Posts Categorized: blog tour

My Name is Bryan Blog Tour and Giveaway

07 Nov, 2014 by in blog tour, my name is bryan 2 comments

 

My Name is Bryan

My Name is Bryan
by Stacy Lynn Carroll

If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you jump too? Bryan chose to dive. Moments later, as he lay on the beach, unable to move his arms or legs, two questions ran through his mind: Would he walk again? And would he ever have kids? Based on the incredible true story of life, love, and never giving up.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble* Smashwords * Kobo

Praise for the book
“I plowed through his story, amazed at how he could so easily accept something that would destroy anyone else and just move forward with such a positive attitude. I don’t give many 5 stars, but it’s well-earned. This book really touched me. It’s the kind of story that stays with you for a long time.” -Amazon customer

“I actually love stories like this. Ones that show the power of the human spirit and what love and determination can achieve. I cried multiple times while reading this but they were a happy sort of hopeful tears. If you are looking for something uplifting and motivational read this heart-felt story of love and hope.”-Inspired Kathy 😉

“You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll wring your hands in frustration, and you won’t be able to put it down to go to sleep as you keep waiting to read about Bryan’s happily ever after. This is one of those books that stick with you long after you’ve finished reading it.”-Bookmom

“Each chapter begins with an inspirational quote to lead the reader into the goodness, hardship, unconditional love, and humor that is Bryan’s life. The 30 year journey the reader takes runs smoothly page after page. You will cry and you will laugh. You will want to hug Nedra and Bryan when you are finished.” -Kriss A.

 

Excerpt

The sun was scorching now, with the temperature at 100 degrees and steadily climbing. Despite the heat, Bryan’s face grew paler by the hour. His tongue felt swollen and rough, like sandpaper rubbing against the roof of his mouth. It was harder and harder for him to stay awake. His mom remained steadily by his side, waking him each time he began to doze. His friends continued to try and make him smile and laugh, but he didn’t return the smile as easily. The waiting was pure agony. His body tingled occasionally, but it was becoming less and less frequent. He had been trying to get his foot, a finger, anything to move, but he was becoming increasingly tired and the concentration it required was exhausting. He had to stop thinking about his stationary limbs and focus his mind on staying awake.
Carol Jean looked at her watch for probably the millionth time. Glenn left seventeen hours earlier. She stared up at the bright blue sky, squinting into the sunlight, and straining her ears for any sign of hope. All she could hear were the voices of youth all around her and an occasional bird. She couldn’t see even a cloud in the sky and pretend the helicopter was hiding behind them.
One of the EMTs approached her cautiously. “Do you want us to start preparing a raft?”
“I just . . .” She looked to the sky again and found nothing. “No, but yes.”
The EMT nodded. “I’ll have my guys start moving supplies around to make room, just in case.”
Carol Jean waved him away and placed a hand on Bryan’s forehead. His pale, clammy skin had become beet red and cracked in a matter of hours. Her palm seared from his touch. She grabbed her bottle and dripped the last remaining drops onto the crusty sock. Bryan’s lips were cracked and stained with dried blood. He didn’t even react to the sock being placed on his mouth. His eyes were closed, his breathing shallow. They were out of time.

 

My Name is Bryan (1)Follow the Blog Tour hosted by I Am A Reader
October 29th to November 14th

 

 

Book Trailer:

 

Stacy Lynn CarrollAbout the Author

Stacy Lynn Carroll has always loved telling stories. She started out at Utah State University where she pursued a degree in English. Go Aggies! She then finished her BA at the University of Utah (to be closer to her then boyfriend, now hubby) where she got an emphasis in creative writing. After college she worked as an administrative assistant, where she continued to write stories for the amusement of her co-workers. When her first daughter was born, and with the encouragement of a fortune cookie, she quit her job and became a full-time mommy and writer. It seemed like fate when Matt and Stacy married. She was a writer, and her father-in-law had a story that demanded to be written. She and her husband have three children, two Corgis, and a fish named Don.

Website * Twitter * Pinterest * Facebook

 

The Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 11/21/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Zhukov’s Dogs Blog Tour and Author Guest Post

29 Oct, 2014 by in blog tour, Zhukov's Dogs Leave a comment

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Zhukov's Dogs, by Amanda Cyr - CoverAbout Zhukov’s Dogs:

Lieutenant Colonel Nik Zhukov is just like any other desensitized seventeen-year-old living in the year 2076. At least he likes to think he is when he isn’t busy eliminating threats to national security, breaking up terrorist organizations, and trying not to get blown up. It’s all in a normal day’s work for one of the military’s top dogs, and he’s never disappointed. Never failed. Never lost sight of his dream of making it to the elite force, even as each new job forces him to see just how morally corrupt his leaders are.

On the verge of promotion, Nik is dispatched to the underground city beneath the icy Seattle tundra, his final mission handed down directly from The Council. It should have been a simple in-and-out, but the underground is full of dark secrets and he soon finds himself swept into battles, lying to his best friend back east, and growing a bit too close to the rebels he was sent to spy on.

Nik realizes too late that he’s broken the number one rule within his ranks; he’s allowed himself to feel normal for the first time in his life. He might be able to turn the job around, become the soldier he was once was, except for his growing attachment to the rebel leader. A guy. Yet another first for Nik. It’s a mistake he pays for dearly when he learns The Council’s true intentions for the city.

It’s never ‘just harmless fun’ when you’re a government dog, not when The Council holds the leash. Nik knows there are some lines you can never come back from crossing, and he’s forced to choose whose rules to play by. He races toward the invisible divide, aware he’ll be called traitor by both his nation and by his friends. Aware that even the right choice can be deadly to make.

Add Zhukov’s Dogs to your Goodreads ‘to-be-read’ list.

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Hello everyone! It’s a pleasure to be here, and I’d like to thank Heather for having me! My name’s Amanda Cyr and my debut novel, Zhukov’s Dogs, just dropped a few days ago. Those 80,000 words were held together by three years of love, tears of exhaustion, spite, and an expensive hair product or five. There’s a new manuscript in my life now – a sci-fi trilogy packed with monster – but Zhukov’s Dogs is still so fresh in my mind!
You know that box of memories you keep under your bed? The one with the used candles, birthday cards, enough stolen utensils to outfit a dinner party, and other worthless knickknacks you’ll never tell anyone the full story behind? Well, for years now, I’ve been creating similar boxes every time I start working on a new story. They’re mental boxes, but we’re all a bit mental, so I don’t see the harm in that. Plus, keeping a mental archive helps with saving space under the bed, not that there’s a mattress big enough to hide the dozens of abandoned, half-empty boxes that have piled up over the years.

When Zhukov’s Dogs came out on Monday, I was finally able to put a lid on one of those boxes. Safely stored inside are all of the joys, failures, and whatnots that manuscript and I encountered from its conception to debut—eye-opening writers conferences, first-time pitching blunders, loud arguments with Russians over pronunciation and the vodka that followed, and so forth. Today I’d like to share a few of those keepsakes with you in the hopes that aspiring authors can enjoy a glimpse at the epic sort of adventures to come, and so that veteran authors can reminisce on how different (or similar!) our first steps, stumbles, and faceplants into the publishing world were.

1. The Beginning: “Hmm, well, I guess that’s a good thing since you’re pretty terrible at writing.”
I mentioned before that Zhukov’s Dogs was partially born from spite, and anyone who enjoys my debut novel can thank a certain English professor at Seattle University. Now, let me preface this next part by saying that, to date, I have no idea what I did to upset this professor, but from Day 1, they constantly picked at me with snide remarks and wildly unconstructive criticism.
This professor, who shall remain nameless, scheduled meetings with students throughout the quarter to discuss major assignments. During one of our sit downs – long after I’d given up on making this professor happy and decided to “polite smile” my way through the class – they asked about my major. I explained that I was planning to enroll in the university’s Pre-Law program, to which the professor replied, “Hmm, well, I guess that’s a good thing since you’re pretty terrible at writing.”

You always hear about the gray skies in Seattle, but let me tell you, dear readers, there was a day in November not too long ago when everything turned red. As it turns out, there’s no better motivator for someone who’s been writing on a bootleg computer for seven years than telling them that they’re a terrible writer—especially when that someone loves putting a bully in their place and has “Publish a Novel” scrawled across the top of her Bucket List.

2. The Hard Sell: A wild Agent appears! Amanda uses Internal Scream… But it misses! Agent uses Head Tilt… It’s super effective! Amanda is paralyzed!
Terrifying. That’s the only way to describe my first encounter with an agent.
Public speaking and I have been on good terms for a while now, and I’m not shy when it comes to making new acquaintances, but walking into the PNWA Summer Conference blasted me back to my socially inept middle school days.

“Agents are people, don’t be scared of us,” I vaguely remember one of them joking during the meet-and-greet panel packed with hundreds of people who – just like me – were wringing sweat out of the so-far-from-perfect-what-am-i-even-doing-here pitch notecards.

Year One was a bust for me and Zhukov’s Dogs in terms of offers, but I learned tons and grew exponentially over the course of three days, and I encourage anyone serious about writing to attend a local conference; if not for pitching, then for the experience!

I have to thank a certain individual (then-stranger, now-BFF) for helping me overcome my irrational fear of agents. If she hadn’t shoved me out of line and crashing into an agent, I would’ve never gained the confidence to pitch to 16 agents that year or returned for Year Two’s conference—where my subtle agent-passing skills led me and my manuscript to Kimberley Cameron at the Kimberley Cameron & Associates Literary Agency.

3. The Verdict: Write drunk. Edit hungover. Eat brunch sober.
As my friends and I were still in college during the drafting and revision phases of Zhukov’s Dogs, distractions were plentiful, and I occasionally/shamelessly used parties as a guise for sourcing community feedback. Unfortunately, this would lead to creative binges my vision, mind, and fingers weren’t always the best at dealing with. Fortunately, the ideas were all still there – albeit misspelled – when I rolled out of bed the following morning and legible before it was time to trek up to Capitol Hill for brunch. It could just be me, but I found this cycle very effective. Terrible for a liver, but very effective.

I hope this glimpse into my keepsake box for Zhukov’s Dogs makes you wonder what sort of unusual novel could’ve spawned out of such peculiarities, thereby making you want to rush out and buy a copy. If nothing else, though, I hope I’ve at least made you think about what you’d put in your story’s keepsake box!

 

About the Authorunnamed

Amanda Cyr is a tea-loving freelance journalist, viral content curator, and debut novelist. She studied creative writing at Seattle University, where she developed all sorts of opinions before becoming a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. She is currently represented by Kimberley Cameron of the Kimberley Cameron & Associates Literary Agency.

Growing up, Amanda moved around a lot. She began writing to make the transitions easier and make up for her lack of friends in middle school. An awesome professor in Medford, Oregon tried to convince her to pursue writing professionally, but Amanda was deadest on a law career. It wasn’t until an unpleasant professor in Seattle, Washington told her she was a terrible writer that Amanda really committed to the idea of getting published, mostly just to spite her professor.

When Amanda’s not hunched over a laptop she enjoys sleeping, video games, Netflix binges, and wrestling with her two polar bear dogs. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she spends her days hissing at the sun and missing Seattle. Her least favorite things include the mispronunciation of her name, screaming children, and California.

Find Amanda Cyr Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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The Missing Place by Sophie Littlefield Blog Tour

23 Oct, 2014 by in blog tour, missing place 1 comment

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unnamed (1)The Missing Place
Author: Sophie Littlefield
Release Date: October 14, 2014
Publisher: Gallery Books

Twenty-year-old Taylor Jarvis and Paul Carroll go missing in Weir, North Dakota, where they have been working on rigs owned by Oasis Energy. The boys stayed in Black Creek Lodge, a ?man camp? providing room and board. The mothers of the two boys come to Weir to find out what happened to their sons and form an uneasy alliance. Shay Jarvis, a 41-year-old single grandmother, has more grit than resources; for wealthy suburban housewife Colleen Carroll, the opposite is true. Overtaxed by worry, exhaustion, and fear, they question each other’s methods and motivations – but there is no one else to help, and they must learn to work together if they are to have any chance of breaking through the barriers put up by their sons? employer, the indifference of an overtaxed police department, and a town of strangers with their own secrets against a backdrop of a modern day gold rush.

Goodreads * Kobo * Amazon * B&N

Praise for THE MISSING PLACE

“Littlefield maximizes the emotional impact of her character-driven cautionary tale.” –Publishers Weekly

“Really good read. Readers will admire the tenacity of the lead characters…to find strength and answers together.” –Fitness Magazine

“The excellent writing will keep readers engrossed and unwilling to put the book down.” –RT Book Reviews

 

10 Random Facts

List of 10 totally random facts about yourself, and/or THE MISSING PLACE

Thank you for asking me here today! What a fun way to talk about a new book. Let’s see, here are five facts about THE MISSING PLACE that didn’t make it into any of the publicity materials:

1. In the first draft, a completely different person is revealed to be responsible for the death of one of the main characters.
2. I cut 20,000 words from the final draft before turning it in.
3. Shay is actually named after a friend I met a few years ago. It wasn’t until the book was turned in that I learned that her real name is actually Sharon.
4. While in Williston, North Dakota researching the book, I tried two flavors of Doritos that I’d never even seen before: Chicken Sizzler Zesty Salsa and Blazin’ Buffalo Rush. I found them at the WalMart, which is incidentally the highest-grossing WalMart in the country.
5. THE MISSING PLACE went to a publishing auction on the basis of only a twenty-four page proposal.
And here are five things people might be surprised to find out about me:

1. Both my dad and my brother are also published authors.
2. I am learning Krav Maga (Israeli military combat).
3. I’ve had a dog since the age of eight, except for one sad pet-free year in my twenties.
4. I got my first tattoo for my fiftieth birthday.
5. I have a college degree in Computer Science—and no formal training in English or writing.

About The Author

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Sophie’s first novel, A BAD DAY FOR SORRY (Thomas Dunne/St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2009) has been nominated for the Edgar, Macavity, Barry, and Crimespree awards, and won the Anthony Award and the RTBookReviews Reviewers Choice Award for Best First Mystery. Her novel AFTERTIME was a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Horror award.

Twitter * Website * Goodreads

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Sophia by Paula Kremeser Blog Tour, Review

22 Oct, 2014 by in adult, blog tour, cedar fort, clean read, regency romance Leave a comment

I received this book for free from Cedar Fort in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Sophia by Paula Kremeser Blog Tour, Review

Sophia

by Paula Kremser
Published by Cedar Fort on October 14, 2014
Genres: Adult, Clean Romance, Regency
Pages: 208
Format: Paperback
three-half-stars
Source: Cedar Fort
Buy the Book • Goodreads
Small-town Sophia Spencer can’t believe her luck when an unexpected inheritance allows her to experience London’s social scene. But her happiness disappears when she is caught napping in a grumpy gentleman’s room—and forced into an engagement to protect her reputation! Personalities collide and love blooms in this stunning debut novel.
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Sophia Spencer is a small town doctor’s daughter, raised far from the influence of the ton and high London society. So, when a solicitor shows up at her door with an inheritance to bestow, life takes quite the unexpected twist. She is sent to town for her “season”, a whirlwind schedule of teas and concerts under the care of her aunt, whom she’d never met. The pace is dizzying and society’s rules so confusing. Sophia lays down for a nap at the ball and wakes up in quite an uncomfortable, but innocent situation that could ruin her reputation and the honor of the man involved. She finds herself engaged to be married to Adam Huntley, a sour grumpy (yet handsome) fellow–but can she follow through?

A light, clean introduction to Regency era romance, Sophia is told in dual perspective. There is a villain afoot and a slow romance fighting against the odds. Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this one, but wished for more detail and fleshing out of the characters and story line. It’s a fast, simple read. I grew fond of the characters and was thirsting for more sights, sounds and feels. Paula has some wonderful material in person and place to work with for future novels and I hope to see more from her on shelves in the future!

Clean, quick read.

About the Author

Paula Kremser focused on a career in science for several years after graduating from Brigham Young University. DNA purification and Affinity Chromatography were always interesting, but when Paula-Kremser-author-360x310she moved to England, Paula seized the opportunity to focus on her love of the Regency Era. The enchantment of the aristocracy and the fascinating stories from every stately home she visits have been both research and inspiration for her first novel. Paula lives with her husband and four children in a charming village nestled in the Chiltern hills in Buckinghamshire.
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Hit by Lorie Ann Grover~ Blog Tour & Review

09 Oct, 2014 by in blinkYA, blog tour, book review, christian, Hit, Lorie Ann Grover Leave a comment

I received this book for free from BookSparksPR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Hit by Lorie Ann Grover~ Blog Tour & Review

Hit

by Lorie Ann Grover
Published by BlinkYA on October 7, 2014
Genres: Christian, Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 224
Format: ARC
four-half-stars
Source: BookSparksPR
Buy the Book • Goodreads
After receiving a full-ride scholarship to Mills College for Girls, it appears Sarah's future is all laid out before her … but then she walks into a poetry class led by Mr. Haddings, a student teacher from the nearby University of Washington. Suddenly, life on the UW campus seems very appealing, and Sarah finds herself using her poetry journal to subtly declare her feelings for Mr. Haddings. And she becomes convinced Mr. Haddings is flirting back. As she sets off for school in the rain, she slips a poem in her back pocket—one that will declare her feelings once and for all.Mr. Haddings has noticed Sarah's attention; the fallout from any perceived relationship with a student is too great a risk, and he has decided to end all speculation that morning. But everything changes when Mr. Haddings feels the thud on his front bumper when he glances away from the road and finds Sarah in the street with blood pooling beneath her.

This is this first novel I have read by Lorie Ann Grover, but not the first in the Blink YA imprint. I was thrilled to pick up another clean YA contemporary read with Christian undertones. The story line took me aback at first because it is about a student and graduate student teacher who feel attracted to one another. That is usually an automatic DNF for me, because I just can’t stomach student-teacher relationships in any form. However, in Hit this is not the main focus of the story line and told from two points of view, you get a full picture that this is more a story about grief, trauma and forgiveness. There is truly something magical about this book that defies description. It is short, easy to read and simplistic, yet deep. At the end I felt transformed and wanted to read more. Author Lorie Ann Grover weaves in poetry with raw straight to the point realities of the aftermath at a car accident scene and the immediate consequences. I do wish the ending were a bit longer, or not so neatly tied up. I’m not sure if the finished version is different form the uncorrected bound proof, but I missed how the victim came to know the driver was her teacher Hastings. It seemed some of the story was cut or left out.

 Hit is based on the real life experience of the author’s best friend who’s child was also hit at an intersection. It makes you think twice about distracted driving and how quickly life can change. I’m not sure how Grover got me there–to the point of loving this book and wanting a sequel, but she did! I am sad that there is not a book two in the works at this time (please, please write an epilogue or novella). This is a strong standalone.

about_ the_author

Lorie-Ann-Grover Lorie Ann Grover is a co-founder of the influential site readergirlz, where she is a visible advocate for teen literacy and activism. In addition, she is the author of four acclaimed novels: Firstborn, Hold Me Tight, a VOYA pick; On Pointe, a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year; and Loose Threads, a Booklist Top 10 Youth First Novel and a 2003 Washington state Book Award Finalist. Lorie Ann lives in Washington State with her husband. Read more at www.lorieanngrover.com

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Cinder and Ella by Kelly Oram~ Blog Tour & Author Guest Post

06 Oct, 2014 by in blog tour, cinder and ella, kelly oram Leave a comment

 

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Cinder & Ella
by Kelly Oram
Published October 1, 2014
Goodreads * Amazon

It’s been almost a year since eighteen-year-old Ella Rodriguez was in a car accident that left her crippled, scarred, and without a mother. After a very difficult recovery, she’s been uprooted across the country and forced into the custody of a father that abandoned her when she was a young child. If Ella wants to escape her father’s home and her awful new stepfamily, she must convince her doctors that she’s capable, both physically and emotionally, of living on her own. The problem is, she’s not ready yet. The only way she can think of to start healing is by reconnecting with the one person left in the world who’s ever meant anything to her—her anonymous Internet best friend, Cinder.

Hollywood sensation Brian Oliver has a reputation for being trouble. There’s major buzz around his performance in his upcoming film The Druid Prince, but his management team says he won’t make the transition from teen heartthrob to serious A-list actor unless he can prove he’s left his wild days behind and become a mature adult. In order to douse the flames on Brian’s bad-boy reputation, his management stages a fake engagement for him to his co-star Kaylee. Brian isn’t thrilled with the arrangement—or his fake fiancée—but decides he’ll suffer through it if it means he’ll get an Oscar nomination. Then a surprise email from an old Internet friend changes everything.

Author Interview

Tell us a little about yourself.

I read a lot and talk way too much. My imagination never stops, I’m easy going, I’m sarcastic, and I’m left-handed. I’m a big sports nut. (Watching not playing because I am SO not athletic.) I love to sing, play golf, and spend time outdoors. I’m a beach bum. (Or I was when I used to live by the beach.) And I am a wife of thirteen years, mother to four crazy kids, and owner of one very cool cat named Mr. Darcy.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always been a writer. I’ve written stories since I was a little kid and completed my first novel at 15. But I didn’t actually have any idea that’s what I wanted to be until I was a married stay-home-mom. It had always been just a hobby that I never considered could be a real profession until so many people told me I should do it.

Was there any music that inspired Cinder & Ella or helped you in the writing process?

I can’t write with music on. It’s too distracting for me. But I usually have some sort of playlist for each book I write. It’s just a list of songs that remind me of the book or certain characters. I have quite a long playlist for Cinder & Ella. I won’t list all the songs here, but I’ll tell you the one song that I’ve adopted as Brian & Ella’s song. It’s Parachute by Train. If you get a chance, listen to it. Both the lyrics and the tone of the song sort of sum up Brian and Ella’s relationship for me.

What are your favorite books/sagas/trilogies? And your favorite authors?

Oh, the list could go on forever… I’ll try to keep it reasonable… Graceling by Kristen Cashore, Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles, The Uglies by Scott Westerfield, The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima, The Mediator & 1-800-Where-R-You seres by Meg Cabot, anything at all by Meg, actually, and anything by John Green or Sarah Dessen. Edenbrook by Julianne Donaldson, The Host by Stephenie Meyer, The Broken Aro series by Jen Wylie, The Beka Cooper series by Tamora Pierce, The Mortal Instrauments series by Cassandra Claire, The Grisha series by Leigh Bardugo, Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent, the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead, and all Jennifer L. Armentrout’s YA stuff. Again, this list could go on, but I’ll spare you.

Why the adaptation of Cinderella fairy tale? Do you like adaptations of classic fairy tales? What is your the most favorite adaptation and of which tale? Why Cinderella?

Because it’s my favorite fairy tale. I’ve loved it since I was a kid and I’m a junkie when it comes to watching/reading different adaptations. If I see one, I buy it. Even if I’ve never heard of the author. I can’t help it. My favorite movie adaptation is the Hillary Duff movie called A Cinderella Story. My favorite book adaptation is Cindy Ella by Robin Palmer. Both are very cute, fun versions of the tale. I’m really excited to see the new Disney movie that’s coming out next year!

What advice would you give to young writers?

Two things: Read and write! Read as much as you can. Everything and anything you can get your hands on. You’d be surprised how much you will learn and absorb simply by reading other people’s work. And then, write, write, and write some more. Like any hobby, talent, or skill, practice makes perfect. Talent, though extremely helpful, is not everything. Writing is a craft that you can learn and get better at with hard work. The more you do it, the more you’ll get better at it.

About the Authorblog-tour-cinder-by-kelly-oram-interview-L-Co7wU_

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen—a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which her family and friends still tease her. She’s obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and likes to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and her cat named Mr. Darcy.

Author Links: Facebook * Goodreads *Twitter * My Website

The Giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZWNlY2EyMTkyZjViNzA4YTUwYTQ1MDJjNDEwMTY2OjE3/

 

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The Tour

10 – 1 – Facebook party

10 – 2 – The Chiq Blog – Excerpt

              Not so public library – anuthor interview

10 – 3 – Book Passion For Life – Cinder’s Original letter to Ella

              My Book World – author interview

10 – 4 – A Life Bound By Books – Brian & Ella stop by to chat about their new release

              Cada libro un mundo – author interview

10 – 5 – Confessions of An Unsuspected Bookworm — review

              Loco Mundo Literario – author interview

10 – 6 – Fire & Ice – Author Interview

              Fierush – author interview

10 – 7 – I Am A Reader – Brian Oliver vs Kyle Hamilton –a character comparison

              Choque deLetras – review

10 – 8 – Epic Narrative Book Reviews – review

              FluffyReads – Why I love Brian Oliver so much

10 – 9 – Read For Your Future – My struggles with reading/love for it

              The CozyReading Corner – teaser excerpt

10 – 10  Books Are Love — review

  Turning Pages of Fiction – review

10 – 11  Reading Teen – Mydream cast for Cinder & Ella

              Vendea’s Worldof Books — Review

10 – 12  Istyria – review

              Bookworm Lisa – Vivian, Juliette, and Rob stop by for a chat

10 – 13  SMW Blog – review

              BurningImpossibly Bright – Ella and Brian stop by to say hello!

10 – 14  Coffee, Book, and myKindle – review

              My Book A Day – Review

10 – 15  Books over Boys – My top ten princes in YA fiction

              This Blonde Reads—Why I chose to write a Cinderella Story

10 – 16  Bonjoyr Y’all – character interview with Brian and Ella

              Words Feather – Brian & Ella stop by for an interview

              Coffee Books and MyKindle – Ella stops by for a chat

10 – 17  Book Babe’s Reads – review

              Book Butterfly inDreamland – review

10 – 18  Teen Reader’s Diary – excerpt/teaser

              Crawling Over thePages – review

10 – 19  Author2Author – author interview

              Clever Girls Read – review

10 – 20  Getting Your Read On – Review

10 – 21  Egykönyvfüggő vallomásai – author interview

10 – 22  Bitter Sweet Book Love – review

10 – 23  Fastidious Reader – Kelly’s thoughts on online relationships

10 – 24  My Guilty Obsession – review

10 – 25  Views N Reviews – Kelly’s top 10 Cinderella Adaptations

10 – 26  El Extraño Gato del Cuento – review

10 – 27  Bows & Bullets – interview

10 – 28  Closet Geeks and SlowMo – Cinder & Ella playlist

              Storybook Reviews – review

10 – 29  Random Things In Action – review

10 – 30  The Rest Is StillUnwritten — teaser excerpt

10 – 31 Paper Cuts – Brian and Ella stop by to chat (argue) Halloween

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Exquisite Captive Blog Tour, Playlist and Review

05 Oct, 2014 by in blog tour, exquisite captive, harper collins, heather demetrios, me my shelf and i Leave a comment

exquisite_captive

 

 Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the Official Exquisite Captive Blog Tour hosted by Me, My Shelf and I.

exquisite captive cover
Exquisite Captive
Dark Caravan Cycle #1
Author: Heather Demetrios
Release Date: October 7th, 2014
Publisher: Balzer+Bray
 
Forced to obey her master.
Compelled to help her enemy.

Determined to free herself.Nalia is a jinni of tremendous ancient power, the only survivor of a coup that killed nearly everyone she loved. Stuffed into a bottle and sold by a slave trader, she’s now in hiding on the dark caravan, the lucrative jinni slave trade between Arjinna and Earth, where jinn are forced to grant wishes and obey their human masters’ every command. She’d give almost anything to be free of the golden shackles that bind her to Malek, her handsome, cruel master, and his lavish Hollywood lifestyle.Enter Raif, the enigmatic leader of Arjinna’s revolution and Nalia’s sworn enemy. He promises to free Nalia from her master so that she can return to her ravaged homeland and free her imprisoned brother—all for an unbearably high price. Nalia’s not sure she can trust him, but Raif’s her only hope of escape. With her enemies on the hunt, Earth has become more perilous than ever for Nalia. There’s just one catch: for Raif’s unbinding magic to work, Nalia must gain possession of her bottle…and convince the dangerously persuasive Malek that she truly loves him. Battling a dark past and harboring a terrible secret, Nalia soon realizes her freedom may come at a price too terrible to pay: but how far is she willing to go for it?
 
 

About The Author

When she’s not traipsing around the world or spending time in imaginary places, Heather Demetrios lives with her husband in New York City. Originally from Los Angeles, she now calls the East Coast home. Heather is a recipient of the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award for her debut novel, Something Real, which Publisher’s Weekly calls “[An] addictive yet thoughtful debut” about reality TV stardom. She is the author of the upcoming EXQUISITE CAPTIVE, a smoldering fantasy about jinn in Los Angeles and what Kirkus called in its starred review “an intoxicating, richly realized realm of magic, politics, spirituality and history” (#1 in the DARK CARAVAN CYCLE). She is also the author of the upcoming I’ll Meet You There (Winter 2015). I’ll Meet You There is a love story about a young combat veteran and a girl trapped in their small town, both struggling to escape the war at home. Heather is the founder of Live Your What, an organization dedicated to fostering passion in people of all ages and creating writing opportunities for youth of limited economic means. She is proud to have an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. You can always find her on Twitter (@HDemetrios), ogling the military dogs she wants to adopt (but can’t because her NYC apartment is way too small). Find out more about Heather and her other books at www.heatherdemetrios.comand www.darkcaravancycle.com

 

Exquisite Captive Music Playlist


When I first came to HarperCollins to talk to all the publishing jinn there about Exquisite Captive and the Dark Caravan Cycle, I passed out mixtapes I’d made and some candy called “Wish” (I kid you not) that I’d picked up in Morocco when I was doing research for Book 2 of the series. I did this because, to me, Exquisite Captive is a sensual story: sexy, yes, but also incorporating all five senses. In order to write the story, I needed to drown myself in the landscape of Middle Eastern and North African culture and I wanted to bring everyone working on the book to this gorgeous, magical place I was just discovering. My hope is that as you get to know my jinni, Nalia, you’ll hear the sound of the sitar, smell sandalwood incense, taste savri, the spicy jinn wine, and feel the pulse of the four elements against your fingertips. The music on this playlist helped draw me into the world I wanted to create and brought it to life for me. Though my jinn are not Arab (they’re their own race!), I wanted to pay homage to the cultures that jinn mythology predominantly arise from and the music helped me find the balance between creating my own unique story and evoking the Arabian Nights. Exquisite Captive is about a jinni who has been trafficked to Earth and is owned by a human master who’s evil with a capital E. She’s desperate to be free of him and return to her homeland, save her brother, and put the genocide of her entire caste behind her. But this is a trilogy – we know she’s going to run into lots of trouble along the way…and maybe fall in love with a certain revolutionary. The series begins in LA (Book 1), moves on to Morocco (Book 2), and finally ends in Arjinna, the jinn realm (Book 3). This playlist reflects this constant interplay between high fantasy and dark, modern fantasy that I’m working with, especially in Book 1. If these tracks don’t make you want to go to a hookah bar, sign up for a belly dancing class, and book a ticket to Morocco (with a stopover for some quality beach yoga in LA), I don’t know what will!! So, as my Moroccan friends would say: yalla habibi! (Let’s go, darling!)

Below are the songs – you’ll find most of them on my YouTube Playlist.

1. Slave
By Yeah Yeah Yeahs
This is sort of my theme song for the book. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are one of my favorite bands and Karen O’s voice is deliciously dark on this track. It’s got that sexy LA vibe I wanted for the book and, hello!, it’s about slavery. It definitely speaks to the tension between Nalia and Malek and that undercurrent of desire that confuses both of them.

2. I’m in Here
By Sia
Oh my gosh, this song is so perfect for Nalia as a jinni trapped in her bottle. It’s heartbreaking and whenever I hear it, I feel intensely aware of how awful it would be to be in exile, a prisoner who’s been forgotten by everyone. Left for dead.

3. Trust in Me
By Susheela Raman
This song – I can’t even. Susheela Raman is a fabulous Egyptian artist – all of her work is so transportive. This is the greatest cover I’ve ever heard – you might recognize it from “The Jungle Book.” I can’t tell you how many times I listened to it as I worked on this book. It’s got a seductive Middle Eastern groove that’s a perfect soundtrack for Habibi, the secret underground jinn club in LA. It was especially helpful in the hot hot HOT dance scene I wrote between Nalia and Raif. My goal is to make you blush with that one: let me know if you do!

4. Kamakshi
By Susheela Raman

This song is gorgeous and haunting. I have no idea what the lyrics are, but the way Susheela sings reminds me of the Call to Prayer. Malek (Nalia’s master) is Saudi and this song gets me into the zone when I’m thinking about his past – which is very dark and you’ll learn more about in Book 2.

5. Madness
By Muse
Pretty much the Nalia and Raif theme song. Muse is just sexy, plain and simple, and this song is all about a relationship that’s dangerous and inevitable. It’s about damning the consequences.

6. What Now
By Rihanna
This song reminded me of Nalia, especially after I saw the video. In the video, Rihanna seems trapped (and is also rocking some fabulous jinni couture accessories). I also think it shows Nalia’s confusion about Raif – her feelings for him confuse her and it’s hard for her to tell how he feels about her.

7. The Gloaming
By Radiohead

The first line says it all: “Jinni let out of the bottle it is now the witching hour.” This song is creepy and dark and makes me think of Haran, the cannibalistic ghoul who is out on the prowl and sees Earth as one big jinni buffet.

8. Rabbit Heart
By Florence + The Machine

This song is all about fear and going for someone you care about, even if it scares the crap out of you. It’s also about finding that courage hiding inside you. Florence says, “I must become the lion hearted girl ready for a fight before I make the final sacrifice.” You’ll get why this reminded me of Nalia when you reach the end of the book. No matter how tough and brave Nalia is, she’s still a girl facing unimaginable odds, fighting for her life and her heart.

9. Burn
By Anoushka Shankar & Karsh Kale
This song reminds me of a certain dance scene in the book. . .It’s all about that passion simmering under the surface of two people who are drawn to one another. I wrote most of Book 2 to Anoushka and her famous sitar-playing dad, Ravi Shankar. I love the sitar – whenever I hear it, the whole world of Exquisite Captive just comes to life.

10. Arabian Dance
Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

You’ll probably recognize this from The Nutcracker. It’s such an elegant song, with gorgeous Arabic undertones in the composition. It calls to mind the harem and some of those classic images from The Arabian Nights. You can watch the dance on YouTube, as well. It’s lovely.

11. Amarain
By Amr Diab
This song is one of my favorites. I think Amr is Egyptian and he’s popular in the Arab world because of his fun dance beats. I think the jinn in Habibi would definitely get down to this!

12. Leiley ( My Night )
By Dania

This is from the Putumayo Arabic Groove album, which is great fun. Doesn’t this song make you want to go on a camel ride and eat kebab and learn how to belly dance? I absolutely love the sound of Arabic and the wonderful lilt in the singer’s voice.

13. Moi Et Toi
By Abdel Ali Slimani

Another great track from Putumayo’s Arabic Groove. This is an excellent introduction to the wealth of fabulous music in the Arab world. Again, I can hear this being played at Habibi.

14. Sitar Ritual
By Badmarsh & Shri

This is a trip hop duo from the UK that I found on one of the Buddha Bar CD’s. It’s got that Arabic flair with a modern twist. My UK editor tells me she runs to the Dark Caravan soundtrack I sent her and I suspect this is one of the songs that keeps her going through London.

15. Palm of the Prophet
By Antaeus

Another trippy song that sort of keeps you in the world of Exquisite. Sexy and dark and a little bit mysterious.

16. Mahima
By Susheela Raman

I think of Nalia doing her Ghan Aisouri training, Sha’a Rho (affectionately dubbed “jinni yoga” by readers), to this song. Sha’a Rho is a deep spiritual practice with intense physical postures that are intended to increase magical flow within a jinni warrior.

17. Genie in a Bottle
By Christina Aguilera
I mean, obviously.

18. Dark Horse
By Katy Perry
I really like the Egyptian beat here and it makes me think of Nalia and Malek and how he’s always wanting to mess with magic that he doesn’t understand. Nalia’s also pretty fierce with him in that girl power, Katy Perry way. I’m guessing the video is probably offensive to Egyptians, though.

19. You Don’t Own Me
By Lesley Gore
I could not resist adding this! I feel like this would be Nalia’s jam. “You don’t own me [Malek]. I’m not just one of your many toys.” Ha! This song would really piss him off.

20. Friend Like Me
From Disney’s Aladdin
And now for some goofy fun and a nod to pop culture’s understanding of jinn. I recently saw Aladdin on Broadway and it was interesting to see Disney’s perspective on jinn servitude. Not at all like my jinn mythology, but fun nonetheless!

21. I Dream of Jeannie theme song
I couldn’t resist. It makes me do a happy dance, even if the premise of the show is the anti-Exquisite Captive. Aladdin and Jeannie were my only touchstones for jinn mythology until I started digging deeper and doing some serious research about jinn around the world and, of course, reading The Arabian Nights.

Review

If you are ready to dive into a setting and not come out until dawn, Exquisite Captive will suck you in and trap you. With lush fantasy and writing that evokes all five senses, Demetrios explores the Arabian Nights jinn. Nalia is an empress, the last of her race and very powerful. That is until she is sold on the dark caravan to a master, Malek who holds the ability to summon her and place her back into an iron bottle. Malek is conflicted and complicated as both abusive captor and a man on a mission to convince the woman he loves to love him back. Readers see multi faceted characters with internal and external conflicts, set in a culture of castes, Hollywood money and corporate corruption.

I loved the fantasy element and the world building that had me fully immersed. The author puts so much thought into the society, the culture and the sighst and smells. You will want to consult with the guide in the front of the book, as at times it’s hard to keep track of the different kinds of Jinnis (genies) and the powers they possess.

Raif…let’s talk about my favorite of the main men. As soon as he shows up, and later when he is dancing with Nalia in an underground club, I found myself intrigued. I love his loyalty to family and his courage to face possible death in the name of love. There’s so much to love about this book. It is multi-layered and no character is flat. There is a charcter arc and much discovery still left wide open for the upcoming sequel.

Overall I was hooked! I picked up the book and didn’t put it down. However, I did skim over the sections with graphic violence and abuse. There is occasional but very strong language, hookah smoking, alcohol, implied homosexuality and sensuality.Therefore, I feel it’s a better fit for ages 18 and over. 4/5 stars.

The Giveaway

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Must be 13+ To Enter | Ships to US only.
 
23 Winners will get a signed finished copy of Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios
 
 

Blog Tour Schedule

October 2nd:
Ex Libris REVIEW
Bookish REVIEW + DREAM CAST

October 3rd:

Fiktshun REVIEW + THIS OR THAT
Imagine a World REVIEW

October 4th:
Two Chicks On Books GUEST POST
Books a la Mode REVIEW

 

October 5th:
Fire and Ice REVIEW + MUSIC PLAYLIST
Me, My Shelf and I SPOTLIGHT

October 6th:
Novel Novice REVIEW
Addicted Readers REVIEW

October 7th:
Such A Novel Idea REVIEW + 10 RANDOM THINGS
Katie’s Book Blog REVIEW + AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Forever Young Adult – CHRACTHER INTERVIEW

October 8th:
I Heart YA Fiction REVIEW
Wholly Books REVIEW + WHAT’S ON HEATHER’S DESK

October 9th:
Once Upon A Twilight REVIEW
Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

October 10th:
Mundie Moms REVIEW + EXCERPT
Curling Up With A Good Book REVIEW

October 11th:
Swoony Boys Podcast REVIEW + A DAY IN THE LIFE OF HEATHER
Book Lovers Life REVIEW

October 12th:
A Dream Within A Dream REVIEW + TENS LIST
CBY Book Club – EXCERPT

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Salt & Storm Blog Tour & Author Guest Post

24 Sep, 2014 by in Author Guest Post, blog tour, rockstar, salt & storm Leave a comment

salt_and_storm

 

 

salt_and_storm_coverAbout the Book 

Title: SALT & STORM

Author: Kendall Kulper

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pub. Date: September 23, 2014

Find it: Goodreads|Amazon|Barnes& Noble

A sweeping historical romance about a witch who foresees her own murder–and the one boy who can help change her future.

Sixteen-year-old Avery Roe wants only to take her rightful place as the witch of Prince Island, making the charms that keep the island’s whalers safe at sea, but her mother has forced her into a magic-free world of proper manners and respectability. When Avery dreams she’s to be murdered, she knows time is running out to unlock her magic and save herself.

Avery finds an unexpected ally in a tattooed harpoon boy named Tane–a sailor with magic of his own, who moves Avery in ways she never expected. Becoming a witch might stop her murder and save her island from ruin, but Avery discovers her magic requires a sacrifice she never prepared for.

Guest Post

The Real Places Behind SALT & STORM

One of the things I’m always happy to hear from readers is that the setting of SALT & STORM, a remote whaling community called Prince Island, feels like a real place. It is, in fact, completely made up, but as I wrote about it, I drew on a lot of my memories of places I’ve visited. You might not ever be able to visit Prince Island, but here are a few of the places that helped me capture its spirit.

New Bishop, the tiny whaling town where my main character, Avery, lives, is a combination of two towns: Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard and New Bedford on the Massachusetts coast. From Edgartown, I got the narrow brick streets and beautiful captain’s houses, as well as the idea of an out-of-commission lighthouse.

fisher house morse_house

Avery lives with her mother in the nicest neighborhood on the island, and she describes the house they live in as grand, white, and airy. You can still see some of these houses, like the Captain Morse House and the Dr. Daniel Fisher House, in the heart of Edgartown’s historic district.

lighthouse

Not far from these houses is the Edgartown lighthouse, which is still open to visitors. The lighthouse underwent renovations in 2007, but for much of my childhood, it was a pretty, but somewhat rundown, sight. In SALT & STORM, Avery says of the town’s lighthouse:

“Our lighthouse is something of a joke and a curiosity… [It’s] little more than an eyesore; the island’s children had long ago smashed its windows, and faded rust leached through the white paint so that it seemed as if the poor thing was bleeding.”

whaling ships

 

new docks

Edgartown’s docks now mostly cater to private owners, so to get a sense of a working harbor, I went to New Bedford, MA, which is still a bustling fishing center. Historic photos show how busy the docks were, but even today you can see dozens of docked boats, crowded together so thickly that their masts make a kind of forest above them.

memnshae

The tiny fishing village in SALT & STORM known as Weld Haven is very loosely based on Menemsha, a working village on Martha’s Vineyard and one of my family’s favorite places to great fresh seafood. Avery says of Weld Haven:

“Haven” is a touch of island humor, because unlike New Bishop’s bathtub waters, the sea at Weld Haven’s shore bites at ships and swimmers alike with rows of jagged, rocky teeth. Only tiny, flat-bottomed fishing skiffs can navigate safely out to sea, and if there hasn’t been a wreck in those waters, it’s only because there’s no captain fool enough to try them.

In real life, Menemsha is quite safe to sail from, but I always remembered it for its long rocky jetty, which was dangerous to swim too close to and gave me the idea for a fishing village set along a rocky harbor.

Prince Island is supposed to be close to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, so I based its environment and landscape on those islands, especially the area around my family’s house. The Great Gray Slough in SALT & STORM is a marshy lake that Avery describes as:

“Half-mooned, it fits up against the island’s northwestern shoreline, only a spit of sand and grass separating its fresh waters from the salty sea. It’s desolate, even dreary, made up of nothing but quantities of pitch-black mud and long grasses barbed with fine stingers that slice open unsuspecting ankles and calves.”

The slough is actually based on a real ponds on Martha’s Vineyard, like Crackatuxet Cove, the Edgartown Great Pond, and Majors Cove (they’re all more fun to swim in than Avery, who’s not a fan of swimming, describes).

aquinnah

For the remote area where Avery’s family has made their home for generations, I relied on my memories of Aquinnah, a cliffy beach on the western end of the town. Aquinnah is beautiful in the sunshine but magical when it’s foggy, and I love standing at the top of the cliffs when the beach below is shrouded in fog.

grass

The beaches themselves came from what I remembered of my time on Chappaquiddick Island. It’s possible to drive out onto the beach there, which means it’s possible to drive out to remote areas where you’re the only person in miles. These remote beaches, probably more than anything, inspired the quiet connection Avery has with her home.

 

About the Author

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Kendall Kulper writes historical fiction with a fantasy twist for teen readers and knows more about nineteenth century whaling than she ever imagined. Her debut YA novel, SALT & STORM will be published by Little, Brown September 23, 2014. She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in history and literature in 2008 and spent several years as a journalist before deciding to write full-time. She grew up in the wilds of New Jersey and now lives in Boston with her husband and chronically-anxious Australian Shepherd mix, Abby.

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads/Tumblr

 

 The Giveaway

2 Hardcovers of SALT & STORM US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Tour Schedule

Week One:

9/15/2014- Novel Novice– Interview

9/15/2014- The Infinite To-Read Shelf– Review

9/16/2014- All Things Urban Fantasy– Guest Post

9/16/2014- No BS Book Reviews– Review

9/17/2014- Such a Novel Idea– Interview

9/17/2014- Katie’s Book Blog– Review

9/18/2014- IceyBooks– Interview

9/18/2014- That Artsy Reader Girl– Review

9/19/2014- Wishful Endings– Guest Post

9/19/2014- Casual Readers– Review

 

Week Two:

9/22/2014- Supernatural Snark– Interview

9/22/2014- About to Read– Review

9/23/2014- The Cover Contessa– Guest Post

9/23/2014- Imaginary Reads– Review

9/24/2014- Fire and Ice– Guest Post

9/24/2014- Once Upon a Twilight– Review

9/25/2014- Tales of the Ravenous Reader– Interview

9/25/2014- The Best Books Ever– Review

9/26/2014- Two Chicks on Books– Guest Post

9/26/2014- Tynga’s Reviews– Review

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For Elise by Sarah M Eden~Blog Tour

18 Sep, 2014 by in blog tour, book review, covenant, sarah m eden 7 comments

I received this book for free from Covenant in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

For Elise by Sarah M Eden~Blog Tour

For Elise

by Sarah M Eden
Published by Covenant on September 1, 2014
Genres: Adult, Regency, Romance
Pages: 272
Format: Paperback
five-stars
Source: Covenant
Buy the Book • Goodreads
In the sprawling gardens of their neighboring estates, childhood friends Miles and Elise spent countless pleasant days together in the spirited adventures of youth. They were inseparable—until Elise vanished without a trace. Miles searched, but Elise could not—or would not—be found . . . After years spent laboring on the family plantation in the West Indies, Miles Linwood is shocked by the unexpected news: he has inherited his distant cousin’s estate and the title of Marquess of Grenton. Miles’s return to England is tarnished by only one thing—he is still haunted by Elise’s mysterious disappearance. So when he glimpses a woman with a startling resemblance to his lost friend, he’s shaken to the core. This is no mere shadow of the past: it is truly Elise. But his dear friend has changed—to the point that he questions whether it is really her, though he knows it is. Accustomed to rescuing Elise from childhood escapades, Miles takes her and those in her care back to his estate, even as he struggles to understand her fear and mistrust. As their friendship and feelings slowly blossom again, the shocking truth of their separated years is revealed, and Miles realizes more than ever that he must protect Elise. She slipped away once, and he cannot lose her again.
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Regency Romance is one of my favorite genres, and Sarah M. Eden is a great go to Regency author. In her latest, For Elise, Miles Linwood, a marquess, is traveling the country when he happens upon his long lost childhood friend. Elise, now called Ella is a very young widow with small child, living a life of poverty. The two were the best of friends growing up until a murder tore their lives and inherited estates apart. Ella is guarded and seems burdened with so many emotions bottled up, that when Miles steps in to offer her a new life, she’s not sure she can open up again and let him in. Eden addresses deafness, prejudice of social classes and trust between friends. There’s plenty of suspense as mysterious handwritten notes start showing up as a threat to Elise. The murderer is lurking nearby Tafford Estate where Miles now lives.

I read For Elise in one day, start to finish. With returning characters from her previous novels and a dreamy landscape, once again Ms. Eden had me fully engaged. I recommend all of her books!

Content: clean, some kissing & tension, moderate violence, rape (but not described.)

 

heather

 

About the Authorsarah_M_eden

Sarah M. Eden is the author of multiple historical romances, including Whitney Award finalists Seeking Persephone, Courting Miss Lancaster, and AML’s “2013 Novel of the year” Longing for Home. Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah has twice served as the Master of Ceremonies for the LDStorymakers Writers Conference and acted as the Writer in Residence at the Northwest Writers Retreat. Sarah is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg at D4EO Literary Agency.

 

Blog Tour Schedule

The Giveaway

$50 amazon gift card
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Forest of Whispers by Jennifer Murgia~ Blog Tour

11 Sep, 2014 by in blog tour, forest of whispers, jennifer murgia, rockstar 3 comments

forest_of_whsipers

 
forest_of_whispers_coverAbout the Book

Title: FOREST OF WHISPERS
Author: Jennifer Murgia
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Pub. Date: September 9, 2014

Find it: Goodreads|Amazon|Barnes& Noble

Raised by an old fortune-teller within the dark veil of the Bavarian Black Forest, Rune has learned two valuable lessons: only take from the forest that which you can use, and never, never look anyone in the eye in the village. For something terrible happened in the forest long ago… and now, the whispers of a long-dead mother with a vengeful secret have come haunting.

Forced to flee all she has ever known, Rune soon learns of a legacy she is bound to–one that is drenched in fear, witchcraft and murder–a birthright that stretches beyond the grave to the trees where Rune is no longer safe.

Guest Post

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A Visual Collection of Forest of Whispers

About The Author

jennifer_murgia

Jennifer Murgia writes Young Adult paranormal and contemporary fiction.

Her latest novel, FOREST OF WHISPERS, will release September 9, 2014 from Spencer Hill Press.

She is the author of ANGEL STAR, LEMNISCATE & THE BLISS (Lands Atlantic Publishing)and BETWEEN THESE LINES (Playlist Fiction).

In 2012, Jennifer Co-Founded YA FEST with fellow YA author/friend, Cyn Balog. She coordinates this unique annual festival, bringing teens and fellow Young Adult authors together at her hometown library in Easton PA.

To contact Jennifer try:  
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  | Pinterest | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Week One:

9/1/2014- A Dream Within A Dream– Interview

9/1/2014- Her Book Thoughts!– Review

9/2/2014- Pieces of Whimsy– Guest Post

9/2/2014- Nerdophiles– Review

9/3/2014- Addicted Readers– Interview

9/3/2014- Realm of the Sapphired Dragon– Review

9/4/2014- Literary Meanderings                – Guest Post

9/4/2014- Heather Hearts Books– Review

9/5/2014- YaReads– Interview

9/5/2014- Word to Dreams– Review

 

Week Two:

9/8/2014- Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Romance– Guest Post

9/8/2014- Everything Marie– Review

9/9/2014- Pen and Muse– Interview

9/9/2014- Arkham Reviews– Review

9/10/2014- Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf– Guest Post

9/10/2014- Amaterasu Reads– Review

9/11/2014- Fire and Ice– Guest Post

9/11/2014- As the page turns– Review

9/12/2014- Mom With A Kindle– Interview

9/12/2014- Curling Up With A Good Book– Review

 

The Giveaway

1 $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card and a witchy swag item. US ONLY.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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