Guest Post & Giveaway: Secrets, Spies, and Sherlock Tour

Welcome to Day 2 of the SECRETS, SPIES & SHERLOCK BLOG TOUR, featuring two exciting new middle grade mystery series: Sherlock, Lupin & Me: The Dark Lady by Irene Adler and Secrets & Spies: Treason by Jo Macauley. Each stop on the 2-week tour will feature fun posts and a chance to win a set of finished copies of the books!  Today’s post features Treason by Jo Macauley.

Fact and Fiction in Treason

Treason is set during a particularly tumultuous time in English history, after civil wars had led to the beheading of Charles I, allowing the militant Puritan Oliver Cromwell to rule the country for 18 years before Charles II was restored to the throne. In the first year of the Restoration, Cromwell was posthumously convicted of treason, disinterred, hanged and beheaded. Since then his head has passed from hand to hand, and to this day only a handful of people in the world know where it is. In Treason, Beth Johnson, a young actress and spy, must race against the clock in this climate of fear and bloodlust to prevent the assassination of the newly reinstated King.

Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway: Nightingale's Nest by Nikki Loftin

Nightingale's Nest by Nikki Loftin
February 20th 2014 from Razorbill

Twelve-year-old John Fischer Jr., or "Little John" as he’s always been known, is spending his summer helping his father with his tree removal business, clearing brush for Mr. King, the wealthy owner of a chain of Texas dollar stores, when he hears a beautiful song that transfixes him. He follows the melody and finds, not a bird, but a young girl sitting in the branches of a tall sycamore tree.

There’s something magical about this girl, Gayle, especially her soaring singing voice, and Little John’s friendship with Gayle quickly becomes the one bright spot in his life, for his home is dominated by sorrow over his sister’s death and his parents’ ever-tightening financial difficulties.

But then Mr. King draws Little John into an impossible choice—forced to choose between his family’s survival and a betrayal of Gayle that puts her future in jeopardy.

Cover Reveals: Percy Jackson Series

A few weeks ago we were told that PERCY JACKSON was getting a whole new look! Here is what Riordan said about the above image "Here is the final painting that was created for the new Percy Jackson Covers. A new look, but also a tribute to the originals. Re-creating your own art is fun and challenging..."

The new look by artist John Rocco, who’s illustrated all the Percy covers since the first rejacketing of THE LIGHTENING THIEF in 2006, is here!.#PercyUnCovered!

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson

Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson
September 2nd, 2014 from HarperTeen

Step on a crack, break your mother’s back.

Touch another person’s skin, and Dad’s gone for good…

Caddie has a history of magical thinking—of playing games in her head to cope with her surroundings—but it’s never been this bad before.

When her parents split up, don’t touch becomes Caddie’s mantra. Maybe if she keeps from touching another person’s skin, Dad will come home. She knows it doesn’t make sense, but her games have never been logical. Soon, despite Alabama’s humidity, she’s covering every inch of skin and wearing evening gloves to school.

And that’s where things get tricky. Even though Caddie’s the new girl, it’s hard to play off her compulsions as artistic quirks. Friends notice things.Her drama class is all about interacting with her scene partners, especially Peter, who’s auditioning for the role of Hamlet. Caddie desperately wants to play Ophelia, but if she does, she’ll have to touch Peter…and kiss him. Part of Caddie would love nothing more than to kiss Peter—but the other part isn’t sure she’s brave enough to let herself fall.

Interview: Vengeance (Fracture #2) by Megan Miranda

Vengeance (Fracture #2) by Megan Miranda
February 4th, 2014 from Walker Childrens

Nobody really believes in a curse. Until you know the people who disappear. Too much coincidence, you look for reason. Too much death, you grasp for something to blame. Carson pulled Delaney out and he died on the side of the road with her mouth pressed to his. Her air in his body. Troy. She told the cops it was suicide. Didn't matter. The lake released her and grabbed another. But when Decker's father dies in a pool of spilled water on their kitchen floor, all Decker can feel is a slow burning rage. Because he knows that Delaney knew that his dad was going to die. She knew and backed out of his house and never said a word. Falcon Lake still has a hold on them both, and Decker can't forgive Delaney until he knows why.

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You can find Miranda at her website

So excited to have Megan at the blog today to talk about this sequel. I was so curious to know if a sequel was always planned and how it all come together. Welcome, Megan!

Did you feel pressure from readers to write a sequel or were you encouraged by their enthusiasm? Did the characters just have more to say or had you always planned on a sequel? TELL ME EVERYTHING!

First of all, thank you for having me on your blog!

Review & Giveaway: Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
February 11th, 2014 from Dutton Juvenile

Sixteen-year-old Austin Szerba interweaves the story of his Polish legacy with the story of how he and his best friend , Robby, brought about the end of humanity and the rise of an army of unstoppable, six-foot tall praying mantises in small-town Iowa.

To make matters worse, Austin's hormones are totally oblivious; they don't care that the world is in utter chaos: Austin is in love with his girlfriend, Shann, but remains confused about his sexual orientation. He's stewing in a self-professed constant state of maximum horniness, directed at both Robby and Shann. Ultimately, it's up to Austin to save the world and propagate the species in this sci-fright journey of survival, sex, and the complex realities of the human condition.

Review: Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle

Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle
January 21st, 2014 from Simon & Schuster

Nate Foster's Broadway dreams are finally coming true. Armed with a one-way ticket to New York City, small-town theater geek Nate is off to start rehearsals for E.T.: The Broadway Musical . It's everything he ever practiced his autograph for! But as thrilling as Broadway is, rehearsals are nothing like Nate expects: full of intimidating child start, cutthroat understudies, and a director who can't even remember Nate's name.

Now, as the countdown to opening night is starting to feel more like a time bomb, Nate is going to need more than his lucky rabbit's foot if he ever wants to see his name in lights. He may even need a showbiz miracle.

You know what this world needs? Instant, microwavable cupcakes and more books just like this one! Books that are smart, funny, clever, and full of literal laugh out loud moments. More books about boys who just happen to be a little on the short side with ordinary non-Bieber hair who think other boys are cuter than girls. Specifically, more books with gay characters that don't make homosexuality "a thing" or a theme or anything. Don't get me wrong, we need those books too, but we also need stories that approach homosexuality subtlety. No mention about Nate's sexuality in the premise or even in the first chapter. Just not necessary. Nate is a one-of-a-kind Broadway nut and personality that is larger than life. I would honestly hang out with this kid if he were real (I think he is real, but just a little older....uh-hem, Mr. Federle).