To Be Perfectly Honest: A Novel Based on an Untrue Story by Sonya Sones - Review

To Be Perfectly Honest: A Novel Based on an Untrue Story
by Sonya Sones
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 496
Source: ARC from Simon and Schuster via Edelweiss
Purchase: Amazon

My name is Colette.

This book is about

me.

Who am I?

To be perfectly honest,

I’m not exactly sure who I am.

I guess you could say                                                                 

I’m the fifteen-year-old daughter                   

of an annoyingly famous movie star.

Or maybe

I’m the eighteen-year-old daughter

of a famous movie star’s stand-in.

Or maybe

I’m the thousand-year-old daughter

of a vampire…

Having trouble guessing

which one of these stories is true?

Join the club.

My friends

have a joke about me:

How can you tell if Colette is lying?

Her mouth is open.

My Thoughts 

If you are ever on the lookout for a book with an unreliable narrator, then To Be Perfectly Honest: A Novel Based on an Untrue Story is the book for you. Colette will let you know she is a liar, a storyteller, an unreliable narrator and will gladly claim that title. 

The story will completely mess with your mind if you let it. As I read it, I questioned everything that was happening to the characters. Was anything true? Was it all just a story? Of course it is just a story written by the author, but did the author write about a character who was making up a story to make her life seem more interesting? Did the character really go through these things? Is she who she says she is? It really threw me for a loop because when I would think the character was sharing a story that sounded like something that could really happen, she would go off on a tangent or embellish events or moments because that was how she wanted them to happen. 

  

What I think Sonya Sones really hits on is: Is it ever OK to tell a lie? How harmful is a little lie such as telling a waiter it's your birthday so you can get free dessert? Is that really so bad? Why do we lie in the first place? To get attention. To make people like us. Because we're bored. To hide a secret. To get revenge. And she makes the reader question - how far is too far to take a lie?

I'm a fan of Sonya's books and her characters. And while To Be Perfectly Honest won't rank as a favorite from her, with all of it's confusing twists and turns and finally the truth, at least I think it was the truth, it was fun to read. It was so fun that I've already read it twice.

Disclaimer: I requested and received the book for review from Simon and Schuster via Edelweiss and I was not compensated in any way for providing a review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

YALLFest Author Interview: Cinda Williams Chima

On November 9th, 2013, the 3rd annual Young Adult Book Festival - YALLFest will take place in Charleston, SC. The festival will host 50 of the country’s top YA authors, including 25 New York Times bestsellers. Today I, along with other enthusiastic bloggers, will begin hosting a series of interviews of authors who will be at YALLFest. For all of the details about YALLFest, check out their website at www.yallfest.org

Featured today is Cinda Williams Chima, author of the Seven Realms Series and the Heir Chronicles Series

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

A computer

Describe your book in 5 words

Wizards misbehave, magic goes mutant.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

Usually the lines in between.

Best writing tip you ever received?

Give yourself permission to write badly.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

1.       I am a twin.

2.       I am named after a character in a novel.

3.       I didn’t really start driving until I was 27.

4.       I am descended from Puritans and scoundrels.

5.       I used to be in a folk music band.

Where's your favorite place to write?

On a balcony overlooking the ocean.

What are you working on now?

I’m writing The Sorcerer Heir, the fifth book in a trilogy.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

When I’m finished with a full-length novel. 

Visit Cinda Williams Chima's Website

The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate: Spotlight and Giveaway

The Prayer Box 

by Lisa Wingate
Publication date: September 1, 2013
Published by Tyndale House Publishers
Genre: Christian/Inspirational Fiction
The Prayer Box on Goodreads

 

 
When Iola Anne Poole, an old-timer on Hatteras Island, passes away in her bed at ninety-one, the struggling young mother in her rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, finds herself charged with the task of cleaning out Iola's rambling Victorian house.

 

Running from a messy, dangerous past, Tandi never expects to find more than a temporary hiding place within Iola's walls, but everything changes with the discovery of eighty-one carefully decorated prayer boxes, one for each year, spanning from Iola's youth to her last days. Hidden in the boxes is the story of a lifetime, written on random bits of paper--the hopes and wishes, fears and thoughts of an unassuming but complex woman passing through the seasons of an extraordinary, unsung life filled with journeys of faith, observations on love, and one final lesson that could change everything for Tandi.

Get a Sneak Peek of The Prayer Box on Lisa's Website

Q&A WITH LISA WINGATE

You originally had the book set in Texas. What made you switch to the coastal setting?
My special reader-friend, Ed Stevens, visited the Outer Banks (his daughter Shannon has a beach house in Duck) after Hurricane Irene, and he asked me to set a book in the Outer Banks to draw attention to the destruction there and the plight of residents—Irene was mostly thought of as a “nonevent” because it didn’t hit New York, etc. as was predicted. But the damage was very bad.

It’s a post-hurricane story, and we’ve had our share of hurricanes here in Texas. We lost our family beach houses (relatives on the coast) during Ike several years ago, so I understand the aftermath of having family treasures scattered to the tides and the feeling of losing a place you’ve loved and where you’ve made memories.

You researched the book from the Outer Banks?
Our trip was amazing. We canvassed the place. A reader friend–now–gal pal and my mother (my assistant) went with me. We photographed like crazy, talked to locals, found a location for the fictional village of Fairhope, and learned about what the people on Hatteras were going through. And that was pre–Hurricane Sandy. Now it’s even worse there. I do hope the book will bring attention/tourism/help, etc. to the Outer Banks, and Hatteras in particular. They are great people and it’s a beautiful place with rich history.

Your fans make big impacts on your writing—and your family. How did your aunt Sandy contribute to The Prayer Box?

Aunt Sandy is my mom’s sister, and while she and my mom (who I based the character Sharon on) wish I would have made them a bit younger in the book, they are great inspirations. My aunt designed her character and the Seashell Shop and made beautiful sea glass necklaces, glass boxes, and hummingbird suncatchers that will be given away as reader prizes. She is an amazing glass artist.

What exactly are prayer—or gratitude—boxes?
You can create the boxes for your own life and as gifts for occasions. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, when a child graduates, to be able to give that child the box of hopes and prayers written during the first year of life? Or for a couple on their twenty-fifth anniversary to reopen the box from their first year of marriage? For years, I’ve given journals or prayer boxes to couples as wedding gifts and encouraged them to write down their hopes and gratitudes during their first year of life, then keep them. It’s a great exercise while they’re doing it and a precious keepsake for later. It’s also their story, preserved.

How do you write for both Christian and secular audiences?
I try to write books that can be shared between people who are in vastly different places in their faith and spiritual lives, and I see The Prayer Box as that type of book—appropriate for a Christian person to bring to a book club that is not specifically Christian, for instance.


What’s the overall message?

In this cyber age, it’s more important than ever to equip families with ideas for generating family table talk and storytelling. My first mainstream novel, Tending Roses, was inspired by stories shared by my grandmother. I’ve since watched that book travel around the world, and her stories— those simple remembrances from a farmwife’s life—have affected many lives. Our stories have amazing power and value, yet we’re in danger of losing that tradition of sharing our stories, particularly with the next generation.

Thanks to JKS Communications, I can offer one physical copy of The Prayer Box to my blog readers. See the giveaway details below.

Giveaway Details

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must be 18 or older to enter 

prize provided by JKS Communications
one winner will be selected and announced via Rafflecopter

 

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Infinityglass by Myra McEntire - Giveaway

  Infinityglass by Myra McEntire
Series: Hourglass, #3
Publication date:  August 6, 2013

Published by Egmont USA
Genre: Young Adult 

 Infinityglass on Goodreads

The stakes have risen even higher in this third book in the Hourglass series.

The Hourglass is a secret organization focused on the study of manipulating time, and its members — many of them teenagers -­have uncanny abilities to make time work for them in mysterious ways. Inherent in these powers is a responsibility to take great care, because altering one small moment can have devastating consequences for the past, present, and future. But some time trav­elers are not exactly honorable, and sometimes unsavory deals must be struck to maintain order.

With the Infinityglass (central to understanding and harnessing the time gene) at large, the hunt is on to find it before someone else does.

But the Hourglass has an advantage. Lily, who has the ability to locate anything lost, has determined that the Infinityglass isn't an object. It's a person. And the Hourglass must find him or her first. But where do you start searching for the very key to time when every second could be the last?

 
 About Myra McEntire:

Myra McEntire has had her nose in a book since she could hold one.  She was once caught reading in the shower (true story) and only stopped when her father disconnected the hot water heater.  She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two boys.  You can visit her online at www.myramcentire.com or follow her on twitter at @MyraMcEntire

 Thanks to the wonderful people at EgmontUSA, I can give away One Copy of Infinityglass and an Infinityglass poster to one of my blog readers. Fans of Myra's Hourglass series do not want to miss this final installment. I am currently reading Infinityglass and I can't get through the story fast enough - I have to find out how the story all plays out.

Giveaway Details

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must be 16 or older to enter 

prize provided by publisher
one winner will be selected and announced via Rafflecopter

 

Good Luck!!!

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Waiting on Wednesday: Biggest Flirts

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Biggest Flirts (Superlatives #1) 
by Jennifer Echols
Published by Simon Pulse
Expected Publication Date: May 20, 2014
Goodreads









(from Goodreads)


The yearbook votes have been cast. Senior year is about to get interesting.

Tia just wants to have fun. She’s worked hard to earn her reputation as the life of the party, and she’s ready for a carefree senior year of hanging out with friends and hooking up with cute boys. And her first order of business? New guy Will. She can’t get enough of his Midwestern accent and laid-back swagger.

As the sparks start to fly, Will wants to get serious. Tia’s seen how caring too much has left her sisters heartbroken, and she isn’t interested in commitment. But pushing away Will drives him into the arms of another girl. Tia tells herself it’s no big deal…until the yearbook elections are announced. Getting voted Biggest Flirt along with Will is, well, awkward. They may just be friends, but their chemistry is beginning to jeopardize Will's new relationship—and causing Tia to reconsider her true feelings. What started out as a lighthearted fling is about to get very complicated…

Why I'm Waiting

Because it's Jennifer Echols!! 

Giveaway: $50.00 Amazon Gift Voucher

What would you do with a $50.00 Amazon Gift Voucher? 

Imagine all of the books you can get!!!

Thanks to the fantastic people at AO - Appliances Online, a UK based appliance company, I'm able to offer a $50.00 Amazon Gift Voucher to one of my blog readers. Sounds too good to be true? That's what I thought! But it's not. It might be unusual for an appliance company to promote on a book blog, but they want to reach a wider audience. And more importantly, they want to make people happy!!

I've spent a lot of time checking out their blog, AO at Home Blog and have come across a lot of creative craft projects that I want to make like the Golden Waves Tealight Holders and all of the Mason Jar projects.

 

Giveaway Details 

Enter by Rafflecopter below
  US and International

 must be 18 or older to enter 

prize provided by Appliances Online
one winner will be selected and announced via Rafflecopter

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Surprise Release from Brazen Books: Wicked Heat by Nicola Marsh

Who doesn't love surprises?  The people behind Brazen Books sure do - and they just couldn't wait a whole month before putting out another book for their readers. Surprise!  

Their newest book combines steamy island romance and high personal stakes. What a combination! 

 

 

 

Competitors by day, lovers by night…

Allegra Wilks has had the worst month of her personal and professional life. To save her company, she must go on her would-be honeymoon and land the luxury eco-island resort’s lucrative advertising account. But when a lingerie mishap leads her into the arms of a wickedly distracting Australian, Allegra’s tempted to skip the trip and explore the most sensual kiss she’s ever experienced. Too bad their chance encounter at the airport is just that.

Having recently lost his company to his former best friend’s shady business tactics, Jett Halcott is headed to a South Pacific resort to secure an advertising account that will resurrect his reputation and career. Realizing the tantalizing Allegra Wilks is on his flight, Jett envisions a week filled with business and pleasure. But Jett doesn’t know Allegra’s fighting for the same account, or that there’s more at stake than his heart.

 

Available September 2, 2013

 

  AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | iTUNES  

 

Want a sneak peek of Wicked Heat? Well here you go!

 

Excerpt

 

“You should do that more often,” he said, reaching out to trace her bottom lip with his fingertip. “You’re beautiful, but when you smile? Wow.”

Uncomfortable with his overt compliments, Allegra sat there and let a guy she’d just met touch her lips with a slow, sensual caress. His fingertip traced her bottom lip in a butterfly-soft sweep that left her breathless.

Their eyes locked as he lowered his hand, and what she saw made her wish she could ditch Palm Bay and travel to Australia.

Blatant lust. Strong. Sexy. Seductive. His eyes deepened to an incredible green that matched a favorite jade pendant she wore often. He wanted her, and in this crazy moment, the feeling was entirely mutual.

He raised his beer to his lips and took a long swig, his heat-filled stare never leaving hers.

Damn, she had no idea what to do in this situation. Make a joke to diffuse the tension? Acknowledge it? Flirt?

She hated feeling out of control, had instigated steps her entire life to avoid it. Yet in a loaded thirty seconds, Jett had made her damp with just one look and made her flounder.

“Is the blatant charm an Aussie thing or is it just you?”

Thankfully, he blinked, and broke the scorching stare that made her want to grab a napkin off the bar and fan herself. “It’s me.” He leaned in close. “Time you fessed up.”

Yikes. Was her reaction to him that easy to read?

“To what?”

His lips almost brushed her ear. “You’re battling an incredible urge to drag me into the nearest janitor’s closet and ravish me.”

She laughed at his outrageousness. “Sorry. I don’t do sex in cleaning closets. Too many hazardous chemicals.”

“Yeah, those pheromones can be killer.”

She loved his quick wit and for the second time in as many minutes, wished she’d met him at a different place, different time.

    “Pity.” He reverted to a smoldering stare that had her wishing she’d ordered a vodka shot chaser. “Sex in confined spaces can be fun.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Heat crept into her cheeks and she signaled the waiter for a glass of water. To douse herself with.

“Not the answer I was hoping for,” he said, shifting his barstool closer so their thighs brushed. “Would’ve been better if you’d said, ‘Sounds good, Jett, let’s go try.’”

She cleared her throat and gratefully accepted the water from the waiter, drinking it all and wishing she could run the cool beaded exterior across her forehead. “How did we get onto this crazy topic?”

“Started with you wanting to ravish me.” He clinked his beer bottle to her empty glass. “Seriously. There’s no need to hold back. I can take whatever you want to dish out.”