Mundie Moms

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

MAGNUS CHASE and the GODS of ASGARD by Rick Riordan Spotlight & Giveaway! / #ReadRiordan


We're continuing our celebration of 10 years of Percy Jackson today with a spotlight of Rick Riordan's upcoming release, MAGNUS CHASE and the GODS of ASGARD! I'm thrilled to not only spotlight this must have book for fans of Percy Jackson, I'm also hosting a giveaway! First, more about this book.

ABOUT THE BOOK



MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD
Title: The Sword of Summer
On-Sale: October 6, 2015 
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Indiebound | Indigo | iBooks
Add it to Goodreads

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he’s tracked down by an uncle he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. His uncle tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants, and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarök, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die.....


Check Out The Official Book Trailers





MEET THE CHARACTERS (click image to enlarge)

MAGNUS CHASE



LOKI


SAMIRAH


BLITZEN


HEARTHSTONE


#NorseCrashCourse and Scene Setters

Follow @RickRiordan on Instagram and @CampHalfBlood on Twitter for a series of scene-setters and #NorseCrashCourse content gearing up for MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD:


Check out more of Rick Riordan's #NorseCrashCourse Tweets here:



THE GIVEAWAY
One will will receive a copy of MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD!
Open to US addresses only. Prizing provided by Disney-Hyperion.


FOLLOW #READRIORDAN



Follow the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Percy Jackson via the #ReadRiordan.

RICK RIORDAN ONLINE
Visit the Official Website
Follow Rick Riordan on FacebookInstagram and Twitter
#ReadRiordan


Per FTC Disclosure Guidelines, I have received books, merchandise and prizing from Disney-Hyperion for free. 

Cassandra Clare Shares New TDA Snippet




Last night Cassandra Clare shared a new TDA snippet when answering fan Q&A's on Tumblr last night. Check out her full post here. Check out her TDA snippet she shared, below:
Here’s a snippet from TDA about angels and Lucifer:

“Let me tell you a truth before you die, Emma,” said the voice. “It is a secret about the Nephilim. They hate love, human love, because they were born of angels. And while God charged his angels to take care of humans, the angels were made first, and they have always hated God’s second creation. That is why Lucifer fell. He was an angel who would not bow to mankind, God’s favored child. Love is the weakness of human beings, and the Angels despise them for it, and the Clave despises it too, and therefore they punish it. Do you know what happens to parabatai who fall in love? Do you know why it’s forbidden?”

I haven’t revealed who is narrating here, but these angels don’t sound too benevolent.


The Clave is reluctant to re-evaluate anything, including theology, but eventually they’ll probably have to. What form will that reevaluation take? You’ll have to wait and see. ; )


I'm looking forward to reading more from this scene!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Six of Crows Blog Tour / Six Tips for Surviving the Grishaverse / 2 Giveaways! #magicandmayhem #sixofcrows



Hello and welcome to today's stop in SIX OF CROWS blog tour, hosted by Henry Holt & Co. I'm honored to be posting today on the release day of Leigh Bardugo's SIX OF CROWS release!! I'm thrilled to have partnered up with the lovely Casey from Dark Readers, one of my all time favorite book blogs from the UK, for today's post! Today we're sharing our Six Tips for Surviving the Grishaverse

Before I share my tips, a word from LEIGH BARDUGO, herself!



Thanks for being a stop on the tour, Katie! Hopefully I'll see you in Texas soon. Assuming I make it there, because I have no business giving advice on survival of any kind. I don't even go camping. When the zombie apocalypse comes, you will find me lying on the floor eating Cheetos. I regularly tip over when I'm doing anything more challenging than trying to stand still. I once ate a calla lily on a dare and had to be rushed to the emergency room. I got a concussion falling off of bleachers in a mascot costume. Look, I'd like to tell you I'm exaggerating, but I'd be lucky to last 24 hours in the Grishaverse. Volcra. Muggings. Maybe just a stray bullet. Who knows how I'd go? If I could choose, I think I'd get tipsy on champagne at a party at the Little Palace, wade into the lake, and sink peacefully to the bottom burbling, "I regret nothing." But if you can't go out like that, hopefully the suggestions you come up with will help you survive. 

Leigh, yes, I will be seeing TONIGHT at your singing in Austin. As far as my tips for surviving... First off, when the zombie apocalypse comes, I'll be lying on the floor eating Cheetos with you. Second, the "I regret nothing" plan sounds great to me. Although when it comes to surviving the Grishaverse that plan won't save us. 

For those you have read the book, you know the Grishaverse is kinda like hell, or at least maybe close to it. It's not a place you'd want to be wondering around in. Okay let's be honest, most of us wouldn't be caught dead there. haha no pun intended. However, chances are if you followed these 6 survival tips, you may survive it. 

Six Survival Tips for Surviving The Grishaverse

1. Except the Unexpected.
Be prepared for any and all situations. Know that not all things nothing will go as planned. You need to plan for the unexpected. Have a back up plan for your back plan, and be prepared to use it. 

2. Determination.
Never give up or give in. No matter how dark and troubling the world is around you, don't forget your cause in the fight. Never lose your hope. Stay strong, and strong willed. Your determination will be your saving grace.  

3. Know Your Enemy. 
Knowledge is power in this world. Kaz is a great example of that. It also comes at a price. In a world where loyalty can also be purchased, it's important to know your enemy like you know your friends. 

4. Never Underestimate The Power of a Grisha
I really don't think this needs explaining. However, if you find yourself lucky enough to have a Grisha on your side, I will caution, know what you need when it comes to the type of Grisha you wish to use. Never underestimate their power. Use this survival tip wisely. 

5. Don't Show Emotion & Don't Lose Yourself
Emotion is a weapon that can be used against you. Do not show emotion. No matter what. Also, do not lose site of who are you. The Grishavesre is a dark and dangerous world with many enticing things. Do not lose yourself to this world. 

6. Trust.
This is easier said than done. See survival tip #3 for why. However, no one can survive this world alone. If you can't trust those close to you, than you're as good as dead. You have to be able to allow those who are close to you, in. Their trust in crucial in this world. 


* * * * * * * 

Now you're prepared to enter the Grishaverse! Be sure to pick up your own copy of Leigh's SIX OF CROWS, which is out TODAY! Before you do, head over to our UK friends, Dark Readers and check out Casey's survival tips here.

ABOUT THE BOOK


By Leigh BardugoPublished by: Henry Holt and Co. 
Released on: 9.29.15 - TODAY
Series: Six of Crows
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
Add it Goodreads

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price--and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction--if they don't kill each other first.

 Author Links/Info: 

Follow The Blog Tour US/UK

September 24 
UKWinged Reviews         USCuddlebuggery
Topic: Six Book BFs of the Grishaverse

September 25 
UKYa Yeah Yeah             USBookiemoji 
Topic: Six Dos and Don’ts of the Grishaverse

September 26 
UK: Mugglenet                 USYA Interrobang
Topic: Six Companion Reads for Six of Crows

September 27 
UKJess Hearts Books     USReading Teen
Topic: Six Signs You Do/Don't Have What it Takes to Join Kaz's Crew

September 28 
UKWondrous Reads       USThe Midnight Garden
Topic: Six Favorite Quotes from SoC

September 29 
UK: Dark Readers            USMundie Moms
Topic: Six Tips for Surviving the Grishaverse


ENTER TO WIN!
Enter to win a Six of Crows prize pack full of US AND UK swag by commenting on all 12 blog posts by 11:59pm EST Friday, October 2. Simply follow #MagicandMayhemTour or check out the list above!

Another Giveaway
Create a video telling Fierce Reads why YOU belong in Kaz Brekker's crew and enter the Six of Crows video contest for a chance to be in the Six of Crows sequel! Get all details and enter to win here.

If you're in the Austin, TX area, stop by Book People TONIGHT for Leigh Bardugo's SIX OF CROWS signing! Get all the details here!

Ten Books To Read If You Like These Popular Books\Authors / Top Ten Tuesday #39




Hello & welcome to this week's Top Ten Tuesday. This week's topic is Ten Books To Read If You Like These Popular Books/Authors. My last Top Ten Tuesday post was, Ten Books On My Fall TBR List.


Today's list is Ten Books To Read If You Like These Popular Books/Authors, also known as the Book Hangover list. Book hangovers happen when you finish a book or book series, and literally can't function after you finish said book/book series. It's as if life needs to stop for a moment so you can take in everything that just happened or mourn the end of a series you couldn't get enough. You either literally need the next book in the series asap or, if it's the last book in the series you want to go rock back and forth in the corner unable to function. If you've experienced any of those symptoms that means you may have read one of the following books/book series from these authors below.  



Here is my list of Ten Books To Read If You Like These Popular Books/Authors, also known as the Book Hangover list:


  1. Cassandra Clare, The Infernal Devices series
  2. Maria V Snyder, Poison Study series
  3. Sarah J. Maas, The Throne of Glass series 
  4. Morgan Rhodes, The Falling Kingdom series
  5. Rae Carson, The Daughter of Fire & Thorns 
  6. Jennifer L. Armentrout, The Dark Elements series 
  7. Sara Raasch, Snow Like Ashes 
  8. Jodi Meadows, The Orphan Queen series 
  9. Kristin Cashore, Graceling series 
  10. Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me series 
New 2015 Releases honorable mentions aka authors whom I need to hurry up and write many more books.

  1. Sabba Tahir, An Ember in the Ashes 
  2. Renee Ahdieh, The Wrath & The Dawn 
  3. Anne Davis, Cage of Deceit 
  4. Becky Wallace, The Story Spinner
What books / books series / authors made your Top Ten list this week? Leave me a comment with your link so I can come check out your list. Happy Reading!

Banned Books Week: Celebrate The FREEDOM To READ with Random House Children's Books #BannedBooksWeek



This week on Mundie Moms we're celebrating #BannedBooksWeek, something we've done for the last few years here on the blog. Today I'm featuring Random House Children's Books banned books week celebration. 


Today the fundamental freedom to read is facing more challenges than ever. Children's books, in particular, are constant targets of book-banning efforts in school systems and public libraries.

This year marks the thirty-fourth anniversary of celebrating Banned Books Week, and Random House Children's Books is committed to those who stand against censorship. Fifteen of our books have appeared on the American Library Association's list of the one hundred most frequently challenged books since the Office for Intellectual Freedom began surveying in 1990. Despite these instances of censorship, we continue to publish books that celebrate the freedom of expression.

We are proud to support our authors' right to write and our readers' right to read. You can use this kit to talk to your readers about censorship and show support for banned books using the resources on our First Amendment First Aid site.

Follow us on Twitter @RHCBEducators to participate in a trivia challenge during #BannedBooksWeek. You could be eligible to win banned books and a First Amendment kit for your classroom or library! 

*All information and images in this post were received from Random House Children's Books, and are property of them. 

OUT TODAY - Tuesday September 29th, 2015!

Happy Tuesday! Check out some of today's new YA releases!  



Which new releases will you be picking up tonight? 

If you're in the Austin, TX area, stop by Book People TONIGHT for Leigh Bardugo's SIX OF CROWS signing! Get all the details here!

Monday, September 28, 2015

Banned Books Week: Celebrate The FREEDOM To READ / 15 BOOKS BANNED FOR THE MOST ABURD REASONS EVER #BannedBooksWeek



It's BANNED BOOK WEEK! That means it's time to celebrate the freedom to read! Yes my lovely readers, it's the time of year that Sophie and I dust off our soap boxes, perfect our mama bear voices, and passionately spread our love of reading. It's the time of year where were stand firm in our stances against BANNING BOOKS, unless of course it's the book that we shall not name, that both Sophie and I despise. While we both want to burn said book, we still won't take some one else's freedom away from reading such crap... *coughs* Sorry, I got off topic. 


BuzzFeed kicked off this week's Banned Books Week with our kind of article, 15 BOOKS BANNED FOR THE MOST ABURD REASONS EVER. Yes, these are definitely the most absurd reasons. I mean that's be honest, banning a book like Charlotte's Web because talking animals are blasphemous and unnatural is definitely reason to ban a book. *Said in my best sarcastic mom voice along with an eye roll, and a possible hand on the hip.* This book is one of my beloved children's books, and I might be tempted to take offense of it's banned reason on behalf of the talking animals. Sorry, my sarcasm tends to come out during banned book week. This is a book I proudly have in my home library, along with many others like Harry Potter, Winnie The Pooh (yes all of these have been on the banned list) and others. Check out other books on this list like,





Head over to here if you want some good laughs on the reasons some of these most beloved children's books have been banned. 

THE DOLDRUMS by Nicolas Gannon / Book Review / Middle Grade Monday




By: Nicholas Gannon
Published by: Greenwillow Books
To Be Released on: 9/29/15
Ages: 8-12 years old
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4.5 stars - I Really Enjoyed It!
Source: book from publisher to review, in exchange for my honest review

Archer B. Helmsley has grown up in a house full of oddities and treasures collected by his grandparents, the famous explorers. He knows every nook and cranny. He knows them all too well. After all, ever since his grandparents went missing on an iceberg, his mother barely lets him leave the house.

Archer B. Helmsley longs for adventure. Grand adventures, with parachutes and exotic sunsets and interesting characters. But how can he have an adventure when he can't leave his house?

It helps that he has friends like Adélaïde L. Belmont, who must have had many adventures since she ended up with a wooden leg. (Perhaps a crocodile ate it. Perhaps not.) And Oliver Glub. Oliver will worry about all the details (so that Archer doesn't have to).

And so Archer, Adélaïde, and Oliver make a plan. A plan to get out of the house, out of their town entirely. It's a good plan.

Well, it's not bad, anyway.

But nothing goes quite as they expect.

THE DOLDRUMS is the perfect mix of imagination, unforgettable adventure, and friendship. Archer B. Helmsley wants to go on an adventure. Not just any adventure. He wants to save his Grandparents, the famous explorers, Ralph and Rachel Helmsley, whom are reportedly lost on an iceberg from their latest adventure to Antarctica. Convinced that his Grandparents are alive, Archer has to figure out a way to escape the house he's been bound to, thanks to his Mother, whom disapproves of his "tendencies" as she calls them. No matter how hard his mother tries to stop it, she can't stop a Helmsley.

Archer was destined to follow in his parents footsteps. Their world is one quirky, unforgettable adventure. The house they left for Archer to grow up in is full of many interesting things. Like the stuffed Polar Bear that Archer can talk to. The Flamingoes, the badger and many other fascinating things. All these things add to Archer's desire for an adventure to save the Grandparents he doesn't even remember meeting. There's something about them that drives Archer to find them. The clues they leave behind for him, only fuel his desire to rescue them. 

Thankfully Archer has a great group of eccentric friends whom want to help him. I loved this group of friends. Each friend is someone who is unique and I loved all their little quirks, that make them individually fabulous. Like Oliver, the shy next door neighbor, and Adelaide, the new girl who moved in across the street, from Paris. She used to be a ballerina dancer under a freak accident left her with a wooden leg. She is seriously amazing. Have I already mentioned that I loved this group of friends? I loved that though Oliver might be timid, and Adelaide might be small, and Archer might be seen as an outcast, these three are incredibly loyal and brave. I loved that they figure out a way to make the impossible adventure to travel to Antarctica, but it's not without some fantastic twists... or should I say mishaps. 

The Doldrums is an epic, unforgettable adventure. With mishaps, and misfortunes, the real heart of this story lies with Archer and his friends. Readers of all ages will enjoy the journey of Archer and his friends. Nicholas Gannon's writing and artwork are beautiful. I felt like he captured those middle grade reader years beautifully. I loved this book's art. Okay loved is an understatement. The artwork is breathtaking, or as I liked to say, I'd frame it and hang it in my office. The artwork alone made this book for me. The bonus was getting to meet Archer, Oliver and Adelaide. I hope there are many more books to follow in the adventures of these unforgettable friends. 

Check out a beautiful sneak peak of the artwork below: 
 Not only is the artwork adorable, the story itself is on epic adventure. 

HOLLYWOOD WITCH HUNTER by Valerie Tejeda / Cover Reveal / Giveaway


USA Today has revealed the new cover for Valerie Tejeda's HOLLYWOOD WITCH HUNTER! Check out their article here. We're thrilled to also be among a group of bloggers whom are sharing the cover reveal today with you. Check out the new cover below!




What do you think? I'm totally digging this new cover. This is a book I still need to pick up and read. I've heard a lot of great things about it. 

ABOUT THE BOOK


From the moment Iris first learned the truth about witches she knew she was born to fight them.


Now, at sixteen, she’s got witch hunting down to a science. As the lone girl on the Witch Hunters Special Ops Team, Iris has to work twice as hard to prove her worth. But when an A-list actress is murdered on her watch, that task becomes a hell of a lot harder.

But murdered celebrities are just the start…a mysterious new hunter has arrived on the scene, and he’s as cute as he is deadly. But there’s more to Arlo than meets the eye, and there’s more at stake than Iris’s reputation. 

Evil is rising in the hills of Hollywood, and it’s up to Iris and Arlo to end this battle. Iris is ready to protect the human race at all costs, even if it destroys her.

Because that’s what witch hunters do.


BUY LINKS

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | BAM
*note to celebrate the new cover Hollywood Witch Hunter is on sale now for .99 till next Friday


ENTER TO WIN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Entertainment journalist and author Valerie Tejeda spends her days reporting on books, television, and all things pertaining to pop culture, and spends her nights writing novels for teens. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and is currently based in California with her husband where she reads loads of books, binge-watches Netflix, and drinks tons of coffee. Hollywood Witch Hunter is her debut novel. 


Snapchat username: authorvaltejeda

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