Book Blast/Giveaway - Dark Matter by Alyssa Huckleberry

 

 

 

Dark Matter by Alyssa Huckleberry

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GENRE: Dystopian Sci-fi 

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BLURB: “Survival is light years away.” Earth is dying. The only salvation for humanity is colonizing space, yet so far that has failed. The last hope for survival exists on a planet light years away…and the mission is fraught with danger. Teenager Selina Alois leads a group of six high achievers who pass the exam of a lifetime to earn a position on the precarious expedition. As the mission launch approaches, dark secrets are exposed about the planet. Further digging reveals a sinister plot that not only risks humanity’s fate but also puts Selina and her team to the ultimate test. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Excerpt : I always knew it would be me. Don’t ask me to explain how I knew—I won’t be able to. As far back as I can remember, there was talk of colonizing outer space. I didn’t grow up freaked out by the idea. Maybe I should have—my parents were. The year I was born, the United States celebrated its one hundredth anniversary of the successful establishment of a colony on the moon. Venturing into outer space was never foreign to me; it never carried fear the way it did for the adults around me. I learned about the solar system in school like every kid through the generations…but I also facetimed with the scientists stationed at headquarters and had a third-grade pen pal who lived on the moon. But that was when Earth was only thought to be dying…before scientists put an expiration date on Earth’s existence. That news changed everything: disbelief melted into panic, which boiled to cold-blooded terror when the drafts were instated. But maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. I forget that not everyone is fluent in space-talk; that my everyday reality is startling to some. My mom in particular reminds me of this all the time. She accuses me of being intentionally abrupt just so I can elicit shocked reactions from people around me. It isn’t true. I just don’t see the point in sugarcoating situations.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: Alyssa Huckleberry grew up in San Diego as the oldest of four children. After earning a business degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Alyssa spent a short time working in finance before transitioning to work in education. Today Alyssa works as a fifth grade teacher and she LOVES her job! When she isn't teaching or writing, you can find Alyssa running, reading, practicing yoga, traveling the world, or spending time with those dearest to her. She loves spending time outdoors, growing in her faith, and learning new things (hence, the great amount of time spent reading, traveling, and going on adventures!). A true lover of whimsy, she also believes everything is better with a latte in hand. Alyssa's first novel, Rescuing Racei, was published in 2004 (while Alyssa was still a high school student) and later won the San Diego Book Award for Best Young Adult Novel. Since then, Alyssa published three other books to complete the series: Stealing Splendiferous, Magicus, and The Maleku Map. The Struggle is Real was an inspired piece written for an adult audience as a stand-alone work. Her latest novel, Dark Matter, is written for a young adult audience. It is the first book in what will be a science-fiction series imagining a future of space exploration! 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssa.huckleberry/ 

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3162224.Alyssa_Huckleberry

  https://www.amazon.com/Alyssa-Huckleberry/e/B00J8X3RSM/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 

Dark Matter purchase links: 

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Matter-Alyssa-Huckleberry/dp/1734419865/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=dark+matter+alyssa&qid=1595351979&sr=8-2 

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Matter-Dystopian-Science-Fiction-ebook/dp/B08CS2HPDN/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE Alyssa Huckleberry will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use this rafflecopter code on your post: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review/Giveaway - Diseased Ones by Danielle Harrington

The Diseased Ones
Danielle Harrington
(The Hollis Timewire Series, #1)
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Publication date: February 8th 2020
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

On the morning of her 16th birthday, Hollis Timewire receives the worst possible news. She can’t become a citizen of the world. She’s a Diseased One.
Born with a biomarker that bestows dangerous, brain-altering powers, Hollis is forced to hide underground with other Diseased Ones, who believe that the government falsified history to cover up their genocide.
Now Hollis must discover the truth, and is willing to risk anything, including her powers, to go back home.

My Thoughts:  The Diseased Ones starts out with action and I got so involved with Hollis and everything that was happening to her that I just couldn't put the book down until I had completed it.  I was/and would have been mortified to find out that not only was I a "diseased one" but to have my parents just hand me over so easily as hers did. So much for family virtue and all that.

This was such an interesting and fast moving story finding out about all the lies and other diseased folks and their "powers" and a debut to boot! I can't wait for the next part of this story to come! plus I am in love with that gorgeous cover! Love Love Love

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:
Danielle Harrington is a high school chemistry teacher with a passion for the pen and a knack for storytelling. She got her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Biola University, and although she’s a hardcore science nerd, she’s always been a lover of the arts.
She grew up acting and singing and has turned her love for drama into writing. Danielle lives vicariously through her characters and considers it great fun because she “gets to play all the parts”.
Danielle lives in LA with her husband, Steven, and her two cats, Moose and Turtle. She is working on a four book young adult dystopian fiction series, and she’s beyond thrilled to be launching her debut novel, THE DISEASED ONES, through Acorn Publishing.

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Book Tour/Giveaway - The Wall Series by Alison Ingleby

Expendables 

The Wall Series Book 1 

by Alison Ingleby 

Genre: YA Dystopian 

One girl. A corrupt government. A secret that could shatter a country. 

★★★★★ “I haven’t been this hooked on a dystopian series since The Hunger Games and Divergent.” 

What would you sacrifice to discover the truth? 

For twelve years, Aleesha has survived as an illegal citizen in poverty-stricken Area Four. She lives by one rule – trust no one. 

When her illegal status is discovered, Aleesha is forced to join a mysterious organisation intent on taking down the corrupt government. Then she’s introduced to Trey, an Insider who’s been brought up with everything she longs for: wealth, privilege, education. 

An Insider who, like her, is being hunted by the government’s sinister militia. 

Aleesha wants to hate him. But Trey may be the only person who can help her find her father – the man who could be her ticket out of poverty. If she can learn to trust him. 

But discovering the truth comes at a terrible price. And too late, Aleesha and Trey realize that they’re just pawns in a much bigger game… 

From USA Today Bestselling Author, Alison Ingleby, The Wall Series is an emotional rollercoaster packed with heart-pounding adventure, vivid characters and slow-burn romance. Perfect for fans of Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth and Marie Lu. 

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Infiltrators 

The Wall Series Book 2 

They thought the truth would bring people together. Instead, they started a war. 

When Aleesha and Trey hand over the secret files they found in the basement of the government headquarters to the media, they hope it will bring Insiders and Outsiders together. United, they would have the power to rebel against the oppressive government. 

They're wrong. 

While the Insiders turn their backs, protected by the Wall that divides the city, Outsiders rebel in the only way they know how: riots, death and destruction. 

As London erupts in violence, taking down the government's sinister militia seems to be the only viable course of action. But what Aleesha finds inside the Metz compound will change her life – and her relationship with Trey – forever. 

Join Aleesha and Trey as they fight for truth, justice and freedom in dystopian London. With fast-paced action, romance, danger, intrigue and one kick-ass heroine, you won’t want to put it down! 

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Defenders 

The Wall Series Book 3 

The battle for control of Area Four is over. Or is it? 

Aleesha is determined to give the captured Metz officers a chance to change. But as tensions rise between Outsider gangs and the newly freed officers, events take a devastating turn and Aleesha is forced to confront her darkest fears. 

Still reeling from the battle of Rose Square, Trey has his own decision to make. Does he remain Outside or listen to his mother's pleas and return to his family's aid? 

Forced to decide between family and friends, duty and their hearts, Aleesha and Trey must decide which path to choose and if that path involves each other. 

The explosive third book in The Wall Series features complex plot twists, heart-stopping fight scenes, romance and betrayal, plus all the characters you've come to love. Will they all survive? One-click to find out. 

★★★★★ "I loved this book and can't wait to read the next one!" 

★★★★★ "This series just gets better and better." 

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Liberators 

The Wall Series Book 4 

When it comes down to it, what do you do – protect your family or follow your heart? 

Captured by the government, Aleesha is slated for execution. Only her father can save her, but doing so will put the Chain's plans in jeopardy. Is it worth risking the future of a country to save the life of one girl? 

As Trey investigates the mysterious additive in the Outsiders' food supply, his sinister boss closes in. Acting on his suspicions could risk his incarceration and his family's safety. But can he turn a blind eye to the truth? 

As the balance of power shifts and alliances are made and broken, Aleesha and Trey must decide who to trust. 

Because trust risks betrayal. 

And betrayal means death. 

Get your copy of the nail-biting conclusion to The Wall Series today and find out how the story ends. 

Goodreads * Amazon

Alison Ingleby is a USA Today bestselling author of sci-fi and fantasy fiction. She loves writing cross-genre books featuring complex characters, twisting plots and fast-paced action with a dash of romance. 

When not writing, Alison enjoys reading, drinking tea and spending time outdoors. She lives in Yorkshire, England, but her heart loiters by the sea in north-west Scotland. 

You can find out more about Alison, sign up to her Readers' Club and get a free story by visiting her website: https://alisoningleby.com/ 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Review - Dead Hunger: The Flex Sheridan Chronicle by Eric A. Shelman

Synopsis:
An epidemic that's turning humans into zombie-like creatures has swept over the eastern United States and quite possibly the world, and Flex Sheridan doesn't like it one bit. In an effort to save his younger sister, Flex re-connects with perhaps the strongest woman he knows - Gem Cardoza, his former girlfriend. Together they take his six-year-old niece Trina, the only uninfected survivor of his sister's famiy, and his infected sister Jamie, and make a run from central Florida back to his isolated home in Lula, Georgia.

Review:
I liked it alot but it really was just your average zombie apocolypse story. Nothing really new was brought to the table except for these zombies are thought to have some sort of awareness like they actually can think because of the way some of them acted but I can't really explain it further without spilling to much... I feel like the second book will be more entertaining as this first one mostly just sets the stage and puts the players on the field so to speak. I really liked the fact that the women in this story were just as tough as the men and NOT standing on the sidelines squeeling Save Me! Save Me!

Review - The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
Released: September 1, 2011
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304 pages
Format: Hardback
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5

In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving.

Loved this story! Read it in almost one sitting it was so good. Stephen is a young teen who has never really known what normal was because every since he was born his family has been on the move never taking up roots anyplace because of a horrid war and plague of influenza not to mention being salvagers (folks who piddle thru places looking for things to trade) and having to always look over your shoulder for thieves and slavers.

Stephen was drilled to not trust other people and to survive at any means possible so it was really hard on him when tragedy strikes his family and he is forced to rely on strangers for help.

I hope I never have to live like Stephen did but the author makes the scenes so real I could almost imagine I was hiding or running right alongside him. I felt so much compassion for him and desperately wanted him to see another world than the one his stronghanded grandfather had instilled into him. There is good and bad in all of us and not everybody has hidden agendas when they offer a helping hand. Sometimes you just have to trust folks and hope for the best.

Review - Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Released: February 8, 2005
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 448 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5
Author Site: Scott Westerfeld

Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that? Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time.

Fantastic dystopian story that had me from the first chapter. I can't imagine living in a world such as Tally's where you get a pretty operation at 16 and and you get to go live with the pretties. I mean I would really hate living in that kind of world because what one perceives as pretty is not always anothers opinion and Tally soon comes to the conclusion that the dream she has had for so long of becoming a pretty may just be a nightmare instead. I rooted for her 100% when she rebels and takes off to find her friend Shay and to discover what is beyond.... Well actually she wasn't given much choice in the matter at first as she was given the choice of giving up her friends location or never being able to become pretty which at the time was what Tally thought she wanted...it was only later she came to see that things were not all as they appeared.

Review - Starters by Lissa Price

Starters by Lissa Price
Released: March 13, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Lissa Price

In the future, teens rent their bodies to seniors who want to be young again. One girl discovers her renter plans to do more than party--her body will commit murder, if her mind can't stop it.

Oh My Gawd! Starters was amazing and ludicrously creepy. I had chills just imagining handing over my body for somebody else to use as they wish no matter that there were supposed to be rules and contracts outlining what they could do while in possession of my body. Just thinking about it I don't think I could do it but I guess when you have a child ,or in Callie's case a sickly brother with extra needs, you'll do what you have to do to survive.

I really loved Callie's character. She was strong, caring, and smart all rolled into one. She developed her street smarts and cunning quickly after the Spore Wars and her parents demise when she was thrown into being sole provider for her younger brother. Trust was not something that came so easy anymore so she was leery of Prime Destinations but felt it was the only thing she could do to help her brother at the time. Thru a chip malfunction she mistakenly wakes up in her renters life and discovers some alarming things and this is where the story really took off for me as she races to make things right.

Starters was a unique edge of your seat read that left me hanging onto the last page crying more more more. I could not believe it ended like it did! I was totally floored! Thank gosh we only have to wait til the end of the year for the conclusion!

Review - Fallen by Traci L. Slatton

Fallen by Traci L. Slatton
Released: July 27, 2011
Publisher: Telemachus Press, LLC
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 242 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5/5
Author Site: Traci L. Slatton

When the world ends, all that is left is love....

As chaos descends on a crippled Earth, survivors are tormented by strange psychic gifts. In this time of apocalyptic despair, love is put to the test. One woman with mysterious healing power guides seven children to safety. Charismatic Arthur offers her a haven. Slowly Emma falls for him. But at the moment of their sweetest love, his devastating secret is revealed, and they are lost to each other. Will Emma stay with him?

Oh my God! This book was soooo so good! The first few sentences draw you in and take you on an emotional roller coaster ride and just when you think it's okay to uncover your eyes or quit screaming it takes off again!

Emma is a woman who has been separated from her husband and older daughter, been thru heck and saw so much pain and suffering from the mists that have taken over and killed most everything in their path. Strange things are happening because of the mists...the ones who have survived them are either going insane or have heightened abilities like Emma who has discovered she has a healing power in her hands since they came that she had not had before and one of the girls who she has taken under her wing has developed a sort of psychic ability and can fortell things that are to come.

They eventually meet Arthur and his men and Emma begs him to take her and the orphaned children she has taken into her care back to his camp so that they may have security and a sense of safety away from the rogues who so often abuse and torture the weak. He says his camp is all men and no place for a woman and children but she offers him a trade he cant refuse though he tries...It begins as a "business arrangement" but turns into so much more than either expected especially since they both had secrets they were not sharing.

This was just such a wonderful story that at times made me laugh, other times made me wonder what in heck I would do in Emma's shoes, and yes there was sadness in parts as well but I'll let you find those parts for yourself.

The only thing that I really hate about Fallen is how it ended. This is book one of a trilogy that ended like a soap opera on a Friday afternoon with a cliff hanger leaving me wanting more.