{February Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway}

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)   

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7"
Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

      February Sponsors

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Romance Through the Ages
4. Buried Under Romance
5. Author Inger Iversen
6. Jenna Does Books
7. Author Jennifer Laurens
8. Author Bonnie Blythe
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10. The Reporter and the Girl
11. Author Brinda Berry
12. The Storybook Kingdom
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16. The One With The Fairy Tales
17. MyLadyWeb: Women's History and Women Authors
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23. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
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34. Attack of the Books!
35. Rumor Has It
36. Barb's Wire - eBooks & More
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40. Author Heather Gray
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43. A Southern Lady's Book Blog
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45. Confessions of a Librarian in Training
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48. Author Elizabeth Woodrum
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52. Author Jaret Martens
53. Author Christi Corbett
54. Author Derek Rempfer

  Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Fire Giveaway: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups   Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7". Ends 2/28/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Book Review} Black Out By: Robinson Wells

Robison Wells

Young Adult

 Science Fiction

Publication Information

 October  1, 2013

 HarperTeen

goodreads summary Laura and Alec are trained terrorists. Jack and Aubrey are high school students. There was no reason for them to ever meet. But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all.

Known for his inception like style of writing, Robinson Wells provides an interesting novel dealing with America and terrorism.  Filled with suspension and haunting scenes, Black Out is a dramatic blend of realism and science fiction.  Using characters that come alive, Wells creates very complex relationships.  These relationships add to the daunting twist and turns that he creates along with thrilling shocks that seem to come from all angles haunting the reader.

In Black Out we follow the perspective of four young people.  Two are somewhat normal teenagers while the other two happen to be teenage terrorists.  Working in a group, the trained teenagers also each happen to have a special power that aids them in their deeds of terror.  The two sets of teenagers meet up later in the novel amidst turmoil in the country.  Written with amazing originality, Robison Wells provides the literature world with the perfect book that reflects the times.  Similar to how movies reflect the state of the country.  Black Out plays somewhat on the fears of the people, which in turn creates such a strong emotion in readers.  Finally, Wells uses a blistering pace in his writing style causing readers to rarely want to put this book down.  He provides readers with a chillingly balanced novel that does a great job of making you think about the future throughout the entire novel.

{Book Review} Don't Turn Around By Michelle Gagnon + Giveaway

Young Adult
Mystery/Thriller/Science Fiction
Publication Date:  August 28, 2012
HarperTeen

As readers we are always searching for the hidden gem in the sea of books available. A book that is unique and leaves the reader satisfied, with all the books out there, is sometimes hard to find. That’s why I’m glad I had this book sent to me. Michelle Gagnon’s first young adult novel is a fantastic debut to the genre. With well-developed characters and an interesting storyline this new series has the potential to be something very big.

In Don’t Turn Around the main protagonists are teenagers Peter and Noa. Peter is a funny and witty guy whose seemingly posh life isn’t as it appears. Noa is a girl whose led a harsh life and has had to care for herself. The meeting between these two is initially kicked off by Noa awakening to find herself in a strange lab leading to an intense adventure like no other. Dealing with a mysterious disease that is consuming teenagers and a company’s sketchy dealings with cops and the government, Don’t Turn Around is a great thriller. Gagnon writes in a modern style allowing the action to flow seamlessly with the times of peace. The characters each have a personality that I’m sure any reader can relate to. The development of the characters were not forced and came together nicely. Certainly a book that leaves a lot of room for a sequel, Don’t Turn Around is a new addition to the must read list for the year.

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{Enter the Kindred Spirits Sweepstakes}

I must admit that I was originally turned into a L.M. Montgomery fan through the movie series of Anne of Green Gables.  I wanted to visit the world that I saw on the television screen.  The little one room school house, where Gilbert would first tease Anne regarding her red hair and later, much later, become her life, pulled me in deep.  Of course I would love to enter this contest and try to win everything all for myself, but I just had to share!  If you are a fan of L.M. Montgomery, then you know how I feel.  If you aren't a fan yet, then you must pick up Anne of Green Gables.  This series is truly a coming of age series, that the reader can experience from the beginning to the end.

Enter sourcebooks' contest here.

sourcebooks Author Bio

L.M. Montgomery achieved international fame in her lifetime that endures well over a century later. A prolific writer, she published some 500 short stories and poems and twenty novels. Most recognized for Anne of Green Gables, her work has been hailed by Mark Twain, Margaret Atwood, Madeleine L’Engle and Princess Kate, to name a few. Today, Montgomery’s novels, journals, letters, short stories, and poems are read and studied by general readers and scholars from around the world. Her writing appeals to people who love beauty and to those who struggle against oppression. - 

See more at: http://www.sourcebooks.com/index.phpoption=com_egdauthors&view=author&aid=A2613#sthash.15WNysyW.dpuf

{Book Review} Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel By James Patterson + Giveaway

Young Adult Fiction
 Fantasy/Science Fiction
February 7th 2012 (Deluxe Limited Edition)
Little Brown Books for Young Readers

James Patterson is one of the most famous authors who is continuously able to produce amazing novels by the bucket load. In the Maximum Ride series Mr. Patterson uses his witty and humorous dialogue combined with fast paced action to create a trend setting young adult series. In the seventh installment, Angel, Patterson portrays the old saying of “If ain't broke, don’t fix it” with Angel feeling like other books in the series. While in most cases this would be a negative, the author uses it to his advantage, making the book just as entertaining as the one before. What Angel does is take that well used formula and broadens it into something richer.

In Angel we find Max reeling from the lost of her best pal and soul mate Fang who has decided to start his own flock of mutant kids. As always though there is no time for relaxation and our heroine is thrown another apocalyptic problem. New characters are brought in and some secrets of the past are somewhat revealed. While Angel is a very fast paced and entertaining book there are points where the flow of the book starts to get repetitive to a point where you can quickly predict how a character will react to certain situations. Despite this, James Patterson has once again added a great addition to the Maximum ride series. Nevermore, The final Maximum Ride Adventure installment is due out in Aug. So there is plenty of time to catch on a great series if you haven’t started.

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{A Mid-Week Moment} The Copernicus Legacy-The Forbidden Stone: The Adventure of a Lifetime Awaits!

So my youngest wanted to share with me what he was currently reading.  I love it when he gets so excited about reading.  He then asked if I had something new for him to read.  I'm thinking I'll be checking this series out for sure!

  Deitre

The Quest Begins 

in THE COPERNICUS LEGACY: THE FORBIDDEN STONE, the first book in the middle grade series from bestselling author Tony Abbott. 

With intrigue, puzzles, and action, The Copernicus Legacy is a thrilling experience not to be missed.

http://thecopernicuslegacy.com/

Do You Have What it Takes 

to find the relics and save the fate of the world? Join the Relic Hunt and become part of the adventure! 

Four lucky winners (and their chaperones) will win a chance to compete in The Copernicus Legacy Relic Hunt—a real-life quest inspired by Book 1 in the series: THE FORBIDDEN STONE.  

http://thecopernicuslegacy.com/relic-hunt-sweepstakes

Crack The Copernicus Code 

using the cypher to solve as many coded messages as you can before time runs out!

http://thecopernicuslegacy.com/code-cracker-game

Watch Tony Abbott 

play a word association game with the Copernicus Legacy!

[Book Review] Ashes to Ashes By Melissa Walker

Publication Information
December 23, 2013
Katherine Tegan/HarperCollins

Ashes to Ashes felt like something I have read before. However, I really could not put my finger on it. The story begins with a smooth introduction to the main character Callie. It is here where the reader begins to learn about her family, her friends, and her social life. Very quickly she is taken from our world and enters another world. The Prism. A world in between two worlds. She is now a ghost fighting against new dilemmas. Learning things she has not learned before. Entering her old world with a new agenda. She’s not alone to help her through this transition, if that is what you can call it. She has Thatcher, her ghostly guide. Who becomes someone more than just a friend. Totally committing himself to Callie. 

Melissa Walker offers readers a very quick and easy read into a setting of 3 distinct worlds. Her attention to details and character development truly allows you to live in those worlds as you read. Her descriptive use of words is very specific. Ashes to Ashes receives a 3 tree review for originality. Although, it was smoothly written, the plot did not appear completely original. Something, that I feel is truly a must with so many titles in the Young Adult Genre being introduced daily. This is the first book that I have read by Melissa Walker. I do plan to check out some of her other titles as well.

{Book Review} The Darkest Path By: Jeff Hirsch + Giveaway

Young Adult Fiction
Dystopian
September 24, 2013
Scholastic Press

Including a country at war with its self and a cultish regime that threatens to tear apart two brothers, the Darkest Path strikes you as a hauntingly original novel. With Darkest Path being his third book, Jeff Hirsch shows improvement in his mastery of storytelling. On a whole, Hirsch’s writing really shines when he creates scenes of tension and turmoil. It’s the dramatics that pull the reader in and invoke such strong emotions. But lets not forget about how he also manages to create great characters that helps set his writing apart.

Set in a modernistic world, America struggles in a civil war between the US government and a crazy cult regime named the Glorious Path. Caught at a young age by the regime, Callum and his brother James struggle to sustain loyalties. Callum works hard to earn a role in the regime with a viscous dog trainer to support James who has an asthma problem. One day Cal befriends a dog that forces him to act against his boss who wants to turn the dog into a monstrosity. This forces Cal and James to go on the run sending them on a journey that will change his life forever. Through out his journey Cal faces terrible obstacles that ultimately shows him where his true path lays. Jeff Hirsch shows his writing talent in his best book yet, demanding a share of the limelight in the young adult genre. With his extreme character and dramatic writing Hirsch leaves me after reading his book, hoping for a sequel.

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{A Little Mid-Week Moment}

Publication Information
Teen Simon and Schuster
12 and up
Middle and Secondary Level

Receiving books in the mail, is like receiving a birthday present when it isn't your birthday.  When books come in the mail, I'm always excited and eager to find out what's next to read.  When I was the Great EST by Jayson Reynolds is coming out this month.  I must say that the cover of this one threw me off  a bit, but that's perfectly fine.  I'm going to give it a go this weekend.  Never heard of this author, but I like reading books by those unknown to me.  Many times there is a treasure waiting to be found.

Publication Information
Tor Books/Macmillan
Secondary Level

So here is a classic, first published in 1986.  This is what I caught Josh reading tonight.  I have a good feeling there will be a review coming real soon!  Be sure to stop by on Saturday, where I will announce our first A Leisure Moment giveaway!  Until then...

{The Beginning of Something New}

A Leisure Moment consist of reviews ranging from children's books, middle level and young adult fiction.  We may include an occasional inspirational title, however all books will be elementary, middle and/or secondary level appropriate.

A book and a blog brought us closer together in this literary world of amazing reading.  All of our young adult reviews and other genres can still be found at our sister site, Once Upon a Twilight, founded by Yara Santos.  However, A Leisure Moment is an answer to the many requests that I've received.  "Where can I also send my students for the latest and greatest, as well as classics?"  We hope this is an answer!

This blog will be a hobby of what Joshua and I love to do, Read, Reflect and Review.  Our overall goal will be to continue to present to our readers quality and meaningful reviews and reflections about literature.  As time goes by we hope to add more features.  But for now reviews are the main focus.  Our work and school schedule will limit our postings, but always know that OUaT is just another click away.

Lastly, the picture to your right (and below in its original color) was taken by my childhood friend Michael Shaffer, many years ago while he was stationed in Germany.  From time to time, I would incorporate his natural photos into writing lessons for my students.  This was one of my favorites.  For me, it is the symbolism of beauty within one simple stem and its petals.  It reminds me of a book.  We examine it.  The cover.  The back.  The spine.  Then we capture it.  Page, by page.  It's preserved in our mind, in many cases staying with us forever.  Just like the flower, captured by the lens of a camera.  Words are captured by the pen.  Crafted just right for readers to enjoy.

Deitre

      

Photographer:  Michael Shaffer