{November 3, 2013} {Review} The Waves by Jen Minkman (The Island #2)

From Goodreads: The first memory I have of my grandfather is of a moment that we share together.

I’m sitting on his knee looking out over the harbor. Grandpa is smoking a pipe. He points at the horizon. “Look, Walt. Our ships are out there. And one day, another even more beautiful ship will appear at the horizon. A mighty ship to take us all away. And Annabelle will be at the front deck with open arms, inviting us all to join her on board.”

“Why don’t we sail to her ourselves?” I want to know.

“Because she promised she would come,” granddad replies. “And in that promise we trust. It’s only the Unbelievers who think they can do everything themselves. They have no faith in the Goddess.”

Walt lives in Hope Harbor, an island community that has put its trust in salvation from across the sea. The townspeople wait patiently, build their ships to sail out and welcome the Goddess, and piously visit the temple every week. Horror stories to scare their children are told about the Unbelievers on the other side of Tresco.

But not all is what it seems. Walt has questions that no one can answer, and when his best friend and cousin Yorrick is killed in an accident, he digs deeper to find out the truth about the origins of Hope Harbor’s society… and the secrets of the temple.

Return to the world of The Island and discover what Walt’s life was like before and after he met Leia!

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If you’re like me, then you probably really enjoy novels that give you the “other” side of the story—the same story from a different character’s point of view. Take Stephanie Meyer’s Midnight Sun, or Marata Eros’ A Brutal Tenderness, for examples. In Twilight we learn everything from Bella’s point of view, but in Midnight Sun (what’s available, anyway), we are given the same information through Edward’s eyes, which is fantastic, in my opinion. The same is true in Eros’ A Terrible Love series, giving readers Jess’ point of view in A Terrible Love, and Cass’ in A Brutal Tenderness, bring the story full circle and allowing readers to ascertain the thoughts and feelings of the quiet and brooding Cass, even adding in some differing situations, and taking us back into the worlds we love so deeply.

The same is true for The Waves, the second novel in The Island series by Jen Minkman. When I first read The Island this past Spring, I was a little disappointed because the story seemed a little pushed, though I liked it overall. The characters in this first novella were a bit flat, and everything resolved itself just a little too easily for my liking. However, with the publication of The Waves, Minkman fleshes out the original story, making it much more concrete and filling in the holes left behind by The Island, but doing so through the eyes of a side character in The Island, Walt.

On the island, there are actually two differing groups of people residing, set apart by a vast wall. Both sides have extremely different ideology concerning where they come from and whether or not they will ever be saved, and they both put their trust in relics such as books. However, the sides have grown so distant that no one really knows anything about the other anymore, and so they stick to their own knowledge and teachings, fearing the unknown.

Leia grew up on the “Unbelievers” side (though she and her people would never call themselves that). They believe that every man is for themselves, that children must raise themselves away from The Parents, and that they are completely alone in the universe—there is nothing across the vast space of ocean, and no one will ever come to “save” them. Walt grew up on the “Fools” side, though again, he and his people would never refer to themselves as that. They believe that the goddess will one day send her people across the ocean and come for the people on the island, so they hold out hope and wait for the day they may glimpse a ship.

Sound intriguing? It is, and The Island, book one in the series, focuses on the story of Leia as she questions all that she knows. But, like I said, I thought that first novella needed a lot more explanation and fleshing out. The Waves, thankfully, does just that, presenting the story from Walt’s point of view, a “Fool” on the other side of the wall, and it mirrors events in both stories, giving readers the “other side” of the story, which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Picking up a few years prior to events in The Island, we meet Walt and his cousin as they begin to question all they know of Hope Harbor. Why not build boats and try to see what’s on the other side, if anything, of the ocean? Why must they wait until a ship comes for them? These questions, and information Walt’s cousin unearths in the vast array of books only a few chosen are allowed to read, ultimately lead to Walt’s cousin’s death… and the Unbelievers did it. But did they? As the novella continues to unfold, it begins to parallel events we read about in The Island, showing us what Walt was thinking when he first met Leia, where he took her book after returning home to his side of the island, who he spoke to, and how both the Fools in Hope Harbor and the Unbelievers on the other side decide it is time to confront their beliefs; after all, is it ever smart to only allow a select few the power and knowledge to lead a people?

Overall, The Waves adds a lot to the original story, and this glimpse into the other side of the island is exactly what was needed to make The Island complete. I highly recommend you read both novellas together in order to get the entire story. Four stars.

I received this novella from Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

{November 3, 2013} {Review} A Risk Worth Taking by Heather Hildenbrand

From Goodreads: When 22-year-old Summer Stafford’s parents split halfway through her senior year at college, Summer’s world is rocked. Everything she thought she knew—heck, everything she thought she wanted for her own life—feels like a lie. The truth is love is a risk. And the true kind, the kind that lasts, might even be a fairy tale.

Reeling from the divorce, Summer derails her own future by breaking up with her parent-approved boyfriend and giving up her lifelong plans for a big-city career. She moves back home, business degree in hand. Dad needs her to fill the gaps her mother left behind; Summer needs to find who she is outside of the cookie-cutter life that failed so miserably for her parents.

Ford O’Neal’s future involves one person: himself. He doesn’t have a permanent address and he definitely doesn’t commit. To a place or a person. Raised by hippies, he plans just far enough ahead to secure his next stop, this one landing him at a work-study program at Heritage Plantation where he can grow his own herbal and medicinal creations.

Summer is gorgeous and smart and fun to be with, the perfect way to pass five months. It won’t be love—Ford’s got too many things to accomplish, too many places to go, before he settles down. Yet Summer pulls him in, challenging him to rethink his own philosophy.

When Ford’s five months are up, each of them must decide if love is really worth the risk.

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Meet Summer, a young woman who has sworn off love after witnessing her parents beautiful marriage end in divorce—her mother moving out and leaving her father to tend to the farm. And, what Summer can’t understand is why her father doesn’t seem to hold any animosity for the woman who left him, and Summer, behind.

Ford isn’t so different. Though his parents are still happily married, he’s learned that there can be regret in love and settling down too soon, before he’s seen and done everything he wants to do without a family of his own to hold him back. So, he’s sworn off love as well.

This makes for the perfect relationship, two people looking for companionship without love, but what neither of them realize is that you can’t control your feelings, and just because you don’t want to fall in love doesn’t mean you won’t.

This is a wonderful feel good read that will leave readers swooning over Ford and feeling like best friends with Summer, especially with its back and forth nature of narration. Perhaps my favorite style of storytelling, Hildenbrand allows readers to feel alongside her true-to-life characters as they attempt to make sense of their lives and, ultimately, love, through their first person point of view. And, though the going isn’t always easy, this cute and enchanting story is the perfect read for the holidays; it’s gripping and delightful, one that I highly recommend, especially if you’ve read any of Hildenbrand’s young adult novels as you already know she’s a very talented and engaging writer. Now that I’ve met Summer and Ford, I cannot get wait for more. Four stars.

I purchased this novel from Amazon.

{November 2, 2013} {Review} Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon

From Goodreads: Hollie Porter is the chairwoman of Generation Disillusioned: at twenty-five years old, she’s saddled with a job she hates, a boyfriend who’s all wrong for her, and a vexing inability to say no. She’s already near her breaking point, so when one caller too many kicks the bucket during Hollie’s 911 shift, she cashes in the Sweethearts’ Spa & Stay gift certificate from her dad and heads to Revelation Cove, British Columbia. One caveat: she’s going solo. Any sweethearts will have to be found on site.

Hollie hopes to find her beloved otters in the wilds of the Great White North, but instead she’s providing comic relief for staff and guests alike. Even Concierge Ryan, a former NHL star with bad knees and broken dreams, can’t stop her from stumbling from one (mis)adventure to another. Just when Hollie starts to think that a change of venue doesn’t mean a change in circumstances, the island works its charm and she starts to think she might have found the rejuvenation she so desperately desires. But then an uninvited guest crashes the party, forcing her to step out of the discomfort zone where she dwells and save the day … and maybe even herself in the process.

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If you’re looking for a feel good comedy full of snarky inner monologue and laugh out loud situations, then look no further than Eliza Gordon’s amazing debut novel, Must Love Otters. This comedic women’s fiction/humor novel will leave you in stiches as Hollie Porter’s life spins hilariously out of control, gluing you to the pages as Hollie stumbles from one amusing mishap to the next. Though the initial circumstances are almost tragic—breaking up with her boyfriend of two years and having to go on a romantic getaway solo—Hollie’s thought process and revelations about life make it a hysterical look at life and its many lemons.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and its entertaining look at life, I found that the story really took off for me once Hollie left home to go on holiday in Revelation Cove, British Columbia. Here we begin to see a different side of Hollie, away from the job she hates, the ogre lady on the first floor, and the boyfriend from hell. Finally, Hollie can let loose, but in the process she goes from one hilarious calamity to the next; from accidentally streaking to ending up oarless in the middle of the ocean, Hollie’s outlook on life is about to drastically change thanks to the lovely Concierge Ryan.

Gordon has a gift with words, gluing readers to the pages as this story unfolds, offering readers multiple laugh-out-loud moments as Hollie attempts to make sense of her life. From a catastrophic nacho incident to an evil, territorial goat, the events that unfold will keep you snickering late into the night with this unputdownable read. Four and a half stars.

Eliza Gordon is the pen name for the wife-husband duo, Jennifer Sommersby, author of Sleight, and her husband, Gary.

I received this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

{November 2, 2013} The 99 Cent Club–Feature 69–Ten Books for Ten Bucks

Every Saturday I run a feature for the 99 Cent Club, and below are the eBook picks for this week that caught my eye and are currently ONLY 99 Cents on Amazon with many on Barnes and Noble as well. I don’t know if these are permanent prices, so please don’t shoot the messenger, and double check pricing before pressing the buy button. Enjoy! (If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.)

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Wicked Thing by Angeline Kace

**Due to content, this book is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.**

Carmyn Rafferty witnessed the aftermath of her mother’s affair. She learned at a young age not to trust anyone. Especially not your spouse. So she’s planned. She’s planned every detail of her life: who her husband will be, what their careers will be, what their lives will be like. All to avoid the pain of infidelity.

Dallas Brown lives a life all his own. He doesn’t do relationships, he doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him, and he doesn’t live up to anyone’s expectations.

When Carmyn’s fiancé cheats on her, it sends her into a whirlwind of one-night stands with the most infamous player on campus. She can’t seem to stay away from this tough guy and his dangerous motorcycle. Everything about him is the complete opposite of who she’d planned to fall in love with: tattoos, dark stubble along his jawline, and hair that brushes his shoulders.

As Dallas and Carmyn begin to fall deeper and deeper into each other, they learn that love can truly be a wicked, wicked thing.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Steel Lily by Megan Curd

AVERY PIKE is a commodity. No, more than a commodity. Her existence is guarded at all costs.

She’s a water Elementalist, the strongest of her dwindling kind. She creates steam to provide energy to fuel Dome Four: the only thing standing between humanity and an earth ravaged by World War III. No steam, no Dome. No Dome, no life.

Or so she thinks.

That is, until a mysterious man offers her a way out of having to donate steam. A way to escape the corrupt government of Dome Four. While the offer seems too good to be true, Avery is intrigued. But when she arrives to her new home, she realizes the grass isn’t any less dead on this side of the fence. Instead, the lies are just hidden better.

…Which means digging deeper.

When Avery enlists the help of her friends to uncover the truth, she learns that while some secrets are better left concealed, humankind was never meant to live in a cage. And when you can control the most sought after resource, you can learn to control anything…including the fate of your world.

Find it on Amazon.

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Switch by Janelle Stadler

All’s fair in love and war.

Two thirds of the world’s population has been wiped out, devastated by the worst war earth has ever seen. Still standing amongst the ruins is a mind reader who finds herself on the wrong side of the war. Everyone does what they must to survive. When the rebels bent on bringing down the New World leader start to rise up, it is her job to make sure they stay down where they belong. That is, until one rebel sneaks past her defences and into her heart. Love will blossom from the ashes, but will it be enough to save them, or will it mean the end of them both?

*This book is for mature audiences due to sexual situations, violence and strong language. NA

Find it on Amazon.

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Sovereign by E.R. Arroyo

Chemical warfare has obliterated most of the world, including America, and the survivors have turned into feral beasts, save one colony, Antius, the last remnant of civilization. Seventeen-year-old Cori (aka Citizen 1206) only longs for wide open spaces and freedom. But Antius has no use for such things, just mindless drones to serve in a place with walls, fences, and laws. A lot of laws, which Cori constantly breaks. So she’s spent years plotting her escape, which is the only thing that will save her from the colony’s deranged leader, Nathan. She isn’t looking to be a hero, and she certainly isn’t looking to fall in love, but she just might do both.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Sworn to Raise by Terah Edun

Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the kingdom. But beneath her kingdom’s seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder—intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.

Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.

But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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The Final Formula by Becca Andre

To a master alchemist like Addie, impossible is just another word for challenge. When a fiery explosion destroys the Alchemica, the premier alchemy institute in the United States, she’s left with nothing. No home, no colleagues, and no memory. Learning what happened seems impossible, but she still has one strength, and in her opinion, it’s the only one she needs. She hasn’t forgotten a thing about alchemy.

Addie brews a potion to restore her lost past, but remembers only the flames of the Alchemica’s destruction—and a man among the ashes. A man with the elemental power of fire, who just happens to be the leader of the magical community. He might know what happened, but getting him to tell her will require some…creativity. The magical aren’t fond of alchemists. Some say it borders on hatred, but Addie isn’t one to back down from a challenge, even if that challenge happens to be a man who can turn her to ash with a thought.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Caste by Raelynn Fry

Seventeen-year-old Karis Singh’s little brother is dying and the Corporation’s Analysis has concluded that he’s not worth saving. One thing is stopping her from going into the city and stealing the medicine herself-the tattooed Mark that physically bars her from entering. The only way around that is to get it altered in the Black Market- an act that carries the possibility of a horrific and slow death- but will guarantee her the access she needs.

Willing to do whatever it takes, she accepts the help of the mysterious Ethan, a boy with an agenda of his own and who knows too much about the enemy. As her time in the city passes, dark secrets are uncovered about the Corporation and what really happened to her brother. When the tables turn and the stakes get higher, Karis is forced to align herself with the deadliest beast of all, risking everything in order to save those she loves.

Now, the most treacherous part of Karis’ plan is staying alive long enough to make it back home.

Find it on Amazon.

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Inception by Teal Haviland

The world is in danger. Mankind is sinking deeper into darkness it cannot understand.

Demons are easily capturing souls as they lead men and women down dangerous paths from which there is no return, while Javan, one of the Fallen, seeks an ancient book and the power it promises. If he succeeds, humans—and the world as they know it—will be destroyed.

There is someone who is capable of stopping Javan . . .

If she discovers him in time.

Gabrielle is one of the most powerful angels ever created, her job one of the most important. She has come to Earth to learn more about humans and what influences them, and to fight evil she sees growing at an alarming rate. She soon finds herself carelessly distracted with one human in particular, however. Lucas Watkins holds a promise of peace and love for Gabrielle that she never believed she could have again.

As feelings between her and Lucas become more than she can deny, so do the dangers mounting against him. After discovering who Lucas is, and the choice he faces, she realizes Darkness will come for him through demons and fantastical beings he thought only existed in his imaginings—forcing fairytales to become his reality.

Caught between her new mortal ties and ancient immortal responsibilities, Gabrielle must race against what seems to be an ever-quickening clock to learn what she needs to know, protect Lucas, uncover Javan’s plan, and find a way to stop him and all who live in Shadows.

Things become more complex than she ever anticipated, her decisions more critical, and what begins as a quest for information rapidly places her in an even more crucial position within the longest and most important war ever waged.

Join Gabrielle and her allies in a story of love—past and present—fantastical beings, hidden realms, magic, fate, loss, and the fight of good versus evil.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Break My Fall by J.T. Cameron

Running…

When Leah’s ex-boyfriend Kevin betrays her in a horrifically public way, she leaves town to spend her last summer of college in a place where no one knows who she is or what happened to her.

All she wants is a little peace of mind and some good surfing so she can regroup before returning for her senior year.

Avoiding…

After his own tragedy a few years ago, Drew developed an entirely new and unique outlook on life and became a risk-taker, daring and dangerous, everything Leah wanted to avoid.

But a bizarre encounter forces her to let Drew into her life, little by little, secret by secret. He’s smart, funny, persistent, and makes money in a rather unconventional way.

Falling…

They share a mutual fascination and attraction, until her past with Kevin complicates her present with Drew, making Leah question her future.

Just as her life seems to be spinning out of control, Leah learns that sometimes you save someone by letting them save you.

Find it on Amazon.

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Initiation by Imogen Rose

Welcome to Bonfire Academy!

Set in the foothills of the alpine mountains in St.Moritz, this exclusive private school caters to a special kind of student. Enter at your own risk… but if you are human, you may not want to enter at all.

WARNING: This story is set in a school for paranormals who are very different from normal human teens. Thus, the language and some scenes might not be appropriate for younger YA readers. Recommended for those sixteen and above.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.

For more information about books on sale throughout the week, as well as giveaway updates, be sure to like A Book Vacation’s Facebook Page.

{November 1, 2013} {Review} Hollow Pit by Tim O’Rourke (The Jack Seth Novellas #1)

From Goodreads: When Jack Seth and his younger brother, Nik, find themselves pushed into a new world, they both plan to lead very different lives to the ones they had left behind. On the outermost edge of a vast and desolate wasteland, they come across a town called Hollow Pit. It is surrounded by a mountainous wall of junk and the brothers wonder who or what the people of Hollow Pit are trying to keep out.

But struggling with their own very real demons, will Jack and Nik be able to keep out of trouble long enough not to reawaken the monsters lurking within them?

“Hollow Pit” is the first Jack Seth spinoff story from the bestselling Kiera Hudson Series.

*This is a New Adult book for 17 years plus due to sexual situations*

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For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis, you know that I’m in love with all things Tim O’Rourke. This fabulous author hasn’t written one novel I haven’t liked, and his fast turn around time when writing novels provides me with little wait time between stories, which I vastly appreciate (and am in awe of) as I just can’t get enough. O’Rourke has written over 20 books in the past two years, and though they range in genre from vampires, werewolves, and robots to psychotic killers, sexy police detectives, and paranormal observers, perhaps my favorite series to date are his two Kiera Hudson series. And now, O’Rourke has given readers an early Christmas present in the form of a new spin off series from the beloved Kiera Hudson series: The Jack Seth Novellas.

If you’ve read Kiera Hudson Series One, you know who Jack Seth is. And if you’ve read Kiera Hudson Series Two, then you have an even better handle on the many nuances that make up this extremely complex character who has, until recently, been slated as evil incarnate. But, what about those of you who haven’t read the series at all? Well, you could start here, with this first novella in the Jack Seth Novella Series, as Jack Seth attempts to turn his life around in this pushed world that is so different from the one he left behind (pushed basically means that the characters are in a parallel world where a different version of their self resides, alongside different versions of all their friends and enemies, and some elements are out of place, such as different rulers, new dangers, etc.). As it’s a new world that mirrors our own and those that Jack resided in prior to the push, I think this is a great introduction to Jack Seth and his brother Nik, and it will definitely leave you wanting to know more about the worlds they came from and what happened to them prior to their existence in this parallel world.

I was once again pleasantly surprised by the twist ending, which I never saw coming, as I never do, and I think this will leave many readers yearning for more. It did me, at least, and as O’Rourke is a master storyteller, I am sure that many readers will feel the same upon finishing this novella. Five stars.

I purchased this novella from Amazon.

{November 1, 2013} Recently Released Giveaway Goodness #30–November–Choose From Eight Recently Released Novels

It’s that time again! For no other reason than that I like giveaways… we’re onto the THIRTIETH Recently Released Giveaway Goodness Giveaway!

Many of these novels have recently released. I’ve included my reviews below to help you pick the novel you’d like to win!

Interested? Of course you are! I’m offering ONE lucky winner one of these novels:

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Not Quite the Classics by Colin Mochrie
The Weight of Souls by Bryony Pearce
In Too Deep Coert Voorhees
Skin by Donna Jo Napoli
A Brutal Tenderness by Marata Eros
Consume by Melissa Darness
Gated by Amy Christine Parker

This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway from the book depository, but you need to make sure they send to your country before entering–check here.

To enter you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

This contest is open internationally and will end at 12:01am EST on December 1st. The winner will be announced December 1st, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!

{November 1, 2013} Announcing the Winner of My Recently Released Giveaway Goodness #29–October

My Recently Released Giveaway Goodness #29–October–has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winner has been chosen via Rafflecopter.

And the winner is…

Shaz

Book of Choice:

Left Drowning by Jessica Park

A tweet has already gone out to the winner, and an email will go out later this evening! If I don’t hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner using Rafflecopter.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winner… but don’t despair if you didn’t win this round!

Enter to win my other great giveaways:

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends December 1 (live in 5 minutes)

{November 1, 2013} {Release Day Blitz} Cross Country Christmas by Tiffany King (A Woodfalls Girls Novella)

Cross Country Christmas

A Woodfalls Girls Novella

By

USA Today Bestselling Author

Tiffany King

www.tiffanyjking.blogspot.com

Synopsis:

With the holiday season upon her, Jamie Foster is once again stressed about making her yearly visit back home to Woodfalls, still single. Fate intervenes in the form of Grant Johnson, a boy she grew up with, who catches the same flight while returning home from a business trip.

When a malfunction sends their plane crashing down on the runway upon takeoff, Jamie and Grant decide to rent a car and make the nine-hundred-mile drive home together. Ironically for them, anything that can go wrong does as they face one hysterical hurdle after another.

Christmas may finally bring Jamie the gift of love she has always wanted if she and Grant can manage to overcome a few obstacles along the way. Ho-ho-ho!

Cross Country Christmas purchase links

Amazon Kindle Copy

Amazon Print Copy

Barnes and Noble

Apple

Read my 5 star review HERE!

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USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.

Where to connect with Tiffany

Web page- authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com

Twitter-@AuthorTiffany

Facebook-Author Tiffany King

{October 31, 2013} {Release Day Blitz} Chosen by Paulina Ulrich

Chosen by Paulina Ulrich

Release Day: October 31, 2013

Synopsis:

Nothing can stand in the way of outspoken, rule-breaker-extraordinaire; Kaddy Richston…except destiny. Born with a spitfire personality and a take-no-nonsense attitude, Kaddy set her sights on being in a rock band and leaving her small Wyoming town along with the painful memories of her past. Kaddy knew she was a freak show with wildly colored hair and piercing gray eyes but was determined to do whatever it took to depart her broken childhood and make her own way.

But destiny had other plans for her.

The seemingly observant and mysterious Cole Huntington enters her life and becomes the bump in the road Kaddy is trying to pave for her future. Striking blue eyes, features to make any girl swoon, he’s everything but the new-to-town bad boy. Calm, cool, and always collected, he plans on unraveling every one of Kaddy’s dark secrets.

Hating him from the start and trying to fight her insane attraction to him, Kaddy is determined to undermine whatever intentions he has until she learns of a destiny she never asked for. Getting throw into a battle that’s been raging for more than a thousand years, the fate of the world lies in Kaddy’s hands as she learned just how different she is. The only person she can turn to for answers is the last person she’d want help from: the frustratingly attractive; Cole Huntington, who seemed to dislike her rule-breaking as much as she dislikes his rule-following.

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Excerpt:

“Kaddy, wait.” I heard Mike trailing me as I turned out of the Wheel Barrel.

I pressed a hand to my temple and sighed. “Yeah?”

“You okay? I know you didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.” Mike scratched the back of his head and looked down at me, worried. “Maybe some lunch will help.”

“What I need is sleep, and what needs to happen is for me to stop having these stupid night terrors.” I leaned back against the hot brick building for a moment.

“You can’t help it. It’s not your fault.” Mike leaned on his shoulder next to me, his hands deep in his apron pockets.

“I know, but I hate it. Why can’t they stop?” I smacked my hand to my forehead and sighed. Against my palm, my skin felt too warm. Was I getting sick? Great. It was the last thing I needed. “Do I feel warm to you?” I dropped my hand and looked over at Mike, giving him permission to touch me with a simple confirmation from my eyes.

Slowly raising his arm, the back of his hand pressed against my cheek. “Damn, Kaddy. You’re burning up! Do you feel all right?”

I shrugged. I did feel all right, just a little warm. “I feel fine. I need some sleep. Promise to plan on going to bed early tonight?” I doubted he would keep this promise. He and I always stayed up late writing music.

Mike got a playful glint in his eye. “You know I’m a night owl. No promises there.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “We both are.”

Mike still had his hand pressed against my cheek until it shifted up to tug his gray beanie down on my forehead. “Maybe it’s just my awesome hat that’s making you overheat. Who wears a beanie in August?” he joked and I playfully scowled at him as I readjusted the knitted beanie.

“Oh, I’m sure that’s it,” I laughed and gave him a gentle punch on the arm.

“Whoa.” He took a step back. “You been working out or something? That hurt.” Mike held his upper arm like I had socked it with everything I had. I stood there waiting with my “really?” look and raised my eyebrows in anticipation for his mischievous face to appear. If Mike was anything, he was a jokester. Just like I expected, a few seconds later, he cracked a smile on his lips and started laughing.

“You always think your little jokes are hilarious!” Even when I rolled my eyes, I couldn’t stop his infectious laughter from causing me to laugh.

“Kadster, we know I tell the best jokes. I eat sarcasm for breakfast every day.” He winked and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I didn’t shy from his touch.

“So do I, but no one but you finds anything I say funny.” I looked up at him as he walked me to the corner of the block, the direction of home. Only Mike called me the Kadster. Actually, he had a lot of nicknames for me and I didn’t mind it. He was one of the few I would let getaway with calling me things other than my name.

“It’s because everyone is just jealous of the awesome friendship we’ve had since we were eight. Haters gonna hate.” He shrugged and his other hand pretended to dust off his shoulder. Mike was the only friend I counted on for anything. Long ago, we made a pact, and so far, he’s kept every word he promised to keep.

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Paulina Ulrich Bio:

I love to write because if I didn’t then I wouldn’t be telling stories, I wouldn’t have gotten a degree in creative writing, and my insanely fluffy cat wouldn’t be “assisting” my writing by laying on the keyboard. I am the author of the Flightless Bird series (Flightless Bird, Broken Wings, Fair Feathered, & Timeless Sky) and the Fighting Fate series (Chosen). I was raised to big dream or don’t dream at all and my highly active imagination has been the cause behind many of my stories. I write because life wouldn’t be as fun without the occasional break or two from reality. With my cat and a glass of iced tea nearby you can find me weaving stories and when I’m not writing, I’m out buying way too many cute shoes.

Links:

Blog: http://www.paulinaulrich.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/paulinaulrich

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorpaulinaulrich

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5142171.Paulina_Ulrich

Chosen Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17288041-chosen

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Giveaway:

Enter to win this book using this Rafflecopter Link!!!

{October 30, 2013} {Review} The Digging Crew by Nathalie Mallet

From Goodreads: Sammy’s life is a nightmare, and it’s all her fault. First, she is caught shoplifting-a big no-no in the hard-on-crime Dominion’s world-and is shipped to a prison-mine for women on a faraway desert planet. Then on her very first week there, she destroys a droid belonging to the prison… on purpose. So when she’s sent deep into the pit of the mine as punishment, Sammy doubts she’ll live to see her sixteenth birthday. After all, this is the diggers’ level, and they are the prison’s most violent criminals. To her surprise, she finds a new family in one of the digging crews. But she also makes a deadly enemy. Can she and her crew manage to escape the prison and regain their freedom?

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This was a completely different and unique book from the ones that I normally read, and I really liked it! Not only is the plot intriguing, but the story itself is also very well written. Though a bit long for my tastes, with a few too many characters for me to keep track of, this underground adventure in the mines kept my attention and offered many fantastical creatures and situations that I truly enjoyed. From droids to gun fights and massive explosions, this novel has something for readers of all ages, and if you enjoy great world building and epic battles, then this is a novel for you.

Though I wouldn’t say that Sammy is necessarily a kick-butt heroine, she’s down-to-earth, has a good heart, and is more than willing to pull her own weight, which makes her impossible not to love. And I really enjoyed watching her bond with the ladies of her digging crew, backing each other up and ultimately saving each other on multiple occasions. With other factions of prisoners underground all vying for more food, the gangs underground are all pretty cutthroat, and I loved this in-depth look at prison life in this sci-fi world, especially when it comes to a daring escape gone wrong…

Mallet has done a great job creating a world unlike any other that I’ve read about and, though she does have many characters, in the end I think they all play an important part and the story wouldn’t be possible without them. If you’re looking for something different with a flare of science fiction and some intense fight scenes, then I highly suggest picking this one up. Three and a half stars.

I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

{October 29, 2013} {ARC Review} Pirouette by Robyn Bavati

From Goodreads: Adopted as babies by two different families, Simone and Hannah have never known they are identical twins. Simone has been raised as a dancer, but she hates performing. Hannah loves nothing more than dance, but her parents see it as just a hobby. When the two girls meet for the first time at the age of fifteen, they decide to swap places to change the role dance plays in their lives. Yet fooling their friends and family is more challenging than either girl expected, and they’re both burdened by the weight of their lies.

How long can Hannah and Simone keep pretending? What will happen when the truth is revealed?

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This is a great MG read for anyone who absolutely adores The Parent Trap and/or ballet. When I was a tween, The Parent Trap was one of my favorite movies and it made me wish I, too, had a twin sister. I wanted that same bond and to be able to do awesome switch tactics like the girls did in the movie. Now, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve been less enamored with the movie, but it’s still my childhood favorite, so when I saw the synopsis of Pirouette, I couldn’t wait to read it in hopes of evoking my inner child, even though ballet was never my thing.

I think that younger readers will feel the same way about this novel as I did about The Parent Trap when I was their age. It’s a cute story that brings about all kinds of childhood fantasies about being a twin, and I truly believe MG and YA aged readers will enjoy this novel. As an adult reader, however, I found it somewhat juvenile. But I’m also an adult with an adult mindset, and from the get go, I couldn’t shake the feeling that what Simone and Hannah were doing was a very bad thing, switching families, schools, friends… but I know that if I had read this as a young teen, I wouldn’t have been so judgmental, and that’s why I really recommend it for the MG and YA age group.

Like I said before, it’s a cute story, and it has some amazing themes and morals that remind readers that Simone’s and Hannah’s antics aren’t the best, though they are somewhat funny and we all secretly wish we could pretend alongside them. While the ballet portion of the novel was a bit over my head because I never took ballet as a child, I think it was the perfect backdrop for this story, and I highly recommend it to those who are more familiar with ballet. Three stars.

Fluz has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel prior to its release on November 1, 2013.

{October 28, 2013} {Review and Giveaway} Cross Country Christmas by Tiffany King

From Goodreads: With the holiday season upon her, Jamie Foster is once again stressed about making her yearly visit back home to Woodfalls, still single. Fate intervenes in the form of Grant Johnson, a boy she grew up with, who catches the same flight while returning home from a business trip.

When a malfunction sends their plane crashing down on the runway upon takeoff, Jamie and Grant decide to rent a car and make the nine-hundred-mile drive home together. Ironically for them, anything that can go wrong does as they face one hysterical hurdle after another.

Christmas may finally bring Jamie the gift of love she has always wanted if she and Grant can manage to overcome a few obstacles along the way. Ho-ho-ho!

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Jamie Foster isn’t looking forward to coming home to Woodfalls this year for Christmas. Not with her mother constantly nagging her about her love life. To make matters worse, Grant Johnson, the boy Jamie had a crush on as a young girl, but learned to hate due to his incessant teasing, is also on the same flight. Add in Jamie’s fear of flying and her inability to keep her head around the beautiful but unavailable Grant, and Jamie’s holiday just became a hilarious “nightmare.”

King quickly engages her readers with the development of her characters and their many mishaps as they attempt to get home for Christmas, and I really enjoyed getting to know both Jamie and Grant as this novella progressed. It’s the perfect length and extremely laugh-out-loud worthy as it all unfolds, from one hysterical misfortune to the next. It reminded me of Trains, Planes, and Automobiles in that Jamie and Grant are thwarted at every turn, and this comical yet romantic novella will leave readers feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

One can’t help but fall in love with Grant and Jamie as they attempt to make it through the holidays, and their many social faux pas and situations make Jamie’s anxiety and Grants suave personality the perfect hysterical fit. Nothing goes as planned from the very beginning, and I just adored this novella, especially as it’s set in the world of Woodfalls, the same world that King’s amazing novel, No Attachments, resides within. Although completely separate and a stand alone, I’ve been waiting to fall back into Woodfalls, and King once again delivers readers an enticing and beautiful story, this time in the form of a lovely Christmas novella, just in time for the holiday season. If you’re looking for a cozy, cute, and often hilarious read to get into the Christmas spirit, Cross Country Christmas is a must. Five stars.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon

Goodreads

I received this novella from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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About Tiffany King:

USA Today Best Selling author, Tiffany King is the author of the YA titles: The Saving Angels Series, Wishing For Someday Soon, Forever Changed, Unlikely Allies, Miss Me Not and Jordyn: A Daemon Hunter Novel Book 1. She also has a New Adult title called No Attachments. Writer by day and book fanatic the rest of the time, she is now pursuing her life-long dream of weaving tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.

She can always be found on Twitter (@AuthorTiffany), Facebook (Tiffany King), Pintrest, and her website (authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com), or you can always email her at authortiffany@yahoo.com.

“Books provide the ultimate getaway for me. A good story is a vehicle that takes you to another place, another time, or another world. I love reading the words and letting my imagination do the rest. I appreciate and respect every author who has the courage to put your work out there for the world to see.”

Don’t forget to check out all her books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Smashwords

Links:

Website: authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com

Twitter: -@AuthorTiffany

Facebook: Author Tiffany King

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4719619.Tiffany_King?from_search=true

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Giveaway:

Enter the Rafflecopter Link here to win some awesome prizes!!!

{October 27, 2013} {ARC Review} The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2)

From Goodreads: In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice.

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as “normal” as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he’s forbidden to see her again.

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, “normal” simply isn’t to be. For Ethan’s nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan’s and Keirran’s fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan’s next choice may decide the fate of them all.

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This is another fantastic novel in the Iron Fey spin off series, and I must say, it’s utterly perfect. Kagawa has a way with words and her storyline is enticing, energetic, and breathtaking all at once. Of course, she leaves us with a rather awful cliffhanger that will have readers biting their nails and dying to know what happens next, especially as it seems the prophecy is about to swallow all those we’ve come to love.

I was floored by this novel—it was absolutely wonderful! From the characters to the plot and all that came in between, Kagawa’s world is stunning and almost makes me wish it were real—though I’m not really sure I’d want to be surrounded by the fey, if you know what I mean.

Ethan Chase once again finds himself on the wrong side of reality, trekking through the fey underworlds in order to try and locate and save his nephew, Keirran, as Keirran defies all those around him in attempts to save his beloved. The twists are even more sinister in this novel, especially as Keirran refuses to listen to logic and is set on doing things his way, regardless of the cost to those around him. There are some jaw dropping scenes, especially toward the end as it all comes to a head, and I just adored it, even though it’ll be another year until I can find out what’s next for Ethan and Keirran, because right now, things aren’t looking up. Five stars.

Harlequin Teen has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel prior to its release on October 29, 2013.

{October 27, 2013} {Review} Secrets in the Shadows by Ann Schraff (Bluford #3)

From Goodreads: Welcome to Bluford High. This widely acclaimed teen series set in an urban high school features engaging, accessible writing and appealing, contemporary storylines.

Roylin Bailey is living a nightmare–and it’s all his fault. It started when the new student, Korie Archer, arrived in his history class. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, and unlike most people at Bluford High, she seemed to like him. But when Roylin tried to impress her, he made a terrible mistake. Now one of his friends is gone, and someone is out to destroy him. Caught in a tightening web of lies and threats, Roylin is desperate for a way out.

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I picked this up because a student asked me if s/he could use it for a project, so I read through it to see what the reading level was prior to giving her the go ahead. I think this will be an interesting read for a lower MG reader, but it’s a little too low level for a high school project, in my opinion, which is what I ended up relaying to my student. But, the themes and overall ideas presented in this novella are good ones, so I suggested that if it’s something my student was interested in, that s/he should go ahead and read it just for fun.

Now, in terms of the story itself, I can’t help but think the main character lacks common sense (of course, I’m an adult looking in, so…). Roylin wasn’t my favorite character in the world–he’s rude, obsessive, and greedy. Likewise, the writing didn’t pull me in, but again, this is for lower MG. My main issue with the dialogue was that it jumped between every day language and proper language which, in my opinion, reduced the overall validity of the story. Sometimes contractions were used, and other times they were missing, and as a teacher and reviewer, this lack of fluidity irked me to no end. But again, I don’t think MG readers are necessarily going to be picking up on this as much as the they will on the overall themes and plot, regardless of its holes. So, while it was just a tad too juvenile for me, I believe this novel will spur younger readers on to find out what really happened to the elderly man living next door to Roylin. I, personally, can only give it two stars, though.

I borrowed this novel from the school library.

{October 26, 2013} {ARC Review} Waterfell by Amalie Howard

From Goodreads: THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE QUEEN

Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father’s betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa’s upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age.

Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa’s mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?

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Unfortunately, this novel didn’t grab me or really keep my attention as I would have liked. Nerissa Marin’s character drove me a bit batty as she’s extremely spoiled and condescending, and I have found that if I don’t like the main character in my novel, I generally don’t care for the book overall. Such is the case with this one. While the premise was there for Waterfell, and the idea behind these water people was quite enchanting, the story itself was much too slow for the likes of me, especially as it revolved around Nerissa and her insta-feelings for Lo. Not enough happened for me to really become interested in this novel, and I’m sad to say I can only give it two stars.

Harlequin Teen has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on November 1, 2013

{October 26, 2013} The 99 Cent Club–Feature 68–Ten Books for Ten Bucks

Every Saturday I run a feature for the 99 Cent Club, and below are the eBook picks for this week that caught my eye and are currently ONLY 99 Cents on Amazon with a few on Barnes and Nobel as well. I don’t know if these are permanent prices, so please don’t shoot the messenger, and double check pricing before pressing the buy button. Enjoy! (If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.)

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A Risk Worth Taking by Heather Hildenbrand

**Due to sexual content, this title may not be suitable for young readers.**

When 22-year-old Summer Stafford’s parents split halfway through her senior year at college, Summer’s world is rocked. Everything she thought she knew—heck, everything she thought she wanted for her own life—feels like a lie. The truth is love is a risk. And the true kind, the kind that lasts, might even be a fairy tale.
Reeling from the divorce, Summer derails her own future by breaking up with her parent-approved boyfriend and giving up her lifelong plans for a big-city career. She moves back home, business degree in hand. Dad needs her to fill the gaps her mother left behind; Summer needs to find who she is outside of the cookie-cutter life that failed so miserably for her parents.
Ford O’Neal’s future involves one person: himself. He doesn’t have a permanent address and he definitely doesn’t commit. To a place or a person. Raised by hippies, he plans just far enough ahead to secure his next stop, this one landing him at a work-study program at Heritage Plantation where he can grow his own herbal and medicinal creations.
Summer is gorgeous and smart and fun to be with, the perfect way to pass five months. It won’t be love—Ford’s got too many things to accomplish, too many places to go, before he settles down. Yet Summer pulls him in, challenging him to rethink his own philosophy.
When Ford’s five months are up, each of them must decide if love is really worth the risk.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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The Druggist by Todd Croak-Falen

It’s been five years since Eric Halman’s young daughter was drugged and kidnapped by a man who stalks his victims only on Halloween. Since then he’s made it his life’s mission to do what the police can’t seem to do — capture this predator (and maybe torture him). But he’ll have to be careful, because the worst thing that could happen would be if the druggist somehow got the upper hand and drugged Eric, sending him into an otherworld of nightmarish hallucinations.

Dark and disturbing, “The Druggist” will infect your psyche and stay with you well after you’re done reading

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Aos Si by Rebecca Lyn Shelley

When Carla’s mother drags her from their home in Denver to the-middle-of-nowhere Colorado, Carla figures her life is over. But a mysterious neighbor embroils her in a battle between the ancient and powerful Aos Si.

Then she meets Shade, a servant of the evil Aos Si. Carla’s attraction to Shade is as deep as the power flows that surround them, but her attempt to free him from evil sinks them both in deeper and escalates the war.

Grab your flashlight and dive under the covers, because Aos Si will keep you turning pages well past your bedtime.
(Christina F York author of Girls Gone Magic)

Find it on Amazon.

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Cursed by Ava Smith

Soon to be married Daniel Macgregor meets mysterious beauty Sarah Mitchell on the day his father gives him a ballet company. Although, at first hesitant to take on responsibility he changes his mind when he realizes Sarah dances for the same ballet company. Over the course of the production of “SWAN LAKE” Daniel and Sarah fall head over heels in love. However, unknown to Daniel, Sarah is cursed to turn into a swan each night until someone loves her for what she is.

Find it on Amazon.

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Sarah’s Shadows by Debra Robinson

Sarah can’t believe she’s dead. But apparently she is, because no one can see or hear her-at least not until her dead brother Jesse shows up. Jesse explains the mission: to save their father, who’s stuck in this ominous Shadow Land between life and death-a strange world full of monsters, and demons.
But Jesse has broken the rules to meet Sarah here, and the demons are sticklers for rules. Now they want their due-Jesse and Sarah.

A twisted Wizard of Oz meets the afterlife, in a new kind of coming-of-age adventure. Here, the Dark side disguises itself as the Light, and a Fallen Angel falls for Sarah.

Supernatural Romantic Suspense at its finest, Sarah’s Shadows is the first book of the Shadows and Light series, and will be appreciated by fans of Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

Find it on Amazon.

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Aura by Rebecca Lynn Talley

“I half-turned to her and shrugged, still processing what I’d seen, or at least what I thought I’d seen, in Ms. Neal’s eyes-like they weren’t hers. Obviously, they were her eyes, but it looked like she’d plucked them from someone else’s head. A dead someone else’s head.”

Everything in Crystal Scott’s life finally seems perfect-until a demon thirsts for her Light.

Vincent Crandall, the human host for a powerful demon, discovers that Crystal possesses the power to disrupt the connection between demons and their hosts.

On prom night, Vincent sends in operatives from his demon army to neutralize Crystal, and she is suddenly thrust into battle.

With help from a mysterious young man, Crystal must learn to control the Light within her before Vincent kills her parents and harnesses her power for himself.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Hear No by Lizzy Ford

It’s only the end of the world …

Nathan’s job for the past three thousand years has been to clean up supernatural messes. Jaded, ruthlessly effective and selfless, he’s seen it all and can handle anything – demons, homicidal angels, even bad bosses.

His latest challenge: A creature named Shadowman is seeking out the three keys it believes will open portals between earth and hell. Nathan must eliminate the human host guiding Shadowman to the keys. Except Nathan isn’t expecting the woman anchoring Shadowman to the human world to be beautiful, witty, innocent and completely unaware of the creature manipulating her. Worse, she makes him feel alive for the first time in his long existence, and he haphazardly discovers she’s meant to become the love of his life.

Life becomes more complicated when Nathan helps rescue one of the key holders, a deaf girl charged with protecting the secret of who Shadowman really is: the first of four demons headed to the human world, intent on bringing about the Apocalypse. They will succeed, unless Nathan kills the woman he loves, and sends the demon back to Hell.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Sign Changes by Bart Hopkins Jr.

Sign Changes is a novel about ideas and the ways they have changed us. It is about the way you came to understand the very words you are reading now. About the origins of symbol use.
Kpol and his tribe struggle to survive an ice age 100,000 years ago and adapt to new ways.
In 16th century England, a young boy leaves the
countryside to learn to read and print books.
In the near-present computer age, a man and woman prepare for the bombs they fear will fall.
And in the distant future, a new form of life comes
into existence.
What connects them all?

Find it on Amazon.

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Unguarded by Ashley Robertson

Guardian angel Selene was so close to becoming an archangel—the supreme of all beings—until she fell in love with Cole, a forbidden dark one. Once she discovers her vampire lover has been kidnapped and the only way to save him is by abandoning her number one priority—Caitlyn, her human charge—there really is only one answer in Selene’s mind, even though leaving Caitlyn unguarded will most likely cause Selene to fall from grace.

But her choice to save Cole doesn’t come without a price…and now Selene is racing against time to not only save her dark lover, but find a way to keep Caitlyn alive as well.

With the help of a new vampire ally, Luke, Selene will push her diminishing angel abilities to the point where her very existence lies in the balance. Now threatened with the chance of becoming a fallen angel or even dying, Selene can only pray she’ll have enough time—and good grace—to save the ones she loves.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Death Dealer by Ashley Robertson

Death: a word Mia Baron knew too well since the murder of her parents. Her drive for vengeance was why she became a Death Dealer, signing her life away in her own blood. Deacon Gage craves justice for his own horrific tragedy that forced him into the same life as Mia. A new job threatens to destroy her and he realizes he’s the only one who can save her…at a price that might be too much to pay.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.

For more information about books on sale throughout the week, as well as giveaway updates, be sure to like A Book Vacation’s Facebook Page.

{October 25, 2013} One Tiny Secret Trick or Treat Blog Hop and Two Little Lies Puzzle Piece Cover Reveal

One Tiny Secret Trick or Treat Blog Hop and Two Little Lies Puzzle Piece Cover Reveal

One Tine Secret Synopsis:

**Mature Content Warning** Recommended for 17+ due to language, violence, and sexual content.

Just one tiny secret has the potential to ruin everything.

Being the daughter of the sheriff in a small town like Holden Ridge means that eighteen-year-old Danielle “Dani” Marks’ life is under constant surveillance. She’s made a habit of staying under the radar by being a floater among social circles at school, which has kept her out of trouble—until now.

After a missing persons case stirs up the entire town, Dani finds herself caught right in the middle of the scandal. When she’s labeled a possible suspect, things quickly go from bad to worse. The sudden return of her old flame, Parker Reed, manages to make her whole situation even more complicated.

When an elusive unknown person begins to blackmail Dani by threatening to reveal her deepest secrets, Dani refuses to play along. That is, until the person’s actions take a violent turn. Holden Ridge begins to lose its sense of quaint town security, and Dani is caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Who can she trust when anyone around her could be a suspect?

One thing’s for certain though: Never underestimate the power of one tiny secret.

Buy on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

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Author Bio:

Adam Kunz is the A part of the mother and son author duo C.A. Kunz. Growing up, he always had a fondness for R.L. Stine’s Fear Street series. So, it was a no brainer when he decided to write his own novel that it’d be a thrilling mystery with a dash of horror, and some romance thrown in for good measure.

When he’s not busy writing, Adam enjoys his job at a theme park in Orlando, Florida as a décor consultant. This job brings him face to face with all sorts of nightmarish creatures, especially when he decorates the haunted houses for the park’s annual Halloween event. It’s been said by many that his addiction to Starbucks coffee will most likely be his downfall later in life.

Author Links:

Adam Kunz Facebook Page

Adam Kunz Amazon Page

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Two Little Lies is COMING SOON!!! Above is a portion of the puzzle piece of the cover. Full reveal to come October 31–see the blog tour stops below to follow along!

Two Little Lies Synopsis –

Lies can be very dangerous and deadly little things.

Almost four years after Laney Matthews survived a brush with death by the hands of the serial killer, Robbie The Prowler Jameson, she’s finally picked up the pieces of her life and started over. She’s made new friends, began dating again, attended countless therapy sessions, and is about to graduate in the spring from Blackburn University. Ever since that fateful night, Laney has tried to surround herself with positivity, and so far she’s succeeded…but that’s all about to come crashing down around her.

When news of Robbie’s release from prison, due to a technicality, is plastered all over the news, Laney’s bubble of security bursts and she begins to withdraw from everyday life. Her friends come up with an idea to pull her from this slump and plan a fun winter break getaway in order to clear her head. It’s here that she comes face to face again with Brent Lyles, the one that got away, and she begins to realize that maybe he’s the exact thing she’s been missing in her crazy life.

Something’s amiss at the sprawling rental property though, and when things quickly take a deadly turn, Laney and her friends are forced to fight for their lives. Has The Prowler returned to finish what he started years ago? And is Laney prepared to stand up to her past demons once and for all?

Expected Release Date – Late December (2013)/January (2014)

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Blog Hop Schedule:

Thursday, Oct. 24^th – Book Crack

Friday, Oct. 25^th – A Book Vacation

Saturday, Oct. 26^th – Forbidden Reviews

Sunday, Oct. 27^th – I Love Indie Books

Monday, Oct. 28^th – A Life Bound By Books

Tuesday, Oct. 29^th – A Love Affair With Books

Wednesday, Oct. 30^th – My Secret Romance Book Reviews

Thursday, Oct. 31^st – Shh Mom’s Reading

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Giveaway:

Click this Rafflecopter Link to Enter!!!

{October 24, 2013} {ARC Review} The Faceless One by Mark Onspaugh

From Goodreads: From a brilliant new voice in horror comes a riveting nightmare of ancient evil unleashed—and the bravery and sacrifice of those called to combat it.

In 1948, when he was just a boy, Jimmy Kalmaku trained with his uncle to be the shaman of his Tlingit village in Alaska. There he learned the old legends, the old myths, the old secrets. Chief among them was that of a mask locked in a prison of ice, and of the faceless god imprisoned within: a cruel and vengeful god called T’Nathluk, dedicated to the infliction of pain and suffering.

Now all but forgotten in a Seattle retirement home, Jimmy finds his life turned upside down. For when an unwitting archaeologist pries the mask free of its icy tomb, he frees T’Nathluk as well. Stuck in spirit form, the Faceless One seeks a human to serve as a portal through which he can enter our reality. The Faceless One can control—and mercilessly torture—anyone who touches the mask, which means there is no shortage of slaves to ferry it across the country to its chosen host.

Yet the Faceless One has foes as well: Stan Roberts, a tough New York cop whose pursuit of justice will lead him into a dark abyss of the soul; Steven, Liz, and Bobby, the family of the doomed archaeologist; and Jimmy Kalmaku, who must at last become the shaman of his boyhood dreams.

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I’m sorry to say that this novel didn’t captivate me as I had hoped it would. A new release just in time for Halloween, hailed as a “riveting nightmare of ancient evil,” I was sad to find that The Faceless One fell a bit short in this category, for me personally.

The story itself jumped around from character to characters too much for my tastes, making it difficult for me to follow along with much clarity. While I felt the synopsis pointed to a story about Jimmy Kalmaku and his knowledge and attempt to defeat the Faceless One, the novel itself spends much time focusing on the lives of seemingly unimportant and random characters. The story introduces a huge cast of characters, some of which play a rather small part in aiding the mask in its search, and I, personally, could have done with them. There is only so much back and forth that I can stomach in a novel, and jumping from one side character to the next, then to Jimmy and off to another character without much connection between them all made for a hard read, especially in the very beginning when I was trying to make headway with the novel.

The novel itself is a bit long and, by a quarter of the way through, I found that, for me, it still hadn’t taken off. Jimmy was still an inconsequential background character, as were many of those I’d met and watched die or otherwise aide the mask, and the pieces just seemed to be taking too long to put together without throwing me anything to really keep my interest. The novel did get better as it went on, but I personally found this one just a tad too long, lacking the scare factor I really wanted it to have, and confusing me in terms of characters. Overall, this is a great premise, but it’s just not the book for me. Two stars.

Random House Publishing Group has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on October 28, 2013.

{October 23, 2013} {Re-Release} No Attachments by Tiffany King (A Woodfalls Girls Novel)

One of my favorite authors, Tiffany King, recently signed a deal with Berkely, and her amazing novel, No Attachements, (a Woodfalls Girls novel) has just been re-released with a new cover and edits! I am so excited for Tiffany!!!

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Ashton Garrison walked away from her current life to escape the one thing she’s unwilling to face. She knows her decision may be selfish, but in the end, leaving will be far less painful for everyone. Now she has one goal: live life to the fullest with no regrets and no attachments. What Ashton doesn’t count on is how fate always seems to find a way to screw up any good plan.

Nathan Lockton specializes in locating a mark. He’s done it over and over again—no attachments and no emotion necessary. What he thought was a routine lost-and-found job has forced Nathan to deal with something he has always ignored—his feelings. He’s never fallen for a target, yet he’s never met anyone like Ashton. Now deep in a dilemma, Nathan must decide to follow his heart, or complete the job he was hired to do.

Love can come when you least expect it. The question is: If the odds are stacked against you, how far are you willing to go for the one you love?

Read my 5 star review HERE!

Purchase this amazing novel from: Amazon or Kobo
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About Tiffany King:

USA Today Best Selling author, Tiffany King is the author of the YA titles: The Saving Angels Series, Wishing For Someday Soon, Forever Changed, Unlikely Allies, Miss Me Not and Jordyn: A Daemon Hunter Novel Book 1. She also has a New Adult title called No Attachments. Writer by day and book fanatic the rest of the time, she is now pursuing her life-long dream of weaving tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.

She can always be found on Twitter (@AuthorTiffany), Facebook (Tiffany King), Pintrest, and her website (authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com), or you can always email her at authortiffany@yahoo.com.

“Books provide the ultimate getaway for me. A good story is a vehicle that takes you to another place, another time, or another world. I love reading the words and letting my imagination do the rest. I appreciate and respect every author who has the courage to put your work out there for the world to see.”

Don’t forget to check out all her books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Smashwords

{October 23, 2013} {Review} Las Vegas Gold by Jim Newell

From Goodreads: Three strikes…you’re dead?

A Major League baseball team with a woman as manager? A starting pitcher who can not only throw a baseball with a the best but can throw a whole game to Las Vegas gamblers? A gang of drug smugglers who are attempting to take over the team for their own purposes? Las Vegas Gold is a novel that has all this and more.

Molly Malone is the red-haired manager of a group of American League baseball players all carefully chosen from the ranks of free agent and amateur players. Money for salaries is no problem. Mike Malone, Molly’s father and a former star Major League player turned billionaire business man, has obtained a franchise for Las Vegas. He names his daughter, a star and manager in women’s pro baseball as manager, hand-picks Larry Henderson as General Manager and gives them carte blanche to choose the players. He begins building a state of the art roofed stadium and tells Molly and Larry to be ready to play in two years. Molly gets her way with a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Tabby, a pitcher with a great arm and attitude to match.

What the team isn’t prepared for is the trouble that follows the manager and soon invades their lineup. Previously, the worst any of the players had to deal with was striking out or blowing a catch. Now, they find themselves up to their necks in murder, thrown baseball games, Las Vegas gamblers and drug lords.

Combining a murder mystery with America’s national pastime, while covering such hot button topics as illegal gambling in the sporting world and the import of illegal drugs, Las Vegas Gold will keep readers of both baseball and mysteries riveted from start to finish.

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This is a novella for baseball fans everywhere! With a murder mystery, illegal gambling, a no-nonsense female manager, and a hand picked team of fictional baseball players with attitude to boot, this novella sets the stage for a great read, especially for the hardcore baseball fan.

I, myself, don’t know much about baseball. I went to my first (ever) game this Spring, and while I enjoyed the entire baseball experience, I didn’t understand any of the terminology my friends were using while the game played on. At my second game, I asked questions and learned more about the game that is America’s favorite pastime, and it’s a good thing too, because honestly, I would have been quite lost in this novella had I not. If you hate baseball, or sports for that matter, then this novella isn’t for you, but if you know a little bit about baseball and enjoy sitting in the stands and the overall baseball experience, then I highly suggest you pick this up.

While a bit top heavy with baseball statistics and terminology in the beginning, an aspect that bored me a bit, the novel picks up with the revelation that someone is after Tabby’s head. And, as murder hits the baseball field, more than once, I was surprised and intrigued. Likewise, the characters really began to grow on me as they turn out to be, in truth, quite caring and involved, which is somewhat of the opposite of how I view professional sports players, so this was a nice twist. With a manager who refuses to back down, murders to solve, and a series to win, this novella surprised me and I found that I really enjoyed it. Four stars.

I received this novel from the published in exchange for an honest review.

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It’s that time again! For no other reason than that I like giveaways… we’re onto the THIRTIETH Recently Released Giveaway Goodness Giveaway!

This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway from the book depository, but you need to make sure they send to your country before entering–check here.

Click here to go to the Rafflecopter entry form!

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My Recently Released Giveaway Goodness #29–October–has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winner has been chosen via Rafflecopter.

And the winner is…

Shaz

Book of Choice:

Left Drowning by Jessica Park

A tweet has already gone out to the winner, and an email will go out later this evening! If I don’t hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner using Rafflecopter.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winner… but don’t despair if you didn’t win this round!

Enter to win my other great giveaways:

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Cross Country Christmas

A Woodfalls Girls Novella

By

USA Today Bestselling Author

Tiffany King

Synopsis:

With the holiday season upon her, Jamie Foster is once again stressed about making her yearly visit back home to Woodfalls, still single. Fate intervenes in the form of Grant Johnson, a boy she grew up with, who catches the same flight while returning home from a business trip.

When a malfunction sends their plane crashing down on the runway upon takeoff, Jamie and Grant decide to rent a car and make the nine-hundred-mile drive home together. Ironically for them, anything that can go wrong does as they face one hysterical hurdle after another.

Christmas may finally bring Jamie the gift of love she has always wanted if she and Grant can manage to overcome a few obstacles along the way. Ho-ho-ho!

Cross Country Christmas purchase links

Where to connect with Tiffany

Web page- authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com

Twitter-@AuthorTiffany

Facebook-Author Tiffany King

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Chosen by Paulina Ulrich

Release Day: October 31, 2013

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Giveaway:

Enter to win this book using this Rafflecopter Link!!!

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Giveaway:

Enter the Rafflecopter Link here to win some awesome prizes!!!

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For more information about books on sale throughout the week, as well as giveaway updates, be sure to like A Book Vacation’s Facebook Page.

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One Tiny Secret Trick or Treat Blog Hop and Two Little Lies Puzzle Piece Cover Reveal

Buy on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

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Two Little Lies is COMING SOON!!! Above is a portion of the puzzle piece of the cover. Full reveal to come October 31–see the blog tour stops below to follow along!

Expected Release Date – Late December (2013)/January (2014)

Blog Hop Schedule:

Giveaway:

Click this Rafflecopter Link to Enter!!!

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One of my favorite authors, Tiffany King, recently signed a deal with Berkely, and her amazing novel, No Attachements, (a Woodfalls Girls novel) has just been re-released with a new cover and edits! I am so excited for Tiffany!!!

____________________________________________________________________________

Love can come when you least expect it. The question is: If the odds are stacked against you, how far are you willing to go for the one you love?

Read my 5 star review HERE!

Purchase this amazing novel from: Amazon or Kobo _____________________________________________________________________________

About Tiffany King:

She can always be found on Twitter (@AuthorTiffany), Facebook (Tiffany King), Pintrest, and her website (authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com), or you can always email her at authortiffany@yahoo.com.

Don’t forget to check out all her books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Smashwords

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