Outerlands by Jared R. Lopatin

We all loved Alice in Wonderland.

In THE OUTERLANDS, a YA novel by Jared R. Lopatin, Wonderland gets a twist.

It’s intense and utterly whimsical!

BOOK SUMMERY:

Alex didn’t want to die, but he just couldn’t take it anymore. Dwight’s pills seemed to promise escape… and escape is exactly what he gets. He ends up in a world reminiscent of his childhood Wonderland, but nothing is as it was in Alice’s day. The Outerlands are a twisted version of his favorite story, with strange characters and unnatural dangers. Before he can get used to his new home, it’s threatened by an outside force. Will Alex ever find a place where he feels safe?

Get the book on Amazon and don’t forget to add the book to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

EXCERPT:

Death is rarely a choice and, when it is, it’s usually a final choice. After all, for all that most people know, there are no choices after death. Alex certainly thought this would be the case. And he would have been right. If.

If.

Such a small word – barely two letters – that encompasses so much. So much uncertainty. So much dependency. So much…possibility. It was this very possibility that launched one Alexander Carroll Lewis into a Realm of curiosity. This special journey hinged on that two letter word – if. Even in the midst of all of the madness, he knew that was the root of everything. He traced the ifs back through from the recent to the past.

If he hadn’t swallowed the pills.

If he hadn’t bought the pills.

If he hadn’t fought back.

If he hadn’t met Jay.

If he hadn’t gone to that school.

If he hadn’t lived in that town.

If he hadn’t lived at all.

Strangely enough, or perhaps not strangely at all, it was this last if that prompted him toward the first if in the first place. He saw the latter as a solution for the former. What he was about to find out was that there was no solution to the last if because the last if wasn’t a problem that needed solving at all. Eventually, he found his way to the problem and the solution, but that won’t happen until the end of this story.

This is only the beginning.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jared fell in love with stories at a very young age. This love led him to major in English and Theatre, a decision that brought him many adventures, such as performing in Footloose, Cats, and West Side Story. His first full novel, Rising Sign, was started backstage during a production of South Pacific in Indiana. Five years later, his debut novel was complete and he headed back to school for his Masters in Special Education. By the time he graduated, he had written the following two books in the trilogy, Ruling House and Returning Planet. He used his school experiences as a base for his standalone novel, Let’s Play It By Ear. His newest novels, The Outerlands and The Good Witch are slated for release in 2015. Jared currently lives in New York City with his cats, Benedick and Beatrice. He works during the day as a high school English teacher and theatre director at a Deaf school.

Connect with Jared on his Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Book Review: Crossing Abby Road by Ophelia London

Title- Crossing Abby Road

Author- Ophelia London

Publisher- Entangled Publishing

Release Date- March 31, 2015

Amazon-   http://goo.gl/rJ9sAO

BOOK SUMMERY:

Todd Camford went from Marine sniper to owning a beachfront surf shop in Florida, and he couldn’t be happier. Unfortunately, the programming from his training hasn’t quite been eliminated. His ex called him an unfeeling cyborg, but he’s a free-flying, unfettered hawk, damn it. Relationships are out of the question…

And then she comes into his shop.

Everyone knows who Abigail Kelly is—mega rockstar, tabloid fixture. Still, nothing prepares Todd for Abby’s smoky gray eyes or the swift breathlessness of their instant chemistry. He’d be an ass (or possibly insane) to think he can resist her. Just for today, maybe he’ll keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn’t get mobbed. Because really, how much damage could one day with a super-hot, kick-ass celebrity really do?

MY THOUGHTS

“I wasn’t Superman. If I was, though, the girl in my arms was more lethal to me than kryptonite”

I absolutely adored both Todd and Abby in Abby Road and I was very happy to get a chance to read Todd’s side of the story. It also made me like Todd even more than I did before.

It was interesting to read the whole book of a guy’s point of view and I think that Ms. London did a great job doing it. I liked that this story filled in some of the blanks that I was missing before. I also learned a lot about Todd and what he was actually feeling.

If you are interested in reading this book, I do recommend you read the first book beforehand. I think Todd’s story willed in some missing parts, but without reading the first one you might feel that Todd and Abby’s story isn’t finished yet. This book’s time frame is only a day, and I wish it went a bit past a day. I still want to know what was going through his mind at other times too.

Book Review: Untimely by J & L Wells

Title- Untimely

Author- J & L Wells

Amazon-   http://goo.gl/BjhyUW

BOOK SUMMERY:

Heather Richardson is a seventeen-year-old British girl whose life quickly becomes an emotional roller coaster when she meets Ruben Brown, a twenty-year-old man who works for her father at Freesdon Manor. As much as Heather wants to love Ruben, the cracks in their relationship begin to show as her eighteenth birthday draws nigh. In a surprising turn of events Heather is confronted by Frank, an intriguing man from a past that dates back to the nineteenth century. His untimely presence changes everything. When she’s thrown back in time by an unrelenting force, Heather realizes that her life is not what it appears to be. Her future has already been written, and it seems she cannot escape her fate, a fate determined by a love lost long ago. In her struggle to find herself, Heather must chose her destiny amidst a dangerous love triangle, vengeful lovers, and passions controlled by the hands of time.

MY THOUGHTS:

I first read J & L Wells’ writing when I read Disturbingly Beautiful, and that was my first time travel read. When I saw Untimely on Netgalley I knew I needed to read this story as well!

Heather Richardson is 17 and has never truly had much experience with boys, but then she meets Ruben, she is smitten! Right away she was telling her parents about her new boyfriend Ruben. I thought it was a bit odd that they went out one night and all of a sudden he was her boyfriend, but he also right away was sending her texts that said that he loved her. Then one day a boy from her past came into the picture, Frank, there’s something about him that Heather can’t shake. This is when Ruben begins to become possessive and in my opinion emotionally abusive. The more Heather learns about both Frank and Ruben the more she is confused, because she keeps see ghostly figures and has travel back in time.

Heather was a very naïve character and I don’t think she really knew what was going on in her relationship with Ruben. Ruben was someone I could not stand in the least bit! I think he was horrible to Heather and his relationship with Beth wasn’t too healthy either. I did enjoy Frank I wish he was in the book a bit more, but he kept going back to his time period, leaving Heather with Ruben.

I liked going back in time to the nineteenth century where customs and things were different, it was interesting to see both Frank and Heather adjusting each time they traveled in time.

I now need to get my hand on the next book in the series, Untimely Return!!!

Sizzling Saturdays: 10 Years by Bethany Lopez

Title- 10 years

Author- Bethany Lopez

Publisher- Smashwords

Amazon-   http://goo.gl/SybnCP

BOOK SUMMERY:

A lot can happen in 10 years, and Gwen and Craig have been there for each other through it all, from meeting on the playground to juggling college finals. But their long-standing friendship hasn’t been without its challenges.

Gwen keeps her emotions locked down tight, and when someone hurts her, she shuts down and shuts them out. Craig has always been her hero, but when one night leaves her broken, she realizes he has the power to hurt her the most.

Unable to get past Gwen’s emotional barriers, Craig focuses on baseball and reaching for his dreams, but he misses his best friend. He wonders if he’ll ever have the same relationship he did with the girl he met ten years ago.

When the barriers finally come down and their true feelings are revealed, will they finally become the couple everyone says they’re destined to be, or will the darkness from Gwen’s past tear them apart forever?

*Warning* This book contains some scenes that may be hard to read. This story is meant for readers 18 and older.

MY THOUGHTS:

“ I had no idea how much she was going to mean to me, and how close I’d come to losing her forever.”

10 years is about Gwen and Craig, they met 10 years ago while hanging out with their siblings and had been best friends ever since. That is until something happens and Gwen shuts herself down, until she is forced to figure out her feels they cannot be friends or so she thinks.

This is the first book in the Time for Love series that I have read and after reading it I know want to go and read the rest, to learn about all the characters I met in this book. This book was wonderfully written and I could not put it down. Thankfully it was a short read that I was able to read it in one sitting. I think the length of the book was just perfect; it wasn’t too short or too long.

This was such a great group of friends and I wish I read the previous books so I could have known more about them. They seemed to all care so much about each other, family by choice and not by blood (well some of them by blood).

Now let me get to Gwen and Craig! They were both so perfect. I understand where Gwen is coming from by shutting down the way she does. It all stems from one thing in her past and I am so glad it was mentioned in the book, even though it was before Craig and Gwen met. Also it was so adorable how they met and young Craig was such a little charmer! Craig had such a huge heart and never understood why Gwen shut him out when all he wanted to do was be there for her.

There are some scenes in this book where I would say that this is for mature young adult readers. With that warning I would completely recommend this book to them and any New Adult fans!

Book Review: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

Title- The Start of You and Me

Author- Emery Lord

Publisher- Bloomsbury USA Childrens books

Release Date– March 31, 2015

BOOK SUMMERY:

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

MY THOUGHTS:

“When it all closes in, there are only two kinds of people: best friends and everything else.”

This was a great light-hearted story about deals with losing people close to you and how the people that have your back get you through it all. This story was mostly about friendship, Paige and her group of friends had each other’s back through; death, break ups and family let downs no questions asked. Then they added Ryan and Max to their little group and just like the girls, they were there for each other through thick and thin. Everyone needs a friend once and while and that is what this book show, I think plenty of young readers will read this and see their group of friends with in it. I also like that all the drama was very appropriate and things that can happen while in high school.

Every character in this book had a bit of charm and there wasn’t a single person I didn’t like. I did love the banter between Max and Paige and how they were able to open up with each other. They were both nerds at heart and that is what connected them from the moment they became friends.

I would defiantly recommend this to young readers that are from seventh grade up. Most YA readers might not like it as much due to the sweetness to the story!

Cover Reveal: Six Years by Stephanie Witter

Title: Six Years

Author: Stephanie Witter

Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Standalone novel

Cover Designer: Jo Raven

Release Date: June 9th

Add SIX YEARS to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24932168-six-years

Blurb:

They hadn’t seen each other in six years. 

She’d always had a crush on him. 

He’d only ever seen her like a little sister. 

And now…he’s back.

Brooklyn

I thought that he was a part of a distant past. I thought I didn’t feel anything for him now, but I was not so sure anymore. Having him back in my life, for however long it was, was making me see things differently. So many things had changed in the last six years and somehow I’d lost myself and forgotten all about my dreams.

My home life was still a mess, my personal life was nothing to boast about and when I see how successful he is, how everything he’d always wanted came true, I couldn’t help but feel lacking in a lot of ways. But he’s back and he needed me. I knew I was the only one who understood that part of his life, the only one he’s willing to share it with. My heart is still beating too hard and too fast for him and this time around, I was as much an adult as he was.

Having a six year age gap didn’t mean shit.

Nolan

Being back in Riverdale was harder than I thought. I’d turned my back on that life, but there had always been that one girl in my head. Little B. Now she’s nothing like the twelve year old girl I’d last seen. She’s a young woman, gorgeous and sexy. I couldn’t stay away. There’s something drawing me to her and it goes beyond my need to reconnect with her, to have her back in my life and fill the hollow part of my chest. But I couldn’t forget the little girl she had been; I shouldn’t forget the little girl she used to be.

Growing up with a junkie mother and nobody else, my neighbor, Brooklyn, had been my only happy place. I had taken care of her, and when I had left, I had to leave behind a huge part of me. I couldn’t do it again. I needed her. Once again, she’s the only person I want in my life, but I wasn’t sure if it was for all the right reasons.

Were there too many obstacles in the way?

About the author:

Stephanie Witter is a French dreamer. She started learning English at three, and fell in love with the language. Always with a book, or two close by, she started reading in English when she couldn’t wait any longer for Harry Potter to be translated in French. After a while, reading wasn’t enough. She started writing Young Adult and New Adult Contemporary novels and PATCH UP is her first New Adult Contemporary novel.

* Website * Blog * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook Page * Tsu * Instagram * Pinterest *

Would you like to receive an email to let you know when SIX YEARS is available? If you do, fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1yyTW2thg6BKkkZf-V8EUx_bhInddU3sibkwXCR0haV8/viewform

———

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deep Blue Eternity by Natasha Boyd

Deep Blue Eternity by Natasha Boyd
(Deep Blue Eternity #1)
Publication date: March 26th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

Livvy is on the run. And she’s escaped to the one place nobody will ever find her.

But the isolated cottage isn’t empty. Her refuge is home to a troubled stranger, Tom, there for reasons of his own.

In the intimacy of the abandoned cottage, and the remote wilderness of the island, the electrifying connection between them is impossible to ignore. Both running from their histories and shielding dark secrets, their pasts catch up with them and collide in an unimaginable way.

Deep emotions and powerful chemistry face a painful battle with the tangle of lies, and scars of the past. When the truth emerges, hearts will be shattered.

“A captivating, heart-wrenching, beautifully written story about those who scar us and those who help us heal. I could not put it down and am still thinking about it!” – Mia Sheridan, New York Times Bestselling author of Archer’s Voice

“Boyd skillfully navigates the scorching physical desire and personal insecurities of her protagonists, crafting a relationship that is tense, torrid and sure to keep the pages turning.” ~ RT Book Reviews

“Fans of the Sea of Tranquility or Mia Sheridan will absolutely love this story.” ~ MissIngrid’s reviews.

“I can’t recall ever reading a novel that made me laugh, smile, cry… just, feel as much as this one did.” ~ Books over Bros Reviews

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24700453-deep-blue-eternity?ac=1

Purchase:

AMAZON US: http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Blue-Eternity-Natasha-Boyd-ebook/dp/B00V1YYH4O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1427119483&sr=1-1&keywords=deep+blue+eternity
AMAZON UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-Blue-Eternity-Natasha-Boyd-ebook/dp/B00PQN3SKU/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1427119750&sr=8-1&keywords=deep+blue+eternity
iBOOKS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/deep-blue-eternity/id973589820?mt=11

Q & A with Natasha Boyd

Tell us about your current release release?

My new release is DEEP BLUE ETERNITY. I am so excited about this book. It’s a definite departure from the world of EVERSEA but no less true to my writing style. Formerly known as The Cottage (and funnily enough the cottage in the book is almost like an additional character in the story, bearing witness to the love story), my UK publisher felt that Deep Blue Eternity, a phrase used in the book to describe love would be a better fit. And I agree! Why didn’t I think of it first?

What genre would you say the book is?  

Contemporary definitely, as it is present day. And of course romance. However, there is a suspenseful and gothic undertone to the story as it is set in an area rife with superstition.

If you had to sum your book up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

DEEP BLUE ETERNITY is a deeply emotional book and while it deals with some tough issues, it’s about the aftermath and recovery of those things in our past. It’s about forgiveness and it’s about how falling in love changes us.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet? 

Darynda Jones. I love her sense of humor. I think we’d be besties.

Do you prefer eBooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

My son says the books he reads that he holds in his hands stay with him longer. I might be inclined to agree. But in the end, I just love books. For ease of transport and instant gratification (1-click buy anyone?)  – eBooks.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

Great question! This doesn’t happen very often, does it. I’m so glad they turned outlander into a show so we could keep the detail that made the book so extraordinary. The Beach, The Princess Bride, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – oh, and Fifty Shades of Grey!

So what are you working on next?

Aaaah the age old question.  I’m actually working on several projects. But hopefully the next thing that will be ready, finally, is a spin off of the Eversea series featuring the heroine’s best friend Jazz.

White wine or red?

White

Coffee or tea?

Tea

Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream?

Swirl

What are 4 things you never leave home without? 

Book, Kindle, phone (with kindle app), pen and paper for inspiration, updated inspiration playlist.
Your thoughts on receiving book reviews – the good and the bad – ?

In the beginning of my writing career I felt like I had bipolar, one review would make me high, the next would cut me down so hard I wouldn’t want to ever write again.  But than fully that phase was short-lived. If you do all you can to make sure it’s your best work  – then bad reviews have to be ‘water off a ducks back’… But seriously, bad reviews probably bother you most when you know deep down you could have done something better.  That’s probably a backwards way to look at it… but I guess that makes me backwards J Good reviews?  Aaaah, good, honest, unexpected reviews… there’s nothing like it.  And the reviews where someone lets you know that reading your book got them through a tough time, or started a new love of reading? Well, that makes it all worth it!
Where is one place in the world that you would really love to visit someday?

Macchu Picchu in Peru.

One of your favorite quotes –  

Man will never discover new oceans, unless he has courage to lose sight of the shore – André Gide.

AUTHOR BIO:

Natasha Boyd is an internationally bestselling and award-winning author with a background in marketing and public relations.  Her debut novel Eversea was a finalist in the 2013 Winter Rose Contest for Contemporary Romance and won the 2014 Digital Book Award for Adult Fiction.  She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers and Island Writer’s Network in coastal South Carolina where she has been a featured speaker on book marketing.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and lives with her husband, two sons and the cast of characters in her head.

Author links:
https://www.facebook.com/authornatashaboyd
http://pinterest.com/lovefrmlowcntry/
https://twitter.com/lovefrmlowcntry
http://www.natashaboyd.com

Book Tour: Shadows Have Gone by Lissa Bryan

PRESENTS. . .

Shadows Have Gone

Book 3 of End of All Things Series

by Lissa Bryan

Release Date: March 26 , 2015

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Genre: FICTION / Dystopian/ Romance / General

ISBN e-book: 978-1-61213-375-1

Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH

~~SUMMARY~~

Carly Daniels knows what it is to suffer loss. She knows what it is to sacrifice. In the two years since a pandemic virus—known only as the Infection—decimated humanity, she’s made choices she never could have imagined. She’s condoned violence in the name of peace and done the unthinkable in the name of mercy. But with Justin at her side, she’s also learned there’s nothing she can’t face and nothing she wouldn’t do to protect those she loves.

But now another threat has arrived in the form of a uniformed man driving an army truck, claiming to represent the remnant of the United States military. Someone has set their sights on their community . . . and on Justin. The struggle to defend their little homeland is far from over, and the visitors may have brought more danger with them than just their weapons.

The shadows are closing in. Carly has to find out whether she has the strength to stand on her own when all of her support has fallen away. What remains when the shadows have gone?

~~My Thoughts~~

Shadows have gone was a great end to The End of All Things trilogy. Ms. Bryan brought us back to the love story between Carly and Justin. As a reader I was able to witness their love while they build their community stronger and fight off threats. This family of four have been through so much, but the vision of a new better world is always in Carly’s mind. I love how she always talks about fate and Justin finally ends up believing in everything has happened because of fate.

Carly and Justin both had many flashbacks throughout the story, remembering times they had before they came to Colby. I think that added to all the emotion that I felt through the last 30% of the book and boy was I put through the ringer. I hardly ever cry during stories, but this one had me shedding many tears. I did not expect something to happen the way they did.

I like how I finally got some answers in the end and although I still had more, I am satisfied how everything ended. I just wish this series wasn’t over! I know I will now be looking for more books by Lissa Bryan!

~~EXCERPT~~

“There’s other news,” Justin said. “We made contact with a man driving an army truck.”

“The army?”

“Someone with the army?”

“There’s an army?”

“Whose army?” Pete’s voice rang above the excited babble.

“That’s the right question,” Justin said. “Whose army? He might have been wearing a uniform and claiming affiliation, but I have my doubts.”

“He claimed to be from the US Army?”

“Claimed,” Justin said, stressing the word hard. “And his claim had a few inconsistencies. I was in the Army, and I know. Whatever this guy is a part of, it’s not the army as we knew it.”

“What did he want?”

“Said he was out scouting and saw the smoke. He agreed to leave a message outside of Clayton if his people want to get in contact with us again. And I would imagine they will.”

“Last thing we need is another fight,” Grady said. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “You think they know where we are?”

“General area. We wouldn’t be that hard to find if someone was really searching for us. If they’re really army, then yes, they know exactly where we are as we speak. But as I said, I have my doubts.”

“Think it will come to a fight?” Pete asked.

Justin scratched his chin. “I really can’t say. What I can say is that we always need to be prepared for it, prepared to defend what is ours.”

“What if they really are the army? Would we be America again?”

“Wait. When did we stop being America?”

“America is dead.” This came from David, his voice as blunt as a dropped stone. “We all saw it die two years ago. I don’t know what we are now, but the Constitution sure ain’t in effect anymore. There’s no government. There’s no social contract holding us together. That’s what America was, you know—a collective agreement of the people. Now we’re just—” He sliced a hand through the air.

“If the army is still active, that would mean there is a government, which would make this still America,” Grady said. “They’d be the government’s representatives, establishing order.”

Justin shook his head. “You’re thinking way too far ahead. Even if they are US Army—and that’s a very big if—they don’t have control of the whole country. There is no centralized government, no law enforcement. They’re not coming to rescue us.”

Goodreads * Add to Want To Read List

~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

Lissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure for athlete’s foot…though only in her head. Real life isn’t so interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.

She is the author of four other novels, Ghostwriter, The End of All Things, its sequel, The Land of the Shadows, and Under These Restless Skies.

~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~

Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Website

Praise for Shadows Have Gone

“I laughed, I cried, I was gently amused, but what could I expect? Times are tough, no one is trustworthy and yet there is a sweet innocence about some characters that hit you right between the eyes; they are always so positive and wanting to see the best in others. Once again, Lissa Bryan has taken the handoff from a previous book and run with it at breakneck speeds with barely a misstep in sight!” – Dianne

Goodreads Review

~~OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES~~

Ω

The End of All Things Book 1

After a terrible virus ravages the planet, Carly Daniels, one of the few survivors, hides in her apartment in Juneau trying to survive the best she can with only occasional forays to gather food. With her is Sam, a wolf puppy she found starving on the streets. He becomes her companion and a reason to continue when giving up sometimes seems like the more attractive option. Still dazed with shock and grief, she hopes for the world to go back to normal soon.

She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature.

Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.

But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way.

This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.

Ω

Tales from the End Book 1.5

The Horsemen
L.A.’s mayor has declared quarantine to try to halt the spread of the Infection. Pearl sets off across the city to buy supplies, but already the world is changing. Something strange is in the air. The Horsemen are coming …Veronica
When Veronica’s mother doesn’t come home from work and no one answers the phone when she calls for help, a nine-year-old girl is thrown into the chaos of a world coming to an end. Veronica decides it’s up to her to find her family. “Veronica” is the story of a little girl’s courage in the face of the end of all things.“I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud”
They called her Shadowfax– the mare Carly and Justin found on their travels. But before she was found by Carly, the retired dressage horse was known as Cloud. An unusual tale of the end, told through the eyes of a confused and lonely horse, left in her pasture.Birthday
(A previously-published bonus story.) Carly knows Justin has never celebrated his birthday, and after society crumbled, no one knows what date it is, anyway. But she wants to do something special for him. Celebrating the little things helps them keep hope alive, and as a blizzard rages outside, a small gesture of love warms their home.

Tales of courage, tales of survival… Tales from the End.

Ω

The Land of The Shadow Book 2

After surviving the Infection and a perilous journey through the wasteland that was once the United States, Carly and Justin have found a safe home in the isolated town of Colby.Even so, balancing the duties of survival and a growing family isn’t easy. As they emerge as leaders, they face difficult questions about justice in a lawless land, basic human rights, and freedom in a world where strength defines worth. More than ever, they have to rely on one another for strength and support during the darkest of times.

The Crisis is far from over. Their fences won’t keep the world out forever, and a new threat is emerging—a gang of predators who see the town as easy pickings. When danger looms over Colby, Carly must decide how far she’ll go to protect those she loves.

It’s a journey down the long and broken road through The Land of the Shadow.

Cover Reveal: Truth in Watercolors by Kimberly Rose

Look at this gorgeous cover for TRUTH IN WATERCOLORS by Kimberly Rose! Check out the excerpt below and don’t forget to add it to your TBR!

Title: Truth in Watercolors (Truth #2)

Author: Kimberly Rose

Age: NA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: May 2015

Designer by: Amber Shaw at Book Beautiful

Goodreads

Blurb:

Truth, I hide.

Truth, you seek.

Truth, I confess.

Truth, you leave.

She never meant to let anyone in, least of all him. Now that she has, she is forever changed. Capri sees her life one way. Dull.  She’s learned to dim and fade into the world around her. Until the day she agreed to more time with him.

Shrouding himself in a carefully constructed shield of humor and vibrant charm, Wes has effectively kept everyone out for most of his life. He’s successfully hidden the truth about who he really is, but then she agreed to more time with him.

Lines become crossed and reconstructed. Secrets are revealed, and infatuation is born. Will their connection be enough to paint themselves new, or will the truths of their lives be too stained to overcome.

EXCERPT:

“What are you doing?” I asked him, embarrassingly close to a pant.

“I’m giving you your first tattoo.” He smirked up at me. “If you’re down?”

“Yes.” I immediately replied. So, way, way down.

Wes laughed easily. “Okay. Hold still.” My eyes followed the dip of two of his fingers into the rich texture of the paint. The drag of the liquid clinging to his fingers when he pulled them out kept him connected to the pigment.

“You’re using your fingers?” I squeaked.

Wes gulped heavily and nodded his answer.

I looked up towards the ceiling of the gym focusing on the inhale and exhale of my breath. The nerves within me flickered irregularly and buzzed with the lights above me. I tugged my eyes closed, too overwhelmed to see.

Cold fingers met my bare hip bringing an instant stillness to my breath. They smeared in soft delicate circles across my waist gently kneading into my skin. My whole body tightened grasping onto itself.

“I’ll never forget,” The rumble of Wes’ voice brought me back. “That day you came in from painting out in the rain.” He looked at me from under his thick lashes. He took his fingers from my skin to dip them into another can of paint. I missed his touch immediately. “Do you remember that?”

“Yeah.” I whispered, shocked that he did too. I’ve never forgotten that night, and I imagine I never will…

After the ceremony I sat in my room at my easel attempting to release my revulsion of life’s cruelty. Only, the amount of water I kept adding to the paint wasn’t enough. The pigment didn’t bleed with the same ruthlessness it did within me. When the thunder sounded from outside my window, I’d grabbed my easel, brush, and paints, and fled to the back yard to drown in the freak thunderstorm.

“I needed more water.”

Wes’ cool touch melted into my warm skin again. My breath shuttered and the sensitivity of the place he grazed just inside my hipbone. “You were so beautiful that night.” His fingers moved in a patting rhythm back towards my side. “Your shirt was so soaked it clung to you. Especially this spot right here.” His fingers were replaced with his entire hand in one smooth motion. With my hip cradled in his hand, his fingers curled into me. I instinctively arched into his touch.

“I was a mess.” I breathed out in between obvious panting. So freakin’ obvious.

“You were so fuckin’ sexy. With paint smeared up here.” Wes touched me under my shoulder and ran a thick bead of paint up my shoulder blade to the base of my neck. My head fell to the side allowing his caress.

“And your hair was stuck across your face.” Wes hand moved up my neck until my jaw was cradled in it. I turned my head to look into his eyes. I saw the heat in them fall beneath his eyelids when they closed.

“You wanted me?” I whispered.

“Fuck, I’ve always wanted you Capri.” With his confession my eyes closed tightly, relishing his words.

Also check out:

Title: Truth in Wildflowers (Truth #1)

Author: Kimberly Rose

Age: NA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: October 2014

Goodreads

Amazon | BN | Kobo | iTunes

Blurb:

Truth, love finds you.
Truth, love leads you.
Truth, love heals you.
Truth, love breaks you.

For college student Kensie, finding love hasn’t been easy. With a father she’s estranged from she finds it difficult to trust men, and with a past she’s ashamed of she is unable to trust herself. Kensie feels irrevocably stagnant with an unending desire to move. That is, until she meets August, and her life is set into motion.

After a tragic accident, August gave up on living. A captive to his guilt, he is unable to move on from his past. Then he finds a reason in Kensie. She awakes every dormant fiber of his being, but will she want him once she discovers he is everything she fears most?

Can Kensie let herself love August, or will the truth destroy her?

About the Author:

Kimberly Rose is a wife, mom, and writer. She found her love of writing in her teens pouring out an angst-ridden heart into journals. Kimberly self published her first book, Truth in Wildflowers, in 2014. She currently lives in Honolulu, Hawaii with her husband and daughter.

Kimberly loves connecting with other authors, readers, and bloggers. You can find her at authorkimberlyrose.wordpress.com, Facebook, authorkrose@yahoo.com, or a Starbucks.

YA Spring Fling

From March 20^th to April 3^rd, over 70 authors come together to give away hundreds of books. The YA Spring Fling is an opportunity for readers to find new books, new authors and take part in something very special. Here is a sneak peek of some of the books involved in the giveaway.

All are featured in the YA Spring Fling giveaway. Click here to win free books!

Strikers by Ann Christy

 

One hundred and twelve years after the fall, the Republic of Texas is built on two foundations: total freedom and total responsibility. A law broken means a strike against the lawbreaker. Five strikes means execution. The only hope for the law breaker is to escape Texas—to go Striker—before justice comes for them. Now, it’s Karas and friends who must Strike or die.

Find out more

About Ann

Bristles by Donna Callea

Humiliated, subjugated and dubbed Bristles by her stepmother, Bryssa yearns to be free. But fleeing the dystopian city-state of Erba to seek her late mother’s magical homeland means leaving behind the boy who loves her, bristles and all.  And returning means putting everything she’s gained at risk.

Find out more

About Donna

Outage by Ellisa Barr

After a terrorist attack destroys the U.S.’s power and communication grids, 15-year-old Dee must learn to survive despite disease, lawlessness, and the end of the world as she knows it.  Written for all fans who love apocalypse stories, Outage mixes useful survival tips with an action-packed story.

Find out more

About Ellisa

Meritropolis by Joel Ohman

In Meritropolis everyone is assigned a numerical Score that decides their worth to society and whether they live or die. After a young boy is killed because of a low Score, his brother plots to take down the System.

Find out more

About Joel

The Breeders by Katie French

Sixteen-year-old Riley Meemick is one of the world’s last free girls. When Riley was born, her mother escaped the Breeders, the group of doctors using cruel experiments to bolster the dwindling human race. Now they’re hunting Riley.

Find out more

About Katie

Helia’s Shadow by KC Neal

When the aliens arrived, they were hailed as the saviors of a dying Earth and dwindling human race. But the aliens didn’t come to help. Now, one human girl’s ingenious invention and one alien boy’s awakened heart are humanity’s last hope.

Find out more

About KC

Daynight by Megan Thomason

 

Meet The Second Chance Institute: Earth’s benevolent non-profit by day, Thera’s totalitarian regime by night. Optioned for film; award-winning, bestseller. “Sure to win over YA readers looking for a dangerous, dystopian adventure story.”–Kirkus Reviews

Find out more

About Megan

Contributor, Infiltrator and Instigator by Nicole Ciacchella

 

When 17-year-old Dara learns she’s been chosen for an elite apprenticeship, she’s thrilled at the chance to prove herself. Until she realizes a horrible truth: once you’ve outlived your usefulness as a Contributor, you’re discarded.

Find out more

About Nicole

The Blemished: Complete Boxed Set by Sarah Dalton

A beautiful world comes at a price…

The Blemished is a frightening take on a fractured future where the Genetic Enhancement Ministry have taken control of Britain. It will take you on a ride filled with adventure, romance and rebellion.

Find out more

About Sarah

Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramer

Abby is looking forward to watching the moon turn purple, unaware that bacteria from a passing comet will soon kill off older teens and adults. She must help her brother and baby sister survive in this new world, but all the while she has a ticking time bomb inside of her–adolescence.

Find out more

About Scott

Outside by Shalini Boland

 

A post-apocalyptic romance thriller.

The world of the future is divided by Perimeters: high-security gated communities where life goes on as normal. If you’re inside you’re lucky, if you’re outside life expectancy takes a nose dive.

Find out more

About Shalini

The City Center by Simone Pond

 

Book one kicks off Ava’s journey as she fights for independence from her nemesis, Chief Morray, the tyrannical leader of multiple city centers that breed and control human life.

Find out more

About Simone

The Plantation Series: Books 1-3 by Stella Samiotou Fitzsimmons

In a world come to an end, one girl and one ragtag group of teen slaves find each other in the dark woods. They plan to make a stand.

Find out more

About Stella

The Engine Driver by Tracy Marchini

 

Sixteen-year-old Brig has never been allowed to hear a sad song in her entire life.

Like everyone else in her community, the personal Playlist Treatment Plan that plays in her head is designed to control her emotions – from when she’s happy or sad, to when she falls in love. But for Brig, who suffers from depression, a song in a minor key will never be played.

When her friend, Annaby, is chosen to go to Musician’s School and is given a Permit to Carry a musical instrument, Brig knows that she has just this one chance to hear a sad song, a love song – or a song that matches what her depression feels like, instead of what her feelings should be.

Find out more

About Tracy

The Torturer’s Daughter by Zoe Cannon

Becca has never questioned what she’s learned in Citizenship class: dissidents want to tear the country apart, and people like her mother are the only thing keeping them at bay. Until her mother executes Becca’s best friend’s parents as dissidents, and Becca learns a secret that changes everything….

Find out more

About Zoe

Qualify: The Atlantis Grail, Book One by Vera Nazarian

 

In 2047 an asteroid is hurtling toward Earth, and the descendants of ancient Atlantis have returned from the stars to offer humanity help. But they can only save a tiny percent of Earth’s teen population. To be chosen, you must Qualify, or you die. Sixteen-year-old Gwen Lark is a klutzy nerd but determined to Qualify and rescue her entire family by competing in the brutal Games of the Atlantis Grail — against impossible global competition—including sexy Logan Sangre. A high-octane dystopian SF teen adventure.

Find out more

About Vera

Q & A with the organiser – Sarah Dalton

 

How can readers enter the YA Spring Fling giveaway?

 

Head over to my website Sarahdaltonbooks.com and find the page for the YA Spring Fling (handy hint, it’s HERE). Once you’re there you can browse through the books on offer, or check out more information about the participating authors.

You should see plenty of links prompting you to enter the giveaway. Simply fill out the Google document telling us which books you’d like to win, the format you prefer, and whether you would also like to win paperbacks and swag. It’s that simple. Pick the books you want and sign off.

How will I know I’ve won?

 

There are so many books on offer that I’d be surprised if you didn’t win something! So you will be hearing from us. J

After April 3^rd, I will collate all the entries and pass them on to the participating authors. They will then choose the winners at random and Email the winners to let them know the good news.

Will my Email or personal details be used outside the giveaway?

 

Absolutely not. We’re all against spam and promise not to use your Email for anything other than contacting you as a winner. If you joined up to the YA Spring Fling mailing list you will receive one Email telling you the giveaway is open, and another warning you it is about to close. That’s it!

Is the giveaway open internationally?

 

Yes! But there are some paperbacks on offer that are region specific. Not all of our authors are sending paperbacks and swag internationally, purely because it costs us so much money and we ain’t made of it. 😉

We will ask for your country of residence in the Google document. That’s so we can work out the winners for region specific paperbacks more easily. Everything else is open internationally.

I have a question, who can I contact?

 

Me! Send me a message on Facebook. My Email might be clogged by answering author queries, so Facebook might be the easiest method.

Who can I tell about the giveaway? And what can I do to help spread the word?

 

You can tell everyone and anyone who might like YA books. If you’d like to spread the word it would be awesome if you could follow or like some of the authors and share their posts about the giveaway. You can find a full list of the participating authors and their social media links here.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! MAY YOU WIN MANY BOOKS!

https://www.facebook.com/sarahdaltonbooks

http://www.sarahdaltonbooks.com/

https://twitter.com/sarahdalton