Read My Mind

Cover Reveal Thursday: A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:00:00 +0000

I spotted this yesterday on several blogs, including good friend Dee's over at Good Choice Reading. Clicksy on her link for a contest that is part of the reveal. I couldn't resist putting it up on Read My Mind though, because the author is, none other than, Lisa Desrochers of PERSONAL DEMONS series fame!

About The Author:
Lisa Desrochers lives in central California with her husband and two very busy daughters. There is never a time that she can be found without a book in her hand, and she adores stories that take her to new places, and then take her by surprise.

Look for her New Adult novel, A LITTLE TOO FAR , courtesy of HarperCollins Sept 2013, and the first companion, A LITTLE TOO MUCH , in Nov 2013. Also in stores is her YA PERSONAL DEMONS trilogy (Macmillan).

Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Blurb:
Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother. In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for better part of the last few years... and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome. But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble.

Raised Catholic, she goes to Confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt... and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy on the eyes deacon... only eight months away from becoming a priest.

Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have.

And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.

Coming September 2013, HARPER COLLINS

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Cover Reveal Thursday: Skin Deep by Megan D. Martin

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:00:00 +0000

I'm a little late posting this up. The reveal was last week, but it's never too late to post pretties on the blog, in my opinion!

About the Author:
Megan D. Martin is a multi-published author, mother, student and editor. In her spare time she enjoys decorating her house with strange things that do not match, playing her old school Nintendo Entertainment System, and buying fish for her many fish tanks.

Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Blurb:
What would you do to have the body of your dreams?

Kiera hates being overweight and hides behind thick layers of clothing. One night, her friends present an opportunity that seems impossible to believe. With a single spell, she can have the thin physique she's always coveted.

But all magic comes with a price: no sex or she'll revert back to her old body. Kiera accepts the cost. It's not like she has men lined up at her door. Obeying this one tiny rule isn't difficult at all—until the night she meets Cain, a were-tiger and a soldier with the Eternal Forces.

When a slew of unexplained murders forces Kiera and Cain together, they'll have to face the
horrors of their pasts. Will Kiera realize she is worth more than her outward appearance? Or will she make the wrong the choice and lose everything—including her life?

Coming: Fall 2013, DRAGONFAIRY PRESS

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Cover Reveal Thursday: The Sound of Letting Go by Stasia Ward Kehoe (Plus Giveaway!)

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:06:00 +0000

Exciting news from AUDITION author, Stasia Ward Kehoe! Check out the cover of her upcoming YA from Penguin (February 2014).

About The Author:
Stasia Kehoe grew up dancing and performing on stages from New Hampshire to Washington, DC. She now writes books for young adults and choreographs the occasional musical.

Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Blurb:
For sixteen years, Daisy has been good. A good daughter, helping out with her autistic younger brother uncomplainingly. A good friend, even when her best friend makes her feel like a third wheel. When her parents announce they’re sending her brother to an institution—without consulting her—Daisy’s furious, and decides the best way to be a good sister is to start being bad. She quits jazz band and orchestra, slacks in school, and falls for bad-boy Dave.

But one person won’t let Daisy forget who she used to be: Irish exchange student and brilliant musician Cal. Does she want the bad boy or the prodigy? Should she side with her parents or protect her brother? How do you know when to hold on and when—and how—to let go?

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Don't forget to enter via the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

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Conference: Book Expo America #BEA13

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:15:00 +0000

As many who are involved in the publishing and book world know, this past Wednesday, May 29th through Saturday, June 1st, was the annual BookExpo America. Held in New York City, at the Jacob Javits Center, it's a pretty huge deal for those of us living on the east coast.

Usually I represent Read My Mind for the entire event, however real-life work commitments interfered this year, and I was only able to attend one full day on the exhibit floor.

Saturday, June 1st, the last day of the convention, also coincides with one of the event's newest venture, Power Reader Day, where the public can register to attend as avid readers and book lovers.

For some, BEA is not just about acquiring "free books". It's the chance to network and build stronger relationships with publishers, publicists, and representatives of the world that exists to promote authors, a love of reading for the next generation, and improve literacy overall. This is the approach that I have taken in the past couple of years and how I want to present Read My Mind at the event. I think, because this is my 4th BEA, I've gotten a bit over the idea of grabbing as many free things as possible. That's not to say that I don't get super excited to hear about some of the books and authors making an appearance at the conference, by any means!

Since I was only in New York for an abbrieviated stay, I did not have a chance to attend some of the events that sounded really exciting this year.

I was uber excited to hear about the Publishing Hackathon that started the week before BEA. The finalists were presented at the conference. The idea of this type of event intrigued my inner geek girl.

Check out the Hackathon website for more info about the event itself, and who the finalists were.

One of the other improvements this year at BEA was the mobile app, available for Android, iPhone and iPad. I thought the Android app was fairly user-friendly. I was able to not only look up authors and their events, but also the books they would be promoting. There was a complete list of books being represented, and an "email" section where the conference sent updates during the day for some of the advertised events.

Sponsored by:

Check back to Read My Mind where I'll have a post about my personal experience at BEA, and of course, THE BOOKS!

BEA Book Spotlight: Dare You To by Katie McGarry Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Blurb:
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...

There are some books that I read and are completely blown away by. Last year, one of those books was PUSHING THE LIMITS by Katie McGarry. Not only did she deliver a powerhouse of a novel, but she delivered a complete story arc that satisfied me to the bone. Therefore, I was utterly excited to read the next book. Not only was Beth Risk such an interesting character when she first showed up, but the edgy tension and so, so real environment promised to continue, and even be ratcheted up a notch.

To my surprise, McGarry takes Beth out of her friendly space, the space that I loved during PUSHING THE LIMITS, plops her down in a totally foreign world, then has Beth deal with all manner of distractions. The Beth Risk that I wanted to know more about was revealed layer by layer, in such a complex and engrossing story that I read 300+ pages in one sitting. I couldn't put the book down until I read the last page. That's how compelling it was.

Everything I have to say about DARE YOU TO is a rave. From Ryan's very detailed character, to Beth's family relationships and hardships, to the peek we see of old favorites, Noah and Echo... McGarry brings an awesome character-driven novel to the table, grabs the reader by the throat and pulls us along for a ride. Anyone who likes books should read this.

I dare you.

My Rating:
14/15
Must Read
4.5 star
A

I obtained this book from Harlequin Teen. No other compensation was given for the expectation of an honest review.

Cover Reveal: An Easy Dare by Rosalie Rousseaux + Rafflecopter Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Read My Mind is starting the weekend with a cover reveal bonanza! Thanks to the author, Rosalie Rousseaux and GCR Promotions for this one!

About The Author:
I’m a Louisiana girl who loves to write about strong, opinionated women who go after what they want, even if they make a few mistakes on the way. And usually those mistakes involve MEN! (Sound like your life? Yeah, me too, lol). That being said, bad-ass women and the men they love make for great stories, and that’s what I always aim to bring my readers: A great story with lots of drama. A story you wanna keep reading.

Facebook | Goodreads

Blurb:
Cat loved Gabe from the time she was five years old. She thought it would be easy: fall in love with your childhood sweetheart, get married and live happily ever after. But as the years go on, the fairy tale soon falls apart. At twenty, Gabe – penniless, unable to find work, and drinking himself into a bad reputation – leaves New Orleans, believing that Cat is better off without him.

She doesn’t hear from him for three years.

Not until her bachelorette party, when he sends her a $400 bottle of Champagne the night before she’s set to marry Cort Belrose, a wealthy restaurateur that Gabe despises.

It seems the past three years have treated Gabe well. He’s now mysteriously wealthy and the picture of a perfect Southern gentleman – a gentleman who is quietly seeking vengeance on the man who forced him out of the city and stole the woman he loved.

With Gabe’s return, the sweltering heat of New Orleans becomes even more stifling as Cat struggles with the truth about her malicious husband and her consuming lifelong love for the vengeful and troubled Gabe.

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Witch Fall Cover Reveal! Book #3 of The Witch Song Series by @AmberArgyle

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 05:00:00 +0000

OK, after opening an email about Amber Argyle's cover reveal for WITCH FALL, I had a huge smile on my face. Not only was I excited to post about the next book in the WITCH SONG series, but the heroine of this book HAS MY NAME! I'm mostly known as Lillie on the interwebs, which isn't an uncommon name, but my full name is. And I've never seen it on any toothbrush, wallet, keychain or cheesy whatever souvenir. But there it was, in the blurb for WITCH FALL. !!! Caps lock excitement!

Enough about me. Onto the reveal.

About The Author:
For the first twelve years of my life, I lived in a two bedroom ranch house at the base of a mountain. Besides my parents, my family consisted of three brothers--the oldest of which enjoyed beating me up. Ironically, the younger two were terrible wimps. I rode horses, moved sprinkler pipe, and mucked out barns (when they could catch me). We didn't have a lot of money, and the part of the ranch we lived on was eventually repossessed by the bank. Subsequently, we had to move to town (I know. I should have written Westerns).

I graduated from Utah State University with a bachelors degree (English and physical education), a husband, and a two-year old. I was a member of the collegiate honor society and graduated cum laude (which basically means I'm an overachiever).

My second son had severe colic, often crying for 16 hours a day. By the time he was four months old, I was in a very dark place. I discovered that I could prop him up between my arms and type for brief periods of time. Creating stories quickly became a cathartic addiction I couldn't function without.

It took seven manuscripts and five very long years before my debut novel, Witch Song, came out. I currently live in Northern Utah with my husband and three children.

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Blurb:
All things fall.

Even Witches.

Supreme in their dominion over seasons, storms and sea, the Witches have forgotten the unmatched destructiveness of mankind—and among the weapons men seek are the magical songs of the Witches.

Lilette is one of the few who sees the signs of decadence and decay within the Witches. An outsider amidst her own kind, can she delay her people's annihilation long enough for them to survive the war that is coming?

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ARC Review: Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 31 May 2013 13:15:00 +0000

Blurb:
With his father's rodeo legacy to continue and a prosperous spread to run, Walker Parrish has no time to dwell on wrecked relationships. But country-western sweetheart Casey Elder is out of the spotlight and back in Parable, Montana. And Walker can't ignore that his "act now, think later" passion for Casey has had consequences. Two teenage consequences!

Keeping her children's paternity under wraps has always been part of Casey's plan to give them normal, uncomplicated lives. Now the best way to hold her family together seems to be to let Walker be a part of it-as her husband of convenience. Or will some secrets-like Casey's desire to be the rancher's wife in every way-unravel, with unforeseen results?

Linda Lael Miller has been a long-time favorite author of mine, from the time I glommed every romance I could get my hands on through middle and high school. Though I prefer science-fiction and fantasy genres overall now, there is something really nice about reading a well-written contemporary romance. Especially right at the beginning of the summer, when the days are longer and I can sit on the front porch with a glass of iced-tea. In fact, this is the feeling Miller's books invoke in me. The modern western settings, the blossoming romances between mature adults and the sense of community that comes across in each novel, that's what made BIG SKY SUMMER so enjoyable.

Walker and Casey have an interesting relationship. I secretly love when a heroine/hero get together over an unexpected pregnancy, find a deeper love, and make a real family. Miller took this same idea, except the pregnancy is in the past, the children are older, and the father has already figured out the "shocker" that he's a "dad". I really liked Miller's approach in BIG SKY SUMMER. Neither of the main characters have made perfect choices in regards to their children, and supposed shared responsibilities. However, the journey of all the characters in the book echo and resonate as more than just a novel.

Walker and Casey's children are also very well-fleshed characters. One of the things that I like about authors like Miller (Robyn Carr, especially) is that the setting and the community are just as important as the individual main characters. Returning to the series means that, though the spotlight might be elsewhere, the characters that I have been introduced to previously won't be abandoned. There's a growth that happens, and the reader gets to see this every step of the way.

My Rating:
12.5/15
Highly Recommend
4 star
A-

I obtained this book from Little Bird Publicity. No other compensation was given for the expectation of an honest review.

Cover Reveal! My Life As A Lumberjack by Sara V. Olds

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 31 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Hey Read My Mind readers, cover reveal today.
Check it out!

About The Author:
Sara V. Olds has been telling stories for as long as she can remember. One of her favorite memories is of unfolding a tale for friends while they were all bundled in sleeping bags watching a comet shower in the Uintah Mountains.

Mother of three: Large, Medium and Small, she welcomes her newest role, that of mother-in-law.

Life has taken her from thither to yon and back again—she's moved 22 times during her marriage. She breathes to travel. Longs to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning a horse. Is an addictive reader. Enjoys swimming, skiing, violin and movies. Wonders if she'll ever get to SCUBA dive again. And has found a calling that fulfills her in ways she never could have imagined—teaching history to—wait for it—8th Graders.

Her stories consume her. There's nothing she'd rather do than spend all day, all night and the next day conversing with her latest set of characters. History, adventure, action, romance, humor. Adults, YA and kids. Yep, she does it all. Looking for something to enjoy on a quiet rainy afternoon? Or wanting a pulse-pounding, stay up all night turning pages adventure? Or a you've-GOT-to-be-kidding romp? You'll find them in her pages.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Blurb:
Me, Mercedes Bennion? Working for the US Forest Service? I’ve never thought of myself as the outdoorsy, hard-working type. But one quick glance at those mouth-watering forest rangers and oh, baby, sign this seventeen-year-old up for a whole summer of fresh air, mountains and starry, starry nights!

Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Spotlight on: Change Of Heart by S.E. Edwards

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 31 May 2013 04:30:00 +0000

Thanks to the author and GCR Promotions for another new NA book blast!

Blurb:
Persevere.

That's how I've gotten through nineteen years of life. It's what I do every single day—no matter how badly the odds are stacked against me.

Persevere, and survive.

Those are my two guiding words. I never knew either of my parents. I have no family and no home. The only person I could ever rely on was myself. In this cruel world, that's about as much as I could ask for.

Love? Hah. Don't talk to me about love. I stopped believing in it the day my first boyfriend ripped out my heart three years ago.

That's why love is the last thing on my mind when I leave a packed college bar with a captivating stranger. Yet everything changes when I'm awakened in the middle of the night by a pounding at the door. Suddenly, an arrangement meant for just one night threatens to become something much deeper.

All expectations are thrown to the wind as I'm tangled in a dangerous world unlike anything I can believe. The man I met has secrets swirling around him like a dark cape. I'm about to become his biggest one...

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***
Excerpt:

Together, we stumble toward the elevator. Rich breaks away for a second to hit the button. The light doesn’t come on.

“Damn,” he growls, “it’s busted again.”

I’m one step ahead of him. I’d spotted the stairs when we entered. I grab his hand and pull him after me with no hesitation. I start up the cement stairwell, determined to get to his room as fast as possible.

“Penny, wait.”

I look back, confused. “What?”

A devilish smile plays on his lips. “Only this.” Without warning his hands wrap around my waist, and I’m being lifted up as easily as if I were a doll. He turns to the side and presses my body against the wall, suspending me between him and the concrete.

His mouth crashes down on mine again. I curl my legs around his torso, locking my ankles together, and kiss him back with the passion reserved for a lover after ten long years apart. I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m getting even more turned on. Rich’s hands move down to grasp the outside of my thighs, and I moan into his kiss as the muscles of my core clench in sinful fashion. I want him so badly. If we don’t get somewhere private soon, I won’t be wholly opposed to jumping him in public.

I gasp as he steps away, freeing me from the wall. I start to fall, but one of his hands darts down to catch me just beneath the knees. The other one cradles my shoulders. Before I know it, I’m slung across his arms like a bride on her wedding night.

“I’ve always wanted to carry a girl up these stairs,” Rich admits.

I laugh, and wrap my arm around his neck. “Oh, you are just the best type of romantic.”

Four flights of stairs later, Rich pushes open the fire door to a dimly-lit hallway. He carries me down the hall and stops in front of an entrance on the right. He sets me down, then fishes around in his jeans for the key. When the door creaks open, he sweeps a hand out in front of him. “Welcome to my humble abode.”

I walk in, curious about his apartment. I tend to side with the camp of people who believe that a person’s living arrangements can reveal a lot about his personality. But, I don’t find much to work with here.

The apartment is sparse and dark. Pale moonlight filters in through the balcony window, shining down on the only piece of furniture present: a queen size mattress lying on the floor of the living room. The red brick walls are totally empty—no girly posters or other things I might expect in a bachelor’s apartment. There are no lamps, no chairs, no couches.

After a moment, I notice a second piece of furniture: a small, old-school CRT TV camped in one corner of the studio apartment.

Rich switches on the light. “So?” he asks, “what do you think?”

I walk past the entrance. There’s one hall leading away from the room. It is filled with brown cardboard boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. “Did you just move in or something?”

Rich laughs behind me. “Yeah, something like that. You want a drink?”

“A drink?” I say. “No, I—”

The words catch in my throat as he grabs my hips and spins me around. I had no idea he’d come so close. He’d moved from the door to me without making a sound. His fingers lock together against my lower back, and he tugs me into him, pressing my belly to his waist. I feel his growing erection right away, and a diabolical excitement builds inside me.

Nothing happens.

For a long moment, Richard just holds me like that, staring into my eyes as I’m left dangling off his arms. His irises are the color of sea mist. I’m hypnotized by the deep intensity I see brewing just beneath the surface. I have no doubt that that type of intensity is mirrored in my eyes.

Then, moving slowly, as if restraining himself, Richard lowers his mouth to cover mine. This time, his kiss is sweet and gentle. Subtle and caring. He explores my upper lip first, then traces the line going to the corner of my mouth. His lips form a perfect mold over mine.

I was wrong before. This is the kiss reserved for a lover you haven’t seen in ten years.

***

About The Author:
I'm Scarlett Edwards. I'm a full-time student (2nd year, undergrad) and part-time writer. I hope to switch those around soon!

I'm kind of old fashioned. I write all my stories using paper and ink. At the end of the day, I transcribe them on my laptop. It takes a bit longer, but writing in a notebook really focuses my thoughts.

I love vintage photography. I have an old-school film camera that was my mom's from before I was born. I use it to take pictures almost every day. Yours to Savor is the first full book I worked on. It went through six drafts, and took me ten months to complete. In the two months since getting it done, I finished two drafts of brand new stories. I'm getting faster!

I love hearing from my readers. I love getting feedback about my books. I'm just getting started, and plan on doing this writing gig for a long, long time. I take inspiration from all the indie romance authors. Addison Moore, Samantha Young, Colleen Hoover, Jessica Sorensen, and everyone else... You Girls Rock!

Website | Facebook | GoodReads

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Promo Thursday II: Fire And Frost Novella Anthology

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 30 May 2013 20:30:00 +0000

What's better than an unexpected novella release from a favorite author? An unexpected anthology release with novellas from 3 great authors, of course. I had to post on Read My Mind about the latest from Carolyn Crane (Disillusionists series), Meljean Brook (Iron Seas series), and Jessica Sims (Midnight Liaisons series).

For a limited time only FIRE AND FROST is on sale for $.99 Go buy it now! Even if you miss the promotion, at $2.99 regular price, it's still a steal.

Blurb:

Wrecked by Meljean Brook
Elizabeth has spent the past five years running from her father; her father’s huntsman, Caius, has spent the past five years pursuing her. But when he finally catches up to her on an airship flying above Europe’s zombie-infested cities, Elizabeth discovers that Caius isn’t the only danger she has to fear—and now that he’s found her, Caius doesn’t intend to let her go...

Conjuring Max by Carolyn Crane
The witches of the world ridiculed and rejected nerdy Veronica for trying to use newfangled computers to enhance old world spellcasting. Well, it’s 1984 now, and she’s perfected her spellcasting computer program. Hey, who needs friends when you can conjure virtually anything... or anybody? So when Veronica makes powerful new enemies, she conjures Max, a pitbull of a cop, to deal with the pesky hitmen who keep coming around. But tough-guy Max is in no mood to play lapdog to a gorgeous witch.

Speed Mating by Jessica Sims
Estrella may be going into heat, but she’s determined to remain in control. Just because she’s ovulating doesn’t mean she has to settle for just any man (or his beast). Her sexy alpha’s determined to find her a tiger to take care of her heat and father her child... but no one seems to look quite as good as the man in charge. Will giving in to her need for her alpha ruin her tenuous relationship with her clan or be a match made in heaven?

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Nook Book | All Romance Ebooks | Amazon

Promo Thursday I: Diane Alberts Wants You To LOVE ME!

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:55:00 +0000

Diane Alberts and Entangled Publishing are hosting a contest and challenge from now until July 4th.

The Prize: A Kindle wifi with customized cover of the LOVE ME male model!

About The Author:
Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing, Swoon Romance, and Decadent Publishing. She has, as of this date, four books with Entangled Publishing, one book with Swoon Romance, and five older books with Decadent Publishing.

Her February release with Entangled Publishing, ON ONE CONDITION, hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. Her Swoon Romance novella, CAPTIVATED BY YOU, hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list.

Diane is represented by Louise Fury from the L. Perkins Agency.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Contest Details:

If Love Me gets to the Top 100, Diane is giving away a Kindle (wi-fi) with a customized cover with Tommy’s abs on it! That’s right, not only do you get a Kindle, but you get an AUTOGRAPHED Love Me cover for your Kindle, too! But remember, she's only get to give one away if enough people hear about Love Me and buy it so it hits the Top 100!

Enter as much as you want, but unless Love Me hits the Top 100, no one wins the grand prize! Buy, share, and tweet this contest! Let’s reach our goal!

She's planning a celebration already! Diane is going to be giving away a Kindle with Wi-fi (Est. Value $69) AND an autographed, custom Love Me cover (Est. Value approximately $30) if Love Me hits the Top 100 on either site!

Already have an e-Reader? She'll give you a giftcard for the value of the e-Reader if you prefer, to Barnes and Noble OR Amazon! Diane knows a lot of people don’t have one yet, and she'd love for more people to get to read eBooks.

To help make that happen, all you have to do is spread the word in any way you can–blog about it, post on twitter, Facebook, etc! The sky is the limit! While a purchase is not required to win, those fans that have already purchased Love Me, can get an extra ten entries! Simply submit your order confirmation number.

Can it get any easier than that?! Help make Love Me hit the Top 100 today, and spread word about the contest. The more people involved, the higher the chances of hitting the Top 100! You can gain extra entries by tweeting about the contest EVERY SINGLE DAY! Winners will be picked after the contest closes, on July 4th, 2013. Contest opened on April 30th, and the deadline to enter is midnight on July 4th, 2013.

Make sure you visit Diane's Contest Page to enter via rafflecopter at the bottom of her post!

Blurb:
Thomas Jones has come to Vegas to win yet another account for his marketing company. But when he sits across from beautiful and sensual Brianna Falk to deliver his pitch, his desire to leave Vegas as quickly as possible is replaced by the need to get closer to her. Yet she resists his charm.

Brianna knows a date with Thomas could jeopardize her job, but he’s so maddening and insistent, she has a hard time denying him just one date. But that’s all it can be: one date. Because she has to protect her job and her secrets, even if it means giving up a chance at a life she never thought she’d have again.

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Book Blast! Overexposed by Adrianne James

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Blurb:
In the tiny town of Willowspring, just about nothing ever happens except for layoffs, hockey games, and your average melodramatic teenage angst.

But that was before.

Vi, Ashley, and Macy are just trying to make it through the school year without one more humiliation when they team up for a simple photography assignment: create a story through a series of photographs. Can't be too much trouble, right?

Wrong.

The shutterbugs happen upon Willowspring High School's darkest secret. When everything around them starts to crumble after trying to do the right thing, their only hope is to stick together.

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Smashwords | Amazon

When the door opened to the alley behind the rink, I realized two things. One, it was freaking colder outside than it was in the bleachers by the ice, and two, Brianna Jones (A.K.A Bra stuffer) was already out there.

The three of us walked out as if it was perfectly normal to be there but Brianna didn’t even notice us. We walked to the opposite side of the alley and huddled together. We hoped it would look like we were keeping warm, but we were trying to hide both the cameras.

Watching Brianna was rather dull. She was just standing there, talking on her cell phone and it wasn’t even anything remotely interesting. We took pictures anyway, because like Mr. Bennett said, you need the before, during, and after to tell a story with photographs.

“Look! She is checking that car’s doors! That isn’t her car, is it?” The quiet clicking of the shutters on our cameras was almost deafening to me. I swore each click was louder and louder as we watched Brianna try to break into a car.

Finally, the last door she tried, the back passenger side, was open. She slipped in and a second later, the dark car had a red glow inside. She climbed back out, shut the door, and walked over to the wall, smoking a stolen cigarette.

“She just broke into someone’s car for a cigarette? Seriously?” Ashley was just as flabbergasted as the rest of us. Why would anyone risk committing a crime for a smoke? “Oh! She is moving again!”

Click, click, click. I took more and more pictures. I hated that they were all from the same angle, but spys have to do what they have to do to keep from being caught, all the while still getting the images.

Brianna walked back to the car and put the cigarette out on the hood. Lucky for whoever owned it there was a layer of snow to put it out before it could burn the paint. Then she leaned over and used the mirror. She pursed her lips, showed her teeth to check those, then she lifted her head slightly.

“What is she doing?” I whispered.

“I’m not sure.” Macy said breaking away from the group. “I am going over there, different angle.” Before I could stop her, she had gone back across the alley to the other side. She was braver than I was. Ashley watched her closely before turning back to me.

“Let me take some. I promise I won’t hurt Jilly.” I knew I had to hand it over. I promised her she could use it. Even knowing that, it didn’t make it any easier.

“Okay. Here.” I took the strap from around my neck and quickly placed it around hers. The minute the fabric was firmly against her skin, she took off, too. “Ash, what are you doing?” I whisper yelled to her.

She just put a finger over her mouth to shush me and she got even closer to the car than Macy had. I figured that made me look out so I opened my eyes and ears and tried to make sure my best friends didn’t get caught.

I looked over my shoulder to check the door to make sure we were still alone when all of a sudden I heard a scream.

“YOU LITTLE BITCH! GIVE ME THAT CAMERA NOW!” When I turned back to see what was going on (although I was pretty sure that either Macy or Ashley had been caught by Brianna) I saw my girls running towards me, with Brianna not far behind.

“Run!” Ash and Macy yelled through giggles. I turned and headed to the door and held it open for them. As soon as they passed through I closed it and the three of us went straight out the front door and to Macy’s truck.

“What on earth just happened?” I asked when I caught my breath. Ashley handed Jilly back to me and I flipped it on. The minute I pressed the play images button I began to laugh. The first one was of Brianna screaming at the camera. I pressed the next button and then it was a picture of her finger in her mouth. The next one was a picture of her finger in her nose.

I died laughing. Brianna Jones was a booger eater. I bet her boyfriend would love to know that.

“Oh, Ashley, you are amazing!” Then the truck erupted in laughter and because Macy’s dad had given her a twenty to get food at the overly expensive rink, we headed to the diner for some hot cocoa and French fries for half the cost. Who said teenagers were irresponsible with money?

About The Author:
Growing up, Adrianne couldn't get her hands on enough books to satisfy her need for the make believe. If she finished a novel and didn't have a new one ready and waiting for her, she began to create her own tales of magic and wonder. Now, as an adult, books still make up majority of her free time, and now her tales get written down to be shared with the world.

During the day, Adrianne uses her camera to capture life's stories for clients of all ages and at night, after her two children are tucked in bed; she devotes herself to her written work. Adrianne is living the life she always wanted, surrounded by art and beauty, the written word and a loving family.

As a young adult and new adult author, Adrianne James has plans to bring stories of growing characters, a little romance, and perhaps a little magic and mythology down the line for her readers to enjoy.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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Covered: Pinned Up by C. Michelle

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:19:00 +0000

Blurb:
Twenty-five-year-old Nina Moretti lives a double life of sorts. She’s a victim advocate during the day and as a side gig, lives out her 1940s fetish as a pin-up model. This arrangement suits her well, as does never having a steady boyfriend. Trust is an issue that was ruined for Nina at a young age and has yet to be recovered. While she may not “do” serious relationships, she has found fulfillment in her work and hanging out with her best friend, Kade—the greatest sidekick any woman could possibly want. All is well in Nina’s hectic, but satisfying life...

That is, until she meets Josh, a stunningly handsome man who has a notorious reputation as a ladies’ man. Living in San Francisco, California, Nina has met her fair share of eligible bachelors. But there is something different about Josh, something that compels her to try and get to know him better. For his part, Josh has always been reluctant to commit to any woman, largely as a way to spite his well-meaning, but rather overbearing mother. Nina, however, sparks his interest in a way that no other woman has before. What are two people, both scared of commitment, supposed to do?

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Promo Thursday: New Adult A Growing "Genre"

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:55:00 +0000

If you are at all interested in books and the publishing industry, you'll know what the genre, New Adult, refers to. It's a growing category of novels and novellas that feature college-age and early twenties protagonists, exploring their newly found independence, growing sexual identity and grown-up responsibilities. It seems that many authors (especially small press and self-published) are finding their niche in New Adult.

Where do you start if you want to explore New Adult? What if you're looking for a Memorial Day weekend read? You're in luck, readers. Here are 2 promotions going on right now. Snap up these inexpensive reads while they're on sale!

Blurb:
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.

Goodreads
Priscilla Glenn on Facebook

.99 Thursday and Friday, May 23rd-24th ONLY at Amazon

Blog tour in progress now: Hosted by AToMR Tours, May 20th-25th.

Blurb:
Rook Walsh is TRAGIC

Because life so far – just sucks. Some girls get parents. Rook got the foster care system. Some girls get Prince Charming. Rook got an abusive frog. Some girls get lucky...

Rook got a second chance.

And she took it. Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.

Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy! He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s camera.

Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world. It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

Goodreads
J.A. Huss on Facebook

Just 2.99 at Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Book Blast Contest: Hosted by New Adult Addiction

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Covered: Addicted To You by Colina Brennan Reveal

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:48:00 +0000

Blurb:
When twenty-one-year-old Leah Carter's latest one night stand burglarizes her apartment, her roommate forces her to attend therapy for sex addicts. Leah insists she isn't a sex addict; she just doesn't do relationships. After all, sooner or later, everyone lets you down.

At first, the group sessions are little more than an education on how to be promiscuous. Until she meets the newest addict—blue eyes, killer body, and a smile that tempts relapse.

Psychology student Will McLean is posing as a fellow addict while researching a case study on unusual addictions. But the more he learns about Leah, the more certain he is that his desire to break through her walls and unearth her secrets has nothing to do with his assignment.

As the uncertainties spike alongside the sexual tension, the only thing Leah knows for sure is that falling in love would be disastrous. Too bad love might be one addiction she can't kick.

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Colina Brennan

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Imdalind Series by Rebecca Ethington: Spotlight

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:03:00 +0000
Joclyn Despain has been marred by a brand on her skin. She doesn't know why the mark appeared on her neck, but she doesn't want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won't let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.

The scar is the reason she is being hunted.

If only she knew that she was.

If only she had known that the cursed stone her estranged father sent for her 16th birthday would trigger a change in her. Now, she is being stalked by a tall blonde man, and is miraculously throwing her high school bully ten feet in the air.

Joclyn attempts to find some answers and the courage to follow her heart. When Ryland finds her scar; only he knows what it means, and who will kill her because of it.

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On May 15th - 16th Kiss of Fire will be free on Amazon!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Book 2 in the Imdalind series!

Joclyn is in hiding, hunted by the man she still desperately loves. Ryland is gone, his mind erased, no memory of Joclyn remains. But, Joclyn’s heart desperately begs her to hold out hope. While, in reality the black eyed monster that possesses him, attempts to kill her over and over.

If it wasn’t for Ilyan, Joclyn would be dead by now.

Ilyan. The man who once stalked her, is now Joclyn’s protector, the only thing she has left. He protects Joclyn from the men who seek to end her life, and while she is haunted by dreams where Ryland begs her to break the bond between them.

Ilyan is there. Always there.

Ilyan trains and prepares her, teaching her everything she needs to know in the hope that one day she can avenge Ryland, if not protect herself from him.

And then there is her father.

The man who has never been there, is suddenly responsible for everything. And who he is has made Joclyn into something she never wanted to be.

The Silnỳ.

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Get your copy of Eyes of Ember for only $.99!

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About The Author:
Rebecca Ethington is a story teller and author from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances.

Rebecca’s first stint into the world of literary writing, The Imdalind Series, was released in October 2012 and since its release each book has been found in several top 100 lists on Amazon.

Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her crazy family.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Library Book Review: Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:15:00 +0000
Blurb:
Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose during lunch at one of London's fanciest restaurants. But when his big question involves a trip abroad, not a trip down the aisle, she's completely crushed. So when Ben, an old flame, calls her out of the blue and reminds Lottie of their pact to get married if they were both still single at thirty, she jumps at the chance. No formal dates;just a quick march to the altar and a honeymoon on Ikonos, the sun-drenched Greek island where they first met years ago.

Their family and friends are horrified. Fliss, Lottie's older sister, knows that Lottie can be impulsive;but surely this is her worst decision yet. And Ben's colleague Lorcan fears that this hasty marriage will ruin his friend's career. To keep Lottie and Ben from making a terrible mistake, Fliss concocts an elaborate scheme to sabotage their wedding night. As she and Lorcan jet off to Ikonos in pursuit, Lottie and Ben are in for a honeymoon to remember, for better . . . or worse.

I'm actually kind of confused about how I want to rate this. On the one hand, this book was very much in Kinsella's usual style. Miscommunications and hi-jinks ensue throughout the novel. However, I did not really like any of the primary characters.

Lottie and Fliss are basically sabateurs of, not only their own lives, but others around them. In a bad representation of Sense and Sensibility-esque sisters, Fliss is reserved, and frankly quite bitter, about relationships. Meanwhile, Lottie is too flighty, too emotional, and too self-absorbed.

The male characters aren't any more likeable or relatable. What I did like was the dry British humor, the laugh out loud "situations" orchestrated by Nico and Georgios (honeymoon hotel employees), and the snappy pace of the novel. So, though I first thought, 3.5 stars, I also felt that what I disliked overshadowed enough to give it some weight. Therefore, I reconsidered my final rating.

My Rating:
Worth Trying
2.75 star
C+

I obtained this book from my local library. No compensation from anyone was given for this review.

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Covered: Overexposed by Adrianne James

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sun, 12 May 2013 17:24:00 +0000
Upcoming YA novel, OVEREXPOSED, by Adrianne James has a cover! GCR Promotions sponsored the reveal, and Read My Mind is bringing it to your attention. I'm pretty interested in reading OVEREXPOSED myself, and I hope it gets you excited too!

OVEREXPOSED by Adrianne James
Expected publication: May 24th 2013 by Star Bound Books

In the tiny town of Willowspring, just about nothing ever happens except for layoffs, hockey games, and your average melodramatic teenage angst.

But that was before.

Vi, Ashley, and Macy are just trying to make it through the school year without one more humiliation when they team up for a simple photography assignment: create a story through a series of photographs. Can't be too much trouble, right?

Wrong.

The shutterbugs happen upon Willowspring High School's darkest secret. When everything around them starts to crumble after trying to do the right thing, their only hope is to stick together.

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Reveal hosted by:
----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Event: New Adult Sleepover Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sun, 12 May 2013 02:18:00 +0000

New Adult Sleepover Weekend is a convention taking place December 6th - 8th featuring some of today's BEST SELLING New Adult authors, and some upcoming authors that you want to keep on your radar.

The weekend will be filled with parties, a book signing, reader and author dinners, and tons more! Not only do you get to discover some new authors, but you get to know them on a personal level.

Damaris at Good Choice Reading is co-director of the con, and she has also put together an amazing blog tour to give readers a chance to get to know the authors before the convention. This blog tour will be filled with book highlights, reviews, sneak peeks into the authors books, and tons of giveaways! This tour will run from now until September! Yes, you read correctly. A 5 month tour and at the end of every month a chance to win big!

Some of the giveaways involve Gift Cards, books, and even two registrations to NASW! All donated by the authors. So if you're thinking about attending, make sure you check out the blog tour, which I am proud to be a tour host for.

This months FIRST NASW giveaway is below. You can enter just for checking out this post! See the rafflecopter at the bottom to enter.

Just keep an eye for the following logos for your chance to win! You can enter at each blog tour stop. Enter more than once!

Be sure to check the New Adult Sleepover Website often for details and updates on the convention and other blogger and author events connected with NASW.

"LIKE" NASW13 on Facebook

Check out these blogs for a chance to win this month awesome prize:

http://www.bookishthingsandmore.com

www.mangamaniaccafe.com

http://newadultaddiction.blogspot.com/

http://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/

http://www.whirlwindbooksandreviews.com/

http://twobrainbookreviewers.blogspot.com/

http://tugceninkitapligi.com

http://www.bookishrandomness.blogspot.com

www.mybookmuse.com

http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.com

www.shortie-says.com

www.thediaryofanengineer.blogspot.com

http://whateveryoucanstillbetray.blogspot.com/

http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com

http://www.theluvnv.com

http://www.shereadsnewadult.com

booksaremybestfriendforever.blogspot.in

http://princess-paperback.blogspot.com

http://anovelaffair222.wordpress.com

http://divergentgryffindor.blogspot.com

www.paranormal-bookclub.com

tiffanytalksbooks.com

http://rampant-readers.blogspot.com

www.SMIBookClub.com

Let the fun begin!!!

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----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Blast: Broken Promises by Dawn Pendleton (@GCReading)

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:46:00 +0000

Blurb:
After three years in Boston attending college, Mallory Wells has come home to Casper, Maine to care for her father, who is dying from cancer. She left Casper without looking back, leaving her small-town life and everyone in it, behind. Including her sexy high school sweetheart.

Luke Bates was devastated when Mallory left him for the city life. He managed to pull himself together and move on, even if only just barely. When Mallory shows up in town, Luke vows to stay away from her at all costs. So why does he keep checking in on her and her father, showing up when he's clearly uninvited?

Maybe Luke isn't as 'over her' as he thought.

Barnes and Noble | Amazon

About The Author:
Dawn Pendleton is a New Adult and Young Adult author living in Maine with her husband and pup.

Right now, she's working on two manuscripts simultaneously. It's a difficult task for her, but one she's certain will pay off in the end.

Website | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Want to meet Dawn?

She is also one of the featured authors of the New Adult Sleepover Weekend. You can find all the details HERE.

Make sure to check out the blog tour kicking off on Monday, May 13th HERE.

Thanks to Dawn and GCReading Promotions for this great giveaway too! Just enter via the rafflecopter below.

Good Luck to all!

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----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Tour Review: Eyes of Ember by Rebecca Ethington

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:22:00 +0000
Blurb:
Joclyn is in hiding, hunted by the man she still desperately loves. Ryland is gone, his mind erased; no memory of Joclyn remains, but Joclyn’s heart desperately begs her to hold out hope. Meanwhile the black-eyed monster that possesses him attempts to kill her over and over again.

If it wasn’t for Ilyan, Joclyn would be dead by now.

Ilyan, the man who once stalked her, is now Joclyn’s protector, the only person she has left. He protects Joclyn from the men who seek to end her life, and all the while, she is haunted by dreams where Ryland begs her to break the bond between them.

Ilyan is there. Always there.

Ilyan trains and prepares her, teaching her everything she needs to know in the hope that one day she can avenge Ryland, if not protect herself from him.

And then, there is her father.

The man who has never been there is suddenly responsible for everything. And who he is has made Joclyn into something she never wanted to be:

The Silnỳ.

EYES OF EMBER continues the story started in KISS OF FIRE. The book itself isn't a high-octane romp from one action adventure to another, as many YA books tend to be with a paranormal element. Rather, it explores much of the inner feelings and changes that the primary female character (and narrator) Joclyn has had to, and is still dealing with, after the events in the first book. This was actually a plus for me, when I was reading. The plot isn't slow, but it does build on the premise that Joclyn is now separated from Ryland, her initial love interest. She must spend time in hiding and close proximity to another young man, Ilyan.

One of the best aspects of EYES OF EMBER was the sometimes conflicting feelings and actions of Joclyn. Not only did it bring in some of the aspects of being a teenager in a contemporary world, but it also felt like a timeless story that all ages could enjoy and relate to. Joclyn is a well-developed character, who I could see as a flesh and blood girl, not just a flat paper representation.

There was a tinge of isolation and loneliness to the tone of EYES OF EMBER. Not that this was off-putting. In fact, it was the right tone to strike, given the plot. Joclyn and Ilyan spend much of the book with only each other for company, and Joclyn's forays into her dreams to visit the Ryland she loves and misses, is heart-wrenching. Ethington is adept at building an emotional story, in EYES OF EMBER, one that carries the reader along on the same journey her characters are experiencing.

Book Rating:
11.5/15
3.5 star
B+

About The Author:
Rebecca Ethington has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances. The Imdalind Series is her first stint into the world of literary writing. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. She was born and raised in the mountains of Salt Lake City, and hasn’t found the desire to leave yet. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her amazing family.

Website | Twitter

This book was provided by the author via GCR Promotions, with no other compensation except for the expectation of an honest review

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Read My Mind Interviews: Theresa Meyers

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:34:00 +0000

About The Author:
The progeny of a slightly mad (NASA) scientist and a tea-drinking bibliophile who turned the family dining room into a library, Theresa Meyers learned early the value of a questioning mind, books and a good china teapot.

A former journalist and public relations officer, she found far more enjoyment using her writing skills to pen paranormal novels in the turret office of her Victorian home.

She’s spent nearly a quarter of a century with the boy who took her to the Prom, drinks tea with milk and sugar, is an adamant fan of the television show Supernatural, and has an indecent love of hats.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads

Welcome Theresa! I had some burning questions I wanted to ask the author about her THE LEGEND CHRONICLES series, and all of you readers get to see what she replied.

Please tell my readers a little more about the The Legend Chronicles and the brothers Jackson.

The Legend Chronicles was originally envisioned as a series of steampunk stories all set in the wild weird west. Three brothers, all named after their father's favorite guns, Winchester, Remington and Colt, have been raised in this kind of secret society known as the Legion of Hunters. These Hunters are responsible for protecting humanity against the paranormal creatures in our world collectively known as Darkin (things like demons, vampires, ghosts, shape-shifters, werewolves, etc.) There's a prophecy that three brothers will unite something called the Book of Legend (a kind of compendium of all Hunter knowledge on how to kill different Darkin) which when bound together will help seal the Gates of Nyx to permanently shut out the dark forces from our world (please note that I came up with that whole thing two seasons before it showed up on Supernatural and that the idea for my heroes was spawned in the mid 90s and sat on my hard drive of my computer for years waiting until paranormals were selling again - so while this series seems like Supernatural crossed with Wild Wild West, I had the stories in my head and down in my computer before the series was a glimmer in the producer's eye).
Winchester is the eldest brother and is a law man, trying to get away from the Hunter life and be normal. Colt is the baby of the family and is out to prove he's just as big and bad a Hunter as his outlaw father was. And Remington, well, Remy is a bit of a contradiction. First off he's an attorney who's also a Hunter. He likes to be seen as respectable and he's well-educated, but he's not above twisting the rules to suit him if the need arises. All together each of these brothers must search for a missing section of the Book of Legend using a Darkin to assist them--and of course, it was only fair I make each Darkin as attractive an irresistible as possible to keep things distracting and interesting for my Jackson brothers! So there you have it. The series is a blend of steampunk, action-adventure and paranormal romance.

Which book (or brother) was the most challenging to write? Most enjoyable?

Ah, that's two different questions! This current book, The Chosen, was certainly the most difficult to write, not just because I had to write it back-to-back with three other deadlines for different publishers, but because the series was designed to have a continuing timeline. All the books are happening at once, which means in the third book I had to know EVERYTHING that was happening in the previous two books and all the secondary characters' movements off-stage and keep it all in my head while I was writing. I also had to write a scene or two for the THIRD time from a different point of view. As any writer can tell you, it's hard enough finding the right point of view for a scene, knowing which character has the most at stake. But to take that same scene, rip it apart, and re-stitch it together while being unable to modify any of the dialog or the physical movements or expressions of the characters, is really tough! It requires you to get into the head of the other brothers in the scene and really know them well enough to know what that smirk or raising of the eyebrows meant.
Now to answer your second question, the most enjoyable book to write was The Hunter because it was the first, naturally, so there were no world constraints. I could create anything! In addition it was fun because I really like Colt's mechanical horse Tempus and the idea of having a succubus for a heroine and a womanizer for a hero who have to resist one another was a lot of fun to write.

What was your first encounter with steampunk, and what hooked you on the sub-culture?

I've always been a lover of Victoriana, even as a child. When other kids asked for calendars of puppies or kittens, I asked for one of Victorian house plans (which I still have! *blush*). I was just fascinated by the era and most of the formals I sewed for dances in high school had Victorian styling to them with bustles or big mutton-chop styled sleeves (a la Gibson girl). And when I started writing fiction, I was writing historical romances set in the Victorian era. So when I went to my first "steampunk" event at Steampunk University (a weekend event put on in Seattle by the local steampunk group every year) I was stunned to find people who loved all the things I had loved for years! I was rather hooked on the sub-culture before I even knew what it was so the process of discovering it was kind of like coming home.

The Legend Chronicles is mostly adventure and romance with some steampunk elements. How easy or hard was it to combine these?

Actually it was easier than you'd think, at least for me, because I started out writing historical romances. Since steampunk is essentially a historical romance but with some reimagining of the era using fantastical inventions and science, it wasn't that hard. As for the adventure? That's always something I try to weave into my stories. It makes them more entertaining and fast-paced to read and to write!

What conventions or book events can a fangirl (or boy) find Theresa Meyers attending in 2013?

I'll be attending the RT Booklover's Convention in Kansas City, May 1-5 as well as the Authors After Dark Readers Convention in Savannah, GA August 15-18 as well as the book booksigning event at Emerald City Writers Conference in Seattle, Oct. 18-20. Readers can always find out updates of where I'll be by checking either my website: http://www.theresameyers.com, twitterfeed: http://www.twitter.com/Theresa_Meyers or author facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheresaMeyersAuthor

Theresa Meyers
http://www.theresameyers.com

Steampunk Wild West Style, The Chosen, out now from Kensington Publishing Zebra
Small town contemporary romance, The Baby Mistake, coming soon from Entangled
The O'Connell sisters return, Shadow Hunter, coming soon from Entangled Publishing

Thank you so much, Theresa!

Check out this excerpt provided by the author and Bewitching Book Tours

***

“So how are you planning on getting me out of here? They’ve got a price on my head. And you ain’t a judge and now you’re stuck here in the pokey same as me.”

Remington Jackson’s eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and determination. “You didn’t think I’d walk in here without an alternative exit plan, did you?” he pulled the right side of his jacket back to reveal not just a holstered revolver and gun belt filled with silvery bullets, but also a couple of glass vials of clear liquid topped with cork stoppers.

China snorted. “It’s gonna take a lot more than that little bit of water if you want to get through those adobe walls.”

He gave her an arch look. “It would, if it were water.” He picked up one vial, and glanced at her. “But considering it’s nitro glycerin, I’m assuming it’ll be much more effective. Toss that mattress up on its side and hunker down behind it for cover.” She didn’t question, just did as he said.

Remington crouched down behind the mattress with her in the corner of the cell, their backs to the bars as he threw the glass vial as hard as he could at the outer adobe wall, then ducked.
The explosion rocked the jail, sending down a shower of dust and chunks of brick. Miss McGee coughed, then frowned. “Blowing up the jail? That’s your solution?”

He shrugged. He really didn’t care what she thought of his methods. “It works.” His life wasn’t a black or white proposition. It was more like a smorgasbord. He took what he needed, when he needed it, to get the job done. Being a Hunter, even part time, meant he didn’t always have the luxury of doing things by the book.

Judging by the narrow-eyed look and pinched mouth on Miss McGee’s pretty face, he’d been right to bring the iron bracelet along as a precaution. Colt said she could change into many things, including a mountain lion, and he had no plans of getting shredded to pieces on the way back to Tombstone. Remington didn’t waste any time. He hustled Miss McGee out of the jail as quickly as possible, helping her cross the rubble, aware that the sheriff and half the town would likely be on their heels at any moment.

They dashed around the outer edge of the jail, and waited for everyone to disappear inside. He grabbed hold of her hand. “Let’s go.”

He rushed to his horse, who was spooked by the explosion, and pulled the reigns from the hitching post.

China’s mouth dropped open. “How are we gonna get out of here quick on that? Don’t you have a mechanical horse like Colt?”

“No. Hate the damn thing. Now are you coming or not?”

China snapped her mouth closed and nodded. Remington mounted in one smooth swift motion, then hauled the Darkin up to sit in front of him. Well, really, given the confines of the saddle she sat more in his lap than in front of him. She was far softer than he’d anticipated. Somehow Miss McGee’s prickly exterior didn’t change how very feminine she felt. “Hold on to the pommel.” She gripped it hard and he grasped the reins in each hand.

“Is this really necessary?” she growled as he kicked the horse into motion.

“Until I have clear access to Diego Mendoza’s information, absolutely.” That was a half truth. He could have just taken whatever she’d gotten from the safety deposit box and left her there, but his gut had told him that wasn’t the safest path. And if there was one thing Remington did, it was always listen to his gut. Besides everything Colt had him meticulously research indicated a Darkin was needed to access the hiding place of the missing pieces of the Book. No, he didn’t intend on letting Miss McGee out of his sights any time soon.

He wheeled the horse around and sped up the hill, making quick tracks out of Bisbee before anyone figured out what had happened and where they’d gone. He didn’t stop or slow until Bisbee was out of sight over the rim of the hills.

“I can just give you the page. That’s all there was. No map. Not a decent one anyway. Just a bunch of squiggly lines. No place names. No directions.” With her right hand she reached beneath the edge of her leather jacket and pulled a folded page of yellowed paper from the breast pocket of her faded pale blue chambray shirt. “Here. Take it. Then you can just drop me off at the next town. Deal?”

Remington smiled. She was just as anxious to get away from him as she was to get back at Colt. He could tell by the nervous way she fidgeted. “No deal. How do I know that paper will lead me anywhere?”

She shrugged, the movement causing her back and the curve of her shoulders to rub up against his chest. Remington grit his teeth. He was a Hunter, not a monk, after all. And despite the taint of being Darkin, she was a beautiful creature.

“You don’t. But I don’t have anything else, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Oh, I think you have a bit more than that. You were working with Colt to help find the lost piece of the Book Diego knew about, weren’t you?”

She heaved a sigh. “I don’t know anything.”

“That’s not what Colt said.”

A fine tremor worked its way through her body. Remington wasn’t sure if it was anger or desire. There was an exceedingly fine dividing line between hate and love and it didn’t take a whole hell of a lot to push some folks from one to the other.

“Colt knows everything I do.”

“Yes, but he’s bent on finding Cadel’s piece of the Book my father hid. That means I’m collecting you so you can help him find the piece Diego is rumored to have uncovered.”

She twisted in his lap. The leather stretched across her finely curved ass was not nearly enough of a barrier between them. Remington grunted. China gazed up at him. “You’re trying to put the Book of Legend back together, aren’t you?”

They started down the rugged hills surrounding Bisbee and Remington weighed the option of telling her the truth vs. telling her only what he wanted her to know. His gut told him to trust her when every bit of Hunter training told him he was a fool to do so.

“Yes.”

Something changed in her eyes. A flash of silver, like lightning streaking across a stormy, cloud-covered sky. It was a breath-taking sight. “I’ll help you on one condition.”

Remington was tempted to tell her she wasn’t exactly in a position to bargain, but his curiosity got the better of him. In the courts sometimes what people told you when trying bargain, revealed far more about their intentions than they realized. “And what’s that?”

“If you do find all the pieces, I want to be there when you put it together.”
Remington frowned. “Why?”

“’Cause if what the Darkin legends say is true, it’s gonna be one hell of a show.”

In Remington’s opinion deals were made to be remade. He didn’t see the harm in agreeing to it if it could get the information Colt needed out of her. “Sounds like you have a personal stake in the matter. Is that true, Miss McGee?”

She shifted uneasily. “You’ve got your secrets, Hunter. I’ve got mine. Do we have a deal, or don’t we?”

***

Blurb:
Attorney by day, demon-hunter by night, Remington Jackson is used to being on the sunny side of the law, even in the Wild West. But it’s showdown time, and Remy and his brothers are getting desperate. They don’t have the relic they need to slam the door shut on evil—so Remy is going to have to find and steal part of it.

Enter China McGee, shapeshifter, thief, beauty, and current prisoner. When Remy offers her freedom in exchange for a little light-fingered help, she’s pretty sure she’s going to end the association with a good old-fashioned seductive double cross. But there’s something about fighting through a jungle full of Mayan ruins that makes you want to settle down together. China could change. Remy might be special. But none of that matters if the devil takes them all...

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The fun's not over yet! Thanks to Theresa Meyers, there is also a tour-wide giveaway taking place. See what the prizes are, then enter via the rafflecopter below.
Good Luck!

Tour Wide Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card

2 signed sets of The Legend Chronicles (3 books each to 2 winners) US Shipping

10 Signed copies of The Chosen (US Shipping)

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----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Review: The Chosen by Theresa Meyers

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:59:00 +0000

Blurb:
Attorney by day, demon-hunter by night, Remington Jackson is used to being on the sunny side of the law, even in the Wild West. But it’s showdown time, and Remy and his brothers are getting desperate. They don’t have the relic they need to slam the door shut on evil—so Remy is going to have to find and steal part of it.

Enter China McGee, shapeshifter, thief, beauty, and current prisoner. When Remy offers her freedom in exchange for a little light-fingered help, she’s pretty sure she’s going to end the association with a good old-fashioned seductive double cross. But there’s something about fighting through a jungle full of Mayan ruins that makes you want to settle down together. China could change. Remy might be special. But none of that matters if the devil takes them all...

THE CHOSEN is the third book in THE LEGEND CHRONICLES about three brothers, Colt, Winchester, and Remington, hunters who live in a world full of Darkin (demons, vampires, shapeshifters) and have embarked on a journey to fulfill a prophesy none of them are quite sure they believe. Colt and Winchester have had their adventures and found their match in two strong women. Now it is Remington's turn. This series is full of action, romance, danger and some elements (like steampunk and a western-like setting) that can draw all sorts of readers.

I MUST start with the characters. Remington and China McGee team up to try to find a portion of an important relic. Because the three novels in the series happen simultaneously, and even share several scenes, the reader has a special treat in getting to see the dynamics of the brothers and the women who are accompanying them on their quests as a group as well as coupled up. Though I thought that Colt was going to firmly stay my favorite of the Jackson brothers, I was also really intrigued by China McGee. Meyers has the ability to flesh out both hero and heroine throughout the story. Neither character is completely dependent on the other; they truly work together, and even if it is begrudgingly, it is clear that each one plays to their own strengths.

Meyers has also built a cool world where many different creatures exist. Blending action, adventure, romance, danger, secrets and betrayal in a steampunky-fied old west world, there is something for everyone who enjoys speculative fiction and/or romance. Start the series with the first book, THE HUNTER, and you won't want to stop until the last page of THE CHOSEN!

Book Rating:
14/15
4.5 star
A

About The Author:
The progeny of a slightly mad (NASA) scientist and a tea-drinking bibliophile who turned the family dining room into a library, Theresa Meyers learned early the value of a questioning mind, books and a good china teapot.

A former journalist and public relations officer, she found far more enjoyment using her writing skills to pen paranormal novels in the turret office of her Victorian home.

She’s spent nearly a quarter of a century with the boy who took her to the Prom, drinks tea with milk and sugar, is an adamant fan of the television show Supernatural, and has an indecent love of hats.

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This book was provided by the author via Bewitching Book Tours, with no other compensation except for the expectation of an honest review

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Kelly Keaton Cover Reveal, Or Read My Mind Is Baaack!

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:10:00 +0000
So, I took a break from the blog. Unintentionally, but it happens. I've been dealing with some family issues and some personal emotional issues, and unfortunately Read My Mind suffered because of this. However, when I was contacted by the lovely GCR Promotions about posting on Kelly Keaton's newest cover, I couldn't resist hopping on my laptop to share with my readers. Hope you're all still around and enjoy this!

About The Author:
Kelly loves ancient history, fantasy, and mythology. She dreams of one day attaining magical powers, discovering the secret to immortality, ridding her home of pet hair, and being crowned Mardi-Gras queen.

As Kelly Gay, she writes the popular adult urban fantasy series, Charlie Madigan, for Pocket Books. While she calls Raleigh, NC, home, she can also be found chatting about books and life on Facebook and Twitter.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

THE WICKED WITHIN is the third book in Kelly Keaton's GODS AND MONSTERS series. Other books in the series:

Coming: September 2013, SIMON PULSE
Find On Goodreads

GUESS WHAT ELSE?!

To celebrate the reveal Kelly is giving away a copy of Darkness Becomes Her and A Beautiful Evil, book one and two in the series. Best part? It's open international!

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Cover Reveal hosted by...

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.