COVER REVEAL + GIVEAWAY: Gone by Anna Bloom

Title: Gone

Author: Anna Bloom

Genre: Mature YA (intended for readers ages 16-19)

Publication: July 28th, 2014

Rebecca Walters harbours a dark secret, and as the fifty-three bangles she wears on her wrists as a self-imposed sentence of guilt remind her, she can’t even begin to consider moving on. Not after what happened on that night six months ago… a night which she can’t remember and yet managed to change her life forever.

When Rebecca comes across Joshua Adams, man equally haunted by past tragedies, on a moonlit beach, both of their lives are destined to change forever, and when the girl made out of the sun meets the boy made out of the moon and sea, anything can happen… but will the knowledge of their murky pasts bring them together or drive them apart?

Will Rebecca finally be able to claim her freedom? Will she stay and fight to be the girl she found on the sandy beaches of Cornwall or is she destined to keep running and hiding from a past that won’t stay Gone? One thing’s for certain: either way, nothing will ever be the same again.

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Anna Bloom is a contemporary romance writer who writes about life as it happens. Combining a busy schedule of looking after two small children whilst working in a local school and completing The Uni Files series she also spends a lot of time imagining kissing hot guys – all in the name of her art.

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FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday~ Dream Boy by Madelyn Rosenberg and Mary Crockett (#32)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

Dream Boy by Madelyn Rosenberg and Mary Crockett

Expected release date: July 1, 2014

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

Annabelle Manning feels like she's doing her time at her high school in Chilton, Virginia. She has her friends at her lunchtime table of nobodies. What she doesn’t have are possibilities. Or a date for Homecoming. Things get more interesting at night, when she spends her time with the boy of her dreams. But the blue-eyes boy with the fairy tale smile is just that- a dream. Until the Friday afternoon he walks into her chemistry class.

One of her friends suspects he’s an alien. Another is pretty sure it’s all one big case of déjà vu. While Annabelle doesn’t know what to think, she's willing to believe that the charming Martin Zirkle may just be her dream come true. But as Annabelle discovers the truth behind dreams-where they come from and what they mean-she is forces to face a dark reality she had not expected. More than just Martin has arrived in Chilton. As Annabelle learns, if dreams can come true, so can nightmares.

Why I'm waiting:

If the boy of my dreams came to life...we'd have some serious problems!!! So naturally i'm interested in seeing where Martin being "real" takes Annabelle!

REVIEW: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Publication Date: January 1, 1981

Publisher: Bantam Books

Source: Book Purchased by Reviewer

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

The tragic story of the complex bond between two migrant laborers in Central California. They are George Milton and Lennie Small, itinerant ranch hands who dream of one day owning a small farm. George acts as a father figure to Lennie, who is a very large, simple-minded man, calming him and helping to rein in his immense physical strength.

This book was short and sweet...and oh so good! I've recently had some bad experiences with the classics i've read so this was such a refreshing and easy read for me because I actually enjoyed it so much.

We start off with George and Lennie. George is such a nice and caring guy that pretty much takes care of Lennie because he isn't mentally all there. He's pretty much a grown man with a child's mind and George takes care of him. It's kind of sad that George has to sacrifice so much for Lennie, but you can tell right from the start that he does it because he cares, because he knows that no one else would ever care about Lennie and take care of him. So he accepts the responsibility and protects Lennie from all things bad...except his own temper of course! Honestly, you can't blame the guy. taking care of a grown man that has the mind of a child can very difficult, as we see time and time again while reading.

And then there's all the trouble Lennie gets himself into. I won't deny that the ending is really sad and tragic but also kind of sweet. George does something that he never imagined he'd have to do and he does it as a kindness. He does it to protect Lennie from the cruel things that could happen to him. But the heartache is real guys...too real. You really feel for George and you even get a sense of just how "challenged" Lennie really is. Once you realize what's happening your heart will break for both of them, but you also realize, just as George did, that it truly is the best fate for both of them.

All in all, it was a great book and I highly recommend it to all who love reading the classics. You wont be disappointed with this book!

BOOK HIGHLIGHT + GIVEAWAY: Honest Love by CM Hutton

Title: Honest Love

Author: CM Hutton

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Starting over was never easy for anyone.

I’d heard the stories over and over.

But after the hell my ex-husband had put me through over the last year, over the last twenty years…well, I was ready to move on, repair what was left of my shattered heart and find someone to share my life with—someone who would put me first.

I deserved it. I’d done my time being in her shadow, being a cheap understudy, always second. For. All. Those. Years.

Never again.

Our move to San Diego provided a fresh start, a new place away from all the hurt and memories. Life as a single mom to three teenagers had its' challenges, but we were adjusting and my kids were doing well.

It was time to focus on my happiness, for once. I had a huge capacity to love and I wanted to share my love with a man that respected it, accepted it and gave it in return.

It was just a matter of time before he found me and showed me what true, honest love was all about.

Amazon | B&N

Claire

Every now and then,
during his session, I’d notice an odd glance or two from
him, but ignored it. I didn’t want his negative shit adding to my
own. This was my job. I was his physical therapist, not his friend or
counselor, and this job was what would keep me going while I learned to wrap my
head around my new life. 

Derek didn’t
say much. He grunted a few times when I pushed him harder, but other than that,
nothing.

It wasn’t
until we were just about done and I was giving him our customary mini
relaxation massage, that I took the opportunity to really take a good look at
him. Derek removed his shirt as he laid face down on the massage table in my
therapy room and an involuntary gasp escaped from me. 

Wasn’t expecting that.  

Most patients didn’t
remove their clothing as these massages were only meant to relieve the tension
built up in the body as a result of the stress from working an injury.  He’d apparently heard me because a small,
stupid grin turned up on one corner of his mouth. I ignored him.

He was tall and
lean, not too bulky, and his skin was tan and smooth…defined.
I noticed a few tattoos on his ribs. I’d never been much on body ink, but it
was sexy on Derek and I couldn’t stop staring at it as I slowly
rubbed the tension from his neck and shoulders.

Yeah, you could say
I was attracted to him. 

___________________________________________

Derek

Claire seemed nice.
Actually she seemed like she probably wouldn’t
take any crap from me. And I didn’t think she knew who I was…always
a good thing. 

She was good at her
job. I had a feeling I’d be back on the truck soon. My life
as a firefighter was about all I had to keep my mind occupied. Football used to
do that for me. 

Nothing but tainted
memories now.

I shook my head,
brushed off my thoughts and focused more on my new therapist. I’d
asked her a few questions, which she answered willingly. I was curious about
Claire, but my pissy mood made my questions come out way too harsh and nasty.

I just hoped I
could stop staring at her. She was shorter than me. Maybe 5’5” with
beautiful blonde hair and amazing brown eyes. Not who I would typically pay
attention to, but what the hell did I know? The only girl I’d
ever loved was Claire’s complete opposite with dark brown
hair, blue eyes and really tall.  She’d
also ripped my heart out and practically ate the damn thing right in front of
me. 

Maybe Claire was
just what I needed. 

But first, I had to
find out more about her past and what lead her to San Diego.

I’m a wife, a mom of three, a friend, an aunt, a sister, a daughter and a teacher.  Now, I can add writer to my list!  I’ve always wanted to write and finally found inspiration and support to do it. 
I live near Austin, Texas with my family and love to read and travel.  Put me on a beach with a good book and the world just disappears around me.
Paradise Taken was my first novel and is a highly emotional book based on true events.  Its sequel (Saving Us) is due out February 2014.
Loving Her was the second book I wrote after needing a little time off from Paradise Tak-en.  It is a story close to my heart.
I love that you are willing to take a chance on a new writer and promise to keep striving to put out great books!
If you don't like my books, that's okay. Just please be gentle on my fragile ego. ;) 
I'd love to chat with you, so look me up on any of my social pages. 
Happy Reading.  :)

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COVER REVEAL: Seamonster (The Aquarathi #1.5) by Amalie Howard

SEAMONSTER by AMALIE HOWARD

YOUNG ADULT

AVAILABLE TODAY

NOVELLA

They say that love is the death of duty …



Speio Marin is land-bound, tied to the side of the Waterfell queen-to-be, Nerissa. There's only one problem--she wants nothing to do with any of the Aquarathi or her undersea kingdom, preferring instead the freedom of pretending to be human. Torn between his own desires and his duty to serve his future queen, he spirals into an abyss of malcontent. Speio’s mistrust of humans is no secret, and he sees them only as a threat to the existence of his people.



Until he meets Anya Delmonico--a mysterious and enigmatic girl, teetering on the edge of survival. Anya is sedate and secretive, yet reckless enough to brave a hundred-foot cliff jump. Caught between a dark past and an ex-boyfriend who refuses to let her go, Anya knows that getting involved with anyone new is the last thing she should do. But when her past catches up to her, Speio turns out to be the only one she can trust, refusing to let her face her demons alone.



When Anya discovers the truth about Speio, putting her life in mortal danger from the Aquarathi as well as her own sinister pursuers, will he risk everything to protect her? Or will he choose duty above all?

AVAILABLE ON

AMAZON

Check out Book 1

Amazon † B&N † iBooks † Kobo

You can pre-order book 2, OCEANBORN today! 

Amazon † B&N  † iBooks

AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or being a tomboy running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 22 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.



She is the author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, PW, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was an Amazon bestseller and a Seventeen Magazine Summer Read. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in New York with her husband and three children. Visit her at www.amaliehoward.com.

Website † Twitter † Facebook † GoodReads

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FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday~ Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro (#31)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hi Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro

Expected release date: July 1, 2014

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

DARK LEGACY

Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of “witch women,” she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She's haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.

DEADLY SECRETS

Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers her sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he wonders if all the rumors about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify her sister’s killer, he starts to form his own bond to her…a very physical one. as they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything—their families, their love, and even their lives.

Why I'm waiting:

I always love a good witch story and this one sounds extra juicy! Mala and Landry might be getting in way over their heads...and I LOVE it!!!

BOOK HIGHLIGHT + GIVEAWAY: Full Moon by Jordan Deen

Title: Full Moon

Author: Jordan Deen

Series: The Crescent #3

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

You know her story. You know her painful initiation into the werewolf world and you’ve seen her struggle to find the truth.



Now, Lacey Quinn is ready for the war to be over. Are you?



Lacey has been used, lied to and cheated out of the only thing she ever wanted: independence. Struggling with her newfound knowledge of being pack leader, Alex coming back into her life and the kidnapping of Lily’s mate—Matt—Lacey is faced with one of the biggest decisions of her life: fight or flight. While she knows running from the war will risk many lives, but staying means she would never have the life she wants and quite possibly never know a world without werewolves, witches and war.



Sometimes doing the right thing isn’t always the first or most obvious choice. Lacey Quinn is about to challenge what everyone thinks is the right thing to do. Unfortunately for her, most will not agree with her decision or the painful outcome.



Sometimes, love means death.

PRE-ORDER:

AMAZON | B&N

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Just please stop…, I said one last time as the ribbons encircled my wrists and my ankles and started pulling in opposite directions. There would be no end to the suffering until there was an end to me. The only way to stop the pain was to let myself go. To let it overtake me and to be one with the pain. I released the tension in each of my muscles and loosened my balled up fists. If I was going to die now, it would be on my own terms. As soon as the realization had registered in my mind, the onyx prisoner twisted onto itself and around me to squeeze my stomach and my ribs. It was determined to kill me and to make me suffer while it was doing it. I couldn’t fight back. I wouldn’t fight back. It was futile. I remained limp and it seemed to only further anger my captor.

            The next thing I knew, I was upside down and the ground was racing quickly towards my face. The shackles around my wrist were released and I was again screaming for my freedom. My arms flailed and hopes for developing an ability to fly rushed through my mind. If only I could fly… then my head hit the ground.

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 Jordan Deen is an Award-Winning Young Adult and New Adult Author from East St. Louis, Illinois. Her debut novel, THE CRESCENT was a 2010 Reader's Favorite Award Winner. Her second novel, HALF MOON released in 2011. BREAKING LAUREN is her third novel and was a finalist in the Texas Literary Awards. The sequel, LOSING LAUREN will be released on 12/5/2013.



She can usually be found curled up in her favorite chair with a book or her laptop. She is the proud mother of one crazy little boy and an even crazier teacup Yorkie.



Jordan is Indie published, as well as traditionally published with Black Rose Writing.

'Life is about the journey...'

Website | Twitter | Facebook

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                                  Book Highlight hosted by: Good Choice Reading Blog Tours   

Quotes (#10)

Morning Swooners,

So it's Monday again and all I can say to that is....COFFEE...NOW!!! Hope your day is off to a less cranky one than mine.

"The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it." J.M Barrie, Peter Pan

"Now that i've found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night?" Ally Condie, Matched

"When you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever." Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

"The last thing he ever said to me was, 'Just always be waiting for me, and then some night you will hear me crowing." J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

"There are no safe choices, Miss Temples. Only other choices." Libba Bray, A Great and Terrible Beauty

"Don't forget- no one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell." Charles de Lint, The Blue Girl

"Classic fairy tales do not deny the existence of heartache and sorrow, but they do deny universal defeat." Greenhaven

BOOK HIGHLIGHT + GIVEAWAY: Facade of Shadows by Rick Chiantaretto

Title: Facade of Shadows

Author: Rick Chiantaretto

Genre: YA, dark fantasy



>>ADD TO GOODREADS<<

Judas Iscariot (portrayed as the first of the undead), the gods and myths of ancient Egypt, and vampires all play a role in this novel of the clash between good and evil on Earth. In Façade of Shadows, the supernatural beings of Egyptian lore work together with modern-day vampire slayers to wage a pivotal battle against the dark powers of the underworld. A group of young slayers and their immortal Protector, the son of ancient gods, travel through time and space while struggling to save the population of an unsuspecting town—the first target for domination by the vampires—in a conflict that foreshadows the fate of the world. If you enjoy action, humor, tragedy, even romance involving the genre of vampires and their nemeses, this is a riveting read to add to your collection.

Purchase:

Only 99¢

Amazon

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TOUR

Good Choice Reading Blog Tours is currently organizing a review tour for Facade of Shadows from July 21st - 25th. You can sign up for the tour HERE.

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When she got to class, Dominique was glad to find another new student; she always felt more comfortable when she wasn’t the only new one. The teacher seemed nice enough too. Dominique handed her the schedule to prove she was in the class and the teacher, anxious to begin, quickly made seating assignments for the two new students.

“Why don’t you sit over there?” she suggested to Dominique, gesturing to a seat in the back corner. “And you can sit over here.” The teacher pointed out a desk to the other student. Dominique took one step toward her seat and noticed… her. The girl was paying strict attention, even though the teacher wasn’t saying anything that concerned her. Dominique wondered if she was taking notes on the new seating arrangement, as she feverishly moved her pencil. The other new student noticed the discomfort on Dominique’s face.

“Don’t worry,” he said in a calm but confident tone, “I’ll sit there, and you can have the one by the window.”

Dominique felt a wave of relief. There was something about that girl that she just didn’t like. “Thank you,” she said to the student. She felt him brush her arm as he pushed past her; he felt like iron. This was the first time she had been able to get a good look at him. His arms were impressively muscular. He was dressed completely in black and looked back at her with stunning blue eyes.

“No, thank you,” he said.

Maybe this class won’t be so bad after all, Dominique thought, feeling herself melt under his gaze. He smiled, as if he knew what she was thinking.

“I’m Lucas, but most of my friends call me Luke,” he said, pushing his hair out of his eyes with one hand and thrusting his other at her. She took it firmly.

“And may I call you Luke?”

That made his smile widen, “You may call me anything you wish.”

“Well, Luke, I’m Dominique,” she stated with a sheepish grin, slightly embarrassed as she felt her cheeks turn warm.

“I know,” he said, his cold hand penetrating the warmth of Dominique’s own.

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I've often been accused of having done more in my life than the average person my age but if I were completely honest, I'd have to tell you my secret: I'm really 392.



So after all this time, I'm a pretty crappy writer.



I have two books published and a bunch half written (when you have eternity, where's the reason to rush?). I've been favorably reviewed by horror greats like Nancy Kilpatrick, and my how-to-write-horror articles have been quoted in scholarly (aka community college freshmen's) papers.



I enjoy the occasional Bloody Mary, although a Bloody Kathy or Susan will suffice.



Mostly, I just try to keep a low profile so people don't figure out who I REALLY am.

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FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday~ On The Fence by Kasie West (#30)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hi Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

On The Fence by Kasie West

Expected release date: July 1, 2014

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

She's a tomboy. He’s the boy next door…

Charlie Reynolds can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn’t know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world. To cope with the stress of her new reality, Charlie takes to spending nights chatting with her neighbor Braden through the fence between their yards. As she grows to depend on their nightly Fence Chats, she realizes she's got a bigger problem than speeding tickets-she's falling for Braden. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secrets means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.

Why I'm waiting:

I love boy-next-door type of relationships and especially since it's so opposite of the "norm"