty cursed Lucifer. The Lord Almighty warned Lucifer that Lord Jesus was going to crush his head and Lucifer would be lucky to strike at Lord Jesus’s foot. Lucifer didn’t want this to happen. He knew if Lord Jesus was going to be born, it would be another step closer to his demise.


Author Jeremy Hinshaw Jeremy Hinshaw grew up in central Indiana. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University, and now resides in Muncie, Indiana.

Website * Facebook

Blast Giveaway 

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/3/17 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

Review: Soul Crossed by Lisa Gail Green

Series: Of Demons and Angels #1
Publication Date: February 25th 2015
Publisher: Full Fathom Five Digital
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: One Demon.

One Angel.

One Soul.

Josh lived a reckless, selfish life, so upon his death, escaping the eternal torments of Hell by assuming the role of a powerful, soul-corrupting demon is an easy choice. His first soul assignment doesn’t seem too hard: the mortal Camden is already obsessed with weapons, pain, and torture. If only Josh wasn’t distracted by Cam's beautiful friend, Grace.

Grace never expected to die violently at age sixteen, but now she’s an Angel, responsible for saving a soul. She can already see past Camden’s earthly flaws, so the job should be be easy. If only that handsome, playboy Josh would stop getting in the way.

It’s forbidden for an Angel to be with a Demon, so if Josh and Grace stop resisting each other, the results would be disastrous.

And only one can claim Cam’s soul. 

My Rating

2/5 stars

My Review

"I think evil isn't so cut and dry. Sometimes it wears the face of a friend or an average person. That's what makes it so insidious." 

She was killed by a drunk driver. Sent to heaven, Grace has been given the chance to become an angel, but first she must save Camen's soul, the boy who just might be the antichrist. 
Josh was the drunk driver that killed Grace, and ultimately killed himself in the process. Sent to hell, Lucifer gives him the choice of eternal torment, or helping him turn Camden to the dark side.
Angels aren't meant to fall in love with demons, especially ones who killed them in their previous life.

Soul Crossed is a very fast and easy read. While it doesn't take much to get into the book, the book itself is very predictable.

I really wish I could have liked this book more, it definitely had the potential because the storyline is very creative. Yet I didn't like any of the characters, and I predicted everything that happened in the book.

Grace is a very sweet and pretty girl. I loved how she was so nice and helpful, but she was also very naive, and an idiot at times. She just kept making mistakes after mistakes, its like she wasn't even focused on her mission half the time, which made me really mad.
I wasn't a fan of Josh as well, he was supposed to be this tough yet broken guy because of his father, but all we hear from him is "wow it sucks I'm a demon" and "Damn I wanna do that Grace girl." His part of the book was just boring.
And the only thing I have to say about Camden was that he is super creepy!

Of course the romance in this book was insta love. And it wasn't even the cute insta love where you're rooting for the couple to be together. No, this was the - I wanna barf - type of insta love. Of course they're attracted to each other right from the beginning, and then they think they're soul mates and care more about each other than the mission they were sent on. Seriously open your eyes people, you're already dead!

Overall, it had potential, but the crappy romance and characters ruined it. If you decide to give this book a try, I hope you like it more than I did.

Happy Reading,
- Aneta 

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Golden Dragon by V.E. Ulett

Golden Dragon (Code Black #1)
by V.E. Ulett
Genre: Historical Fantasy/Steampunk Adventure
Release Date: October 30th 2016

Synopsis: Romance, Intrigue, and Airships - Code Black Book 1

Miriam Kodio Blackwell is caught between East and West. When a Code Black arises she is recruited by Lord Q, head of British intelligence and airships, who helps Miriam escape Iran only to press her into service of the Crown. Will Miriam survive when she's put aboard the airship Nonesuch—with her captain, crew, and a Hell-Cat of fearsome reputation—and the assignment to rescue the niece of a Dutch ally taken captive in the South China Sea?

Golden Dragon is a witty new steampunk adventure, set in the Romantic age of Byron and Shelley.

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

Praise for Golden Dragon -

“Miriam is a great character. She figures out quickly how to use what she has in order to make an impact. I am very excited to see what new adventures will await the characters in the next book! This is a solid pick!” - MEGAN WESSELL, A Bookish Affair

“...a delightful fusion between historical fiction and fantasy with believable characters and an entertaining plot: highly recommended.” - ALARIC BOND, author of The Guinea Boat, Turn a Blind Eye, and The Fighting Sail Series

About the Author

V.E. Ulett is a long time resident of California, but spends most of her time in a romantic nineteenth century world of airships and adventure. When she isn't head down in a first hand account of capture by pirates, battle at sea, or experimental flight, V.E. is an ordinary Silicon Valley warrior. Rare leisure hours are spent with her own small Hell-Cats.

Author Links:

 

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday: Roseblood by A.G. Howard

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Publication Date: January 10th, 2017
Publisher: Amulet Books
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: In this modern day spin on Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. Hoping creative direction will help her, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera. 

At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn—an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks. As the two discover an otherworldly connection and a soul-deep romance blossoms, Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light and he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known.

A. G. Howard brings the romantic storytelling that Splintered fans adore to France—and an entirely new world filled with lavish romance and intrigue—in a retelling inspired by a story that has captivated generations. Fans of both the Phantom of the Opera musical and novel, as well as YA retellings such as Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, will devour RoseBlood.

Book Blast & $50 Giveaway: Crossroads by Mary Ting

Crossroads When Claudia, a seventeen-year-old girl, mysteriously wanders through her dreams, she encounters an ethereal place where nephilims reside. There, she unexpectedly meets Michael and the group of half-human angels at the Crossroads—their home and a place she never imagined existed. However, Claudia has unknowingly changed the course of her life when fallen and demons come after her, all suspecting that she is special. It is up to Michael and the other nephilim to protect her. Claudia's once simple dreams become nightmares, when more secrets are revealed about who she really is and the true identities of the people she loves most. Will Michael and the nephilims be able to protect Claudia or will she fall prey to the fallen? Between As the Alkins head back to Crossroads, Claudia leads her normal life, but not for long. Having a special soul, she attracts danger. The Twelve, known as Divine Elders on Earth, are very much involved when they find out evil is lurking in the shadows and Claudia is no longer safe. As more secrets are revealed, Claudia learns about the Venators—demon hunters—on Earth. When two opposing angelic forces come together to protect Claudia, trust becomes a big issue. Will love be enough to keep Claudia and Michael together? Who will make the ultimate sacrifice? Who will betray them all? Beyond Torn between the past she can't remember and a future she isn’t ready for, Claudia feels at a loss. With unanswered questions, she is certain there is more to her past than just being a Venator. Finding the missing pieces in her life won’t be easy because duty calls. When mysterious dark shadows get released, an apocalypse sets in motion. The Venators and the Alkins must work together once again. Knowing Claudia would be the key to destroying the demons that were released, a familiar stranger appears to protect her. Who is the angel assisting her and can he unravel the mysteries of the past in order to help save the world. Eternity Having happily ever after is never easy when evil lurks nearby. Now that Claudia has her memories back and her life seems to have settled down, the Fallen have come out of hiding. The Fallen coming out of hiding is not a concern, there are those who want to be left alone. However, one particular one, Dantanian, is hungry for revenge. Being one of God’s first fallen angels, he is the evilest of his kind. He will do anything to get his way and he will stop at nothing to get Michael on his side. Dantanian will torture, kill for pleasure, and concoct evil schemes to get Michael’s attention; and once in his hands, he will try to destroy all the happiness Michael fought so hard to gain. The Venators and the Alkins must work together once again to save their friends. As death draws near to those captured by Dantanian, will the gang reach them in time? Or will Michael return to the dark angel he once was and destroy everyone he loves?

TODAY ONLY - Get the entire Boxed Set for just 99 cents!!

  Author Mary Ting International Bestselling, Award-Winning, Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.  
    Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/31/16 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