The Princess and the Hound Giveaway!!!!

Welcome one and all to our new FANTASTIC giveaway. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This time we are promoting the works of author Mette (pronounced Metty) Ivie Harrison.

I learned about Mette from my husband who read her book Mira, Mirror and absolutely raved about it. I since then have gotten to meet her at several author/writer events here in Utah. Last month I introduced myself to her novel The Princess and the Hound and absolutely loved it. I was able to meet briefly with Mette this month at a local book festival where she graciously signed and dated a paperback copy of The Princess and the Hound for this giveaway.

The The Princess and the Hound giveaway will run from tomorrow, June 1st, until midnight, Friday, June 13th. During that time Stephanie and I are reading/re-reading all of Mette's books and will post reviews of each book during that time.

The following are the rules associated with this particular giveaway:


- Leave a comment on this or any of the posts for the next two weeks answering one of the following questions: 1) If you could wield a magical power what would it be? or 2) If you could shape shift into anything, anyone, or any animal what would you be?
YOU MUST DO THIS FIRST FOR ANY OTHER ENTRIES TO COUNT!

- Want another entry? Follow our blog (if you are already a follower, leave a comment and you automatically get another entry.)

- Want yet another entry? Post a link to our blog on your blog and leave a link for us in the comment line.

- Want yet another entry? Post our giveaway and blog address on Facebook.

PLEASE make sure you leave a way for us to contact you! Even if you are sure we know you and how to contact you, humor us, and leave contact info. Don't want to post it? Email it to us at fabulousreads@yahoo.com


The contest ends on Friday, June 13th at midnight PST. The winner will be drawn from the entries received. The winner will be announced on Saturday, June 14th and will win a signed copy of The Princess and the Hound. We do hope that you will want to read and enjoy Mette's books as much as we do.

**Please note if you are under the age of 18 you must have a parent/guardian contact us and tell us it's okay for you to win this book.

NEW GIVEAWAY COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STOP THE PRESSES!!!!!!!!!!!!

A new giveaway is just around the bend. A few weeks ago I attended a Book Fair and was able to meet with some AMAZING authors who were so wonderful to autograph books for future giveaways. (I was even able to take pictures of the self-same authors.)

On Sunday we will announce a new giveaway (and associated rules), from one of these INCREDIBLE authors, that will run from June 1 - June 13. So be prepared and keep checking us out to find out what fabulous read we giveaway next.


I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorcery & Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

Title: Sorcery & Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot
Author: Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: YA Fantasy (kind of)
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: In 1817 in England, two young cousins, Cecilia living in the country and Kate in London, write letters to keep each other informed of their exploits, which take a sinister turn when they find themselves confronted by evil wizards.(King County Library System)

Opinions: This book was recommended to me by my sister. She sent me an email telling me she thought I would like it. So I put it on hold and waited for my library to get it in. After a week or so, I went to the library to pick it up and saw the cover. I thought to myself, "Didn't I already read that?" I started reading it and realized that I had tried to read it a couple of years ago, but had had a hard time getting into it, so I stopped reading it. But my sister had said it was good, so I thought I would give it another shot. (She is a pretty good judge of books.) I am so glad that I did!

It is slow to start out with, and I still am confused just how all of the characters are related to each other (other than the fact that they are related somehow). But it's different. The story follows two cousins corresponding with each other over a season while they are apart. As the season unfolds these two cousins help each other and their friends fight against some sinister magicians.

This is an interesting combination of genre's. It's like Jane Austen with magic. The story is interesting and fun, although somewhat predictable. However, I thought the really cool part was how it was written. The two authors decided to write letters to each other from the point of view of a character is a specific setting. They did not discuss the plot as they were writing these letters. The only discussion they had was with the timing in the end.

I liked this book and thought it was fun. Although it isn't the best book I've ever read, I am looking forward to reading the sequel.

Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox

Title: Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist
Author: Michael J. Fox
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Biography
Rating: Like
Alerts/Warnings: Language/Swearing
Premise: There are many words to describe Michael J. Fox: Actor. Husband. Father. Activist. But readers of Always Looking Up will soon add another to the list: Optimist. Michael writes about the hard-won perspective that helped him see challenges as opportunities. Instead of building walls around himself, he developed a personal policy of engagement and discovery: an emotional, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual outlook that has served him throughout his struggle with Parkinson's disease. Michael's exit from a very demanding, very public arena offered him the time-and the inspiration-to open up new doors leading to unexpected places. One door even led him to the center of his own family, the greatest destination of all. (Amazon.com Product Description)

Opinions: I have been striving to read at least one non-fiction book a month in order to expand my horizons. This month I've actually read a few of them. Always Looking Up is on the top of that list. In this book, Michael talks about his decision to make public the diagnosis that he has Parkinson's disease. He talks about the struggles of trying to act and produce the comedy series he was in at the time, Spin City and the decision to finally retire from acting. He also talks about what triggered his decision to create the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and his passion for finding a cure and the struggles of delving into politics regarding the hot topic of embryonic stem cell research.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and getting to know a little bit more about one of the actors that I love to watch. His love for family stood out mostly to me as throughout the book he talks about the rock that is his wife, Tracy. Through his words you can sense his deep love for her and their three children. I may not believe in all the same things he does, but I have come to admire Michael J. Fox even more after reading this book.

The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman

Title: The Gollywhopper Games
Author: Jody Feldman
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: YA Fiction
Rating: Worship
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: Twelve-year-old Gil Goodson competes against thousands of other children at extraordinary puzzles, stunts, and more in hopes of a fresh start for his family, which has been ostracized since his father was falsely accused of embezzling from Golly Toy and Game Company. (King County Library System)

Opinions: Gil enters a contest at the Golly Toy and Game Company in the hopes of winning the top prize so that he can gain some of the respect he feels he and his family lost when his father was accused of embezzlement. This book is AWESOME!! Totally a fun book to read and it appeals to both men and women, boys and girls. Gil is a character that you can relate to, and the other characters are eccentric, but human.

This book is a combination of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "The Mysterious Benedict Society". It is one of my favorite books that I've read in the past couple of years. I gave it to my husband to read, (who doesn't read fiction on his own) and he LOVED this book. It makes you think and it has action and giant babies and gorilla punching bags. It's quirky and fun and I just all out love this book.

Percy Jackson Week Ends and Giveaway Winner

I don't know about you, but I LOVED Percy Jackson week! It was so exciting for me. (And a lot more work to do multiple reviews in one week.) I guess I proved to myself that I could do more than one review a week, which is my goal. Anyways, thanks to all who entered and who are now following our blog.

We had 22 entries for our contest! I am so excited! I told Karen earlier this week that if we had more than 10 entries I would be thrilled. 22 is AWESOME! So I made up a list and numbered it based on the entries and the order of comments and the winner is....HEATHER ZUNDEL!!

Heather has 48 hours to contact us at Fabulousreads@yahoo.com or we will choose an alternate winner.

Sometime in the next month or so we will be doing another giveaway. Karen is at a conference with a bunch of authors today getting books signed for our giveaways. I wish I could enter the giveaways, cause I would LOVE signed copies of these books! tease tease I'm not going to tell you what they are quite yet. You have to keep checking us out to find out about our giveaways and the other AWESOME books that we are reviewing.

Thanks for all the amazing favorite books that we were told about. My friend told me she thought it was funny that I asked you to comment with your favorite book, because I don't think I could pick a favorite book! My thought was that I wanted to see what types of books people like who were reading our blog. Karen and I are going to divide up the books and post reviews of them over the next couple of months as we read them. However, if you would like to review your book and send us the review, we would LOVE to post it. Just send it to: fabulousreads@yahoo.com If you are going to review it, let us know so we don't review it first!

Thanks for reading!
Stephanie

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson week continues with our final review. Please remember our giveaway. It ends TODAY at midnight! All you have to do is comment on ANY of the Percy Jackson entries and tell us your favorite book! There are other ways to get entries! So scroll down to the giveaway entry to see them all!!


Title: The Last Olympian(Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
Author: Rick Riordan
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Youth Fantasy
Rating: Worship
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it's up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.(King County Library)

Opinions: Percy is only a week from his sixteenth birthday and a week from the Great Prophecy possibly being fulfilled. The Titans are on the rise attacking on all fronts - Typhon is raging across the United States on a direct path to Mt Olympus, Oceanus is attacking Poseidon's realm and Hades, and Kronos (living within Luke's body) threatens to spring a series of traps that will ensure the downfall of the Gods. Percy has to decide if he should trust in Nico and his dangerous plan in order to try and save the day, all the while trying to figure out his feelings regarding Rachel and Annabeth.

Rick Riordan does a fantastic job in The Last Olympian drawing in the reader to the intense situations, the difficult decisions, and the possible loss of beloved characters. In the end, Mr. Riordan did a satisfying job wrapping up the various sub-plot tendrils along with a complex and intense climax. You should REALLY read this series!!!!!!!!


That's the end of our reviews of this incredible series that Stephanie and I absolutely love. We hope that you have been inspired to delve into this series and get to know the modern take on the Greek classics. Don't forget to look at Sunday's posts for the full list of rules for this week's giveaway. You have until midnight tonight to enter to win an autographed copy of The Lightning Thief. Stephanie will announce the winner in tomorrow's post. Good Luck and keep checking out our blog for reviews of other wonderful books and future giveaways.

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson week continues with another review. Please remember our giveaway. It ends TOMMORROW! All you have to do is comment on ANY of the Percy Jackson entries and tell us your favorite book! There are other ways to get entries! So scroll down to the giveaway entry to see them all!!

Title: The Battle of the Labyrinth(Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
Author: Rick Riordan
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Youth Fantasy
Rating: Worship
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: When demonic cheerleaders invade his high school, Percy Jackson hurries to Camp Half Blood, from whence he and his demigod friends set out on a quest through the Labyrinth, while the war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. (King County Library)

Opinions: This is undisputably my favorite book in the series. It's a complex story which makes sense, since the labyrinth is a complex place. Kronos is getting closer to regeneration and the labyrinth is discovered as a possible invasion point. Percy and his friends have to enter the dangerous labyrinth to protect Camp Half Blood again. (It seems like Camp Half Blood is alway is trouble!)

Again we see new characters that I fall in love with (Mrs. O'Leary) mixed with the old ones that I am now permantly attatched too. Percy is aging closer to the prophecy and has accepted the prophecy for his own.

This is an amazing book. (I know we've been singing praises to these books all week, but they are TRULY great books!) It is worth reading the series just to read this book! Although once you read this one, you will have to read the last one too

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

Hello all...its day three of Percy Jackson week. Please remember our giveaway. It doesn't end until Friday! All you have to do is comment on ANY of the Percy Jackson entries and tell us your favorite book! There are other ways to get entries! So scroll down to the giveaway entry to see them all!!

Title: The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
Author: Rick Riordan
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Youth Fantasy
Rating: Worship
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: When the goddess Artemis disappears while hunting a rare, ancient monster, a group of her followers joins Percy and his friends in an attempt to find and rescue her before the winter solstice, when her influence is needed to sway the Olympian Council regarding the war with the Titans. (King County Library)

Opinion: The third book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series has to be my favorite. From the start we meet two new characters, Bianca and Nico, with unknown parentage who may tip the balance of the Great Prophecy. We also get to meet another of the Greek pantheon, the huntress Goddess Artemis (twin sister of Apollo)and the Hunters (a band of mid-grade girls who are pledged to join the Hunt with her and, by the way, have negative feelings about guys in general).


When Artemis disappears and Annabeth goes missing an alliance between Hunters, Demigods, and Grover(who can't keep his eyes off the hunters) must work together to fulfill the Oracles prophecy to find the Goddess and to find Luke, fight Atlas and to destroy the Titan's Curse. But where is Percy? He is invisible and following those on the quest to keep a promise to Nico and find his friend. The writing is fantastic, the image wonderful, and the intensity fabulous. You have GOT to read this book!!!

Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson week continues with another review. Please remember our giveaway. It doesn't end until Friday! All you have to do is comment on ANY of the Percy Jackson entries and tell us your favorite book! There are other ways to get entries! So scroll down to the giveaway entry to see them all!!

Title: Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
Author: Rick Riordan
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Youth Fantasy
Rating: Worship
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: Demi-god Percy Jackson and his friends must journey into the Sea of Monsters to save their camp. But first Percy will discover a secret that makes him wonder whether being claimed as Poseidon's son is an honor or a cruel joke. (King County Library)

Opinions: When I read "The Lightning Thief" I was so amazed at what a great story it was. Not only was the story good, the writing was great too! I thought to myself, "Okay, so the series is going to go down from here. There is no way the sequel will be better than that was." But man, I was wrong.

Sea of monsters follows Percy and his friends as they journey to the Sea of Monsters on a quest to save Camp Half Blood. New characters are introduced (and some of them are my favorite in the entire series, like Tyson and Blackjack!), and old characters reunite. I got to see different layers of some characters that I thought I had all figured out. It was suprising and funny and overall a great book!

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

I am SO excited that we are having our Percy Jackson Week. This is one of my favorite series of all times and I'm so excited that we have this AWESOME give away. So to start off our week and to show forth our admiration for Mr. Riordan's writing here is a review of the first book in the series:

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Title: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
Author: Rick Riordan
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Youth Fantasy
Rating: Worship
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse -- Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon, a mystery unfolds and together with his friends -- one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -- Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.(King County Library)

Opinions: This book is fantastic for kids and adults a like (even better read it together as a family). It teaches kids to believe in themselves, even if they feel the odds are stacked against them and that they have a world of monsters to fight in their lives. The Lightning Thief is filled with amazing imagery, likable characters, and fantastic writing. Percy Jackson is an incredible character and is written so well that the reader can readily connect with his feelings on some of the things that he goes through, though maybe not the part about fighting a minotaur. I mean how many of us really get the chance in life to fight medieval Greek monsters. (Well except when we dream.)

Percy has ADHD and Dyslexia, both side effects of being the son of a God and he has been raised in a single parent home. Because of these things alone many children, and even adults, can connect with him through personal experiences. I also was thrilled to read all the Greek Legends reborn for our time. Mr. Riordan's method of doing this combines Greek mythology with events, and places of current time. Percy and his friends are faced with heavy responsibilities to prevent a war between the Gods, and yet together they realize that they can accomplish great things.


I highly recommend this book (as well as the whole series) to anyone and everyone out there and if you want to read it, but don't have a copy, then you should look at our contest rules and strive to win an autographed copy of this book. Good Luck and we hope to hear from you soon.

Percy Jackson Week and GIVEAWAY!!

To celebrate the recent publication of Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan we will be hosting our first giveaway!!

That's right! We will be giving away an autographed copied of "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan.

To enter is simple. Just leave a comment on this or any of the posts this week with your favorite book. (Make sure you leave a way for us to contact you) YOU MUST DO THIS FIRST FOR ANY OTHER ENTRIES TO COUNT!

Want another entry? Follow our blog.

Want yet another entry? Post a link to our blog on your blog and leave a link for us in the comment line.

Want yet another entry? Post our giveaway and blog address on Facebook.

The winner will be chosen using a random number generator and the lucky winner will win a signed copy of "The Lightning Thief". The contest ends on Friday at midnight PST.

**Please note if you are under the age of 18 you must have a parent/guardian contact us and tell us it's okay for you to win this book.

Each day we will be posting a review of each of the Percy Jackson books.

This is one of my(Stephanie's) favorite series, and so I'm totally excited to celebrate the end of this amazing series! I hope you enjoy the books and Percy Jackson week at FabulousReads!

The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey

Title: The Fire Within
Author: Chris D'Lacey
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Junior Fantasy
Rating: Like
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: When college student David Rain rents a room in an unusual boardinghouse full of clay dragons, he has no idea that they, along with some lively squirrels, will help jump start his writing career.(King County Library)

Opinions:This is a fascinating and enjoyable read for any young reader. The imagery comes alive and the story carries your along. The author does an incredible job in giving his characters distinct and wonderful personalities. It is an easy read, and one that I hope will create within anyone the desire to read more by this author and hope to one day learn how he makes his characters come so alive with seemingly so little effort. I look forward to reading the other books in this series and hope that you do as well.