Swoon Reads Is Going On Tour in May!!!!!

Swoon Reads Is Going On Tour!!!

Four  Swoon Reads authors — Sandy Hall, Katie Van Ark, Temple West, and Kimberly Karalius — will be visiting seven cities (Cincinnati, Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Saratoga Springs, NY, and New Brunswick, NJ) between May 12 and 19.

Check out the announcement for a fun introduction from Temple and be sure to mark your calendars! The events will include 10 Word Love Stories, raffles, and celebratory treats. Swoon Reads hopes to see you all out there!

Velvet (Temple West)

First rule of dealing with hot vampire bodyguards? Don't fall in love.
After losing both her parents before age seventeen, aspiring designer Caitlin Holte feels like her whole world has been turned upside down, and that was before the terrifying encounter with a supernatural force. Then, she learns that her hot bad-boy neighbor, Adrian—who might have just saved her life—is actually a half-demon vampire.
Suddenly Caitlin is stuck with a vampire bodyguard who feels that the best way to protect her is to become her pretend boyfriend. Trouble is, Caitlin is starting to fall in love for real, while Adrian can never love a human. Caitlin trusts Adrian to keep her safe from his demon father, but will he be able to protect her heart?

Love Fortune and other Disasters (Kimberly Karalius)

In the tradition of Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic, one girl chooses to change her fortune and her fate by falling in love.
Love is real in the town of Grimbaud and Fallon Dupree has dreamed of attending high school there for years. After all, generations of Duprees have successfully followed the (100% accurate!) love fortunes from Zita’s famous Love Charms Shop to happily marry their high school sweethearts. It’s a tradition. So she is both stunned and devastated when her fortune states that she will NEVER find love.
Fortunately, Fallon isn’t the only student with a terrible love fortune, and a rebellion is brewing. Fallon is determined to take control of her own fate—even if it means working with a notorious heartbreaker like Sebastian.


Will Fallon and Sebastian be able to overthrow Zita’s tyranny and fall in love?

The Boy Next Door (Katie Van Ark)

Maddy Spier has been in love with the boy next door forever. As his figure skating partner she spends time in his arms every day. But she’s also seen his arms around other girls—lots of other girls.

Gabe can't imagine skating with anyone but Maddy, and together they have a real chance at winning some serious gold medals. So, he’s determined to keep thinking of her like a sister. After all, he’s never had a romantic relationship that lasted for more than two weeks.


But when their coach assigns a new romantic skating program, everything changes. Will this be the big break that Maddy’s been hoping for or the big breakup that Gabe has always feared?

A Little Something Different (Sandy Hall)

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together. Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out. But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV show. Their bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes in their relationship.

Surely Gabe and Lea will figure out that they are meant to be together....

Social Media Links

Swoon Reads: @SwoonReads

Hashtag: #SummerOfSwoon

Sandy Hall: @iamsandyhall

Temple West: @ByTempleWest

Kimberly Karalius: @kkaralius

Katie Van Ark: @kvanark

SUMMER OF SWOON GROUP TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, May 12

Cincinnati OH: Joseph-Beth Booksellers at 7:00 PM

Wednesday, May 13

Dallas TX: Romantic Times at 2:30 PM

Thursday, May 14

San Francisco CA: Books Inc. at 7:00 PM

Friday, May 15

Seattle WA: University Bookstore at 7:00 PM

Sunday, May 17

Chicago IL: The Book Stall at Chestnut Court at 3:00 PM

Monday, May 18

Saratoga Springs NY: Northshire Bookstore at 6:00 PM

Tuesday, May 19

East Brunswick NJ: Barnes & Noble at 7:00 PM

http://www.swoonreads.com/

MacMillian Cover Reveal, Excerpt, & Giveaway: Gabriel (Nikki Kelly)

Gabriel: Book Two in the Styclar Saga by Nikki Kelly

On Sale:

 October 27, 2015 from Feiwel and Friends, an Imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

Gabriel is an archangel. He's also an ally to a generation of vampires who want to break away from the demon who controls them. His faith in the power of good over evil wavers, however, when he discovers that Lailah, the woman he considers his only true love, may be both angel and demon. Is their love enough to overcome the dark forces who are ready to go to war with Gabriel, the vampire Jonah, and the angel and vampire forces? And can Gabriel compete with Jonah, who is also in love with Lailah?

I was born and raised only minutes away from the chocolately scent of Cadbury World in Birmingham, England. So it will probably come as no surprise that when I'm not dreaming in Vampires & Angels, I dream in chocolate! For the past ten years I have lived in West London with my hubby and two dogs, Alfie - the Pug & Goose - the Chihuahua.
LAILAH is my debut novel, and first launched in serial form to wattpad, a readers & writers community. Within just 6months, LAILAH had over a million reads and thousands of comments and votes.Since then, The Styclar Saga has gone on to pick up a traditional deal with Feiwel & Friends, and LAILAH, the first book in the series is due for release on October 7th 2014.These days I spend my time balancing my amazing job of writing fantasy fiction, with my other, very important role of Chocolate Connoisseur. I like to multitask and do the two together. It makes me happy.

Twitter * Website * Wattpad

He spun me around suddenly, clutching me by the small of my back. He hoisted me off the floor, closing the gap between us. Now at eye level with him, he rubbed the tip of his nose against my cheek, and with a frustrated, impatient force, met his lips with mine. 

I refused him, pressing my palms into his hard chest and replanting my feet on the floor. “It was my blood before, only ever my blood. That’s what you said. That’s all it is now.” 

His hazel eyes darted around my face, settling on my lip, which was twitching. Bringing his hands to the back of his neck, he looked trapped. “I, it’s—” 

I cut him off. “That’s all it is now, Jonah.” I tried to steady my warbling voice. “There is no other reason you would feel compelled to kiss someone that . . . that tastes like death.” 

I marched out of the room but he came after me. “If you don’t drink, and soon, you are going to die.” 

This time I would not let him have the last word. I carefully descended the stairs and peered back over my shoulder before his resentful, perfect face could disappear out of view. “It’s my decision, my choice. You will respect it.”

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12 Days of Lailah Book Blast & Awesome Giveaway!!!!!

I am really excited to get to kick off this amazing "12 Days of Lailah" special blog tour!!!!!!! Lailah is most definitely one of my most favorite books of the year! The book is phenomenal and the author is just as amazing!!! She is 100% dedicated to her fans and her book and I am so proud to be one of her founders for her Street Team!!!! Please make sure and visit ALL the stops on this incredible tour!!!! 

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Published October 7th 2014

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Author: Nikki Kelly 

The girl knows she’s different. She doesn’t age. She has no family. She has visions of a past life, but no clear clues as to what she is, or where she comes from. But there is a face in her dreams – a light that breaks through the darkness. She knows his name is Gabriel.
On her way home from work, the girl encounters an injured stranger whose name is Jonah. Soon, she will understand that Jonah belongs to a generation of Vampires that serve even darker forces. Jonah and the few like him, are fighting with help from an unlikely ally – a rogue Angel, named Gabriel.
In the crossfire between good and evil, love and hate, and life and death, the girl learns her name: Lailah. But when the lines between black and white begin to blur, where in the spectrum will she find her place? And with whom?
Gabriel and Jonah both want to protect her. But Lailah will have to fight her own battle to find out who she truly is.

I was born and raised only minutes away from the chocolately scent of Cadbury World in Birmingham, England. So it will probably come as no surprise that when I'm not dreaming in Vampires & Angels, I dream in chocolate! For the past ten years I have lived in West London with my hubby and two dogs, Alfie - the Pug & Goose - the Chihuahua.LAILAH is my debut novel, and first launched in serial form to wattpad, a readers & writers community. Within just 6months, LAILAH had over a million reads and thousands of comments and votes.Since then, The Styclar Saga has gone on to pick up a traditional deal with Feiwel & Friends, and LAILAH, the first book in the series is due for release on October 7th 2014.These days I spend my time balancing my amazing job of writing fantasy fiction, with my other, very important role of Chocolate Connoisseur. I like to multitask and do the two together. It makes me happy.

Twitter * Website * Wattpad

Lailah's Christmas Playlist

1. What Christmas Means To Me by Jessica Simpson

2. Please Come Home For Christmas by Eagles

3. Baby, It's Cold Outside by Jessica Simpson

4. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear by Julie Andrews

5. We Three Kings by The Beach Boys

6. Do You Hear What I Hear by Carrie Underwood

7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Carrie Underwood

8. All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*Sunday, December 14th: Beth at Curling Up With a Good Book shares a Lailah-themed Christmas playlist.

*Monday, December 15th: Brittany at Please Feed the Bookworm matches Lailah characters to their fitting ugly Christmas sweaters.

*Tuesday, December 16th: Rachel at A Perfection Called Books shares exactly what to get the Lailah, Gabriel and Jonah for Christmas.

*Wednesday, December 17th: Patricia at The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club shines some light on exactly how Gabriel and Jonah would celebrate the holidays in their respective realms.

*Thursday, December 18th: Pili at In Love With Handmade whips up some Lailah holiday cupcakes.

*Friday, December 19th: A to-be-announced Street Team Founder has a super-secret idea under wraps! (We're contacting someone to take this day)

*Saturday, December 20th: Jessica at The Book Bratz hosts a guest post by Lailah author Nikki Kelly where she shares her favorite Christmas traditions and memories.

*Sunday, December 21st: Ri at Hiver et Cafe releases some exclusive Lailah quotes and shares her take on what Lailah would wear for Christmas.

*Monday, December 22nd: Andrew at Endlessly Reading hosts a character interview with author Nikki Kelly, Lailah, Jonah and Gabriel.

*Tuesday, December 23rd: Genissa at A Story Diary hosts a guest post from Nikki Kelly about the Christmas scene from Lailah.

*Wednesday, December 24th: Dana at Dana Square bakes some Lailah-inspired Christmas cookies.

*Thursday, December 25th: Amber at The Book Bratz releases a brand-new rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas - Lailah style.

5 Star ARC Children's Book Review: Naptime with Theo & Beau (Jessica Shyba) published by Feiwel & Friends/MacMillian

Hardcover, 40 pages
Expected publication: February 3rd 2015 

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Author: Jessica Shyba

It all started when a loving mother posted a few pictures of her son, Beau, and their new puppy, Theo, napping together on her popular blogMomma’s Gone City. But these pictures were so "unbearably adorable" (The Daily Mail) and "utterly charming" (The Huffington Post) that it quickly became much, much more. By faithfully recording and sharing what Good Morning America calls "the most mesmerizing naps ever caught on camera," Jessica Shyba and her family captured the hearts of people all over the world, and these beautiful images of friendship and trust have become an international viral sensation. 

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon *  Barnes & Noble * Indigo

I started this blog in May of 2009 as a way to keep in touch with family when we moved from the Bay Area of California to Manhattan. For four years, I wrote about our experiences in the big city while my husband attended dental school at NYU. We moved to Santa Cruz, California the summer after Justin graduated, and have been living here with our son Jack, our daughter Zoe, and our youngest Beau along with a feline named Charlie and a puppy we call Theo.
I’ve been able to run this blog as a business the last couple of years by publishing features and sponsored posts, though regardless of paid content, you can be absolutely sure that the opinions and ideas expressed herein are absolutely authentic. The beauty of this community is the opportunity to share my experiences and connect with all different types of people, and I feel so fortunate to be able to do that.
Please feel free to reach out to me, and know that if I don’t get back to you right away I will most certainly make the effort.
If you are interested in working or advertising with Momma’s Gone City, please contact me for rates and information.

- See more at: http://www.mommasgonecity.com/about/#sthash.Jz0coXUl.dpuf

Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Website 

To Each Other We Belong

What a beautiful, mesmerizing, and completely heart-warming story. I found myself just staring at all the beautiful pictures of this precious child and precious pup before I even started reading the book. The pictures alone tell a unique one-of-a-kind story and then when you turn the page there are these perfect little sentences that capture each picture perfectly. 

"The look on the puppy's face and the way he responded to the kids so quickly convinced us that we had met our newest family member. We decided to name him Theo....."

The readers learns that Theo is a rescue pup.... and that just goes to show you that calm, loving puppies do not necessarily have to be "bred" from expensive breeds. Jessica writes about this special pup and how he divides his time between all the children and basically knows each one's schedule and is there for them when they need him. This just warms my heart. Animals feel just as much as we do and this one special pup has found his place in the world in this precious family that is the Shyba's. 

I loved this book and loved how the mother portrays the closeness and the precious relationship between her beautiful son and his one-of-a-kind pup. Each picture is so special and shows so much of Theo's personality. I will have to say that my most favorite picture is the "Cheek-To-Cheek" one. How precious...

I really hope that Jessica Shyba continues to capture these two as they both grow and shares their journey with the world. Theo and Beau have a long life of fun, wild adventures ahead of them and I can't wait to follow their journey with them.... 

**The quotes from this book have been taken from an Advanced Reading Copy and are subject to change when the final book is printed. Please refer to the final, finished copy for exact quotes!**

**I want to say Thank You to Feiwel & Friends/MacMillian for the opportunity to review this book!!**

ARC Review: Trial by Fire (Josephine Angelini)

Hardcover, 384 pages
Expected publication: September 2nd 2014 by Feiwel & Friends

ARC Provided by Publisher in Exchange for an Honest Review

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.
Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.
What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected. 

BUY LINKS

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Indigo * MacMillian 

JOSEPHINE ANGELINI is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in theater, with a focus on the classics. Originally from Massachusetts, she now lives in Los Angeles with her screenwriter husband and three shelter cats. Her debut series, Starcrossed, Dreamless, and Goddess, (Harper Teen) are all international bestsellers and have garnered the praise of various major publications, including the LA Times, and have twice won the Reader’s Choice Awards in Germany. Her next series, Trial by Fire, Book One of the WorldWalker Trilogy (Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan) will be out in the US on September 2nd.

Website *  Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

"Love burns.

Worlds collide.

Magic reigns."

 I had heard sooooo many people raving about this book so I had to get my hands on it. From the moment I opened the book and read the first chapter....I was completely hooked. Josephine Angelini's writing style is just breath-taking and phenomenal. She writes her characters in a way that it feels like you are in the book with them. 

The main character, Lily Proctor, is a young girl who has life-threatening allergies and could die at any moment. Lily's character was so easy to like. She is witty, smart, and down to earth. I immediately found myself cheering for her. Her only wish in life is to live like a normal teenager. She decides to try and attend a high school party and while there she has an allergy attack and almost dies. Once she is home and feeling better she imagines herself moving away....far away from everything. All of a sudden she gets dizzy and blacks out....

"Her skin pricking with a preternatural sense of wrongness, Lily turned and looked behind her.

She was still in Salem. The shape of the shoreline, as familiar to her as the whirls of her own thumbprint, told her that. 

She just wasn't in her Salem anymore."

Lily wakes up in a totally different place and she will discover that she is actually in a totally different world. She has been transported to an alternate universe called Salem. Lily discovers that her evil "other self" named Lillian is the person who has brought her to this world in order to train Lily and use her to take over Salem.

This new world is fascinating and dangerous at the same time. Lily experiences magic for the first time and realizes that in this world she is very important and could be the difference in whether good or evil wins. In this new world Lily meets Rowan and Tristan who are both on the side of good and are trying to defeat the evil Lillian. Lily and Rowan begin to develop a breath-taking romance and I just love them together. 

"A world of tenderness wrapped around Lily and filled her up, as if the air had turned into Rowan and she was standing in him and breathing him in."

There are so many parts of this book that I never saw coming!! I knew there would be plenty of magic and possibly romance but I never imagined that horror would also be included.....and I am a huge horror fan so when the horrifying, scary creatures showed up in the story I was just completely blown away!!! There are some parts of the story that are actually gruesome and took my totally by surprise and I loved every aspect of it!!! I mean, this book is just really awesome. Trial by Fire has everything from intense magic scenes to horrific fight scenes. Fans of young adult, suspense, romance, fantasy, and horror will absolutely LOVE this book. 

There were also so many questions that I had that did not get answered....Which of course makes me about to DIE to get my hands on the sequel...Well played Josephine Angelini...well-played.....Readers will devour this "unputdownable" book....and be left craving for more!! Josephine Angelini just moved to the top of my Favorite Authors list....Wow.....No other words but WOW.....

**The quotes from this book have been taken from an Advanced Reading Copy and are subject to change when the final book is printed. Please refer to the final, finished copy for exact quotes!**

**I want to say Thank You to Feiwel & Friends/MacMillian for the opportunity to review this book!!**

Waiting On Wednesday: Trial By Fire (Josephine Angelini)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at

Breaking the Spine

and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hardcover, 384 pages
Expected publication: September 2nd 2014 by Feiwel &Friends 

Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns.
This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.
Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.
Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.
But how can Lily be the saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

What book are you looking forward to in 2014??