Escaping Safety (by Bonnie Gwyn) Blog Tour

Book Synopsis: Christina has grown up literally "sheltered" in a sanctuary run by mysterious Officials who offer safety in exchange for captivity. She's already suspicious of the Officials when she meets Tyler Andrus, commander of the T-Squad: a group of rebels on a quest to destroy the sanctuaries and bring light back into the world. Having yearned for freedom all her life, she joins them in a journey of hope, terror, and self-discovery.

CHRISTINA'S REVIEW:

Hi and welcome to my stop on the Escaping Safety blog tour! I was given an ARC of this book to read and review. It has been a crazy weekend here with all of my kids and husband getting the stomach flu so it was nice to have a good book to sit and read between loads of laundry. I enjoyed reading Escaping Safety and not just because I share the name of the main character :) I thought the book was well written and the storyline was interesting and intriguing. I didn't really enjoy the ending but that is because it left me wanting more to read. . . to continue the story and find out what happens next. I am excited to find out more about Alex and what is going on with him. He was a confusing character. Is he really as bad as he seems? What will happen with the T-squad. Reading this book left so many questions. The writer does a good job with being vague. There is definitely no guarantees in this book. You definitely can't predict an ending in her story. It is very intriguing. I didn't realize until I saw the cover that it was a trilogy. But I am excited to continue Christina's story and will definitely pick up books 2 and 3 when they are released.

About the author:

Bonnie Gwyn wrote her first book, about a talking grandfather clock, when she was six – and hasn’t stopped writing since. In fact, she can’t “not write,” and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She hasn’t missed a day of writing in her journal for the past four years!  As a winner in this year’s National Novel Writing Month challenge, Bonnie produced her latest dystopian novel, Escaping Safety, and is now working on its sequel. She is also close to completing a fantasy romance series, The Legends of Elldamorae, whose characters have captured her heart and can’t wait to have their stories revealed.  

Bonnie's mantra is, "I write because I believe every story deserves to be told."   
To Purchase Escaping Safety

Ditched by Amity Hope

 

Holly has her whole life mapped out. It’s simple, really. She just needs to finish her degree in journalism, marry Collin—her high school sweetheart—and live happily ever after.  Max has had a crush on his friend Holly since he moved to town four years ago. He’s been dreading her wedding since she first sent him a text telling him the news. He's dreading it so much, in fact, that he's decided to move back to his hometown in California immediately following the ceremony.  He never thought that a change of plan would include taking Holly with him, showing her that sometimes the happily ever after you really want, is the one you never knew you were looking for.

EXCERPT:
I took a step forward, finding myself wrapped in Max’s arms, snuggled into his chest. My heart was still pounding. I gladly let him keep his arms around me for awhile. Surely, the only reason for that was because I was trying to calm myself down. Not because I suddenly realized that Max smelled really good. As in, scrumptiously good.
Either he had changed his cologne or I’d never bothered to notice before. He smelled like an ocean breeze. Or at least, what an ocean breeze would smell like if it came fresh and clean out of a bottle. How had I never noticed that before?
I couldn’t help but wonder what else about Max I’d been missing.


Kindlelight Review:
I'm currently reading Ditched and so excited to put up a review. It will probably appear next Monday, so watch for it!

Change of Heart by Shari Mauer

When you’re 16 years old, it never occurs to you that you might die. Emmi Miller’s got a fabulous life. She has tons of friends, does great in school and is an all-star soccer player who played in Europe last summer. It even looks like Sam Hunter, a totally cute baseball player, might be interested in her. And then she gets a virus. No biggy, right? Until the virus goes to her heart and weakens it so much that, without a transplant, Emmi will die. Will Emmi get a heart in time? Is Sam too good to be true? What about her new friend Abe, who has also had a transplant and guides her through these scary times — is he just being supportive or is there more going on between them? And will Emmi realize it before it’s too late?

Shari Maurer did her undergraduate work at Duke University, studying English and Film and Video. In graduate school at NYU, she realized that while her Dramatic Writing classmates were all writing serious plays, movies or sitcoms, she kept drifting toward “After School Specials,” and she decided to do her internship at the Children’s Television Workshop. She wound up staying there for six years, working on Sesame Street productions around the world.

After her daughter was born with a heart defect, Shari got together with a friend to write The Parents’ Guide to Children’s Congenital Heart Defects which was published by Random House’s Three River Press and named one of Booklist’s “Top Health Books of 2001.”

 

Shari segued into teen fiction with her novel, Change of Heart, about a 16 year old soccer player who needs a heart transplant. Both of these books were made easier to write because Shari’s husband, Mat, who she met in summer camp when they were 17, is a cardiologist.

In addition to writing young adult novels, Shari spent two years as the “Moms Talk” columnist at the New City Patch, an on-line local newspaper. She got her inspiration for the column, as well as for her books, from her three teenagers, Lissie, Josh and Eric and started the newest chapter in her life when she became the mom of a college student.

Goodreads 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Cover Reveal! Sacrifice by Jennifer Quintenz

For fans of Braedyn Murphy, the wait is almost over. “Sacrifice,” the third book in the Daughters of Lilith series, will be released on January 31, 2014.

"Sacrifice" (Daughters of Lilith: Book 3)

Just when Braedyn Murphy thought she understood the danger descending on Puerto Escondido, a new threat arrives. A cult devoted to Lilith has taken up residence in the little town, and when Cassie gets tangled up its intrigue, Braedyn realizes she might have to chose between protecting her friends and stopping Lilith from reclaiming this earth. With her duties to the Guard wearing on her, Braedyn turns to Lucas for solace. Together they wonder if now is the time to claim their one night together—knowing that one night is all they may ever have. Darker forces have their own plans for Braedyn and the Guard. Braedyn knew this fight could be brutal—but how much can one girl be asked to sacrifice in order to save the world?

Check out the previous books in the series: Praise for "Thrall" (Daughters of Lilith: Book 1) "Before you even start this review, put down anything you are doing and go read Thrall. It's AMAZING! BREATHTAKING! Engaging and smart, Thrall leaves you speechless!" - Savannah, Books With Bite

"The writing style is so smooth, yet gripping. Add some good characters, well-paced story and you have something that I like. No, not like. Love... No surprise that “Thrall” gets full five stars and the highest recommendations I can give." - Linda, The Fantasy Librarian

"How do I even begin to put all the crazy, gushy, ramblings in my brain about this book onto paper?!? Where to even begin?....This book is a MUST read!" - Hooked In A Book review on Amazon Praise for “Incubus” (Daughters of Lilith: Book 2)

"If you like gutsy fantasy of the urban variety this should definitely be on your 'must read' list. Don't let the YA label put you off either, like all the best YA fiction, this can be enjoyed by adults as well. I give it an unreserved 5 stars." - Tahlia, Awesome Indies, http://awesomeindies.net/2013/10/01/hard-book-put-review-incubus-jennifer-quintenz/

"This is one of those books that I have been looking forward to since June of last year... I loved this book and I'm so happy I finally got to read it. I recommend the entire series for the fully developed characters, the impressive mythology, and the fight scenes. I am dreading waiting for the next book." - David, David-Reviews.com

"Great reading. LOVE IT. Jennifer Quintenz is a special writer who can be very riveting... Spent several sleepless nights in a crazy rush to see how it ends. Can't wait for the next books." - Terri, review on Amazon

About the author: Jennifer Quintenz is an award-winning film and television writer, author, and graphic novelist. She has written for Twentieth Television, Intrepid Pictures, and Archaia Studios Press. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son.
JenniferQuintenz.com
Jenn on Facebook
Jenn on Twitter
Jenn on Goodreads

Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon

Today we are featuring a book with the cutest title ever, Must Love Otters, by Eliza Gordon.

Eliza Gordon is a husband-and-wife team of controlled chaos who writes romantic comedies and silly stories for hearts that haven't given up on the possibility of a Happily Ever After. That's me, so here we go.
 

 

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.


Twitter

Facebook

Website

 

 

 

 

 

You can purchase Must Love Otters for the sale price $1.99 through the 29th of Dec. (click on the cover art above) or you can try to win it below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Laughing at Studio C

Tour Schedule
I have the opportunity to review something a little different today: Studio C, Seasons 1 & 2.

I wasn't really sure if I would like it or not because I had watched some YouTube clips before and not been that impressed. Like, a mildly humored, "Meh." But I guess it's like with books (see, I can tie this in to books), where you like so-so sequels just because you love the characters. But maybe I just saw the wrong clips, because after I put the disc in and sat down to watch it, I laughed and laughed and laughed. I watched it with my 9 year old, and felt mostly comfortable with that. Mainly, she just didn't get the jokes. Which was fine. It's not intended for 9 year olds. Anyway, loved it and highly recommend it to anyone who loves clean comedy. I wish it wasn't called Studio C, though. Lame. And for a while I totally thought it was the same thing as Studio 5 (also lame).

   

Website * Facebook

Seasons 1 and 2 of the hilarious BYUtv sketch comedy series, Studio C, featuring Whitney, Mallory, Jason, Matt, and the rest of the cast pulling out all the stops with two full seasons of enough rip-roaring hilarity to make you spit milk out of your nose. Travel back to the moment it all began and watch some of the very first Studio C sketches, plus two never-before-seen features! Includes popular episodes featuring

• Presidential Shoulder Angel
• Facebook Friends Song
• Flirting Academy
• Captain Literally
• The Center for People That YouTube Made Infamous
• Candy Land Character Conference
• Bollyside
• Dana’s Dead
• And many more!

Special Features

• Exclusive Feature: “Just Jeremy Date”
• Exclusive Sketch: “Substitute Miss Frizzle”
• Season 2 Outtakes

Studio C is a hit sketch comedy series that the whole family can enjoy. Like the popular TV show Saturday Night Live, the cast performs original sketches that parody American culture and the hilariously awkward moments of everyday life; but with a refreshingly wholesome yet hilarious spin. With their huge fan-base and increasing popularity, Studio C aims to produce clean, family-oriented comedy for a national audience.  

Purchase Amazon * Deseret Book

        Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/31/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Over It by Sarah Billington

Teen Youtube song writing sensation Poppy Douglas’s lead singer boyfriend Ty’s been criss-crossing the country and living it up on tour for months while Poppy has been stuck in the boring suburbs, finishing out the school year.

But it’s Summer now, and the best thing just happened: Poppy’s royalties for writing the hit song The Kiss Off just came in. She’s minted, and she knows just what she’s going to blow it on.

Ty’s band Academy of Lies are headlining a summer music festival, and Poppy is taking her girlfriends along for the best weekend of their lives. It’s all organized: the weekend is going to be full of camping under the stars, backstage passes, VIP rooms and partying like rock stars, not to mention some long awaited one-on-one time with America’s favorite front man.

Except, when someone drops out of the trip and Poppy takes the opportunity to mend a broken friendship, it doesn’t quite go according to plan. And when she meets her boyfriend’s BFF from another band, the paparazzi form their own totally wrong conclusions. There’s also the matter of Ty’s ‘super fan’ stalker, but the less said about her the better.

The biggest test of all comes in the form of an opportunity too good to pass up. But will insecurities and jealousy stand in Poppy’s way? Can Poppy and Ty’s relationship even survive it?

Life is about to get much more complicated for Poppy Douglas, but what can you expect when your boyfriend is a rock star?
 

Misty's Review:

The sequel to The Kiss Off, Over It continues the story of Poppy, a teenaged YouTube songwriting sensation. This is a hilarious story full of teenaged angst and awkwardness. I read both books in preparation for this review and just laughed my head off for the whole first half of The Kiss Off. I was curious to see if Billington could outdo herself with the second book, and while the writing in the second book did seem to be tighter, I think it lost a bit of the sheer hilarity of the first.

Also, Over It didn't really have a romance, so right there you know I'm not going to like it as well. And not to be a spoiler, but Poppy and Ty are kind of breaking up--but it's totally right because they can't stay together. They don't spend hardly any of the book together (bummer) and Ty's character is never really developed (also a bummer). I just kept seeing so many different directions the story could go, but it kept barreling down this path of destruction with Poppy making all these terrible choices that result in terrible outcomes. It's totally sad because I feel like she wasn't learning along the way, but just has this one epiphany at the end that is kind of out of nowhere. Still, both books were funny, interesting, and left me with something to think about.

Content: References to sex and a few swears.