Girl Before a Mirror by Liza Palmer [Review + Giveaway]

Title: Girl Before a Mirror
Author: Liza Palmer
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Source: From publisher for honest review.

The author of Conversations with a Fat Girl—optioned for HBO—returns with the hilarious and heartfelt story of a woman who must learn how to be the heroine of her own life-a journey that will teach her priceless lessons about love, friendship, family, work, and her own heart
An account executive in a Mad Men world, Anna Wyatt is at a crossroads. Recently divorced, she’s done a lot of emotional housecleaning, including a self-imposed dating sabbatical. But now that she’s turned forty, she’s struggling to figure out what her life needs. Brainstorming to win over an important new client, she discovers a self-help book—Be the Heroine, Find Your Hero—that offers her unexpected insights and leads her to a most unlikely place: a romance writers’ conference. If she can sign the Romance Cover Model of the Year Pageant winner for her campaign—and meet the author who has inspired her to take control of her life—she’ll win the account. 
For Anna, taking control means taking chances, including getting to know Sasha, her pretty young colleague on the project, and indulging in a steamy elevator ride with Lincoln Mallory, a dashing financial consultant she meets in the hotel. When the conference ends, Anna and Lincoln must decide if their intense connection is strong enough to survive outside the romantic fantasy they’ve created. Yet Lincoln is only one of Anna’s dilemmas. Now that her campaign is off the ground, others in the office want to steal her success, and her alcoholic brother, Ferdie, is spiraling out of control. 
To have the life she wants-to be happy without guilt, to be accepted for herself, to love and to be loved, to just be—she has to put herself first, accept her imperfections, embrace her passions, and finally be the heroine of her own story.

I am a lover of YA, but as a twenty something college student, job dreamer and future haver, I really enjoy delving into women's literary fiction. It is very nice to know that it is okay to not have everything figured out. Even at 40. Life doesn't always work the way we plan it to and I enjoy a friendly reminder that great fiction is fond at every level and GIRL BEFORE A MIRROR really exceeded my expectations.

When I first saw Girl Before a Mirror, I was immediately intrigued because 1.) I have heard many fantastic things a bout the author and 2.) The Ad Agency life is one I have always been interested in. I wanted to see what Anna's life was like and her story instantly interested me on multiple levels as it seemed to be a story of rediscovery.

The first meeting with our heroine is uplifting, her 40th birthday has just taken place and it becomes clear early on that his new beginning is more than just a personal decisions and new awakening of sorts as she begins to view her new place in life. Early on we learn that it is more than a personal decision or enlightenment, but a choice that was not her own. Anna seems to have taken strength from her emotional state and at the opening of the novel is in a place where she wants to "just be." She expresses this early in the novel and it is an idea that is central to Anna's progression and part of what I liked so much about her. She is used to being everything for everyone, but in the end wants to "just be."

What I really loved about this book was the was the humor and the easy writing style Liza Palmer used. Liza Palmer wrote in a conversational way that made me feel as if I was being told a story. It was fun to read, and I enjoyed seeing Anna's world and veing introduced to her world.

I LOVED the use of the romance "How To" book - "Be the Heroine, Find Your Hero"I wish it was a real book because I am highly interested. I do not think This book seemed to give women the power to "just be" and to gain importance and respect from romantic relationships. I am a feminist, and this book really hit home with female empowerment. Anna uses the book to uplift herself.

While some of the secondary characters got on my nerves a bit, I really enjoyed GIRL BEFORE A MIRROR and will definitely be reading Liza Palmer's other novels quickly.

If you enjoy great writing, a true heroine, and a story of a women empowerment, this book is for you! It definitely comes recommended.

Time for a giveaway! 

Enter to win one of two copies of Girl Before a Mirror by Liza Palmer! 

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The Alliance by Shannon Stoker [Giveaway!]

It's that time again!

This week I am going to be giving away one copy of...

The Alliance by Shannon Stoker. 

Release Date: September 2nd 

To overthrow a brutal dictator and free her country, a brave young woman will risk her life and liberty to spark a revolution in this explosive final installment in Shannon Stoker’s electrifying Registry trilogy
“Beautifully written . . . a chilling and shocking look at a futuristic America that will stay with you long after you close the book.” —Jennifer L. Armentrout on The Registry
Mia Morrissey fled to Mexico to escape the government marrying her to someone she did not love. Now, she’s going risk everything so that the rest of America can be free. 
Going undercover as part of a diplomatic mission, Mia returns to America. But life there is more dangerous than ever as the walls grow ever taller, and the forgotten country faces its most ruthless leader yet, Grant Marsden…a shadow from Mia’s past. With the help of Andrew, Carter, and other members of the subversive group Affinity, she embarks on a perilous journey to defeat Grant, bring down the government, and destroy the Registry once and for all. 
When a terrible betrayal exposes the operation, Mia discovers that her enemies have used her—and so have her friends. Alone and frightened, she’s uncertain who to trust—or whether the mission is worth what she’s sacrificing.
With the fate of her friends and the future of her country on the line, Mia knows that her next step may be the last for her . . . and America.

It definitely sounds like an interesting read and I look forward to seeing what you guys think.  

Info on entering is posted below. 

Have fun and let me know if you have any questions. 

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The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming [Review + Giveaway]

Title: The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion and the Fall of Imperial Russia
Author: Candace Fleming
Release Date: July 8, 2014
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Goodreads

“[A] superb history.... In these thrilling, highly readable pages, we meet Rasputin, the shaggy, lecherous mystic...; we visit the gilded ballrooms of the doomed aristocracy; and we pause in the sickroom of little Alexei, the hemophiliac heir who, with his parents and four sisters, would be murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918.” —The Wall Street Journal Here is the tumultuous, heartrending, true story of the Romanovs—at once an intimate portrait of Russia's last royal family and a gripping account of its undoing. Using captivating photos and compelling first person accounts, award-winning author Candace Fleming (Amelia Lost;The Lincolns) deftly maneuvers between the imperial family’s extravagant lives and the plight of Russia's poor masses, making this an utterly mesmerizing read as well as a perfect resource for meeting Common Core standards.
"An exhilarating narrative history of a doomed and clueless family and empire." —Jim Murphy, author of Newbery Honor Books An American Plague and The Great Fire
"For readers who regard history as dull, Fleming’s extraordinary book is proof positive that, on the contrary, it is endlessly fascinating, absorbing as any novel, and the stuff of an altogether memorable reading experience." —Booklist, Starred
"Marrying the intimate family portrait of Heiligman’s Charles and Emmawith the politics and intrigue of Sheinkin’s Bomb, Fleming has outdone herself with this riveting work of narrative nonfiction that appeals to the imagination as much as the intellect." —The Horn Book, Starred

We all know about the Romanov's, whether from a history class or from Anastasia, the fantastic cartoon that depicted Russia as a place full of sing alongs. We have all heard about their ultimate fall and there has always been some mystery involved when thinking about that time period and their culture as a whole.

I've always been a fan of historical fiction, that often times leads into nonfiction as well. I loved the narrative in this book, Candace Fleming has a way of retelling history in a way that isn't dry or boring. Most often I hear issues with a book's voice in nonfiction. Nonfiction shouldn't feel like the simple retelling of facts, but rather feel like an accurate retelling that is interesting while still being informative.

Candace Fleming definitely delivered in the storytelling department. I've always been interested in history, but even those who haven't found it so appealing may enjoy this title. It covers Imperial Russia very fully through the prime down to the ultimate Fall in great detail.

The Romanov line is one that some still question to this day. People say that Alexandra was secretly sleeping with Rasputin, people claim that since Anastasia's body wasn't decidedly found in the debris that she somehow made it out alive, and still little Alexei's illness never became public until after his death.

There are so many details about the Romanov's that aren't talked about and this novel really put me into the life and times of not only the emperor and empress but each of their children.

If you're a lover of historical fiction, this book should be on your list.

It tells of one of the most famous families ever, which just so happens to also be one we often don't talk about as much as we should.



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Divided (Dualed #2) Blog Tour + Giveaway!

 I am super excited to be apart of the Divided Blog Tour and announce another giveaway!!

 Divided by Elsie Chapman

 The hunter becomes the hunted. . . .

West Grayer is done killing. She defeated her Alternate, a twin raised by another family, and proved she’s worthy of a future. She’s ready to move on with her life.

The Board has other plans. They want her to kill one last time, and offer her a deal worth killing for. But when West recognizes her target as a ghost from her past, she realizes she’s in over her head. The Board is lying, and West will have to uncover the truth of the past to secure her future.

How far will the Board go to keep their secrets safe? And how far will West go to save those she loves? With nonstop action and surprising twists, Elsie Chapman’s intoxicating sequel to Dualed reveals everything.

 This giveaway is for the U.S. and Canada only. 

Good Luck Everyone!

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Fan Art by Sarah Tregay Giveaway!

I am very happy to announce a super special giveaway! 

Fan Art by Sarah Tregay is a book that I am excited for. It's Diverse YA lit and it covers a great and different topic, so for being such wonderful followers here is your chance to win it!

The details... 

When the picture tells the story…

Senior year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not college—that’s all set. Not prom—he’ll find a date somehow. No, it’s the worst problem of all: he’s fallen for his best friend.

As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn’t sure if that’s what he wants—because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?

This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can’t say, when art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it’s not. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most.

It will be out officially June 17th, but here is a chance to win it early!

US only (sorry) 

The only thing I ask, since this is a thank you for being wonderful followers giveaway, is that you do follow me somewhere. Twitter, Facebook, Bloglovin, GFC, Feedly, or wherever. 

More details posted below. 

Thanks guys. :)

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Have You Heard About My Giveaway?!

If you haven't, this is your last week to enter!

I announced two months ago that I was giving away an ARC of Siren and a signed The Body Finder bookmark, so if you have not entered this is your chance before the giveaway ends on Tuesday!

Here's what you can win:

You don't have to be a follower to enter, but of course that is appreciated. If you tweet or blog post about it you get bonus entries.

If you would like to enter, just fill out this form. US readers only, sorry International readers.

I've had this contest going for forever so I can't wait to see who wins. :)

Siren by Tricia Rayburn ARC + Kimberly Derting Swag Giveaway!

Siren & Kimberly Derting Swag Giveaway!

I recently won the Box 'O Arcs contest from Nicole at Word For Teens and in that box was Siren by Tricia Rayburn which I loved! I already had a copy of it so I've decided I'm going to give my extra copy away.

Here's what you can win:

• 1 ARC of Siren by Tricia Rayburn! (review here)
• 1 The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting bookmark (signed!)
• 1 The Body Finder sticker!
• 1 Blue Aligator Silly band (because I think they're cute and it went with the color scheme!)

You do not have to be a follower to enter, but it is appreciated! :)

There are several ways to get extra entries and you can do all of them or none of them. Whatever you prefer. Please leave links for all extra entries! If you tweet be sure to @ChristinaBooksA so I can see it.

U.S. only. Sorry international readers!

Contest ends September 2nd! (oops on the form!)

Extra entries:

Tweet +2 (up to 5 times)

Blog Post +5

Sidebar +3

Just fill out the form below to be entered! Good luck guys!