BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: Taking Back Forever by Karen Amanda Hooper

Book Info

Taking Back Forever
by Karen Amanda Hooper
Publication Date: May 31st, 2013

Forever is worth the fight.

Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn’t erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it. Maryah’s power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn’t big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. Heaven help anyone who stands in her way

Excerpt 

In the short week since Maryah’s momentary remembrance of him, Nate had come alive again. He smiled all the time. His eyes were brighter. I was happy for him, but it left me feeling more alone than ever. He had been my partner in suffering over our lost soul mates. But not anymore.

I gazed at the landscape of Sedona behind him. To myself, I could admit my jealousy of his and Maryah’s reunion, but I’d never say it out loud. “How’s it feel? To have her back after all this time?”

“I don’t have her back. She hardly remembers anything. But I don’t have to hide who and what I am anymore, or that I love her. She knows who she was and where she belongs. I’m patiently waiting for her to figure out who she is now, and what she’s capable of.”

“She loves you. I can see it.”

“I am ecstatically grateful for that. But I still feel the loss of her, of all the time we shared together. It’s like we’re getting to know each other for the first time all over again. We haven’t had to do that for hundreds of years.” His head drooped. “What if she doesn’t like what she discovers?”

“Oh, please. You two light up around each other. That girl is smitten, and so are you.”

His cheeks flushed. “It’s amazing how much more you appreciate someone after you’ve lost them. Her happiness means everything to me. I want to give her the world, the magical and beautiful one she can no longer see, but I worry that’s no longer possible.”

“Give it time. If there’s one thing Mary proved over and over, it’s that anything is possible.”

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WOW #31

Until It Hurts to Stop

by Jennifer Hubbard

Expected Publication: September 12th, 2013

When you can’t trust anyone, how can you ever feel safe?
In seventh grade, Maggie Camden was the class outcast. Every day, the other girls tripped her, pinched her, trapped her in the bathroom, told her she would be better off dead. Four years have passed since then, and Maggie’s tormentors seem to have moved on. The ringleader of them all, Raleigh Barringer, even moved out of town. But Maggie has never stopped watching for attacks, and every laugh still sounds like it’s at her expense. The only time Maggie feels at peace is when she’s hiking up in the mountains with her best friend, Nick. Lately, though, there’s a new sort of tension between the two of them—a tension both dangerous and delicious. But how can Maggie expect anything more out of Nick when all she’s ever been told is that she’s ugly, she’s pathetic, she’s unworthy of love? And how can she ever feel safe, now that Raleigh Barringer is suddenly—terrifyingly—back in town?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on my Summer TBR List

1. Golden by Jessi Kirby

2. Rules of Summer by Joanna Philbin

3. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

4. Icons by Margaret Stohl

5. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

6. Truly Madly Deadly by Hannah Jayne

7.  Famous Last Words by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

8. Asylum by Madeline Roux

COVER REVEAL: The Cindy Chronicles by RaShelle Workman

The Cindy Chronicles (6 volumes)
by RaShelle Workman

Life sucks. Possessing magic sucks. What doesn’t suck? Fashion, Cindy's boyfriend Gabe, and her best friend, Snow White. 
Cindy (Cinderella…shhh, don’t tell) was born a witch. It’s part of who she is. But there’s more to her than that. She loves deeply. And has a big heart. She’d do anything for those she cares about, including risk her own life to save theirs. 
When her fairy godmother demands she leave Salem, Massachusetts and return to the land she was born to rule, she has two options. Tell her fairy godmother no, and seal a death sentence on complete strangers. Or, leave all she’s ever known behind, including the love of her life, for an unknown land she’s fated to save. 
So, yeah, life sucks. But Cindy is determined to change that.

BOOK BLITZ: Inspire by Heather Buchine

Book Info

Inspire
by Heather Buchine
Publication Date: March 31st, 2013

18-year old Paige Rice, an exquisite beauty from East Hampton, NY, has just celebrated her high school graduation and is expecting to spend her summer living it up with all her socialite friends. But her parents have a different idea – she is being hauled away-literally- to the mountains of Vermont for the entire summer- in an RV! 

Assuming she will be an outcast amongst the other teens at the campground still does not prepare her for the treatment she receives, which is far worse than she imagined. She also isn’t prepared for Travis, the campground owner’s son and the “Sexiest” guy she has ever laid eyes on. Travis is the only one who shows any interest in getting to know Paige. The only problem is that they have to explore what lies between them in secret. But once all the secrets are stripped away, the truth may be crushing

1. Where did the idea for Inspire come from?

I was actually camping with my family when the idea for the story came to me.  We had just hiked through the woods down to a lake, and I was staring out at the boats when it hit me.  I spent the rest of the afternoon “daydreaming” away.

2. How did you come up with the name of the title?

My protagonist, Paige, has a tattoo that inspired the title “Inspire.” It’s also a key part of her character.

3.  What was the hardest part of writing Inspire? The easiest?

The hardest part of writing the book was writing the ending.  It took a couple of drafts before I was happy with the way I was leaving off.  (I’m trying not to give too much away, so I’ll leave it at that.) The easiest part was writing the dialogue between Paige and Travis, and the “LOVE” scenes. They were fun to write!!

4. Are you working on any other projects?

Yes. At least two of the other characters from this book are getting their own stories, and then there are a couple other projects in the works. 

5. Do you have a specific writing process?

I really consider myself a mix between a panster and a plotter. The first part of my process is visualizing the characters and the main scenes of the book.  My mind starts playing them out like a movie, and so I write it down exactly how I see it.  Then, I go back and fill in the story around those scenes until I have a book that I would like to jump into.  Although I outline my book ahead of time, things always change along the way as I get to know my characters better. 

6.  Do you have a certain time of day where you feel most creative?

Honestly, not really.  I usually always have a notebook nearby so that I can scribble down things as they come to me.  I could be in the shower, in the car, running through the check-out line, or making dinner and something may hit me. 

7. Do you have any favorite authors?

Yes, I have LOTS of favorite authors, but the two that stick out the most are: S.C. Stephens and Abbi Glines.  Their stories come to life for me, and I have a thing for their leading men!

8. What tips or advice do you have for other aspiring writers?

My first tip would be to write what you love! Second, edit, edit and edit some more. And third, if you’re a self-published author, let someone else do your formatting.  (Your time saved is so worth the money!)  

WOW #30

Dead Girls Don't Lie

by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Expected Publication: September 17th, 2013

Rachel died at two a.m . . . Three hours after Skyler kissed me for the first time. Forty-five minutes after she sent me her last text. Jaycee and Rachel were best friends. But that was before. . .before that terrible night at the old house. Before Rachel shut Jaycee out. Before Jaycee chose Skyler over Rachel. Then Rachel is found dead. The police blame a growing gang problem in their small town, but Jaycee is sure it has to do with that night at the old house. Rachel’s text is the first clue—starting Jaycee on a search that leads to a shocking secret. Rachel’s death was no random crime, and Jaycee must figure out who to trust before she can expose the truth. In the follow-up to her powerful debut, Jennifer Shaw Wolf keeps readers on their toes in another dark, romantic story of murder and secrets.

COVER REVEAL: Ruby's Fire by Catherine Stine

Ruby's Fire
by Catherine Stine
Publication Date: June 26th, 2013

Synopsis:

If everything about you changes, what remains?

Seventeen year-old Ruby, long-pledged to the much older Stiles from the Fireseed desert cult, escapes with only a change of clothes, a pouch of Oblivion Powder and her mute little brother, Thorn. Arriving at The Greening, a boarding school for orphaned teens, she can finally stop running. Or can she? The Greening is not what it seems. Students are rampaging out of control and as she cares for the secret Fireseed crop, she experiences frightening physical changes. She’s ashamed of her attraction to burly, hard-talking Blane, the resident bodyguard, and wonders why she can’t be happy with the gentler Armonk. She’s long considered her great beauty a liability, a thing she’s misused in order to survive. And how is she to stop her dependence on Oblivion to find a real beauty within, using her talent as a maker of salves, when she has nightmares of Stiles without it?When George Axiom, wealthy mogul of Vegas-by-the-Sea offers a huge cash prize for the winner of a student contest, Ruby is hopeful she might collect the prize to rescue her family and friends from what she now knows is a dangerous cult. But when Stiles comes to reclaim her, and Thorn sickens after creating the most astonishing contest project of all, the world Ruby knows is changed forever. This romantic fantasy set in 2099 on earth has a crafty heroine in Ruby, and a swoonworthy cast, which will surely appeal to the YA and new adult audience.

ARC Review (#32): Rush by Eve Silver

Rush
by Eve Silver
Expected Publication: June 11th, 2013
Source: ATW Arc Tours

So what’s the game now? This, or the life I used to know?

When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game—her carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, who says the game isn’t really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival, and the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn’t. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

Rush took me completely by surprise.  I mean, aliens? Come one now, who really wants to read about aliens? I honestly didn't but Im so glad that I gave this book a try.  The cover is what originally what drew me in but as I read, the premise of this life threatening game also grew on me.

We are immediately thrown into the action at the beginning of the crash when Miki is involved in a car crash.  She then wakes up in this game where she has to kill aliens or pretty much, die.  I loved the concept of this book.  I thought it was so original to have this "game" that sort of reminds you a video game.  I have no idea what I would do if I was thrown into this world that I only thought existed in video games.  But Miki handles it real well.

Flat out - Miki is bad ass.  She is so intelligent but is able to so easily think on her feet.  Within a couple moments of her first fight, she is kicking alien butt!  I love Miki as the MC.  She's had her fair share of her problems, like her mother dying, but she's turned out pretty well and knows how to take care of herself.

Jackson was okay.  I admit there were some pretty swoonworthy scenes between him and Miki but we didn't really get to learn much about him in this book.  So hopefully I get to learn more about him.  And you'll know why i said hopefully when you get to the end!

What a cliffhanger! This book isn't even out yet and I cannot wait for the next one! I need to know what freaking happens, like NOW!  I think everyone should give this book a try, and don't be scared away by the word ALIENS! They are nothing like the aliens you and I have imagined since I was little.

BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: Surface by Tiffany Daune

Book Info

Surface
by Tiffany Daune
Publication Date: February 2013

Bound to the water bound to land, a Siren’s soul will never be safe on either side of the ocean’s surface. Hidden beneath the rolling waves lies the secret to Theia’s past and as she unveils each haunting truth, she realizes the last seventeen years of her life have been a lie. Now, drawn into a mysterious new world and with nowhere to turn, Theia must place her trust in Luc, a beautiful boy who stops her heart with each dazzling smile, but even his unearthly charm can’t hide the truth—he has secrets— dark secrets binding him to his world—an underwater world where Theia will never belong—a world determined to destroy her soul.

Interview

 What inspired you to write Surface?

I've always loved mermaids, even the singing ones. I really wanted to explore the darker side of the mermaids I grew up with and at the same time introduce a crossover of other water beings into our world. I love when fantasy blends with reality.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Staying focused. I am the most distracted person in the world. If you called me up and said 'hey do you want to go to a balloon animal making workshop?' I'd so be there.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Wow, to pick one, would be crazy, but if I must, I'd have to say JK Rowling. She is the queen of imagination. She draws every age of reader into her world and transforms the reading experience as if the book was written solely for you.

What is your favorite Quote?

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light. ~ Albus Dumbledore

What do you do in your free time? 

I'm obsessed with going to the movies. If I had more time, I would be there every week.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Always dream big, believe in those dreams, and when they come true, seek to inspire others so they may spark the light within themselves.

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