Cover Reveal: Tressa Messenger's This I Promise You

I'm excited to be part of the cover reveal for Tressa Messenger's This I Promise You. And, I will be posting a review on May 10, so stay tuned!

This I Promise You

by Tressa Messenger

This modern day tragedy is a love story in the truest sense.

You only get one first of anything, and no matter the time, or space, or age, you never forget your first love.

When thirteen year old Nicky Moore’s parents decide to buy a small summer beach cottage at Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, she thought her life would end. It didn't matter the beauty of the area - land and water as far as the eye could see - she was bound and determined to make her family’s summer vacation as dismal as she felt. That was until she met a boy from down the beach; a beautiful boy, with the most intense brown eyes she had ever seen and a smile that could light the ocean on fire. A summer that Nicky thought was doomed from the start, turned into a summer that she would never forget; one full of firsts. It was impossible for her to know years later how one seemingly little decision could change everything forever, but soon, as an adult, Nicky will find out that everything she once thought were real and the promises once made, were lost in a sea of inner turmoil.

AVAILABLE MAY 17, 2013

Tressa Messenger

Tressa is a North Carolina native, with a passion to share her imagination with the world.  She currently resides in New Bern, North Carolina with her family.  This I Promise You, is a labor of love.  Although the story is fictional, it is loosely based on a relationship she shared with her first love.  It promises to stir emotions from first love, to life lost.  Be sure to add This I Promise You to your TBR list.  

Review: Ever by Jessa Russo

I am happy to be participating in a review-only blog tour for Jessa Russo's debut, EVER.

Jessa's Website

Jessa on Twitter

EVER on Amazon

On Barnes & Noble

GoodReads/EVER

GoodReads/EVADE

 

 Description:

 

BOOK ONE in The EVER Trilogy

Seventeen-year-old Ever’s love life has been on hold for the past two years. She’s secretly in love with her best friend Frankie, and he’s completely oblivious.

Of course, it doesn't help that he’s dead, and waking up to his ghost every day has made moving on nearly impossible.

Frustrated and desperate for something real, Ever finds herself falling for her hot new neighbor Toby. His relaxed confidence is irresistible, and not just Ever knows it. But falling for Toby comes with a price that throws Ever’s life into a whirlwind of chaos and drama. More than hearts are on the line, and more than Ever will suffer.

Some girls lose their hearts to love.

Some girls lose their minds.

Ever Van Ruysdael could lose her soul.

 

First, let me say, I LOVE this cover. It's really perfect for the set up of this book, and the romance within. Well done, Curiosity Quills Press!

 

I have to admit, I had a difficult time getting into Ever. For me, it was a case of starting too far into the action. I really wanted a sense of what her relationship with Frankie had become (in scene, rather than Ever thinking about her unrequited love for him). I wanted to know how Ever and Frankie lived in the same house--what their friendship was like before getting into the meat of the story. However, after a few pages of Ever's thoughts about Frankie, we are introduced to the secondary love interest, Toby. 

 

Toby is hot, and the romantic scenes between him and Ever are very well done. As is the mystery surrounding Toby. It is clear to the reader that there is more to him than meets the eye, and I found myself pulled between wanting Ever to be with him, and not trusting him at all.

 

I'm a sucker for great best friends, and Ever's BFF Jessie is also well done. I loved her spunk, and her love of pink (yay, pink!), and really, just everything about her. 

 

I had a harder time loving Frankie. The lack of knowledge of Frankie and Ever's normal worked against me connecting to the romance here. I didn't feel it at all. And, to me, Frankie sounded like a ghost from the 1950's, calling Ever "Doll" or "Dollface" and smoking. Of course, then there's the issue of him being a ghost. LOL. 

 

I was definitely more drawn into the novel when Toby's ex Ariadne came on the scene. She added some much-needed tension, and began to move the plot forward. From there on, the novel proceeded much more smoothly for me, and I really enjoyed it. There are some great twists and turns toward the end, but I won't say more so I don't spoil it for anyone.

My final minor complaint is the ending. It is a MAJOR cliffhanger, and really didn't feel like an ending to me. That being said, I was definitely invested in Ever's story by that point, so I will be reading the sequel EVADE to find out what happens.

Final verdict: 3 out of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the author to read and fairly review. I was not compensated in any way for said review.

Jessa is celebrating by having a giveaway! Go here to enter!

 

 

REVELATIONS Cover Reveal!!!

I am SO EXCITED to be part of this cover reveal! I adore RENEGADE, and I can't wait for everyone to read more of Evie's story (and, MORE GAVIN--YUM!).

So, without further ado, THE COVER:

Revelations Elysium Chronicles (Book 2)

J.A Souders

Release Date: November 5, 2013

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: Tor Teen

Goodreads | Amazon |The Book Depository

Blurb to come!

About Renegade Elysium Chronicles (Book 1)

Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes, all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.

But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie.

Her memories have been altered.

Her mind and body aren’t under her own control.

And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.

Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.

Goodreads | Amazon |Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

About A Dark Grave: Elysium Chronicles (Book 0.5)

An Elysium Chronicles short story: the beginning.

There is only one place forbidden to the people of Gavin's village; the island just off the shore, rumored to be haunted. Cursed.

All who venture to the island disappear.

But Gavin doesn't believe in such things. He is a hunter; since his father's death, he is the only one who can provide for the family. Silly rumors of ghosts aren't going to stop him from crossing the dark waters to the island in search of fresh game...

Goodreads | Amazon

About J.A. Souders:

J.A. Souders was born in the heartland with an overactive imagination and an overabundance of curiosity that was always getting her into trouble. She first began writing at the age of 13, when she moved to Florida and not only befriended the monsters under the bed, but created worlds for them to play together.

Because she never grew up, she decided she’d put her imaginary friends to work and started writing. She still lives in the land of sunshine and palm trees with her husband and their two children.

Where you can find J.A.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

THE GIVEWAY!!!

J.A is hosting a giveaway of a signed hard copy of RENEGADE, an e-copy of A DARK GRAVE (for those that don't have it, of course.) and signed copies of ARTICLE 5 and BREAKING POINT by Kristen Simmons. (Hard copies are US/CAN only. International winners will get e-copies of the books.)

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I mean, seriously! Look at those two covers together! You can SEE the changes Evie has gone through in RENEGADE. And there are so many awesome elements of the new cover that have significance in REVELATIONS. It's AMAZING.  

Legasea Release Giveaway!

Legasea released January 28th, and to celebrate, Krystalyn is giving away a Legasea prize pack, including an autographed copy of the book, a seal ornament, and Legasea bookmarks.

When sixteen-year-old Aileen Shay sees a dead girl floating in the bay during a midnight yacht party, she never imagines Jamie Flannigan, her new boyfriend, may be involved. The only thing she knows about Jamie is that he personifies the one thing she has been drawn to her entire life – the ocean. But as she grows closer to him, she realizes he knows more about the murder than he’s telling. When another girl is attacked, and Jamie refuses to answer her questions, Aileen searches for answers on her own.

Aileen learns that Jamie’s family belongs more to myths and legends than they do in the real world. They are selkies, and after the Flannigans threaten her family, Aileen suspects they are responsible for both attacks.

But they aren’t the only ones in her small fishing town who can keep a secret. As Aileen uncovers the truth about the murder, the selkies, and her own family, she learns why her soul is bonded to the sea. But with that revelation comes a choice – to permanently sever her connection with the water, which comes at a painful cost, or embrace a legacy that just might get her killed.

Check out the first chapter here. http://krysteybelle.blogspot.com/2013/01/legasea.html

Check out the trailer!

And enter to win the prize pack here.  

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SELKIES, GUYS! ENTER NOW!

Guest Post: Anna Staniszewski and Keeping Fairy Tales Fresh

I am so excited to welcome the lovely Anna Staniszewski to my blog today! She is gearing up for the launch of the second book in her UnFairy Tale Life series, MY EPIC FAIRY TALE FAIL. Since she writes about fairy tales, I thought it would be fun to hear from her about how to keep fairy tales fresh. Take it away, Anna!

Keeping Fairy Tales Fresh

When I do school visits, I talk to students about giving fairy tales a “twist” in order to make the stories fun and interesting. During the process of writing my UnFairy Tale Life series, I’ve been doing the same thing: taking fairy tale ideas and putting my own spin on them. Even though my books aren’t technically fairy tale retellings (since they’re not based on specific tales) they’re still inspired by the stories I’ve loved ever since I was young.

During my school presentations, I also talk about audience expectations. The fun of fairy tale retellings is that we know how the stories are supposed to go, but we read on to see how those expectations will be challenged. To build off of this idea, I have students come up with a short fairy tale as a group. Then we answer three questions:

1. If this fairy tale were a movie, what type of movie would we expect it to be? (e.g. drama, animated film, etc.)

2. If this fairy tale were a movie, what type of movie would we not expect it to be? (e.g. action, documentary, etc.)

3. Based on what we know about the main character, who would be a good villain for this story?

These three questions are essentially the same ones that I ask myself when I’m brainstorming fairy-tale-inspired stories. I love taking a familiar concept—a mermaid—and giving it an unexpected twist—a mermaid who hates being in the water because it makes her skin pruney. Not only does this kind of “twisting” make me giggle, but it also helps me to make fairy tale ideas feel fresh.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love getting lost in the “once up on a time” feeling of traditional tales. But I also love seeing those stories completely turned on their heads. The unexpected doesn’t have to be funny, but it should feel unique. That way, the “fairy tale with a twist” will both remind readers of the original story and make them feel like they’re getting to know a tale that’s completely new.

Bio:

Born in Poland and raised in the United States, Anna Staniszewski grew up loving stories in both Polish and English. She was named the 2006-2007 Writer-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library and a winner of the 2009 PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award. Currently, Anna lives outside of Boston with her husband and their adopted black Labrador, Emma.

When she’s not writing, Anna spends her time teaching, reading, and challenging unicorns to games of hopscotch. Her first novel, My Very UnFairy Tale Life, was released by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky in November 2011. The sequel, My Epic Fairy Tale Fail, is coming in March 2013, and the third book in the trilogy, My Sort Of Fairy Tale Ending, will be out in November. You can visit her at www.annastan.com.

Thanks so much, Anna! Check out the trailer for MY EPIC FAIRY TALE FAIL here.

Kissing Scene Post for CLCBSD

Here's my kissing scene from MEDITATION for the Cupid's Literary Connection Kissing Scene Competition!  Here is my entry, if you'd like to read the pitch. Enjoy!

I snuggle closer to Brian as the movie ends.  “See?  I cuddle with you during any movie,” I say.

He snorts.  “You only did that to prove a point.”  Turning to face me, he moves his head down so we’re almost touching.  “I still say you get closer to me during horror movies.”

My lips twitch at the challenge in his voice, and I lean forward, pressing my forehead to his.  “I still say I hate horror movies, and making me watch something I hate is mean.”

“That’s me, the big meanie pants,” he says, his voice low.

I nod, moving my mouth closer to his.  In a breath, his lips are on mine.  I lift my hands, one going to his neck and tangling in his hair, the other reaching under his arm to his strong back.  Our mouths move together, and his hands tighten on my shoulders.

He feels so good I lose all sense of time.  My hand flexes on his back, gripping the muscles moving under it.  He groans, and moves me, flipping my legs over his and laying me back onto the couch.

The angle changes the kiss, makes it deeper, more urgent.  I moan as he leans over me, one arm holding his weight off me.  The other hand caresses my face, then slides down my body, stopping at my waist.

My breath hitches as his hand reaches the skin at the edge of my jeans.  He slowly raises his hand under my shirt, making small circles on my stomach, then my ribcage.  The anticipation makes my heart pound.  He finally reaches my chest, softly grasping me. 

Brian breathes my name, and my stomach clenches.  Then we’re both just hands, and lips, and bodies.  I run my hands under his shirt, wanting to touch all of him.

A door slams.

“Bree?  I’m home!”

Mom. Shit. 

WINNERS

WINNERS!!!!


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Congrats to Dea and Kirsten! I have emailed them for their addresses and will be shipping the books shortly. :)

Have you entered any good contests/giveaways lately? Share in the comments!!!