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Cover Reveal for Ex-Factor and Unbreakable by Elisa Dane

So excited for the wonderful Elisa Dane and her YA Cheerleading Romance Series! These covers have me intrigued.

First up is Ex-Factor:

Ex Factor
Release Date: 04/22/14

Summary from Goodreads:

Nevaeh Evan’s life is uprooted after her father’s death, when she moves in with her aunt and cousin, Livvie. Her plan to lay low at her new high school isn’t working. Her friend’s jerky boyfriend keeps asking her out, the guy she likes treats her like garbage, and the thought of tumbling again makes her want to hurl.

So when her aunt pushes her into joining the elite X-FACTOR cheer leading squad, Navaeh goes along with it.

But Nev feels she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Not after what happened the night her father died.

Bodie Scott knows about grief all too well. Critically injured in an alcohol related accident the year before, Bodie struggles with the fact that he’ll never play football again, and he’s so far behind in credits he can’t see straight. That is, until he meets Nev. Haunted by their bloody pasts and wary of a shared future, Nev and Bodie turn to one another for comfort and support, and realize they’re not so alone after all. And when the party scene at school threatens the life of a loved one, the two stop at nothing to keep the past from repeating itself.

Second in line is Unbreakable:

Unbreakable
Release Date: 06/10/14

Summary from Goodreads:

Perception is everything to sixteen-year-old Olivia Brown. With her freakishly hot boyfriend, volunteer work at the local animal shelter, successful beauty channel on YouTube, and well-earned spot on X Factor Cheer’s elite level five Diamond Girl team, Livvie’s the girl every other girl wants to be. At least, that’s the illusion she’s aiming for.

But Livvie’s seemingly perfect life is anything but. Lying about the bruises her boyfriend gives her, and cowering beneath his raging temper becomes a regular way of life until she unwittingly witnesses her drunken neighbor beating his step-son, the town bad boy, Reid Tate.

For Reid, vulnerability is the enemy. Opening up, and letting people in gives them the power to disappoint. Growing up with a co-dependent mother and an abusive alcoholic father, Reid has endured all the disappointment he can stomach.

But when his pretty, do-good neighbor witnesses his step-dad beat him to within an inch of his life, and not only call the cops, but keeps quiet at school about what she saw, Reid wonders if maybe, just maybe, he’s found someone he can finally trust.

About the Author, Elisa Dane

I’m a lover of books (YA & Adult romance), chocolate, reality television, and am a proud mother to three All Star cheerleaders. Woot! I write Contemporary YA romance with cheerleaders. Yep. I write what I know, and it’s my hope that my stories will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but that you’ll find a new respect and interest in the sport of Cheerleading you may not have had before.

Author Links:
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New Release: Challenging Destiny by @CherieColyer

Challenging Destiny by Cherie Colyer is now available on Kindle. To celebrate, Cherie’s throwing a party and giving away fun prizes!

CHALLENGING DESTINY
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Kindle Release Date: March 27, 2014
Worldwide Release Date: July 11, 2014

Synopsis:

Logan Ragsdale and his younger sister, Ariana, have been marked, chosen to be unwilling participants in a war between angels and demons.

Logan can sense something’s not quite right. Like an unexpected chill on a summer’s day, he can feel the unseen closing in. He’s had these feelings before and, each time, someone close to him died. He’s afraid this time it might just be Ariana.

Logan’s fears are soon confirmed when he discovers their new friends aren’t human, but rather representatives from Heaven and Hell sent to Earth to ensure he and Ariana accept their roles in an ancient prophecy. Demons want Logan to open the gates of Hell. Ariana has the power to stop them, but if she chooses to side with Heaven to spare the lives of thousands of innocent people, she’ll damn her brother for eternity.

Together, they must derail the biblical event if they hope to save themselves and the future of mankind…but what price are they willing to pay to keep the other safe?

Click here to read Challenging Destiny on Kindle today!

About the author:

Cherie Colyer is the author of YA paranormal thriller/romance, EMBRACE and HOLD TIGHT from Omnific Publishing. Her latest novel, CHALLENGING DESTINY will be available this spring from The Wild Rose Press, Black Rose Imprint. Check out her website and blog for news on her books and bonus material. Follow Cherie on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Goodreads to get the latest updates on her books.

Enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Challenging Destiny:
  Kindle:  http://goo.gl/Kf0USf   
  Kindle UK: ttp://goo.gl/DnH5Nu
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The Young Adult / New Adult I Heart Swag Giveaway

Thanks to Kelsey Ketch for hosting this giveaway. Do you love book swag? I do!


I’m giving away $10 from PayPal or Amazon, bookmarks (like the Streamline bookmark above), a swim cap, and an ebook of Streamline to the winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hop over to other participating blogs to win more SWAG!

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Daughter of Isis by Kelsey Ketch: Review

It’s time for the Daughter of Isis Blog Tour, hosted by YA Bound! Check out the full tour schedule HERE.

Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis, #1)Daughter of Isis by Kelsey Ketch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Son of Set Is a Son of a B*tch

Kelsey Ketch is one of the sweetest authors around! When I discovered the opportunity to read and review her debut novel, I snatched it. I rarely stray from my preferred genre of contemporary romance, and the fact that I enjoyed this Egyptian YA paranormal romance so much speaks volumes for the entertainment value of this story.

Natara “Nattie” Stone has the unenviable task of starting twelfth grade not only in a new school but in a new country. Her mother died when she was five, and her father moves Nattie from London to the Californian desert following the murder of her beloved Egyptian grandmother.

“Brit-Chick” Nattie encounters some kind friends at her new high school:

”Well, how else do you explain Seth’s weirdness?” Jen snapped. “Every girl drools over that guy, and no mortal human can look that good.”
“I’m mortal,” Kevin pointed out.
Jen’s eyes wandered over him. “Case in point,” Jen concluded. “So, Seth has to be supernatural.”

But the classmate who really stands out in Natti’s mind is the one who has slept with about half the female class: Seth. The other half wishes they were so lucky. He’s definitely a charmer…except to Nattie. She gets an intense headache every time he’s around (LOL) which definitely intrigues stalker Seth.

Nattie is a likable character, earnest and intelligent. I would prefer Natara’s nickname to be Tara or Nata because Nattie seems more reminiscent of a southern maid than a British daughter of Isis. But my favorite character is Seth. His behavior is despicable at first, which is understandable given his slimeball father. Seth is a son of Set—a descendent of an Egyptian god who’s all about lust, destruction, and chaos. (I love the idea of one’s sole purpose in life being to create chaos.) From these evil beginnings, Seth really matures in this story. There’s a reason Nattie’s feelings evolve for him over time.

At first the plot seemed too similar to Twilight, but then it found its own rhythm. The pace continued building to the exciting conclusion, which leaves room for a sequel. One mystery yet to be revealed is why Nattie’s father moved them to this small town in California, with its Egyptian symbols. And what is up with the book her father is writing? How much does he know about her mother’s and grandmother’s death? I’m guessing we’ll learn more in the next book. *claps*

Great job, Kelsey Ketch!

View all my reviews

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Cover Reveal: Hold Tight and Embrace by Cherie Colyer

Wow! *gushes* I absolutely love these covers for my pub sister Cherie Colyer! Here’s my review of Embrace, and I can’t wait to read book two in the series: Hold Tight.

Title: Hold Tight (Embrace, #2)  
Author: Cherie Colyer 
Publisher: Omnific Publishing 
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Age Group: Young Adult 
Expected release date: August 20, 2013 

Sixteen-year-old Madison Riley and her friends discover they aren’t the only supernatural beings in Gloucester, Massachusetts. These new creatures are more dangerous than ever, and this time Madison risks losing more than just her friends.

   photo goodreads-badge-add-38px11_zps1ae6e47f.jpg   
This is the new cover for Embrace, book #1, to match Hold Tight.
Title: Embrace (Embrace, #1) 
Released: December 2012   

Madison is familiar enough with change, and she hates everything about it. Change took her long-term boyfriend away from her. It caused one of her friends to suddenly hate her. It’s responsible for the death of a local along with a host of other mysterious happenings. But when Madison meets a hot new guy, she thinks her luck is about to improve. Madison is instantly drawn to the handsome and intriguing Isaac Addington. She quickly realizes he’s a guy harboring a secret, but she’s willing to risk the unknown to be with him. Her world really spins out of control, however, when her best friend becomes delusional, seeing things that aren’t there and desperately trying to escape their evil. When the doctors can’t find the answers, Madison seeks her own. Nothing can prepare her for what she is about to discover. Dangerous, intoxicating, and darkly romantic, Embrace is a thriller that will leave you spellbound.

  photo goodreads-badge-add-38px11_zps1ae6e47f.jpg     

About the Author 
   
Cherie Colyer writes young adult and middle grade novels. She loves finding new stories that keep her up late reading. While her favorite genre is realistic paranormal/fantasy, if the book is beautifully written with characters that come alive she’s all over it. 
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/CherieColyer ; @CherieColyer  

  photo AToMRToursC66a-A00aT03a-Z_mdm_zpsa3cc6896.jpg
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Young Adult Giveaway Hop

That awesome hopper Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not a Writer, is at it again with another giveaway hop! Amanda from Book Love 101 is the co-host.

I’m giving away ebooks of my mature YA Streamline to two winners.

Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He’s captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother’s crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father’s abuse, battered and alone.
Leo’s girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida’s top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there’s an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number-one supporter–her father–is in prison for murder.
Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find their true selves in the process. When everything’s on the line . . . streamline.

To enter, simply complete the Rafflecopter form. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure to hop over to as many participating blogs as you can.

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Out of the Darkness

Authors Justine Dell and Sarah Fine have hosted a week of giveaways and fundraisers in celebration of Suicide Prevention!

Click HERE

Today from 11-6 is the Out of the Darkness Auction HERE where you can bid on some amazing critiques and prize packs.

As a psychologist, I often check in with my clients about suicidal thoughts and urges. Obviously it’s frightening when a loved one contemplates suicide. Individuals suffering from clinical depression, addictions, or other mental disorders may get into a dark place and feel hopeless about ever escaping the pain. When they get so down, they fail to realize emotions are temporary and they WILL feel better.

If you have a loved one who is deeply depressed, it’s okay to ask if he or she is thinking about suicide. You can’t turn somebody suicidal by asking about it. Danger increases if your loved one has a suicidal plan and clear intent to carry out the plan. Better safe than sorry–CALL 911 if you fear for your loved one’s life.

In my young adult swimming romance Streamline, 17 year-old Leo Scott enters a hopeless place when considering his future, dominated by his abusive father.

Leo popped the cap off the bottle with his thumb and slowly
poured its contents into his palm, mesmerized by the cascading
shower of little white pills.

Oxycontin had been both his friend and his enemy. It soothed
him when he was troubled. It didn’t yell at him or hit him when he
screwed up. But it had also distanced him from others, forcing him
to keep secrets and leaving him out of control. And it made him feel
sick when he couldn’t get it.

Yes, both his friend and his enemy. And now it would end his life.

Trapped somewhere between numbness and despair, Leo barely
registered his own sobs. As he stared at the mountain of pills in his
sweaty palm, a tear fell from his eye and splashed onto one of his
fingers. Why does my father hate me so much?

Yikes. Leo needs some help! Perhaps the warm embrace of his girlfriend Audrey?

Head over to Justine and Sarah’s blog to bid on some great prizes!

Note: To all Insecure Writers Support Group participants, I apologize for completely blanking this month. I was in Hilton Head visiting family and my doggie nephew Auggie, so I’m all confused and out of sorts this week! I’ll be back for November.