Wednesday, February 26, 2014

COVER REVEAL: Beyond by Chantal Fernando

Oh yes! Another smoldering cover from Chantal Fernando. I simply cannot wait to read more about Olivia. And Dane?!?!? Holy s***! Already I'm drawn to him. I'm thinking this is going to be one HOT read. What do you guys think???? Be sure to get in on the GIVEAWAY! Check it all out on Facebook and Goodreads. ~Shell



TITLE: Beyond
AUTHOR: Chantal Fernando
RELEASE DATE: Late 2014
HOSTED BY: Forever Me Romance






 Olivia Reynolds lives a sheltered life. Daughter of the leader of their small community, she is treated like a princess, never allowed beyond the safety of the walls. When her father decides she must marry, she chooses the man she has secretly lusted after ever since she first laid eyes on him.


Dane Mitchell.



One of her father’s best men, Dane is as lethal is he is attractive, and Olivia is thrilled at the thought of being at his side.



Dane Mitchell doesn’t want to be forced into marriage. He is a soldier, a fighter, and has a bigger purpose in life. He doesn’t have the time to deal with a spoilt pampered princess such as Olivia, but owes his life to Evan, Olivia’s father. He accepts the marriage.



But that doesn’t mean he has to like it.














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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

COVER REVEAL: Sparrows for Free by Lila Felix



Release Date for SFF is March 17th.

SYNOPSIS

There are skeletons in every closet. Some stay quiet—and some rule your soul with an iron fist.

                Ezra is ruled by the ghosts of his past—and needled by the guilt they create. Not only does he have to manage his own guilt—his friends are forced to bear the weight as well. He lives in limbo, never dreaming of anything that lies beyond the grave.

                In his mind, he’s a murderer, pure and simple.

                Hide and seek is Aysa’s game. She begs for small spaces and empty places. But, she secretly desires so much more.

                When they find each other, a hope for something new is sprung.

                But Ezra’s skeletons are out for blood.

“I hide shock well. I’m a pro at hiding. I have no idea that whatever he had to tell me would be so personal—so heartbreaking. But, I quickly remembered that heartbreak was all around him every time he turned around. He needs no more empathy or sympathy in his life. He craves someone to give him a different take on a tired situation.
And different is practically my middle name.”

Lila Felix
www.authorlilafelix.blogspot.com
Facebook: Lila Felix Author
Twitter: @Authorlilafelix

BLOG TOUR: Tragic Desires by A.M. Hargrove




My name is Gemini Sheridan. At least that’s what I thought it was for 23 years. Then one day a slight adjustment on the wheel of my mountain bike set into motion a series of catastrophic events that changed my life forever. Now I’m running from the headaches that threaten to destroy me… from the assassins that threaten to kill me… from the truth that exposes who I really am… and from the man that wants to save me. Because he now owns my heart and I fear him above all others.

My name is Drexel Wolfe and I’m a private investigator. Nothing ever stands in the way of what I want because when I see something I just take it. All of that changed the night my life collided with Gemini Sheridan’s and now everything is one hot damn mess. And the worst part of it all is that I’m trying to save her ass and I don’t know why the hell I’m even bothering. Well, that’s not exactly true. Fact is, I can’t stop thinking about her. She’s crawled into every thought I own, asleep or awake. I have serious plans for her that include making her mine. What she doesn’t know is that when I play, I play for keeps. Nothing and no one will get in my way or stop me… not even Gemini Sheridan herself.


**This book is NOT part of a series, but Drexel Wolfe, the main character, was first introduced in Tragically Flawed





One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life.  So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase.  Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head.  Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window.  She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss and quit her job.  Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).
So began A. M. Hargrove's career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer. Her books include the following: Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge and Kissing Fire (The Edge Series); The Guardians of Vesturon series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, reEmergent and Beginnings); Dark Waltz and Tragically Flawed.

Other than being in love with writing about being in love, she loves chocolate, ice cream and coffee and is positive they should be added as part of the USDA food groups. 

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 WOW!! The things I learned in this book...LOL!!!
But that isn't the main point here...
What you need to know is that this story is different. It is suspenseful and action packed.
Full of intrigue surrounding the mystery of Gemini, you are sucked in on the whirlwind journey to discover secrets left behind.
And thank goodness for Drex..OMG...he is all MAN and takes the lead to solve the questions that have been asked.
You are immediately drawn to him...with his elusive nature, you want to pull back each layer to expose the raw soul of this passionate sexy man...
With a perplexing storyline, you are caught up in the lives of these two immediately. I was astounded at what Gemini had been through. Her battles and struggles cause your heart to bleed for her...
And then walks in Drex...WHEW!!!
A fantastic tale that keeps you guessing at the who's, why's and how's!!
A definite must read!!



$150 Amazon Gift Card. International. 



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Monday, February 24, 2014

DIGITAL or PRINT?? Which do you prefer?? #UTOPYACon2014


HELLO EVERYONE!!!!
As UTOPYCon draws near, I start looking at the authors attending and thinking about having books signed...
It also brings that question that always runs through my head DIGITAL or PRINT???
Majority of the time I have already bought the digital copy, so, do I go ahead and buy the print??
And since this question doesn't necessarily revolve around conferences and signings, which format do you prefer??
I go back and forth in my own head but I wanted to find out what some of my friends thought about it..
So, I asked them these questions:

1.  Do you prefer DIGITAL or PRINT?
2.  When you attend a conference/signing, if you already own the digital, do you buy the print for collection? If you don't have the digital, do you buy the print to actually sit and read??
Here is what they had to say... 

Shelley Bunnell
Do you prefer digital or print?
I find both have their place. I like digital for the ease of convenience. I have a kindle so when I read an eBook, I am able to read it virtually anywhere. If it's low light, total darkness, OR I prefer candlelight to relax for the evening, I can still read the book on my phone. I have a first generation kindle. I find I read most digital ARC's on my phone's kindle app these days, since it is always on me. (I can easily sneak in a chapter or two while at work.) BUT... in the end, I LOVE my print books. I love to actually touch the artwork and raised lettering. Obviously the live version is much more brilliant and detailed. And yes, I'm a cover whore so the art really is important to me. I love the feel of the pages. The smell of the paper and ink. I like that I can use an actual bookmark. I can mark a quote or favorite passage with a Post-It®. Yes, I love those too! It's also easier to critique something printed out. You can underline, highlight- mark it with a red pen and let your inner teacher/editor fly. When I first got back into reading a few short years ago, I would write word or phase definitions and origins in pencil in the margins, and scribble notes about characters.  Now, I use a notebook if I feel the need to write something. PLUS! Hello! Autographs!!! You can't display a digital book on your bookshelves. So what is my answer? Print. Print. PRINT. I admit. I have a paper obsession. And it's not ending any time soon.
When you attend a conference/signing, if you already own the digital, do you buy the print for copy?

If I go to a signing I'm usually attending for an author I love and adore. Even if I've already read the digital I will get the print. Most likely, I already have it too. Why? Please see previous question and answer. I. Love. Print. I like proudly handing my book to the author. I want that personalized message inside the author has graciously given me. It's rare you don't get something special written for you. It's a big part of the experience. It gives me a reason to speak to the author. It shows I'm a big fan and supporter. It helps the author, the event, the stores, and the publishers. And it makes me giddy.
For a conference or panel, I'll go through the list of authors in attendance, gather the books I already have, and order those I haven't read or am interested in. This generally results in carrying bags of books to the event. At the event, if the books are on display, I'll grab a couple that I may have been on the fence about, or I'll cave under peer pressure and get one- or two after a friend has quite cleverly twisted my arm. Yeah, I'm hard to convince. *cough cough*  An example of my previously confessed print obsession??? For our annual Portland festival, Wordstock this year, I had several books already in possession. I even had a couple of print ARC's. The fest/conference/workshop hosts close to one hundred authors. It was quite a list to go through, but I had my faves. I purchased new releases and ordered from a local store. Dare I say I spent around $200?! Ugh. I had to have those books. Had to. BUT, to top it off, over the two day event, I spent another $150 more. Why all the mad spending? Well, sometimes you sit in on a panel and just enjoy what the author has to say SO much or you fall for their personality, you run right out the panel door, grab their book and boogie to their signing line hoping a friend has saved you a place, and that you make it in time. Other times, after passing the bookstore and author display tables a few times, the books just call to you. Or maybe that's just me. At any rate, I've never been to a signing where I didn't leave with more books than I started with. Especially when the signing is at our wonderful Powell's Books, where they ALWAYS have special editions and great sales at the time of the signing. They also make great displays. Impulse shoppers know what I'm talking about. Oh yes, they are a big contributor to my addiction. I may regret some of the spending, but I never regret getting the most out of an event and having new beauties and treasures to add to my shelves.

Candace Selph
I prefer print - but I usually get digital, for two reasons. 1 it is less expensive and I purchase a lot of books, 2 my husband hates to move things and makes me limit them. Typically at a conference/signing (the two I've been two) I have been known to purchase books I have digital copies of, but typically I try to avoid doing that (see reasons above) and the only ones I have reread were Quinn's because I'm that much of an addict

Ren Reidy
It's funny that you ask that. When I started readying, I always read print copies until I discovered indies and bought a kindle. I love the convenience of an ebook. If I loved the book then I most definitely buy the print copy when attending a con. There's something special about meeting an author and having them sign a book you enjoyed. I used to love ebooks but I've recently switched back to print copies. I love having a physical library even if I like the convenience of ebooks.
Oh, and Kathryn... I hate leaving a crease in the spine of my paperbacks. Another reason for ebooks LOL but when I do read them I'm very gentle.

Heather King
I prefer print but still love digital. I will buy print copies from my fave authors to have signed ones. I also love signed ARCS.
I love the cheaper prices and space saving features of ebooks, but if it's one of my faves and I can get it signed, I want a hard copy too especially if the cover is gorgeous or there is some kind of limited edition thing. Splintered, my avi, is so beautiful-it even has purple ink! Had to have that in hard copy. Lol
Misty Provencher
Starting to prefer digital, unless it's a book I HAVE TO HAVE in my library.  Then, I want both.  :)

Jackie McPherson
I tend to buy digital because it's easier & cheaper - but all my fave series I have to have in print, preferably signed.  Once it's in print, I will read it that way.  Any of my faves will get read several times. :)

All such great insights and opinions in the age old dilemma of buying either DIGITAL or PRINT...
Which do you prefer?? I would love to hear your thoughts...
Just comment below and let me know...

Make sure you guys find out all the awesome details on UTOPYACon...



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Heather of SupaGurl Books

Friday, February 21, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Be With Me by J Lynn



Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, change-your-life kiss. She got out of a terrible relationship. And now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for Plan B – college. And maybe a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.
Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone. Especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.
As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Tess can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not…




# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.
She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

ing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not…








OOOMMMGGG!!! I absolutely love everything JLA/JLynn writes...she captures me in her books and I completely lose myself...
*sighs*
Now here I am reading Be With Me and AHHHHH....I am blown away...
Pure brilliance with how amazing this story is...
I was so caught up in Teresa and Jase's life that when I reached the end I was sad it was over... :(
I love books that make me FEEL soooo much and Be With Me does just that...
This book took me on an emotional roller coaster that had me fanning myself from the steamy moments to feeling like I could puke with the nervousness of waiting to find out how it would all end up...
J Lynn created two characters that you can identify and connect with...experiencing their emotions right along with them as you traverse their rocky path of life.  You have Teresa who is a strong fascinating woman that is funny and kind and then you have the hot and sexy Jase that is charming yet can get under your skin and really piss you off...LOL!!
But the dynamic of these two together is EXPLOSIVE!!! You could just feel the sexual tension and chemistry oozing off of the pages and Mmmmm....I absolutely LOOOOVED reading those parts of the book... :)

What can I say...It is a book I couldn't put down...I read it in one sitting and my only regret is I read it in one sitting...You know those kind of books that just pull you in and demand you devote ALL your attention to them?? Be With Me is one of those...
An incredibly alluring second installment, this is definitely a book that you will have to read...Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year...
Make sure you follow the  tour and find out what everyone is saying about Be With Me...

Thursday, February 20, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Three by Kristen Simmons



Kristen Simmons' fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series continues in Three.

Ember Miller and Chase Jennings are ready to stop running. After weeks spent in hiding as two of the Bureau of Reformation’s most wanted criminals, they have finally arrived at the safe house, where they hope to live a safe and quiet existence.
And all that’s left is smoking ruins.
Devastated by the demolition of their last hope, Ember and Chase follow the only thing left to them—tracks leading away from the wreckage. The only sign that there may have been survivors.
With their high profile, they know they can’t stay out in the open for long. They take shelter in the wilderness and amidst the ruins of abandoned cities as they follow the tracks down the coast, eventually finding refugees from the destroyed safe house. Among them is someone from Chase’s past—someone he never thought he’d see again.
Banding together, they search for a place to hide, aiming for a settlement a few of them have heard about…a settlement that is rumored to house the nebulous organization known as Three. The very group that has provided Ember with a tiny ray of hope ever since she was first forced on the run.
Three is responsible for the huge network of underground safe houses and resistance groups across the country. And they may offer Ember her only chance at telling the world her story.
At fighting back.


Kristen Simmons has a master’s degree in social work and is an advocate for mental health. She loves Jazzercise, her husband, and her precious greyhound, Rudy. Also chocolate. She currently lives in Tampa, Florida.





    
OH MY GOODNESS!!! What a book!!! WHAT A SERIES!!!!
After reading Article 5 and then jumping in to Breaking Point, I knew this series was phenomenal...
I was dying for Three and having to wait a year was excruciating...I would watch for every kind of announcement possible...And when the tour sign ups happened?? HECK YEAH!! I jumped so fast...
And now...now Three is in my hands and I have read the last page...
I am soooo torn...While this is one of my absolute favorite series....I couldn't wait for this book...Now I am upset because it is over...
Three had everything its predecessors had...mystery, intrigue, suspense, all combined in a action packed storyline that literally blows you away.  And don't let me forget to mention the beautiful romance of my beloved heroes...Ember and Chase.  I have adored watching each moment they have spent together.  My heart swells with such admiration in reading about their love.  It is one of the sweetest loves...don't get me wrong...they have their disagreements and struggles..but these two individuals...*sighs* They just make my heart melt...
But, I don't want to dwell to much on the romance....Kristen Simmons has done a superb job of writing a story that gives you just the right amount of romance mingled in to the overall big picture of this dystopian novel.
So many answers were given in Three that we finally get to see how everything that these amazing characters went through gets wrapped up for them.  I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails with anticipation.  My stomach was in knots just waiting as the twists and turns would blow my mind....And when I reached the end; I could now let out a sigh of relief...
I absolutely love this book...If you haven't started this series yet....GO...Get your copy today and find out just why this is one of my all time favorites!!!!




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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

EMBRACE BLOG TOUR: In Bloom & Full Measures




My name is Olivia Bloom and I. Am. Free.
I left for LA with everything I owned piled into my old Volkswagen and dreams of becoming a costume designer. Little did I know I’d wind up designing for a lingerie company—yeah, not sure how I landed this gig—and taken under the wing of two young Hollywood insiders. The fashion shows and parties were great, but life really got exciting when the seriously hottest lead singer of my favorite band started to fall for me. 
How does someone like me, an ordinary girl from Pittsburgh, wind up in the arms of the world’s sexiest rock star—surrounded by celebrities, fashion, and music—and not be eaten alive? Berkeley is everything I've ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, but the paparazzi, the tabloids, the rumors, it's all getting a bit too crazy. My life has become every girl’s dream come true, if only I don’t blink and lose it all… 



 IN BLOOM Inspiration
IN BLOOM was never meant to be a book. It was born out of my inability to write, rather than the dream to do so. For several years I was safely travelling down my chosen career path as a fashion designer and things were going well. Dresses I had helped design were being sold at Anthropologie and Barney’s—it was a dream come true! But then the economy came to a crashing halt and so did my dress design job. In a merger with a larger company, I was given a new position as a lingerie designer and soon realized my design skills weren’t going to cut it. It was kindly suggested that I try something new and I was asked to start the ecommerce website for In Bloom by Jonquil lingerie (http://www.inbloomintimates.com). I started the site from scratch—learning as I went—and things got off to a rocky start… AKA, I was pretty sure I was done for when Google accused me of selling “mail order brides” and banned me from advertising. But, in a strange twist of fate, the ban turned out to be a blessing.
 Needing to find a new way to drive traffic to the website, I decided to start a blog. Having never written a blog, though, and not really being an expert on lingerie, I didn’t know what to write about so I thought writing fiction would be easier than pretending to understand bra fitting. I invented a girl named Olivia Bloom, with the intention of her being a fictional In Bloom employee who was live journaling while she planned her wedding. In Bloom is known for bridal lingerie and I wanted to be sure to include lots of wedding keywords, but when I wrote the first line:  My name is Olivia Bloom and I. Am. Engaged. I got stuck. Who was she marrying? I couldn’t write about a wedding without knowing the couple’s love story… And the flood gates opened.
As Liv fell in love with Berkeley, I fell in love with storytelling. The story took hold of me and I was up at all hours, writing every chance I could get. I didn’t know anything about writing outside of what I’d learned in high school, but all those things I now know writing books tell you to do—write what you know—write the story only you can tell—happened organically. I relied heavily on my personal experiences to bring Liv’s story to life. Having been thrust in front of a camera or two for my design job and having spent my ten years in LA surrounded by bands—some of whom became famous, some of whom met their demise—I was proficient at hiding in corners at celebrity parties wondering, “what am I doing here? I so don’t belong.” And yes, my mom might be psychic.
After nine months of posting the Bloom Blog and tweeting as all of the characters, I’d written a novel, but I still never dreamed I’d be a published author. The path to publication is a magical story for another day, but it required me (and still does) to overcome tremendous amounts of fear and self doubt. The process has been both exhilarating and painful, but I’m grateful for every moment. I’ve grown so much in the last three years and have been delighted to discover a layer to IN BLOOM that I might have missed because it was happening as I wrote (and rewrote) it:  Be brave and follow your dreams, even if it seems like you’re failing. What feels like failure might just be life nudging you in the right direction, giving you the chance to bloom.


Katie Delahanty is a fashion designer turned novelist. She holds a BA in Communication Studies from UCLA and a Professional Designation in Fashion Design from FIDM. It never occurred to her that she was a writer until an economic-crisis-induced career shift from lingerie designer to e-commerce webmistress led her to start the company blog. Not being an expert in lingerie, she decided to write the blog as a fictional serial starring a girl named Olivia Bloom who worked for the lingerie line. And that’s when Katie fell in love with storytelling. She hasn’t looked back since. Katie lives in Los Angeles with her husband.




She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew he was dead.
Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. The soldiers at the door meant her dad was never coming home. What she didn’t know was how she would find the strength to singlehandedly care for her crumbling family when her mom falls apart.
Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor, and not to mention the most delicious hands that insist on saving her over and over again. He has a way of erasing the pain with a single look, a single touch. As much as she wants to turn off her feelings and endure the heartache on her own, she can’t deny their intense attraction.
Until Josh’s secret shatters their world. And Ember must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her bare.


Rebecca Yarros is a hopeless romantic and lover of all things chocolate, coffee, and Paleo. In addition to being a mom, military wife, and blogger, she can never choose between Young Adult and New Adult fiction, so she writes both. She's a graduate of Troy University, where she studied European history and English, but still holds out hope for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Her blog, The Only Girl Among Boys, has been voted the Top Military Mom Blog the last two years, and celebrates the complex issues surrounding the military life she adores.

 When she's not writing, she's tying on hockey skates for her kids, or sneaking in some guitar time. She is madly in love with her army-aviator husband of eleven years, and they're currently stationed in Upstate NY with their gaggle of rambunctious kiddos and snoring English Bulldog, but she would always rather be home in Colorado.

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