{Promo} The Forgotten Ones by: Laura Howard

This wednesday we have non other than Laura Howard author of The Forgotten Ones!  With its release earlier this month this is a book you will want to read!  

With the Blitz that was posted we had a few hiccups!  So I thought we would run this promo and extend the giveaway for not only a Kindle Fire but also a ton of other prizes that you are sure to want to grab! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Howard lives in Ne
w Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Google+ 

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.
What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.








Here are some of the prizes that I will be giving away! 

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{Review & Tour} PODs by Michelle Pickett

Thank you to Spencer Hill Press for allowing me to join the PODs blog tour! 

Title: PODs

Author: Michelle K. Pickett

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Date of Publication: June 4, 2013

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

Purchase from Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository

About Michelle Pickett

I’m a wife, mother, author, reader, although not always in that order.  I write young adult urban fantasies, science/fiction and paranormal romances. Reading was one of my earliest passions, writing soon followed. I began writing seriously during college where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why I chose a career that frowns on creativity remains a mystery.

I’m addicted to Reese’s peanut butter cups and eat way too many while I write, have an abnormal obsession with hoodies and can’t write without one, and I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows on television. An unabashed romantic, I love a swoon-worthy ending that will give me butterflies for days.

I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan.  I now reside in a small community outside Houston, Texas with my incredibly supportive, not to mention gorgeous, husband, three amazing school-aged children, a 125-pound lap dog, and a snooty cat.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

This one I had high hopes for!  I had wanted to read it since I seen it on Spencer Hill Press's website.  When I got it dropped everything to read it and well.  It was ok but very similar to others of its kind.  So this one I would give a solid 3 stars.  

*A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

{#15} Tell Me Something Tuesday! Banned Books

This weeks Topic:

Let's talk banned books. 

How do you feel about book banning? 

What are some of the banned books you have read?   

O my I think that most of the books I read have been banned somewhere.  But that comes with being pagan lol.  As for other normal books I think I have a ton all the same.  From The Hunger Games to Harry Potter I have over 500 books in print and around 1000 or so in ebook. I dont think I could even make a list of how many of those have been banned.  

I feel that although books shouldnt be banned.  They do need to be regulated.  As kids shouldnt be able to check out romance books etc.  

I know a few years back some guy published a book about how to molest a child so this is another reason I think books although shouldnt banned per say they should be watched.  

One of my fav times a year is Banned Book Week!  I think this year I will be doing a massive giveaway for a ton of Banned Books.  So keep an eye out! 

{Review} @TaherehMafi Shatter Me series will leave you screaming for more!

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Set after Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me and before Unravel Me, the spellbinding sequel, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

In Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she'll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of . . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner's father, the Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son's mistakes, it's clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

tick

tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

The first in a trilogy from Harper/HarperCollins

I N  S T O R E S  N O W

Press Release | Film News | Order Now 
Barnes and Noble | BAM

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BAM

  About the Author

Tahereh Mafi is a girl.

She’s 24. She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Orange County, California, where she drinks too much caffeine and finds the weather to be just a little too perfect for her taste. When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts. SHATTER ME is her first novel.

Foreign rights have sold in 22 territories to-date and film rights have been optioned by 20th Century Fox.

Ok this one I have had for sometime. I snagged a copy from the used bookstore and it pretty much sat on my shelf forever! Well after going to a book signing where the author signed my book. She was very disappointed that I hadn't read it yet. So on my way home (which was a 4 hour drive back to Lakeland from Miami) I started Shatter Me!  And well I have to say that I LOVED IT!!  It did take a little longer to get through it than normal but having a massive panic attack can do that.  (im fine)

Mafi has such a way with words that her book is almost poetry.  Without the nasty In Verse script that some author have tried to use.  Shatter Me is an unforgettable story that will stick with you well after you finish the last page.  It is sexy, scary and just plan awesome!  This being a debut is made it even better.  Mafi's writing is breathtaking with amazing writing and wonderful characters.  I dont know how anyone can be a fan of Warner I am a DEFF fan of Adam!

So now I got my friend Frishawn from WTF Are You Reading? to read it as well!  And I am not permitted to read Unravel Me until she finishes Shatter Me and Destroy Me so we can read it together lol!   Its just that good!!

As for Destroy Me I am not that big on Novellas most of the time. But, Destroy Me was so good that I just couldnt put it down!  I cant wait to read Unravel Me and I really cant wait for the next book that she has in the works!!  Here is one blogger hoping for an ARC!!!

I just finished Unravel Me and decided to just add that review to this post as well. For the fact that I just cant split up the reviews.  This series is so twisted in not only the story but, with a love triangle that I just didnt see coming!!  This series is so amazing that I am going to shatter, Destroy, Unravel and well just plain fall apart until I get to snag book three.

 *The copies of this book were purchased by me.*

{Review} Grasping at Eternity

Leave it to Maryah Woodsen to break the one rule that will screw up eternity: Never erase your memories. 

Before entering this life, Maryah did the unthinkable—she erased. Now, at seventeen years old, she’s clueless that her new adoptive family has known her for centuries, that they are perpetually reincarnated souls, and that they have supernatural abilities. Oh, and she's supposed to love (not despise) Nathan, the green-eyed daredevil who saved her life.

Nathan is convinced his family’s plan to spark Maryah's memory is hopeless, but his love for her is undying. After spending (and remembering) so many lifetimes together, being around an empty version of his soulmate is heart shattering. He hates acting like a stalker, but has no choice because the evil outcast who murdered Maryah in their last lifetime is still after her. 

While Maryah’s hunter inches closer, she and Nathan make assumptions and hide secrets that rip them further apart. Maryah has to believe in the magic within her, Nathan must have faith in the power of their love, and both need to grasp onto the truth before they lose each other forever—and discover just how lonely eternity can be. 

Ok Karen when you read this I AM SO SORRY!! But this one ended up being a DNF for me.  It is sibling over load!  To many people!  The POV's are find but with all of the side cast I couldnt keep everyone straight. I kept forgetting people and then having to go back to see who was talking to whom.  It was just to much. 

I will still keep the book and snag book two when it comes out of course.  And I will prob come back to it when I am alone in the house or on a long drive where I can concentrate on the book and nothing else. But for now I just cant keep all of these people in my head. 

*A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

{Blitz & Giveaway} The Forgotten Ones

<a href="http://www.witchycontessa.com/2013/04/release-day-for-forgotten-ones-with.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/witchever82/TFO-notext_zps0abc0121.jpg" width="100%" target="_blank"> UPDATE: I wanted to let everyone know that the book was released early so this is no longer a release day but just a blitz lol have fun!!! Help us welcome author Laura Howard as her first book The Forgotten Ones is out for purchase today!  This book already has a Goodreads rating of 4.20  with over 40 reviews you are sure not to forget this one!  ABOUT THE AUTHOR Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Google+ 

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.
What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.







Follow The Release Day Blitz!
1. Contessa at the Crossroads http://www.crossroadreviews.com (if restored)
2. Word to Dreams http://wordtodreams.blogspot.com
3. The Witchy Contessa http://www.WitchyContessa.com
4. Half Truth Reviews http://halftruthreviews.blogspot.com
5.Jess’s Book Blog http://jessbookblog.blogspot.com
6. Coffee Bean Bookshelf http://www.coffeebeanbookshelf.com
7. Izz “Pingle” Bookish Place http://izzbookishplace.blogspot.com/
8. Wanted Readers http://wantedreaders.blogspot.com/
9. Cherie Reads http://cheriereads.blogspot.com  10. Mythical Books http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/  11. Icy Cold Reads http://icycoldreads.blogspot.com/  12. My Devotional Thoughts http://mydevotionalthoughts.com 

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{Blast} Kiss of Fire

Joclyn Despain has been marred by a brand on her skin. She doesn't know why the mark appeared on her neck, but she doesn't want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won't let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.

The scar is the reason she is being hunted.

If only she knew that she was.

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

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

“Loved the world, the concept, all of the characters (good and bad), and just everything about this story! On to the next one!” -Jena, Shortie Says

“I loved this book from the very first lines… I think it will be hard to move on to another story for a while. -Steele Reviews

“It’s amazing and left me at the edge of my seat through the night as I read.” - Zach’s YA Reviews

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

AMAZON

Can also be found on Barnes & Noble

Book 2 in the Imdalind series!

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

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

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

Ilyan is there. Always there.

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

And then there is her father.

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

The Silnỳ.

"If you like magic and paranormal books you NEED to read this series." - Book Briefs

"Eyes of Ember was so amazing! I can't even put into words how amazing. It's Brilliant." - Imagine a World

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

Amazon

Can also be found on Barnes & Noble

Rebecca Ethington is a story teller and author from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances. Rebecca’s first stint into the world of literary writing, The Imdalind Series, was released in October 2012 and since its release each book has been found in several top 100 lists on Amazon. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her crazy family.

Website † Facebook † Twitter † GoodReads

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{#14} Tell Me Something

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

This week's discussion:

Blogging events: What are some of the blogging events you have you done in the past? What kind of events do you enjoy? What events will you be participating in this summer?

 Well for me this year was going to be the first year I was going to go to BEA in New York which I was supposted to be leaving in like 13 days!  But with my site being taken down and some other issues. I cant go.  So I am going to be going next year.  YAY!!

As for other things I will or have participated in I have an entire page dedicated to this years Reading Challenges as well as a Pinterest board for this years reading challenge which replaced the one via goodreads.

I have also gone to a few signings this year.  And plan on going to a few more in June.  As for hops this year I dont think I will join many more but you never know.

I love to join in on things so if you have something you think I really need to be on let me know!

Next week's question:

Let's talk banned books. How do you feel about book banning? What are some of the banned books you have read?   

Were Back Giveaway!

Since we are finally back I wanted to do a special giveaway for it!  So remember that stack of books I posted to facebook?! Well now you can enter to win it!  This is only for the USA

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Tour: Backed Alaska

Tour Schedule

Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack

An Alaskan cruise is the setting for amateur detective Sadie Hoffmillers latest adventure. Sadie plans to spend time relaxing with her two grown children, Breanna and Shawn, and her boyfriend, Pete, while enjoying the luxury and cuisine of an elegant cruise ship and helping to plan her daughters upcoming wedding. But even as the crew prepares to leave port, Sadie has suspicions about the voyage ahead and the relationship between her normally easygoing son and a mysterious female passenger he obviously knows but refuses to discuss. When the woman is discovered unconscious during the second night at sea, Sadies apprehension escalates. Over the last few years, Sadie has developed an extreme dislike for secrets and it would seem her son is keeping one from her. *Includes eight new mouthwatering recipes, tested and approved by the official bakers of Sadies Virtual Test Kitchen.




Praise for Baked Alaska
Josi Kilpack has done it again. You would think that all these events that occur in Sadie's life wouldn't be natural, but Josi Kilpack has a way of making you believe that it just "happens" and it is normal. I have grown to love Sadie's character, even if she is a busybody, you can't help but cheer for her as she attempts to solve a mystery or crime. One of my favorite series. :)
~Goodreads Reviewer Lacey McNeill

Purchase
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series

Author Josi S. Kilpack

Josi S. Kilpack grew up hating to read until she was thirteen and her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began her first novel in 1998 and hasn’t stopped since. Her seventh novel, Sheep’s Clothing, won the 2007 Whitney Award for Mystery/Suspense, and Lemon Tart, her ninth novel, was a 2009 Whitney Award Finalist. Josi was the Best in State winner in literature for 2012 and currently has two books (Banana Split and Tres Leches Cupcakes) as finalists in the 2012 Whitney awards.

Josi currently lives in Willard, Utah, with her family.

Website * Twitter

Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/20/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Night Owl Reviews

Thanks for stopping by for my biweekly post on what I have reviewed for Night Owl Reviews.  This site is full of wonderful books!  And I am so happy that they accepted me to help review their books. Remember you can click the book cover and be taken to amazon.com to purchase the book. 

Obscura Burning by: Suzanne Van Rooyen

Publication Date: December 17, 2012

The world's going to end in fire...and it's all Kyle's fault. Kyle Wolfe's world is about to crash and burn. Just weeks away from graduation, a fire kills Kyle's two best friends and leaves him permanently scarred. A fire that Kyle accidentally set the night he cheated on his boyfriend Danny with their female friend, Shira. That same day, a strange new planet, Obscura, appears in the sky. And suddenly Kyle's friends aren't all that dead anymore. Each time Kyle goes to sleep, he awakens to two different realities. In one, his boyfriend Danny is still alive, but Shira is dead. In the other, it's Shira who's alive...and now they're friends with benefits. Shifting between realities is slowly killing him, and he's not the only one dying. The world is dying with him. He's pretty sure Obscura has something to do with it, but with his parents' marriage imploding and realities shifting each time he closes his eyes, Kyle has problems enough without being the one in charge of saving the world...

› Visit Amazon's Suzanne van Rooyen Page

Biography

Suzanne van Rooyen was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. She has been a DVD sales girl, a piano and flute teacher, and a freelance writer. She has lived on three continents and is happy for now living in Finland where she teaches dance when she's not writing. Suzanne has a Master's degree in music but prefers writing science fiction and playing in the snow.

She is repped by Jordy Albert of the Booker Albert Literary Agency.

You can find the author here: http://suzannevanrooyen.com/

My Review: 3 Stars

This one didnt impress me much.  I did love the cover which is why I wanted to give it a chance.  However it was a solid three stars for me.  I thought parts of it were confusing.  So all in all this one will work out for some people but for me it just didnt. 

Wishing You Were Here by: Catherine Chant

Publication Date: December 21, 2012 | Series: Soul Mates

She's out of place. He's out of time. In 1956, Joey Tempo was the biggest sensation to hit Memphis since Elvis Presley. Within twelve months he was gone--killed in a transatlantic plane crash. Half a century later, Callie Reinard is headed for college and her dream career in radio broadcasting. When she discovers Joey’s iconic first album, she’s mysteriously drawn to his tragic story. A profound desire to change his fate invokes a mystical force that sends her back to 1957 to “make things right.” What Callie doesn’t expect is her meddling to make everything worse…much worse. Joey may be glad to be alive, but not everyone welcomes her presence. Especially not Joey’s glamorous fiancée, who has her own plans for his future. Every second Callie spends in the past she’s altering much more than Joey’s fate. She’s changing the lives of everyone around her. And she’s growing closer to Joey by the minute. If Callie can’t find a way back to her own time soon, she may lose more than a college education and the career she’s always wanted. She may lose her heart to a boy she can’t have.

› Visit Amazon's Catherine Chant Page

Biography

Catherine Chant is a PRO member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and a Golden Heart® finalist. Her first novel, WISHING YOU WERE HERE (Soul Mates #1), is a young adult time travel romance available in both print and electronic editions at Amazon.com.

Catherine worked for 15 years as an IT computing & communication consultant at Boston College before becoming a full-time writer. She currently teaches four online workshops for writers at various RWA chapters throughout the year. Her non-fiction work has appeared on numerous websites where she writes instructional articles about computing, gaming and crafts.

Catherine is currently working on a new young adult suspense novel, and the next book in her Soul Mates series.

You can find out more about Catherine at her website CatherineChant.com, Twitter @Catherine_Chant or Facebook Catherine.Chant.

My Review: 5 Stars

This one was wonderful!  I love time travel books and this one was a very fast read! The flow was a little off in places but after you got used to it it was fine.  This book will leave you twisted in a good way where you will not be able to wait for the next one!