Friday, September 30, 2016

Review: Camp Dork by Beth Vrabel


CAMP DORK
Pack of Dorks, Book Two
by Beth Vrabel
Sky Pony Press
Middle Grade Contemporary
240 pages




Lucy and her pack are back, in this sequel to Beth Vrabel’s heartwarming and humorous debut, Pack of Dorks. Sheldon convinces Lucy, Sam, April, and Amanda to join him at a weeklong sleep-away summer camp—Camp Paleo: Live Like a Caveman. Like cavemen, they’re going to have to make do without air conditioning or a heated pool. They’ll learn archery and dig for fossils. And Grandma’s coming too; she’s taking a job as lunch lady for the camp next door.

At the last minute, Sam backs out to go to a gymnastics training camp instead. Lucy wonders why she misses him so much—it’s not like he’s her boyfriend or anything. Why does the word “boyfriend” make her blush, even when she’s only thinking it? She needs a distraction. Enter Mr. Bosserman, the grouchy camp leader who won’t budge on the caveman aspect of the camp. The old man needs some softening up, and Lucy knows just the person for the job: Grandma.

One successful match made, Lucy starts to see potential lovebirds everywhere. And setting up couples keeps her from facing the question tickling the back of her mind: Is she in love with Sam? But when the wrong campers fall for each other, the pack falls apart, all under the watchful eye of a super secret blogger who’s been writing about the camp’s activities Gossip Girl–style. Even worse? A thief is targeting everyone but Lucy, setting her up to look guilty. Soon Lucy again finds herself alone, left to fix the messes she’s made and face her own feelings. If she fails, the pack may be splintered for good.

Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Timesbestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
 






MY TIDBITS

This book can be read as a stand alone without any problem.

Lucy unhappily agrees to go to camp with her friends and when Sam, the one who instigated the whole plan, backs out to go to a more elite camp, the entire trip seems to be jinxed. Especially when the camp 'the pack of dorks' end up in a rustic, cheaper camp while the neighboring one is elite pure.

This is a cute story about first boy tingles, middle school drama at camp (and we know how much drama that can be!), learning to fit in and learning to stand up for yourself. Add a lovely group of friendship and all the problems that can include, and it's a perfect summer camp story for kids 9 and up.

Lucy gets caught up in all sorts of messes of her own doing. her bad decisions--one after the other--make matters much worse. She goes against others without thinking and opens her mouth when she should keep it shut. The author does a fantastic job of showing how a young girl and easily be swept into a mountain of mess, while not necessarily being a 'bad person' herself. The struggle of balancing life choices and their consequences comes through crystal clear in a way kids will have no trouble understanding or relating to. Because let's face it--middle school is hard but camp is even worse. Especially when you are in the pack of dorks.

The characters each have their very own personality, making them come to life as if they were sitting there in the room. However, it's the dialogue which really brings this story to life. Lucy and her friends are placed in a difficult situation which not only kids but even adults understand. And her mistakes aren't that far off from ones many of us have made in the past to some degree. The life lessons are clear, while remaining down to earth and sometimes humorous too. There's just a ton to like in these pages.

It's a fun read with lots to give and will leave the reader with a few things to think about after the story comes to a close.





Cover Reveal: The Chronicles of the Heart & Soul by L.L. Hunter


The Chronicles of Heart & Soul
by L.L. Hunter 
YA Fantasy

COMING. . .
NOVEMBER 9th, 2016!!!

Cover Designed by Regina Wamba of Mae I Design and Photography

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR


 There was once an angel born of fire who was fated to rule the world.
Her existence was planned, her destiny mapped out before she even knew who she was.
When Scarlett was a little girl she never dreamed she would one day be the one to rule the entire Nephilim world.
Now as an adult, her nightmares are making up for lost time.
Plagued with visions she doesn’t know what to make of, and a dark secret hidden deep within, she turns to an unlikely ally for guidance.
Afraid for her future child’s life, Scarlett makes a choice that could change everything forever.
After a heartbreaking sacrifice is made,
Scarlett never thought she would ever taste darkness, but this time she can’t escape.
Especially when her son is fated to rule the underworld.
In the epic finale to the bestselling Legend of the Archangel series, will the world burn in heavenly fire or be saved by the girl who was fated to rule it all?




L.L. Hunter is the author of over 20 published works, including The Legend of the Archangel Series and The Garden of Eden. She has studied everything from veterinary nursing, forensic science, and dramatic arts, but has always known her true calling was to be an author. 

She has been writing since her teens - everything from fan fiction, to song lyrics, to plays and musicals. When not working on her next paranormal romance, she can be found at home in Australia, reading somewhere comfortable with one or both of her “fur babies.” Follow her on Facebook, Twitter @llhunterbooks, and her blog - http://llhunter.blogspot.com.au.


Instagram: @llhunter
Pre Order Links:




Thursday, September 29, 2016

Review: Fall of Thrones and Thorns by Jennifer Ellison with Giveaway





FALL OF THRONES AND THORNS

by Jennifer Ellision
Threats of Sky and Sea, #3
 September 27th 2016
YA Fantasy
312 pages



War hurtles in, a typhoon over the sea.

After Bree’s life was torn apart, Nereidium had represented a haven to her. A place that—if she could save it—was beyond the King’s reach.
And, at last, she’s arrived upon its shores. But things in Nereidium are not what they should be.
The land is plagued by a rash of mysterious earthquakes, the likes of which it’s never known. The governors are distracted by old traditions, while Bree and her friends grapple with changing identities and the sense that the longer they wait to take action… the greater the danger from Egria grows.
Bree is tired of living under the shadow of King Langdon’s power. And she’s tired of waiting for him to be the first to act.
In this final chapter of the Threats of Sky and Sea series, it all comes down to Nereidium or Egria. To Bree or the King. It’s kill… or be killed.
And not everyone will escape the battle unscathed.


Previous books in the series:
20498423 Beautiful woman with katana isolated on the white background


MY TIDBITS

First off, this is a series which should be read from start to finish. The books not only build upon each other and have cliff-hanger endings, but the entire series feels more like a continuing story which one can't simply jump into. In other words, this book is not a stand alone.

After reading the first two books--and absolutely loving them--I was looking forward to see how Breena and her friends would finally handle what appears to be a losing battle. I was not disappointed.

Breena and her friends have finally reached Nereidium where everyone appears to be safe. Breena, however, is separated off from her friends as she learns to deal with her new life. But all is not as safe as it seems. Nereidium finds itself being attacked in a very unexpected way, one which Breena and her friends may not be capable of putting an end to.

This series has a wonderful character arc as Breena turns from a rough barmaid into a worthy queen. But she isn't the only one. Her friends each have their own trials and maturing to do, and it's these subplots which really bring the story to life. This book is told mostly from three points of view with a couple extra thrown in as needed. The shift is well done and isn't jolting in any way. It allows insights into the thoughts and actions, which add a nice amount of depth and help bring clarity to certain decisions or actions.

There's never a boring moment as the characters find themselves, once again, at the center of the war and this time, against an even greater threat. There are some unexpected surprises, which keep the tension high. Some of the logic behind a few things runs a bit thin, but it's easy to forgive as the heroine forges off to save whatever she can. Her down to earth nature, a little bit of self-assurance problems and endless courage are simply an inspiration, not one which seems unrealistic either.

The world and scenes grab up, letting the reader sink in and disappear. Little details sprinkle the descriptions making the surroundings come to life even when the friends charge from one dangerous situation into the next. There's a nice circle to the story (a type of revisiting from moments of book one), which gives a lovely sense of closure and brings the entire thing back home. The last climatic moment ended with a dull thud in comparison to the final big battle build up, which left a hiccup, but all in all, its a very satisfying finish to an epic tale.

In other words, this final book is a good ending to a grabbing series. I couldn't put in any of the books down and was always eager to dive into the next. Fans of magic, secret princesses, heroic princes and battles to end evil kingdoms are sure to enjoy every moment of this series.



And here she is. . .
JENNIFER ELLISION!!!


Jennifer Ellision was born and raised in South Florida and lives in perpetual fear of temperatures below 60F. She spent a great deal of her childhood staying up past her bedtime with a book and a flashlight. When she couldn’t find the stories she wanted to read, she started writing them. She has an OTP, loves character analysis, and is a master of the fangirl flail, with a particular soft spot for fanfiction. She frequently bursts into song (and they are often of a Disney persuasion). Sailor Moon is one of her favorite things on this planet.
Threats of Sky and Sea is her first novel.
She also blogs at The Bevy Bibliotheque, where she talks about books, TV, movies, and other things that she goes fangirl over. For review requests or blog inquiries, please visit http://www.thebevybibliotheque.net to contact the blogger who best suits your request.




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Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Sneak Peek: Lost Wolf by Stacy Claflin with Giveaway





LOST WOLF
by Stacy Claflin
Curse of the Moon, #1
YA Paranormal Romance
258 pages









She’s hiding a dark secret. It already killed her once.
Victoria can’t wait to start college, but there’s a hitch—she can’t remember anything before arriving on campus. Her memories spark when she sees her ruggedly handsome math professor, but she senses something horrific. The shock on his face affirms her fears.
Toby is an alpha wolf who never thought he’d see his true love again—not after she died in his arms. Nothing could have prepared him for her walking into his class. But to his dismay, not only has she forgotten what happened, she doesn’t even know who she is.
He’s determined to do whatever it takes to restore what they’ve lost. Can Toby help Victoria recover her memories, or will he lose her forever?


EXCERPT

Beads of sweat broke out along my hairline. I wiped them away, tightened my ponytail, and ran faster along the dirt trail, jumping over exposed roots and ducking under low-hanging branches. Pine trees, firs, and alders turned my path into more of an obstacle course than a trail.
A twig snapped behind me.
I glanced back, but didn’t see anything. Probably just a raccoon.
My sneaker hit a root and my arms flew in front of me. I landed on my hands and knees, and slid down an incline. Rocks and branches dug into my skin until I crashed into a huckleberry bush.
I stood and dusted myself off. Blood dripped from my legs. I pulled twigs, dirt, and small rocks from the cuts.
“Nice work, Victoria,” I muttered to myself.
Sasha had said I shouldn’t have gone into the forest for my first jog. But having just moved to the beautiful Olympic Peninsula, I wasn’t about to join a club when I had the great outdoors. Birds chirped all around and a stream bubbled nearby. It was like the woods were telling me I’d made the right choice.
Another snap.
“Who’s there?” I sounded a lot braver than I felt. My heart thundered against my ribcage and I whipped my head around. My roommates had said the woods were safe, but I was also trusting people who had been strangers only a couple days earlier.
Why had I gone into the woods alone? Wasn’t that how half of all horror movies started?
I thought of Sasha running on a treadmill, flirting with cute college guys. Maybe she was the smart one.
Footsteps.
“Hello?” I called.
Nothing. The birds had even stopped singing.
“Is anyone there?”
The footsteps came closer.
My pulse drummed in my ears. I fought to breathe normally.
A small gray and black wolf stepped out from behind the tree. He made eye contact with me.
I didn’t move a muscle, holding its gaze.


And here she is. . .
STACY CLAFLIN!!!

Stacy Claflin is a USA Today bestselling author who writes about complex women overcoming incredible odds. Whether it's her Gone saga of psychological thrillers, her various paranormal romance tales, or her sweet romance series, Stacy's three-dimensional characters shine through.
Decades after she wrote her first stories on construction paper and years after typing on an inherited green screen computer that weighed half a ton, Stacy realized her dream of becoming a full-time bestselling author.
When she's not busy writing or educating her kids from home, Stacy enjoys watching TV shows like Supernatural, Pretty Little Liars, and Once Upon a Time.
Join Stacy's newsletter to get three free novels. Register here to get your books right away: http://stacyclaflin.com/newsletter/




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Trailer Reveal: The Sailweaver's Son by Jeff Minerd

sailweavertrailerbanner


front cover


 The Sailweaver’s Son
by Jeff Minerd
MG/YA Fantasy




The Sailweaver’s Son combines traditional fantasy with a dash of steampunk and takes young readers to a unique world—Etherium. A world where mountains rise like islands above a sea of clouds and adventurers travel the sky in sail-driven airships.
When fifteen year-old Tak rescues the survivor of an airship destroyed by one of the giant flammable gas bubbles mysteriously appearing in the sky of Etherium, the authorities react like a flock of startled grekks.
Admiral Scud accuses Tak of sabotage and treason. Tak’s father grounds him for reckless airmanship. Rumors spread that the bubbles are weapons devised by the Gublins, a race of loathsome but ingenious underground creatures. The King’s advisors call for war, hoping to win much-needed Gublin coal.
To clear his name, solve the mystery, and prevent a misguided war, Tak must do what anyone knows is suicide—visit the Gublins and find out what they’re up to. When the wizard’s adopted daughter, an oddly beautiful and irksomely intelligent girl from the Eastern kingdoms, asks Tak to help her do just that, he can’t say no.
The adventure will take Tak from the deepest underground caves to a desperate battle on Etherium’s highest mountaintop. It will force him to face his worst fears, and to grow up faster than he expected.

And here it is. . .

THE TRAILER!!!


Author Information  . . .

Jeff 2


Jeff Minerd thought he stopped writing fiction a long time ago until the story for The Sailweaver’s Son came to him not in a dream but after a dream. He is grateful for that, and for the opportunity to explore the world of Etherium and entertain others with what he finds there.

Jeff has a son, Noah, who is also a writer and avid reader. Jeff hopes to one day place in the top ten—or maybe even top five—of Noah’s favorite authors. But the competition is pretty stiff.
In a previous lifetime, Jeff published short fiction in literary journals including The North American Review. One of his stories won the F. Scott Fitzgerald competition, judged by former NPR book reviewer Alan Cheuse.
More recently, Jeff has worked as a science and medical writer for publications and organizations including the National Institutes of Health, MedPage Today, The Futurist magazine, and the Scientist magazine.
Jeff lives in Rochester, NY.

Links

Buy on Amazon Buy on B&N

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Review: Poppy by Clarissa Johal perfect for October!


POPPY
by Clarissa Johal
Faeriemoon Press
YA/NA Horror-Thriller
265 pages







A red-headed, pink-loving mortician who speaks to the dead. 
A moody, unsociable funeral director. 
Poppy and Dante from "Struck" are back. 

Something is lingering around Skyview Funeral Home—and it's stealing souls of the dead. 
With Dante in tow, Poppy is determined to put a stop to it. 
Can she protect those who are trying to cross over, or will her soul be next?

*Poppy is a standalone novel*



MY TIDBITS

This was a book not to be put down, so make sure you've got a few hours before opening that first page.

The main character is a true delight--sassy, cute, warm hearted and simply in a class all of her own. I was surprised because I assumed this would have a very dark feel the whole way through. And there are enough moments to leave strange tingles running up and down the spine. But it's more than that.

This story grabs with humor, sweetness, and pretty dark twists at times. The conversations with the ghosts are a real treat and add a lovely sense of lightness to balance off the spookier shadows.

Summed up, this is a wonderful read even for chickens like me and definitely perfect for the upcoming Halloween season.













Monday, September 26, 2016

Review: Truth or Dare by Barbara Dee


TRUTH OR DARE
by Barbara Dee
Aladdin
Middle Grade Contemporary
ages 9+
256 pages

Just out on
September 20th!!!


A few white lies during a simple game of truth or dare spin out of control and make life very complicated for Lia in this brand-new novel from Barbara Dee.

When Lia returns after a summer with her eccentric aunt, it feels like everything has changed within her group of five friends. Everyone just seems more…dramatic. And after playing a game of Truth or Dare, Lia discovers how those divides are growing wider, and tells a few white lies about what really happened over the summer in order to “keep up.” But is “keeping up” with her BFFs really worth it?
 



MY TIDBITS


Packed full of middle school drama, this story screams girly reality and the problems of growing up.

Lia is not a fan of summer camp and skips out by joining her quirky aunt for the summer instead. When she returns to school, she finds her friends wrapped up in a game of truth or dare--one which isn't always naive and harmless. 

The author does a tremendous job bringing the characters to life through snappy and very realistic dialogue in true to life situations. The intended audience will have no problem seeing some of their own lives mirrored in these pages and will easily sympathize with Lia and her friends. 

Much of this story concentrates on friendship and the age old but still very modern problem of fitting in. Lia faces the choice of doing what is right or giving in to what her friends want her to do. There's also a more than adequate amount of time spent on bras and periods, which is really too bad. Although these might be topics for this age group, the importance they have in this story is overly exaggerated. Still, there are tons of great messages in this book which make it a wonderful read and a inspiration which will aide girls as they run across some similar situations of their own--and they are sure to do just that.

Summed up, this book is a lovely dive into tween drama which, for the most part, fits well to girls ages 10 and up.



You can find out more about Barbara Dee and her books at:
http://barbaradeebooks.com/

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Sneak Peek: I'm Not Afraid of Wolves by Erin Hayes with Giveaway





I’m Not Afraid of Wolves 
by Erin Hayes
The Cotton Candy Quintet #4
September 22nd 2016
YA Paranormal








Christine would do anything to get away from it all.
After escaping an abusive marriage and heading up a group of brand new performers, she’s tired and in need of a vacation. So when her sister Sara wants her to go camping out in the mountains of Georgia with the girls, she packs her bags for some rest and relaxation. Not even meeting a gorgeous park ranger like Colton Donnelly is going to distract her.
Except Sara didn’t tell her the real reason for the trip: she’s running away from a terrible secret. One that puts all of their lives in danger.
Now the vacation that Christine so desperately needed is ruined, but that’s the least of her worries. She has to use her wits and skills to save them all. Because she soon finds out that werewolves are very real. And they’ll stop at nothing to get their claws into her sister.


EXCERPT

When the sliding door locked, I turned my gaze onto Sara and watched her, waiting for her to bring up her story. I wanted her to be the one who talked first, if only because I didn’t want to prod her too much if she was traumatized by whatever this was.
But if she was going to try to weasel her way out of talking to me, she had another thing coming.
“Wow,” she murmured softly. “Look at that full moon.”
I picked up a note of fear in her voice. “Yeah,” I said cautiously. “It’s beautiful.”
“I used to think so.” Sara turned around and looked back at me. Her eyes were wide with fright and the rigidity told me something else was going on with her.
Finally, my patience snapped.
“Sara, what’s wrong?”
“You won’t believe me,” she repeated, using the same phrase she used when we were putting food away.
I crossed my arms. “I think you’ll be surprised.”
Sara’s jaw worked. “I think I’m going to need more wine for this.”
I held up my glass. “Just drink mine.” Don’t think I’m letting you back in the kitchen that easily. She’d run away and hide and hoped I’d forget about it. She wanted to talk about it, but she was too afraid to.
She took my glass and downed the rest of it in one chug. I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
“Okay,” she said, as if warming herself up for our talk. “Okay.”
“It will be all right,” I told her.
“No, it won’t.” Tears started filling her eyes. “Christine, do you believe in werewolves?”


Beautiful young bride walking on the field of flowers

And here she is. . .
ERIN HAYES!!! 

Sci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist Erin Hayes writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books.
She works as an advertising copywriter by day, and she's a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author by night. She has lived in New Zealand, Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, and now San Francisco with her husband, cat, and a growing collection of geek paraphernalia.
You can reach her at erinhayesbooks@gmail.com and she’ll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.




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Saturday, September 24, 2016

Sneak Peek: Shadow of a Girl by Shannon Greenland with Giveaway





SHADOW OF A GIRL
by Shannon Greenland
Entangled: Teen
September 19th 2016
YA Romance









Use cash and keep moving.
After I ran away from home, these were the two rules that dictated my life. Scoring a job as a roadie fit perfectly for what I needed. Traveling, cash, and life out of the spotlight. But when my path collides with West, the lead singer of Bus Stop, I can’t seem to stay out of his spotlight—especially since we’ll be touring together for an entire year.
West is determined to break down my walls. He won’t give up. And little by little they come crumbling. But if he knew what lurked behind them, he wouldn’t be so eager to get rid of them.
The more time we spend together, the more the lines of our friendship become blurred. He makes me dream of things I never thought possible. But while our friendship has been evolving into a romance, my secrets have been closing in. And just when I’ve decided to reveal my past to West, I’m confronted by it. The cost of my freedom could ruin the life of the guy I love…



EXCERPT

His hand stills. He doesn’t move. Neither do I, and neither one of us speaks. Then West shifts first, gently pushing me away, and rolls to a sitting position. He rubs his eyes and looks around and finally with a sigh, glances over his shoulder at me where I still lay on the blanket.
“It’s late,” he says, “and you’ve got to be up early for work.”
I nod, completely confused that he’s the one who pulled away.
He gets to his feet and holds out his hand. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your room.”
I let him pull me up, and together we fold the blanket. But as I come toward him with my ends of the blanket, he slides one arm around my back and holds me to him. “Hug me,” he whispers. “Please?”
His words liquefy my insides, and I don’t hesitate as I slip both arms around his waist and lay my face on his chest. With the blanket smooshed between us, I listen to his heartbeat as he pulls me in snug, resting his head on top of mine. Gently, he rocks me, humming a song I don’t recognize, but the tune buzzes through me, and I sink further into the embrace.
We stand this way, gently swaying, as he hums the whole song. I haven’t cried in many years. The last time I did I was in excruciating pain. So when the wetness pools in my eyes, I blink my lids, surprised, realizing they’re tears of happiness.
Exactly what tears should be.


soag-teaser-6

And here she is. . .
SHANNON GREENLAND!!! 

Shannon is the award winning author of several novels including the teen spy series, THE SPECIALISTS, and the YA romance, THE SUMMER MY LIFE BEGAN. Her latest teen novel, SHADOW OF A GIRL, is due out 9.19.16. She also writes thrillers under S. E. Green and lives off the coast of Florida with her very grouchy dog. Find her at www.shannongreenland.com






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Cover Reveal: Dating an Alien Popstar by Kendra L. Saunders

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Crimson Tree Publishing is excited to share this cover reveal that's truly out of this world! ENGAGED TO AN ALIEN POPSTAR is the sequel to DATING AN ALIEN POPSTAR by Kendra L. Saunders. This Sci-Fi Romantic Comedy is the perfect weekend read. Check out the cover below and then go grab yourself a copy of DATING AN ALIEN POPSTAR today.

ENGAGED TO AN ALIEN POPSTAR

Releasing November 28, 2016! Pre-order it today on AMAZON. (More retailers coming soon.)

ebook-engaged-an-alien

"Not only is the plot unique and the writing light and starry-skied, but Griffin and Devon are not your typical aliens... DATING AN ALIEN POPSTAR is a romp of a read and if you don't like aliens now, you'll have your eye on the sky after reading this book!" - Emily Cox, Goodreads

Dating an Alien Popstar Kendra L. Saunders
Daisy Kirkwood has only just escaped her small-town life and run away to New York City, the land of last-minute secret gigs at famous musical venues, when she’s kidnapped by aliens. Unfortunately, no one ever writes about how to handle alien abduction in those fancy NYC guidebooks.
Griffin and Dev are supermassively sexy aliens from a politically and environmentally troubled planet who arrive on Earth with very little knowledge about human ways other than what they learned from a wayward E! News signal. Their mission is to pretend to be the most influential people on the planet—English pop stars, of course!—and gain the help of a powerful secret society. Upon arriving, they abduct Daisy Kirkwood, a nerdy young woman who loves music but could seriously use a bit of help in the love-life department. Though Griffin and Daisy initially squabble, neither can deny the intergalactic sparks whenever they’re too close to each other. Together, they must face murderous aliens, cultural misunderstandings, bad backup musicians, and the dark side of fame and the media, all set against a tight deadline…
Part High Fidelity, part Bridget Jones’ Diary, part Doctor Who, Dating an Alien Popstar is a sexy romantic comedy.



And here she is. . .
KENDRA L. SANDERS!!!


Kendra L. Saunders is a time-and-space traveling fashionista author who writes books about magical, dark-haired men, interviews famous people, and suggests way too many bands to you via whatever social media platform she can get her hands on. She writes with good humor because humor is the best weapon for a girl who can't learn karate (or ballroom dancing).
She is the author of DATING AN ALIEN POP STAR, the magic realism novel INANIMATE OBJECTS, dark comedy DEATH AND MR. RIGHT, the upcoming romance THE UNLOVE SPELL, and has conducted interviews with NYT Bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout, goth rocker Aurelio Voltaire, and Project Runway winners Dmitry Sholokhov and Michelle Lesniak Franklin among many, many others.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

Friday, September 23, 2016

Sneak Peek: The Surrendered by Case Maynard with Giveaway




THE SURRENDERED
by Case Maynard
 Blaze Publishing
September 20th 2016
YA Dystopian







After a financial collapse devastates the United States, the new government imposes a tax on the nation’s most valuable resource—the children.
Surrendered at age ten—after her parents could no longer afford her exorbitant fees—Vee Delancourt has spent six hard years at the Mills, alongside her twin, Oliver. With just a year to freedom, they do what they can to stay off the Master’s radar. But when Vee discovers unspeakable things happening to the younger girls in service, she has no choice but to take a stand—a decision that lands her on the run and outside the fence for the first time since the System robbed her of her liberty.
Vee knows the Master will stop at nothing to prove he holds ultimate authority over the Surrendered. But when he makes a threat that goes beyond what even she considers possible, she accepts the aid of an unlikely group of allies. Problem is, with opposing factions gunning for the one thing that might save them all, Vee must find a way to turn oppression and desperation into hope and determination—or risk failing all the children and the brother she left behind.



EXCERPT

A sinking feeling washes over me. “We’re going to Meadowood.”
He responds without opening his eyes, “I want answers.”
I start to argue that this will be a fool’s errand, but in truth, I want the same answers he does. “Do you think the man who rescued Oliver was with the Southies?”
“I don’t know who else it could’ve been.” He sits up and stretches. “It must’ve been them, and I want to know why they changed the plan without informing us. The Master and his Regulators got to the rooftop very quickly after I fired that shot. I have to wonder if someone told them we were there.”
“You think the Southies took Oliver to get the combination and then set the Regulators on us? Why would they do that?”
He rubs his face. “It doesn’t make any sense. But something’s not adding up.”
I ponder this, thinking about my brother’s strange plea. “I know you think I’m insane, but I can’t help but feel like Oliver knew someone was going to take him; I swear it felt like he was speaking to me when he said not to interfere. But that doesn’t make any sense, either. He’s been behind the fence for years.”
Cason yawns and tries to shake off the effects of the Papaver. “I don’t think you’re crazy; his message did seem odd for someone who was about to hang for a crime he didn’t commit. I don’t know, but hopefully he’ll be at Meadowood and you can ask him yourself.”
My mood elevates as I realize I may only be hours away from a reunion with my brother. The pain in my arm forgotten, I try to concentrate only on this knowledge, confident we’ll have our answers soon enough. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you for earlier. You could’ve just turned me over to the Master and walked away, but you didn’t. I’m grateful for that.”
I feel a little embarrassed as soon as the words leave my mouth. Normally I’m not one to share my feelings, but the Papaver Flower makes me breathless and lightheaded and loosens my tongue.
He reaches for me, careful not to jostle my splinted wrist, and pulls my face to his. “I’m probably going to ruin that sentiment by telling you the Master would never have let me go anyway, but know this—” he runs the pad of his thumb along my lower lip and meets my eyes “—if everyone else in the entire world leaves you to fend for yourself, if your father, your mother, your brother disappoint you, if God himself decides you aren’t worthy . . . you’ll still be able to count on me. I’ve got your back, Vera.”
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And here she is. . .
CASE MAYNARD!!! 

With over 20 years’ experience in the legal and medical fields, Case Maynard decided to trade in her briefs and reports to write the stories that have been floating around in her head since childhood. She lives with her two teenagers and husband in South Georgia, while maintaining a long-distance liaison with her oldest daughter and partner in crime in Alaska. When not writing, she enjoys reading as often as possible, binge watching anything good on Netflix, and all things NCAA football (Go Noles!). You can learn more about Case and her stories on her website.



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