Wednesday 31 July 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (#60)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine,
which spotlights upcoming books we can't wait to read.


My WoW for this week is:

Fire & Flood
by Victoria Scott

Goodreads Summary:
A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life—and her own. 

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to the middle of nowhere for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

Victoria Scott's electrifying novel grabs readers by the throat and doesn't let go.

My thoughts:
I need it. Like right now. It sounds awesome. And love the cover.


Expected Release Date: February 25th 2014


What book are you waiting for?


Yvonne

COVER REVEAL - Evanescent by Carlyle Labuschagne



Title: Evanescent  
Series: A Broken Novel Book two 

Author: Carlyle Labuschagne

Genre: Dystopian. Science- Fiction. YA
Release Date: November 2013
Publishers: Sensational Publications
Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Blurb:
Her fall has just begun. Only his touch can save her from the shift that could destroy it all.

Within my blood runs a thing our kind calls the Shadowing Disease. It shadows over, and bends everything to its will. When the first blood- shift came, it tore through flesh and blood, threatening to bend me, break bone, shatter my mind and entrap my heart with its honeyed, seductive poison. It came with vicious intent, moving my thoughts and altering me forever. The shift has caused a rift within me. No one was safe when it entrapped me in its claws of foul lust. But I have the only antidote against the evil that becomes me – his touch alone has the power to release the spurs of sweet darkness that clung on for dear life. I knew what I had to do; the desperation pulled my mind with the deep determination of a hungry predator. But by the time the revelation raised me from the dark dungeon of my bounds – it might have been too late.





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EXCERPT:

Prologue
All of me

 My makers would say I was created for revenge. I say, I was born to prove them wrong. Inflicted with the dark disease I was lost in every possible way, and they were wrong – death does not bring you your true purpose. After death, I am more misplaced than ever, but only because I am immune to guidance. I relive my darkest moments over and over again, just to remind myself of who I am. I am the destined one. The haltered. For me, there is no love, and no release; only destruction, but I am on a path to be free of its burden. I do love and I will have it, absorb it and never, ever, let all its enchanting affections go. In order to be with love, there is only one path to lead me there; through this war. But nothing and no one, knows what awaits on the other side, or what lies have been afflicted upon us about the after. Remorse is an infection I no longer want. I had made apocalyptic mistakes, and will probably keep on faltering forward. It has become my only direction in a reality where there is none. To him, there is no him, if there is no me. He is bound to me, and I hated it more than I will ever confess. His cross to bear is me, and to be that – to be this –might never let me go. Acceptance? I will never accept it. With him, I have found hope where the word does not exist. I want him to love me for who I am, not for what he is to me. When I say my worst enemy is me – it really is. It’s in me, and it’s getting stronger, because I am without my seal. I am like a boiled-over pot of living poison, seeking somewhere to belong. Thing is, I do not belong anywhere but the in- between. And without my seal, and without him, that is exactly where I will stay. Everything that is, that exists, will try to keep us apart, because of what I am. If we ignite, we could either burn it all down, or alter existence forever. Yes, I shifted, probably something I could have prevented, but now that I have tasted it – it moves on its own accord, and it gets harder to come out of each time it happens. The blood-shift has caused a rift within me. It has torn everything I hold dear from me. And perhaps I am now damned for it, but as I said, I will not accept damnation. That word no longer exists to me. I am the in-between. The one to bring the dark and the light together. When the first true blood- shift came, it tore through flesh and parted blood, threatening to bend me, break bone, shatter my mind and entrap my heart to become its will. It comes with vicious intent, moving my thoughts, touching me with a cutting effect from the inside. It has many ways of bleeding out, and when it releases, there is nothing I can do to stop it. No one is safe when it entraps me in its claws of foul lust. Corrupt, damnable, depraved, destructive, hideous, demonic – your kind would call it many things. I have a weapon against the profane that becomes me – his touch alone has the power to release the talons of a sweet darkness that clings on for dear life. It has one trigger – me. I can change it if only I can take the leap, surrender myself utterly. I am ready with all of me, for all of him. I know what I have to do; the desperation of it pulls my mind with the unfathomable determination of a ravenous predator. I let it sink in hard and true. I feel the swell of the fight fill me with a bitter sweetness, and with a glorious soothing pain that tears my mind from the disease which transforms me. In a moments revelations my mind shows me a glimpse of what has transpired. It works on pure logic, showing me that I am too late? How can I stop him from igniting with the wrong one? My loss has become my fight as I watch it all wither away. But, I will never stop fighting. I am my own destiny. And my destiny is to be with him. My eyes fling open. My heart pounds, searing to life. The geometric shapes I had seen before, become one big silhouette. I find myself seeing where there is no light. I can hear him, feel his heart’s rhythm – so close. I will take back what is mine. Everything else becomes Evanescent.

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Author Bio:
Carlyle Labuschagne is a South African debut author working her way into the hearts of international readers with her first young adult dystopian novel "The Broken Destiny". She is not only an author, but works as a sales rep and marketing manager by day. She holds a diploma in creative writing through the writing school at College SA.

Carlyle, loves to swim, fights for the trees, and is a food lover who is driven by her passion for life. Carlyle also writes for IU e-magazine India, an inspirational non-profit magazine that aims at inspiring the world through words. The drive behind her author career is healing through words. Carlyle is also the founder of the first annual book drive – Help Build A Library in Africa Project.

“My goal as an author is to touch people’s lives, and help others love their differences and one another.”


Buy Links for The Broken Destiny:


GIVEAWAY

COVER REVEAL - Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers

Title: Tone Deaf
Author: Olivia Rivers
Genre: New Adult Romance
Age Group: 16+
Release Date: November 4th, 2013

Blurb:
His world is music…
…Her world is silent.
Ali Blinde was a prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the 21st century.
Until the brain tumor struck.
Now seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with ASL and lip-reading. So when she meets Jace Beckett, she thinks he’s her worst nightmare come true. Jace is the lead singer in the wildly-popular band, Tone Deaf, and he’s exactly the kind of success-story Ali hates and resents. 
Nineteen-year-old Jace has it all: fame, money, and any girl he wants. Every night on tour brings a new performance and a new girl, which is just what he needs to avoid the pain of relationships. 
But when Jace learns Ali is being abused, he reluctantly proposes a solution: Run away with him and his band as they tour the country. With freedom in sight, Ali takes the offer. Immediately, she’s swept into a world filled with wild punk music, wilder musicians, and maybe—just maybe—love.


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Author Bio:

Olivia Rivers is the author of six novels, ranging in genres from Epic Fantasy to Contemporary Romance. Along with being a writer, she’s a freelance digital artist, a literary agent assistant, and a high school student.  She’s a nerd at heart, and is a hopeless fan-girl for Doctor Who and Arrested Development. Olivia lives in California with a dog who thinks he’s a cat, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and a kitten who is just generally confused.

Author Links:



Tuesday 30 July 2013

COVER REVEAL - Only for You (Boys of the South #2) by Marquita Valentine


Title: Only For You (Boys of the South #2)
Author: Marquita Valentine
Expected release: September 2, 2013
Genre: Contemporary
Age Group:  New Adult
Cover designed by: Marquita Valentine
Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours 

Book Description:
Loose ends left loose for too long tend to strangle.

Cole and Violet knew it wouldn’t be easy. They knew their relationship would take work. But when the press finds out about Violet Lynn’s newest boyfriend, they start digging.  And when his past comes to light, exposing all of his family’s secrets, their relationship begins to fray.

Country Music’s Golden Boy, Jaxon Hunter, has it all, except the girl that got away. What she saw, she really didn’t. What she thought happened, he allowed her to believe for reasons so insane that no one would ever have believed him if he had confessed. But now that everything’s out in the open, he’s going to do his damndest to convince her that he’s the only one for her.

Now Violet must choose between Jaxon— her first love and the guy she thought had cheated on her—and Cole—the guy who helped her heal and love again.

 Or will one of them make the decision for her?


About the Author:
New York Times Bestselling Author, Marquita Valentine, writes sexy heroes that make you swoon and sassy heroines that make you laugh. She’s the author of the bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs, and the new adult romance series, Boys of the South.

Marquita met her husband aka Hot Builder at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man—and if that doesn't work, they can console themselves with cheesy tatertots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children.

Author social media links:



BOOK BLITZ - Emerge by S.E. Hall


Title- Emerge
By-S.E. Hall
Publication Date- May 20, 2013
Genre-New Adult Romance

Blurb:
No sooner than Laney Walker and her long-time best friend Evan Allen finally delve into romantic feelings for each other, college sends them packing, miles apart. Never the social butterfly, Laney is slow to adjust to life with a new softball team, crazy roommate and co-ed dorm. Without the support system of her Dad and her Evan, she's left to cope with diving into the real world on her own.

Just when she thinks nothing could tear her apart from her old life any further, she meets the mysterious, debonair Dane Kendrick and her heart is left divided.

The familiar love she shares with Evan has always been easy and sweet, but she can't help wondering what would happen if she let go and took a leap of faith into what she never knew she wanted? A jump that Dane seems more than happy to help her through.

Links:



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EXCERPT:
Prologue- Lil Laney
I simply cannot hang out with the girls at recess. No one should expect me to, right? At the ripe old age of 10, I’ve already figured out one should be interested in far more than boys and gossip; the only two things they ever seemed to talk about. Besides, they don’t want anything to do with me anymore. Michelle, the loud one, has made it clear that her mother thinks “it’s a shame I have no female influence,” so surely my dad will completely understand the call from Principal Mills…again.
Principal Mills doesn’t really ever get mad at me. He’s a lot like my dad, easygoing and a bit of a softie, so it’s easy to sit with him in his small, cramped office until Dad gets here. I’m not too concerned about getting in trouble; I never get in any real trouble.  I’ve heard them talk many times after sending me out to the hall. They think I’m “angry and acting out.”
They’re wrong.
I’m not angry and I don’t need their pity. They should pity her. She’s the one who gave up. Well, she gave us up, anyway. Who knows what her greener grass was exactly.
Soon enough my dad strides in, casual as always, and all too comfortably takes a seat. He’s here at least once a month, after all. They shake hands like they’re poker buddies or something. I’m not even sure Dad calls him Principal Mills, or even Mr. Mills, anymore. I think he just calls him Paul. They talk for the first ten minutes about this year’s high school hopefuls. This town lives for high school football and baseball, depending on the season. Hopefully they forget my dilemma altogether.
No such luck.
“Wanna tell me what happened, slugger?”
I put on my best puppy dog face, “Daddy, ‘member what you said about not starting a fight, but I could damn sure finish one? “
The fine Principal tries to hide a chuckle and my dad reminds me to watch my mouth.
 “Well…Andy Collins shoved me first, cause he’s a sore loser, so…I finished it. I whooped him in Horse and then I whooped him for shoving me.” That should clear all this up, right?
“Now, Laney, one shove only warrants one shove back. If I got a call, you musta tore the boy up. Why didn’t you just go tell a teacher?”
 Is he serious right now? I’m not a snitch.
“Daddy, please. I didn’t tear him up that bad…I didn’t have to.”
“And why is that?” He cocks one eyebrow curiously.
Principal Mills answers for me. “Cause Evan Allen did it for her.”

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BOOK SOUNDTRACK

The Emerge playlist is available on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/emergeauthor/emerge-playlist/

“Big Green Tractor”—Jason Aldean
“Amazed”—Lonestar
“Ho Hey”—The Lumineers
“End of All Time”—Stars of Track & Field
 “The Cave”—Mumford and Sons
“I’ll Be”—Edwin McCain
“9 Crimes”—Damien Rice
“Let’s Get Ready To Rumble”—Jock Jams
“This Year’s Love”—David Gray
“Hero”—Enrique Iglesias
“Flightless Bird”—Iron & Wine
“Collide”—Howie Day
“Talking To The Moon”—Bruno Mars

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About the Author:
S.E.Hall resides in Arkansas with her husband of 17 years and 3 beautiful daughters. When not in the stands watching her ladies play softball, she enjoys reading YA and NA romance.

Links:

COVER REVEAL - Fearless (Jesse #2) by Eve Carter

Fearless by Eve Carter 
Series: Jesse, #2
Publication Date: August 28th 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Synopsis:
I am strong, because I’ve been weak. I’m fearless, because I’ve been afraid. I’m wise, because I’ve been foolish.

Life is looking up for Jesse. With expert help from Chase, his injuries are healing and he makes preparations to enter the Pro motocross circuit again. A decision that could force Niki to make a difficult choice.

Kenny starts chemotherapy treatments but his bar, Rookies, is hurting from the lack of attention and lack of customers. As Jesse and Niki work to find a way to keep the bar from going under, life throws other obstacles in their way. From a manipulative dad and flirtatious step mom, to news from home about Jesse’s mother, that lands them in New York state in search of answers from the past. Dark secrets that were never meant to be revealed.



AUTHOR BIO:
I am a true romantic at heart and with a modern contemporary erotic twist to my romance novels, you had better fasten your seat belt, as the ride is always fun, exciting and fiery.
Living in Southern California, but a mid-westerner at heart, I find plenty of inspiration for my books in my own exciting life. I have always loved the arts and as a young girl, I took dance classes and spent the summers reading books from the local library. Fascinated with the written word and its power to guide the imagination, I started writing short stories and later took Creative Writing classes in college. I graduated from The University of Iowa with a B.A. in Journalism and an M.A. in Higher Education. I also have a Teaching Credential from Chapman University in Southern California.

Author links:


COVER REVEAL - Dehumanized by Michael Loring


Title: Dehumanized
Author: Michael Loring
Genre: NA Paranormal / Dystopian
Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours
Ryan Zachery lived his life the way all high school teenagers should -
carefree.
Until he was attacked by an unknown assailer and awoke in the hospital with lycanthropy. Taken by armed guards and dragged away from everything he held dear, Ryan was thrown into a US camp made for those 'suffering' from lycanthropy.

They caged the beast, but now he will show them that he will never be dehumanized.


Michael Loring was born in Bristol, Connecticut, but has lived in a variety of places such as Florida and Tennessee. He likes to think of himself as an amateur Lycanthropologist, studying werewolves ever since he was eight years old when he first saw An American Werewolf In London. He spent most of his life switching between home school and public school, always focusing on his passion of writing no matter what. His interest in writing was sparked in the second grade when his teacher encouraged him to write short stories for the class, earning him more than one award at school assemblies for Creative Writing. He currently resides back in his birthplace of Connecticut with a house full of women who like to drive him up the wall until he finishes his chores. Though they seem to avoid him during the night of the full moon for some unexplainable reason...

Monday 29 July 2013

BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY- Summer Love by Marysue G. Hobika


Summer Love by Marysue G. Hobika
Series: Senior Year #1
Publication date: June 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Synopsis:
Carly and her best friend Becca are ready to drop a nuclear bomb on summer. It’s the last one before reality sets in and they’re off on their own. Carly is ready to break the mold and stop being known as a goody-two-shoes. In order to get the ball rolling, she agrees to a double date with Gavin – her good-looking, yet moody, lab partner.

Gavin doesn’t have summer plans except to work at his two jobs and hang out in his room drawing. He likes to keep to himself, but lets his brother Nate talk him into going on a double date. Carly isn’t like the rest of the girls at school that drive him crazy. She doesn’t ask a lot of questions and seems to know when to give him the space he craves. Gavin always thought that she was beautiful, but he believes that relationships and love are a lost cause.

Will their date prove that summer love is right around the corner or will it be a dead end?

This book is intended for audiences 17+



Purchase:


Excerpt:
Carly wasn’t the typical sexy girl who walked by in the hall every day at school—she was a special kind of beautiful, the type of beautiful that took your breath away. And at that very moment, I was in desperate need of an oxygen tank. Carly didn’t seem to realize how beautiful she was, which was another turn-on. I am in serious trouble of breaking my own promise.
She cleared her throat, jolting me out of my trance. “Gavin, there’s another reason why I’m glad you showed up tonight.”
“There is?” I wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but I patiently waited for her to continue.
“I’ve wanted to apologize.”
“For what?” I quickly racked by brain, but couldn’t think of anything she’d ever done to warrant an apology.
“For the way I acted on our date the other night. I was rude,” she winced. She looked cute when she thought she’d done something wrong. I ran my finger across the top of her nose.
“Girly, don’t be sorry. I should’ve been supportive.” This was the first time she hadn’t yelled at me for calling her that. Taking it as a positive sign, I rambled on, “I was a total dickhead, and if anything, I owe you another date.” The perfect lead-in. “Carly, will you go on a real date with me? And not a double date, because I don’t want to share you with anyone.” Okay, I did it. I broke down and asked her out when I’m not looking for anything. And anything with Carly would be something. She’s not the type of girl who is known for one-night stands.


GIVEAWAY


For the chance to win one (1) ebook copy of Summer Love (mobi/epub/PDF) leave a comment below with your email and preferred format.
Open internationally
Ends August 9th

Saturday 27 July 2013

BOOK BLITZ - Maverick by Anna Cruise


Maverick
By-Anna Cruise
Publication Date- May 21, 2013
Published By- Mission Bay Publishing
Genre-New Adult

Blurb:
Kellen Handler is in deep.

Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic accident, Kellen wipes out big time, spiraling so badly that everything he’s worked for starts to disintegrate.
Tour officials scramble to do damage control and demand he work with a public relations company to clean up his bad boy image. It doesn't help that the person assigned to him, Gina Bellori, has her own demons associated with the surfing world.

Against her better judgement Gina accepts the job and concentrates on repairing Kellen's tattered reputation, despite his protests and despite the pain it causes her. With her past colliding with her present—and Kellen in the thick of it—she begins to realize that some secrets can't stay hidden.

And suddenly, Kellen Handler is no longer worried about losing his career.

He's more worried about losing his heart.