YA BOUND BOOK TOURS: Diamond Sisters Book Blitz

The Secret Diamond Sisters (The Secret Diamond Sisters #1)

by Michelle Madow 

Release Date: 02/25/14

Harlequin Teen

381 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton.

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite.

Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Book Depository | iBookstore

Praise:

"Sexy and often electrifying ... Gossip Girl meets The Princess Diaries in a city that never sleeps." 

--Booklist

"This quick and entertaining read is filled with glitz and glamour ... get ready for one crazy and fabulous ride." 
--RT Book Reviews

Book Two:

Diamonds in the Rough (The Secret Diamond Sisters #2)

by Michelle Madow 

Release Date: 10/28/14

Harlequin Teen

448

Summary from Goodreads:

All-access doesn't mean no problems.

The three Diamond sisters survived the summer in style after coming to live with their long-lost billionaire father. But making a place for themselves at their exclusive new Las Vegas private school is throwing them any number of gold-plated curves. Savannah's YouTube stardom turns into a Sweet Sixteen reality show extravaganza—with complimentary enemies on the side. Dangerous flirtations don't keep Peyton from a gamble that will risk far more than she planned to bet. And when Courtney and the sisters' archenemy, Madison, uncover two explosive secrets, it will rock even this town of glittering illusion—and turn their lives upside down all over again.

Sisterhood, first crushes, and scandalous secrets explode in book two of Michelle Madow's riveting series, The Secret Diamond Sisters.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million| Book Depository | iBookstore

COURTNEY DIAMOND

The fireworks started before either of them could say anything more, bursts of light shooting into the desert sky, bigger than any firework show Courtney had seen in Fairfield. It was impossible to ignore the electricity bouncing between the inches of space separating her and Brett, dancing across her skin with each boom overhead. She couldn’t stop glancing at him from the corner of her eye. He looked lost in thought, although sometimes she swore she caught him watching her, too. This went on for twenty minutes, and then came the finale—shot after shot of fireworks exploding, without a second’s break between them. Some sored into their air like comets and others spread like meteor showers, filling up miles of sky.

When it was over, Courtney was sitting so close to Brett that their arms were an inch from touching.

“How did you like it?” he asked, not making an effort to move away.

“I loved it,” she replied. “Thanks for bringing me.”

Her head felt fuzzy, and she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her arm brushing his. She stilled at the touch, and he looked at her with more intensity than he had the entire night.

“Are you two ready to leave?” Dawn destroyed the moment, standing up and brushing invisible dust off her jeans.

Courtney jerked backward, torn out of her trance. If the others hadn’t been there, what would have happened between her and Brett? She’d never kissed a guy before, but from the way he was looking at her, she felt like he’d wanted to kiss her. And if he had, she wasn’t sure she would have stopped him.

She shook her head at the thought. Courtney had never broken a rule in her life.

Whatever had just occurred between her and Brett could never happen again.

About the Author

Michelle Madow was inspired to write The Secret Diamond Sisters series while walking through her favorite hotel in Las Vegas. The next book in the series, Diamonds in the Rough, launches in October. Prior to The Secret Diamond Sisters, she successfully self-published The Transcend Time Saga. A tireless promoter of her work, Michelle is active on social media networks and has toured across America to promote her books and encourage high school students to embrace reading and writing. A graduate of Rollins College, Michelle lives in Florida ... but she loves going to Vegas.

To chat with Michelle and other fans about her books, joinMichelle Madow's Street Team on Facebook!

Author Links:

   

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The Avatari

Presenting The Avatari by Raghu Srinivasan.

Here is the summary of the book:

A Mythical Kingdom: Legend has it that only those chosen by destiny can gain entry into Shambhala, the mythical kingdom believed to hold the ancient wisdom that humanity will need to resurrect itself from the inevitable apocalypse. They are the Avatari.

An Ancient Artefact: When Henry Ashton, a retired British Army officer settled in the Yorkshire dales, receives a letter from a monk entreating him to prevent a hidden treasure stolen from a Laotian monastery from being misused, he finds himself honour-bound to respond. Assisted by a retired Gurkha Sergeant, a high-strung mathematician from Oxford with a Shambhala fixation of her own and an American mercenary on the CIAs hit list, Ashtons mission leads to an ancient map that dates back to the time of the great Mongol, Kublai Khan.

A Secret that Must Not be Revealed: The group follows the trail, risking the perils of the inhospitable deserts of Ladakh, turmoil in Pakistan and the rugged mountains of Northern Afghanistan, where the Afghan War is at its height. But they are up against a deadly adversary with seemingly unlimited resources, who will stop at nothing to get possession of the anicent secret a secret that, if revealed, could threaten the very fabric of human civilization.

Finally a book by an Indian author that begs attention. I can count on one hand, the many modern Indian thriller that I like and it is not much. But I am pleased to proclaim that Raghu Srinivasan's The Avatari makes the quota for the well liked and the well developed thriller it is. Although the plainness of the cover did much to dissuade me, seeing as there are many books that sport much better looking eye-catching covers ...... but I persisted and was well rewarded.

Majorly set in 1986 and spanning across all of time. Following the death of a Buddhist lama in a monastery, retired British Army Officer Henry Aston is asked to honor a promise made many years ago and prevent the hidden treasure of Shambala from falling int the wrong hands on the pleas of a Laotian monastery. Assisted by companion Durga Bahadur, a retired Gurkha Sergeant, Susan Hamilton, mathematician from Oxford and Peter Radigan, an American mercenary on the CIA's most wanted list. Together they must traverse the journey made by the great Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan through the inhospitable terrains of Ladakh, Pakistan and the rugged mountains of North Afghanistan where the Afghan War is at its heights to save the mystical knowledge of the elusive Kaalchakras.

But the enemy is not far behind with their unlimited resources and their fell desired .... Spanning across three timelines and through numerous perspectives, The Avatari tries to do justice to all of it with the help of a well maintained plot and a well crafted background. And the irony of it all, aside from an Indian author none of the cast are of Indian descent but it doesn't feel out of place at all. Although this is a 512 paged book, it still felt way too long in places and the actual thriller part felt far and too few in between. It is understandable that the author tried to create a solid base but going to such lengths wasn't really necessary.

Nevertheless, it was 'Shambala' that drew me in and did not let go till the end. So as far as a debut thriller is concerned, this is a great beginning for Srinivasan and I would not mind returning for a re-read of this marvelous adventure in the future either.

"A well crafted debut and the promises of Shambala. I recommend"

Genre :     Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Historical Fiction

Publisher: Hachette India

Release Date: 5th February, 2014

My Copy: Hachette India

Rate:             4/5 (Really Liked It)

Buy:         Amazon 

Angry Bird Comics Vol 2: When Pigs Fly

Presenting Angry Bird Comics Vol 2: When Pigs Fly by Paul Tobin & Isa Python.

Here is the summary of the book:

The adventures continue in these charming, all-ages comics featuring who else, the Angry Birds!

Angry Bird. Who doesn't know of Angry Bird..... After being categorized as the best mobile game, they have now branched out to the comic sphere.  Granted this is a second volume and I haven't read the first but since there is no issue of continuity, this volume surprised me quite so.

The birds as per usual are protecting their eggs from the clutches of the bad piggies and the piggies as usual eavesdropping and devising ways to one up the birds. Quite silly and childish really. While I wouldn't say that this graphic volume is all ages appropriate, only for the children ..... but if you are looking for some distraction, then I daresay this 9 story extravaganza of silly antics and laugh-out-loud scenarios is just what you need.

"For fans of the games"

Genre :     Graphic novel, Comics, Childrens

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Release Date: 14th April, 2015

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:             4/5 (Really Liked It)

Buy:         Amazon | Book Depository 

Secret Box #2 The Secret Cipher

Presenting Secret Box #2 The Secret Cipher by Whitaker Ringwald.

Here is the summary of the book:

The Secret Cipher is the sequel to The Secret Box, a rollicking adventure full of family rivalry, magic, questing, and laugh-out-loud humor that's perfect for fans of Dan Gutman, Wendy Mass, and Trenton Lee Stewart.

Jax Malone and her cousin Ethan Hoche were not expecting one of Jax's birthday presents to contain a dangerous magical object from a mythical past: an urn with the dark power to suck hope out of the world.

Though the first urn is safely hidden, there are two more urns that could rid humanity of both faith and love. And powerful enemies who want to find them and use them to control the world. Now, even though they were never meant to open the present and discover its secret, Jax and Ethan must race to find and destroy the two remaining urns before it's too late.

Jax, Ethan and Tyler return for yet another adventure. Jax's birthday present changes their lives. All those stories are true. The Greek Mythology holds true. The Gods exist and most of all certain things, myths of legends are real and are powerful beyond all imaginations. The urn of hope maybe safe but two more still remain. Faith and Love. Two more urns that may just be more powerful than their third counterpart.

I'd say the author did a decent job expanding on his universe. There is a definite character development evident in this sequel. Jax is a bit more cautious, although still very much the energy freak. Cousin Ethan is still the factoid geek but a bit more confident and Tyler, still the designated driver. Things just have escalated now. Godly intervention is expected now that those urns have come to light and secrets from the past reveal the potential for even great changes. An action-packed sequel and a fast page turner ..... We are more than invested to learn what the fate of our heroes is and what happens next.

"A quick and fast paced sequel"

Genre :      Middle Grade, Adventure, Paranormal, Fantasy

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: 24th February, 2015

My Copy: publisher and edelweiss

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Other Books in the series (review links):
                #1 The Secret Box 

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository