Cover Reveal: Caged in Winter by Brighton Walsh

It is no small secret that Brighton Walsh is one of my very favorite people on the planet, so when I saw the opportunity to participate in the cover reveal for her upcoming New Adult release, I jumped at the chance.

I can't wait until the day I can post my review -- but until then, just look at this cover!

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In this emotional and sexy New Adult debut from Brighton Walsh, the only thing more frightening than commitment is hope…

Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…

Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.

But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with her first love: writing. When she’s not pounding away at the keyboard, she’s probably either reading or shopping—maybe even both at once. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children, and, yes, she considers forty degrees to be hoodie weather. Her home is the setting for frequent dance parties, Lego battles, and more laughter than she thought possible. Visit her online at www.brightonwalsh.com.

February Releases From Covet

Covets have all the sexiness, emotion, and happily ever after that readers have come to expect and love from Entangled. They are firmly grounded in the contemporary world, but each novel brings in supernatural twists, breaking the contemporary and paranormal rules, alike. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books you’ll be coveting next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, Like their Facebook page, and join the Book Club.


Today I'm happy to be featuring Covet's February releases:

Hot Rock by Annie Seaton

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Megan Miller is on a dream trip to research her doctoral thesis at a rock festival in England. When she arrives in town she’s stunned that her temporary neighbor is the spitting image of her 70’s rock idol, too bad he’s also a world-class jerk. So why can't she stop thinking about him?

Seventies rock star Davy Morgan is a man with a secret: rockin’ in one time and living in another. He holds his privacy close to his heart, so when a beautiful girl who not only loves but truly understands his music moves in next door, he works overtime to keep her at a distance. Easier said than done.

Megan follows Davy to the rock festival, but it’s not what or when it seems. The lure of the music draws them closer, but can their newfound love span across the decades, or will it get lost in time?

Find Out More!

Pan's Conquest by Aubrie Dionne

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Syrinx pulled a fast one on Pan to escape his raging lust. The God of Chastity wasn't about to break her vows and succumb to his temptations. Transported to the twenty-first century, she runs a florist shop—fulfilling her fake, mortal life. Until the breathtaking Parker Thomas hires her to decorate his grand estate for a gala. Five hundred roses? Easy enough. Except Parker makes her feel things she can't ignore...

As the God of Fertility, Pan is used to maidens flocking in droves to his pastures. So when Syrinx denies him, he's determined to win the one that got away. He poses as a mortal to get close to her, but he doesn't count on falling hard for his conquest—hard enough to make a life and stay.

But Syrinx is falling in love with a man that doesn't exist. Can Pan hide his identity forever, or will the truth tear them apart?

Find Out More!

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Review: Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

SYNOPSIS:

Life. Death. And...Love?

Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.

But Emma can't tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.

Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn't have interested Old Emma. But New Emma-the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia-New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge.

Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death-and maybe, for love?

MY THOUGHTS:

4 out of 5 stars

I totally underestimated this book going in, though I can't tell you why.  A friend from another blog sent me her ARC on a whim and there you have reason #5743245 why book friends are the best friends -they introduce you to words and characters you weren't even looking for but are so happy you found.

So, back to the book and how the best way to describe it is HOLY FEELS.  I absolutely loved the way that this story took a controversial (and coincidentally timely) story and made it so much more than what is simply right or wrong, black or white, me or you.  It focused on the grief and the love and the tears and the memories and the fears and how they build on each other to form opinions and ideals.

It reminds us that the idea that what we want more than anything isn't always possible.  

"Under the idea that we can all make our fates, that we have choices, is the reminder that sometimes we don't.  That sometimes life is bigger than ourplans.  Bigger than us."

In this complex and sometimes cruel world though are amazing relationships that offer so much when needed, and Emma finds this in the one person she never imagined would be her respite from her pain.  Being broken doesn't mean you have to be alone.

"I feel special.  I feel like there is the world, and then there is Caleb and me.  Just us, a broken little party of two bit it isn't so bad, being broken.  Not with someone who understands.  Not with him."

I can't say enough about Emma as a main character.  She was so so so very strong and yet with every argument with her stepfather, every conversation with her mother, every memory she clung to showed that she was so so so very torn.  And angry.  And vulnerable.  I didn't read her as a petulant, whiny, immature YA character.  She was true and I was moved by her story.

If you are looking for a deeply emotional read that will fill you with feels, I can't recommend Heartbeat enough.  I look forward to reading more from Elizabeth Scott.

Cover Reveal: The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter

Today is the day! The cover of Gena Showalter's THE QUEEN OF ZOMBIE HEARTS is here! We're so excited to be able to share this with you as it joins an already stunning set! Ready to see it? Not quite yet lets take a look a the first two covers in the series!

First there was ALICE IN ZOMBIELAND...

Then came THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS...

Now get ready to EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT!!!

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Official White Rabbit Chronicles website

On-sale date: Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Add it to your TBR!  Goodreads

Pre-order your copy! Amazon, Barnes & Noble

        

         

  Official book description:

I have a plan.

We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us.

Either way, only one of us is walking away.

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

About Gena:

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today best- selling author of the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, the Angels of the Dark, the Lords of the Underworld, and the Otherworld Assassins series.  In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazine, and have been translated in multiple languages.  She lives in Oklahoma with her family and menagerie of dogs, and truly believes love conquers all.

Website/Twitter/Facebook /The White Rabbit Chronicles Facebook

Giveaway Details:

1 complete set of The White Rabbit Chronicles (first 2 sent as soon as the giveaway is over and the winner will get the first hardcover of book 3 when it's available!) US/Canada Only

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Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop: February 8th-14th

I had so much fun taking part in the Spooktacular Blog Hop back in October that I couldn't wait to do another one.  I mean, the whole point of doing this blog was to talk about the books I love with people that love reading - and if I could GIVE away the books I love in a fun way, even better!

When I was at YALLFest back in October, I had the chance to get two copies of one of my all time favorite books signed with the idea that I'd keep one and the other would be for one of my readers.  Then came the email that let me know that Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Rachel from Rachel Anderson were hosting a giveaway hop to celebrate Valentine's Day I knew that I had found my next hop!

What am I giving away, you ask?


Etienne St. Clair

Well, not him EXACTLY...but a signed paperback of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.

This hop runs from February 8th through the 14th.  It is open to US residents only -- though I promise to do an International giveaway soon.  Shipping costs are just to prohibitive right now.   I will post the name of the winner on the 15th and also email -- if there is no response in 48 hours, I will let Rafflecopter choose another name.

Easy peasy, right?

So go enter - and then go here to find a list of other blogs participating in the hop.  There are lots of great giveaways out there!

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Book Blast - Lifers by Jane Harvey-Berrick

SYNOPSIS:

After eight years in prison, twenty-four year old Jordan Kane is the man everyone loves to hate.

Forced to return to his hometown while on parole, Jordan soon learns that this small town hasn’t changed since he was carted off to juvie all those years ago. He is the local pariah, shunned by everyone, including his own parents. But their hatred of him doesn’t even come close to the loathing he feels every time he looks in the mirror.

Working odd jobs for the preacher lady, Jordan bides his time before he can leave this backwards town. But can distance erase the memories that haunt him? Trapped in the prison of his own mind Jordan wonders if the pain of living will ever subside?

Torrey Delaney is new in town and certainly doesn’t behave in a way the locals believe a preacher’s daughter should. Her reputation for casual hook-ups and meaningless sex is the talk of the town. Add that to her budding friendship with the hardened ex-con handyman, and the good Reverend is less than thrilled with her estranged daughter’s path.

As friendship forms, is it possible for two damaged people who are afraid to love take their relationship to the next level? Can Torrey live with Jordan’s demons, and can Jordan break through Torrey’s walls? With the disapproval of a small town weighing heavily on them, will they find their place in the world? Can they struggle against the odds, or will their world be viciously shattered?

Is love a life sentence?

Due to scenes of a sexual nature, not recommended for under 18.

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

I started writing contemporary romance two years ago. Before that, I didn’t think I could write a sex scene. Turns out I can!
My lucky number is 13 because I was born on the 13th and live near a haunted castle by the ocean. My number one past-time is watching hot surfers get changed into (and out of) their wetsuits.
My husband doesn’t read my books. My mother does.
Writing is my love, my hobby, my total addiction. All my characters are important to me and whisper their stories, even when I’ve finished writing their books. That’s why you’ll often find bonus chapters/out-takes from various books, because those voices just won’t be quiet.

Author Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6458246.Jane_Harvey_Berrick

http://jhbauthor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jane.harveyberrick

https://twitter.com/jharveyberrick

Book Swap - An Update

Back towards the beginning of January, I mentioned that I was going to start trying new blog-ish things and first on my list was participating in a book swap.  Hosted by the lovely ladies at Chaotic Goddess Swaps, the concept was simple -- sign up, get matched up, and get books.  Easy peasy.

I was lucky enough to get matched up with Katie from Spirit of Children's Literature -- she was super nice and funny and the emails started flying.  I can't imagine a better first swap partner!

I sent her three books...she sent me three...and if she didn't live so far away and if it didn't border on the edge of being creepy, I'd probably get in my car and drive to her house to hug her. 

I mean, LOOK AT THE PRETTY BOOKS SHE SENT ME!!!!

 (and those pics don't even include the yummy goodies that I've already hidden away from my kids)

Where the Stars Still Shine - Trish Doller  

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true

Mariana - Susanna Kersley

The first time Julia Beckett saw Greywethers she was only five, but she knew that it was her house. And now that she’s at last become its owner, she suspects that she was drawn there for a reason.

As if Greywethers were a portal between worlds, she finds herself transported into seventeenth-century England, becoming Mariana, a young woman struggling against danger and treachery, and battling a forbidden love.

Each time Julia travels back, she becomes more enthralled with the past...until she realizes Mariana’s life is threatening to eclipse her own, and she must find a way to lay the past to rest or lose the chance for happiness in her own time.

My Name Is Memory - Ann Brashares

From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Last Summer (of You and Me) comes an imaginative, inspired, magical book-a love story that lasts more than a lifetime.

Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. Daniel has "the memory", the ability to recall past lives and recognize souls of those he's previously known. It is a gift and a curse. For all the times that he and Sophia have been drawn together throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart. A love always too short.

Interwoven through Sophia and Daniel's unfolding present day relationship are glimpses of their expansive history together. From 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, the two souls share a long and sometimes torturous path of seeking each other time and time again. But just when young Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally begins to awaken to the secret of their shared past, to understand the true reason for the strength of their attraction, the mysterious force that has always torn them apart reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together.

A magical, suspenseful, heartbreaking story of true love, My Name is Memory proves the power and endurance of a union that was meant to be.


Thank you, Katie!  Thank you, Chaotic Goddess Swaps!  I can't wait to start reading :) 

Blog Tour: Scintillate by Tracy Clark - Review and Giveaway

Title: SCINTILLATE
Author: Tracy Clark
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 304
Pub. Date: February 4, 2014
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

SYNOPSIS:

A mighty flame follows a tiny spark

Cora Sandoval’s mother disappeared when she was five and they were living in Ireland. Since then, her dad has been more than overprotective, and Cora is beginning to chafe under his confines. But even more troubling is the colorful light she suddenly sees around people. Everyone, that is, except herself — instead, she glows a brilliant, sparkling silver.

As she realizes the danger associated with these strange auras, Cora is inexplicably drawn to Finn, a
gorgeous Irish exchange student who makes her feel safe. Their attraction is instant, magnetic, and
primal—but her father disapproves, and Finn’s mother orders him home to Ireland upon hearing he’s
fallen in love. After a fight with her father, Cora flees to Ireland, both to follow Finn and to look for her missing mother.

There she meets another silver-haloed person and discovers the meaning of her newfound powers and
their role in a conspiracy spanning centuries—one that could change mankind forever…and end her life.
 

MY THOUGHTS:

 4.5 out of 5 stars

This book went above and beyond what I was expecting when I first started reading.  I've read several good books this year, but there have only been a few that fall into the "I don't even want to stop reading to eat" category.  Scintillate by Tracy Clark was one of them.

I've been thinking about my review for a few days now because I like to at least seem like I know what I'm talking about when I put my thoughts out there...but I still come back to where my thoughts went immediately after reading the last sentence, which is that I really really enjoyed reading this story.

And after all, that is why I read.

I found Cora to be a believable 17 year old...I remember how it feels to be like I was living life on a leash, convinced that my parents were on a mission to squash all my dreams like a bug.  I also remember what it was like to lose all rational thought when talking to a cute boy -- the ones I could gather up enough courage to talk to, anyway.

And there weren't any cute boys with Irish accents and tattoos when I was in high school.  Trust me, I would have remembered. 

What I can't imagine though, is what life would be life if my mom had not been in my life, or what it would be life to be able to see auras and to have all these questions and not get any answers. 


Why is she seeing auras?  Is there a man really following her and what does he want?  Why are people dying?  What does her father know?  

 That is what Cora deals with.  She KNOWS there is more to her life than what she is being told and is unbelievably frustrated when roadblocks are constantly put in her path.  Still, she is determined to find out the answers, no matter what she has to do to get them.

I have to admit, when I first read in the synopsis that she takes off for Ireland on her own, I seemed a bit far fetched but once I started reading, I didn't even think twice about it.  I got so caught up in the story that I was able to take off my common-sense hat and see where the adventure was going. 

I am so glad I did.

Once Cora gets to Ireland, Ms. Clark's story really takes off.  Adventure, history, romance, deception, fate, hope...all the feels are there.  I found myself thinking I wanted one thing to happen and then maybe I didn't...but then maybe I did, but only if other things happened.  And even then, when the book reached the end, I found myself pleasantly surprised with the way there was enough open ending to make me want the next book as soon as possible, but I didn't keep trying to find the pages that just had to be missing from my Kindle because I can't believe it ended there. 

All in all, I am really glad that I had the chance to be a part of the book tour for Scintillate and I look forward to seeing where the adventure takes us.

There are some amazing blogs on this book tour.  Click here to see the schedule and to check out their reviews.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Tracy Clark is a young-adult writer because she believes teens deserve to know how much they matter and that regardless of what they’re going through, they aren’t alone. In other words, she writes books for her teen self.

She grew up a “Valley Girl” in Southern California but now lives in her home state of Nevada, in a small town at the base of the Sierra Foothills. Her two children teach her the art of distraction and are a continuous source of great dialogue. She’s an unapologetic dog person who is currently owned by a cat.

Tracy was the recipient of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Work in Progress Grant. A two-time participant in the prestigious Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program where she was lucky enough to be mentored by bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins, who taught her so much about the art of writing and cured her of her ellipsis addiction.

Her debut novel was inspired by her enchantment with metaphysics as a teen, seeing it as the real magic in life. Tracy is a part-time college student, a private pilot, and an irredeemable dreamer.

 Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads


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