Mundie Moms

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Book Review / Blog Tour: IF I SHOULD DIE by Amy Plum

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Welcome to the last stop in the MM's blog tour for Amy Plum's IF I SHOULD DIE, which is OUT TODAY! Though I'm sad to see this series end, I loved the way Amy wrapped everything up. Check out my review below.



By: Amy Plum
Published by: Harper Teen
Released on: May 7th, 2013 TODAY
Series: Revenant #3
5 Stars: I Loved It
Purchase it from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. 

How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

There are times when I can't wait for the final book in a series to be out, because then I finally find out how certain character's story's are going to end, and how the author is going to tie everything up. Then there are times where I dread the book's release, because that means I have to accept that the end is finally here, when I'd rather live in denial that the series is ending vs accepting it is. IF I SHOULD DIE is a book that lies in the middle of these emotions for me.  Amy Plum has created such a fascinating storyline with her Revenants series. From Die for Me, to Until I Die, and now with If I Should Die, I've fallen in love with every part of this series. From the romantic and historic Paris setting, to the love story,  the unforgettable characters she's introduced me to and the over all captivating story line, Amy Plum has given me a little bit of everything I love in her series.

Picking up right where Until I Die leaves off, If I Should Die puts readers right back into the heart pounding, suspenseful, action packed story. Remember the heartbreaking cliff hanger from Until I Die? Those emotions came slamming right back into me within the first couple of pages of reading this book. I was emotionally on edge the whole time I was reading this. There is so much that happens that I couldn't stop reading it, nor could I predict what was going to happen next. I really wish I could mention just a few of the things I loved, but I can't, since I can't mention things without giving anything away, and y'all know how much I hate spoilers. I will say that sacrifices are made, some characters die, lives are forever changed, and love prevails in a way it always seems to do, in an excepted way. *sigh* What's not to love about a love story set in Paris, given rich historical touches, and supported by some great secondary characters who really do make this book what it is.

 One of my all time favorite things about Amy's writing is the historical references she put in her series. I have admired how she has included certain historical places around the city and made them important or tied them to the characters. With If I Should Die, I loved diving deeper into the Revenants history. Like, loved it! The historical elements also made it possible for Amy to explain how some things that at first seemed impossible, possible. The setting is another thing I've really enjoyed with this series. I feel like the it gives the story a certain feeling that's truly unique to this series. I hope I don't sound crazy saying that. With the history and the romance that happens in this book, along with a character or two going "back to their roots" aka their homes, the setting plays a big role in the book. PARIS + ROMANCE + REVENANTS History = one awesome book!

I LOVED being back with some of my favorite characters. Normally this is the point in my review where I'd say that Jules was my favorite, but many of the characters really stepped into these huge roles and play such a big part in the events that happen in this book. I love that Amy has created these in-depth, three dimensional characters who have all really come to life for me. They have all grown and changed over the course of the series, and I loved seeing all they do with the conclusion of the series. They also made what I thought would be a bitter sweet ending, a happy one. Though this story centers on Kate and Vincent and their sweet love story, there are many other elements of love that are shown by various characters, manly through the sacrifices they each make for each other. Oh the romance! See when you mix romance and history together I'm sold, but when you add in characters like Vincent, Kate, Jules (no this is not a love triangle) I'm hopefully hooked.

Mixed into the love, the fast paced, action packed plot line, and the moments of heartbreak, are Jules's moments of humor. Like always, he says all the right words at just the right times. I admit, I might have loved his moments the most. I seriously wish I could make bullet points to list all the things I loved about If I Should Die. Sometimes it's hard to be vague in a review, but trust me, if you loved the first two of Amy's books, you'll love this one. What a perfect ending for a fabulous series. I highly recommend picking it up if haven't already.

You can read my reviews for Die For Me and Until I Die

About the Author

Amy Plum is author of the International Bestsellers DIE FOR ME (an Indie Next List pick, Romance Times top pick, and recipient of a starred review from School Library Journal), UNTIL I DIE, and digital novella DIE FOR HER. The final book in the series, IF I SHOULD DIE, will be released in May 2013.

After being raised in Birmingham, Alabama, in a rather restrictive environment, AMY PLUM escaped to Chicago to an even more restrictive environment at a university that expelled people for dancing. (And where she was called to the dean’s office for “wearing too much black”.) After all of that restrictiveness, she was forced to run far far away, specifically to Paris, France, where she only wore black and danced all she wanted.

After five years in Paris, she ventured to London, where she got an M.A. in Medieval Art History, specializing in Early Sienese Painting (1260-1348) mainly because it promised almost no hope of finding a paying job afterward.

Amy managed to find work in the world of art and antiques in New York. But after almost a decade of high-pressure lifestyle in the Big Apple, she swapped her American city for a French village of 1300 inhabitants.

After signing with HarperCollins for the DIE FOR ME series, Amy left her job as an English professor at Tours University to write full-time. She now lives in Paris with her two kids and big red dog Ella.

Visit Amy via her: Blog | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

The Giveaway


Thank you to Amy, this tour's giveaway prize pack includes all 3 books in her series, bookmarks for each book, some Paris treats and a few other little surprises. To enter, please fill out the form below 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*All entering parties are responsible to read the giveaway rules/guidelines before entering

Mundie Moms Giveaway: The Program by Suzanne Young

Happy Tuesday! Much like today, last Tuesday had a lot of must have YA releases, and Suzanne Young's The Program was one of those books. I don't know if you guys have read it yet or not, but I've started it and am enjoying it and there's been a lot of exciting buzz for the book with various other reviews. Today I'm thrilled to be hosting a giveaway for The Program! Before I give you the giveaway details, here's a little bit about the book:



About The Program
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

About the author



Suzanne Young currently lives in Tempe, Arizona, where she teaches high school English.
When not writing obsessively, Suzanne can be found searching her own tragic memories for inspiration. She is the author of several books for teens, including The Program, A Need So Beautiful, and A Want So Wicked.

Find out more
Learn more about The Program
Visit Suzanne Young’s Official Site
Follow Suzanne Young on Twitter



The Giveaway
Build your happy playlist and keep safe from The Program!
One (1) winner receives:
·  $10 iTunes gift card
· Copy of The Program

To enter, please fill out the form below (no PO Boxes, open to US residents only).


a Rafflecopter giveaway

May 2013 YA/MG Releases


I can't believe it's already May! Check out the list of must have books hitting shelves this month. 



Week of May 1st
Week of May 7th
Week of May 14th
Week of May 21st
Week of May 28th
I'm pretty sure there's more releases than these. If you see a MAY MG/YA release not listed on here, please leave me a comment with the title and the author and I'll add it to the list. Thank you!

Twitter Tuesday - Holly Black


We are so excited here on Mundie Moms because Holly's book, Doll Bones, is out today! And my ten year old has already begged me to get it for her. Guess where I'm headed after school drop off? That's right -- my local bookstore. If you haven't figured out why my daughter and I are so excited, here, read the synopsis:
A doll that may be haunted leads three friends on a thrilling adventure in this delightfully creepy novel from the New York Times bestselling cocreator of the Spiderwick Chronicles.

Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been friends forever. And for almost as long, they’ve been playing one continuous, ever-changing game of pirates and thieves, mermaids and warriors. Ruling over all is the Great Queen, a bone-china doll cursing those who displease her.

But they are in middle school now. Zach’s father pushes him to give up make-believe, and Zach quits the game. Their friendship might be over, until Poppy declares she’s been having dreams about the Queen—and the ghost of a girl who will not rest until the bone-china doll is buried in her empty grave.

Zach and Alice and Poppy set off on one last adventure to lay the Queen’s ghost to rest. But nothing goes according to plan, and as their adventure turns into an epic journey, creepy things begin to happen. Is the doll just a doll or something more sinister? And if there really is a ghost, will it let them go now that it has them in its clutches?

And Holly has tour dates:

May 4th  BOOKS OF WONDER
18 W. 18th Street New York, NY 1:00 PM

May 6th  ANDERSON'S BOOKSHOP
123 West Jefferson Naperville, IL 7:00 PM

MAY 7th  CUDAHY FAMILY LIBRARY
3500 Library Drive (just south of Layton) Cudahy, WI 6:30 PM

MAY 9th  ADDENDUM BOOKS
165 Western Avenue. N #14 St. Paul, MN 7:00 PM

MAY 10th WILD RUMPUS
2720 West 43rd Street Minneapolis, MN 6:30 PM



So who is going out today to join me in purchasing Doll Bones? You can always click-buy: Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound | amazon.  and don't forget to add it to your goodreads TBR: Doll Bones

One more bit of Holly news: have you guys seen the cover of Coldest Girl in Coldtown?



The short story that inspired the book still haunts my brain cells. It was so beautifully written, and I can hardly wait for the book's release in September. You can pre-order it here: amazon | IndieBound | Barnes and Noble and add it to your TBR:  The Coldest Girl in Coldtown (The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, #1)

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