Friday, January 31, 2014

Cover reveal: Now That You're Here by Amy K. Nichols

Book Details:

Title: Now That You're Here
Series: Duplexity, Part I
Author: Amy K. Nichols
Genre: sci-fi
Audience: Young Adult

Synopsis:
Danny and Eevee are meant to be together . . . Just not in this universe.

Eevee Solomon has high school down to a science. Get the grades. Get the recommendations. Get into an Ivy League college, and eventually land a killer job at NASA.

Then Danny Ogden enters the equation.

Danny is a street-smart graffiti artist. He’s always managed to stay out of serious trouble, but this time he’s out of luck. One minute he’s running from the cops, and the next, he jolts awake in an unfamiliar body–his own, but different. Somehow, he’s crossed into a parallel universe. Now his friends are his enemies, his parents are long dead, and coolheaded Eevee is not the brazen girl he once kissed back home. Then again, this Eevee may be his only hope of getting home.

Eevee tells herself she’s only helping him in the name of quantum physics, but there’s something undeniably fascinating about this boy from another dimension . . . a boy who makes her question who she is, and who she might be in another place and time.


Author Bio:
Amy has been crafting stories for as long as she can remember. She earned a Master's in literature and worked for years as a web designer, though, before realizing what she really wanted to be was an author. Her first novel, YA sci-fi thriller Now That You're Here, will be published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on December 9, 2014. The follow-up, While You Were Gone, will be published in 2015. She is mentored by award-winning crime novelist James Sallis.
Amy is represented by Quinlan Lee of Adams Literary. She's an active member of SCBWI and SFWA, as well as a member of the Class of 2k14 debut authors.

Social Media Links:
Class of 2k14: http://classof2k14.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: M-day by D.T.Dyllin

Zombies? That's kids stuff.  

Welcome to the ultimate battle of the sexes. Welcome to M-Day... 

Available now and on sale from February 7-14!


Book Details:

Title: M-Day (M-Day #1)
Author: D.T. Dyllin
Genre: Dystopian Romance
Publisher: Tik Tok Press
Cover Artist: Lindsay Tiry
Interior Book Design: The Eyes For Editing
Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1fdcqz4

Synopsis:

Before the day… before M-day… people used to read books and watch movies about zombies. They used to dress up as zombies; pretend to kill zombies… Basically, zombies had become a part of popular culture in a very unexpected way.

The highly anticipated zombie apocalypse never came.

What did come was much worse than any city over run with shambling corpses after brains and flesh. A virus… a virus that only affected men. Nobody knew what caused it, or where it had come from, not that it really mattered. It's here and there’s no going back.

Maxine was one of the lucky ones--she got out alive. She and her friends banded together to survive the new desolate conditions left behind by the virus. When a supply gathering mission goes awry, Max and company are left with no better choice than to trust a group of uninfected military men. No longer on the run from her infected husband, Max discovers there could be worse dangers for her on the horizon… Like losing her heart to her mysterious savior everyone calls Zee.  

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18755234-m-day?ac=1

About the Author

D.T. Dyllin is a Bestselling Romance Author who writes in both New Adult and Adult genres. She is a member of the RWA (Romance Writers of America) and also her local chapter, the MCRW (Music City Romance Writers).

D.T. was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Black & Gold for life, baby!) She now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two spoiled GSDs.

 

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Book review: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

A big note to all readers. If you haven't read the book, don't continue with this review. It contains spoilers. Like, lots of them. Consider yourself warned!

Finally, finally I'm done reading Clockwork Princess!

I'm speechless though. Completely and utterly so, since that Epilogue gave me nothing but chills, shivers, endorphins, tears and the likes. Emotions were everywhere, bouncing around me, echoing up and down the walls and ceiling.

And all I can say is that the greatness of this last book of The Infernal Devices was incredible!

It took me nearly a month to finish reading it because I read it on the side. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed by the first three quarters of it. I don't know why. I mean, the writing was as great as ever, the storyline was flowing well, the characters were consistent. There was action, drama, pain, sadness. And yet, for some reason it felt to me that something was lacking. It couldn't keep my attention, you know?

So I thought about lowering the rating with a star. I thought about it, and was going to do it too, but then that one last quarter of the book, plus the Epilogue had me reconsidering. You may think that changing a rating based on just one quarter of a book is silly. But I'll tell you this - obviously you haven't read the quarter I'm talking about. If you had, you'd know exactly why I had to go for those five stars.

Now let me explain. I'm a Will fan. I do love Jem too, but Will was closer to me. So when things got desperate with James's health and Will had to suffer through horrible pain on all fronts, I couldn't bear it. I cried when James 'died'. The parabatai bond was like my own and I just... gosh, it was too much, you know? Then everything got twisted, turned around and shaken out of proportion - I mean, forbidden love, and angels and reunions - and I was left speechless. Then that incredible Epilogue comes and I was all tears and snot and you get the picture.

Let's pause this for a second. Do you know how hard it is to hold your tears and that bawling you want to do just because your hubby is in the room and he hates it when you cry over a book? I am telling you now, it was incredibly difficult for me to hold it in. I barely did. I mean, I did cry, silently, but what kind of silent crying can express this huge knot of pain that had gathered in my heart, huh?

I mean, I wanted to scream my lungs out. I actually felt physical pain in my own heart as I read that damned Epilogue. Gosh, seeing through Tessa's memories - all the love she shared with Will, all the pain and sorrow she went through when he reached old age and died.... And then all the hope and love that came with Jem returning from the Brotherhood.... I don't think anyone could be immune to the intensity of it all. I was not.

Clare played it quite smart with that Epilogue, I think. I mean, Tessa got all she wanted. True, along with the love and happiness she also got the sadness and pain and sorrow, but still. Who can have both guys she loves in one lifetime? Extremely rare, I think.

And still, I felt incredibly sad for Tessa, for Magnus, for any warlock doomed to live eternally, alone. That is a sad, sad fate and I don't wish it to anyone.

My heart broke at least five times as I read the book, but the ending was the climax of all heartbreaks. It was raw, it was emotional, it was soul deep.

In my mind, I don't think of the characters as such - parts of fiction. No. To me they are real people, who I might get the chance to meet one day. I may not recognize them, passing by, but somehow, deep inside I'd know I've met them. Sounds crazy, I know, but such is the power of Cassandra Clare's writing. And I'd like to keep that hope alive.

My rating is

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday #4


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blog post by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights releases we're eagerly awaiting.

My pick this week is:

#1



Title: Stolen Songbird
Series: Malediction Trilogy Book One
Genre: high fantasy
Audience: YA
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Release date: April 1st, 2014
Publisher:  Angry Robot ltd. (Strange Chemistry)

Summary:

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time, wait for the perfect opportunity.

But something unexpected happens while she’s waiting – she begins to fall for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. She begins to make friends. And she begins to see that she may be the only hope for the half-bloods – part troll, part human creatures who are slaves to the full-blooded trolls. There is a rebellion brewing. And her prince, Tristan, the future king, is its secret leader.

As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful enough to change Trollus forever.

 Why I want to read it:

Gosh, just look at the cover and tell me you don't want this book. I dare you!

#2



Title: Strange Sweet Song
Series: standalone
Genre: fantasy, romance
Audience:  YA
Author: Adi Rule
Release date: March 11th, 2014
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin)

Summary:

A young soprano enrolls in a remote music academy where nothing, not even her mysterious young vocal coach, is as it seems

Outside Dunhammond Conservatory, there lies a dark forest. And in the forest, they say, lives a great beast called the Felix. But Sing da Navelli never put much faith in the rumors and myths surrounding the school; music flows in her blood, and she is there to sing for real. This prestigious academy will finally give her the chance to prove her worth—not as the daughter of world-renowned musicians—but as an artist and leading lady in her own right.

Yet despite her best efforts, there seems to be something missing from her voice. Her doubts about her own talent are underscored by the fact that she is cast as the understudy in the school's production of her favorite opera, Angelique. Angelique was written at Dunhammond, and the legend says that the composer was inspired by forest surrounding the school, a place steeped in history, magic, and danger. But was it all a figment of his imagination, or are the fantastic figures in the opera more than imaginary?

Sing must work with the mysterious Apprentice Nathan Daysmoor as her vocal coach, who is both her harshest critic and staunchest advocate. But Nathan has secrets of his own, secrets that are entwined with the myths and legends surrounding Dunhammond, and the great creature they say lives there.

Lyrical, gothic, and magical, Strange Sweet Song by Adi Rule will captivate and enchant readers.

  Why I want to read it:

Oh my angel! I've got to fan myself here. I loved both those choices by summary and cover. I hope they're good as fiction too!!!

So how about you? What amazing book are you waiting on this week?  

NOTE: To those of you who haven't noticed, I'm featuring a giveaway of 1 copy of Jennifer L. Armentrout's White Hot Kiss. Yeah, you got it - it's the 1st Dark Elements book. The trick here is, if there are A LOT of entries on it, I'll be choosing TWO WINNERS!!! So, go sign up and tell your friends! TO GIVEAWAY!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Book review: Venture Unleashed by R.H.Russell


NOTE: I received the ARC from the author. Thanks!!!

In continuation with Venture Untamed, Unleashed follows up on Venture Delving and his rise to his dream title - Champion of all Richland.

Writing Style:
Just like in Untamed, I've got nothing criticizing to say. The book was impossible to put down, which is why I advise whoever reads this to just go ahead and buy all three books and enloy a happy weekend in an intricately woven fiction world.

Story line:
Venture grows up from an uncontrollable angsty preteen, into a youth with the strength and ability to fight on the mat. He's got talent in fighting and he scored the best instructor ever - the current Champion, Dasher Starson.
Together, the two of them along with Venture's first trainer, Earnest, they travel the country and grow in mastery of skills and strategies.
All the while, Venture tries but fails to forget his childhood love, Jade Fieldstone, his master's daughter.

Themes:
- bondage, even to an honorable man is still bondage. No freedom to act as you will. No freedom to love whom you will.
- following your dreams sometimes makes all the difference. Sometimes it doesn't. But hey, you'd never know if you don't try.
- sometimes winning means everything. Sometimes it does not. Depending on who is looking through what perspective, winning could be physical, mental, emotional. If you can keep it up on all three accounts, then you really are made to hold the title.

Characters:
* Venture, my favorite boy/man after Harry Potter and Jace Herondale, grows a lot in this second book of the series. Not only physically, although he is a rock of a guy too. He also grows in confidence, in understanding of the complicated world around him. I can't say he's completely grown in wisdom, he's definitely getting there. Sure, he blows it sometimes, but everyone's got limitations.
I admire the consistency of his character and dreams, feelings and hopes. I loved him for defending what he believed was right. For being an honorable man, who'd risk his life for others.

* Jade was the same stubborn, lady-not-to-be. She's supposed to be acting as a young girl entering society, but even though it seems like that's what she's doing - it is not. Of course, those who know her best, know that she'd never give up on what she wants. That rumors of her honor mean nothing if she could only have the guy she wants.
Unfortunately, she's a bit blind to the games of high society played all around her. She knows nothing about Venture's fighter's life either, which is why she acted stupid, hurt and jealous.

* Dasher... mmm... if he wasn't a ladies' man, I would've adored him more. But I guess guys are mostly just guys, no matter where they come from, what they accomplish or who their heart belongs to (even when it shouldn't). He's a great friend though, a great instructor. I really liked how he coached Venture, gave him advice how to play the game and how to win.

* Earnest, like in book one, was funny, open to ideas, great trainer. He had an easy going character and did everything for his charges/friends.

I really do recommend this book to everyone. It's got good content. It asks the right questions and teaches the right values. In other words, it's a must-have!

My rating is



Monday, January 27, 2014

Cover reveal: Captivate Me by Susan James Pierce

Okay, okay, I know I don't usually say much on cover reveals but dude, I've got something to say about this one!!! First, look at that cover, y'all!!! Look at the pretty green flowers and the girl's green eyes. Poison green, but so alluring... 

And, if you happen to read the synopsis, like I did, you'd notice that this novel seems to have it's own twist that sounds, well... captivating :)))

BOOK INFO:

Captivate Me by S.J. Pierce
Publication date: April 1st 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:
“My mom had always told me – when you meet “the one”, you’ll know; they’ll captivate your heart the moment you lay eyes on them. I had always wondered, though, if my mom’s words of wisdom were finite – if they applied to everyone. Maybe those who had found their one great love were the lucky few, and maybe the rest of us would have to settle for less than earth-shattering.”

Seventeen-year-old Kat Walsh is a Gifted – a human with paranormal abilities. With her mom a former Angel and her dad a dream prophet, it’s always been in her genetic make-up to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for her, the world can’t handle the strange or unusual. So when she slips up and uses her powers at her high school in Ireland, the entire student body treats her like a freak – even the ones she thought were her closest friends.

Broken, but hopeful for a fresh start, she allows her parents to enroll her in a boarding school buried deep within the forests of a small Colorado town. At Midland Pines, School for the Gifted, she feels as though she can finally be herself; she makes new friends and even has the attention of the most popular guy in school – Levi. Everything feels normal again… or does it?

Not long after her arrival, weird dreams of an alluring boy whom she’s never met surface during the night, and the eerie, shadowy trees encircling their school seem to call to her. As these disturbing, yet enticing developments intensify, other bizarre occurrences happen – students and staff turn up missing, and mystery visitors leave gifts while she sleeps. With all of these other things vying for her attention, a desperate Levi has to fight even harder to keep her interest. But with the dreams of the attractive boy slowly captivating her heart, Kat has to make a choice – will she settle for ‘great’ Levi, or will she search for her elusive dream visitor, possibly stumbling across ‘amazing?’

From the author of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles, comes a refreshingly different Young Adult series with plenty of love, suspense, and a new take on the Paranormal.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.
----

AUTHOR BIO:
Susan James Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare time to writing Fantasy and Sci-fi novels. 

Even though her full-time career has nothing to do with books at all, she has always enjoyed complex storytelling with fascinating characters, and has had a penchant for the written word since grade school. As a matter of fact, her first publishing credit was a poem she wrote at the age of twelve. Why her love for writing never translated into a career, she can only attribute to 'life happens', but her wish is that she can redirect her career path into something that satisfies her creative inner-self.

Links:

Sunday, January 26, 2014

LibraryThing.com && some news!!!

Hey guys,

I just joined LibraryThing and was wondering what you can say about your experience with it. If you have any, that is. Is it better than Goodreads? Worse?

I myself don't think I like the visual side of things. GR seems to be a bit more cleaned up, organized and user-friendly.

I did import all my books, some with no ISBN (I wonder why that is...), and I can look at others' reviews, but for some reason I can't find it in me to want to post there. Perhaps I'm too used to Goodreads and the difference intimidates me....


..........................................

Another topic


I got invited to do an internship kind of thing with Booktrope Publishing for a major project they've got going on with Kenneth G. Bennet. You've no idea who that is? He's the author of The Gaia Wars duology.



His next book, a sci-fi thriller novel Exodus 2022 is coming out in May and I'll be on the team to promote it and stuff!! I'm so incredibly excited, you've no idea!

Right now, the guys are still working on the cover, and I'll be experimenting with ideas for a book trailer and a countdown widget as soon as the cover is done. SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

By the way, this cover for Exodus is just a place holder. Like I said, the artist and team are still working on the actual one.

Read more about Ken and his books on his site   www.kennethgbennettbooks.com

Book review: SALT by Danielle Ellison

NOTE: I received an ARC from Entangled Teen. Thanks guys!

Witches have always fascinated me - I mean, the fictional ones. The magic, the special abilities. You know, being able to do things with your mind, rather than your body. I guess Harry Potter enchanted me in a way.

Which is why even though I've got a huge review list, I still wanted to read Salt. By the way, I'm still trying to figure out why it's called SALT. Sure, demons get banished by it, but still, it's not like it's mentioned on every page. Or in every chapter either. But hey, it's a good book, so it doesn't matter.

Writing style:
It was very good. I had no hard time following the events, understanding what was happening or why. I liked the internal thoughts, the dialogues, the realistic 'underworld' that Penelope and her kind lived in.

Themes:
Fear of the law
Revenge
Accomplishing your dreams
Lying and its consequences

Storyline:
It wasn't completely original, since I've read other books about witches with no powers who had to hide from the community. But the demon twist was new and I think it kind of brought 'salt' to the story. There was also the romance, which was pretty cute. I liked the deception thing that Carter had going on too.

Characters:
Penelope was a tough girl. She had to be, since she had no magic of her own to protect her. She didn't want to depend on anyone to use magic, and she didn't want to be found out that she had no powers. She was strong in spirit, she took risks and was brave in situations where most others would just turn their backs and run. And I'm sure that the desire for revenge was just a part of what motivated her. In truth, I think Penelope just wanted somehow to better the world.

Carter, who was actually someone else, whom I won't name because it would be a spoiler, was that guy. Which one? Well the one who pops up out of nowhere to shake the girl's world. He's the guy who gives Penelope strength while leeching piece from her. He's nobody she's even heard of, but she's nice to her (in a weird kind of way), and he's where she needs him to be. Oh, and also he hunts demons. Wicked cool, no? In a world where witches just maintain the balance, Carter's hunting habits are something new and exciting and utterly stupid.

In conclusion, I can say that Salt isn't a super original novel, if that's what you're looking for. It is however, entertaining, cute and suitable for adrenaline junkies.

My rating is


Saturday, January 25, 2014

Book review: Impostor by Susanne Winnacker

NOTE: I received this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

When I requested Impostor, I was a little worried that it'd turn out just like all other books where special kids are used in governmental agencies to spy or do other covert things. But I thought I'd check it out just in case. 'Cuz you know, X-Men reference and what not sort of called to me.

Then I started reading it and it pulled me in right away, which is pretty good and not all that common.

I liked the easy going writing style, how realistic everything seemed even though we're talking paranormal activity here.

The story wasn't anything original - I mean special girl needs to go all spy in a city with a criminal, and is in love with a guy she can't have - but I honestly didn't mind it. It was nice, there was a mystery, some action, internal turmoil and lots of drama. And of course the romance - forbidden it may be, but it was even more delicious.

Now the characters. The main ones were all Variants, i.e. with special abilities. They were supposed to investigate several murder cases in a small town in Oregon and so they had to infiltrate the family of the last victim - a high school girl. Tessa, a variant with the abilities to transform physically like any person she touches is shipped off to gather clues.

Tessa is a nice girl with secret crush on a forbidden team member - Alec, who's got a secret that I still can't figure out. Anyway, Tessa likes her Variation, until she has to impersonate a dead girl and fool the family of the victim that Madison has returned from the dead. But Tessa starts to feel that she can lose herself in this new character she's supposed to play. Because her new family is kind to her, and she actually feels the same for them. The question is, can she follow her mission through and does she even want to? Can she figure out who is the murderer without endangering herself or the people who think she is their daughter?

Alec is obviously attracted to Tessa, but geez, something doesn't add up with those two. There's the can't, not the don't want, which makes it even more intriguing to figure out. So, Alec is hot stuff. He trains the Variants in strength and agility - which are his Variations. He's got some internal struggle, and a mania to keep Tessa safe.

Kate is Alec's "half", who reads the minds of females. She's mean and a total bad-ass. I think, in a way, I liked her. She was tough and ready to go help a girl in danger.

Devon is Madison's brother. He knows nothing about Variations, but he's smart, and easily figures out that he isn't just an ordinary guy. Of course, he had to experience some ... events... before he figured it out, but still. It didn't take him long.

If you're in the X-man kind of super powers thing, this book is for you.

My rating is


Friday, January 24, 2014

Blog Tour: Nogiku Series by S.J.Pajonas

Nogiku banner

Hello my dear stalkers!

Today I'm glad to host a stop for the blog tour of the Nogiku series by SJ Pajonas. The event is organized by Lola's Blog Tours  and runs from January 20th till February 2nd, you can view the complete tour schedule on the Nogiku series blog tour page on the website of Lola's Blog Tours.

So far this series contains two books: Removed (Nogiku series #1) and Released (Nogiku series #2).

removedRemoved (Nogiku series #1)
By SJ Pajonas
Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Post-apocalyptic
Age category: New Adult
Release Date: September 11, 2013
Blurb:
Duty knows no family. Love has no price. Secrets can cost you everything. Twenty-year-old Sanaa Griffin, a sweet and smart half-Japanese girl, is about to get more than she bargained for when she wishes for love and excitement on New Year’s Eve 3103. Mark Sakai, who knows more about her than any stranger should, thinks Sanaa is the perfect person to spy on the heads of the three biggest Japanese clan leaders in Nishikyo. He wants her to gather enough evidence to keep them from going to war when they land on Earth’s colonization planet, Yusei. Nishikyo, built by the Japanese 300 years ago to house the rest of mankind, is failing and everyone is preparing to leave. Sakai has known Sanaa’s family all her life but she knows nothing of him! And despite all the time they spend together, he keeps his distance from her. Then one day, he brings her to Jiro, his nephew, to learn sword fighting, and it changes her life irrevocably. Between falling in love with Jiro and the information she is gathering on the clans, Sanaa realizes Sakai is holding back secrets about her family and her deceased parents, secrets as to why she was chosen for this job, and learning the truth puts her and all of Nishikyo in danger.
You can find Removed on Goodreads
Want to view some inspirational images for Removed, visit the Removed inspirational Pinterest board

You can buy Removed here:
- Amazon (Paperback)
- Amazon (Kindle)
- Barnes & Noble
- iBookstore
- Kobo
- Wattpad

You can watch the trailer for Removed here:


releasedReleased (Nogiku series #2)
by SJ Pajonas

Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Post-apocalyptic
Age category: New Adult
Release Date: December 17, 2013
Blurb:
**Contains spoilers for those who have not read REMOVED (Book 1) Left in the desert to recuperate from her injuries, Sanaa Itami paces the floors and contemplates her mistakes. She trusted too easily, and now people she loved are dead, killed at the hands of men coming to assassinate her. Sanaa feels beaten, but life awaits her at home. While Nishikyo recovers from the earthquake, negotiations for Sanaa's eventual rule on Yusei continue. New allies must be made, new friendships brokered, new skills acquired -- at all costs. Life at the top of the chain is complicated and lonely, though. With relations in Sakai clan rocky and uncertain, Sanaa must learn to trust others again more than she's willing. Who amongst the clans is left holding a grudge? And will the new family Sanaa has found with Jiro support or betray her? From Nishikyo to Yusei, RELEASED, Book TWO of the Nogiku Series, is the second book in a captivating New Adult post-apocalyptic romance series that harnesses the cultures and traditions of Japan and sweeps them into the future between Earth and a faraway land.

You can find Released on Goodreads

You can buy Released here:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo

About the Author:
sj pajonasS. J. Pajonas loves all things Asian and has been in love with Japan for as long as she can remember. Writing about Asia and Japan came naturally after studying the culture and language for over fifteen years. She studied film and screenwriting first and eventually segued into fiction once she was no longer working a full-time job.

Released is S. J. Pajonas’s second work, book two of four in the Nogiku Series. The first book in the series, Removed, is described as “a wonderful story” with “engaging characters, seamless world building, and an action packed plot.” It’s an “up-til-3am-because-I-read-it-in-one-sitting book.” She also writes contemporary romance and her upcoming first book in the Love in the Digital Age series will be published in 2014.

S. J. lives with her husband and two children just outside of New York City. She loves reading, writing, film, J- and K-dramas, knitting, and astrology. Her favorite author is Haruki Murakami and favorite book is The Wind-up Bird Chronicle.

You can find and contact her here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Pinterest
- Flickr
- Instagram
- Tumblr

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of the Nogiku series. These are the prizes you can win: Amazon Gift Cards, copies of REMOVED, and eBook copies of two fantastic Japanese books: JAPANESE SOUL COOKING and THE SAKE HANDBOOK. Both will be gifted through either Amazon (kindle) or Barnes&Noble (nook).
Here are the links to both books on Amazon:
Sake Handbook on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sake-Handbook-John-Gauntner-ebook/dp/B007H9GVMI/
Japanese Soul Cooking: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BVJG5GC/

You can enter the tour wide giveaway here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
Top 10 (plus 1) list of Actors for a Nogiku Series Dream Cast

So this is actually a really hard question to answer! Mainly because the last two years of writing these books have been so hectic that I have fallen behind in my Japanese movie watching, AND if these books were ever made into movies, the Japanese actors would have to speak a lot of English. I’m going to provide a good dream cast below and we’ll just pretend everyone could speak enough English to fill the roles!


I love Kie’s look! She has a super sweet and innocent face but I can definitely imagine her angry. She also has the right body structure for Sanaa. I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her.


Kiko has the right temptress look for Miko. Her face screams, “I will date you and drop you if you’re boring.” Lol.


Helena was the hardest to cast! But Saoirse has the right look for her. She just needs some curly hair, a bright smile, a kimono, and pink lip gloss, then she’s all set to be Sanaa and Miko’s best friend.


Kengo is a little on the older side, but he is so fine. I look at him and immediately know he’d make a great Jiro. The great thing about most of these Japanese and Asian actors and actresses is that they ALL look young. So it’s anybody’s guess how old they really are when you see them on screen ;)


Originally I thought he’d make a great Jiro, but he’s a better older brother.


I have loved Ken for ages and he’s timeless. He has the right feel and smile to be sweet but tough-as-nails Koichi.


I saw HIroyuki on the TV show REVENGE and just knew he’d make a great Mark. Mark is my first love, even before Jiro. He has to be special. Hiroyuki Sanada fits all of my criteria: dark, mysterious, great smile, handsome in long hair.


Takako has the perfect softer feel for Sanaa’s sweeter aunt. I love her smile.


Kyōko has been acting in Japanese movies for a very long time, and she has a super strong screen presence. I loved her in Tokyo Sonata. This particular photo screams Aunt Kimie, no?


Mariko was another hard one. I searched and searched before I landed on beautiful Yoshino. She has the sweet smile that we see so much of in REMOVED, but her stern face is perfect for all the sadder moments of RELEASED.


Yūsuke Iseya (Tadao Matsuda) https://www.google.com/search?q=Yūsuke+Iseya
Imagine me sitting at my computer and googling “evil Japanese actors”. LOL. Yeah, and then I decided to take another look at the 13 Assassins cast and he hit me over the head. Perfect bone structure! Let’s give him some longer brown hair, and he’s all set to play the villain of REMOVED.

And there you have it! Phew! That was a tough one. It took me three weeks to narrow down this cast. I hope it encourages you to give REMOVED and the rest of the Nogiku Series a shot!

Cover reveal: Elevated by Elana Johnson

Book Details:

Title: Elevated
Series:
Author: Elana Johnson
Date of Publication: February 18th, 2014

Genre: YA

The last person seventeen-year-old Eleanor Livingston wants to see on the elevator—let alone get stuck with—is her ex-boyfriend Travis, the guy she's been avoiding for five months.

Plagued with the belief that when she speaks the truth, bad things happen, Elly hasn’t told Trav anything. Not why she broke up with him and cut off all contact. Not what happened the day her father returned from his deployment to Afghanistan. And certainly not that she misses him and still thinks about him everyday.

But with nowhere to hide and Travis so close it hurts, Elly’s worried she won’t be able to contain her secrets for long. She’s terrified of finally revealing the truth, because she can’t bear to watch a tragedy befall the boy she still loves.


Buy Links:
iTunes:


Praise for ELEVATED:
"ELEVATED will take you on an emotionally gripping journey through the highs and lows of first love."
~Carolee Dean, author of Take Me There and Forget Me Not

"Poignant, raw, and intense, ELEVATED is a novel that will grip your heart and linger in your mind long after you turn the last page."
~Stasia Ward Kehoe, author of Audition and The Sound of Letting Go

Author Bio:

Elana Johnson’s work, including Possession, Surrender, Abandon, and Regret, published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), is available now everywhere books are sold. Her popular ebook, From the Query to the Call, is also available for download, as well as a Possession short story, Resist. School teacher by day, Query Ninja by night, you can find her online at her personal blog or Twitter. She also co-founded the Query Tracker blog, and contributes to the League of Extraordinary Writers.


Social Media Links:
League of Extraordinary Writers: http://leaguewriters.blogspot.com/

 
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Cover Reveal: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been waiting to see the cover of The Forever Song for like EVER, y'all!!!!!! I'm so so happy that it's actually very pretty in the most sophisticated way! I love, love, LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Besides, it matches my color theme, so what more could I possibly ask for?

Just look at this prettyness!!!


Well, I'm not exactly thrilled that this series is about to end. Frankly, I enjoyed it very much and will miss Allison and Jackal and Zeke.

Whatever, I'm not into this sentimental stuff, so forget I said anything. But you know, I still meant it!

Oh, and if you'd like to read an excerpt of it, Julie's got one posted on her blog! Yay! So just follow this link, and voilá!


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Cover Reveal: Of Sea and Stone by Kate Avery Ellison


BOOK DETAILS:

Of Sea and Stone by Kate Avery Ellison
Publication date: February 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:
All her life, clever Aemi has been a slave in the Village of the Rocks, a place where the sea and sky meet. She’s heard the stories about the fabled People of the Sea, a people who possess unimaginable technology who live below the waves in the dark, secret places of the ocean. But she never dreamed those stories were true.

When a ship emerges from the ocean and men burn her village, Aemi is captured, and enslaved below the waves in Itlantis, a world filled with ancient cities of glass and metal, floating gardens, and wondrous devices that seem to work magic. To make matters worse, her village nemesis, the stuck-up mayor’s son Nol, was captured with her, and they are made servants in the same household beneath the sea.

Desperate to be free, Aemi plots her escape, even going so far as to work with Nol. But the sea holds more secrets than she realizes, and escape might not be as simple as leaving…
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AUTHOR BIO:

I've been making up stories since I was five years old, and now I'm thrilled to be able to do it as a full-time job. I have an obsession with dark fantasy, dystopian futures, and Pride and Prejudice-style love stories full of witty banter and sizzling, unspoken feelings. When I'm not writing, I'm creating digital art, reading funny blogs, or watching my favorite shows (which include TVD and BSG). I live with my geeky husband and our two bad cats in Atlanta, GA.

Author links:

Book Blitz: Weak of Him by Lyra Parish

 
Book Details:

Weak for Him by Lyra Parish
(Weakness #1)
Publication date: January 15th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

Weak for him is a New Adult read with sexual content.

“Have you heard the saying, ‘sex sells’? Well, I’m the supplier.”

Finnley Felton sells sex.
Jennifer Downs is a virgin.
With the help of lady luck, the two meet.

Money. Bright lights. Sex.

Jennifer is made an offer: sell her virginity to the highest bidder and transform into one of Finnley’s girls. But she finds herself weak for him, and doesn’t fully realize what she’s agreed to until it’s too late.

Will she rise to the challenge and play by the rules in a land where money is king and love is prohibited? Or will she lose herself and values in the attempt?


Purchase:


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AUTHOR BIO
(No author photo)
Lyra Parish loves to write, travel, and sing obnoxiously loud at the top of her lungs in the shower. Sweet love stories (along with the dirty ones) make her gush.
She is a firm believer that a person can never have too many cats, cups of coffee, or read to many happily ever after's. When she isn't busy writing, she can be found sipping various beverages from her non-alcoholic drink buffet, pimp slapping excel spreadsheets, or riding her bike.

Weak for Him (Weakness #1) is Lyra's debut novel. Weak Without Him (Weakness #2) will release Spring 2014. Lyra currently resides in Texas with her husband and black cat.

Author Links:


An incredibly wicked excerpt follows

Mr. Felton stood facing the windows in a neatly pressed suit. The black tie complemented the black suit, designer from head to toe. His green eyes met my brown gaze, and I smiled, but only received the ghost of one in return.
Once the secretary left us, I searched the room, trying to take in every little detail: abstract art on the wall, a conference table in the back, and a lounge area in the middle. The afternoon light cast a yellow glow in the room. A large oak desk, which screamed business executive, had two chairs tucked in front. The room looked comfortable, welcoming, but also professional.
The red velvet curtains that overlooked the atrium were jerked closed.
"Hi, Finnley. Thank y—"
"It's Mr. Felton."
My face flushed. How could I be so inconsiderate and unprofessional?
I immediately felt stupid.
"Mr. Felton. Thank you for allowing me to interview. I've brought my resume and a list of recommendations. I'd love to join your accounting team if you'd allow me."
I outstretched my hand and he left me standing there, awkwardly. The smile faded from my face as he leaned against the wooden desk with his arms crossed.
"Take off your clothes." His voice was low and silky.
"Excuse me?" The words hit me like cool water.
I don't think so, asshole.
"The interview has begun, Ms. Downs. If you'd like to join my team, you will do what I say and if you'd prefer not, you are more than welcome to turn around and walk that tight ass through the door, and we can pretend as if this never happened."
The fierce tone behind his English accent made me cower. I froze as I calculated my next move.
What the fuck?
The way he looked at me, exploring my body as if he were undressing me, made my stomach flip. No one had ever observed me that way. With a sprinkle of courage, I searched the blank matter-of-fact expression that covered his face. This man was all business.
As his long eyelashes hit the tops of his slightly sun-kissed cheeks, I closed my eyes to regroup my thoughts, then opened them quickly. I couldn't let my nerves get the best of me. He moved his messy hair behind his ears, and then sat on the desk, waiting, wanting, daring me to make my move.
"Have you decided? Or are we going to waste the good portion of my time daydreaming?"
I swallowed.
All I ever wanted to do was live in Vegas among the lights and fast-paced city. How did I get myself into this? Take off my clothes? I wasn't some cheap whore to be bossed around. The thought of undressing in front of him disgusted me… or did it?
My heart sped as he watched with a lust and want so fierce I shivered. It was now or never, you only live once, right?
I peered behind him and stared at the Vegas strip in the distance. With perfect plump lips, and straight white teeth, Mr. Felton smiled at me. In that very moment, I decided to gamble. I didn't know why because I wasn't much for risks. If anyone was a play-it-safe type of girl, it was me. But in that moment, I wanted to be someone different. I wanted to know the outcome of what waited on the other side. I played with lady luck to see what hand she dealt. Maybe I would get lucky.


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