Wishful Thinking by Elle Jefferson Book Blitz: Guest Post & Giveaway

Wishful Thinking by Elle Jefferson

Publication date: September 23rd 2014

Genres: Suspense, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Seventeen year old James Castle Jr. has rugby to deal with the pressures of high school. Fights with his girlfriend, his dad’s constant blame game and graduation anxieties all work out on the field. Every pass, tackle and scrum works out a kink.

That is until rugby gets suspended.

Without rugby as an outlet he has no idea how to deal with stress or the feelings of fear plaguing him since the break-in at home. James walked in on a burglar who knocked him out and left him with a concussion.  Now, James keeps seeing a little girl with pigtails everywhere. Great, he can add delusional to the list of shit he can’t deal with.

What makes the situation weirder, if that’s possible, is this little girl looks a lot like the new girl at his school, Claudia.

He can’t explain the connection he feels to Claudia, it’s not lust or friendship even, but it’s there.

Everything ties to one event; a hit and run accident he was the victim of fourteen years ago. An accident he doesn’t remember. An accident his father never told him about. An accident that wasn’t in fact an accident. It seems someone from his father’s past is hellbent on revenge and this time they plan to make sure James is dead. James will have to remember the past or else be caught in a killer’s crosshairs.

***Parents strongly cautioned due to minor drug use, underage drinking, sex and foul language***

Purchase:

Will be found here come release day: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Wishful%20Thinking%20Elle%20Jefferson

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway

--A signed paperback of Wishful Thinking

--$10 Amazon GC

--Swag

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Guest Post:

Did you know that my life as a writer started when I was pregnant with my second child? I had just finished my fifth or sixth read through of Harry Potter and was left going "now what?" And thus I started writing. In the beginning I started reading all the books I could find on writing ... on editing ... on plots ... on characters ... on grammar. I took classes, mostly online, and then I plunged head-first into the world of writing. It was in the seas of writing while trying to tread water but mostly drowning that I learned of a forum. It was a magical forum where other wannabe writers talked, shared, laughed and mostly gave each other encouragement (I also happened to meet Colleen Hoover there long before Slammed became a NY Times bestseller).

 It was through this forum that I met some amazing people and five particular women who became my betas. Later they became my sounding boards and then even later became my everything in the writing world.  So without further ado, here is my post on writing.

 1. What am I currently working on?

 As of today I'm working on book three in my vampire series ADIB. It's the final book and ties up everything and it's making me a total mess. To say "no pressure" is a lie. There's so much pressure that yesterday after I took a shower and went to clean my ears I actually saw some of my brain oozing out. Have you ever tickled your brain through your ear with a q-tip? Needless to say I looked like a dog whose owner had found her favorite scratching spot. But on a more serious note I love this series and want the final book to blow the other two out of the water.

 2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? 

 You got me. I'm still working on figuring out genres. Books never fit neatly into a box, although you'd think they would since they're rectangular, but whatever. I do know that my books no matter what level i.e YA, NA, or Adult (yes I'm a genre hopper so sue me) always have a hint of the paranormal. I also like my characters to be diverse  which is a trend I'm seeing more and more in books and it makes me happy.  Since I can only be me it's awesome to read books where the MC is different from me. Either by sex, race, religion or even sexual orientation, I love it!! Diversity in books? One word, WONDERFUL.

  3. Why do I write what I do?

I will say no matter what I write, whether it be paranormal, or sciency (so not a word but should be) there is always a romance. You ask why and I'll tell you why, because I'm a romantic, because I'm in love with love. Personally, I don't believe there is nothing more powerful or more beautiful than two people falling in love. Probably makes me terribly sappy but I can't help it I love love man!! I totally just sounded like an aging hippie.

 4. How does your writing process work? 

 Okay here's a visual to end all visuals, picture a monkey. Are you picturing it? Is he skinny? Hairy? Maybe has a bald butt? Okay, now that you have your monkey I want you to imagine said monkey picking up a pile of his poo and flinging it at the wall. Can you see it? Is it making you laugh? Because it's totally making me laugh. You and your monkey just hanging out flinging poo. HAHAHAHA!!! Well that's me only instead of poo its words and I fling them and some stick and are actually pretty good, but some? Man some stink.

Keep your eyes out because I have lots more stories brewing in my head. Thanks for reading. 

Elle

AUTHOR BIO

Elle Jefferson lives up in northern Arizona with her two beautiful sons, wonderful husband and her German Shepard Dorrie. When she's not reading or writing she's painting or enjoying the great outdoors.
Look for the final installment in the ADIB series in October '14

Connect with her at
http://ellejefferson.blogspot.com
or www.facebook.com/ElleJeffersonAuthor.com
twitter @oohlalakrysa

Audiobook Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

I have finally entered the world that John Greene created for all us who are gullible enough to put ourselves through this splendid torture. I obviously came to this magnificent piece of work a bit late (movie comes out like tomorrow). 

Wow, where to begin.

For those of you who somehow managed to know nothing of this book; let me help you out...

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Audiobook, Unabridged - Audible Audio Edition, 8 pages 

Published January 10th 2012 by Brilliance Audio

(Goodreads Synopsis) Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

6 Discs, 7 hr., 19 min.

 

 

 

No matter what way I try to go about this review it all comes back to... YOU WILL BE A WRECK. When a fellow nerd told me that if I was crying by chapter 6 then by the end I would be a wreck; they weren't kidding. 

 

Hazel Grace has been battling cancer for what feels like forever. During one of her support group meetings in which her mom insists on her attending, she meets a gorgeous boy with beautiful blue eyes. He is immediately drawn to her and her intellectual speech regardless of the oxygen tank trailing behind her. 

 

Augustus Waters is a complete dreamboat. He's witty, HOT, and has the absolute best sense of humor ever! The banter between him and Isaac are downright hilarious. I mean who doesn't love a guy who can make you laugh even in the midst of a completely crappy situation (I need a guy like that) .He of course leads you to believe that he is overall the healthiest one minus missing half a leg. Hazel of course gives you a freaking heart attack by ending up in the ICU. No spoilers I promise!

 

This book is the ultimate heart wrenching love story. You go into it knowing your going to be heartbroken. I mean HELLO READ THE SYNOPSIS, its freaking cancer!  In the midst of all the sad yet mundane things in their daily lives, love blossoms. This isn't your typical happy-ending everyone gets cured and lives happily ever after kind of story though. I'm sure it sounds like self-inflicting pain but trust me a story like this is worth every tear and heartache. If you haven't read it I have one thing to say to go... GO GET THE DARN BOOK NOW!!

 

 

Waiting On Wednesday: Cruel Beauty

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine to show upcoming releases that we can't wait to read (aka going crazy waiting for). This weeks book is:

Cruel Beauty

by Rosamund Hodge

Expected publication: January 28th 2014 by Balzer & Bray

Hardcover, 336 pages

(Goodreads synopsis) Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.
 

The reason I'm waiting on this book is because I am a huge Beauty and the Beast fan. This cover is awesome! It just sounds good.

What are you "waiting on"?

Waiting on Wednesday: Luminary

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine to show upcoming releases that we can't wait to read (aka going crazy waiting for). This weeks book is:

Luminary (Anomaly #2)by Krista McGee

Expected publication: January 7th 2014
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Paperback, 320 pages

(Goodreads blurb) She was an anomaly with a death sentence. Now she's free.

Thalli was scheduled for annihilation. She was considered an anomaly--able to experience emotions that should have been eradicated by genetic modification. The Scientists running the State couldn't allow her to bring undue chaos to their peaceful, ordered world. But seconds before her death, she is rescued.

Now Thalli is above ground in a world she thought was destroyed. A world where not even the air is safe to breathe. She and her three friends must journey across this unknown land, their destination a hidden civilization. It's their only chance of survival.

Broken and exhausted after an arduous journey, they arrive in New Hope, a town that survived the nuclear holocaust. When Thalli meets the people there--people actually "born" to "families"--her small world is blown wide open.

Soon after their arrival to New Hope, the town comes under attack. She has escaped imminent death, but now Thalli is thrust into a new fight--a fight to save her new home. Does she know enough about this world of emotions, this world of chaos, to save not only herself, but the people she has come to love?

The reason I'm waiting on this book is because I read the first book (Anomaly) and fell in love with it. I have yet to read a book by Krista McGee that I have no absolutely loved.

What are you "waiting on"?

Leap of Faith by Jamie Blair Book Blitz

Leap of Faith by Jamie Blair

Published by: Simon & Schuster BfYR

Publication date: September 3rd 2013

Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Can true love be built on lies? A teen on the run seeks relief and redemption in this gripping, romantic read.

Leah Kurtz has finally found a place to call home, a town where she and baby Addy can live in peace, far from the drug-infested place she grew up. Chris is one of the best parts of her new life, the only person who’s ever made her feel safe. And now that she’s found him, there’s no way she can tell the truth:

Her real name is Faith, not Leah. She’s seventeen, not nineteen. And the baby isn’t hers—Faith kidnapped her.

Faith’s history catches up with her when a cop starts asking questions and Chris’s aunt spots her picture in the newspaper. She knows it’s time to run again, but if Faith leaves, she’ll lose Chris. If Chris is in love with a lie, though, did Faith ever really have him in the first place?

Purchase:

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Prizes (open US only):

10 winners:

--5 prize packages of a signed hardback, a t-shirt and a guitar pick, 

--5 e-books with an autographed Leap of Faith notecard, a guitar pick and stickers

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AUTHOR BIO:

Jamie Blair spent most of her teen years choreographing moves for her dance team routines, kissing boys on the couch after her mom went to bed, and pondering the mood enhancement qualities of Lemon Heads when consumed with Diet Coke. Writing under Kelli Maine, she’s the USA Today bestselling author of Taken. Leap of Faith is her debut New Adult novel.

Author links:

Website: Twitter: Goodreads: Facebook 

Playlist:

The Right Kind of Wrong Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Welcome to my stop in The Right Kind of Wrong blog tour from Itching for Books . Click here to see the full schedule. 

Release date: June 27th 2013
Purchase: Amazon

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Nothing stays hidden forever.

Kara Pierce has held onto the same dream since she was a little girl: to be the next Katie Couric.
Vince Gage, a budding filmmaker whose I-don't-give-a-shit attitude cancels out his charm, almost ruined it for her once, and now he’s back, threatening to do it again.
When the two of them are paired together for a college competition with a $20,000 prize, the only thing they agree on is winning.

They return to Iowa where Kara grew up to research her grandfather's service in World War II, instead they find themselves in the middle of a family scandal kept quiet for far too long. As Kara and Vince investigate the scandal deeper, they realize the price of uncovering the truth is so much more than they bargained for.

Review:

Kara Pierce is a student and intern for journalism. Vince almost cost Kara her future so when she is forced to partner with him for a competition that could made their future; she is ready to blow a gasket. She never wanted to ever have anything to do with Vince again or go back to her hometown in Iowa but of course that's exactly what she gets. They decided to do a documentary on Kara's grandfather and his involvement in WWII. 

Vince has his own secrets and has no desire to share them but while on their trip, secrets same to keep coming to the surface for everyone. As they go through Kara's grandfathers old things in the attic, they find a family secret that everyone is determined to keep hidden. As journalists this just sparks a fire within them to keep digging. The story is transformed to the new discoveries. As much as Kara tries to hold onto her hatred for Vince, she sees a side of him that she never saw before and can't help but getting lost in.

Kara's dad hasn't been a part of her life since she was 8 years old. With the new discoveries of her family she can't help but feel apathetic for him. What she doesn't expect are the revelations he unveils to her and his hearts desire. Not only is Kara now faces her whole family being turned upside down but she also has a new world of love, heartache and manipulation that she never thought she would ever have to deal with. 

I enjoyed reading this book. Vince was such a smart-ass but also had this sweet side that made you want to grab his face and just kiss him. My heart went out to both Kara and Vince. They both had their worlds rocked and kept finding themselves in a territory they never thought they would be in. I wanted to punch her boss in his balls like a million times. When you read this book you will know exactly what I mean. No book with such heartbreak can end bad though. I am a sucker for happy endings and this book made me giddy with happiness. I think everyone should give this book a chance. It really is worth it and you will find yourself wanting to skip ahead to find out what happens next.

Favorite Quotes:

"You know, If you wanted to check me out, you could have just asked. I'm not shy." 20%

"That, my friend, is the smell of farms. Welcome to Iowa."
"Oh God, It's Terrible. Make it stop, make it stop!" 30%

"Holy shit. Look at that cigarette. It's bigger than a camping lighter. These are crazy." 

"According to Grandpa, She wouldn't say anything. Had to have her voice box removed. That puppy was soaked in tar." 35%

Vince puts his finger to my lips. "Shh, Don't ruin it. Let's go get your delivery." 66%

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Once upon a time there was a little girl who fell in love with books then she grew up to write her own.
Jade has participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) six times and enjoys copious amounts of coffee. When she's not writing, she enjoys trashy reality T.V. and reading everything she can get her hands on.
Mommy to two dogs and two naughty kitties, she feels like she might be on her way to having a zoo.


Author Website | Twitter

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Contrition Book Blitz: Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

Contrition by Lee Strauss

(Perception #3)

Publication date: September 26th 2013

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Zoe, Noah and the other plane crash survivors are stranded in the Arizona desert.

They all have secrets,

and reasons to hide.

But they’re not alone.

Cyborg soldiers.

War.

Humans and humanoids.

Who can be trusted?

Zoe’s life is in danger.

Noah must make an impossible choice.

Will their love survive their brokenness?

Will the world as they know it end before they can find out?

Purchase:

Click on book cover in the series to add to Goodreads:




Excerpt

But Taylor wasn’t an idiot. He moved to catch my eyes. “It’s lonely here, Zoe. Mary’s hot and all, especially with her badass gig going on—you know, when she’s not laid out with busted ribs—but she’s not like us.”
Not like us. Taylor was the only other GAP here. His parents had had him genetically altered before they’d died in a car crash. Before they’d had a chance to have the procedure done to his sister. Before he and Hannah had been adopted by cult relatives.
“I think we need more than just that in common to make something work,” I said. I’d had a GAP boyfriend before, and that relationship had been a disaster on so many levels.
“Okay, like what?” Taylor smirked. “Physical attraction? Check. Intelligence compatibility? Check. Marooned on a desert rock? Check.”
I smiled. Taylor was right about all those things. I did find him attractive and intelligent. It was what had gotten me into trouble at the commune. All that and his charisma had charmed me into kissing him.
It was the kiss of death for my tenuous relationship with Noah. I’d apologized a million times since and had done everything short of begging Noah to let me back in. Actually, I had begged. He’d stubbornly insisted that his lack of GAP status was reason enough for us to stay apart.
That and the fact that he no longer trusted me. Or trusted in my memories of him. Memories lost prior to our stint at the commune, thanks to dear ol’ Grandpa V, who’d stolen them from me.
Taylor wasn’t wrong, though. Sharing GAP status did mean something. I wouldn’t have to worry about him cutting out on me because of that, using it as an excuse to leave. To stay away. I longed for a commitment that went beyond just looking out for my physical safety. And he was charming and cute.
But I couldn’t deny what my heart wanted and right now it wanted Noah Brody.
Taylor could read the conflict on my face. “Come on, Zoe. Don’t waste time waiting for him. He’s moved on.”
My heart stopped when he said that. The truth hurt. He might or might not have moved on to Mary, but it was pretty obvious he wanted to move on from me. I pinched my eyes shut, but a lone tear escaped. Taylor’s finger ran along my cheek, scooping it up. I gasped at his gentle touch. I might be pining for Noah, but I couldn’t deny that I also had feelings for Taylor Blake.
Taylor’s mouth moved to my ear, and I trembled when his hot breath caressed my neck.
“He’s not worth it.”
Noah’s voice chimed in. “Am I interrupting?”

Giveaway!

plus an audio copy of PERCEPTION,

plus a cool eternity bracelet from Etsy!

Just enter the rafflecopter below!

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In case you haven't read book 1 or 2 of the trilogy yet,  PERCEPTION is free and VOLITION is .99 until the launch.

AUTHOR BIO

Lee Strauss writes historical and science fiction/romance for upper YA and adult readers. She also writes light and fun stuff under the name Elle Strauss. To find out more about Lee and her books check out her facebook page. Follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/elle_strauss to find out about new releases sign up for her newsletter at www.ellestraussbooks.com

Author Links:

Website: Goodreads: Facebook: Twitter

Cover Reveal: Fallen

 Fallen by Stacy Claflin

Publication date: Fall, 2013

Designed by Bryan Hufalar

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Samantha Erikson is a vampire with one mission: to rule the world. She’s spent decades winning over the world’s most feared vampire, Vince Moretti. Just when everything is going according to plan, he sidetracks her with the assignment of pretending to be a high school student in a small town.

It’s humiliating enough going from stilettos to sneakers, but Samantha must also follow the most boring person alive: the teenage girl who stands between her and the throne. When she has had all she can take, she finds a fun distraction: an attractive football player who isn't scared of vampires. There's one problem. Against her better judgment, she falls in love with him. Now she must decide between the mortal she adores and a place of power in the vampire world. If she tries to have both, she could lose everything.

AUTHOR BIO

Stacy loves writing, reading, and watching Young and New Adult Paranormal and Paranormal Romance. Her favorite TV shows include the Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Fringe, Pretty Little Liars, and the Lying Game.

STACY'S BOOKS
The Transformed Series:
Deception
Betrayal
Forgotten

Chasing Mercy

You can learn more about her current and upcoming books, and connect with her at StacyClaflin.com.

Author Links:

Website: Facebook: Twitter: Goodreads 

Life, Love & Lemons Book Blitz: Excerpt & Giveaway

Life, Love, & Lemons by Magan Vernon

Publication date: August 20th 2013

Genre: YA Contemporary

Synopsis:

When life hands you lemons, sometimes you have to say screw the lemons and bail.

Seventeen-year-old Bentley Evans had it all. Then her Dad got laid off.

Now she has to move across town to a small apartment and leave her life of luxury for public school and a job at the local burger place. Just when her world seems like it's crumbling she finds solace in the unlikely punk boy next door, Kai Stone. But as their relationship blossoms, a jealous ex-girlfriend and a secret to tell that threatens to bring disaster back into Bentley’s life.

Excerpt:

"You know I'm pretty sure that all that's involved in high school dancing is just dry humping and swaying back and forth," I said as Kai helped me move my parent's couch back.

"Well, I don't want to dry hump or just sway back and forth," he said with a big grin on his face before setting the couch down.

"We don't have to do this right now either. It's a Sunday morning and all." I walked over to the front of the couch, not taking my eyes off of him.

"Homecoming is Saturday, and the only dance I know is the Hokey Pokey." He shrugged. "Besides Mom and my sisters are at small group and your parents can sleep through anything, so why not now?"

"Okay." I let out a deep breath and opened my computer. "But you really didn't take any kind of dance classes? I had ballroom dancing freshman year in gym."

"Bentley, I've gone to public school all of my life. The only dance we ever learned was line dancing when I was in grade school up in Wisconsin, and I'm not doing that at Homecoming." He laughed.

I started up the song and set my laptop down and stepped in front of Kai, putting my right hand up toward him. “I definitely don’t think there will be line dancing at Homecoming,” I said, putting my hand in his.

“And you make fun of my music?” Kai asked as the song crooned through the speakers on my laptop. I put Kai’s right hand on my hip, and then placed my left hand on his upper arm.

“This is Sinatra, I really don’t think there is anything to be making fun of, and besides I don’t think we could really do ballroom dancing to punk rock.”

“I’m sure we could try." He smiled and kissed my forehead.

I rolled my eyes. “Okay,  now that we have the arm position it’s time to move our feet, and if you step on my bare feet I am going to punch you.”

He playfully hovered his foot over mine, so I pinched his arm. “If you don’t behave then I’m switching the music to country.”

He let out a big sarcastic sigh. “Fine.”

“Okay, so left foot then right foot then together,” I said as we moved in unison.

“Then right foot goes back and then the left foot meets it.”

We moved together doing a few box steps. It felt kind of silly to be dancing in my pajamas in the living room.

“You know, I really don’t think that anyone is going to be doing the waltz at Homecoming,” I muttered

 I looked up to see him mouthing ‘left, right, together’.

“Well what do people usually do then?" He looked down at me and stopped mouthing the words.

The Sinatra song ended and a slower punk rock song played, one that Kai had actually put on my computer.

“Usually…" I put both my arms around his neck. “It’s kind of more of a close, swaying motion.”

“Oh." He wrapped his long arms around my waist and pulled me as close as I think two people can get when one was over six foot and the other was barely over five foot three.

“Like this?" He swayed slowly back and forth.

“Usually it’s not some sort of a giant dancing with a midget.” I laughed.

“Fine then." He bent at his knees and picked me up off of the ground, so that my legs were dangling in the air while he continued to sway back and forth. “Is that better, shorty?”

I wrapped my bare legs around his waist. “Now it is."

I leaned in and ran my tongue along his bottom lip, tracing the lines of his lip ring.

“I don’t think that’s part of the waltz." He smiled and pressed his forehead to mine.

“It is now." I kissed him, pretty hard, since he fell back into the couch with me still in his arms.

Maybe I should have taken him up on the night alone instead of Homecoming. It felt so good to just be in his arms, and the kissing wasn’t so bad either. I could forget about the world every time that Kai kissed me. It was like his lip piercing had some kind of magical powers that just made all my problems disappear as long as we were kissing.

AUTHOR BIO

Magan Vernon is a Young Adult and New Adult writer who lives with her family in the insurance capital of the world. She is in a very serious, fake relationship with Adam Lambert and constantly asks her husband to wear guyliner. He still refuses. She also believes her husband is secretly an alien, disguised as a southern gentleman.

Author Links:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Giveaway: 

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