Feature and Follow

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop that is designed to provide some much-appreciated exposure to the bloggers participating, and to expand their following. Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each of whom feature a chosen blog for the week, it's an interesting way to get to know one another.

If you would like to follow me, you can do so by GFC, Twitter or Linky .

I also make sure to go back and follow everyone that comments and I try to always follow twitter along with GFC/Linky. So if you have a twitter that is not on your page for some reason leave it in the comments and I will follow you that way too!

 Q: Confess your blogger sins! Is there anything as a newbie blogger that you've done, that as you gained more experience you were like -- oops?

Well I've made it through my first year of blogging and to be honest I didn't expect all the crazy personal stuff that happened to me to happen. So I felt like there were times when I just couldn't keep up but that's life. So I had a period where I didn't really get reviews up when I wanted to. I still have a bunch sitting in word files.

I'm terrible with email, I think that's my biggest sin. I haven't had a chance to really even read all of them.

Cover Reveal: Wait for You by Jennifer

What do early readers have to say about WAIT FOR YOU?
 
“J. Lynn creates a wonderful cast of characters that will make you laugh, swoon, and cry. Cam stole my heart.” – Cora Carmack, NYTimes and USA TODAY Bestselling Author of LOSING IT
 
“For the love of all that is Cameron without a shirt on! Wait for You will have you laughing out loud, fanning yourself and anxiously waiting to know what will happen next.” – Molly McAdams, NYTimes and USA TODAY Bestselling Author of FROM ASHES and TAKING CHANCES
 
“For the love of all things CAM, this book deserves more than 5 stars.” – Mundie Moms
 
“I cannot even begin to explain how much I adored this perfectly crafted contemporary.” – Shortie Says

 

Excited? Ready to see the cover for WAIT FOR YOU?

 

 
 
Synopsis
 
Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.
 
Some things are worth experiencing…
 
Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…

 

WAIT FOR YOU is available now!




J. Lynn, also known as Jennifer L. Armentrout, is the USA TODAY Bestselling author of the adult romance Gamble Brothers’ series, the young adult Lux Series and award winning Covenant Series. She pretty much writes everything—contemporary, paranormal, and fantasy. All of her books have one thing in common no matter the name or genre: kissing… and stuff. When she’s not busy writing, which is never, she’s usually hanging out with dog Loki, watching reruns of The Walking Dead, or procrastinating on the Internet. You can find out more about Jennifer by visiting the following websites:

Twitter / Facebook / Website

Cover Reveal: Emancipating Andie by Priscilla Glenn




Title: Emancipating Andie
Author: Priscilla Glenn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Cover Designer: Okay Creations
Expected release: March 2013
Links to find the book: Goodreads / Facebook

Book Description

Ever since the one time Andie Weber threw caution to the wind - and paid the price for it - she’s learned that it’s safer and smarter to live life playing by the rules. Now she’s got a great apartment, a steady job, and a wonderful boyfriend in Colin; he’s sweet, stable, and essentially perfect – except maybe for the fact that his best friend is Chase.

Chase McGuire lives his carefree, unstructured life strictly for himself. Dripping sarcasm and oozing wit, he refuses to censor his feelings or opinions for anyone, making no apologies for either and wearing his abrasiveness like a badge of honor. No one has ever gotten under Andie’s skin the way Chase does – and vice versa.

So when Andie and Chase find themselves forced to take a two-day road trip together, they are already dreading an inevitable all-out war. But as the trip progresses, and the undeniable friction that has always defined their relationship slowly begins to wear away their preconceived notions of each other, Andie and Chase discover they both have a lot to learn about life, courage, happiness, and the age-old battle between logic and love.


About the Author

Priscilla Glenn lives in New York with her husband and three children. She has been teaching English Language Arts at the middle and high school levels for the past eleven years while moonlighting as a writer, mommy, coach, student, and professional laundry-doer.

If you catch her when she's feeling sophisticated, she'll tell you her favorite things are great books and good wine. In the moments in between, she'll admit her love for anything Ben and Jerry's, UFC fights, and Robert Pattinson.

Glenn is also the author of the contemporary romance/YA crossover BACK TO YOU.





Early Review: Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Title: Apollyon
Series: Covenant #4
Author: Jennifer Armentrout
Author Info: Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook
Pub Date: April, 9 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Format: ARC
Pages: 360
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary:

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.


Review:

This was a solid book four for this series (well kind of 5 if you count Daimon). This wasn’t as fast paced and action packed as Deity but there was a lot of story and character development that needed to happen in this book. It picks up where Elixir leaves off and we still find Alex under the influence of Seth. In fact there was definitely moments where I thought in my head, if she calls him “my Seth” one more time I’m going to climb into the book and deck. She actually addresses this a little bit later but it was pretty funny. There was no point that I was bored or didn’t feel like things were moving fast enough and this book has swoon worthy moments all over it. So you can definitely get your dose of some Aiden love in it.

Aiden and Alex’s relationship is sweet and has the love conquers all theme to it. I like it and the way that they keep one another on their toes. It’s the kind that makes you smile every time you read a part with it in there. Even when Alex is threatening to murder Aiden and his entire family his dedication to her and belief in her is remarkable. How can you not love the guy?
Alex keeps her bad ass attitude, whether she is psychotic Alex or regular Alex. As much as she drove me crazy when she was connected to Seth, she was kind of entertaining that way. You never knew what to expect from her and what she would do.

There are many things that are revealed in this book, especially about the Gods. I think also you can see how enemies become friends since the world is going to hell in a hand basket. We also have some more interaction with some of the Gods we had yet to encounter in the previous books. We also find out who is behind have two apollyons and to be honest I was not surprised. Although there is a twist that goes along with it that I did not expect.
We also get some change in scenery and which includes a little trip to the underworld. As soon as they made the plans I got excited. I’m not sure what is with me and the Underworld but I think there are so many adventurous things you can do with it. Which Jennifer definitely does. I actually finished reading the book and looked at my husband and told him if I die to make sure I have money with me just to be on the safe side. I don’t want to be stuck in the Underworld version of purgatory. You can tell though that’s how involved in the plot I was.

I loved the little bit about a familiar book Lea was reading. I’ll give you a hint, it involved sexy aliens.

You can tell that this book was the intermission before the big explosion that will be Sentinel. I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to wait to get my hands on it. There are going to be no advanced copies so we will all enjoy its wonderfulness together.

I highly highly recommend this series, especially if you are already a Jennifer L. Armentrout fan. I am always torn between as to if I like this series or the Lux series better, but I have to say after these last couple of books, it’s really not much of a competition anymore.

YA Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Title: Across the Universe
Series: Across the Universe #1
Author: Beth Revis
Author Info: Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook
Pub Date: Jan. 11, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 398
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.


Review:

49 years and 266 days left on the ship, my first thought is everything has to happen in this confined space there is no way to get off. Across the Universe is as much as a murder mystery as it is YA romance. At first I thought it started out a little slow but I think that was simply because I was anxious for Amy to make her real appearance in the book. The Sci-fi nerd in me was hooked from the first chapter where they are freezing people to send them out on this mission.

This is a dual POV from both Elder and Amy. I found it appropriate and well done, Elder seemed like a boy to me (which he is) and I didn’t find him come off with feminine voice at all. I think it’s hard to write for another gender. I really liked Elder, there was something about his character, strong but flawed…curious for the truth but also naïve. His whole existence is this ship where all the people pretty much act like Zombies and look the same. With the exception of the “crazies”, sometimes I would get frustrated with him because I figured things out before he did. I wanted to yell connect the dots Elder connect that dots but I would have to think about the fact that this life is the only thing he is known. Why would he doubt it?

Amy is definitely a hot head, when we meet her in the first chapter I thought of her as a whinny immature kid. It’s interesting how she changes after she is unfrozen; I think the circumstances of her predicament add to that. She is different from everyone else on the ship, she knows that information they are getting is false. She knows what Sol-Earth was really like. I think if I was stuck in her situation I might go a little stir crazy myself. She thinks she needs her parents but she finds she is stronger than she thinks.

It had a good set of side characters, even the ones I didn’t really like. Harley of course, he seems the most normal and most crazy at the same time. I do admit Orion, Eldest and Doc are all really creepy but they are definitely essential to the story.

I liked the plot and the idea that this ship is flying centuries to get to some planet that may or may not be habitable. There are a ton of things revealed and I definitely do not want to give them all away. It’s part of the mystery of the book. Most of things I spotted and there a things I still have questions about but this is only book one. So there is still plenty to learn I’m sure. There was one thing that happened at the end that I was completely surprised by, I didn’t even think of it as a possibility and I’m not sure why.

This is definitely a sci-fi lover’s book, which I am. If you are looking for something different then your vampires, werewolves and angels oh my, then I definitely suggest this series.

Feature and Follow


Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop that is designed to provide some much-appreciated exposure to the bloggers participating, and to expand their following. Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each of whom feature a chosen blog for the week, it's an interesting way to get to know one another.

If you would like to follow me, you can do so by GFC, Twitter or Linky .

I also make sure to go back and follow everyone that comments and I try to always follow twitter along with GFC/Linky. So if you have a twitter that is not on your page for some reason leave it in the comments and I will follow you that way too!


Q: We always talk about books that WE want. Let's turn it on its head. What books have you given other people lately?

My kids love books but I don't know if I count those. My 1 year old daughter always has her face in some kind of book.

I'm really the only big reader in my family so I can't say I buy anyone novels. The last book I bought for someone else was the WWE encyclopedia for my husband. I've also bought him various sports books and music encyclopedias. That's pretty much what he reads. It's strange because he is a writer as a profession but hardly ever reads.

My mom likes things like Anne Rice but she doesn't really read as much anymore I don't think. Although she likes mystery novels and sci-fi usually.

My dad is one of those people that can read something and recite it back to you word for word weeks later. I don't even understand how smart he is sometimes. He pulls dates of events and things out of thin air sometimes.

My brother reads history books, mostly art of war stuff. I found some encyclopedia of War stuff in his bathroom once. I'm like really....this instead of a magazine?

My other two brothers don't read.

So that's probably TMI on my family reading habits but hey.

YA Review: Perception by Lee Strauss


Title: Perception
Series: Perception #1
Author: Lee Strauss
Author Info: Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook
Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2012
Publisher: ESB Publishing
Format: ebook
Pages: 234
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary:

Eternal Life is To Die For.

Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along-side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.

Her brother Liam is missing.

Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically.

Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn. She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.

PERCEPTION is a (SF/mystery/romance) Young Adult novel that takes place in the not-too-distant future in a world changed by climate extremes, natural disasters and impending wars, and where scientific breakthroughs cause class divisions—both financially and philosophically. It explores the clash between faith and science and how differences can separate us as enemies or ally us together. And in some cases, even in the midst of betrayal and personal crisis, there’s room to fall in love.

This is the first book in a series.


Review:

This book is just the way I like my sci-fi, crazy tech gadgets and I dose of mystery. The world created in Perception is actually infused with our present day. Zoe herself is a GAP, a genetically altered person, who lives in Sol City. A community strictly for the GAPs and a “natural” is only allowed to enter if they are a laborer for a GAP. It’s a protective bubble for people who live hundreds of years.

I enjoyed the interesting tech involved. They speak to one another using a com ring, and with a tap of your finger you can dial up anyone you want. Of course it’s kind of like Skype you walk around with. Don’t worry you can turn off the video function if you don’t want someone to see you. You’ve got your futuristic modes of transportation (cars that can be programmed to not leave the city like Zoe’s), pay for things with a swipe of your wrist (chip implant) and crazy giant monitors that can shuffle images like a PowerPoint.

I like Zoe’s character, her brother goes missing and rather than waiting around to find out what happens she takes action. I also like the fact that she has a boyfriend in the book. It takes away that naïveness that comes sometimes with a character who has never been in love before. She is brave and although the people of Sol City are not locked in. They actually can go in out of the city anytime they want; the outside is a scary world to a young girl. Hey I don’t think I want to be walking around LA at night now by myself either. She sucks it up though and goes on a fact finding mission. She ends up enlisting the help of a “natural” boy named Noah.

Noah is another character I really liked. He is fierce, strong and clever. His early interactions with Zoe are cute; especially when he finds out she has a boyfriend. Noah not only is an outsider but he believes in God rather than Science. He doesn’t believe we should be messing around with genetics. This causes some interesting arguments between the two of them. It’s like Lee has created Noah to be the devil’s advocate. The best part is that Zoe and him find a way to agree that they disagree. They don’t change who they are for one another they grow together. Their who love story is just very sweet.

It’s was a great plot, I found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it, anxious to get back to it. It turns into not just being a mystery about Zoe’s brother but questions about morality of scientific advancement. How much is too much and how far are people willing to go to live forever. There are so many things uncovered as we move throughout the book. There is plenty of twist to keep your mind occupied. I started to read the preview for Volition and I decided I couldn’t do it; I would want to keep going. It was fast moving and I found it to be well written. About 161 pages in we switch POVs and at first I was like whoa I don’t think I’m going to like this, but it was done really well. I was impressed with how flawless it was and really essential too. The rest of the story had to be told from Noah’s perspective it was the only it would make sense.

I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited for the next installment!

Februrary Kindle Fire HD Giveaway



Kindle Fire HD Giveaway!



The winner will have the option of receiving a Kindle Fire HD (US Only)





Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)





Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)









This giveaway is sponsored by these Authors:





The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson





One Classic Latin Lover, PleaseThe Reluctant BacheloretteBetrayal (Wounded Heroes, #3)Bellyache: A Delicious Tale
Ethan Justice: OriginsI Have PeopleFor What It's WorthA Kiss of Ashen Twilight (Ashen Twilight #1)The Unraveling (Sage Seed Chronicles, #3)Fateful (Fateful, #1)
Dracian Legacy (Dracian, # 1)Cascade Brides: The Complete SeriesA World ApartReality Bites: Tales of a Half-VampireFace-Off (Book One)Two EqualsThe Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw (Morgan Sisters, #1)One for KamiFreak of NatureGrace DollThe Secret of the Scarlet Stone (Gabby Girls Adventure, #1)Gallagher's Hope (Gallagher, #2)The Spy LoverPRIZE-WINNING PACIFIC STORIES  (SPECIAL EDITION, BOXED SET VOL I-III)RejectedRapunzel UntangledA Hard Act to FollowStarseed



Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (Internaitonal).

Ends 2/28/13



Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway





Feature & Follow

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop that is designed to provide some much-appreciated exposure to the bloggers participating, and to expand their following. Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each of whom feature a chosen blog for the week, it's an interesting way to get to know one another.

If you would like to follow me, you can do so by GFC, Twitter or Linky (right).

I also make sure to go back and follow everyone that comments and I try to always follow twitter along with GFC/Linky. So if you have a twitter that is not on your page for some reason leave it in the comments and I will follow you that way too!


Q: Write a letter to your favorite character. Rant, rave or gush…just pretend like they are real and you just want to let them know a "few things". - Activity courtesy of author, Kelly Walker

Dear Elizabeth,

I just want to say first of all you rock. Really though, it took you that long to come around to Mr. Darcy, couldn't you see how enamoured he was with you. Then you were flirting with that other idiot. Since you ended up together in the end I guess I forgive you.

Thanks,
Jen

Book Haul: Sunday Post


Hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
 
Another crazy week for me, my dad ended up in the hospital again with a blod clot in his lung. I'm thinking if we can make it through this week without anyone ending in the hospital it will be good week. We also had our CO detector malfunction so we got to be the people with the Fire Department at our house so our neighbors can wonder what the heck we did. So needless to say I find myself exhausted and a tad bit on the spending side. I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to put myself on a book buying freeze. I can't even remember what book I just bought from B&N and I'm dead serious. Although I can tell you I will make an exception for Sever.

Before I get into books I wanted to share some really cool and funny Valentines with you. Since it is the season and all. I'm guessing these are not the ones I should be sending my pre-schooler to school with however. These fun Valentines were created by Yenniper. If you check out her page she also has some Harry Potter Valentines too. I can tell you my husband is going to be getting on of these in his work email....

So let the Valentine's Day Games Begin! (yay I'm cheesy)

On to other things. There is supposed to be big news about Divergent Book #3 tomorrow (Monday) and I think in my head...Finally! I've actually held off on book 2 since I know there is a cliffhanger. There was actually extra casting for the movie on Saturday as well and for some reason I couldn't muster up the energy to drive 45 minutes and go.

I did pick up some books this week, or I should say ordered from Amazon and BN.com (which I'm sure is why stores are closing).  I'm going to a book signing event on Wednesday and I'm really going to see Jennifer Rush because I enjoyed her debut Altered. The other authors that are going to be there are Julie Cross and Erica O'Rouke and it's not that I haven't wanted to read their books, they are just low on my TBR so I picked up the first book in their series to have signed. I'm probably going to read and love the books and wish that I had gotten all the books to have signed but those are the breaks sometimes. I've got to save my pennies for RT. So I bought Torn and Tempest. They were actually both bargain books on Amazon so I guess that worked out for me.


The other book I picked up was The Archived, people seem to be really excited about it and it sounded good to me.

I'm kind of in Sci-Fi reading phase right now. I can't seem to get enough of it. I even picked up a Dr. Who magnet when I was at Books-a-Million, which I didn't even realize that's what the store is. The space they are in is an old Walden bookstore (do people even remember Waldens) and I kept thinking, what kind of name is BAM for a bookstore. So this is my magnet.


The Blog has been slow this week. I did have a cover reveal. You can enter to win a 200 dollar giveaway.

Cover Reveal: Volition by Lee Strauss

Feature and Follow

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop that is designed to provide some much-appreciated exposure to the bloggers participating, and to expand their following. Hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each of whom feature a chosen blog for the week, it's an interesting way to get to know one another.

If you would like to follow me, you can do so by GFC, Twitter or Linky (right).

I also make sure to go back and follow everyone that comments and I try to always follow twitter along with GFC/Linky. So if you have a twitter that is not on your page for some reason leave it in the comments and I will follow you that way too!

Q: Happy Mardi Gras! If they were throwing the HOTTEST books off of a Mardi Gras float -- what would you do to have them throw to you…?

What would I do to get them thrown to me? I'm not sure there is much, since I don't personally stand out but maybe I would find a way to smuggle onto the float. Then snatch the books or lay down in the street in front of it and they would have to give me the books to just to get me out of the way, less annoying then calling security or police.