Monday, December 23, 2013

Top Ten of 2013: Best Books I Have Read In 2013


Check out all the blogs that are hosting this event:

Monday, December 23rd
 Best Books I’ve Read in 2013 (Doesn’t have to be released in 2013, just a book you’ve read in 2013)


Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion, #1)


Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)


The Testing (The Testing, #1)


Deception (Defiance, #2)


Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Between, #1)


Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin, #2)



Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy, #2)


Siege and Storm (The Grisha, #2)


Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky, #2)


Dead Silence (The Body Finder, #4)

Sunday, December 22, 2013

YA Bounds Book Blitz & Giveaway: The Holders (Julianna Scott)




The Holders (Holders #1)
by Julianna Scott
Release Date: 03/05/2013

Summary from Goodreads: 17-year-old Becca spent her whole life protecting her brother from, well, everything. The abandonment of their father, the so called 'experts' who insist that voices in his head are unnatural and must be dealt with, and the constant threat of being taken away to some hospital and studied like an animal. When two representatives appear claiming to have the answers to Ryland's perceived problem, Becca doesn't buy it for one second. That is until they seem to know things about Ryland and about Becca and Ryland's family, that forces Becca to concede that there may be more to these people than meets the eye. Though still highly skeptical, Becca agrees to do what's best for Ryland. What they find at St. Brigid's is a world beyond their imagination. Little by little they piece together the information of their family's heritage, their estranged Father, and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they've been waiting for. However, they are all--especially Becca--in for a surprise that will change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind. She meets Alex, a Holder who is fiercely loyal to their race, and for some reason, Becca and Ryland. There's an attraction between Becca and Alex that can't be denied, but her true nature seems destined to keep them apart. However, certain destinies may not be as clear cut as everyone has always believed them to be. Becca is lost, but found at the same time. Can she bring herself to leave Ryland now that he's settled and can clearly see his future? Will she be able to put the the feelings she has for Alex aside and head back to the US? And can Becca and Ryland ever forgive their father for what he's done?
Available from:

Book 2:
(linked to Goodreads)
Pre-Order:

Praise for Series:
“The twisty plot and swoony romance of The Seers kept me turning the pages as I fell in love with Becca and Alex all over again.”
Trisha Wolfe, author of Fireblood

“It had a gripping plot, plenty of exciting twists and turns and some pretty fantastic characters which all combined to keep me glued to the pages.”
A Dream of Books

“If this is any notion of what Julianna Scott can do, I cannot wait to see what is next. The Holders was refreshing and just one heck of a good read.”
The Book Cellar

“I am so thankful this is only the beginning of a series because I couldn't imagine not being able to read a continuation of Becca's story. The Holders is a novel too entertaining and emotionally charged to pass up!”
Lovey Dovey Books

“There are a lot of other things to love about The Holders – a detailed history and Celtic element come to mind – but it was really the characters that sold this novel for me.”
More Than Just Magic





Julianna was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and spent the majority of her educational career convinced she would be a musician. However, after receiving her music degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, she realized that she'd been born in the wrong era for her dreams of singing jazz to adoring fans clad in zoot-suits and flapper dresses to come true, and began to wonder if her true calling might be elsewhere.
While Julianna had always excelled in writing throughout school, she'd never considered it a career possibility until about three years ago, when she'd gotten her first story idea and decided to go for it. She grabbed her laptop, started typing away, and has never looked back.

Author Links:
 photo iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png  photo icongoodreads32_zps60f83491.png  photo icontwitter-32x32_zpsae13e2b2.png

Pre-Order Gift:
 As a special gift to anyone who pre-orders The Seers, we are giving away a free e-book with several scenes from The Holders written from different character's points of view! All you have to do to get yours is pre-order The Seers, then email your receipt or other proof of purchase to Julianna Scott at juliannascottbooks@hotmail.com, and she will send you the e-novella in the format of your choosing. That's it! And if you have already pre-ordered The Seers, not to worry! Send your receipt along, and you'll get your copy too!


1 – Necklace (as pictured) plus ebook copies of The Holders and The Seers

Book Blitz Organized by:

Literati Author Services Book Blast & Giveaway: Blood On The Tongue (Stephen Booth)

Blood_On_The_Tongue_Banner


CoverTitle: Blood on the Tongue: A Cooper & Fry Mystery (Ben Cooper & Diane Fry #3)
Author: Stephen Booth
Genre: Mystery
Publication Date: December 3, 2013
Publisher: Witness Impulse, imprint of HarperCollins


Stephen Booth returns with an evocative thriller perfect for fans of Ian Rankin and Peter Robinson.
It’s a new year for Ben Cooper and Diane Fry, and that means new mysteries to solve in the icy depths of a bitter winter.
It isn’t the easiest way to commit suicide, but the dead woman seems to have simply curled up in the freezing snow and lain there until her heart stopped. There was no one to observe her death but the foxes and the hares. Yet she is riddled with bruises. Her demise is horrifying. Is it also suspicious?
When two more bodies are found, Cooper and Fry begin to wonder whether these tragedies are connected—and whether they will survive the winter …
goodreads-badge-add-38px
Purchase Links:  Amazon US | Barnes & Noble

StephenBooth_credit Julie Dawn Thomas
STEPHEN BOOTH is an award winning British crime writer, the creator of two young Derbyshire police detectives, DC Ben Cooper and DS Diane Fry, who have appeared in twelve novels set in England’s beautiful and atmospheric Peak District.Stephen has been a Gold Dagger finalist, an Anthony Award nominee, twice winner of a Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel, and twice shortlisted for the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year. Ben Cooper was a finalist for the Sherlock Award for the best detective created by a British author, and in 2003 the Crime Writers’ Association presented Stephen with the Dagger in the Library Award for “the author whose books have given readers the most pleasure”.The Cooper & Fry series is published all around the world, and has been translated into 15 languages.

Connect with the Author:  Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

Literati Author Services, Inc.

THANK YOU to all my Followers, Blogger Friends, Authors, and Publishers!!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Beth @ Curling Up With A Good Book



What a year! This is my first year to fully engage myself in the world of blogging. I have met so many amazing people from authors, publishers and fellow bloggers. I owe a huge THANK YOU to so many special people!! 

I love books so much and owe a huge thank you to my amazing Mom for my love of books. She began reading to be from before I was born until I was able to read a book on my own. She instilled in me the importance of reading and understanding the meaning behind the book. She gave me my imagination and instilled in me the importance of using it. Thank you Momma!!! I just hope that I will be able to continue my love of books with my Son so that he will know how important it is. 

I have met so many amazing blogger friends through this year but there are two that are extremely important to me. First, my blog designer, Ren Reidy. She is absolutely phenomenal and answers any questions I have with no hesitiation. She built me an amazing blog that is easy to work with and helps me share my love of books. So thank you Ren for being the ROCKSTAR that you are!!
(Here is Ren's Blog if you want to follow her: http://alittlebitofrnr.com/)

 The other amazing blogger friend is Melissa Marie. If I ever have any doubts as to what book to read next or if I am in a bind and cant seem to get into a book I know I can message her and she will give me her honest opinion. Every book she has recommended to me I have absolutely loved! So a big thank you to you Melissa for helping me through my "next book" decisions!! :) 
(This is Melissa's Facebook Page if you would like to follow her: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beneath-the-cover/160225867368996)

My next and last thank you is to all the amazing ROCKSTAR authors out there! I have so many authors that I absolutely love and adore! They are the ones who respond to fans and really care about what we think about their books! They are the ones who keep me up late at night because I am unable to put down the phenomenal books that they have written. Their characters take me to another world and make me feel what they feel. When an author can write a book that truly stays with you even after you are finished then they deserve a shout out and a huge THANK YOU!!

Wendy Higgins, Veronica Rossi, Patrick Carman, Aimee Carter, Veronica Roth, Rhiannon Frater, Annie Walls, Amy Tintera, Kiera Cass, Kimberly Derting, Sarah Lyons Fleming, Julie Anne Nelson, Katherine Ewell, April Genevieve Tucholke, Robin La Fevers, Sarah J Maas, Rick Yancey, Julie Kagawa, Joelle Charbonneau, Laura Bickle, C.J. Redwine, Katie French, J.A. Souders, Leigh Bardugo, Jennifer Armentrout, Sarah Fine, Kendare Blake, Kristen Cashore, Emma Pass, Ann Aquirre, and so many more. 

One more person that I want to thank...Katherine Tegen. She is the publisher for Katherine Tegen Books which is a imprint of Harper Collins. Katherine is a amazing publisher and I love to follow Katherine Tegen Books Facebook page and see all the fantastic books that are coming out. Her publishing company has everything from children's books to Young Adult books. There is something for everyone at Katherine Tegan Books!! So check out her Facebook page if you are looking for a new book to purchase!!

I also want to say THANK YOU to all my dedicated followers!! Without you my blog would not be possible! Thank you so much for taking time to read my reviews, comment on my posts, and enter my giveaways! I appreciate it as much as the authors do!! I hope each and everyone of you have a safe, blessed, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Im looking forward to another great year in the world of blogging!!!!


Friday, December 20, 2013

5 Star Review & Giveaway: The Taking (Kimberly Derting)

The Taking (The Taking, #1)Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication: April 29th 2014 by Harper Teen
ARC Provided by Publisher for Honest Review




A flash of white light . . . and then . . . nothing.

When sixteen-year-old Kyra Agnew wakes up behind a Dumpster at the Gas ’n’ Sip, she has no memory of how she got there. With a terrible headache and a major case of déjà vu, she heads home only to discover that five years have passed . . . yet she hasn’t aged a day.

Everything else about Kyra’s old life is different. Her parents are divorced, her boyfriend, Austin, is in college and dating her best friend, and her dad has changed from an uptight neat-freak to a drunken conspiracy theorist who blames her five-year disappearance on little green men.

Confused and lost, Kyra isn’t sure how to move forward unless she uncovers the truth. With Austin gone, she turns to Tyler, Austin’s annoying kid brother, who is now seventeen and who she has a sudden undeniable attraction to. As Tyler and Kyra retrace her steps from the fateful night of her disappearance, they discover strange phenomena that no one can explain, and they begin to wonder if Kyra’s father is not as crazy as he seems. There are others like her who have been taken . . . and returned. Kyra races to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had, but what if the life she wants back is not her own?
Purchase From:




Kimberly Derting
Kimberly is the author of the BODY FINDER series (HarperCollins), THE PLEDGE trilogy (Simon & Schuster), and THE TAKING trilogy (coming Summer 2014 from HarperTeen). She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the ideal place to write anything dark or creepy...a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. She lives with her husband and their three beautiful (and often mouthy) children who provide an endless source of inspiration.






Contact Kimberly:



 WOW...Where do I start? This book totally blew me away...LITERALLY... I have read the entire Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting and was completely obsessed with the series so when I saw that she was starting a new series...I KNEW I had to read it. This series is totally different than anything I have ever read by Kimberly and yet as fascinating and amazing as all the others. 

The synopsis states 
"The Taking is both chilling and explosive, and will have you questioning what exactly it means to be human"
and let me just tell you...that sentence could not be any truer. WOW. 

The main character Kyra wakes up in an alley by the Gas 'n' Sip and has no idea why she is there. The last thing she remembers is an argument with her father on the way home from her softball game and then a bright flash of white light. Kyra goes home and discovers that FIVE years have passed and that she still looks like she is 16, the age she was when she disappeared. 

"I looked down at my hands. They were the same hands as they'd always been. I was exactly the same as I'd always been. I looked the same, sounded the same, had the same tan and bruise I'd had right before I'd vanished."

Everything has changed for Kyra and her family. Her mother is remarried with a new kid, her Dad has become a conspiracy theorist, and her boyfriend is dating her best friend. Kyra is so confused and she only feels comfortable around her boyfriends young brother, Tyler, who just so happens to know be much more grown up and absolutely HOT. 

Tyler begins to show feelings toward Kyra and slowly wins over her trust. Kyra is faced with so many obstacles in the life she has come back to. She doesnt know why she went missing and why she hasnt aged. Kyra and Tyler begin a journey to discover the truth behind her disapperance. She knows there is something wrong with her but can't figure out what it is. 

"Tyler held his hand out to me, and I took it, our hands fitting together seamlessly. The idea of leaving him was nearly unbearable, like losing part of myself- something I understood all too well."

I love the relationship between Kyra and Tyler. He is so caring and gives her the unconditional trust and care that she so needs right now while she tries to figure out her life. Their relationship is a pivotal part of this phenomenal story. 

Kyra is faced with so many twists and turns and she uncovers the mystery of the night she disappeared.I was literally blown away at each turn of the page! There is something happening continually through the entire book. There is never a dull moment. Sci-Fi fans will be totally consumed with this story. Kimberly describes the story so well that you feel as though this could really happen in reality. I couldnt wait to finish the story to see how, why, and where she would take this story. Kimberly gives you just the right amount of answers and questions to keep you hanging on. I cannot wait to read the sequel and see what happens next. 

I truly cannot rave about how great this book is but definitely read it with an open mind. You definitely have to be a fan of sci-fi, conspiracy theories, and non-stop suspense to enjoy this book! 




Thursday, December 19, 2013

Rockstar Book Tours Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Where You'll Find Me (Erin Fletcher)


Today Erin Fletcher and Entangled Teen are revealing the cover for WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME, releasing in early 2014! Check out the gorgeous cover, exclusive excerpt, and enter to win an eARC!




On to the reveal!


When Hanley Helton discovers a boy living in her garage, she knows she should kick him out. But Nate is too charming to be dangerous. He just needs a place to get away, which Hanley understands. Her own escape methods—vodka, black hair dye, and pretending the past didn't happen—are more traditional, but who is she to judge?

Nate doesn't tell her why he's in her garage, and she doesn't tell him what she's running from. Soon, Hanley¹s trading her late-night escapades for all-night conversations and stolen kisses. But when Nate¹s recognized as the missing teen from the news, Hanley isn't sure which is worse: that she's harboring a fugitive, or that she's in love with one.









Exclusive Excerpt

Nate looks me over, from my jacket to my favorite pair of jeans, to the shoes that are bonfire-worthy but still cute. My hair, with the help of a straightener, is so silky that my dark bangs fall into my eyes even more than usual. My eye makeup is amped up. Whether all of this is because of the bonfire or because of who I hoped I’d run into before leaving is open for debate. He reaches up and brushes my bangs away from my face. The split-second touch makes me crave more. “You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you.”

“Where are you headed?”

Though staying here in the garage might be a better option, I say, “A bonfire.”

Nate studies me again, but this time it feels like he’s looking for something deeper. “Don’t you ever get tired of sneaking out?”

“Not really,” I say with a shrug.

He tugs on the zipper of my fleece, lowering it slightly and pulling me closer. “What are you running from, Hanley?”

It feels like my secrets are written all over my face, but I say, “Nothing.”

When he smiles, it’s almost sad. “I don’t buy it.”

I lean in, putting both hands on the car behind him, one on either side, trapping him. “You tell me why you’re living in my garage and I’ll tell you what I’m running from.”

He gives a sly smile and doesn’t budge. “Secrets it is.”

“Secrets it is,” I echo. And even though the small space between us is electric and threatening to disappear, I push off the car and step away. “I’ll see you later,” I say as I open the door.

“Hanley,” he says before I can get too far. “Be careful out there, okay?”

I don’t make any promises.


About Erin:Erin Fletcher is a morning person who does most of her writing before sunrise while drinking excessive quantities of coffee, believes flip-flops qualify as year-round footwear, and would spend every day at the beach if she could. She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics (which is almost never useful when writing books) and lives in North Carolina.

You can visit Erin on her website and on Twitter.







Giveaway:
1 eARC of WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME International

I Am A Reader Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway: Sparks The Matchmaker (Russell Elkins)

sparks tour banner 


sparks
Sparks the Matchmaker by Russell Elkins Ollie just wants one thing. The girl. Things haven’t been going so well with Anne lately, though; their relationship has become a perpetual study date, and Ollie’s roommates are starting to worry about him. How to fix things? Why, with a marriage proposal, of course. Unfortunately for Ollie, his relationship with Anne has run out of gas. Life feels like it’s counting down to one. And that one is the only person in Ollie’s life he really cares about: Ollie. Perhaps, then, he should get over himself. But first he has to deal with Sparks, the irritating little Yankees fan who invades his life in order to “help” him. And while Keith, his best friend, is doing all he can to help, Ollie’s other friend Richie never fails to show up and threaten to ruin everything just by being himself. Never mind all the drama Sparks brings to the party by forcing Ollie to take a job actually helping people in need. Will Ollie meet the girl? Will it be in history class? On a road trip to Colorado? Can he get over Anne, or should he try to mend the relationship? Should he pursue the new girl Sparks is trying to set him up with? As the strings of the puppeteer tangle with the strings of the heart, only one person can sort out the mess Ollie has made. It seems that the harder he tries, the more Ollie messes things up. Is Sparks a cruel manipulator, or is he really going to help Ollie find his match?

  Praise for Sparks the Matchmaker: I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. How many "romance" novels do you read where the protagonist is male, or even where the author is male? At first, I thought that was going to be the unique focus of this story. I was pleasantly surprised, though. The "Sparks" character was a completely unique take on things. Also, I tend to be one of those people who frequently predicts the endings of books and t.v. shows, etc., but I hadn't seen the ending of this story coming. It was a quick and easy read (which was just what I needed right now) but with plenty of intelligence and creativity woven into the story. I think I can say with confidence that even my teenage son would enjoy it, as well as my Mom. Looking forward to the next installment in the series. Definitely not what I expected from a romantic comedy novel, but in a good way! Can't wait for the next one :)   add to goodreads  


russell elkins
Author Russell Elkins Russell Elkins has become a leading expert on open adoption through first-hand experience that he now shares in Open Adoption, Open Heart. Russell regularly contributes to Adoption.com. He also writes his own blog at russellelkins.com to educate others in the struggles and beauties of open adoption. Russell has always been a family man at heart, looking forward to the day when he could be a husband and a father. It took him a little while, but eventually his eyes locked onto a beautiful blonde, and he has never looked away. Russell and Jammie were married in 2004. They had the same goals for their home and didn't want to wait too long before starting their family. However, filling their home quickly with children wasn't in the cards, and they found themselves weighing their options to overcome problems with infertility. Their lives changed dramatically the day they decided to adopt. Russell and Jammie have adopted two beautiful children, Ira and Hazel, and have embraced their role as parents through open adoption. Both are actively engaged in the adoption community by communicating through social media, taking part in discussion panels, and writing songs about adoption. Russell was born on Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., in the fall of 1977. Along with his five siblings, he and his military family moved around a lot, living in eight different houses by the time he left for college at age 17. Although his family moved away from Fallon, Nevada, just a few months after he moved out, he still considers that little oasis in the desert to be his childhood hometown. Even after leaving home, Russell always stayed close to his family. He shared an apartment with each of his three brothers at different times during his college career. They formed a band together back in the 1990s and still perform on a regular basis under the name of the Invisible Swordsmen. After nearly a decade of college and changing his major a few times, Russell received his bachelor's degree in sociology from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He later graduated from Ameritech College where he learned the trade of being a dental lab technician. Russell now owns and operates Elkins Dental Lab located in Meridian, Idaho.




What gave you the inspiration to write this book? 
The Sparks character came to me first. I was actually watching a documentary on something that made me think about the possibilities of what life would be like if someone were to have his abilities. Then my mind migrated to what it would be like if someone like him were to want to play the role of matchmaker, and I laughed the whole time I planned out the plot.

Who is your favorite character in the book? 
It's a toss up between Marie and Sparks. Marie was a very small part of this book, but I love her because her character was based on a real person. She was a middle aged woman with special needs who I used to work with when I was in college. She was a handful, but she was a treasure. Sparks is just a fascinating character to me- someone who made me more and more interested in his personality the more I wrote about him. I know it's cliche to say that I let him tell his own story and I just followed along, but that's pretty much what happened. 

Which came first, the title or the novel? 
The novel. In fact, I changed the title of the book at the last minute, right before it went to the editor. I'm really glad I did, because when I look back at what I almost named it, I have to ask myself what I was thinking.

What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why? 
I really like the scene with Ollie and Lynn on her doorstep near the end of the book. It's not a very long scene, but I think the mood and emotion really came across well there. Nailed it.

Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
 To JUST WRITE IT! The hardest thing for me in the beginning was that I would try to edit so much as I wrote. I don't do that anymore. I lay out a plot map and then just go go go! I don't stop until I get to the end of that first draft. Naturally, my first draft needs a whole lot of work once I get it done, but I have a better view of what I want it to be, and I'm super excited at that point to work on making it better. If I take too long on the first draft, I'm exhausted by the time it's done.

What do you like most about the cover of the book?
 I've gotten a few mixed reviews on the cover. I had someone named Damonza do it and he did exactly what I was asking him to do. What I love most is that it really conveys a sense of Sparks (shown up above) toying with the couple down below him. I love the marionette strings idea he came up with. The criticism I've received is that some think it's a little gloomy looking when the book isn't at all gloomy.

What new release book are you looking most forward to? 
I like a lot of Indie and lesser-known authors. I think their work is often less "processed" by the big companies. Because of that, I'm looking forward to the last releases in the Airel saga by some friends of mine- Aaron Patterson and Chris White.

What was your favorite book you've read this year?
 I recently finished Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. It's a true story about a Navy Seal who is the only one to survive a terrible ordeal at war. Fascinating. 

What’s up next for you?
 I just finished the first draft of a book that will be called Through the Fence. I'm doing this book together with my friend Chris White and I'm hoping to release that in the spring. I've also started mapping out the plot for part two in this Sparks series and that one is going to be really fun.

Is there anything that you would like to add?
 Just, a little thanks to you and everyone who is taking part in this tour. I love my book and I get giddy every time someone gives me a review. So, thank you.



  Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/12/14