Category Archives: YA

Mystery, Part of a Series, Shifters, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA

#wotr #attendingauthor #seriesstarter The Amulets (the amulet series 1) by J.Lawson

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A centuries-old war, a lineage of magic thought long dead, and a girl desperately struggling to fihe4iiioood her place.

Jordan has a secret; one that’s kept her intentionally antisocial. So, when new girl Georgia moves to town and begins working at the same bookstore, she is naturally apprehensive. Yet, discovering their unanticipated connection makes her question everything she’s ever believed.

When they discover unusual happenings linked to the old mill, they along with Sawyer, handsome grandson of the town crank, find themselves forced to investigate a potentially evil source of conflict threatening the safety of their town. Will Jordan and Georgia’s common gifts, along with Sawyer’s courage and charm, be enough to get the answers they need to save the town? Or does letting yourself care just mean you have more to lose?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45017206-the-amulets?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=6Tq33Blph8&rank=4

Amazon https://amzn.to/3uAgEto

Review by Twinsie Dee

I was giving this book by the author and this is my honest opinion

Jordan lives in a small town and doesn’t really hang out with too many people only because she has a huge secret that she’s never told she can shape-shift into a wolf. She’s never met anyone else that’s like her until a mother and daughter move into town. They become close and Jordan  discovered that the new girl can also shape-shift but instead of a wolf she shifts into a bobcat. So now Jordan has a friend and she couldn’t be happier, she had someone else who was like her and she didn’t feel so alone anymore. There are a lot of mystery things that are happening in this small town that Jordan and Georgia just can’t explain so they decided to investigate what they find will shock them both or will it?  This was a good read but a little rough for me to get into in the beginning just felt like it was all over the place in the first chapter but then got back on track in the next chapter. It was a very good and quick read.

J. Lawson was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa. She moved to Peoria, Illinois in 2008, where she currently resides with her husband, son, and two dogs. She graduated from Western Illinois University with a Master’s in English Literature. She has been published in multiple literary magazines, and The Amulets (book one in The Amulets Trilogy) is her debut novel. Lawson enjoys reading fantasy, thriller, mystery, and most varieties of fiction. She also loves 80s-90s rock music.

New Release, Paranormal, Part of a Series, YA

#WOTR21 #NewRelease #YA – The Amalgam (The Aberration Book 1) by Michel Prince

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The Amalgam (The Aberration Book 1) by [Michel Prince]

Genetics, radioactive spiders, mutation following tainted energy drinks. No one knows what triggered teens to suddenly get powers. Abilities emerge, first sought, then destroying lives with only one link between those effected. Their birthdays all end in double zeroes.

Riley Weston wished he could be an awkward kid in high school, but life had other plans. The Aberration Laws made all around him suspect, until the wheel of fate turned to point her arrow at him.

At first being labeled an Aberration would get you locked away for the greater good. When it was discovered children born in the year two-thousand are the only ones getting powers, no one is immune. Even if your powers have yet to emerge. The government is set on owning all those in possession of abilities.

For Riley, a camp, ran by Aberrations, hides, trains, and keeps them safe. But the world wants their powers. To meld them into a force no army could defeat. Riley, and those like him, now walk the world scared, angry and afraid. Which is not the combo you want with unlimited powers.

Can Riley learn to control his gift before outside forces find him? Or before inside sources give away more than just him, but the whole camp.

Goodreads

USA Today Bestselling author, Michel Prince, graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes new adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

“Ms Prince writing is like summer breeze caressing your body, slow and sultry.”-Amazon review of First and Ten.

“Michel Prince is a wonderful author with a real talent for writing.”-Amazon Review of Triple B Baking Co.

“Prince explores in her novels is interracial romance and friendships. Prince pokes fun at stereotypes, but never allows stereotypes to guide her plot. The focus is on creating two strong, independent characters who can stand on their own, but complement each other as a couple.”- Amazon Review of Silly Girl

“One Last Sunset is a well written story by the awesome Michel Prince that left me wanting to learn more about the rest of the Long family.”- Amazon Review for One Last Sunset.

“I could not put it down, and will definitely be looking for more from this Author.”-Amazon Review of Silly Girl.

With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel has been awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press in 2013, the service award for her local RWA chapter Midwest Fiction Writers 2013, 2014, won 2015 Sweetest Romance from IREA for Chrysalis and is a PAN member of RWA. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and new puppy.

Review, Sci Fi, Thriller, YA

#Review – #NewRelease – The Haven (The Unknown #2) by J.W. Lynne

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The Haven (The Unknown, #2)

NINE NIGHTS AGO, EIGHT CHILDREN WERE KIDNAPPED.
NOW, THEY ARE ABOUT TO FACE THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OF THEIR LIVES.

From the author of the heart-pounding mystery thriller THE UNKNOWN comes a riveting sequel that climaxes with a shocking twist you’ll never see coming. THE HAVEN is book two in a completed series of two full-length novels that tell the tale of five girls and three boys who are taken from their homes in the middle of the night and wake up in a frightening and mysterious world full of secrets.

If you like fast-paced thrillers with intriguing mystery, captivating suspense, unexpected twists and turns, a dash of romance, and surprising climaxes that bring everything together, don’t miss this original new series!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I am so happy that I got to continue the journey with this group of strong kids! The book picks up right where The Unknown left off. The only thing is, the kids are definitely tired of Nevah, the AI on the ship, and ready to rebel. The story is action packed right from the beginning with lots of thought provoking situations that will keep you on your toes. When I read The Unknown, I thought I was going to have a problem reading from so many different points of view but quickly overcame that because all of their points of view are equally important, especially in this sequel. There are many moving parts and to see how each kid copes and reacts to these different situations is very humbling. I love how they quickly become a family. 

“After all, the most frightening worst-case scenario is the one that’s unknown.”

“Life is dangerous. Death awaits all of us and loss lurks everywhere.”

The twists that this story throws their way is intense and absolutely makes this a page turner!

J.W. Lynne

J.W. Lynne writes inventive stories with twists, turns, and surprises. In ABOVE THE SKY, teens uncover the truth in a society founded on lies. In THE UNKNOWN, eight children are kidnapped in the night and wake up in a mysterious world full of secrets. In LOST IN LOS ANGELES, a young woman must decide whether to trust an intriguing young man who she meets in a coffee shop. In LOST IN TOKYO, a college student carries out her missing mother’s bucket list in a desperate attempt to finally find her. KID DOCS dives into the behind-the-scenes action at a hospital where gifted young children are trained to become pint-sized doctors. In WILD ANIMAL SCHOOL, a teen spends an unforgettable summer caring for elephants, tigers, bears, leopards, and lions at an exotic animal ranch.

Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Review, Sci Fi, YA

#Review – The Unknown (The Unknown, #1) by J.W. Lynne

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The Unknown (The Unknown, #1)

EIGHT CHILDREN WERE KIDNAPPED.
BUT WHY?

Eight kids, ages nine to seventeen, awaken to find that almost everything they have ever known has been stolen from them. They were ripped from their beds in the middle of the night and transported to an unfamiliar and unforgiving new world where there are strict rules, and they are punished if they refuse to obey.

As the kids grapple with their mysterious new reality, they struggle with disconcerting questions. Where in the world are they? Why were they taken away from their families? Will they ever get to go back home? And the most frightening question of all: Will this be the place where they die?

CYBILS AWARD NOMINEE!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Unique twist on the dystopian genre! This is insanely thrilling! First, I need to say that I was a little worried about starting the story as it is told from most of the children’s POVs and there is a manifest at the beginning. I thought I would have to go back and forth to remember who exactly I was reading, but after the first few rounds through the characters I knew exactly whose POV I was reading without double checking. The characters formed in my head as if I were right there in the mix. These children are kidnapped one night and all thrown together in an unknown place. What is even weirder is that there are no adults. Nobody to tell them what to do or why they are there. The world building is great. As the children get to learn more about themselves and each other they are all learning about their new “prison”. There are so many unknowns with the story that will keep you turning the pages. Some aspects of the story definitely have the creep factor but absolutely gripping. I believe this story is the start of a really amazing series. There were so many things that you learn about the children and this new world that when you reach the cliffhanger you will be completely invested in the story. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS NEXT! This is the first book I have read by JW Lynne but I am now a fan!

J.W. LynneJ.W. Lynne writes inventive stories with twists, turns, and surprises. In ABOVE THE SKY, teens uncover the truth in a society founded on lies. In THE UNKNOWN, eight children are kidnapped in the night and wake up in a mysterious world full of secrets. In LOST IN LOS ANGELES, a young woman must decide whether to trust an intriguing young man who she meets in a coffee shop. In LOST IN TOKYO, a college student carries out her missing mother’s bucket list in a desperate attempt to finally find her. KID DOCS dives into the behind-the-scenes action at a hospital where gifted young children are trained to become pint-sized doctors. In WILD ANIMAL SCHOOL, a teen spends an unforgettable summer caring for elephants, tigers, bears, leopards, and lions at an exotic animal ranch.

Part of a Series, Rockers, YA

#Audio #Rereading – Rock and a Hard Place (Jamieson Brothers Book 1) by Angie Stanton

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Rock and a Hard Place

Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han, and Susane Colasanti, Angie Stanton’s swoon-worthy romance–about an ordinary girl and a young rock star–will keep readers on the edge of their seats . . . and leave them wanting more.

In an instant, Libby’s life went from picture-perfect to a nightmare. After surviving a terrible car accident, Libby is abandoned by her father and left with her controlling aunt. A new town, a new school, no friends–Libby is utterly alone. But then she meets Peter.

The lead singer in a rock band with his brothers, Peter hates that his parents overly manage his life. Constantly surrounded by family, Peter just wants to get away. And when he meets Libby, he’s finally found the one person who just wants to be with him, not the rock star.

But while Peter battles his family’s growing interference in both his music and personal life, Libby struggles with her aunt, who turns nastier each day. And even though Libby and Peter desperately want to be together, their drastically different lives threaten to keep them apart forever.

Goodreads

ebook

Audio – HERE

Rock and a Hard Place By cover art

Review by Twinsie Angie

Original Review HERE from December 2012 (Be kind. I had just started blogging and reviewing…LOL)

New Review

I was given this audio book from the author for an honest review.

I read this book when I first started blogging and 6 years later when the author offered an audio I jumped.

I enjoyed the narration of the story and the narrators voice was enjoyable to listen too.  Sometimes a bad narrator can make a book not so enjoyable.

I still enjoyed this story like I did 6 years ago.  I loved the theme of family and dreams plus wants and desires.

I am still not a huge YA reader, but the story of Libby and Peter did pull at me.  I will say the entire time I am reading of Peter and his brother being rock stars I kept seeing the Jonas Brothers in my mind.  LOL  The story has deep themes and Libby will just slay you with her sweet and innocent persona.

I don’t get much time to “reread” but I am so glad I grabbed this audio when offered.  I remembered loving this story and it hasn’t changed for me at all.

Angie Stanton is a life-long daydreamer who grew up with her hands on a book and her head in the clouds. As an adult, she’s put her talent to good use writing award winning contemporary fiction about life, love, and the adventures that follow.

Angie has a Journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin and is the best selling author of Waking in Time, If Ever, Rock and a Hard Place, Snapshot, Royally Lost, Under the Spotlight, Snowed Over, and Love ‘em or Leave ‘em.

Angie is a proud winner of a Midwest Book Award for Waking in Time.
Waking in Time is also a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards as is her book If Ever and Love ’em or Leave ’em.

In her spare time, Angie sneaks off to New York City to enjoy the best entertainment experience on earth, Broadway. She is currently working on a series of Broadway-themed books, and is a contributing writer to BroadwayWorld.com.

Angie’s latest release is If Ever, a sexy, playful love story spanning from LA to New York and London.

For more information on Angie and her books, please visit:
www.angiestanton.com
Facebook.com/AngieStantonAuthor
Twitter: @angie_stanton
Instagram angiestanton_author.

Friends to Lovers, M/F/F, YA

#WOTR21 #BookSpotlight #MM #YA #BestFriends #OppositesAttract #FriendsToLovers – Forever Better Together by AD Ellis

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Forever Better Together

Can best friends find true love? What if your best friend is your adopted brother?

Griffin can’t fathom his life without Quincy, but he also can’t ignore the crazy sexual attraction buzzing between them.
When Quincy offers up a contract to determine if the sexual tension brewing between them is worth jeopardizing their nearly decade-long friendship, Griffin finds himself helpless to say no.
Will they lose everything they’ve found in each other, or will they seize the opportunity to turn their friendship into something even better?

Forever Better Together is a male/male opposites attract, friends-to-lovers story with delicious sexual tension, a sizzling hot striptease, and emotions guaranteed to punch you in the gut.

Goodreads

A.D. Ellis is an Indiana girl, born and raised. She spends much of her time in central Indiana as an instructional coach/teacher in the inner city of Indianapolis, being a mom to two amazing school-aged children, and wondering how she and her husband of nearly two decades haven’t driven each other insane yet. A lot of her time is also devoted to phone call avoidance and her hatred of cooking.
She loves chocolate, wine, pizza, and naps along with reading and writing romance. These loves don’t leave much time for housework, much to the chagrin of her husband. Who would pick cleaning the house over a nap or a good book? She uses any extra time to increase her fluency in sarcasm.
A.D. uses she/her pronouns.

Standalone, Thriller, YA

#Review #YAThriller #Standalone The Twin by Natasha Preston

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After their parents divorced, 10-year-old twins Ivy and Iris were split up–Ivy lived with Dad, Iris with Mom. Now, after a tragic accident takes their mom’s life, the twins are reunited and Iris moves in with Ivy and their dad. Devastated over Mom’s death, Iris spends the first few weeks in almost total silence–the only person she will speak to is Ivy. Iris feels her life is over and she doesn’t know what to do. Ivy promises her twin that she can share her life now. After all, they’re sisters. Twins.

It’s a promise that Iris takes seriously. And before long, Ivy’s friends, her life at school, and her boyfriend, Tyler, fall under Iris’s spell. Slowly, Ivy realizes she’s being pushed out of her own life. But she’s just being paranoid, right? And Mom’s accident was . . . just an accident. Right? It’s not like she–or Dad–or Tyler–are in any danger

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46224742-the-twin

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Twin-Natasha-Preston/dp/0593124960/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Natasha+Preston&qid=1584404736&sr=8-1

I bought this book and this is my honest opinion


Ivy and Iris had their world turned upside down after their mom was found dead at the bottom of a hill during her run. Iris had to pack up her life in the city with their mom and move in with Ivy and their dad in the country with a new school, town and no friends. Ivy is willing to help her adjust but Iris just isn’t letting her in and Ivy is the type of person that needs to fix everything if her can. Ivy has it all the perfect boyfriend, a great group of friends, the fastest swimmer on the swim team and straight A’s shes worked her ass off for all of that. But she does notice that something is really off with Iris she hasn’t mourned the loss of their mom not a single tear, and Ivy just isn’t sure that something isn’t or has been off with her sister just just isn’t sure what it is, well until everyone starts to turn against her and they all think shes losing her mind, and that’s exactly where Iris wants her, but Ivy isn’t giving up her life without a fight so Check and mate Bitch.

Review by Twinsie Dee

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author of The Cellar and The Cabin. Romance and YA Thriller writer, Tom Hardy enthusiast, and always buried in a book.

Friends to Lovers, Part of a Series, Review, YA

#Review #YARomance #SeriesStarter #Standalone Waking Up in Vegas (The One Series, #1) by Natasha Preston

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There are bad hangovers, then there’s waking up married to your brother’s idiot friend.

On the trip of a lifetime, a drunken Wren and intoxicated Brody stumble upon a wedding ceremony and decide to tag along for the ride. But being spectators isn’t quite wild enough when you’ve got tequila in your toes, and before either of them can stop what they’re about to do, “We now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Once sober and home, the incompatible newlyweds try everything within their power to end their pantomime marriage. Unfortunately for them, the promise and vows they made to spend their life together now aren’t as easy to break as they’d once hoped.

Especially not when Brody starts to have a change of heart.

Book one in a new standalone series.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46259036-waking-up-in-vegas

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Waking-up-Vegas-Natasha-Preston-ebook/dp/B07YB1PPQQ/ref=sr_1_22?keywords=Natasha+Preston&qid=1575059409&sr=8-22

When your siblings and best friends are all going to Vegas to celebrate a 21st and our dying to go but there’s only on thing your only 18 yep that’s exactly were Wren is. So she’s force to play nice and ask the birthday boy Brody if she can to along so that she’s not left out , after torturing her he finally gave in and agreed that she could come. This was going to be the best holiday that the 6 of them were gong to go on. Drink we’re flowing, gambling and all the fun things were going on for everyone else but Wren but she was finding tons to do wit being underage.  Brody had seen Wren with not her guy and not liking that at all the next night sneaks away from the guys and go to make sure she isn’t going to me the guy and get into i any trouble well one thing leads to another and when they say what happens in Vega stays in Vegas isnt always true for these two, especially when you get drunk and tie the knot. Now back at home they must try to figure out how to end their marriage as quickly and quietly as pointe with any of their family member finding out. Easier said then done. This book was absolutely amazing, hilarious, heart wrenching and all of the feelings definitely a must read.

Review by Twinsie Dee

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author of The Cellar and The Cabin. Romance and YA Thriller writer, Tom Hardy enthusiast, and always buried in a book.

Coming of Age, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Part of a Series, Reverse Harem, Review, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA

#WOTR2020 – #Review – Storybook Academy: The Keeper by Kylie Marcus

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Storybook Academy: The Keeper

One Chance. Five Stubborn Prince Charmings. How’s a Girl Supposed to Save the World?

After my grandfather died, he left me one thing: a magical book. Now I’m enrolling at an Academy for fairy tale characters and it’s up to me to put their stories back together.

There are just a couple problems:

1. Last time I read a bedtime story, I was six.
2. It’s not like people are walking around introducing themselves as Prince Charming.
3. And speaking of princes – the princes I do meet aren’t interested in their princesses – but they’re only interested in kissing me!

My grandfather’s letter said the fate of both this world and my own rests on my rewriting the fairy tales. That’s a lot for a seventeen-year-old to deal with let alone throwing in some villains who only want to see me fail.

Happily ever after as we know it, will never be the same.

Disclaimer: This is a Why Choose?/Reverse Harem story where the heroine falls for many heroes and does not pick just one.


Goodreads


Amazon

BookBub

This is a fun YA, twisted fairytale, reverse harem story. The world as we know it is slowly forgetting about fairytales and we find out that they are fading away. Serina is in a world where using her imagination is forbidden. Her grandfather passes away and leaves her a storybook. Not just a storybook but THE storybook. She finds out that after his passing she has been deemed the next keeper of the Storybook Realm. When she is whisked away to the Storybook Realm she finds herself at the academy. Since all the stories are fading away she has to rewrite them. But in the Storybook Realm she has to rewrite them by getting the fairytales to play out. Unfortunately she has all the princes falling for her. She ends up in the middle of a story and has to find a way to rewrite the character she replaced into another story. Serina is just a teenage girl and has been given a huge job of keeping the fairytales alive and well. Part of the problem is she is loving being at the Academy instead of at home. At the Academy she is treated like she mattered and would be missed if she ever disappeared. She’s having an issue with “not mixing business with pleasure”, haha! Reader beware, this ends with a cliffhanger but by the end of the book I was more aware of the bad guys but trying to figure out who we can trust. I look forward to continuing this series and seeing if the Storybook Realm can be saved.

Kylie Marcus

Kylie Marcus still believes in magic and fantasy. She has always cultivated the magic inside of her, using her words to bring it to life on the pages of her stories for readers. After meeting the love of her life while ghost hunting in England, she believes in happily ever afters and hopes to convince readers of them too.

Now happily married, they live in Canada with their little man and two weenie dogs. Her fairy tale has only just started and she can’t wait to see how it ends.

To find out more about Kylie and her books, go to http://bit.ly/kmfindoutmore

Apocalyptic, Coming of Age, Dystopian, YA

#Review – The Unknown: A Dystopian Mystery Thriller with Twists and Turns by J.W. Lynne

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The Unknown: A Dystopian Mystery Thriller with Twists and Turns by [Lynne, J.W.]

Fans of Divergent, The Hunger Games, and Stranger Things are raving about this 2019 dystopian thriller!

EIGHT CHILDREN WERE KIDNAPPED.
BUT WHY?

Eight kids, ages nine to seventeen, awaken to find that almost everything they have ever known has been stolen from them. They were ripped from their beds in the middle of the night and transported to an unfamiliar and unforgiving new world where there are strict rules, and they are punished if they refuse to obey.

As the kids grapple with their mysterious new reality, they struggle with disconcerting questions. Where in the world are they? Why were they taken away from their families? Will they ever get to go back home? And the most frightening question of all: Will this be the place where they die?


Goodreads


Amazon

BookBub

Unique twist on the dystopian genre! This is insanely thrilling! First, I need to say that I was a little worried about starting the story as it is told from most of the children’s POVs and there is a manifest at the beginning. I thought I would have to go back and forth to remember who exactly I was reading, but after the first few rounds through the characters I knew exactly whose POV I was reading without double checking. The characters formed in my head as if I were right there in the mix. These children are kidnapped one night and all thrown together in an unknown place. What is even weirder is that there are no adults. Nobody to tell them what to do or why they are there. The world building is great. As the children get to learn more about themselves and each other they are all learning about their new “prison”. There are so many unknowns with the story that will keep you turning the pages. Some aspects of the story definitely have the creep factor but absolutely gripping. I believe this story is the start of a really amazing series. There were so many things that you learn about the children and this new world that when you reach the cliffhanger you will be completely invested in the story. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS NEXT! This is the first book I have read by JW Lynne but I am now a fan!

J.W. Lynne

J.W. Lynne has been an avid reader practically since birth and now writes inventive young adult novels with shocking twists, turns, and surprises. In the science fiction quartet THE SKY SERIES (ABOVE THE SKY, RETURN TO THE SKY, PART OF THE SKY, and BEYOND THE SKY), an eighteen-year-old fights to survive in a dystopian future society founded on lies. In THE UNKNOWN, eight children are kidnapped in the middle of the night and wake up in a frightening and mysterious world full of secrets. The romantic contemporary novels LOST IN LOS ANGELES and LOST IN TOKYO follow a young woman’s remarkable journey after an unthinkable betrayal. KID DOCS dives into the behind-the-scenes action at a hospital where gifted young children are trained to become pint-sized doctors. In WILD ANIMAL SCHOOL, a teen spends an unforgettable summer working with elephants, tigers, bears, leopards, and lions at an exotic animal ranch.

Check out Lynne’s adventures on the bucket list website mydreamcametrue.com.