Saturday, June 27, 2015

The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass Book Review


Synopsis:

The highly anticipated conclusion to Kiera Cass's #1 New York Timesbestselling Selection series, The One will captivate readers who love dystopian YA fiction and fairy tales. The One is the perfect finale for fans who have followed America's whirlwind romance since it began--and a swoon-worthy read for teens who have devoured Veronica Roth'sDivergent, Ally Condie's Matched, or Lauren Oliver's Delirium.

The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen--and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series!

Goodreads:


There’ve been some misunderstandings about exactly how many books will be in the series, when they’re out, and what they even are. I try to keep people updated as best I can, so I’m making this post for reference. Hope this helps!

There will be, in total, five full-length novels in the Selection world:
The Selection (2012)
The Elite (2013)
The One (2014)
The Heir (2015)
The Untitled Fifth Book (2016)

The first three are from America’s perspective, and the final two are from her daughter, Eadlyn’s.

There will also be a companion to the Selection Series entitled Happily Ever After which will be out October 2015. The contents of Happily Ever After are as follows:
The Prince (with the two bonus chapters), Maxon’s novella
The Guard, Aspen’s novella
The Queen, Amberly’s novella
The Favorite, Marlee’s novella
Three scenes from Celeste’s POV
Lucy’s scene (bonus scene from The One)
The bonus epilogue
Where are they now?
A map
Various illustrations

These will be ALL the works I make related to the Selection world. I have plans for other books (including the totally revamped version of The Siren that will be out in early 2016) and some other things I’m playing with. So this isn’t the end of my books period… just the ones in Illéa. Feel free to leave questions, and I’ll try to make this post as complete as possible. Thanks!


The announcement has just been made! Here's the official word via Deadline.com:

"Warner Bros has won film rights to Kiera Cass’ global bestseller The Selection, the first of a five-novel series, and has set Black List scribe Katie Lovejoy to adapt it. DiNovi Pictures’ Denise DiNovi and Alison Greenspan are producing with Pouya Shahbazian. Lovejoy’s script The Arsonist Love Story made the 2010 Black List.

The book has sold 3.5 million copies worldwide, and two other volumes have been published. HarperTeen just made a two-book deal to continue the series, which is published in 32 languages. Described as The Hunger Games without the bloodshed, it follows 35 underprivileged girls who are chosen to compete to live in a life of luxury. The protagonist, America Singer, is sweet on a young man from her district, but when she’s exposed to the opulence of a royal life, she’s conflicted, even though a rebel uprising threatens the pampered.

As for Lovejoy, she recently developed a pilot for NBC, with Universal Television, Eva Longoria, and John Glenn producing. She previously wrote pilots for NBC, Bravo, and ABC and worked on the staff of the NBC series Dracula. She is repped by CAA and Myman Greenspan. Cass is repped by Red Tree Literary and New Leaf Literary & Media. Andy Fischel and Julia Spiro are overseeing for Warner Bros."

Sooooo, what are your thoughts on a possible Selection movie? I'm sure there will be lots of questions, and I'll try to get to those soon! Thanks for all your support, y'all! These things only happen because of you!

Review:

Lordy Lordy Lordy this review is so late but I am finally catching up and getting ready to read book four. I have to first say that this series is so kick butt I loved it it so much. At first I had my reservations about reading it but once I started reading it I could not put them down and read all three in a row and then I found out there were more books and I was excited because I needed to know what happened to the royals as well as the commoners.

America never imagined in her mind that she would be chosen for The Selection never mind thinking she would make it to the end and be one of the two ladies being chosen as the future Queen. America went through hell and back living in the castle away from her family and friends but she took it in stride and got to know Prince Maxon and began having feelings for him.

So when it was time for Prince Maxon to chose a wife she was shocked that right before the decision was made the Faction invaded the castle and started attacking the royals. America was worried sick about Max but she held on and kept thinking of good things and family and friends and how the selection was held. It seemed like days but only hours when she was able to be released from the secret room and reunited with her maids and Prince Max.

Prince Max having lost a lot of loved ones still needed to decide who his Queen was going to be and when he chose his Queen people were shocked. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat and then when I finished the book I cried. Great series to read and I can't wait to read book four The Heir. 


I am a graduate of Radford University with a B.S. in History. I grew up in South Carolina and currently live in Christiansburg, Virginia with my electrical engineer hubby, car-obsessed son, and princess-loving daughter. I'm a #1 New York Times bestseller, woohoo! I'm also a valued customer at my local cupcake shop.

Things I hate:

When people fail to use turn signals, flying, salads.

Things I love:

Office supplies, boy bands, desserts.

100 Things I Love:

Being married. Cake. The smell of Autumn. Motherhood. Books. Elephants. Back rubs. On demand movies. Actually going out to movies. Faith. Cinnamon rolls. My family. Butterflies. When my kitchen is clean. Crayons. Pink. Tote bags. Dancing. Organizing via color coordination. That my wedding dress was tea length, not floor. Baking. My house. Writing utensils. Paper. India. The sound of water. Making videos. Buttons. The word Episcopalian. Making people laugh. Layering clothes. British accents. Pinterest. Animation. Fireworks. The smell of the Ocean. My wedding rings. Aprons. Reasons to get dressed up. Sex. Pop music. Stars. Taking walks. Daydreaming. Stickers. School Spirit. My friends. Living in a small town. Japan. Singing. Painting my toenails. Pranks/ practical jokes. Painting. Stretch canvas. Costumes. Dipping my fingers in melted wax. Style. Soda. Spending an hour typing at a coffee shop. Musicals. Back to school season. Mopeds. Good hair days. Naps. Not walking up but looking at a beautiful staircase. Driving alone. My ankles. Playlists. Spending entire days in pajamas. Holidays. Telling stories. Spontaneity. Theme parks. Bookshelves. The word copacetic. Boxes. Empty journals. Surprises. Doing things in groups. Doing things alone. Getting real mail. Decorating. Small forks. A good hug. Gift cards. New Years Goals. Going out to dinner. When someone else remembers some great story about me/us that I’ve forgotten. Toy stores. Fireplaces. Breakfast foods. Journaling. Crying for a good reason. Doorbells. Pointless adventures. Voting. My birthday. Reasons to make wishes. Recycling.

Pretty Little Killers: The Truth Behind the Savage Murder of Skylar Neese by Daleen Berry & Geoffrey C. Fuller Book Review


Synopsis:

In Pretty Little Killers, journalist Daleen Berry and investigator Geoffrey Fuller expand upon their New York Times bestselling ebook The Savage Murder of Skylar Neese to give you even more information behind one of the most horrific and shocking murders of our time. Including over 100 pages of new material, Pretty Little Killers shares the latest theories and answers the questions that have left many people baffled.

After killer Shelia Eddy pled guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison and Rachel Shoaf was sentenced to thirty years for second-degree murder, family, friends, investigators, and other key sources reveal the facts you would have learned if the case had gone to trial.

Including specific details drawn from Rachel’s confession, Pretty Little Killers looks at the crime through the eyes of the victim and killers, providing intimate testimony from the pages of Rachel’s personal journal, Skylar’s diary and school papers, and court records.

Berry and Fuller examine all this, including previously unreported details about Rachel and Shelia’s rumored lesbian relationship and explain why more than one investigator believes Skylar’s murder was a thrill kill.

Most important, Pretty Little Killers provides a satisfying answer to Skylar’s final question: “Why?”

Goodreads:

Purchase Link:

Review:

This book will scare every parent who has teenagers. I first watched the Dateline program about this story and I was in so much shock that I had to order the book and read the story to find out what really happened to Skylar Neese. After reading about Skylar I could not believe that best friends could act like that towards one another. I mean best friends fight and argue but they don't kill for no reason.

Skylar, Shelia, and Rachel all became best friends and did everything together. Then they started to fight and argue more frequently and Sheila and Rachel decided to kill Skylar. According to Rachel she said they killed her because they did not like her anymore and everyone has said there was more to it and eventually the truth will come out.

They took Skylar out for a ride and killed her and then returned home like nothing happened. Sheila was even so bold as to help Skylar's parents post pictures and flyers every where to find Skylar all the while Sheila knew she and Rachel had killed her and left her body for the animals to eat.

These girls received life in prison but people say that they needed to get the death penalty because they killed SKylar in cold blood and went on with their lives as normal as if nothing happened. The one thing the family of Skylar Neese wants to know is WHY why did they kill her. They were best friends and did everything together so why would they kill her. But the girls are not talking and refuse to say why other than they did not like her anymore.

This is a must read book for all parents to read because you truly never know who your child's best friend or friends really are. 


About The Author:

I've been a journalist for more than 20 years and made the New York Times bestseller list in 2014. I speak about social topics no one else likes to talk about, like murder-suicide and date rape, at conferences around the country. I've spoken at Johns Hopkins University; UC Berkeley, California; and was thrilled when I was invited to give aTEDx talk in 2013.

I love investigative reporting and am writing my fourth book, Pretty Little Killers, was released in July 2014.

My last book, The Savage Murder of Skylar Neese, with coauthor Geoff Fuller, was released in February 2014.

I was once an Associated Press stringer, in 1994, and West Virginia Public Radio aired my audio piece about the 2006 Sago Mine Disaster, which was pretty cool. When I have free time, I blog at my website, and contribute pieces to The Daily Beast and The Huffington Post.

I've won a few awards for my writing while reporting for and editing the following newspapers: The Cumberland Times-News; The Tracy Press; The Dominion Post; The Buckhannon Record Delta; The Kingsville Record; The Preston County Journal, and The Panther Press. 

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Lady Readers Bookstuff Presents The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer (Ruby Iyer #1) by Laxmi Hariharan Book Review


Synopsis:

A YA action-thriller, with strong dystopian undertones and a kickass protagonist, taking you on a white knuckle ride through a disintegrating Bombay City.

A terrifying encounter propels Ruby Iyer from her everyday commute into a battle for her own survival. Trusting her instincts, she fights for the things she believes in, led on a mysterious path between life and death on the crowded roads of Bombay; and when her best friend is kidnapped by the despotic Dr Braganza, she will do anything to rescue him. Anything, including taking the help of the sexy Vikram Roy, a cop-turned-rogue, on a mission to save Bombay. The city needs all the help it can get, and these two are the only thing standing between its total destruction by Dr Braganza's teen army. As Bombay falls apart, will Ruby be able to save her friend and the city? Will she finally discover her place in a city where she has never managed to fit in? And what about her growing feelings for Vikram?

The Origins of Ruby Iyer:

Growing up in Bombay I was weighed down by the expectations of traditional Indian society. Yet, I wanted to be economically independent. So, daily I would leave the relative safety of home, knowing that my commute to work was going to be nightmarish. It's just how public transport is in this city. When you get on a crowded local train platform, you accept that you are probably going to be felt up. Every time this happened to me, I would get really angry. But, I would deal with it and get on. When a young photojournalist was raped in the centre of Bombay in broad daylight, I was furious. It was as if nothing had changed in all the years I had been away. I had a vision of this young girl who would not back down anymore; who would stand up for herself regardless of the consequences. Who would follow her heart ... Thus Ruby Iyer was born. Ruby is her own person. She leads I follow.

Goodreads:

Review:

The Many Lives Of Ruby Iyer was a very interesting story. It is set in Bombay which is currently Mumbai and the descriptions were so vivid I could picture Mumbai in my head.

This the story about Ruby living in Mumbai and having to deal with things no woman should have to deal with. Her best friend is kidnapped and she decides to fight back by searching for her friend. Ruby is so determined to find out what happened to her friend and locate her friend she ends up befriending a cop gone rogue Vikram.

Vikram is trying to help Ruby because Dr Braganza is threatening Ruby so Vikram decides to help out. This is where the story begins and it is like the roller coaster ride and I could not get enough of this story. I was on the edge of my seat wanting and needing to know what happened at the end.

This is a MUST READ story for all mystery lovers!


A near life experience told me to write... I never stopped. 
Thanks to technology, you can constantly reinvent yourself in the space of a lifetime. 
These are my roles:


Shadowfie

I am the one time-trapped in that sixteen year old rebellious teen I was... 
But was born old, with an uncomfortable insight through which I purvey the world: I obsess often about why we do the things we do. Perhaps, that is why I created Ruby Iyer - she starts out terrified, but then chooses to live life on her own terms. 

The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer debuted #1 Hot New Release on Amazon in Asian Lit.


I also wrote The Destiny of Shaitan - #1 Bombay Chronicles. It went to #2 on the kindle epic fantasy charts, and won gold at the 2013 global eLit awards.


Obviously selfie obsessed:


Sunfie

I am a marketer: have worked with NBCUniversal and MTV 


Can't hide that wide grin 


More likely to be seen like this - a cigar smoking, befuddled writer.

I also blog for huffingtonpost.co.uk


#Holifie

Really though I just want to be like this #treeoflaxmi - Stay the path... 


I also help London Indian Film Festival, Europe's #1 Festival for Indian Independent Cinema


Reach me @laxmi or on my Facebook page

London is where I create. Bombay is what fires my imagination.

Download The Ruby Iyer Diaries (prequel) FREE on Amazon here

The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer (Book 1) is available here 

For sneak peeks into my new books & giveaways subscribe to my newsletter here

The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer - Chapter 1


Subscribe to my newsletter here and get a free copy of The Ruby Iyer Diaries

An angry young girl desperate to rescue her best friend. A sexy cop willing to do anything to save his city. A delusional doctor bent on annihilation. 

A terrifying encounter with a molester propels Ruby Iyer from her everyday commute into a battle for her own survival. Trusting her instincts, she fights for what she believes in, led on a mysterious path between life and death on the crowded roads of Bombay; and when her best friend is kidnapped by the despotic Dr Braganza, she will do anything to rescue him. Anything, including taking the help of the dangerous super cop Vikram Roy, on a mission to save Bombay. The city needs all the help it can get, and these two are the only thing standing between its total destruction by Dr Braganza's teen army. As Bombay falls apart, will Ruby be able to save her friend and the city? Will she finally discover her place in a city where she has never managed to fit in? And what about her growing feelings for Vikram?

The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer is a character driven, thriller-fantasy, with a kick-ass protagonist taking you on a white-knuckle ride, through a disintegrating Bombay city. It debuted at #1 Hot New Release on Amazon Asia Lit and is a finalist in the 9th Indie Excellence Awards.

Download The Ruby Iyer Diaries (prequel) FREE on Amazon here

For sneak peeks into my new books & latest in writing news subscribe to my newsletter here

CHAPTER ONE

I need to get the fuck out of here. Grasping the edge of the train platform, I scream with pain as my fingernails tear. A low rumbling, growing louder. The 8.05am to Churchgate blares its horn, coming straight at me.

I look for help, look up at my tormentor. When he stretches his hand I shrink away from his arousal.

Get the fuck out of here.

Red and blue sparks crackle. An open electricity wire dangles on the other side of the tracks. Heart pounding with panic I scream for help to the rush hour Bombay crowd. Nobody hears me.

I don’t have a choice.

I fling out an arm gone rigid with dread. My skin shrivels, as the hand that grabbed my crotch now clutches my wrist.

The Hand bends towards me and I shriek with terror. Of him.

He claws off my other palm still gripping the platform and jerks me up, high, almost eye level. I hang there suspended, swaying.

Heat from the train crashes over me.

Can’t. Breathe.

Then, I am flying through the dust, thrown free of the tracks.

"Don't go too far, little girl," my ma's voice taunts. "You don't know what demons are out there."

For more read The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer (Ruby Iyer #1) from Amazon US| Amazon UK| Amazon India| Amazon India Paperback | Flipkart 

Subscribe to my newsletter to find out about the release of The First Life of Vikram Roy (Ruby Iyer #3) & The Second Life of Ruby Iyer (Ruby Iyer #4)

Add Ruby on Goodreads.

Read The Ruby Iyer Diaries, (Ruby Iyer series prequel) FREE on AMAZON here

If Ruby intrigues you, then please do mention her to your friends :)

Thank you for reading Ruby’s story.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Around The World ARC Tour Presents All We Have Is Now by Lisa Schroeder


Synopsis:

What do you do with your last day on earth?

Just over twenty-four hours are left until an asteroid strikes North America, and for Emerson and everyone else who didn't leave, the world will end. But Emerson's world already ended when she ran away from home. Since then, she has lived on the streets, relying on her wits and on her friend Vince to help her find places to sleep and food to eat.

The city's quieter now that most people are gone, and no one seems to know what to do as the end approaches. But then Emerson and Vince meet Carl, who tells them he has been granting people's wishes -- and gives them his wallet full of money. 

Suddenly, this last day seems full of possibility. Emerson and Vince can grant a lot of wishes in one last day -- maybe even their own.

Goodreads:

Order from: Powells, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or your favorite bookstore.

Review:

All We Have Is Now is one of those stories that will stay with you for a long time. After reading it I had to sit there and think about How I would react and what would I do and who would I spend my last day with.

Emerson and her best friend Vince have 24 hours to live before an asteroid hits where they live. Everyone is getting out of there but Emerson convinces her best friend Vince to stay with her and survive the asteroid. Vince agrees to stay because he and Emerson both have one thing in common and that is that they are homeless and both have been together for a year and a half living on the street struggling to feed and cloth themselves and find shelter. So to them the asteroid means nothing.

Then Emerson and Vince are on the bridge where they meet a man named Carl. Carl claims to be granting wishes and Emerson and Vince both wish for money. Carl gives them a wallet full of money and tells them to pay it forward. Do they pay it forward or do they take the money for themselves? 

This is a must read book! It will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what happens in the end. 


Official Bio:

 Lisa Schroeder is the author of over a dozen books for kids and teens, including the YA novels I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME and THE BRIDGE FROM ME TO YOU and the middle grade novels IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES and MY SECRET GUIDE TO PARIS. She loves tea and cookies, flowers, family hikes, books and movies that make her laugh and cry, and sunshine. Living in Oregon, she doesn't get nearly enough sunshine, but the hikes are amazing. You can visit her online at www.lisaschroederbooks.com or on twitter at @lisa_schroeder.

twitter:

facebook:

tumblr:

instagram:
 lisaschroeder15

Commonly Asked Questions and Answers:


Where do you live? In a suburb outside Portland, Oregon

Are you married and do you have kids? Yes, I am married, and I have two sons. For safety reasons, I will not give out names or ages. Thanks for your understanding.

What books have you written? On the home page, you can find tabs with LOTS of information about the books I've written for both teens and kids, but I'll list them here too. Click on the links and you can order them from Powell's bookstore. They'll ship them right to you!

For ages 13 and up, I currently have six books published:








For ages 8-12, I have seven books published:









Do you have any pets? Yes, I have a sweet dog named Stormy (pictured here with me) and a cat named Sparkles.

Can you tell me your birth date for a report I'm doing or a competition I'm in? For authors who are living, I think we need to be careful about giving out too much personal information. Identity theft is real. But I understand some of you really need at least the year in order to use my books in interpretive competitions. So here is the year I was born: 1967. Thanks and good luck!!

I need some information for a report I'm doing on you at school. Can you tell me some interesting and fun stuff about yourself?

I graduated from Lebanon Union HS in Lebanon, Oregon. I went on to college at Oregon State University and majored in Business Administration. I received my degree, and then worked in the field of Human Resources for a number of years and just recently, quit my day job to be a full-time author. I love it, but it can be stressful not having a regular paycheck coming in, so we'll see how long that lasts. For now, I'm enjoying every minute of it!

Things I enjoy doing: walking my dog, watching movies, baking yummy things, reading, and traveling. I've only traveled around USA and to Canada, and dream of visiting France and Italy some day. If any French or Italian publishers are reading this, please, publish my books there!

My favorite movie is "The Sound of Music." My favorite band is Lifehouse. I love singer/songwriters and some of my favorites are Matt Nathanson, the Civil Wars, and Taylor Swift. I'm inspired all of the time by music, and can't imagine my life without it!

How long have you been writing? Why did you become an author?

I've been writing books since I was a young girl. I still have one I wrote and illustrated, called "The Lion's Valentine," that my grandma saved for over 30 years. She gave it to me when I told her I was writing books and trying to get them published. But I seriously started writing for kids in 2003. I sold my first picture book in 2005, and my first novel in 2007. I wrote a lot of bad stories and got a lot of rejections (like over 100) before I finally sold a book.

I wanted to become an author because I loved books when I was a kid, and books are one of my most favorite things. Between the pages of a book, we can visit new places, make new friends, and when we're having a hard time, perhaps feel a little less alone in the world.

Can you read a story I'm writing? I'm sorry, but I'm really busy. Occasionally I will help a student for a big senior project by providing feedback on a story and answering questions about being a writer. But it's incredibly time consuming and I can only do one per year. If you want feedback on your work, you might think about forming a critique group so you have a group of fellow writers who can give each other critiques.


Why does it take so long for a new book to come out? The publishing business is slow! I am a fairly fast writer, but once the book is done, there are still many rounds of edits working with the editor, someone has to design the interior of the book, someone else has to come up with the cover, they have to print galleys for review, and on and on.

What advice do you have for young writers?Mostly, it comes down to three things. Read a lot, write a lot, and don't give up!

If you want more specific advice, I wrote a blog post that gives my top ten things you should do if you want to write a novel. You can read it HERE.

Can you tell me anything else interesting about yourself? I'm so boring. Really. But here are some things I love: Pretty flowers. Cupcakes. Cute animals. Tea and cookies. Music. Summertime. Here are some things I hate: Mean people. Cleaning the house. Scary movies.

Did you like school? Most of the time, yes. Sorry for those of you who don't like it much. Get involved in something you enjoy is my best advice. And if you don't know what kinds of things you enjoy, try new things. I didn't know I liked theater or marching band until I decided to try them in middle school. And I had so much fun once I did!

Any books you can recommend on writing? Yes!

If you are a serious writer, you’d be wise to invest in a few books to help you with your craft. I’ve found the first three on the list to be invaluable. 
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass 
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books by Harold Underdown 
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King 
Picture Writing by Anastasia Suen 
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott 
Take Joy: A Book for Writers by Jane Yolen 
On Writing by Stephen King 

Happy reading and writing!

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Lady Reader Bookstuff Tours Presents Post-Traumatic Brazilian Wax Syndrome (Paperback) by Tamara Lyon

About The Book:

Post-Traumatic Brazilian Wax Syndrome By: Tamara Lyon Pages: 348 Published: May 29, 2015

Bristow Sparks, an interior designer in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, has just landed the contract of a lifetime, working for the Cherry Wyeland, volatile reality star and CEO of Wine-A-Lot. Designing for a crazy person is an around-the-clock commitment. It frays Bristow’s nerves and forces her to compromise in unimaginable ways, but, given that the finished product will be featured on The Decorating Network, she must succeed.

While her professional life is hot, her personal life is barely room temperature. After surviving the relentless media spotlight because of a personal tragedy and a traitorous ex-boyfriend, Bristow flies so far under the radar she can’t even be detected. A homebody to the core, she binges on episodes of the Showtime series, Dexter, lives in sweatpants, and is addicted to exercise and Oreos.

As for relationships? She has fallen hard and fast for witty and adventurous Jack Hoffmann. However, after their disastrous first date where Bristow collides with a park bench among other mortifying mishaps, they are unfortunately just friends. At least there’s one male sharing her bed, even if it’s only Vegas, her theatrical golden retriever.

For her twenty-ninth birthday, Bristow goes out of her comfort zone and gets a makeover at an elite spa. Post-Brazilian wax and in excruciating pain, Bristow realizes that she’s been in a post-traumatic state for years. She vows to start taking risks again. When she finally goes after what and whom she wants, no matter the cost, tragedy strikes again . . .
Purchase The Book:
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

Review:

Okay as most of you know I love a good book that makes me laugh and gets me frustrated all at the same time and this book did that for me. I loved it from the beginning to the end. I mean I laughed so hard at times I cried and my husband said what the heck is so funny so I asked him did he know what a Brazilian Wax was and he said no does it come Brazil? I laughed so hard I fell out of my chair and proceeded to tell him and show him on google what it was and his answer was holy hell I would never do that! Are these women crazy or what? Laughing I said women will do what they have to do to be beautiful.

This story is so much more than the was though and I loved all the characters because they fit in place and they all had their say and I loved that. You know sometimes some characters like the main ones get most of the book but this was equal and fun and I need to read another book by Tamara soon because lord she had me hooked and laughing and wanting to try a Brazilian Wax for myself but I decided HELL NO bush here we go!
Follow The Tour:
June 15thHeather Ann's Book Reviews – Review
June 16thJ & J Book Bangers – Review  
June 17thBookish Lifestyle – Review 
June 18thA Diary of A Book Addict – Review 
June 18thRoom With Books – Review 
June 19thLaura's Interests – Review/Top Ten
June 19thAll For The Love of the Word – Character Interview/Top Ten
June 19thBooks & Bling – Author Interview
June 19thThe Reader and The Chef – Review 
June 19thPixie Vixen Book Reviews – Review 
June 19thKaidans Seduction – Review/Guest Post
June 19thNicole Alamillo – Review
About The Author:

Post-Traumatic Brazilian Wax Syndrome is loosely inspired by an unfortunate, painful event that occurred three years ago and is critically acclaimed author Tamara Lyon’s sixth novel. Her previous works include The Ugly Tree series, a Flamingnet Top Choice Award winner, 2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist, Eric Hoffer Finalist, and Midwest Book Award Finalist. In 2010 her novel, Fixing Forever Broken, earned an IPPY Award for romance. Lyon has taken her recent books in a decidedly chick-lit direction and creates characters and stories that are refreshingly and humorously real. She makes her home in Wisconsin with her talented husband, cycling-superstar son, and counter-surfing golden retriever, Macy.
Social Media Links:
Giveaway:
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Giveaway image by Allison at The Reading Escape
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Monday, June 15, 2015

Around The World ARC Tours Presents Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky



Synopsis:

Follows a group of girls who, “accidentally kidnap their least-favorite member of their most favorite boy band."

Goodreads:

Review:

Okay I have to say that at first I was not going to read this book. To me it did not draw me in but I gave it a second chance and started reading and could not put it down. I was just laughing and thinking back to a time when I loved a band and went to see them and was in awe of them.

But this is a story about a bunch of girls who go a little to far and kidnap a band member only to realize they got the dorky one instead of the on they wanted. As they realize this they have to come up with a plan t get him back without getting in trouble.

What unfolds is such a hilarious story I could not stop laughing because lord some of the stuff they did was funny. So give this book a try and enjoy the ride of a lifetime.




Author Info TBA

Around The World ARC Tours Presents Play On (Lewis Creek #1) by Michelle Smith


Synopsis:

Baseball, family and breaking free from the confines of small town thinking — Play On is a Southern charmer with a lot of heart!" - Robin Constantine, author of The Promise of Amazing

In the small town of Lewis Creek, baseball is everything. Especially for all-star pitcher Austin Braxton, who has a one-way ticket out of town with his scholarship to a top university. All that stands between him and a new start is one final season. But when Austin starts flunking Chemistry, his picture-perfect future is in jeopardy. A failing grade means zero playing time, and zero playing time means no scholarship.

Enter Marisa Marlowe, the new girl in town who gets a job at his momma's flower shop. Not only is Marisa some home-schooled super-genius, she's also a baseball fanatic and more than willing to help Austin study. As the two grow closer, there's something about Marisa that makes Austin want more than just baseball and out of Lewis Creek--he wants a future with her. But Marisa has a past that still haunts her, one that she ran all the way to South Carolina to escape.

As Austin starts to peel back the layers of Marisa s pain, it forces him to look beyond the facade of himself and everyone he thought he knew in his town. What he sees instead is that in a small town like Lewis Creek, maybe baseball isn t everything--maybe it is just the thing that ties them all together." 

Goodreads:

Now available through: 


Review:

Play on is one of those books that will stay with you for a long time. 

I love small town stories. In Play On we get to see a whole town devoted to Baseball and the players. The better you are the quicker you can get out of town and play for the Majors.

We meet All Start Pitcher Austin Braxton. He eats, sleeps, and breaths baseball. He is in his senior year and guaranteed a college scholarship to play baseball but there is one thing standing in his way. His Chemistry class. He just can't get it and he is struggling and told if he can't pass it he will have no playing time which means no scholarship. 

That is when Austin remembers Marisa the new girl working for his mother. He asks her to help him out with his Chem class and she agrees. As they spend more time together Austin learns about himself and his town and Marisa comes face to face with her issues she ran from.

These two will have to help each other out and the only way to do that is to support each other. Can they do that??????? or will baseball be the one and only thing left for Austin.

ABOUT MICHELLE 

The unofficial version: I’m a YA writer, storyteller, book nerd, Southern girl, and Nerdfighter. I love baseball and football and Carolina nights. I fully believe that Friday Night Lights should be required viewing. Give me coffee and I’ll adore you forever. And don’t you dare come between me and my sugar stash. I can’t guarantee the safety of your fingers.

Crazy-stupid love makes my heart go pitter-patter. Country music makes me swoon. Mash ’em together, and you’ll get my books. (Except for that little Apocalyptic I wrote. You won’t find much southern romance there. ;) )

Mental health awareness is a passion of mine. My heart lies within a few amazing organizations, including To Write Love on Her Arms and The Trevor Project.

I’m represented by Lana Popovic of Chalberg & Sussman. Please direct all rights inquiries to her.

Welcome to my little corner of the internet!

~*o*~


Photo by Laura Stockdale

Michelle Smith was born and raised in North Carolina, where she developed a healthy appreciation for college football, sweet tea, front porches, and a well-placed “y’all.” She’s a lover of all things happy, laughs way too much, and fully believes that a little bit of kindness goes a long way.

Michelle lives near the Carolina coast with her family.

CONTACT 

Need to reach me? You make my heart happy! Send an email to MichelleSmithYA@gmail.com. No spam, please. Spam makes my heart sad.

I’m always on Twitter. Always.

I’m also on Tumblr.

Here’s my corner of Facebook.

Please direct all rights inquiries to my agent, Lana Popovic of Chalberg & Sussman.

Around The World ARC Tour Presents Sweet Temptation (The Sweet Trilogy #4) by Wendy Higgins



Synopsis:

Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it.

Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve.

Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart.

Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him.

Author Note:

Sweet Temptation will encompass the entire trilogy in a condensed version, beginning with Kai's life before he met Anna, and taking readers through the epilogue of Sweet Reckoning. Sweet Temptation is a companion novel, not meant to be a stand alone story. It will definitely be a richer experience for those who have read the original trilogy. 

Goodreads:

Please add Sweet Temptation on Goodreads!

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015 Posted By Wendy Higgins


You guys. YOU GUYS! I can't believe we're down to three more months! It feels like I've been waiting foreeeeeeverrrrrr to share Kaidan's story with you! I can't wait until he's in each of your hot little hands, hehe. :) :) Okay, before we get to the teaser I want to make sure you all know you can preorder signed copies ofSweet Temptation from my local bookstore! (Along with Sweet Evil, Sweet Peril, and Sweet Reckoning.)

Every Sweet book purchased from AFK Books will include a signed Sweet series bookmark, and every copy ofSweet Temptation will include a hott Kai button/pin! Unfortunately the store can only ship to U.S. addresses at this time, sorry to my Sweeties far and wide (but I think the Apollycon event in February 2016 will be taking international orders for signed books, so I will post details for that when it's time!)


Here's How to Order!

Call AFK Books & Records at (757)962-1996! They are super nice and they'll process everything over the telephone.

Sorry, but the store does not have a secure online ordering form at this time, so orders must be made via phone. You may request a personalization for the autographs when you call. Books are $9.99 each.

(Please note that if Sweet Temptation is part of your order, your order will not be shipped until after publication on September 8th, unless you want to pay more than one shipping fee of $4.99 USPS Priority Mail. You won't be billed until the order ships.)

U.S. mailing addresses only.

PREORDER LINKS!

Amazon/Kindle (paperback & ebook)

Barnes&Noble/Nook (paperback and ebook)

Kobo (ebook)

iTunes/iBooks (ebook)

Book Depository (paperback - free worldwide delivery for international readers!)

Review:

Kai... Kai... Kai.... Lordy Lordy a book told from your point of view had me on the edge of my seat drinking drinks and thinking holy hell thank God you are not real because women would be in a lot of trouble.

Man after reading this I have to give Wendy all the props in the world because I did not think the series could get any better that what it was. But Holy Holy hell Wendy sucks you right in from page one and keeps you going and wanting and needing more of Kai.

I have to say some of his actions and his thoughts were like holy hell is really thinking this??????????? But hey as the son of Lust they could have been worse thoughts and deeds. Deep down inside I think Kai knew he was different and things changed when he met Anna.

You know the saying sometimes lust can turn into love......... 


Last year when I wrote Sweet Temptation I wanted to highlight a "Now Playing on Kaidan's Playlist" song at the beginning of each chapter, seeing as how Kai Rowe is the drummer in a rock band, and his life & moods seem to revolve around music. I needed help finding plenty of Kai-inspired music and you guys came to the rescue! The majority of the songs featured in the book are reader-chosen and I can't thank you enough. Even my husband's suggestions made it into the lineup! :) It is my hopes that you will go out and buy these songs to support the artists. I just bought them all today, and I want to share the list with you. This list is in chronological order of when they appear in the book. It is subject to change in the last stages of editing (it's already had to change quite a bit from the tentative list I posted last year) but there's a good chance this will be the final list. Yay! I LOVE IT. The only song mentioned in the book that's not on the playlist is "Trouble" by Taylor Swift, because that song was being hummed by Anna, so it would be on her playlist, not Kai's. (And no, I haven't made an official playlist for Anna yet - sorry guys.)

Thanks again, sweeties!!! Much love and many hugs! Enjoy…





*Artist for Let It Rock is Kevin Rudolph


About The Author:

I wrote my first book when I was five, titled The Day the Whole Class got the Chickenpox and I even illustrated it myself with desks and stick-figure students. I made several copies and went door-to-door selling them to neighbors at $5 a pop. That's a high price, even by today's standards. Needless to say, when my mom found me rockin' twenty-five bucks, as proud as she may have been, she marched me back to the neighbors to return the money. I clearly remember my sense of happy accomplishment when one woman adamantly refused to take back the money. She said, "I want to be able to say I bought her very first book when she's a published author some day." Isn't it funny the things that stick with us through the years? I also recall a certain mean boy in my college writing classes who said every story I wrote was a cliché piece of crap. But let’s not dwell on him, because, truthfully, I kind of agreed with him. My stories were "Lifetime for Women-esque." I never thought of myself as intelligent enough or deep enough to write a book. It was the ultimate unattainable dream.

I dabbled in short stories and book ideas all throughout my school years, but stopped after college. I received a Bachelor's in Creative Writing from George Mason University, (even if it did take me seven years due to hairbrained ideas like "being a waitress for life" and "dropping out to become a flight attendant," which wasn't nearly as glamorous as you might think). Once I got my act together and met my hubby, I received my Masters in Education from Radford University and taught 9th and 12th grade English before settling down in Northern Virginia and becoming a "stay at home mom." I have a princess and a daredevil-the best of both worlds.

After three years of not teaching, I was missing those big lugs and drama queens. I felt disconnected from teens, an area where I'd been passionately drawn. But I also knew that staying home was what was best for my particular family. That's when the inspiration for my story hit me. "Hit" is probably too light a word. The idea for Sweet Evil bombarded me like a massive brain invasion. After not writing for eight years, I ended up writing the entire first draft, over 80,000 words, by hand, during the course of seven weeks. That time is still an elated blur in my memory. I don't know how anyone in my household had clean clothes or full bellies during September and October of 2009.

Then came the fun part...sending out queries to agents WAY before my manuscript was ready. Ugh. Cringe. Please learn from my mistake. Get a couple of trusted critique partners and take time to get your story solidly polished before querying. Nobody is going to want to represent you based on "promise." It's either good and ready or it's not. There's simply too much competition out there to rush it. Somewhere around the 30th rejection (50th? Who knows! I stopped counting and deleted/threw away every one of them) I got two helpful personal notes from agents telling me the same thing: too much telling and not enough showing in the first chapter. I was having a hard time introducing Anna and her abilities. I needed help. While browsing the internet for critique partners, I stumbled upon inkpop.com, the HarperCollins site devoted to teens and those who write for teens (YA).

I posted my story, and inkpoppers ranging anywhere from thirteen to forty-something read and commented, helping me to whip that bad chapter into shape. I think I took almost every suggestion that was given. Their feedback was beautifully brutal, exactly what I needed. By the time I finally thought it was ready, a woman named Carolee read my entire story and fell in love with it. She was represented by Neil Salkind, a literary agent who normally took only non-fiction, but she asked if she could introduce us. So I sent him an official query and he called me with an offer of representation that same week.

In the meantime, my story was doing surprisingly well on inkpop. While I was revising like crazy, it had moved up the ranks into the twenties. Each month the top five ranked projects are sent to the HarperCollins editors for review. I was so close at that point that I decided to gun for it. I spent the next month working hard, critiquing upwards of forty stories a week, earning myself return-reads (it's a "scratch each others' backs" kind of community). In May 2010 my story made the top five and I received an excellent review...but no offer for publication. Boo.

Five weeks after my review, I received an email from a woman named Alyson Day. The moment I opened it is etched into my memory, crystal clear. I read the message three times very slowly. My whole body was trembling and I could hardly breathe. She said, "I'm the editor at HarperCollins who had the pleasure of reading your story for Inkpop. I've thoroughly enjoyed the manuscript and would like to read the last four chapters - would you be able to email them to me?" That was “the” moment for me. That was it. Because no matter what happened after that, I felt like a "real" writer. I'd been validated by a professional. My dream was truly within reach. There were a LOT of happy tears. I was buzzing all day long, and I had to order pizza because my hands were shaking too hard to cook.


Reading my HarperCollins Contract//Winter 2011 

Six months later I had a contract from HarperCollins and I was tossed afloat onto the sea of publishing (which was a scary place to be as an unannounced inkpop author). But that’s a story of its own for a different time… 

About The Sweet Trilogy:

Sweet Evil is my literary baby. The original title was Angel Prophecy, and although I'll always be fond of that title, it simply wouldn't work after revisions were made, and neither would the second working title (Sin Legacy). For those who read it while it was on Inkpop.com, you will recognize many of the elements from Angel Prophecy throughout the Sweet trilogy. 

How did I get the idea for Sweet Evil? Here's the long version...I like to joke that it began with two big G's: Google and God. I was feeling disheartened about not teaching anymore. Even though I loved staying home with my kids, I felt like I needed to be doing more. In August 2009, after crying all morning, I sat in front of the computer and Googled, "God, what do you want me to do with my life?" Yes, I really did that. To my surprise, up popped a writing by a pastor in Kansas talking about using our natural gifts to reach our life's potential. So I thought about my possible "gifts." Writing was the only thing that came to mind, but I'd never been published, so it was more like an abandoned hobby. I sent up a pleaful prayer, saying, "Okay, so, if I'm supposed to write, I'm game. But there's one problem. I have no story ideas..." 

I'd just finished reading the hilarious Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, which has angel and demon main characters (Oh, those poor men will probably croak when they hear their dark humor somehow influenced my sappy romance - sorry guys!) I started thinking, "good" and "bad" - angel and demon. I remembered back to my teaching days when I taught John Milton's Paradise Lost. I'd always been intrigued by Lucifer's charisma and power over the fallen angels. And that's when a snowball of ideas began rolling, bombarding me with random snippets until I had to write it or be bowled over. It was the craziest, most intense thing that's ever happened to me, completely unexpected. By that evening I was scratching random thoughts onto the only paper I could find, computer sheets.


Cover used on InkPop.com//Not Actual Cover 

I was a woman possessed and exhausted, writing during every spare second, hardly sleeping or eating, and thinking about the story during any moments when I wasn't able to write. My nine-month-old son was still waking in the night, teething. My husband, who'd always urged me to write, was speechless and probably scared senseless about the crazy woman disguised as his wife. In seven weeks I wrote the first draft by hand, 80k+ words. My friends call it the "writing diet" because I lost fifteen pounds during that time. Not to worry, I've gained most of it back, and nobody was starved during the making of this story. :) 

I started by writing Kaidan's "sacrifice," not knowing the setting or time frame. That was the scene that made me fall completely in love with Anna and Kai, though I barely knew anything about them at that point. Next came the first kiss scene, followed by the lake party scene. Then the story was like a huge puzzle that I had to piece together. NOT the easiest way to write a story, but we can't choose how the ideas come to us. I did a lot of research for the cross-country trip and angel/demon lore, but ended up fabricating details to fit the story. I had to ask myself, "What effects would angel souls have on human bodies? What would they be able to do that humans can't?" etc. 

The book has undergone major revisions over this two year period, and received many beta reads from trusted critique partners to get where it is. The first draft was absolutely awful. Cringe-worthy. 

I'm so indebted to inkpop and inkpoppers for their help revising this story, especially the introduction chapters which plagued me (I'm terrible at writing story beginnings, and coming up with titles for that matter). Thank you guys! And thank you, HarperCollins. :)