Back to the Books Giveaway Hop!

Welcome to Mug of Moxie where I'm celebrating Back to the Books Giveaway Hop. This awesome hop is hosted by the amazing I Am A Reader, Not  Writer and the incredible Buried in Books! This hop will last an entire seven days. That's plenty of time to hop around and visit all the blogs participating and see what goodies and giveaways they are offering. Mug of Moxie offering you the chance to select the book you want to read.
In the comment section please leave your name with contact info and the name of the book that you would like me to send to your house if your name is choosen . How easy is that? You don't even have to be a follower to enter my giveaway. Although making new friends is always nice and my mama always said that you can never have too many friends. You decide-I'll totally leave it up to you-I won't beg-I'll see you later ok-hey do you maybe wanna get a icey cold beverage later-no pressure.....

Six awesome books to choose from! Now go check out those other blogs-I know there's some great stuff out there! Have fun!

Book Review: COLD CASE

COLD CASE
By Julia Platt Leonard
2011
281 Pages


From Inside Cover:
Thirteen-year -old Oz Keiller think he has a pretty normal life.
Until he discovers a dead body in his family's Santa Fe restaurant.
His older brother is the prime suspect in the murder, and Oz is shocked to learn the crime is tied to his dead father-a man Oz now finds out was accused of stealing nuclear secrets.
Desperate to clear his brother's name, Oz and his best friend, Rusty, embark on a perilous mission to uncover the real killer. It's a quest that will put his life in danger and challenge everything he thought he knew about his family.
And the answers he unearths may be much closer to home than he could have imagined.
My thoughts:
Finding a dead body in a walk in freezer is not a good way to start the day. But things go from bad to worse when Oz's big brother and head chef is accused of murder and thrown in jail. Suddenly it's up to Oz to get to the bottom of the crime and fast because police are starting to look at him as a possible accomplice.
Cold Case is a sharp, engaging, detective mystery perfect for middle school readers, as well as older readers. Main character Oz feels like the real deal as he struggles with a complicated family history, frustrations with his older brother and fear that his mom may lose their family business. He was easy to root for as the story took some unexpected twists and turns as the plot thickened and the list of suspects grew.
I enjoyed that the story was from Oz's point of view but the other characters were also interesting-his best friend Rusty added a touch of humor and excitement to the story.
I would definitely follow Oz on another adventure if he ever stumbles upon a dead body again!
For some fun facts about Cold Case and Oz visit Julia Platt Leonard's blog. I also discovered a fun interview Julia did with Hope's Bookshelf. Go check it out.
I would like to thank author Julia Platt Leonard for giving me the opportunity to read and review Cold Case. I will be donating this book to my local Middle School Library where I have no doubt kids will enjoy it!

Book Review-STORK

STORK
By Wendy Delsol
Candlewick Press
2010
Pages: 357

From Inside Cover:
Moving from L.A. to nowhere Minnesota, sixteen-year-old Katla Leblanc expected the local fashion scene to be frozen in time. What she didn't expect was induction into the Icelandic Stork Society, an ancient order of women charged with unique mystical duty. Not only is Katla the youngest member, but Hulda, the society's omen-guided leader immediately bestows the coveted Second Chair on her-a decision that ruffles a few feathers.
As if that weren't enough, Katla also has to deal with her parents' divorce and the social aftermath of a bad date with popular but creepy Wade. Katla, however, isn't one to sit on her designer-jean-clad behind, and soon she's assigned the fashion column for the school paper and making new friends.
Things would be looking up if it weren't for editor in chief Jack. Even though they argue every time they meet, Katla is inexplicably drawn to him. Juggling home life, school, and Stork duties will Katla be able to unravel the mystery surrounding Jack? More importantly, will she find a dress in time for Homecoming?
My thoughts:
What might have been a typical new girl moves to town and feels like an outsider story turns out to be anything but. Author Wendy Delsol weaves an engaging tale of magic, mystery and romance.
Katla's honesty and sense of humor make her immediately likable and her strong character traits carry her through the story. Instead of sitting in a heap of "poor me" she tries to make the best of a hard situation. Moving to a new town, making new friends, and trying to be supportive to her mom who is divorcing her dad.
When it is revealed that Katla's destiny includes membership to the Icelandic Stork Society with a bunch of older strange women, Katla, once again steps up with humor intact.
I loved that Katla was so strong through out the story-she is thrown into many new and unfamilar things but makes the best of it. She never becomes a blubbering, crying, "why me" mess.
I thought that Stork was a good, solid read. A interesting, fresh plot that includes Norse Mythology and a little Hans Christan Anderson. I was excited to see that the sequel Frost will be released October 11th. I can't wait! I'm hoping there will be some more information and history on the Icelandic Stork Society. And I can't wait to see if Katla's role in the society will develop, not to mention the other things she has going on in her life.
A big thank you to Candlewick Press for sending me this book to read and review. I'll be donating this book to my local Salmon Middle School Library.

Book Review-IMAGINARY GIRLS

IMAGINARY GIRLS
By Nova Ren Suma
2011
346 Pages

From the back cover:
Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friend's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.
But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns home two years later, a precarious and deadly balance waits....and watches. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.
My thoughts:
The cover and the tag line captured me. The photo of the girl is just breathtaking. White dress and red ribbon. It stopped me in my tracks and I want to read more. Then in the corner, just a simple line: Secrets never stay below the surface. DONE! Goosebumps! I'm buying the book-I NEED to know more. Genius!
Now the story-Two words come to mind. Complicated and intriguing. The relationship between Chloe and Ruby is complex. Ruby is a free spirit who has raised Chloe with no help from their drunken mother. Chloe is the little sister who adores who older sister. Ruby can do no wrong in her eyes. Sister relationships are never easy. Now throw in a dead body, a creepy reservoir and a secretive town.
I went into this story with no expectations. Later I discovered the divided reviews on Amazon. Some people loved the story and some didn't.
Nova Ren Suma has built a beautiful tale that twists the loyalty of sisters in with suspense and mystery. Page by page the layers of the mystery are peeled back and the truth of that fateful night and Ruby are slowly revealed. Chloe and the reader are kept in suspense until Ruby is ready to reveal truths. By the end of the story I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I needed to know what happened that night and if it was fixable.
I think that Imaginary Girls is a beautiful ghost story. It leaves the reader with a few unanswered questions and haunting characters-as good ghost stories should.
I received this ARC as part of Good Golly Miss Holly ARC Tours. I'll be sending it on to the next reader in line. Thanks to Holly for giving me the chance to read and review this fantastic book.

What is more horrifying than clowns in closets?

First Hilary Duff writes a novel and now we are treated to this.......
Amazon Book Description:
No one gets in without being asked. And with her untamable hair, large forehead, and gawky body, Tookie De La Crème isn’t expecting an invitation. Modelland—the exclusive, mysterious place on top of the mountain—never dares to make an appearance in her dreams.
But someone has plans for Tookie. Before she can blink her mismatched eyes, Tookie finds herself in the very place every girl in the world obsesses about. And three unlikely girls have joined her.
Only seven extraordinary young women become Intoxibellas each year. Famous. Worshipped. Magical. What happens to those who don’t make it? Well, no one really speaks of that. Some things are better left unsaid.
Thrown into a world where she doesn’t seem to belong, Tookie glimpses a future that could be hers—if she survives the beastly Catwalk Corridor and terrifying Thigh-High Boot Camp. Or could it? Dark rumors like silken threads swirl around the question of why Tookie and her new friends were selected . . . and the shadows around Modelland hide sinister secrets.
Are you ready? Modelland is waiting for you. . . .
*A giant thank you to Leila at Bookshelves of Doom for this heads up....I'm not sure how I'll sleep tonight now with the giddy anticipation of the release date and the adventures of Tookie...*

Winner!

THE WINNER HAS BEEN DRAWN!

And the crown goes to......

"Bookaholic"

She has been notified and has 48 hours to claim her prize. Or another name will be drawn.

A giant thank you to all who participated in the AWESOME ARC GIVEAWAY! I love giveaways! Don't forget to come visit during the upcoming Back to the Books Giveaway later this month.

AWESOME ARC GIVEAWAY

HURRY!!!
GIVEAWAY ENDS AUGUST 15th!

Ask yourself-Do I feel lucky?
Well, do ya?
Because I'm giving away 3 AWESOME ARCs to one lucky follower!
With the help of Candlewick Press who provided The Lying Game by Todd Mitchell and My Worst Best Friend by Dyan Sheldon for this giveaway. Thanks guys!! And I'm throwing in Into The Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern because I love ya like I love Oreos!
To enter is simple.
Leave your name and contact information in the comment section.
You must be 13 years old to enter.
This contest is open to all followers of Mug of Moxie.
I will draw winner on August 15th.
Good luck!

WINNER

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER!
augustlily06
She has won a copy of Bumped by Megan McCafferty.
Congratulations!
Thanks to I'm a Reader, Not a Writer and Book Hounds for hosting this super fun event. There are so many great blogs out there just waiting to be discovered. These hops are a great way to meet new friends, read great reviews and win books.

Summer Giveaway Hop

SUMMER GIVEAWAY HOP

AUGUST 1-7
The Dog Days of Summer are coming to a close.

Thanks to I'm a Reader Not a Writer and Mary at Bookhounds we have just enough time to do one more hop. So join in and have some fun. Mug of Moxie is giving away a beautiful hardback copy of Bumped by Megan McCafferty. Read just one time-by me and in perfect condition.

To enter is simple. Follow Mug of Moxie. Please write your name and the name you follow with in the comment section and a way to contact you if your name is drawn. Contest ends August 7th. Winner will be announced on August 8th. Now go out there and have fun!

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