Release Day for "Crush" by Lacey Weatherford: Giveaway

Cami Wimberley has a plan, and that plan includes no room for boys—especially the big time party animal, Hunter Wilder, no matter how handsome and charismatic he is. She’s beautiful, a senior, extremely talented, gets good grades, and is working her way toward her dream college to be a musical theater major. Everything is perfect.

Hunter Wilder does not want a girlfriend—that would complicate his life way too much right now. He especially doesn’t want this girl, Miss-Goody-Two-Shoes, so how come he can’t keep his eyes off her? He tries to keep her at arms length, but fate seems to keep pushing them together. Before long, it’s obvious to everyone they’re crushing on each other.

As sparks begin to fly, Hunter finds himself sinking deeper and deeper into hot water. Soon he’s scrambling to keep Cami from discovering his dark secret—one that can destroy their entire relationship.

We are so excited to tell you guys that Lacey Weatherford's new book, Crush comes out today!! Mel adored this book and we know you guys will too.  Lacey was very sweet to offer up a kick-ass giveaway for you guys to celebrate -we decided to toss in a few things as well.  Good luck everyone!! 

You can purchase a paperback copy of this awesome book here!

And here is the giveaway! 

Up for grabs is: 

Kindle E-Reader!

Signed 'Crush' Poster!

Signed 'Crush' Post Cards!

Signed Jumbo 'Crush' Post Cards!

& 

Lacey Weatherford Kindle Ebook Grab Bag!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Fever: Crush by Lacey Weatherford

Friday Fever is a weekly event hosted here at Girls *Heart* Books. Every Friday, we will showcase one of our favorite steamy and/or romantic scenes from the YA & New Adult universe. You know the ones we're talking about; those that get your pulse thumping and your temperature rising. Enjoy.

This week we are showcasing Crush by Lacey Weatherford. This book was sooooo good and there were a few steamy scenes, this was one of my favorites, though. I hope you guys like it as much as I did. 

I closed my eyes for a second. “Forgive me,” I whispered when I looked at her again. I grabbed her cheeks and pressed my lips to hers.

 Sparks exploded at the simple contact between us, and I found myself sliding my hands down to her shoulders so I could pull her closer. I wrapped both of my arms around her back and pressed against her, walking slowly forward until she was pinned against the door.

 Her fingers move upward, locking around behind my neck. She opened her mouth, allowing me access and I happily invaded, licking and tasting what she offered. It was heaven.

 She made a soft moaning sound in the back of her throat—or maybe it was me—I wasn’t sure anymore as her hands made their way up into my hair, digging in as she kept me pulled tightly to her. 

My palms moved lower, cupping her bottom and lifting so she could wrap her legs around me. She did so as if she’d done it a thousand times before, and I moved to trail kisses across her face and down her neck.

 She tossed her head back, arching. “Finally,” she breathed out as her hands traveled over me.

~Kindle location 1200 

Whoa nelly! Love it! The heat between these two is electric! Crush comes out tomorrow, so be sure to BUY it asap!

Group Review: Acidalia The Beginning of Kallos by Khelsey Jackson

Acidalia: The Beginning of Kallos

Kallos Series #0.5

Khelsey Jackson

Published: September 15th, 2012, by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly

When Acidalia knows her end is near, she is forced to say goodbye to her life as well as Sean and Ian Hunter. Her final wish is they be there for one another after she is gone.

Acidalia is the prequel to Kallos by Khelsey Jackson  and it is a novella.  As shorter stories go I enjoyed this one. It definitely piqued my interest and I am now eagerly awaiting the release of Kallos.  I can't wait to see where Ms. Jackson takes the story from here. 

My Rating: 

Acidalia is the prequel to Jackson's novel, Kallos (available as of January 18th, 2013). It is told from the third-person and follows Ian and Sean, dealing with the loss of Acidalia.

Seeing as it is a short story, I will cut it some slack in this, but I was a little confused in some parts. I assume that when I read Kallos, I will understand what is going on easier, but since I read Acidalia first, I'm a bit lost... Very lost, in fact.

While it reminded me of one of my favorite books and I don't like deja vu, I will definitely be giving Kallos a try.

My Rating:

Khelsey Jackson is from California. She moved to Minnesota when she was 11 years old. Her grandmother raised her brother and she. When she was 18 she moved to the city of sin, Las Vegas NV. She met her handsome husband and the rest is history.

She loves to read, and will read almost anything. Some of her favorites are Cynthia Eden, Megan Hart, A.M. Hudson, and Richelle Mead. Another thing she likes to do is crochet, she makes blankets for the members in her family that have babies!

Find Kelsey:

Facebook

Goodreads

Twitter

Website

'Flutter' by Melissa Andrea Blog Tour: Excerpt, Author Interview & Giveaway!

Sara

Sara's life is forever changed -

 Waking up, buried & hidden deeply in the last place anyone would want to be, will do that. She is determined to find out how she ended up there & why, but when the only person who can help her, continuously lies to her, she finds herself forced to suffer alone. She can't ignore the strange things that begin to happen to her nor can she hide from the nightmares that haunt her sleep. And when her world collides with Adan - the mysterious boy whom she can't seem to stay away from, literally - she is consumed by the flutter that sparks whenever he is around and she is desperate to discover the reason why.

But the biggest discovery will come from the secret of what she is…

Adan

Adan’s mission to find Sara has finally begun -

 It seemed simple: bring her back to the enchanted world that lives, breathes and survives because of her, but he quickly finds himself faced with an entirely new challenge. Immediately, Adan realizes that staying unknown to Sara is a task he will fail before he even begins; the pull to her is far too strong to refuse, and being with her will defy the very reason he existed. He was the key to her survival and loving her was not part of the path that he had been born to follow. Can he find it in himself too resist the urge to be with her and follow through with their destiny or will he destroy everything that had been left to Sara to protect and defend -

And the kingdom she is unaware she rules…

Flutter

As Sara and Adan struggle to overcome their own separate battles -

There is a far more determined evil that is stalking the shadows and waiting to annihilate them both.

Sara will figure out that not everything is what it seems and knowing what she can and can not trust will be the key to finding out the truth of what happened to her, the reason why she was buried alive and who she really is…

Sara and Adan will discover  why she was the reason he existed and why he would be the reason she survived & together they will fight to change the rules and rewrite their fate.

Discover the Meaning,

Discover the Secret,

Discover

Flutter.

And now an excerpt from Flutter: 

“I’m a big girl Adan. I knew what I was doing.” I looked at him through my eyelashes.
“And what were you doing?” he asked.
“Playing with fire.”
“Me, being the fire?”
“You, being my fire.” I looked up at him coyly, waiting for his reaction.
I heard the low growl rumble through his chest, and his eyes blazed a stormy blue.
“You have no idea, how much I like the sound of that.”

And here is our interview with Melissa Andrea!

Thanks much for chatting with us Mel, we really appreciate it!

*Can you start off by telling us a little about yourself?

I’m a Taurus, which means I am very stubborn haha! I love in Arizona with my husband and 3 beautiful daughters. I am the oldest of 3 kids and my mom is my super hero! I love being outdoors, I love my family & I love writing!

*What inspired you to write ‘Flutter’?

I’ve always liked writing, and last year I finally decided it was time to do something about that. I read Amanda Hocking’s Tryelle Series and loved that she did something different. So I started researching and… found nothing haha! It took a while to come up with the idea for Flutter, but my inspiration for Flutter, came from my daughters!

*Who was your favorite author as a child?

Honestly, she isn’t an author, but my mom! She use to make up bedtimes stories for my, my brother, and sister. I loved everyone and can still remember some of them to this day, which is saying a lot because I have a bad memory haha!

*What do you consider ‘perfect’ writing conditions?

My couch, my laptop and the music player on my phone! Usually between the hours of 10pm-4am! I get a lot of my writing done when everyone is in bed.

*When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I wrote my first romance book in High School, but honestly, it wasn’t until I decided to write Flutter that I knew I could become one if I wanted too! & I did want too.

*What is the best book you’ve read this year?

I’m embarrassed to say this, but I haven’t read a FULL book this year! I’ve been so busy with a newborn and trying to finish Flutter, I haven’t had anytime to read, but I have started a few good books. Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose and Touching Smoke by Airicka Phoenix!

*If you could spend a day with any literary character, who would you choose and what would you do?

So I’m going to have to say… Jacob Black! Not sure what we would do, but I know what we wouldn’t do and that is jumping off cliffs!

*What dessert can you not turn down?

Chocolate! It doesn’t matter what kind it is! I LOVE all chocolate!!

*What kind of music do you enjoy?

I listen to pretty much everything, except hard metal! I have a very weird playlist right now, but I have been listening to some country and One Direction haha. Yes they are a boy band, but I like them!

*What’s next for you?

Good question. I am just going to take it one month at a time! Right now I am trying to get through finishing Flutter and getting to the release day! What I hope to accomplish finishing three or more books for next year, but she shall see!

Thank you so much again, we can’t wait to read ‘Flutter’!

Thank you SO much for all the awesome questions!! I loved doing the interview and I am so happy you girls are a part of the Flutter Blog Tour!!

And here is the giveaway!
Okay guys! To make the giveaway fair for everyone, we will be checking the entries to make sure
everyone is entering correctly. If we do find someone who hasn't followed through with the entry, we will pull you from the giveaway.
So please, please make sure you've done each entry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I find it hard to sum up my life in a paragraph, but I’ll try.

               Reading has always been a passion for me, and writing as instinctive as breathing. Every inhale is an idea; every exhale a creation. Flutter will be my debut release, and I couldn’t be more excited about it! The only thing I do better than writing you ask? Making beautiful girls. My daughters will always be my greatest accomplishment.

I was born in Denver, Colorado –but I will always think of sunny Arizona as my home. I don’t have a big family, but I’m close with my sister, brother & my mom. My mom is my hero, my inspiration, and I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing person to be raised by.

4 things you should know about me: I’m very girly, but I can get down and dirty with the best of them. I adore the color pink, I love things that sparkle (including vampires) and I like even numbers (hence 4 things about me, not 5).

Haunted Moon Series by K.B. Miller Blog Tour: Review, Interview

A family secret kept hidden has been exposed, and the consequences could be deadly.

After Lilyann Moon's beloved grandmother dies shrouded by a veil of mystery, she and her young family members are yanked from their completely normal lives and catapulted directly into the supernatural world of witchcraft. A world they know absolutely nothing about.

The town of Hampstead, Maryland has no idea of the monsters that lurk in their midst. Or, of the dangers they will face if the Moon Coven doesn't figure out how to embrace the magick within each of them, especially Lily. 

She's suddenly up to her little pointy black hat in magickal problems. Destiny presented her with one more, and it's a big one - vampires. 

The only bright spot in this nightmare was meeting Mason. But, is she in love with the enemy? Lilyann is in a race against time to save her town and coven. Will she survive the coming dangers, with her heart and neck intact?

It all comes down to this one night...

All Hallows Eve.

Compulsion is the first book in the Moon Coven Series by K.B. Miller. I have been dying to read this book for ages but it wasn't available on Amazon any longer. So when Lana and I were contacted about being a part of this blog tour and reading/reviewing the book I was very excited. I have to be honest and say the synopsis reminded me very much of one of my very favorite television series ever-Charmed. But, it wasn't a copycat in any way, shape or form. 

The characters were the best part of Compulsion and I cannot wait to read the novellas in the series.  Lily and the rest of her coven are all individuals with plenty of depth and each has their own part to play in the story.  This was a quick read and I enjoyed every moment. I can't wait to read the novellas in the series! 

My Rating: 

And here's an interview with K. B. Miller! 

* When did you start writing? I've written my entire life. However, it's only been in the last few years that I've become serious about my writing. 

*What inspired you to do it? 
My family. Each member of my family has always told me to never give up on my dreams, and I figured that it was about that time, LOL! 

*Do you find that it is hard to get people excited about what you do? 
No, not at all. My fans are by far, the best! When we post that something new is on the horizon, they start going book crazy ;) 

*What projects have you done? 
In the Moon Coven Series, I have published Compulsion, and Haunted Moon. Harvest Moon will be released any moment. Ghosts from my Past, is slated for release on October 20th! 

*Any new projects coming up? Yes! I'm working on a mature YA novella series called, Supernatural Society. I'm also writing a stand-alone novel called Accidentally Dead. I'm really excited about them! 

*Do you find it hard to share your work with others? 
Not at all. I write because I enjoy it, and sometimes others enjoy it also;) 

*What is your opinion on people who post bad reviews? 
Well, that's a tough one. I admire those that can give constructive criticism without attacking an author. I have a learned a boat load from those reviewers. I do have an issue when reviewers attack an author personally. 

*Do you have any particular networking groups you would like to share that have helped you move forward with your success? 
Oh, heavens! I know that I'm going to forget people and pages because there are a LOT! Paranormal Reads, Paranormal Book Club, I Love Books, Mera's YA Booklist, Phenomenal Paranormal Reads, The Mystical World of Book Reviews, and my teams or "Coven" as I call them. 

*Are you an independent artist or are you represented by an agency? 
I am a proud Indie author. Now, with that being said, I have been approached by several agents, and publishers. I just choose to stay where I am... happy :) 

*What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field? 
I have 2 (two) pieces of advice; 
1) Do your research. Before you sign any contracts 
2) Write, write, write! 

*Anything you would like to share with readers on a personal note that would allow them to get to know you better? 
Honestly, I'm really a simple person. I'm a mother, wife, writer, and everything in between. I have absolutely NO tolerance for ignorance, or liars. Most days you will find me in jammies, with my laptop and coffee. I don't take life too seriously. You only get the one ride, so enjoy it!

And now a giveaway! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Okay, so I'm supposed to tell you about me...
Seriously, if I wrote a book about myself it would take you 10 minutes to read and you would be bored stiff after the first 2! LOL

I'm a full-time writer, wife, and mother. Which basically means there's always a surplus of pencils lost somewhere in my hair, I usually have some place to be(I'm always late), I have a bad habit of calling family and friends random character's names (from my books), I talk to myself because no one else listens to me, and I can throw together a mean dinner for 8 with only 10 minutes notice and four ingredients in the pantry, LOL.

If you can't find me on the sidelines of my sons' football games, online, cooking, cleaning, shopping, at the local coffee joint or on the phone wandering aimlessly throughout my house then I've probably hidden myself in my "bat-cave" to write.

I have a positive attitude, and absolute fun-loving approach to life. That makes it easy for the voices in my head to take over on a regular basis providing endless hours of entertainment for my pleasure, and hopefully yours.

Random facts about me:

~My favorite color is pink
~I have a Bishon Frise puppy named Cullen Edward
~My favorite music is hip-hop
~I have a severe addiction to coffee. So much so, that those in my inner circle refuse to speak to me before caffeine O'clock! True Story

Enjoy the ride.
~K.B. xoxo

Follow K.B. Miller: 

Facebook

Blog

Website

Twitter

Teaser Tuesday: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Anyone can participate! All you have to do is:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser this week is from:

"I didn't want to think about the fact that she could smell me, or that she just joked about eating me. At least I hoped she meant it as a joke."

Page 207

That's my teaser, what's yours?

'Birthright' by Willow Cross Blog Tour: Teaser

For one-thousand years, Druid prophecies foretold of a young witch destined to alter the fate of both human and immortal alike. This witch-turned-vampire would be capable of harnessing the supernatural abilities of both and, in a bloody rise to power, would rule with unwavering control. Unwillingly thrust into a world she never dreamed existed, Liz Markum is catapulted into an ancient war between rival vampire factions. She must choose between those she loves and the ever-present darkness attempting to devour her very soul. Only one question remains: Will Liz claim her birthright or surrender to the dark gift? One choice. One chance. Two destinies.

And now a teaser from Birthright:

Another growl rumbled through her chest as she took a step forward and to the side.

The man’s hands went up in front of him. “Now just calm down.” Still eyeing the door, he made a running break for it.

She slammed it shut before he could make it out. Cat-like, she pounced. She saw nothing other than the red haze covering her vision. Hot, slightly bitter fluid poured down her gullet, squelching the burn. Dizzy with the nearly orgasmic feel of it, her jaw tightened and she felt her teeth sink deeper into his flesh. His shrieks could not block out the slurping-sucking sounds as she drank. Inwardly screaming at herself to stop, she had no control. Nothing would stop the darkness from draining every last drop of the delicious nectar.

Within seconds, his cries of terror changed to barely audible pleas for mercy. “Don’t. You don’t have to. Please.”

The door behind them splintered from the hinges and slammed into them. Flying backward, Liz lost her hold on the man and scrambled to her feet. The raven haired man from the night before stood between her and the prey. “Get out of my way,” she hissed.

Buy Birthright:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

Willow Cross resides in Arkansas with her husband, two children still young enough to live at home, an enormous cat named Bitsy, and a neurotic dog named Tank. Her home has been known to host the occasional ghost and several of her friends profess to be witches. Although she dearly loves Vampires and Werewolves, they are never invited for dinner.

Follow Willow Cross:

Facebook

Twitter

Website

Blog

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan: Review & Giveaway

“I’ve left some clues for you.

If you want them, turn the page.

If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

I was lucky enough to be approved for a galley of this book and the timing coincided perfectly with the October HVYAS event at Oblong Books & Music where David Levithan would be.  This book caught my attention from the first moment I heard about it on Goodreads. I immediately wished I'd thought of doing something like this. How fun and clever to start a quasi scavenger hunt with an intriguing stranger. Rachel Cohn and David Levithan are a crack writing team in my opinion. I read this book in less than a day- I could NOT put it down. I made myself late getting back from breaks at work and sat in front of my computer at home, supposedly chatting with friends and checking email-but really, I was devouring Dash & Lily's story. 

The characters in Dash & Lily's Book of Dares ensnared my attention from the opening lines.  Every character is fleshed out and important to the story. No one is an afterthought and the secondary characters do a lot of scene stealing. Honestly, my very favorite character in the whole book is Dash's good friend, Boomer. He is sincere, sweet and hilarious and such a true friend to Dash, I don't know how anyone can read this book and not fall at least a little bit in love with him. 

Sweet, funny and touching, Dash & Lily's Book of Dares had me laughing and crying throughout.  I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end and I have been gushing about it to everyone I know since I finished it.  I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages. A must read! 

My Rating: 

And now for the giveaway! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

David Levithan

Rachel Cohn

David Levithan (born 1972) is an American children's book editor and award-winning author. He published his first YA book, Boy Meets Boy, in 2003. Levithan is also the founding editor of PUSH, a Young Adult imprint of Scholastic Press.
Rachel Cohn grew up in the D.C. area and graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in Political Science. She has written many YA novels, including three that she cowrote with her friend and colleague David Levithan. She lives and writes (when she's not reading other people's books, organizing her music library or looking for the best cappuccino) in New York City.

Event: Maggie Stiefvater & Brenna Yovanoff at The Tattered Cover

Back in September, I was flicking through The Tattered Cover's website (per usual), when I saw two names that caused mixed emotions (not really, they were both excitement, honestly...); One, was Brenna Yovanoff. I'd been to Brenna's signing in Fort Collins in...autumn of 2010, I believe, when The Replacement had first come out, and I've seen her a couple times at The Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch (although I've never been brave enough to go talk to her--The last thing I need to do is walk up to some random person and freak them out...ha)...and Maggie Stiefvater. Now, I have to admit, I kind of...sat there and stared at the computer for a couple minutes like a dunce, half expecting it to disappear. And when I showed Mel, I'm pretty sure I could've knocked her over with a feather (Mel is a fangirl, yes).

So, yes, those of you who might've been there, I was that girl with two tote bags filled to the brim at the front of the line chatting with Brenna, while my dad (the social butterfly) chatted it up with Satan (more on that later ;P). Do not worry, I got my punishments; as we were leaving the house, I managed to slip on a foot-step-upper-thingy-IknowithasapropernameIcan'tremember!-on-cars and turn my legs a charming shade of black and blue, and nearly twisting my ankle out of joint. So, at least you all know while I was holding up the line, I couldn't feel my legs. Woot pre-Karma...haha. After my Bella Swan moment, we were off!

(yes, it really was that chilly ^)

Now, let me tell you something. No one knows how very girly they are until they are downtown, on a Saturday evening, for the first time. I pride myself in not being a cliche girly-girl, but ugh. I was having issues. I know this sounds really tacky on my part, but I'd never been to The Tattered Cover on Colfax, and.... Okay.. Anyway.

Once I'd gotten in the store, however, there was a sense of calm. This place was huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge! Two whole floors, and if we weren't already running late (you would not believe parking...), I probably would've meandered around (and bought more books, like I really need them). But, as it was, we immediately tumbled down the stairs with my sore ankle, and awaited the signing.

Brenna Yovanoff (left) and Maggie Stiefvater (right)

I can easily believe Brenna and Maggie are critique partners (fact of the day). They were totally comfortable with one another, which made the event all the more enjoyable. They interviewed each other before taking questions from the audience, and Maggie was teasing Brenna good-naturedly for starting every question with, "In The Raven Boys,-". The girls were hilarious.

Maggie [right] showing us the shoe she has been taking on tour 

The girls read "dramatic" scenes from each others books, with Brenna as Gansey from The Raven Boys, and Maggie as Beelezebub ("a role I was born to play," says Maggie) from The Space Between. Maggie gave the audience an option-- They could read from "The Space Between," or they could read from, "Die Blumen des Schmerzes," the German edition.

"You all have to understand, Maggie is fluent in German while I...don't know any German." 

~Brenna Yovanoff

Maggie proceeded to tell us "the part about the bats," with a totally straight face, while everyone in the audience either giggled or died of confusion. For inquiring minds, I was in the in-between.

"'Schläger' means 'bat,' everyone. There. I've ruined the mystery of it." 

~Maggie Stiefvater

As they continued, Maggie told everyone she was nicknamed "Satan" in college. When an attendee asked the obvious question ("Why?"), Maggie answered honestly: "Well, I think it was because I played the bagpipes at all hours of the night..." ...'nough said, huh, ladies and gentlemen?

What I found to be a fun fact was, while both ladies have previous books out, the two books this signing was for, "The Raven Boys" and "The Space Between," were both books that took them the longest to write.

Needless to say, The Raven Boys and The Space Between have hiked their way to the near top of my reading list, and I can't wait to get started on them. Great signing!