Spring Fling Giveaway Hop
May 1st – 7th
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Showing posts with label Giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giveaway. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Cover Reveal & Giveaway: All My Life by Rucy Ban
Title: All My Life
Age Group/Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Author: Rucy Ban
Expected Release: May 2013
Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Kari meets Neil Mars. “Neil as in Armstrong and Mars…as in Bruno.” A boy who beats every vampire, werewolf, highlander fantasy Kari has ever had. But she knows can’t get close to him. Not ever. Because that would mean telling him everything. Coming clean. And Kari can’t bear the idea of changing the way Neil looks at her. Like she’s the only girl in the world. His reverence is something too precious to lose. Perhaps even at the cost of losing him. But Kari doesn't know why Neil calls her his ‘Angel’ and when she finds out, she realizes what love is all about. Boundless joy, unending longing and a fuckload of heartache.
Excerpts from All My Life:
“I can take care of myself,” I tell him.
His lips twitch in response. “Oh, I’m sure you can, little shrub.”
“You are warned!” I take my voice down a notch and point my ring at him, “I’ll tunnel your leathery knighthood right out of this galaxy!”
Neil suddenly halts in his tracks and pins me down with eyes. “Batman vs. Green Lantern? Batman wins. Every. Single. Time.”
“Ohmygod! So not true. In the…”
He cuts me. “One word…yellow.” I stare at him with my mouth half-open.
“‘Nuff said,” he says smugly and then tugs on my hand.
It could be that I’ll forget this feeling someday. But I’m sure it won’t be anytime soon. Maybe when I’m a hundred and looking forward to my lunch of mashed bread. Not one single day before.
His lips twitch in response. “Oh, I’m sure you can, little shrub.”
“You are warned!” I take my voice down a notch and point my ring at him, “I’ll tunnel your leathery knighthood right out of this galaxy!”
Neil suddenly halts in his tracks and pins me down with eyes. “Batman vs. Green Lantern? Batman wins. Every. Single. Time.”
“Ohmygod! So not true. In the…”
He cuts me. “One word…yellow.” I stare at him with my mouth half-open.
“‘Nuff said,” he says smugly and then tugs on my hand.
******
Maybe I’ll forget this feeling someday. Maybe it’ll just be reduced to a memory made up of a flickering gas heater, the salty dew of his skin and the love in his dark, inky eyes. This feeling of pure unadulterated joy. Of reaching a high so potent that your spirit feels like it’s soaring across the universe…and falling from that glorious peak only to find yourself enveloped in someone’s warm caring hands. When you feel like you’ve just died or been born, right at the same time. It could be that I’ll forget this feeling someday. But I’m sure it won’t be anytime soon. Maybe when I’m a hundred and looking forward to my lunch of mashed bread. Not one single day before.
About the Author:
Friday, April 19, 2013
Promotional Event: Damaged by H.M. Ward
Title:
DAMAGED
Author:
H.M. WARD
Publisher:
Laree Bailey Press
Release
date: April 6, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age
Group: New Adult
Book
Description:
A new adult romance novel by New York Times &
USA Today Bestselling Author H.M. Ward
Life sucks. And, as soon as Sidney picks
up the pieces something always knocks her back onto her butt. It's never
pretty, but this time is different. This time pretty isn't
even the right word.
Peter is the personification of
perfection. It's like he fell off his angel perch in purgatory, because let's
face it--any guy that hot has got to be naughty. He was probably sent here to
ruin her life.
Peter is beyond beautiful with his sexy
blue eyes, dark hair, and toned body. Add in his charming wit and Peter is
everything Sidney ever wanted in a man, but when things get hot and heavy Peter
shows her the door. Sidney takes the walk of shame and leaves. It's the end of
the worst blind date ever. Her life couldn't possibly reach higher levels of
suckage, but it does.
The next morning everything comes
crashing down. The insanely hot guy from last night, the one that saw her half
naked, is teaching at the front of the class room.
Genre: New Adult Romance Novel, approx. 325 pages
Excerpts:
#1:
Uncertainty lines Peter’s gaze. “I can’t
do this anymore. Every time I see you, it’s like I’ve had my heart ripped out
of my chest. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. It’s not a crush. It was never a
crush. I love you. I took too long to say it. I took too long to fix this, but
I choose you.”
#2:
Last time she tried to set me up, I
ended up on a date with a twitchy klepto. Let’s just say things didn't go well.
He picked up everything, except the check.
The time before that was equally horrifying. I missed some verbal cue
and the guy ended the night with a face full of pepper spray.
#3:
I stand there for a moment, not knowing
if I've been stood up, when I feel the hairs on my neck prickle. Someone is
looking at me. I feel the gaze on the back of my neck. I turn slowly and scan
the room. A set of eyes, as blue as gemstones, gleam back at me. My stomach
flutters. Oh, holy hell, he’s hot. I
walk slowly towards his table, my heart banging against my ribs.
About
the Author
NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY Bestselling author H.M.
Ward is a native New Yorker living in Texas. Ward was featured in the Washington Post for her debut novel Demon
Kissed. Romance series by H.M. Ward include Secrets, Scandalous, The
Arrangement, and The Secret Life of Trystan Scott.
Author
social media links:
Friday, April 12, 2013
Drowning In You: Guest Post & Giveaway
Drowning In You by Rebecca Berto
Publication date: April 12th 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Secretly crushing.
Crushed by a tragedy.
Charlee May’s been crushing on Dexter Hollingworth since she was fifteen. Five years later, a horrific skiing disaster at Mason’s Ski Lift Resort leaves her millionaire dad critically injured and her mom dead at the hands of Dexter operating the lifts. Charlee is suddenly the sole caretaker for her little brother while their world falls apart.
Dexter couldn’t be more different from Charlee. He’s tattooed, avoids exclusive relationships and his Dad has a fair share of illegal dealings. With Dexter’s reputation, almost everyone believes he planned the Mason’s skiing disaster.
And after all these years he’s still crushing on Charlee May, the girl who’s too good for him.
When this cruel twist of fate ties Charlee’s family and Dexter’s reputation together, Charlee and Dexter wonder if their feelings are reciprocated, while Dexter discovers his dad is trying to steal the May’s millionaire fortune.
But like an addiction, one look, one touch, one taste—they’re hooked no matter the consequences.
Best New Adult fiction
It’s a given. I guestimate that New Adult
novels take up over 50% of my reading and being the New Adult junkie I am, I
wrote a little book called Drowning in
You. I remember what made me write it: Beautiful
Disaster and Easy.
New Adult has a special place with me. When
I wrote the first draft of Drowning in
You, I was 21. I’m now 22 and these characters in these sorts of books are
around my age and though I’m more of a mature, old woman inside than some
part-animal freak, they’re going through a similar stage of life as I was at
that stage: discovering love, life, careers—what is my purpose?
So, I wanted to share my favorite New Adult
literature. Some are wildly popular, selling 500,000+ copies and some are
lesser known, but after reading them, all deeply touched me. All 5+ stars in my
eyes.
And, no. I won’t do a ten to one countdown
because I can’t order my favorites. Sheesh!
Here are my equal favs:
Beautiful
Disaster, Jamie McGuire
This book was loved or hated because of
Travis’ bad ways and Abby’s acceptance of him. For me, when I still have a book
hangover nine months after reading said book, I know it’s a special one. I
loved Travis as per so many others in the female population.
Easy, Tammara Webber
One of the first ever New Adult books I
read, and what an introduction to the genre! Lucas is one of my top book
boyfriends, and I so adore the mixture of not only sexual chemistry between
Lucas and Jacqueline, but also the emotional punch this story delivers and the
serious message behind it all.
[Anything by Colleen Hoover], Colleen
Hoover
Need I explain myself? All three of
Colleen’s novels—Slammed, Point of Retreat and Hopeless—are standouts in fiction. I
find myself saying “butterflying” and “I live you” in my life when
non-book-junkies think I’m simply crazy. Colleen has wormed in her way as part
of my life.
The
Edge of Never, J.A. Redmerski
Part of the wonder of this book is the
slow, creeping-up-on-you romance. It changes from contemporary to romance to
almost erotic to break-your-heart and by the end, author Jessica had drained
all my emotions. I was so connected to Andrew and Cam’s story.
Ten
Tiny Breaths, K.A. Tucker
What a creeper! I put off this book for no
reason for almost half a year. God, I wasted so much time! *sulks* Author
Kathleen has a way of writing some serious punch across many platforms. I
laughed (even snorted), cried, and had to turn on my fan for many of hot, hot
scenes.
(Thompson Sisters series), Charles
Sheehan-Miles
This man can write like a woman. Better
than most women! It’s strange, in retrospect, that I realized two of the
strongest female characters I’ve ever read are written by a male author in both
his books in the series, Just Remember to
Breathe and A Song for Julia.
Lovee.
The
Sea of Tranquility, Katja Millay
Blew me away. I couldn’t think straight for
days? Weeks? I pre-ordered the paperback, like, 130 days before publication.
Josh and Nastya are two of my favorite characters both separately and together.
TSoT made me ugly cry and after much
torture, awwww.
The
Enchanted Orchards, Kristin Maddock
I found this little book on a random Amazon
search for a romantic literary novel. Like I do with Hopeless, I can’t help but rant and suggest (force) my bookish
friends read this. It’s told in a direct style and a poetic voice that had me
in love with it from the prologue.
(The Dark Duet series), C.J. Roberts
What a cruel human being. I am disgusted in
myself since becoming a C.J. Roberts fan. I love Caleb, the torturer. I like
the hot, erotic scenes with him and the beautiful, Olivia. I love everything,
which hurts a damn lot considering C.J. loves to torture her readers. Gawd!
Just wow.
Charade, Nyrae Dawn
Did NOT expect to cry and fall in love with
this book in any way as significantly as I did. Chey and Colt turn out to be
such an amazing couple from what started out as lies. It turns from fun, to
heart-breaking and romantic and definitely gave me a similar OMG-I-adore
feeling as The Edge of Never did.
***
If I may be so bold, I’d recommend Drowning in You for fans of Hopeless and Charade, as it gave me a similar feeling when I wrote it. :)
About the Author:
You can contact the author by:Rebecca Berto is the author or the dark contemporary/literary novella, PRECISE and the upcoming new adult contemporary romance novel, DROWNING IN YOU. She is also a freelance editor.She writes stories that are a bit sexy, and straddle the line between Literary and Tear Your Heart Out. She gets a thrill when her readers are emotional reading her stories, and gets even more of a kick when they tell her so. She’s strangely imaginative, spends too much time on her computer, and is certifiably crazy when she works on her fiction.
Rebecca Berto lives in Melbourne, Australia with her boyfriend and their doggy.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Hell's Hollow by Summer Stone: Interview & Giveaway
Hell's Hollow by Summer Stone
Publication date: March 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publication date: March 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal
When Seraphina was younger, she healed her best friend's injured hand. Terrified by the inexplicable cure, the girl shunned her. From that day on, Seraphina found herself without friends, a freak and an oddity. And so she obeyed her mother’s rule to refrain from using her innate ability, heeded her mother's warning that its use could land her in the local mental health facility alongside her aunt and grandmother.
But when sixteen-year-old Seraphina finds a mysterious, wounded boy hiding in the hollow in the woods behind her house, she can't hold out against the overpowering urge to help him. She is drawn to him each night, and as they come to know one another, their irresistible attraction blooms.
She longs to uncover his secrets — where he comes from and why he's hiding and how he came to be so wounded — and to share her own, though she knows it's forbidden. And while her healing touch seems to be helping him, it's hurting her. When the symptoms of psychosis — experienced by the women in her bloodline who used their powers — begin to plague Seraphina, she is faced with the unbearable choice of saving her sanity or the boy she’s come to love.
with Summer Stone
What
inspired you to write Hell's Hollow?
It was really the name of the town that
inspired me. For years, my family and I have gone up to the Sierra Foothills
and there's a big street sign in a rural area, much bigger than most street
signs, that says Hell's Hollow. Every time we would pass that sign, I would
think, Someday I'm going to write a book about a town called Hell's Hollow. I
didn't know what it would be about until I started writing it. I started with
the name of the town and then with the protagonist and just let them lead me
into the story.
What
is your writing process like?
I need quiet to really be able to get to
the sweet spot where the writing flows. So I don't listen to music and I prefer
not to be at a noisy café. My best writing comes when I let the character tell
me the story. With Hell's Hollow I was surprised by many elements of the
storyline, none of which would have happened if I'd really tried to guess at
what would come next. So listening for the voice of the characters and the
voice of the story are key for me.
What
were your favorite elements of Hell's Hollow to write?
I really enjoyed writing the growing
relationship between Seraphina and Zach. I loved the build up from strangers to
friends to something more. And because she isn't sure if he's real or a figment
of her potential loss of sanity, there's an element of mystery that was fun to
play with.
Also, the crazy parts! I loved writing her
psychotic grandmother and also the scenes where Seraphina's own sanity begins
to waver. I actually did quite a bit of research on different types of
psychosis and based much of her aunt and grandmother's behavior on videos I
watched of schizophrenic patients.
Were
there parts of the story you didn't enjoy writing?
I always struggle a bit with writing the
parts when everything is going wrong. I'm impatient to get to the places where
things are working out. So I really have to push myself to hold out and let
things be bad for a while. It makes the payoff of the happy parts so much
richer.
Did
you do much research for Hell's Hollow?
I did! I actually really enjoyed my
research for this book. First, I spent time in the area of the Sierra Nevada
foothills where the story takes place and even went to Big Trees State Park to
get a feel for the giant trees that live in the Hollow. I spent quite a bit of
time online researching psychosis and schizophrenia. I also did a lot of
research on the history of the area — both of the Native American tribes that
lived there and on the Gold Rush history. Other areas of research included the
serpent-handling religion of West Virginia, alternative forms of healing,
mythology about Hell, diseases caused by wild animals, baking and a few others
I won't mention so as not to give anything away.
In
Hell's Hollow, Seraphina has the ability to heal. Her grandmother hears
people's thoughts. And her aunt sees the future. If you could have any super
power, what would it be?
Ooh. That is a tough question! I have
secretly always wanted Seraphina's power. But there are others that would be
super cool too. I'd say flying, but I'd probably get motion sickness :)
Why
does Seraphina, who has always obeyed her mom's rule about not using her
special ability, decide to start trying?
Partly, it's because the tugs from the
Hollow have begun to keep her awake at night and bother her all day. And
partly, it's because of Zach. She wants to help him. There's also one more
piece, which is that she's sixteen and her mom's rule feels wrong to her, and
she's getting brave enough to make up her own mind.
Quick Qs:
Ocean or mountains: ocean
Winter or summer: summer
Chocolate or vanilla: Always, always
chocolate
Movie night or dancing: movie night
Harry Potter or Hunger Games: yes
Favorite type of food: Thai
Favorite rainy day activity: reading, of course
Favorite recent(ish) movie: Pitch Perfect
Favorite sound: laughter
Trivia
about Hell's Hollow:
Sera's favorite baked good is an ooey gooey
sticky bun.
Zach's favorite candy is a Mars bar.
Sera has 3 older brothers. They were
inspired by the 3 brothers of my best friend from kindergarten. That friend
never hesitated to tell people that her middle brother was her favorite. It's
very clear that Sera's middle brother is her favorite too. And he's her
favorite for the same reason — he's sweet to her.
The Tale of Hell's Hollow, which Sera tells
Zach in the novel, was partly inspired by actual events that took place in that
part of the state during the Gold Rush.
You can purchase these books at:
About the Author:
Summer Stone loves immersing herself in the worlds that live inside her mind. When she's in the real world, she likes kicking back on the beach, exploring new places, reading (of course) and eating rich, gooey chocolate. She loves spending time with her husband and kids, which she does as much as she can. Summer writes young adult and women's fiction, both supernatural and contemporary, realistic and looks forward to sharing her novels with you!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Arrow of the Mist: Excerpt & Giveaway
Arrow of the Mist by Christina Mercer
Publication date: March 21st 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication date: March 21st 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy
Terror strikes the Celtic inspired kingdom of Nemetona when barbed roots breach the veil of a forbidden land and poison woodsmen, including 15-year-old Lia’s beloved father. Lia and three others embark on a quest to the forbidden land of Brume to gather ingredients for the cure. But after her elder kinsman is attacked and poisoned, she and her cousin, Wynn, are forced to finish the quest on their own.
Lia relies on her powerful herbal wisdom and the memorized pages of her late grandmother’s Grimoire for guidance through a land of soul-hungry shades, trickster creatures, and uncovered truths about the origin of Brume and her family’s unexpected ties to it. The deeper they trek into the land, the stronger Lia’s untapped gift as a tree mage unfolds. When she discovers the enchanted root’s maker, it forces her to question everything about who she is and what is her destiny. Ultimately she must make a terrible choice: keep fighting to save her father and the people of the lands or join with the power behind the deadly roots to help nature start anew.
Excerpt:
Nettles stung
Lia’s flesh. She pressed her fingers against her mouth for relief. This is
what I get for letting my thoughts wander. Grandma wouldn’t have been so
careless while harvesting sting-leaf. She wouldn’t have let the villagers’
opinions prick at her mind, no matter how many called her mad for crafting
remedies in the old ways.
Koun whined and
nudged Lia’s arm with his nose.
“I’m all right,
boy.” Lia gazed into her hound’s violet eyes and then turned her attention to
the friendlier mallow plant. Its white flowers matched Koun’s coat and its
leaves and roots promised a soothing balm for the nettle’s bite. She’d make
another batch of salve for Da, too. He swore her “potions” kept his hands fit
enough for hewing wood and soft enough for holding Ma. Her ma could use a bit
more mallow infusion for her soaps, as well, and she’d take a bundle of
clippings to Granda—
Her thoughts
scattered as Koun shot from the garden. Lia whirled around to the pair of
horses charging up the path. She squinted in the dusky light and recognized
Da’s friend, Kenneth, on one of the horses. Then her insides went cold. Across
the other horse’s back lay Da’s limp body.
She dropped the
harvested mallow and sped from her garden toward them. Ma’s scream shot like a
bolt through her, but Kenneth’s words, “He’s alive,” offered Lia a morsel of
hope.
Kenneth carried
Da into the cottage, and Lia caught a glimpse of her father’s torn and bloodied
clothing. “I’ll fetch Granda,” she cried, and hurried to her filly.
Clad in her usual
boy’s breeches and high leather boots, Lia raced her horse down the path with
her heart pounding in rhythm to the hoof beats.
This book can be found at:
About the Author:
Christina Mercer writes fiction in addition to mothering two young adults, a pack of large dogs, and about 100,000 honeybees. She's been an avid reader since she could walk and took her first writing job at age 10 as reporter for her local 4-H group. Her varied interests and ambidextrous skills prompted her to study creative writing in college, earn her official degree in Accounting from California State University at Sacramento, become a CPA., acquire a certificate in Herbal Studies from Clayton College of Natural Health, and become a hobbyist beekeeper. She took Writer’s Best in Show at the 2012 SCBWI CA North/Central Regional Conference and was a semi-finalist in the 2010 Amazon Breakout Novel Award Contest. You can find her at www.christinamercer.com or blogging with the girls over at www.indie-visible.com
Friday, April 5, 2013
Timespell Interview & Grand Prize Giveaway!
Synopsis:
In TIMESPELL, the brash and impulsive Julia must team up with her sweet and straight-laced best friend, Angie, and the malicious and power-hungry Kaitlyn in order to keep the witch-like powers of her inheritance. But these powers come at a cost. The girls are bound to serve the Fates, and their first mission sends them back in time to Marie Antoinette’s Paris and eventually, into the chaos and war of the French Revolution.
Title: Timespell by Diana Paz
Publication date: April 1st 2013
Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing
Genre: YA Time Travel
Today, I have the great pleasure in showing this interview with talented author, Diana
Paz. You can also enter the giveaway to win a paperback or 3 ebook copies of
Timespell.
Let’s start with your writing routine. Do you have a
particular place you like to settle in to write?
I usually start with a
snack and music, sometimes I spend a few minutes daydreaming about my
characters and what I have planned for them… then I dive into my manuscript! My
favorite place to write is on my sofa, tucked into the corner with my laptop,
and I’m big on having a steady supply of tea and cookies within reach. I tend
to snack a LOT while writing, but it balances out because I end up forgetting
to eat during revisions.
In the novel,
the three main characters seem very different. How would you describe them? Was
writing in three points of view a challenge?
I enjoyed the challenge of viewing the world through
each of my character’s eyes. Julia is sarcastic, outspoken, protective, and
impulsive. Angie is steady, polite, thoughtful, and reserved. Kaitlyn is
contemptuous, cynical, guarded, and fearless. They each have flaws and
strengths that play into their relationship. I wanted to see if three girls who
were so dissimilar could overcome their differences and, if so, would their
experiences change them? What would their motivations be? Would they cooperate
for the good of the world? For their own agendas? For personal gain? What about
loyalty to one another? It was fascinating to me to think about how the girls
would react to an existence that forced them to unite, and I loved seeing each
of them grow.
Do any of the characters personalities resemble your
own, or people you know?
Even though I created the
main characters as their own people, I can’t help but infuse pieces of myself,
and the experiences I’ve had, in every character I write. Because of this, I
would say that I can relate to each of them.
Timespell delves into the time period of the French
Revolution. What drew you to this historical period? What made you choose
certain locations in the book?
I loved the idea of Marie Antoinette being the same
age as my main characters when she made her Parisian debut. I think that’s
probably what first had me poking into researching this particular era. The
more I read, the more fascinated I became, and before I knew it, I had several
scenes in mind for the story based around key events surrounding Marie
Antoinette’s life. I liked choosing
locations that made sense in the story and the timeline, so I decided to use Tuileries
Palace as an anchor throughout a lot of the time travel that occurred in Timespell. Between Marie Antoinette’s
Parisian debut and the terrifying march on the palace many years later, it was
a great place to have the girls battle demons and experience key events of the
Marie Antoinette era.
In TIMESPELL,
the brash and impulsive Julia must team up with her sweet and straight-laced
best friend, Angie, and the malicious and power-hungry Kaitlyn in order to keep
the witch-like powers of her inheritance. But these powers come at a cost. The
girls are bound to serve the Fates, and their first mission sends them back in
time to Marie Antoinette’s Paris and eventually, into the chaos and war of the
French Revolution.
About the Author:
Website | Blog | Facebook | TwitterDiana Paz writes books about magic, adventure, and romance. She was born in Costa Rica, grew up on Miami Beach, moved to Los Angeles in high school, and went to college in San Diego. Basically, she’s a beach bum. Diana graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. She loves old movies, epic fantasy, all kinds of music, and heading to the beach with a good book. Preferably sipping a highly sweetened iced coffee.
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