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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Cover Reveal of Options by Abbi Glines




If you've seen Abbi Glines' past books, you know they have some pretty snazzy covers. Options is no different.
Options is the first book in a new trilogy. The expected release date is for options is February 5, 2013. The cover was designed by Stephanie Mooney from Mooney Designs.

The Blurb:
Two paths.
Two completely different roads.
Each one standing before me.
Each one holding a different destiny.

In life you're just supposed to choose one path.
In life you're not given the chance at choosing one specific future.

Until now.
Until me.

Why am I different? I don't know. But I'm going to see those roads and walk down each one. When it's over I'll know which one to choose because I'll know my - options.
To learn more about Abbi Glines and her books, check out her website. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.

Teaser Tuesday: Doll House by Anya Allyn





Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share  doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My teaser this week is from Doll House by Anya Allyn.


Yes, it was time to leave. I was going crazy-- just like Ethan.

A scream--the scream--arced across the night outside. Human, piercing. Bloodcurdling.










Do you have a blog? Post a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments. No blog? Post a Teaser in the comments anyway!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Meet the Author: Wynne Channing




We are excited to have Wynne Channing here with us today! She is the author of What Kills Me, a hot, new Young Adult Paranormal Romance novel about a teenager who is caught up in an ancient prophesy that predicts the extinction of vampires.

How long have you been writing?
Before I could spell, I drew story books. I’ve never wanted to do anything else.

What inspired you to write your first book?
I was living in Taiwan for a few months and I had a few cockroaches as roommates. Needless to say, I couldn’t sleep, afraid they’d throw a party in my mouth. So I would lie there, thinking crazy things, asking myself ridiculous questions: “What would happen if I suddenly disappeared?” “What if I fell into a hole? What if that hole was filled with blood?” Man, that would suck. The image of a young woman climbing out of a well, soaked in blood, was what started it all. (Yay for cockroaches, I guess?)

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
When I was younger, I fantasized about living an adventurous life so I know what it’s like for my main character, Zee, who so desperately wants some excitement. Unfortunately, drowning in blood and then being hunted to the death isn’t what she had in mind.

What is a secret about you that nobody else knows?
I’m the worst liar in the universe so I don’t keep secrets. And I’m pretty blunt so I blurt everything out. So basically, don’t tell me anything scandalous.

If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
She would be adventurous and talkative like Zee but way more sarcastic. She’d need a swear jar. The money in it would buy a sweet ride.

What book have you read too many times to count?
Pride and Prejudice. I had a thing for Mr. Darcy when I was younger.

If you could hop into the life of any book character for a day, who would it be, and why?
That is a good question. Because I like to read a lot of horror and tragic literary fiction and things don’t often turn out so well for those characters. Let’s say Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Riding a glass elevator gorged on candy doesn’t sound too bad!

What is the best piece of writing advice you have ever received?
“This is crap. Keep trying.” Or something to that effect. My writing mentor used to mark up my articles with red ink. I’m grateful. The only way to get better is to keep trying.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Two things: I was pleasantly surprised that other authors volunteered advice and support. You need friends? Find an author. They’re good people. And I never realized how happy it would make me to have strangers tell me that they loved the book. I wrote What Kills Me in six months, in coffee shops or in my pajamas at 4 a.m. and I didn’t consider what it would be like to have readers reach out to me. I now have a happy dance prepared for these moments. Don’t ask to see it, it looks like I’m having a seizure.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I teach, perform, and choreograph Latin dance. Just another outlet for creativity. And it gets my butt out of a chair.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Anytime Zee antagonizes her vampire companion, Lucas. (I know, I’m mean.) But I felt their chemistry strongly and I just had so much fun writing their banter. It was important to me that their relationship progress organically. It wasn’t love at first sight. She’s just had her world destroyed. If she’s swooning, it’s not because she saw his abs, it’s because she’s newly dead and mentally traumatized. It makes me wonder what girls are thinking in movies when they’re targeted for death one minute and then falling for Keanu the next. (“I just lost everyone I care about and I have this thirst for blood, wait a minute, you’re really hot!”)

To learn more about Wynne Channing and her books, visit her website, blog, and Goodread's page. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Buy What Kills Me
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Cover Reveal of Beyond by Mary Ting! Plus a Teaser!




The covers in this saga just get lovelier and lovelier! This is the cover for Beyond, the third and possibly last book in the Crossroads Saga by Mary Ting set for release September 12, 2012. If you haven't read this series yet, I highly recommend it!

The Blurb:
Torn between the past she can't remember and a future she isn’t ready for, Claudia feels at a loss. With unanswered questions, she is certain there is more to her past than just being a venator. Finding the missing pieces in her life won’t be easy because duty calls. When mysterious dark shadows get released, an apocalypse sets in motion. The venators and the alkins must work together once again. Knowing Claudia would be the key to destroying the demons that were released, a familiar stranger appears to protect her. Drawn to the beautiful angel, Claudia finds she must unravel the mysteries of her past in order to help save the world. Who is the angel assisting her and why does she feel a strong connection to him? Time is running out. Will she discover all the secrets before it’s too late?

The Teaser:
“Forget what happened today, okay,” Austin suggested. He really wanted to say forget about the guy who saved you today.

“Sure,” Claudia replied, but she only said it to be agreeable.

“I’ll race you to the door.” Austin took off without giving her the chance to reply.

“Hey…”Claudia laughed out loud. She ran just as fast, but her mind was occupied by the angel that smelled like honey suckles. She could still feel herself inside his hold where she felt so small, but safe. The feeling she knew she shouldn’t have that erupted throughout her body from his voice to his tender touch. The way he sang her name like it was a song he knew so well. Like the way he was there for her as if he was her guardian angel. He was her hero today, he was part of her past for sure and she knew there was more to her life than just being a venator. She just had to find a way to remember.

If you haven't read Crossroads yet, take a peek at my review. Also, check out my review of the sequel, Between.

To learn more about the books and the author, visit Mary Ting's website, Blog, Twitter, and Facebook page.

BookPushalooza!




Welcome
to the FIRST EVER BookPushalooza!

July 26th ONLY
Books, only .99.
With each purchase you get the chance to WIN while Helping Authors reach new heights in Amazon’s ranks.
It’s so easy a CAVEMAN could do it!
Follow the Instructions on the Rafflecopter Widget and for each book you purchase (or Borrow through Amazon Prime for Free) you get an entry in to WIN ---
(1) Grand Prize- $100 Amazon Gift Card

(2) Runners up of $25 Amazon Gift Cards
That’s not all! Purchase all NINE (9) books and get an additional 5 entries!


Don’t delay, this offer is good for JULY 26th ONLY!

Overview of Dark Isle
Genre- Urban Fantasy

When evil begets evil, a choice is forced on Quinn, the one person who can see the danger. Does she save the ones she loves, or does she save the world from Chaos?

As the realms of Fae and human collide, Quinn's future has never
looked so grim, or so damn impossible.


Overview of Enemy in Blue
Genre- Thriller

The streets aren't safe when your enemy wears a blue uniform and a gold badge.

What if the good guys weren't good?

What if a cop went rogue and killed an innocent man?

What if it was all caught on video and the cop would do anything to cover it up?

Chase this lawless cop through the streets and to a scintillating series of showdowns with Cruz Marquez, a young attorney trying to nail down his enemy in blue. Will justice be served?





Overview of Land of the Noonday Sun
Genre- Contemporary Romance

When two strangers have nothing left but their dreams, they must forge a relationship in Nantahala, North Carolina, a small town known as Land of the Noonday Sun.

A man with a traumatic past is able to turn his life around and is happy with his chosen career as a whitewater guide. Everything changes though when fate hurls a woman into his path. His carefree life is in turmoil, and his former weaknesses threaten to overtake him. Will he be strong enough when tragedy strikes and is once again in danger of losing everything he loves?




Overview of This Time Forever
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Delaney Brannigan and Blake Morrisson met at the Cedar Cove annual costume dance, known only to each other as the leopard and the cowboy--but, as Delaney soon discovers, the cowboy she'd thought had ridden off into the sunset never to tempt her again, is none other
than the man she came from New York to find and discredit. Against her will, Delaney is drawn deeper and deeper into an overwhelming attraction to Blake--an attraction she can't give in to if she wants to keep the one thing she values more than anything else.







Overview of Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula
Genre- YA/MG Superhero

Fourteen-year-old Cassidy Jones wakes up the morning after a minor accident in the laboratory of a world-renowned geneticist to discover that her body has undergone some bizarre physical changes. Her senses, strength, and speed have been radically enhanced.

Lives are put at risk when they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous, action-packed adventure. Soon they are forced to confront a maniacal villain willing to do anything - including murder - to reach his own ambitious goals.







Overview of Gray Justice
Genre- Thriller
Gray Justice is the fast-paced debut thriller from Alan McDermott. When a killer walks free from court, the victim's father sees just two options: accept the judge's decision; or take on the entire British justice system. Tom Gray chooses the latter and his crusade attracts instant worldwide media coverage. It was just what Tom was hoping for, but it brought him a lot more than he bargained for.

Gray Justice is much more than a simple tale of revenge: it's a rollercoaster ride with an ending you'll never forget!




Overview of Gone at Zero Hundred 00:00

"Their lives are in the hands of two 18-year-olds..."

A Prominent P.I. is gunned down - killed by a sniper - and it’s broadcasted on live TV.

Now, her daughter, along with her childhood pal, are thrust into a complex and riveting thriller forced to take on a secret club whose members call themselves The Privileged Ones.

Murder. Teen abductions and illegal underground parties.

They’re chased by men in ski-masks, nearly gunned down by
members of a cartel, and the only way to bring down this criminal enterprise; is to crash a Mardi Gras bash and stop their private cruise ship from sailing off into the sunset.



Overview of Allegiance
Genre- Thriller

Who do YOU pledge allegiance to?

After exposing one of the most notorious rings of police corruption in history, lawyer Cruz Marquez planned on starting a new life south of the border. That plan unraveled when an extremist group of Minutemen captured and tortured him and his wife.

Will Cruz pledge allegiance to do right, or will he do anything to serve up revenge?







Overview of Curbchek Reload
Genre- Police Procedural

Curbchek-Reload is a dark account of the streets as they were worked by Zach Fortier, a dangerously deranged cop. Welcome back to the inner city and the twisted mentality of Zach Fortier. Patrolling the streets, broken and mentally damaged from years of urban violence, Zach fights a losing battle to maintain a hold on reality. Join him in the passenger seat of a police cruiser for more of the darker and meaner side of life: The inner city. In Curbchek-Reload you get a front row seat to an attempted murder of a cop,
suicide attempts, rapes, and DARK cop humor. Curbchek-Reload - Fasten your bullet proof vest and buckle your seatbelt, it is gonna be a wild ride!





http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/49be101/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway


All winners will be notified via email July 28th 2012. For a list of winners contact onedaybookpush@yahoo.ca

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

What’s the ONE super-hyped book you’ll NEVER read?




Crazy For Books wants to know:

What’s the ONE super-hyped book you’ll NEVER read?

My Answer:
When it comes to books, I never say never, but I have no interest in reading Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James. Long before the book was published, when it was just a "little" Twilight fan fiction, it already had a huge following. (All the Twi-Ladies were talking about it.) So, out of curiosity I read the first three or four chapters. I wasn't impressed. First of all, I'm not a fan of fan fiction. Second, I don't like erotica either. And third, I was just plain bored.

What about you? What’s the ONE super-hyped book you’ll NEVER read?





Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: Nightmare by Chelsea M. Cameron





Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share  doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My teaser this week is from Nightmare by Chelsea M. Cameron.


"Tex, I don't know what his favorite color is."

"Then ask Peter." She makes a pouty face and adjusts her purple glasses.

Give. It. A. Rest. "I can't, he doesn't have a phone.

"Seriously? Vampires are always up on the new technology." I don't know where she heard this. Vampire chat rooms?


Do you have a blog? Post a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments. No blog? Post a Teaser in the comments anyway!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Book Review: Two Halves by Marta Szemik




 
Genre: Young Adult (Fantasy/Paranormal Romance)
Published: November 27, 2011 
Publisher: My Lit Publishing

The Blurb:
 Twenty-one-year-old Sarah is a child of a human mother and a vampire father and has suppressed her dark side with serums. The only memory of her mother is when Sarah killed her, soon after birth. Of her father, nothing—just a hatred for his vampire traits that made her kill her own mother.

When a disturbing nightmare foretelling her bleak future stirs the superhuman traits, underworld creatures are beckoned. On the run with William, a man she knows from her dreams, Sarah tries to learn what’s been hidden from her, for a good reason. Had she known her destiny, she may have continued with the serums that kept her hidden.

My Review:
The premise behind Two Halves was interesting, original, and set a strong foundation for a great story. There were a few issues that kept me from really getting into the story though. The biggest issue being predictability. As I read, it was always obvious what was going to happen next. There were no surprises to really engage me in the reading. Also, some of the logic behind things that happened, the serums, and/or spells were inconsistent and sometimes just didn't make sense at all. The characters were likeable and the romance was full of anticipation. I think there is potential for the next books in the series, and I'm sure there are many who will enjoy this book.

To learn more about Marta Szemik, visit her Website and follow her on Twitter.

I received Two Halves by Marta Szemik from the author for review. The opinions are my own.
You can purchase Two Halves through Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon!



Knee Deep Tour! Book Review of Knee Deep by Jolene B. Perry




 
Genre: Young Adult (Contemporary Romance)
Published: May 1st 2012
Publisher: Tribute Books

The Blurb:
 Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.

Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.

Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.

My Review:
Knee Deep showed the progression of an abusive relationship. The story showed the transformation of Ronnie's thought process as she fell into the pattern of an abused woman including blaming herself and rationalizing his behavior. The phrase always says, "You either marry it or become it" when raised in an abusive home. Shawn is a perfect example of one who "becomes it". He follows the abuse cycle with his abusive behavior followed by the honey moon period then back to abuse again while gradually getting worse each time around. An outsider looking in never understands how a person can get caught up in a situation like this, but it's a gradual process involving shame, fear, and brainwashing. It doesn't just happen over night. I think this is a wonderful book for young people and maybe even not so young people to read. This isn't an easy topic to write about it, but the author gives us a heart breaking and uplifting story filled with hope. 


To learn more about Jolene B. Perry and her books, visit her website and blog.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

I received Knee Deep by Jolene B. Perry from the publisher for review. The opinions are my own.











Friday, July 20, 2012

Cover Reveal: Shift by Raine Thomas!




Check out the cover of Shift, book two in the Firstborn Trilogy, by Raine Thomas! Shift will be released on August 24, 2012.


The Blurb:
Having the ability to shapeshift, Sophia is familiar with change. But even she feels the rising tension in her homeland.

A shadowy male and deadly beast reside in their midst. The births of the newest Kynzesti loom. Hostile Mercesti continue to hunt for the Elder Scroll, and a traumatized female is too afraid to use her abilities to stop them.

Topping off Sophia’s stress is Quincy, the male she’s convinced can’t stand her. She rues the loss of their friendship, but can’t figure out how to move past it. She’ll soon learn, however, that mending that rift bears more significance than she ever imagined.

The search for the Elder Scroll takes on unexpected urgency, and Sophia finds herself in a race across the mainland. To stop the Mercesti led by Eirik, she and her companions must get past their differences and unite against them. If they don’t, Eirik will acquire the immense power he seeks, and two of the beings Sophia loves most will die.
To learn more about Raine Thomas and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Throwback Thursday: Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker




Throwback Thursday is a weekly feature co-hosted by Never Too Fond of Books and The Housework Can Wait. This is a fun way to write about and review beloved books we haven't read in a while.

Here’s how it works:
1. Pick any book released more than 5 years ago. Adult, YA, Children’s; doesn’t matter. Any great book will do.
2. Write up a short summary of the book (include the title, author, and cover art) and an explanation of why you love it. Make sure to link back to The Housework Can Wait and Never Too Fond of Books in your post.
3. Link up your post at The Housework Can Wait or Never Too Fond of Books.
4. Visit as many blogs as you can, reminisce about books you loved, and discover some “new” books for your TBR list!
This week, my throwback is Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker.
Genre: Adult Fiction (Speculative Fiction)

The Blurb:
A pair of fierce but beautiful eyes look out from the undergrowth of conifers. She is an intelligent killer...

So begins one of the most extraordinary novels you will ever read. The time is 120 million years ago, the place is the plains of prehistoric Utah, and the eyes belong to an unforgettable heroine. Her name is Raptor Red, and she is a female Raptor dinosaur.

Painting a rich and colorful picture of a lush prehistoric world, leading paleontologist Robert T. Bakker tells his story from within Raptor Red's extraordinary mind, dramatizing his revolutionary theories in this exciting tale. From a tragic loss to the fierce struggle for survival to a daring migration to the Pacific Ocean to escape a deadly new predator, Raptor Red combines fact an fiction to capture for the first time the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors of the most magnificent, enigmatic creatures ever to walk the face of the earth.
My Review: 
I'm really bringing out my inner geek with this one, but I was still on a Jurassic Park high(not that the JP high ever really ended) at the time, and raptors completely captivated my attention to begin with. Raptor Red is a female Utahraptor and the book allows you to see what her life might have been like for a year through her eyes. Her story is full of action and surprisingly emotional as she travels with her sister and her sister's children, and a male raptor who hopes to get in Raptor Red's good graces. This is a must read for any dino lovers out there.

To learn more about Robert T. Bakker and his books, check out his Goodreads page.




Wednesday, July 18, 2012

A New Cover for Witchblood by Emma Mills!




I loved the original cover, but I'm loving this one just as much, if not more. What do you think? The author of Witchblood said, "I want all three covers to flow and have similarities and after designing Witchcraft and Witchlove (yes the Witchlove cover is done too!) I had a better idea for Witchblood, using the same girl in all three." I love that idea, and we'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the Witchlove cover!

In case you haven't read Witchblood yet, you can read the blurb below. Also, check out my review (you can see the original cover there as well).

The Blurb:
When Jess steals a glance at a gorgeous guy in a Manchester nightclub, little does she realise how he is going to change her life…or should that be death? Yet, the vampire clan could never have predicted what they were taking on.

With Luke pronounced ‘off-limits’ and the blood of a vampire simmering in Jess’s body, can she forget the love of her life and move on? If not, she will risk exposing the entire Northern vampire clan to untold dangers, in order to live her life the way she wants.

Can Jess be sure that Luke is all he appears to be? Will she succumb to the attraction she desperately tries not to feel for Daniel? And why does she still crave a packet of crisps more than a tasty teenage boy’s blood?
To learn more about Emma Mills and her books, visit her blog. You can also find her on Twitter.

Check out the trailer for Witchblood!




Four in the Morning Tour Part 2! Excerpt, & Giveaway!





Thank you for joining us today on part 2 of our stop off of the Four in the Morning Tour! We have a few things in store for you! We'll be breaking our stop off into two parts. In the last post Christi Goddard took over the blog! Now you get a peek at an excerpt from her book, Four in the Morning! You'll be able to find the giveaway on both posts.


The Blurb:
Kathleen Hayson thinks her biggest problem is her mother. The only runner up—her mouth. With a wit sharper than her mother's perfectly manicured nails, her clever remarks create more problems than they solve. But it's not her clever remarks landing her knee-deep in trouble. This time, Josh Colby is to blame. Kathleen's former childhood friend has become the school's most stuck up jerk. Before, she'd have told him to piss off and write his own stupid letter to the town slut/minister's daughter. Now Kathleen's escalating problems at home force her to reevaluate how flexible her principles are. She agrees to write the controversial letter Josh has requested. Enter Rigel, a smartass magical creature who invades her room one night, promises he has come to help her. When a boy Kathleen hates turns up dead and her mother goes missing, the letter becomes a key piece of police evidence – implicating Kathleen. As she fights her way out of a web of lies, the trust she has in those closest to her shatters. In the end, she's pushed to a terrible choice: who lives, and who else dies.


The Excerpt:

My mom’s a liar.

What parents aren’t, right? They tell their kids lies about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. Even the Boogeyman who crouches in the shadows beneath beds has his legend whispered into the ears of young green bean-haters.

I wished my mom would use her power of deception for good. For one, I wouldn’t have to chase down people in the dark, braving the muggers and would-be rapists who lurk in the bushes on my street.

If she’d told the boy who came knocking I was upstairs in my room, then we could have had a quick—though unlikely civil—conversation on the front porch. Instead, she told him I was out with another boy.

And she didn’t just tell this to anyone. No, of course not. She told this to Josh Colby.

It was the equivalent of having some celebrity knock on your door after their car broke down. Except, as far as celebrities go, Josh’s status didn’t reach beyond the doors of our high school. We’d known each other for the many years of our educational careers, and mostly succeeded with our mutual effort to avoid speaking to one another.

Mocking doesn’t count.

“Josh!”

I was too lazy to run for more than a block. To scream seemed an easier solution. When a male voice called back, I smiled at my small victory of intelligence over physical prowess.

“Yeah?”

He sounded close, within a block or so, but I couldn’t see him. The sliver of moon lacked radiance as it was smothered by dark clouds, but the streetlights were enough to confirm there was no silhouette of him on the sidewalk. He must have cut through a neighbor’s yard to head back to his house on the next street over.

“What did you want?” I winced at the sudden, sharp brilliance of lightning. Spots did flip-flops against the stretched shadows on the grass as my vision tried to recover. The scent of ozone carried on the cool breeze blended with that of a fresh cut lawn.

“That you, Elchubba?”

Elchubba is not my name. Not even close. Not that many of the kids at my school cared, and several might even be shocked to discover my real name was Kathleen. Not Kathy. Definitely not Elchubba. To my eternal frustration, I won that clever little nickname in junior high. Mostly because Ryan Dixon is a jerk, but also because I was horizontally challenged and usually clad in black from hair strand-to-toenail polish. It’s to do with Elvira. Lame, I know.

I just hoped Josh hadn’t asked my mother if Elchubba was home. I wouldn’t put it past him. Instead of correcting him, I turned on my heel and headed home. I didn’t answer him on principle.

My house was still a sadistic distance from me when I heard Josh stumble through some bushes near the sidewalk behind me. Oh, heavy black boots, how you’ve failed me again.

“Wait!”

He mumbled a curse behind me after the distinct sound of his rubber soles tripping over a crack in the sidewalk. I didn’t slow down. Maybe he would follow me all the way back to my front door so I could slam it in his face.

He outpaced me to step into my path. I considered knocking him on his boney ass. I had the weight and momentum to do it. A whiff of whatever cheap, man-scent product he used to attract girls assaulted my nose. It reminded me of dish soap and burnt popcorn.

“Please, would you just stop?” Josh said.

“Fine. What do you want?”

A car horn blared a few blocks away, followed by the squeal of tires. Josh glanced around like a super-secret spy.

My response was an eye roll and crossed arms. If he didn’t want to be seen talking to me, then he shouldn’t have answered me. For that matter, he shouldn’t have come over.

Josh said, “I need you to do me a favor.”

The laugh that escaped me sounded more maniacal than I expected. “You’re high.”

Great. I wound up chasing a boy I hated down the street to do a favor for him. It was not the pinnacle of my existence. At least I hope not.

“No, I’m serious.” Josh leaned closer and dropped his voice. “I’ll pay you.”

“Then it’s not a favor. It’s a business proposition,” I said. “If you’re going to pay me for services—of the non-prostitutional variety—then it’s a business arrangement, not a favor. A favor I’d do for free.”

The hopeful look that passed his face prompted me to add, “For friends, not for you.”

“Okay, whatever.” Josh fished in a pocket of his too-baggy jeans and pulled out a folded bill. It was too dark for me to see which president. He smiled, his teeth a perfect picket fence of glaring white. “I want you to write a letter for me.”

My eyebrows lifted without my permission. “A letter? To who?” I didn’t ask why me. I was editor for the school paper and wrote for the quarterly lit magazine.

“I’m not telling you unless you agree to do it.”

My eyes narrowed. “I’m not going to be suckered into writing a bomb threat or some stalker letter to a model you masturbate to.”

“No, no. It’s nothing like that.” Josh slouched and lowered the hand which held the bill to his side. “I was watching some old movie on TV tonight, and it got me thinking—”

I snorted.

“I’m serious, stop it. Well, this guy writes letters for a girl, but they’re from another guy who likes her.”

“You watched Cyrano de Bergerac?”

“Who? No, it was Roxy or Roseanne or something.”

“Roxanne?” I shook my head. “You were inspired by Steve Martin. Of course. You noticed that didn’t end well for the one guy, right?”

“Well, yeah. But that’s because the guy writing the letters steals her away. That won’t happen with us because you’re a girl. I mean, unless you’re a lezbo.”

My frown was so deep, my brows nearly touched. “How politically correct of you.”

“Oh. . . you mean you are?” He stepped away as if he’d just realized I was Typhoid Mary.

I was offended on behalf of sexual libertines everywhere. “Yes, and we’re highly contagious. You better leave before you start wanting love letters for Ryan instead of whichever girl gets your mangina tingling.”

For the record, I’m not a lesbian, but I didn’t care what he thought.

“Well, she’s not,” Josh said. “So it wouldn’t matter if you liked her or not.” He lifted up the bill again. “I’ll give you twenty dollars to write a letter that a girl would like, and make it sound like me.”

I chuckled. “Those two concepts don’t mesh.”

“Just take it, all right?”

“No, I’m pretty sure my morals exclude this . . . escapade of falsehood.”

“What? Jesus, why can’t you talk like other people?”

“My intellect prevents it, sadly.” My wry smile belied any regret.

“No, you just like being freaky little Elchubba,” he shot back. “Only not so little.” He glared at me as he stuffed the money back in his pocket, and then strode away in a huff.

He couldn’t have been more wrong. I didn’t like being Elchubba at all. I didn’t like being called that, I didn’t like being overweight, and I didn’t like that I had to go back into my house and explain to Darth Mother who Josh was and why I chased him down the street.

Sometimes, I feel like life is trying to swallow me whole. I do my best to flail about and get caught in its throat. More than once I’ve been sure I was hanging onto life’s uvula by my fingernails. Which, of course, just tickles life’s throat until it coughs me back out.

God, I’m tired of being coated in life’s phlegm.

But my curiosity was piqued. What girl could Josh possibly think was worth all this trouble?



To learn more about Christi Goddard and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Twitter.

The Giveaway: One lucky winner will get an ebook of Four in the Morning! The Giveaway is International. The Rafflecopter form below will guide you through the entry process. Good luck!
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Four in the Morning Tour Part 1! Guest Post & Giveaway!





Thank you for joining us today on our stop off of the Four in the Morning Tour! We have a few things in store for you! We'll be breaking our stop off into two parts. Christi Goddard, author of Four in the Morning, will be joining us for a guest post shortly, then we'll have an excerpt from her book in the next post. You'll be able to find the giveaway on both posts. So, without further ado, let's let Christi take over the blog for a bit.










So, I love making people laugh. I’ve always been a storyteller, and I much prefer telling stories than talking about myself. So, in this compromise, I’m telling stories about myself (or family members).

Have you ever felt like you were not explaining yourself well enough, so took that extra, over-the-top bit of oomph to really get your point across, and then wished you had kept your mouth shut? I learned at a very young age to stop myself from doing this. Let me explain:

My father had a best friend since childhood who had two daughters approximately the same age as my sister and me. They travelled from Kansas to Texas one summer to visit when I was nine. My sister was ten, the other two girls were nine and eleven.

My sister and the eldest of the two usually picked on me and the other nine year old. They would taunt us and say things that weren't very nice, or just beat us up. One night, while in my room, the four of us got into a VERY heated discussion that attracted the attention of the adults who then called us into the living room.

The four of us dutifully answered the call, and I was the one volunteered to explain what all the commotion was about.

"Chelle and Julie are saying that Chris and I are girlfriends."

**Crickets.**

"They said that we sleep together."

**Again the parents say nothing, but look sort of amused.**

At that point, I was sure that all four adults were complete idiots. How could they not understand how totally violated I was to have my sexuality questioned at the tender age of nine? So, in effort to make them fully understand the depth of my horror, I puffed out my chest and said, "They said that we... you know... F**K."

I did not see the other three girls take several steps away behind me, but my dad likens it often to the parting of the Red Sea. My mother looked furious. My father and his best friend burst out laughing. His best friend's wife told us all to go back downstairs and leave each other alone.

So, in short, I did not get my buttocks whooped, but I can tell you that is the memory that always pops into my head whenever I think someone is not getting my point. Now, instead of continuing on, I just assume they are an idiot and keep my mouth shut so I don't sound like one.
About the Author:
Christi was born in Arlington, Texas in the early seventies. Her earliest memories are of seeing Jaws and Star Trek: The Motion Picture in the theater. The first was a bit much for a pre-K kid to take, and the second has much to do with what has inspired her imagination. Her father is a bit of nomad, and they moved a lot when she was a kid. She inherited this trait, and has lived many places and been just about everywhere in America. She hit puberty in Colorado, got married in Las Vegas, had her first child in Kansas, her second in Illinois. She returned to Texas just shy of turning thirty and has been there ever since. Books are Christi's first love, followed closely by movies. She loves to be told stories, and for most of her literate life, she's been a storyteller as well. Christi is in her thirties, a mother of two awesome teenage girls, and a geek on many levels. Comic books, Victorian manga, science fiction, fantasy, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Star Wars, and renaissance festivals are her greatest loves. She lives in Waco, Texas (keep Waco Whacko) with her family and lovable dog, Nelly. She has a cat named Snape who is black, full of bad attitude, and thinks he runs the place. He was deftly named.

To learn more about Christi Goddard and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Twitter.

The Giveaway: One lucky winner will get an ebook of Four in the Morning! The Giveaway is International. The Rafflecopter form below will guide you through the entry process. Good luck!
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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Teaser Tuesdays: Two Halves by Marta Szemik





Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share  doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My teaser this week is from Two Halves by Marta Szemik.


I wanted to tell her I was here, that I was real, that I needed her more than she knew. I wanted her to know I was the William from her dreams, and she wouldn't be alone anymore.











Do you have a blog? Post a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments. No blog? Post a Teaser in the comments anyway!






Sunday, July 15, 2012

Book Review: Velveteen by Daniel Marks




 
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)
Expected publication: October 9th 2012
Publisher: Random House Children's Books

The Blurb: 
Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that’s not the problem.

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it’s not a fiery inferno, it’s certainly no heaven. It’s gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn’t leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what’s really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she’s figured out just how to do it. She’ll haunt him for the rest of his days.

It’ll be brutal... and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen’s obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she’s willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker.

Velveteen can’t help herself when it comes to breaking rules... or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.


My Review:
Velveteen is the first book in the Velveteen series written by Daniel Marks. I was really looking forward to reading this book and had such high expectations for it. It wasn't at all what I expected, which is good and bad.  I'll start with the bad since I like to save the best for last. I had a hard time getting myself invested in this book and found it too easy to tune out while reading. The first chapter grabbed me and then I tuned out for a chapter or two. This back and forth pattern continued through the book. I never  truly connected with it or the characters. Many of the characters seemed pretty superficial to me. The main character had all this inner turmoil about her, but I still never meshed into her world. 


Now for the good. The concept behind this book is entirely unique. I've never read a book that revolved around purgatory and the souls in it. I found it to be a very interesting idea of what purgatory could be like if it exists. I liked the real world similarities with the possible corrupt government and rebel citizens.  I absolutely love the cover! It catches your eye and fits the book perfectly. Overall, it wasn't for a book for me, but that doesn't mean it won't be for you. I think its uniqueness will attract many fans to this series. I'll probably still check out the sequel, because I want to know what happens. Pre-Order Now!

To learn more about Daniel Marks and his books, visit his video blog.You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter.


I received the ARC of Velveteen by Daniel Marks  from the Publisher through NetGalley for review. The opinions are my own.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Rogue's Pawn Tour: Book Review of Rogue's Pawn by Jeffe Kennedy




Rogue's Pawn (Covenant of Thorns #1) by Jeffe Kennedy
Genre: Adult Fiction (Fantasy Romance)
Expected Publication: July 16th 2012
Publisher: Carina Press

Blurb:
This is no fairy tale…

Haunted by nightmares of a black dog, sick to death of my mind-numbing career and heart-numbing fiancé, I impulsively walked out of my life—and fell into Faerie. Terrified, fascinated, I discover I possess a power I can’t control: my wishes come true. After an all-too-real attack by the animal from my dreams, I wake to find myself the captive of the seductive and ruthless fae lord Rogue. In return for my rescue, he demands an extravagant price—my firstborn child, which he intends to sire himself…

With no hope of escaping this world, I must learn to harness my magic and build a new life despite the perils—including my own inexplicable and debilitating desire for Rogue. Pre-order Rogue's Pawn Here.


My Review:
Rogue's Pawn brings you on a thrilling adventure with Jennifer as she wakes up in a world that is not her own. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading, but it immediately reeled me in with Jennifer's witty internal monologues. When Rogue enters the scene, I was a lost cause. This book had me hook, line, and sinker. This is odd for me, because I'm not usually attracted to fairy type books. Maybe I've been missing out on something all this time. There were some moments of naughtiness within the story. Rogue's Pawn was addictive and tantalizing, and I probably liked it a lot more than I should have. I didn't realize it was the first book in what will be the Covenant of Thorns series until I finished reading the book. I'm excited to know that the story doesn't end here, and I can't wait for more! This series just may be my new guilty pleasure. Pre-order Rogue's Pawn Here.

To learn more about Jeffe Kennedy and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter. Check out my interview with Jeffe Kennedy too!

I received the ARC of Rogue's Pawn by Jeffe Kennedy from the Bewitching Book Tours for review. The opinions are my own.


Check out my reviews of the other two books in this trilogy!

Throwback Thursday: Neanderthal by John Darnton




Throwback Thursday is a weekly feature co-hosted by Never Too Fond of Books and The Housework Can Wait. This is a fun way to write about and review beloved books we haven't read in a while.

Here’s how it works:
1. Pick any book released more than 5 years ago. Adult, YA, Children’s; doesn’t matter. Any great book will do.
2. Write up a short summary of the book (include the title, author, and cover art) and an explanation of why you love it. Make sure to link back to The Housework Can Wait and Never Too Fond of Books in your post.
3. Link up your post at The Housework Can Wait or Never Too Fond of Books.
4. Visit as many blogs as you can, reminisce about books you loved, and discover some “new” books for your TBR list!
This week, my throwback is Neanderthal by John Darnton.
Genre: Adult Fiction (Science Fiction/Thriller/Speculative Fiction)

The Blurb:
In the remote mountains of central Asia, an eminent Harvard archeologist discovers something extraordinary. He sends a cryptic message to two colleagues. But then, he disappears.

Matt Mattison and Susan Arnot-- once lovers, now academic rivals-- are going where few humans have ever walked, looking for a relic band of creatures that have existed for over 40,000 years, that possess powers man can only imagine, and that are about to change the face of civilization forever.
My Review: 
I read Neanderthal when I was in high school and was completely sucked in by this book. I let a friend borrow it who liked it so much they never gave it back. It was one of those books that you could actually see happening. It was so easy to visualize a colony of prehistoric creatures hidden in some remote area living their lives untouched by humans. Though entertaining, the drama surrounding the people didn't interest me too much, but I enjoyed the Neanderthals and the authors interpretation of what they were like. This book gets mixed reviews. People either love it or they hate it. I happened to really enjoy it. It was fast paced with non-stop action. Plus, I loved the idea that the Neanderthals are out there somewhere still. Who knows? Maybe they are!

To learn more about John Darnton and his books, visit his website.