Blogisode #1: Craze About Crit Partners with A.G. Howard and Bethany Crandell

If you saw my announcement post about Blogisodes, then you know that June's chat is going to be titled The Craze About Crit Partners, and the two authors (And critique partners!) who will be joining me for a live-show are A.G. Howard and Bethany Crandell. 

I wanted to go ahead and let you guys know that we have a date and time! The live-show will be held THIS Saturday, June 20th, at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central/2pm Mountain/1pm Pacific. I give you all three times because I am terrible at converting time differences and maybe some of you are like me and don't want to struggle with figuring it out. So. There you go.

We'll be talking about all kinds of things related to both of their books, and the main topic of focus is going to be critique partners. Bethany and Anita will give us the in-s and out-s of critting, answer my questions as well as your questions, and maybe, juuuust maybe, I can convince them to play a fun game.

Here's the link to the live-show host.  Let me know if you'll be watching! I'm super excited for this event, and I hope that you guys are as well. 

DON'T FORGET:

If you want to submit any questions before the show starts, or even as it's going on, there are a few ways you can do that. 

1.) You can comment below.

2.) You can Tweet, using #CrazeAboutCritPs.

3.) You can Like my page on Facebook and comment on the link to this post.

If you tweet, BE SURE to use the hashtag, or else we won't see your questions.

Did I leave out the part about a giveaway?

I thought something was missing ;)

During the show, I'll be giving away a copy of Bethany's book, Summer On The Short Bus, as well as a pre-order of Anita's upcoming release, Untamed! You definitely don't want to miss either of these, and here's your chance to win them both!

To enter to win these books, all you have to do is RSVP to the show. The winner will be drawn  and announced during the giveaway.

Alright, I'm going to go and get the last few things set up for Saturday. You guys be thinking on your questions, and don't forget to RSVP!

It's Summertime, Baby!

     

     June first has always been the beginning of summer, to me. School usually ends by then, the sun has come out to play, and shorts and tank tops become the popular attire. It's a beautiful time of the year, everyone relaxing and enjoying the time outside, going on vacations and hitting the beach. And of course, those of us who read NEVER go anywhere without a book.

     

     Keeping this in mind, I've had the pleasure of talking to some of the most FANTASTIC authors in the publishing world, and together, we've come up with something pretty special.

    

      How about a Summertime Giveaway?!

     

     All of the books featured in this giveaway are based on/during summer, and they can be yours! I have reviews up for most, if not all, of these books, and I encourage you to check those posts out or head over to Goodreads if you'd like to see what they're about!

The books we have up for grabs are:

     SUMMER ON THE SHORT BUS by Bethany Crandell

     LET'S GET LOST by Adi Alsaid

    THE SECRET DIAMOND SISTERS by Michelle Madow

    NIL by Lynne Matson

    CROW'S REST (And necklace!) by Angelica R. Jackson

COMPULSION by Martina Boone

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  GOOD LUCK!

Book Review: Summer on the Short Bus by Bethany Crandell

     I don't remember how I got started talking to the lovely Bethany Crandell, but somehow I did, so of course I had to read her debut novel. Talk about a summer read! 

     SUMMER ON THE SHORT BUS is about seventeen-year-old Cricket Montgomery, a girl who is used to being spoiled and getting out of trouble as soon as she's gotten into it. When her dad ships her off to help out at a summer camp, Cricket is appalled, but she has no idea what she's gotten herself into. This is no ordinary summer camp-- it's a camp for disabled teens-- and Cricket is so not happy to find this out. Though, the hottie counselor who could be on tv for being a Zac Efron look-alike is more than enough reason for her to try and stick it out. After her dad won't let her come home, that is. 

     SOTSB is one of the best books I've ever read simply for this reason: There is no sugarcoating. Kids who have disabilities are made fun of. They're thought of differently than everyone who is "Normal", and Crandell shows this in the most honest way possible. Sure, some of the things said might make you cringe, and they may hit a nerve if you personally know someone who is disabled, but this is nothing you haven't seen or heard or noticed before. If you read this, and you find it offensive, I urge you to reread it, because if thi is the case, then you've missed the spirit of the ENTIRE story. Also, the snark. Who doesn't love a good, snarky character?

     I give SUMMER ON THE SHORT BUS a golden five stars. I recommend it to anyone and everyone, especially if you find yourself to be one of those people that is prejudiced against handicapped people. Let this book change the way you think. Take a seat on the Short Bus.