Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (9): The Silver Dream by Neil Gaiman & Michael Reaves


Waiting on Wednesday is a book meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine 
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're all eagerly anticipating.
Please follow the link to visit her site!


Friday, November 23, 2012

GIVEAWAY HOP (CLOSED): Black Friday Book Bonanza- Book of Your Choice!

BLACK FRIDAY BOOK BONANZA
Happy Black Friday Everyone! Why go out in the cold and stand in those loooong lines, when you can stay at home all warm, and cozy, and snuggle..and win some great prizes!? Enter to win 1 book of your choice from The Book Depository!  (Up to a $15 value). 

The great hosts for this hop are Heather from Book Savvy Babe, Jenn from The Bawdy Book Blog, and Lisa from Alive on the Shelves. Be sure to check out their pages!

Please be sure to read ALL rules and regulations

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (8) + GIVEAWAY (CLOSED): The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Waiting on Wednesday is a book meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine  
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're all eagerly anticipating.
Please follow the link to visit her site!



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Monday, November 19, 2012

REVIEW: Unhallowed Ground by Daniel Mills


Unhallowed Ground by Daniel MillsTitle:                      Unhallowed Ground
Author:                  Daniel Mills
Release Date:     Oct 16/2012
Publisher:           Dark Fuse
Page Count:        78
Acquired:            Netgalley
Format:              Ebook (epub)
Read From:         Nov 7 -Nov 12/2012
Goodreads:         ADD
Purchase:           Amazon/Indigo

In the summer of 1891, Henry Feathering travels to Bittersweet Lodge at the invitation of his reclusive widower uncle. Under the shadow of the dilapidated old mansion, Henry falls in love with the enigmatic Clemency St. James and proposes to her in the shelter of a locust grove.

As the newlyweds settle into the lodge, they soon learn of the house’s sordid past—ghostly visitations, unexplained illnesses, and madness—which now plagues Henry and Clemency, creating an irreparable rift between them.

Can they salvage what is left of their marriage? Or will the unbridgeable distances dividing men from women, the past from the present, and the living from the dead doom them to the fate of what lies beneath the grave of a young girl buried on these unhallowed grounds...

Saturday, November 17, 2012

PROMO BLITZ: Miss Fortune Cookie by Lauren Bjorkman

Title: Miss Fortune Cookie
Author: Lauren Bjorkman
Publisher: Nov 13/2012
Release Date: Henry Holt & Co.
Goodreads: ADD
Purchase: Amazon

Meet Erin. Smart student, great daughter, better friend. Secretly the mastermind behind the popular advice blog Miss Fortune Cookie. Totally unaware that her carefully constructed life is about to get crazy. It all begins when her ex-best friend sends a letter to her blog—and then acts on her advice. Erin’s efforts to undo the mess will plunge her into adventure, minor felonies, and possibly her very first romance. What’s a likely fortune for someone no longer completely in control of her fate? Hopefully nothing like: You will become a crispy noodle in the salad of life.

Friday, November 16, 2012

PROMO & GIVEAWAY (CLOSED): The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

Title: The Edge of Never
Author: J.A. Redmerski
Release Date: Nov 15/2012 
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Goodreads: ADD
Purchase: Amazon

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.

Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.

With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.

But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?

Due to sexual content and language, this book is recommended for 17+ – Adult Contemporary Women’s – New Adult Fiction

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excerpt- The Field Scene

“Do you want to get out and walk around?” he says, still waiting for the rest of my answer.

Getting an idea of my own, I smile brightly at him and nod. “Yes, I think that’s a great idea—is there a blanket in the trunk?” 

He looks at me curiously for a moment. “Actually, yes, I keep one in that box back there with the rest of my emergency roadside supplies—why?”

“I know it might be cliché,” I begin, “but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do—have you ever slept under the stars?” I feel a little silly asking, I guess because it is kind of cliché and nothing about Andrew thus far has come anywhere near cliché.

His face spreads into a warm smile. “As a matter of fact, no, I have never slept under the stars—are you gettin’ all romantic on me, Camryn Bennett?” He looks at me with a playful sideward stare.

“No!” I laugh, “Come on, I’m serious; I just think it’s the perfect opportunity.” I motion my hands toward the windshield. “Look at all of the fields out there.”

“Yeah, but we can’t lay a blanket out in a cotton or corn field,” he says, “and most of the time those fields are saturated with ankle-deep water.”

“Not the ones covered with grass and cow bombs,” I say.

“You want to sleep in a field where cows shit?” he says casually, but equally humored.

I snicker. “No, just the grass. Come on…,” then I glare at him teasingly. “What, are you afraid of a little cow shit?”

“Haha!” He shakes his head. “Camryn, there’s nothing little about a pile of cow shit.”

I scoot back over next to him and lay my head right dead-center on his lap, looking up at him with a pouty face. “Please?” I bat my eyes.

And I try hopelessly to ignore what my head is actually lying on. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





Author of THE DARKWOODS TRILOGY and DIRTY EDEN, mother, werewolf & zombie fanatic, book addict and a happy hermit obsessed with the Universe. Oh, and AMC’s “The Walking Dead”. Addictions: Starbucks every morning, trolling Barnes & Noble’s shelves once a week, detesting winter, shopping flea markets and preparing for the collapse of society as we know it. Do I own a tin foil hat? Maybe. :-)

I was born in Arkansas and have lived here most of my life, except the couple of times when I lived in Pennsylvania. I started my first novel at the age of thirteen and have been writing something ever since. Generally, I love characters in life and on paper. I pay attention to people, especially those whose personalities make them different from the rest of us: the drug addict roaming the Laundromat that talks to himself, the young, inattentive mother in the park with the meanest kid on the playground – (the entire cast of ‘Swamp People’) – characters fascinate me and I hope that it shows in my literary work.

Some authors that inspire me are Neil Gaiman, Anne Rice, Cormac McCarthy, Max Brooks, J.K. Rowling, Richard Matheson, William R. Forstchen, Carrie Ryan, David Moody, Phillipa Gregory and Lisa Smedman. I’m always on the lookout for the next great book to pull me into its world and piss me off when I read the last page and know that it’s over.

I’m a sucker for anything Christopher Lee, Ralph Fiennes, Edward Norton and Cate Blanchett. But my biggest fan-girl superstars are Alex Filippenko, Michio Kaku, Brian Cox, Michelle Thaller and Neil Degrasse Tyson!

Also, almost more than anything I love nature and this beautiful planet that I live on. I just wish everyone else did too….

CONTACT LINKS
Website - 
Twitter - Facebook

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-GIVEAWAY CLOSED-

Jessica is giving away a Kindle or Nook copy to a lucky winner. 
Enter for your chance to snag it!

Rules & Regulations

1. MUST be over the age of 17 to enter.
2. The winner will receive the ecopy through email.
3. Contest ends on December 2/2012 at 12:00AM
 *Kindle Apps can be downloaded for FREE on Amazon*  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A huge thank you to AToMr Tours for hosting this tour and giveaway!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

GIVEAWAY (CLOSED): November New Release Giveaway Hop



NOVEMBER NEW RELEASE GIVEAWAY HOP
I am so INSANELY excited to be participating in my very first giveaway hop! For this hop, I will be giving readers a chance to win a new release for the month of November ($20 and under before tax, Book Depository). You can choose a YA or Adult book, I have listed some examples below. Each book cover will lead to it's Goodreads page, where you can read a synopsis and reviews.  

Please remember to read ALL rules and regulations first. 
I would hate to have you miss out on a chance of winning.

 GOOD LUCK and Happy Picking!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (7): The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

Waiting on Wednesday is a book meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine  
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're all eagerly anticipating.
Please follow the link to visit her site!

Monday, November 12, 2012

BLOG TOUR: Rise of the Seven (Frey Saga #3) by Melissa Wright


Title: Rise of the Seven (Frey #3)
Author: Melissa Wright
Release Date: Oct 7/2012
Adquired: Epub copy provided for tour
Goodreads: ADD
Purchase: Amazon/Smashwords

Memories and magic recovered, Frey is restored to the throne. But as she works to regain control of the North, a small silver dagger nearly brings her end. She raises The Seven of her guard and proves her abilities in order to secure her position. But another attempt on her life, from what appears to be fey, reveals not all are pleased with her return. If she could only figure out the force behind the attacks, she might be able to relax enough to decide what to do about her other problem... Chevelle.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

A Bounded Wrap-Up/Stacking the Shelves (4)- Nov.11/12

A Bounded Wrap-Up is a reminder of what posts and features I had last week, and a short preview of what is to come this week. Visit the Features page to see all of my past posts, and other memes I participate in!

------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, November 9, 2012

COVER REVEAL: Destiny (Brightest Kind of Darkness #3) by P.T. Michelle

Title: 
Destiny
(Brightest Kind of Darkness #3)

Author: 
P.T. Michelle

Release Date: 
March 31/2013

Goodreads:
Click to ADD

When destiny is on the line, will love be enough to light the way?

In order to save Ethan, Nara gets pulled deeper into his dark world, where everything she thought she knew about Ethan and herself turns on its head. Ethan and Nara turn up the heat with bone-melting seduction and heart-rending moments, but surprising revelations, lies, treachery, betrayal, and unimaginable evil will challenge their relationship and their future together.As the stakes rise, encompassing more than just her relationship with Ethan, will Nara make the ultimate sacrifice?

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Feature & Follow Friday (2)


Feature and Follow is a meme hosted by Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. It it a way to gain new followers and make new friends. I'm still fairly new to the blogging community, so I thought this would be a fun way to meet new bloggers! Be sure to link back to the hosts, and follow them. If someone follows you through FF, make sure to follow them back! 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (6): Dead to You by Lisa McMann

Waiting on Wednesday is a book meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're all eagerly anticipating.
Please follow the link to visit her site!


Title: Dead to You

Author: Lisa McMann

Release Date:
December 4/2012

Publisher:
Simon Pulse
 

Page Count: 243


Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle…at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that''s keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

REVIEW: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Title: Mystic City
Author: Theo Lawrence
Genre: YA Paranormal Fiction
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Release Date: October 9/2012
Acquired: Borrowed ebook from library
Goodreads: ADD
Purchase: Amazon/Indigo/Book Depository

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I'll admit it, and I'm probably not the first to, but my heart will always belong to the Dystopian genius that is the Hunger Games trilogy. I have yet to find a literary match that invokes the type of emotional roller coaster and soul fulfilling goodness that Suzanne Collins did.

With that said, however, this book came close. Right off the bat, I was introduced to the Dystopian world of Manhattan, New York. I started reading this right around the time hurricane Sandy began it's wrath, so the imagery described of New York mostly submerged in water wasn't hard to picture. The back story in Mystic City was explained clearly, and right at the beginning of the book, which, unlike other Dystopians published recently, was SO refreshing.

I was attracted to the personality of Aria Rose almost immediately. She came off as strong and independent, even though the circumstances could have rendered her the complete opposite. I've read about too many female leads in Dystopian worlds who were just plain whiny, cowardly and irresponsible. Aria had an honest heart, and stuck to her cause until the very end-I loved that.

The violence in Mystic City took me by surprise, but not in a way that made me want to put it down. Quite the opposite-I admired the author's no holds barred action scenes. It was to the point and wasted no time with unnecessary logic and dialogue. I felt like the scenes were well placed and had just the right amount of thrill.

I absolutely loved the secondary characters, especially Hunter and Davida. They were diverse in their characteristics, and in my opinion, really helped to drive the story forward. Through these characters, and others, Mr.Lawrence was very successful in giving the readers a perspective from both sides: life in the "Depths" below, and life in the "Aeries" above. I'm SO excited to read more of their stories in the second novel, entitled Toxic Heart.

I recommend this book for people still experiencing Hunger Games withdrawal symptoms. It will soothe some of your longing, I promise!


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BLOG TOUR SPOTLIGHT + GIVEAWAY(CLOSED): Reaction by Jessica Roberts















----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today I am honored to be participating in the promotional tour for Reaction by Jessica Roberts! Reaction is the follow-up novel to Reflection, my review and an excerpt of the first book can be found here. There is a giveaway for some very exciting goodies at the end of the post, so don't forget to enter!

Title: Reaction (Reflection #2)
Release Date: Nov 5/2012 
Goodreads: ADD
Purchase: Amazon/Barnes & Noble

*SPOLIER ALERT* If you haven't read the first book.

Harmony…  

I’ve previously had that in my life, but only once, briefly, a while ago.  It was during the time I’d started my first year of college.  My own apartment, a new old car, and a life free of deadbeat stepfathers, all of which was fulfilling enough.  But if it wasn’t, I also had a best friend, soul mate, and boyfriend all in one.  Yes, life was near perfect.

But one stormy night can change everything…

For many months I rested in a prolonged sleep, fighting for my life.  Well, more than fighting for it, also dreaming of it.  Dreaming of him.  Thank goodness, the dream is over and I’m back in the real world now.  And all I want is for everything to return to the way it was.  But nothing’s the same; most of all, us.

Once again, I find myself at the crossroads of a ruthless battle, this time not for life, but love.  Do I fight for the guy I twice fell for, or do I let her take him away?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title: Reflection
Release Date: Feb 17/2012 
Goodreads: ADD

Bright, spunky Heather Robbins has escaped her small hometown and is anxiously beginning her freshman year of college. Rising above her rocky childhood, she’s found a place where good things are finally starting to happen: her own private apartment, refreshing college classes, and an intense attachment to a mysterious and rugged classmate, Nick Richards.

But when her dreamy college life turns out to be nothing more than a wonderful dream while resting in a coma, questions threaten.

Now, Heather must press forward to unlock the real past, and find the answers buried deep in her mind. What she unlocks instead is a roller coaster ride through flashbacks, embellished memories, and a whirlwind romance. And when it’s all over and she comes face to face with the truth, will she lose everything she’s fallen in love with?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




JESSICA ROBERTS grew up in the San Francisco, California Bay Area where she spent most of her time playing sports alongside her six siblings. She was crowned Miss Teen California her senior year of high school, and went on to Brigham Young University where she graduated in Human Development. 

Her love of family, church, writing, athletics, and singing and dancing keeps her life busy and fulfilled. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three children.

CONTACT LINKS
Website - 
Twitter



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-GIVEAWAY CLOSED-


Prizes
  • Grand Prize is for a $25 Gift Card to Amazon, a replica of the necklace worn in the Reaction cover and an e-book of Reflection. (INTERNATIONAL)
  • There will also be 4 additional e-book copies of Reflection up for giveaway. (INTERNATIONAL)



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Follow the Rest of the Tour
Click Here for the Schedule

Monday, November 5, 2012

COVER REVEAL: Pieces by Michelle Davidson Argyle

Title: 
Pieces
(The Breakaway #2)

Author: 
Michelle Davidson
Argyle

Release Date: 
Feb 14/2013

Goodreads:
Click to ADD

Two years after watching her kidnappers go to prison, Naomi Jensen is still in love with one of them. Jesse will be released in a few years, and Naomi knows college is the perfect distraction while she waits. But when her new friend Finn makes her question what is right and what is wrong, she begins to wonder if Jesse is the one for her … until she discovers he's out on parole. Naomi must sort through her confusion to figure out where love and freedom truly lie—in Finn, who has no connections to her past, or Jesse, who has just asked her to run away with him.

Pieces is a companion to The Breakaway and can be read independently, if desired.

BLOG TOUR: Reflection by Jessica Roberts
















----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title:                
Reflection  

Author:          
Jessica Roberts

Release Date:  
Feb 1/2012
 
Adquired:  
Epub copy provided for tour

Goodreads:     
ADD

Purchase:       
Amazon/Indigo-Kobo Books


Bright, spunky Heather Robbins has escaped her small hometown and is anxiously beginning her freshman year of college. Rising above her rocky childhood, she’s found a place where good things are finally starting to happen: her own private apartment, refreshing college classes, and an intense attachment to a mysterious and rugged classmate, Nick Richards. But when her dreamy college life turns out to be nothing more than a wonderful dream while resting in a coma, questions threaten.

Now, Heather must press forward to unlock the real past, and find the answers buried deep in her mind. What she unlocks instead is a roller coaster ride through flashbacks, embellished memories, and a whirlwind romance. And when it’s all over and she comes face to face with the truth, will she lose everything she’s fallen in love with? 


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was instantly intrigued by the synopsis of Reflection. I have been a longtime fan of fiction that involves a coma patient, and was excited to see the direction that the author was going to take this book in.
 

The book opened slowly, but quickly picks up as Heather begins to recount what she remembers before the accident that landed her in a coma. Jessica's use of imagery and style of writing during these scenes made me feel deeply connected to what Heather was experiencing. Even though, as the reader, I was slightly aware of the truth behind the strange moments Heather had-it was as if I was being guided through the same fog-like dream that she was. I felt like I was right beside her. I could have been one of her classmates; a silent witness. I love authors who have the ability to place their readers inside of their worlds, inside of their heads.

As the "memories" continued, I grew more and more anxious to get back to present day, and in turn, began to lose some interest in the storyline-but that was my own impatience. The author brought me back at just the right moment, and I was able to put the whole story into perspective.

I enjoyed the characters-their dynamics and diversity. There are not many YA books I've read of late that incorporate all walks of life, a variety of races and ethnic backgrounds. I think Jessica Roberts did an amazing job of being descriptive enough with her characters that the readers were well aware of what they looked like-there was no guesswork, or assumptions. For this reason I gained deep respect for her as an author, and as a person.

Reflection concluded at just the right moment, and with just enough of a cliffhanger for readers to hold on to. I can't wait to read book 2: Reaction.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excerpt  

And then all of a sudden Nick got up. While my brain was determining where he was going and if I’d gone too far, my eyes studied his physique as it strolled away from me. His t-shirt clung to the evident muscles of his upper back, hanging flawlessly in the hollow down to his waist. I’d never noticed something like that. To my eye’s dismay he hunched behind the counter. I was fascinated and confused by the draw I felt to him and the alien emotions pulling inside my stomach. Emotions I was certain I’d never processed before.

A few seconds later his eyes fastened on me. “Garbage?”

“What? Oh.” I stood, laughing sheepishly. “Yeah. I don’t have one. I mean, I need to get one.” I placed my clumsy hands on my hips and then glanced behind me because I didn’t know where else to look.

Visually I followed him as he wadded the white paper in his hand, snatched his keys off the counter, and strolled toward me. But because my eyes were nervously stiff I didn’t really see him. I twisted Creed’s ring around my finger; then my hand scratched the back of my neck; and then my foot propped behind me on its tiptoe and I almost lost my balance.

Say something! He’s leaving! 

“You’re leaving already and I haven’t even finished my sandwich.” I scrunched my nose at what came out. “Not that I want you to stay or anything. I mean, it’s your choice to stay or leave but—” 

His nearness cut me off. In the course of my bird-brained comments, he had been advancing toward me, finally stopping uncomfortably close to me. His lips were curved in a wicked grin and I swallowed with a bashfulness I rarely felt. 

To my utter shock, a hot finger lifted my chin and our faces came even closer. Too close. 

Breathe, Heather. 

“Would you like that, if I stayed?” 

My eyes dropped from his, but they only made it to his chest since he was holding my head in place. 

“Actually, I have so much to do today,” I said, trying my best to sound bored. But my voice held a nervous quiver that most likely made him smile more.

Though he dropped his hand from my face, he didn’t back away and his deep voice rumbled through my head again. “Some of us attend class.”

My nose scrunched. Had I missed class this morning? Before I had time to pinpoint what day it was, he was gone.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



JESSICA ROBERTS grew up in the San Francisco, California Bay Area where she spent most of her time playing sports alongside her six siblings. She was crowned Miss Teen California her senior year of high school, and went on to Brigham Young University where she graduated in Human Development. 

Her love of family, church, writing, athletics, and singing and dancing keeps her life busy and fulfilled. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three children.