YA Reads Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway: Vernal (Randi Cooley Wilson)

Vernal by Randi Cooley Wilson To be Released on June 30th, 2016 Genre: New Adult/Paranormal/Fantasy 

 Serena has a bright future etched in stone. Tristan has a dark past that haunts him. Together, they have a love that can never be. Sheltered, and unable to escape her bloodline, Serena St. Michael has spent the last two years training at the Royal Protector Academy. Struggling with a dark past, Tristan Gallagher’s current assignment is to protect a lifetime of secrets. One chance encounter will change everything. Serena must decide if she will follow her heart, forsaking all she’s ever known and risking a future worse than non-existence. Tristan will break every rule to save Serena, even if he can’t keep her. In their world of darkness, one love will ignite an ancient war. When pasts collide with the present, and secrets are revealed, will love be enough? Or will one lie destroy it all? When you’ve hidden behind a mask for so long, would you reveal yourself for love? Vernal, the first novel in The Royal Protector Academy series is a dangerously exciting and darkly romantic tale that will take your breath away. 

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25901506-vernal 

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vernal-randi-cooley-wilson/1123441022?ean=2940152864090

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Vernal-Royal-Protector-Academy-Novel-ebook/dp/B01C65MLGC

 Randi Cooley Wilson is a “New Adult” Paranormal/Fantasy and Contemporary Romance author. A resident of Massachusetts, she makes stuff up, devours romance books, drinks lots of wine and coffee, and has a slight addiction to bracelets. 

For more information visit:http://randicooleywilson.com  

1.       What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

The readers are really the reason for this book and series. When I finished writing the Revelation Series, so many people reached out to me asking me to continue on with the series and characters. I struggled with this. As a reader, I sympathized with the need for more of something that they fell in love with, but as a writer, I wanted to explore new storylines and characters. Vernal, the first book within the Royal Protector Academy Trilogy is the best of both worlds. As a “spin-off” of the Revelation Series, it allows reader’s desire to have more, while feeding my need to write new characters and stories.

2.       Who is your favorite character in the book?

This is always such a hard question because picking on character over the other is like choosing one child over the other. I love them all for different reasons. I really gravitate toward Serena St. Michael and Tristan Gallagher (the two main characters) in Vernal. Serena is a free-spirit and Tristan is a damaged soul. Together, their story is just beautiful.

3.       Which came first, the title or the novel?

The title. I always name the series and titles before I write the actual story.

4.       What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

Gosh,  I love Vernal, as a whole. I had the most fun writing a scene where Serena meets a water nymph named Freya for the first time. It’s pure fantasy world, which is always my favorite to create.

5.       Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?

Not to sweat the small stuff. I can’t control everything. As a writer, you literally have to learn how to go with the flow. Some days stories come and others there is dead air.

6.       What do you like most about the cover of the book?

Everything. Hang Le did a fantastic job with this cover. If I had to pick one thing, gun-to-head, it would be the Vernal purple color. Or the dragon scale pattern. Maybe the typeface. Oh, wait, the logo! Ack. Forget it, I love it all.

7.       What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2016?

I am beyond excited to release Vernal into the world, but I’m also really looking forward to releasing Stolas, Dark Soul Series, book one. It’s a new series I’ve been working on for a while that I just love.

8.       What was your favorite book in 2015?

Dirty by Kylie Scott.

9.       What’s up next for you?

Currently, I’ve started on book two of the Royal Protector Academy Trilogy, Aequus, and I’m getting ready to introduce readers to my demons den with Stolas, a Dark Soul Series Novel.

10.   Is there anything that you would like to add?

Aside from thanking you for having me, I also want to thank all the readers who’ve taken the time to read my books and reach out to me. It means the world that you trust and allow me to be part of your literary libraries. So, thank you.

  The Giveaway: Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. The giveaway runs from July 1st through July 22nd. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Rest of the Tour Schedule Below!

July 1^st The Voluptuous Book Diva – Author Interview Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books! – Review July 2^nd LitBuzz – Review Hannah Plus Books – Guest Post July 3^rd Comet Babes Books – Review Have Book Will Read – Review July 4^th Ordinary Girlz Book Reviews – Review For Love of Books4 – Promo Post July 5^th Novels & Necklaces – Review RoloPoloBookBlog – Promo Post July 6^th The Book Beacon – Review July 7^th Quite Bookish – Review infinite House of Books – Interview July 8^th Bookbangerr – Review July 9^th Latte Nights Reviews – Review July 10^th Around The World in Books – Guest Post July 11^th The Perks of Being a Book Girl – Review July 12^th the bookdragon – Guest Post July 13^th Owl Always Be Reading – Review A Leisure Moment – Review Rockin’ Book Reviews – Promo Post July 14^th Bibliophile Mystery – Promo Post July 15^th Just One More Chapter – Promo Post July 16^th Monique Latrece – Guest Post July 17^th Honey there are never enough books – Interview July 18^th Curling Up With A Good Book – Interview July 19^th Mindjacked – Review YaReads – Review July 20^th books are love – Review Secretly Adorkable Readers – Review July 21^st Fiction Dreams – Promo Post YaReads – Character Interview  

Waiting On Wednesday: Flashfall (Jenny Moyer)

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.

Book: FlashFall

Author: Jenny Moyer

Hardback Edition, 352 pages
Expected Publication: November 15, 2016  

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co

Orion is a Subpar, expected to mine the tunnels of Outpost Five, near the deadly flash curtain. For generations, her people have chased cirium—the only element that can shield humanity from the curtain’s radioactive particles. She and her caving partner, Dram work the most treacherous tunnel, fighting past flash bats and tunnel gulls, in hopes of mining enough cirium to earn their way into the protected city.
But when newcomers arrive at Outpost Five, Orion uncovers disturbing revelations that make her question everything she thought she knew about life on both sides of the cirium shield. As conditions at the outpost grow increasingly dangerous, it’s up to Orion to forge a way past the flashfall, beyond all boundaries, beyond the world as she knows it.

What book are you looking forward to in 2016?? 

YA Bound Book Tours, Excerpt & Giveaway: Quintina (Meghan Riley)

Rockstar Book Tours Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway: Sticks & Stone (Abby Cooper)

Sticks & Stones
by Abby Cooper
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Release Date: July 12th 2016

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, School

Ever since she was a baby, the words people use to describe Elyse have instantly appeared on her arms and legs. At first it was just "cute" and "adorable," but as she's gotten older and kids have gotten meaner, words like "loser" and "pathetic" appear, and those words bubble up and itch. And then there are words like "interesting," which she's not really sure how to feel about. Now, at age twelve, she's starting middle school, and just when her friends who used to accept and protect her are drifting away, she receives an anonymous note saying "I know who you are, and I know what you're dealing with. I want to help." As Elyse works to solve the mystery of who is sending her these notes, she also finds new ways to accept who she is and to become her best self.

Which came first, the title or the novel?

The title, and I’m so glad that it did! When I was writing and I got stuck, I thought about the entire “sticks and stones may break my bones…” expression, and the idea came to me – what if words literally hurt you? That’s how I thought of Elyse’s skin disorder, and the rest is history!

What do you like most about the cover of the book?

Everything! The cover designer did such an incredible job. I love the bright colors, the font, the way the words are written across arms. It’s such a wonderful representation of the book.

What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2016? 

There have been so many amazing 2016 books so far, and there are so many yet to come! I’m really looking forward to Bridget Hodder’s THE RAT PRINCE, Elly Swartz’s FINDING PERFECT, and Jill Diamond’s LOU LOU AND PEA AND THE MURAL MYSTERY.

What would you say is your superpower?

I am Opposite-of-Procrastinator Girl. (Is there a word for that? There should be a word for that.) I don’t know why, but I’ve never been able to procrastinate on anything; I have to do everything right away or else I feel really anxious. (Sometimes I actually wish I could procrastinate, though, because there have been many times throughout my life when I’ve done things way too fast or arrived places way too early. Once I was so early meeting someone for dinner that the restaurant wasn’t even open yet, and I had to sit outside in the rain for half an hour.) 

Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?

I’m a huge fan of the Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute (which has nothing to do with actual oceans, in case you were wondering!) It’s modeled after 826 National, and each chapter of the program takes on a fun, creative theme. Step inside and you’ll totally feel like you’re in a submarine exploring Minnesota’s long-lost ocean. 

The organization provides creative writing field trips to students in 2nd-4th grade. The students work together as a class with volunteers to write, illustrate, and publish a book over the course of a couple hours. The kids have such great ideas and are so proud of themselves when they see the finished books. I’m honored to volunteer with such a special program. 

What’s up next for you? 

I’m finishing up BUBBLES, my 2017 book, and am writing another MG. I’m also getting ready for a ton of fun book events and school visits! I’m doing several events in Minneapolis/St. Paul this summer, as well as some in Madison, Denver, and Chicago in the fall. Check my website – www.AbbyCooperAuthor.com - for details and updates. 

Follow the Sticks & Stones by Abby Cooper Blog Tour and don't miss anything! 

Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Abby Cooper lives in Minnesota with her miniature poodle, Louis, and a whole bunch of books. A former teacher and school librarian, her favorite things in the world (besides writing) are getting and giving book recommendations and sharing her love of reading with others. In her spare time, she likes eating cupcakes, running along the Mississippi River, and watching a lot of bad reality TV.

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Rockstar Book Tours Blog Tour, Interview & Giveaway: Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies (Laura Stampler)

Author: Laura Stampler
Release Date: July 19, 2016
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 352
Formats: Hardcover, eBook

The Devil Wears Prada meets Sex and the City in a wickedly funny debut novel about a girl who lands a dream internship at a magazine in New York City. If only she hadn’t lied about being a dating expert on her resume . .

Harper Anderson has always thought she should have been born somewhere more glamorous than her sleepy Northern California suburb. After all, how many water polo matches and lame parties in Bobby McKittrick’s backyard can one girl take?
Already resigned to working at a Skinny B’s Juice Press for the summer, Harper is shocked when the ultra-prestigious teen magazine, Shift, calls to say they want her to be their teen dating blogger for the summer. All she needs to do is get her butt to New York in two days.
There’s just one teeny, tiny problem: Apart from some dance floor make-outs, Harper doesn’t have a whole lot of dating experience. So when Shift’s application asked for an “edgy” personal essay, Harper might have misappropriated her best friend’s experiences for her own. But she can just learn on the job...right? Will the house of lies Harper has built around her dream job collapse all around her, or will she be able to fake it until she makes it in the big city?

Find it:

 AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | iTUNES | INDIEBOUND | SIMON & SCHUSTER | GOODREADS

Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Black-Dresses-White-Lies/dp/1481459899/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-black-dresses-little-white-lies-laura-stampler/1122749765

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/little-black-dresses-little/id1047553511

IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781481459891

Simon & Schuster: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Little-Black-Dresses-Little-White-Lies/Laura-Stampler/9781481459891

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25337536-little-black-dresses-little-white-lies

Laura Stampler is a Californian turned New Yorker. After graduating from Stanford University, she became a journalist, interning—and then worked on staff—at various newspapers and magazines. Laura has written about everything from dating to social media stars to social justice issues at Time magazine, Business Insider, Huffington Post, The Nation, The New Republic, and The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably looking at pug gifs on the Internet.

Find her: 

TWITTER | TUMBLR | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

When I was working as a reporter at Time Magazine, I covered topics ranging from apps to… my many Tinder mishaps. Considering that my love life in high school was virtually non-existent (apart from some microscopic, fleeting interludes), I thought that it would be fun to create a world in which a girl kind of like me is suddenly thrown into a situation where she has to write about dating for all of the internet to see.

 Who is your favorite character in the book?

Princess the pug. She has more attitude than any human being I’ve ever met. (And she was based on a real dog!)

Which came first, the title or the novel?

A little bit of both. Originally, I called the book CONFESSIONS OF A MAKE-OUT BANDIT. But about a quarter of the way in, my editor and I decided that it didn't quite fit. After a lot of brain storming and trial and error, the title evolved to LITTLE BLACK DRESSES, LITTLE WHITE LIES, and I now can’t imagine the book being called anything else. The title, which we chose when only the first part of the book existed, actually helped inspire the rest of the story.

 Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?

Things don’t have to be perfect the first time around! Sometimes, in the beginning, I wouldn’t be able to move on if one sentence didn’t feel right. Now I know that it’s ok to explode onto the page and clean it up later. I’m a big fan of writing new material at night and then editing with fresh eyes in the morning.

 What do you like most about the cover of the book?

I’d like to preface this answer by saying that I absolutely adore everything about this cover. The color scheme, the outfit, the architecture… illustrator Lucy Truman is a freaking genius. But I think that my favorite part is the fact that Harper become’s a part of the city skyline. 

 What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2016?

When I first started this Q&A, my answer was THE GIRLS by Emma Cline. (I’m really fascinated by cults and the Charlie Manson murders.) But now it’s out, I’m 75 percent done, and I can tell you that it was worth the wait!

What was your favorite book in 2015?

I’m absolutely horrible with favorites, but one of the books I’m still thinking about is CHALLENGER DEEP, which was written by Neal Shusterman and illustrated by his son Brendan. It is such a beautiful and honest look at mental illness, and also how art can be used as a form of expression and therapy.

 Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?

I’m currently a volunteer at the New York Writer’s Coalition, which is a fantastic organization that provides free, community-based writing workshops across New York. Leaders come in and write with groups at hospitals, public libraries, homeless shelters, and more — with children and adults. The non-profit helps people find their embrace their writing voice and share their stories in supportive and judgment-free environments. I’ve done some of my best writing in these settings and am in constant awe of what people are able to produce during a 20-minute free write.

There is a tour-wide giveaway for…

A hardcover copy of LITTLE BLACK DRESSES, LITTLE WHITE LIES to TWO (2) winners – US only

Must be 13 or older to enter. Giveaway is US only. Giveaway ends July 26th at 11:59 PM Pacific. Book will be ordered from Amazon. Prizing courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours.

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The Tour Schedule

Week One

July 6th – Please Feed the Bookworm – Review

July 6th – Read Now Sleep Later – Guest Post

July 7th – Worth Reading It? – Review

July 7th – YA Book Madness – Review

July 8th – Awkwordly Emma – Review

July 8th – YA Reads – Character Interview

Week Two

July 11th – Fictional Fox – Review

July 11th – Curling Up With A Good Book – Author Interview

July 12th – Fiktshun – Review

July 12th – The Anatomy of a Bookworm – Review

July 13th – The Phantom Paragrapher – Review

July 13th – Whatever You Can Still Betray – Guest Post

July 14th – Creatyvebooks – Review

July 14th – Latte Nights Reviews – Review

July 15th – Here’s to Happy Endings – Review

July 15th – Books & Beauti – Guest Post

Week Three

July 18th – Swoony Boys Podcast – Review & Character Interview 

July 19th – Book Briefs – Review

July 19th – A Dream Within A Dream – Guest Post

July 19th – All The Crannies – Review

July 20th – The Mind of a Book Dragon – Review

July 20th – Dazzled by Books – Author Interview

July 21st – Vibin With Books – Review

July 21st – The Recipe Fairy – Guest Post

July 21st – Oh, For The Love Of Stories - Review

July 22nd – Books and Bindings – Review

July 22nd – Underneath the Covers – Guest Post

FFBC Blog Tour & Giveaway: Lies I Live By (Lauren Sabel)

Lies I Live By
by Lauren Sabel

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: May 31st 2016

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Romance, intrigue, and action collide in this psychic twist on the classic spy novel.
Callie Sinclair is literally out of her mind; as the government’s youngest psychic spy, she finds valuable information for top-secret missions. Her work keeps her headaches at bay, but it means she must lie to everyone she loves, including her longtime boyfriend, Charlie.
When a new psychic arrives at the office, Callie can’t help but flirt; Jasper already knows her in a way Charlie never will.
But as her love life gets more complicated, so do her visions. People halfway around the world seem to be in danger...and people in her own backyard, too. If Callie can’t find a way to alter future events, she could lose the people she loves—and her mind. Literally.
Lauren Sabel’s enthralling, romantic novel captures the thrill of exploring a unique power in a dangerous world.

Follow the Lies I Live By by Lauren Sabel Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Originally from the Rocky Mountains, Lauren Sabel has returned to the cool mountain air of Boulder, Colorado after living in several wonderful cities that she will always love and continue to visit year after year.
Lauren loves her husband, her family, her friends, and stories that end happily. (Unfortunately, hers never do.) She also loves digging into her mind and revealing tiny gems she didn’t know were there. 
Lauren learned to mind dig while getting her MFA in Creative Writing from Naropa, a Buddhist college in Boulder, Colorado. Before Naropa, Lauren studied film in Rome, where she developed her love of crypts and other beautiful creepy things. She also worked in the film industry in New York and San Francisco, focusing mainly on film festivals, as she can never pass up a good party. In San Francisco she worked for Chronicle Books, where she was inducted into the fascinating world of book publishing. 
For the past eight years, Lauren has been teaching college students the joys of creative writing, whether they like it or not.
In 2008, Lauren was published in Undiscovered Voices, an anthology of the best new writers for children in the U.K., where she was living at the time. Then life got very exciting very quickly. She signed with Jodi Reamer Esq. at The Writer’s House Agency in New York, and they made magic happen, and that magic is named Katherine Tegen. (aka: Katherine Tegen Publishing, Harper Collins).
Lauren's first book, Vivian Divine is Dead was published June 3 2014. She's currently working on her next book, which she can't wait to tell you about (but has to wait just a little while anyway).
Lauren believes that being a teenager is an act of courage, and is proud of anyone who manages to stick through it, despite the pain. :)

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